Smiling gently, Eric held Alicia’s hand and moved towards the window of the hut.
Eric looked into the hut through the window without glass, a smile appearing on his face.
It was a space that now seemed too small even to sit in, but back then it looked so large.
Seemingly thinking the same, Alicia opened her mouth with a smile.
“It’s surprising that there was a time when we were small enough to fit in here.”
“I also had a childhood.”
“The maid said you were a prankster.”
“Well. I don’t know about my parents, but if the maid said it, it must be true.”
While Eric was recalling old memories, Mana’s voice could be heard next to them, scolding a scared Deborah about why she climbed up.
“What’s this?”
While peeking inside the hut, Eric reached in through the window and picked up a fallen notebook.
“Eek! Don’t touch that!”
“Huh?”
Mana snatched the notebook from Eric’s hand at nearly the speed of light.
Mana’s face turned beet red, possibly from embarrassment.
“What made you so excited?”
“It’s nothing! Absolutely nothing!”
As Eric stared in disbelief, Mana carefully held the notebook and quickly walked towards the ladder.
“I’m going down now.”
“Already?”
Eric asked in surprise, but Mana began to descend the ladder without responding.
“We should also start descending. It’s almost time for dinner.”
“Okay, then. Want to go down first?”
“You go first.”
“Then I’ll catch you from below.”
After confirming that Eric had descended, Alicia turned her head towards Deborah.
“Deborah. Want to go first?”
“No, I’ll follow.”
Alicia, seeing Deborah looking scared, extended her hand with a smile.
“I knew we should have asked Eric. Come with me.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize how high it was until I looked down.”
“Don’t worry. Eric is at the bottom.”
Alicia took the first step on the ladder and made room for Deborah to descend.
“Alicia, it’s dangerous to go that way.”
Eric’s worried voice could be heard from below.
“I’ll be careful. Deborah, come this way.”
“Okay, then.”
Deborah placed her foot on the ladder.
The butler of the viscount’s house approached Eric, who was watching from below.
“You’re here. I came to fetch you since dinner is almost ready.”
“Oh, I’ll be there soon.”
“What’s on the menu for tonight? With so many guests, it’s bound to be amazing, right?”
“Miss, if you speak like that, the lady will get angry again.”
“Just keep it a secret from her, butler.”
“What about me?”
“Is there anything for my brother to say in this situation?”
As Eric was distracted by the conversation, Deborah’s other foot slipped, and her body heavily shifted towards Alicia.
“Huh?”
“Sis?”
In a flash, Alicia’s body was pushed by Deborah, causing her to lose her grip on the ladder.
‘I’m falling.’
As her body lifted, everything seemed to slow down and she locked eyes with Deborah, who was looking down at her.
‘Did she just smile?’
Eric managed to catch Alicia just before her body hit the ground.
The moment Alicia felt the impact on her head and body, she heard Eric’s voice.
“Alicia!”
His voice faded into the distance and soon her vision blacked out.
[Star Icon][Star Icon][Star Icon]“Uhhmm.”
“Are you conscious now?”
Barely opening her eyes, Alicia turned her head toward Eric.
“They said it’s a minor concussion, and you’ll get better soon. Don’t worry.”
‘So that’s why my head is spinning.’
“Are you okay?”
“Yes.”
“I’m relieved. You’re able to speak.”
Eric mumbled as if relieved.
“I’m sorry. I lost sight of you for a moment.”
“It’s okay.”
“Alicia.”
“It’s my fault for being careless, not yours.”
Alicia tried to put on a brave smile.
“Now you’ve done the ‘saving’ too. I was supposed to do it.”
“I’m glad you noticed.”
Eric gently stroked Alicia’s disheveled hair.
“No more ladders for you. You know this is the second time, right?”
“Oh.”
“You’re surprisingly a handful.”
Despite his grumbling, Eric seemed relieved and chuckled.
He then straightened Alicia’s blanket and got up from his seat.
“Rest for a bit. I’ll let mother know you’re awake.”
Acknowledging him with a nod, Alicia closed her eyes as Eric left.
Soon after, she heard the door opening and someone coming in.
“She seems more okay than I thought.”
It was Deborah’s voice.
The emotionless tone made Alicia suspicious, so she kept her eyes closed.
A moment of silence passed.
“You really surprised me, big brother becoming so different. It’s because of you, isn’t it, sister Alicia?”
Just when it seemed to get quiet, Deborah laughed with a titter.
“I didn’t know I could do such a thing either. It must be your doing too.”
“I don’t find it amusing to have the blame for your actions shifted onto me.”
When Alicia opened her eyes and met Deborah’s gaze, Deborah bit her lip.
“……Were you pretending to sleep?”
“Just in case.”
“······.”
“I saw it. You smiling when I was falling.”
“You must have seen it wrong.”
“It was too clear to have been a mistake.”
Alicia sat up, leaning on the head of the bed.
Her head was still spinning, but she couldn’t show weakness in front of Deborah.
“Why did you do it?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Are you playing dumb now? You should’ve kept quiet if that was the case. Don’t relax just because there’s no one listening.”
At Alicia’s expressionless face and icy gaze, Deborah shut her mouth.
“I really don’t know why you’re acting like this. Have you always been this kind of person?”
“Why, do I seem different? Then it must be because of Deborah.”
“What?”
“Hurry up and answer. I’m more impatient than you think.”
Without knowing, Deborah clenched the hem of her dress.
“That’s nonsense. Why would I do such a thing.”
“That’s what I want to know. That’s why I asked.”
Alicia inquired in a toneless voice, focusing on Deborah’s slightly trembling eyes.
Suddenly, tears welled up in Deborah’s eyes and she began to whimper.
“?”
“You’re really too much. I just came to apologize because I thought you were hurt because of me, but you’re cornering me as if I did it on purpose.”
“What are you talking about?”
At the sound of Eric’s voice, tears streamed down Deborah’s cheeks.
Whether it was intentional or not, the timing was rather amusing.
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.]
