Married First, a Couple (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 12
“I touched Mr. Do Jun’s nose, cheeks, and lips—so I assumed you intended the same, Mr. Do Jun.”
“I did, indeed.”
“Then do it in front of Madam Choi.”
Do Jun narrowed his eyes slightly and stared at Tae Yeon, as if asking what she meant.
“It’s exactly as I said. If we’re going to stage it for show anyway, wouldn’t it be better to do it in front of Madam Choi?”
She couldn’t bring herself to admit her true thought—that being touched performatively in front of Madam Choi would feel less awkward than if they were alone.
Since no other affectionate acting came to mind, Do Jun accepted Tae Yeon’s suggestion.
Before pressing the door lock button, Tae Yeon took a deep breath in and out, evidently nervous.
“This is difficult.”
“Acting out a lie is always difficult.”
Do Jun’s dark eyes remained fixed on Tae Yeon.
He effortlessly delivered such challenging falsehoods as naturally as eating a meal—
So why did she pretend to be clumsy and inept only when she was with him?
He, too, was curious.
“Shall we go in?”
Tae Yeon called out to Do Jun, who had been lost in thought.
“Let’s.”
The sound of the door unlocking played, and the two stepped inside.
Madam Choi, having just finished preparing dinner in the kitchen, hurried toward the entrance to greet them.
“You’re here! I made grilled eel for dinner.”
“I’ll change and be right back.”
Do Jun placed his hand on Tae Yeon’s waist and guided her toward the dressing room. The distance between them, pressed closely together, was extremely narrow.
The dressing room door clicked open, and Tae Yeon immediately pulled away from Do Jun’s side.
“Mr. Do Jun, please change first and come out.”
Do Jun loosened his tie and looked at Tae Yeon.
“Aren’t you changing?”
“After you’ve changed…”
“Could it be that, despite being husband and wife, you’re shy?”
It was an unmistakable provocation.
Before Tae Yeon could respond, Do Jun swiftly unbuttoned his shirt entirely.
Upon seeing his well-defined upper torso, Tae Yeon abruptly turned away and, suppressing her trembling voice, said:
“Mr. Do Jun—even if we’re married, stripping without warning like that is a bit…”
A soft rustle followed, as his shirt dropped to the floor. Tae Yeon tensed further and clasped her hands tightly together.
“Why do you turn away?”
Do Jun’s voice descended from just behind her, now standing close.
Still facing away, Tae Yeon replied:
“Because I’m embarrassed.”
“Embarrassed? That’s strange coming from someone who persistently scrutinized me yesterday and today.”
At that, Tae Yeon bristled and spun around, fixing wide-eyed, incredulous gaze on Do Jun’s face.
“Mr. Do Jun, that statement just now seems highly prone to misunderstanding.”
Do Jun tilted his head slightly, waiting to hear what she would say next.
“And ‘scrutinized’? It was just a light touch… at most.”
She trailed off sheepishly, offering a faint smile. Her expression, trembling with nerves, looked endearing.
‘Is this why I keep asking questions I’d rather not answer?’
Having that thought, Do Jun cleared his throat with a soft *ahem*. Another pointless musing.
He stepped back, pulled out silk pajamas from the dresser, and put them on.
“Oh?”
Tae Yeon’s eyes widened noticeably upon seeing them.
“That pajama set—you’re wearing the same one as me?”
The silk pajamas Do Jun wore matched hers—only the color differed.
“That’s right. I asked Madam Choi.”
“Oh…”
“I had her buy it to match yours.”
Coincidentally, the identical pajamas had unintentionally become a couple item.
‘I’ll need to buy myself a new set later.’
As if reading her thoughts, Do Jun added the final nail:
“I’d prefer you didn’t consider buying a new set.”
“…”
“If you did, I’d have to ask Madam Choi again—and naturally, she’d find it suspicious.”
His reasoning was sound, leaving her no room to object. Meanwhile, Do Jun had already fully changed into the pajamas.
Now unexpectedly wearing matching couple pajamas, she felt strangely flustered. Glancing at the dressing room door, Tae Yeon said:
“Mr. Do Jun, you can go ahead and leave first.”
Though he wanted to insist on waiting and walking out with her, he knew Tae Yeon wouldn’t obediently agree.
