Everyone stared at the agitated researcher, rigid with tension.
“What’s happening?”
The researcher answered quickly, barely catching their breath.
“There’s an uprising near the northern border of Norton’s Gorge.”
At the mention of the Kingdom of Norton, all eyes and ears turned in that direction.
That kingdom was the trade route for distributing Leveru, mother’s medicine.
Since relations between the Hart Empire, the sole producer of Leveru ingredients, and the Lisetium Pantheon Empire were extremely poor, direct imports were impossible without going through Norton as a trade route.
‘If there’s an uprising, what will happen to that medicine?’
My heart raced uncontrollably.
The image of that man overlaid like an afterimage.
That man who always looked down on the world from above… He must have surely stocked up enough of that medicine.
I tried to calm my racing heart with that thought.
Come to think of it, such uprisings were not entirely unexpected.
There had been instances in the past where trade disruptions led to diplomatic issues that needed resolution.
That man, who prepared for everything, must have anticipated such a situation.
One of the researchers casually questioned:
“Don’t these uprisings happen from time to time?”
In response to this dismissive tone, the researcher who had just arrived pushed up his glasses, unable to hide his excitement.
“But this time the border has collapsed, so the Riff won’t be able to come in.”
“The Riff?”
Riff was the main raw material for this tracking device.
The atmosphere instantly grew heavy.
Just when we thought we were almost there… for this to happen.
The thought that the project, so close to completion, might be scrapped again instantly weighed down the atmosphere.
“What should we do then?”
“Aren’t there any substitutes for Riff?”
“We should wait and see the situation for now.”
“But reports say the situation doesn’t look good. The war might last for years…”
As the gloomy situation continued, the faces of the team leader and Lady Baorbin in the center became visibly darker.
Meanwhile, murmurs arose from the surrounding researchers.
Amidst the voices filled mostly with pessimistic news, there was no hope to be found.
‘A war…’
‘And of all places, with the Kingdom of Norton, our trade route…’
As I stood there blankly, I heard that man’s name again.
“Shouldn’t we contact our sponsor first?”
“Even if it’s Duke Cassian, would he have a solution in this situation?”
“Still, I’m saying we should at least try to contact him.”
Gradually, gazes settled on me.
It was natural for them to deduce that I was the one who brought that man, since I had been constantly seeking sponsors.
Their gazes were only diverted when the team leader’s busy voice was heard.
Only after he suggested wrapping up for the day did the researchers start to leave one by one.
The deputy director, with a darkened face, observed the situation before finally leaving with the team leader.
I caught the deputy director’s accusatory question to the team leader about what to do if there were problems with Riff procurement.
Silence descended upon the now-empty space.
Standing alone in the empty space, it felt as if the ground was sinking beneath my feet.
It felt like the world had placed me on a test bench and was playing tricks on me.
As the researchers had speculated, it was unknown how long this conflict would last.
With trembling fingers, I read the headlines at the bottom of the newspaper page left behind by the researchers.
The more I read, the clearer the conclusion became.
Unless the Kingdom of Norton was subjugated, this conflict would not end.
In other words, as one researcher had said, this conflict could last for years.
If the tracking device project was delayed for years, the only answer would be to discontinue it.
Mother’s breath would cease in the meantime.
My mind went blank.
The image of that man flickers in my mind.
That person who always held the answers I desperately sought so simply… now he invaded my thoughts out of habit in moments like these.
After that, I couldn’t focus on anything else.
My mind was entirely fixated on that man and the letter that might arrive.
Yet, at this crucial moment, he didn’t send any message. As if it were a trick of fate.
In the end, my steps aimlessly led me towards him.
[This is the timeline separator]Once I saw his face, I hesitated, unsure of what to say.
The man smiled, unaware of my urgency.
Teacups were placed before us one by one, and he elegantly sipped from his.
“It’s good that a conflict has broken out.”
His red eyes slowly pierced through me.
“It’s not often that you come to find me first.”
He appeared so relaxed, it was almost as if he might be suspected of being the instigator of the conflict.
His upturned lips especially gave that impression.
How could he smile like that in a situation where war might break out?
Watching him grin, reality finally sank in.
