Line nodded and followed Song Kang. The world seen from the terrace was filled with silence.
The weather was still chilly. Song Kang covered Line’s shoulders with a thick blanket. After drinking beer, Line’s expression became more relaxed.
Song Kang also looked at the distant mountains and took a sip of beer.
“I really act on my own, don’t I?”
“I’m glad I don’t know.”
“I always regret it, but I still do it because I might regret it if I don’t… That’s how it is.”
“What does that mean?”
“Behaving cunningly knowing I’ll regret it, but if I don’t, I might regret it… In that moment, I do it again.”
Her words followed the context of what she said before. How could she be so consistently independent…
“Mr. Lee.”
Line called for Song Kang and stared at him for a while. Just like during the previous investigation, he couldn’t help but think that Song Kang looked really pitiful during this investigation as well.
“Have you been very lonely?”
Her question hit Song Kang’s chest with a thud. He couldn’t speak for a while.
“I don’t have anyone to miss……. so I wasn’t lonely. But I don’t think it’s the same for you, Director.”
What he said this time was the same, hitting his chest.
Perhaps she was afraid that she would feel lonely, so she seemed to lock herself in a busy life. In academics, in work……. Such a life seemed like a life for someone with a strong sense of responsibility.
“Why make such a comparison?”
“Come with me to my mother’s memorial service.”
Song Kang was grateful for her warm heart.
“Sure. Then let’s go together to the parents’ memorial service for Inspector Jin.”
Line didn’t respond. She lowered her head soon after.
“I don’t like it. I don’t usually observe my parents’ death anniversaries. I don’t even celebrate my birthday.”
“Let’s start observing from now on.”
“But I don’t want to.”
It was a response without a moment of hesitation. It also meant that Line was very sensitive about that part. She got angry, then drank beer in large gulps.
Song Kang understood Line’s feelings. More than anyone, she must have thought long and hard about that issue. It was something that nobody could easily give advice on or provide guidance for.
Song Kang also drank beer in silence. Line, feeling thirsty, shook an empty beer can. Perhaps the expression “burning inside” was appropriate.
“Why are you so annoyed?”
“No, it’s just… I mean…”
Strictly speaking, Song Kang didn’t have to express his emotions. Line sighed deeply and sat down at the table. Then, her nose dipped, and she cast her gaze downward.
Song Kang approached Line, then, gripping the table, he looked closely at Line’s face.
“Go away. I’m not in the mood for this today.”
“Why do you think I’m doing something? I’m not doing it because you’re in that mood.”
Line leaned back, and Song Kang moved even closer. Line pouted and was silent.
“Can’t I be the one you miss as Inspector Jin’s family? We can be a family.”
Family, was it an connection that could be easily made? It wasn’t an environment easily allowed for Line.
Line placed her hands between the curve of his shoulders and neck. She looked at him with tender eyes.
“I like it because you’re like a dad.”
“Not an older brother, but a dad?”
Line nodded without hesitation. Song Kang couldn’t find it amusing.
“If my dad were alive… he would take care of me like this, worry about me, teach me… I think he would have done that.”
If that was the meaning, it could be understood. Song Kang brushed Line’s hair behind her ear and gently stroked her head.
“Not all fathers are like that. My father never took me to an amusement park even once. He never scolded me either. He just told me to grow up well as Taesung’s successor. That’s all he cared about.”
Song Kang’s gaze, like Line’s, became tender. But it was okay because he was with Line.
“Whether a dad or an older brother… I’ll be the person Inspector Jin wants. So, please take responsibility for cherishing, loving, and missing Inspector Jin.”
“Actually… I’ve changed a lot since I met you. I didn’t know I would go around with this on my face. I used to fall, bump into things… I lived without caring about such things.”
Line’s pupils revealed a strong determination.
“When I was young, I was running in a relay race during a sports competition, and I collided with a friend. But my friend’s mom came, quickly helped them up, comforted them, and so on. But I didn’t have anyone to do that for me… so I just pretended it was nothing and got up by myself. If I didn’t cry, I wouldn’t need someone to comfort me…”
Why today of all days she was telling such heart-wrenching stories… Song Kang was afraid he might reveal his choked-up emotions.
“Ah… I guess I’m drunk. I keep saying unnecessary things.”
“Thank you for telling me.”
Line forced a smile, lifting the corners of her mouth, and Song Kang felt the forced smile painfully in his eyes. He pulled Line’s waist tightly and lifted her up, supporting her buttocks.
“I like it best when Inspector Jin hugs me like this.”
Line hugged Song Kang tightly around the neck.
“I also like it best when I’m with Inspector Jin.”
It was sincere. When he was with Line, he didn’t think about work at the company, Taesung’s stock, the golden orchid, or the misdeeds of her children.
There was no reason to achieve success, no reason to restrain, and it was good to share their true selves as they were.
Line felt the same way. When she was with Song Kang, she felt like she had become a carefree child. There was a long time when she lived as she pleased without caring about anything.
There were times when she thought, “It doesn’t matter if I live or die.” However, meeting him and being loved, she, for the first time in her life, considered herself a precious person.
“Thank you. Thanks for loving me.”
Male lead is a Destined Young Husband (Female-dominant)
One-sentence summary: Wife-master, listen to my explanation!
Li Ruantang, a young lady from a prestigious family, stumbled and fell. When she woke up, she saw a noble and beautiful young man sitting by her bedside, wiping away tears.
The young master had slightly reddened eyes, and his every move exuded charm.
The sight made Li Ruantang’s eyes hot and her heart flutter. After all, she had made a bet with the young master Meng from the neighboring family. If she couldn’t marry a husband before the end of the year, she would have to admit defeat and give up the jade she had worked so hard to obtain.
Outside the window, the flowers were in full bloom.
Rather than losing the bet, the jade, and her face, Li Ruantang calculated that it would be better to seek marriage with the young master in front of her, killing three birds with one stone.
…
Meng Jun never thought that an accident during a spring outing would lead to them rolling down a cliff and into a river, yet still survive.
Now they were trapped in an unknown village, and Meng Jun had overheard that the family who had rescued them had their own intentions.
After all, it was Li Ruantang who had lost her mind and sought marriage first. He was only trying to protect himself!
Glancing at Li Ruantang, who was listing her own merits, the young husband’s voice softened, and he blushed as he lied, “W-wife-master, Wife-master, don’t you remember me?”
The young husband’s voice was clear and handsome, coaxing Li Ruantang’s heart to be soft and sweet, and she spared no effort to protect him.
It wasn’t until they returned to the capital that Li Ruantang suddenly remembered.
When they had fallen off the cliff, in order not to implicate Wei Yunruo, whom he secretly admired, the young husband had instead pulled her, who was slightly farther away, down the cliff with him…
Short summary by Yuushi L: Initially, the male lead (ML) liked another girl, while the female lead (FL) liked the ML. Both fell off a cliff. The FL temporarily lost her memory, and the ML, fearing others might take advantage of him, claimed FL was his wife while they were staying in a village. Later, when they returned home, the FL regained her memories and remembered that the ML liked someone else, so she kept her distance from him. However, during their time living together in the countryside, the ML’s view of the FL had completely changed. From this point, his pursuit of the FL begins.
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