“Fine. But I’ll wait for you out front.”
“Yes.”
As Do Jun exited the dressing room, Tae Yeon tightly shut her eyes.
Ever since his return to Korea, her once-peaceful daily life had changed completely—
Both at work and at home.
At the office, she had to constantly conceal things; at home, she had to work hard to display something that didn’t exist.
Either way, both were performances of falsehood.
Do Jun’s words from earlier in the car suddenly echoed in her mind:
“Acting out a lie is always difficult.”
“That’s true.”
Hastily changing into the matching pajamas, Tae Yeon soon stepped out of the dressing room as well.
[This is the timeline separator]Do Jun and Tae Yeon sat facing each other across the dinner table Madam Choi had prepared.
No sooner had Tae Yeon picked up her spoon than a perfectly grilled eel fillet was placed on her plate.
“Eat plenty.”
“You too, Mr. Do Jun.”
Conscious of Madam Choi, Tae Yeon passed him a large piece of grilled eel as well. With a sly smile, Do Jun teased:
“If I eat too much, things might get difficult for you—I wonder if you can handle it?”
“Excuse me?”
Understanding his implication, Tae Yeon’s cheeks flushed crimson. Meanwhile, Do Jun nonchalantly continued his meal, unperturbed.
After this affectionately staged dinner concluded, they washed up and settled in the living room.
Aware of Madam Choi brewing warm tea in the kitchen, Do Jun whispered into Tae Yeon’s ear:
“When she brings the tea and leaves, I’ll do it.”
“Yes.”
Tae Yeon, too, wore a solemn expression.
Could anyone really believe they were a genuinely loving married couple, seeing them like this?
Soon after, Madam Choi placed two warm cups of chamomile tea before them.
“This tea helps with sleep.”
“Thank you, Madam Choi.”
After taking a sip, Do Jun set his cup down.
Then, reaching out, he wrapped his arm around Tae Yeon’s waist and gently pulled her closer toward himself.
Instantly, the distance between them shrank.
Gazing at Tae Yeon with his deep black eyes, Do Jun cradled her cheek in his large hand and said:
“When we met on the rooftop at the office today…”
“…”
“I struggled hard to resist holding you like this.”
It was a statement anyone overhearing might misinterpret as evidence of a secret rooftop rendezvous.
Tae Yeon, now somewhat accustomed, responded with a gentle smile, matching Do Jun’s acting:
“I thought I was the only one feeling that way…”
Do Jun’s fingers moved to her soft lips—intending to replicate exactly what she had done to him at the restaurant after wine.
Madam Choi, watching the couple gaze tenderly at one another, offered a faint smile and quickly left to avoid disturbing their moment.
Even after Madam Choi disappeared, Do Jun didn’t stop what he was doing.
His touch on her lips evoked an entirely different sensation than when he’d touched her cheek—
An unfamiliar emotion, felt for the first time.
While gently tracing Tae Yeon’s soft lips, Do Jun murmured:
“We’ll need to install even tighter blinds in the department head’s office.”
“You wouldn’t… would you?”
“What you’re imagining is probably correct.”
Do Jun glanced toward the kitchen, where Madam Choi was tidying up, then pulled back from Tae Yeon.
Tae Yeon quietly exhaled, unnoticed by Do Jun, and took a sip of the chamomile tea before her.
The warmth of the tea seemed to soothe her nerves.
“Madam Choi.”
“Yes, Department Head?”
“You may head home now. It’s late again today.”
“Nothing else you’d like me to do?”
“No. Thank you for your hard work.”
No sooner had Madam Choi closed the door behind her than Tae Yeon and Do Jun distanced themselves once more—sitting at opposite ends of the sofa, sipping the now nearly cold chamomile tea.
“Still, I feel less tense now, Ms. Jin Tae Yeon.”
“I suppose lying gets easier with practice.”
Do Jun set his empty cup down with a soft *clack*.
“Chairman Cha has invited us to lunch together on Saturday.”
“Yes.”
“If you think it’ll be uncomfortable, I can go alone.”
Though she desperately wanted to let him go solo, she knew she couldn’t send him by himself.
This was the first family meal since Do Jun’s return to Korea—and if Tae Yeon were absent, questions would inevitably arise.