Even though I constantly planned to escape from this devilish man at every moment, when cornered, I ended up here before him.
It was I who, not understanding why he treated me well, feared it yet still thought to use it.
Even now, it was I who felt relieved that he seemed to be in a good mood.
He must be mocking that too.
The man, without erasing his pleased expression, looked directly at me.
I was reflected in his wavering red eyes.
His gaze traveled from my face to my neck, then to my fingers, lingering.
Perhaps because of that, it felt as if my body was burning wherever his gaze touched.
He traced the teacup with his long fingers, as if feeling it.
It felt as if those fingers were tracing my body.
Finally, he elegantly set down the teacup with a soft clink.
“There’s nothing to worry about.”
Crossing one leg, he added nonchalantly.
“Both the Riff and that medicine are all prepared.”
As everything that had been twisted like a storm began to stabilize, relief settled in.
With his one sentence, the world had turned upside down.
That’s right. Come to think of it, he had always been my savior in every crucial, albeit cruel, moment.
Only after this newfound realization did I notice his still-smiling lips.
He had known all along that I would come and say these things.
Did he not contact me this time because he wanted to see me like this?
To look down on me haughtily once again.
But…
The smile I now discovered was somehow different from usual.
Having seen his crooked upturned lips many times before, I could tell more clearly.
That was his genuine smile.
Why?
Why was he acting as if he truly liked me?
My thoughts flowed backwards, examining each of his words.
When I jumbled the well-fitted puzzle pieces and examined each face, things that weren’t visible before became apparent.
‘He said everything was prepared.’
While the project’s sponsorship items weren’t just my concern, but that medicine too…
Did he mean he had stocked up on all of that medicine?
Predictions were rife that once the war started, it would take years to end.
For him to say there wouldn’t be any problems during that period…
This person, who surely knew that mother’s illness would be cured in just a few more months, must have prepared quite a large quantity.
Yet, not giving it all to me at once… was it still to use it as a tool to subjugate me?
But why go to such lengths…?
Numerous questions remained knotted in my mind, refusing to leave.
Eventually, they took shape and, before I knew it, spilled out.
“How many years’ worth of that medicine have you prepared?”
He nodded slightly and added nonchalantly.
“I meant that you don’t need to worry since there’s a separate distribution channel.”
Ah, a distribution channel…
I thought that medicine only came from the Kingdom of Norton, but could there be another place I didn’t know about?
Something felt off, but that thought didn’t last long.
After all, he had no reason to lie to me about having a separate distribution channel.
I just assumed there must be another distribution channel I didn’t know about, and let it go.
“That’s a relief. Everyone was so worried.”
“Everyone?”
“Yes. They were concerned that if the Riff supply was cut off, there might be another problem with the project. It’s really fortunate. And… thank you.”
His transparent red gaze quietly observed me.
Unsure of what more to say, I was considering whether to just say goodbye and leave when he broke the silence first.
“Are you planning to pay only with words?”
“…Pardon?”
“I understand you came because you needed something, but I didn’t expect you to just say what you needed and leave.”
“Ah…”
His gaze, unclear whether joking or serious, remained unwavering.
For a while, I thought it would pass easily, but as expected, this man is not easy to deal with.
My cautious steps towards him were tinged with trembling.
Standing before the man, I raised my heels and kissed his lips.
To call it a emotionless kiss would be inaccurate, given the trembling lips that met his.
The man held onto my lips for quite some time, refusing to let go.
As if determined not to release his prey once caught.
As the persistent kiss lengthened, memories of countless nights with this man flashed through my mind, causing goosebumps all over my body.
This man, who awakens all my senses with just a touch, instantly revived all my sensations.
The hot breath colliding, the gentle sound of breathing, the heat stirring inside, and the trembling of my heart all came to life and pulsated like a flower just beginning to bloom.
The body, seemingly imprinted to respond only to this man, thus reveals everything.
Completely unrelated to my mind.
No, can I truly say it’s unrelated to my mind?
Now, my heart, seemingly imprinted only to this man, beat fiercely.
A voice, mixed with truth and lies that even I couldn’t discern, trembled and escaped.
“I love you.”
How perfect this act was, deceiving even myself.
The false wrapping placed over the base whisper seemed to have completely fooled him.
The corners of his mouth turned up gently towards me.
That sight always captivates my gaze.
Then, meeting the man’s gaze, I barely regained my senses and pulled at the corners of my mouth as before.
I thought it wouldn’t be difficult to act along with his rhythm…
But this moment, as the end approaches, feels even more challenging.
As I put on a bright smile, he finally released me with a satisfied expression.
“Me too.”
Saying something utterly absurd.
“…Pardon?”
“I love you too.”
The man’s eyes curved seductively.
As if trying to tempt me.
Male lead Asks for a Divorce Every Day
It’s not often you come across a plot like this in the female-dominant genre — make sure to check it out!
This is a novel I’m planning to reread as well.
The male lead is strong, skilled in martial arts, and not the usual fragile type you often see in matriarchal novels.
Meanwhile, the female lead is a scientist—rational and logical. Even when she falls for the male lead, she doesn’t let her emotions cloud her decisions.
If you push through the first few chapters, you’ll gradually find the story really intriguing.
It has a mix of mystery, detective elements, and romance.
The author’s writing style is like crafting a puzzle—except they deliberately leave out a few pieces, making it hard to predict what happens next, yet keeping you hooked.
In the end, everything will come together and be explained.
One-sentence summary: Wife, stop playing with beakers and look at me!
In a laboratory accident, research scientist Zhu Wansheng accidentally travels to a matriarchal world. The original owner of the body is an eighteen-year-old only daughter of a wealthy rouge merchant, already married with a handsome young man.
Zhu Wansheng grins: Nice! She always said she was heaven’s favorite granddaughter. After a life of toil in her previous life, she can enjoy blessings in this one.
However, her joy lasts no more than three seconds as bad news arrives: the original owner’s family is about to go bankrupt, and her husband wants a divorce.
Even worse, she’s stuck with a research system full of restrictions.
Zhu Wansheng: ? Is this the destiny of a research dog?
——
Faced with this mess, Zhu Wansheng pours herself a bowl of wine to drown her sorrows. In her drunken haze, her husband arrives.
His figure is imposing, holding a long sword, with a dignified air that captivates Zhu Wansheng.
Gu Yingqing, however, looks at the alcohol-reeking Zhu Wansheng with undisguised disgust and coldly asks, “Divorce or not?” The intoxicated Zhu Wansheng mumbles vaguely, “I think… it’s not… it’s not… impossible!”
——
The next day, after sobering up, Zhu Wansheng is full of energy, rolling up her sleeves ready to make a big move. As for yesterday? She has no memory of it.
Zhu Wansheng is ambitious; a research dog fears nothing!
Upgrading rouge, extracting fragrances, producing perfumes, researching lipsticks… all shall bow to the power of modern technology!
The original owner’s dying rouge shop is revitalized. Her mother is pleased and with a wave of her hand, passes on the family business to her. As she takes control and her experimental results gain popularity, it’s the pinnacle of her life…
——
But there are always those who can’t stand to see her doing well. Jealousy, scheming, assassination attempts – they want nothing less than her life.
The person who has always kept his distance from her suddenly holds her tightly in his arms, eyes full of concern.
She is unharmed, but he falls into a pool of blood…
Zhu Wansheng feels guilty, “I can grant you one wish.”
Gu Yingqing tentatively circles his arms around her, carefully resting his head in the crook of her neck, pleading softly, “I regret it. Can we not divorce?”
Zhu Wansheng: ? When did I agree to a divorce?
[Small Theater]
The newly developed rouge is beautifully packaged, and Zhu Wansheng is eager to try it.
Gu Yingqing suddenly appears: “My lady, may I apply it for you?”
Cool fingertips lightly brush her lips. His Adam’s apple bobs as he leans in for a light bite.
Zhu Wansheng: ?
Gu Yingqing: It smells so good, I wanted to taste it…
On a warm spring day, Zhu Wansheng tries a new perfume: “Spring Night.” Gu Yingqing corners her against a wall.
Warm breath lingers on her neck.
“My lady, from now on, may I test the fragrances for you?”
[Humorous female scientist vs scheming live-in son-in-law male lead]
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