“No, I’ll come along too.”
“Are you sure?”
“It’s something I need to do, after all.”
Do Jun crossed his long legs and leaned back deeply into the sofa.
“How about some shopping after lunch—to buy your gift?”
“You really don’t have to. Just the thought of celebrating me is enough—I’m truly grateful.”
At that, Do Jun offered a small smile.
“We’ll also stop by to get your ring resized.”
Tae Yeon responded with a nod.
[This is the timeline separator]To join Chairman Cha for Saturday lunch, Do Jun and Tae Yeon headed to Baeksangjae.
Passing through the tall gate, they were greeted by a meticulously kept garden.
It was Tae Yeon’s first visit to Chairman Cha’s residence since their marriage. During Do Jun’s assignment to the U.S. branch, he had subtly arranged things so she wouldn’t need to attend family events in his absence.
Outwardly, it seemed considerate of Tae Yeon—but in truth, it wasn’t.
Though she was his wife, it was a kind of boundary, signaling she hadn’t yet fully become “Do Jun’s person” to the extent of handling family rites and ceremonies.
But Tae Yeon didn’t mind—it relieved her, in fact, since she’d planned to divorce him anyway, and growing close to the family elders had frightened her.
Upon hearing that Do Jun and Tae Yeon had arrived, Chairman Cha emerged from his study.
“You’re here.”
Inside the kitchen, the dining table was laden with all sorts of delicious dishes, prepared in anticipation of their visit.
Chairman Cha took the head seat, with Do Jun and Tae Yeon seated side by side. One seat opposite them remained empty. Do Jun asked:
“Who else is coming?”
“I also asked your older brother, Hae Jun.”
At that, Do Jun’s brow furrowed sharply.
Seeing his expression harden even more than usual, Tae Yeon grew puzzled.
‘Now that I think about it, I never met Mr. Do Jun’s older brother at the pre-wedding family dinner.’
Moments later, Do Jun’s elder brother, Hae Jun, appeared.
“You’re all already here.”
Hae Jun headed toward the empty seat and greeted Do Jun and Tae Yeon warmly.
“Do Jun, it’s been a while. And Sister-in-law—I’m meeting you for the first time.”
Though Hae Jun offered Do Jun a kind, friendly smile, Do Jun gave no reply.
The atmosphere instantly chilled—yet Hae Jun was the one to break the tension.
“Sister-in-law, I never properly congratulated you on your marriage—nearly two years have passed.”
He beamed at Tae Yeon, as if something delighted him immensely.
“I’m truly sorry I couldn’t attend the family dinner back then—I was stuck on a sudden business trip. That must be why this kid’s still acting so distant. Hahaha. I’d have loved to attend the wedding ceremony, if there’d been one.”
“Oh—Mr. Do Jun had to leave abruptly for the U.S. branch, so we skipped it.”
Do Jun continued to stare at Hae Jun with an unyielding expression—the subtle tension remained palpable.
Male lead fell into her trap — and shattered when she walked away
This is also on my reread list!
This one is a slow burn, but when it burns, it burns hard.
Definitely worth a read, y’all!
The story follows a thousand-year-old seductive spirit who, on a bet, sets out to charm the male lead—a once-promising but unfortunate cultivator.
But just when she succeeds in making him fall for her, she heartlessly leaves, driving him to madness.
Determined to find her at all costs, he captures her, keeping her by his side no matter what, even if she hates him.
I love this kind of trope—I enjoy watching the male lead suffer in agony.
The ending drags a bit with unnecessary filler, but that’s fine.
As long as I enjoy the beginning, I’m good.
Intro
As an enchantress, Su Heng possesses captivating eyes and charming beauty, easily manipulating the joys and sorrows of living beings at her fingertips.
But to enchant a god, making him taste the bitterness of love’s separation, long-lasting resentment, unattainable desires, and inability to let go…
Do you dare?
Su Heng assists a divine lord in his cultivation, aiming to make him experience all the sufferings of love, so that he can attain the Great Dao.
Only after being chased down from the heavens by the divine lord, confined and completely possessed by him, does she realize how successful she has been.
The once gentle and polite youth has transformed into someone she no longer recognizes.
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