Great. Da-eun and Min-ju also agreed with Do-yeon’s suggestion, passing the ball to Lee Soo.
Lee Soo felt an unspoken pressure in the gazes of the three.
Her friends were sneakily glancing at Ha-joon’s group.
Among them, the looks at Ji-ho seemed to go beyond surprise to awe.
‘If we join them, who knows what Do-yeon might say…’
Lee Soo, conflicted by her friends’ glances, made up her mind.
“Well, I prefer just hanging out with us…”
As she awkwardly began to refuse, Ha-joon suddenly interrupted.
“Let’s do it. It’ll be fun to meet like this.”
Before Lee Soo could respond, Ha-joon turned to his friends, including Ji-ho, asking, “Guys, you’re okay with it, right?”
Four guys walked ahead with four girls following.
“Lee Soo, all your schoolmates are so cool.”
Do-yeon, arm in arm with Lee Soo, was visibly excited.
“They dress so stylishly, are tall, and all four are handsome. Especially that guy in the blue shirt.”
Do-yeon pointed at Ji-ho, who was wearing a blue shirt, and whispered in Lee Soo’s ear with a grin.
Da-eun and Min-ju also seemed thrilled, as if they were going to a group blind date.
Lee Soo felt somewhat uncomfortable with the situation, but it seemed better than going to the club after all.
The original Korean paragraph contains 30 lines. Here is the English translation, maintaining the exact same number of lines:
Just sit quietly and drink.
Ha-joon led them to a room hop.
Entering the entrance, small rooms lined up on either side of a narrow corridor.
They entered a room guided by an employee.
“Lee Soo, you go in first.”
Ji-ho, waiting at the door, let Lee Soo enter first and then followed, sitting next to her.
They sat facing each other, four on each side of the table.
After taking orders, the employee closed the door and left.
A brief awkward silence followed the bold suggestion of joining tables.
During this, Ji-ho held Lee Soo’s hand under the table.
Though there seemed no need to hide at a place other than school, Ji-ho decided to stay quiet unless Lee Soo introduced him first.
Lee Soo, with a shy smile, intertwined her fingers with Ji-ho’s large hand.
Secretly holding hands felt more thrilling than doing it openly.
“Lee Soo, introduce us.”
Startled by Do-yeon’s words, Lee Soo composed her expression.
“Oh! Okay.”
Lee Soo felt like she had suddenly become a matchmaker.
“These are my high school friends, Min-ju, Da-eun, Do-yeon.”
She introduced each friend by pointing at them.
“Hello?”
All three greeted with laughter, seeming genuinely happy.
It was the most pleasant laughter since their meeting earlier.
Frankly, it was a bit baffling.
“And Ha-joon, you introduce your side.”
As soon as Ha-joon finished introducing, they all silently observed each other.
Lee Soo felt awkward in the sudden meeting-like atmosphere.
She had always disliked such forced socializations and had never been to a meeting or blind date.
“How about we all talk informally since we’re the same age?”
“Let’s do that.”
Following Do-yeon’s suggestion, Ji-ho’s friends agreed.
Soon, even minor jokes brought loud laughter, creating a warm and friendly atmosphere.
Only Ji-ho and Lee Soo seemed like outsiders in this excited environment.
“You look so pretty today.”
Ji-ho whispered softly to Lee Soo, leaning in so only she could hear.
He had wanted to say this since they first met.
Even in jeans and a cotton tee, she was pretty, but today, she was stunningly beautiful.
Lee Soo blushed slightly and smiled softly.
Her fingers gently fidgeted in Ji-ho’s hand.
Holding hands felt like a gentle electric current was passing between them.
“Ji-ho, right? You’re so handsome; I thought you were a celebrity.”
Do-yeon’s playful voice suddenly interrupted.
“You must be really popular.”
Despite being first-time acquaintances, Do-yeon casually called Ji-ho by his name.
Ji-ho responded with a slight smile, unmoved.
He had heard such comments too often to be affected.
“You look like you’d be popular too.”
Ha-joon commented, looking at Do-yeon.
Do-yeon had a typically beautiful face with large features and a Western look.
Today, her outfit revealing her figure and glamorous makeup made her look even more feminine.
“Ha-ha. Thanks. But in school, Lee Soo was more popular.”
Lee Soo shot Do-yeon a sharp look.
‘What is she trying to say with that?’
The original Korean paragraph contains 30 lines. Here is the English translation, maintaining the exact same number of lines:
Do-yeon bent down to pick up a fork she had dropped earlier and was startled to see Ji-ho holding Lee Soo’s hand tightly.
Their interlocked fingers made it clear they were dating.
‘Wow, Lee Soo. She’s dating such a handsome guy.’
Do-yeon smirked, pretending to be nonchalant while looking at Ji-ho and Lee Soo sitting calmly.
“Why talk about the past? Let’s talk about something else.”
Lee Soo tried to change the subject, not wanting to hear about herself from Do-yeon.
“Why? Old stories are fun. But do you have a boyfriend?”
Do-yeon asked bluntly, suspecting their relationship was a secret since they were holding hands secretly.
“…….”
“Lee Soo is quite picky, isn’t she? Even in high school, she dated the most popular guy.”
Lee Soo’s face contorted at that remark.
Ji-ho’s eyebrows twitched slightly too.
“Min-jae, I mean.”
As Do-yeon mentioned Min-jae’s name, Min-ju and Da-eun both looked at Lee Soo at the same time.
For Lee Soo, Min-jae was like a taboo word.
After various rumors with Min-jae, Lee Soo had treated him like he was invisible, disliking even talking about him.
Lee Soo’s expression turned icy in an instant, but Do-yeon laughed, unfazed.
“Can we stop this nonsense?”
What did she mean by ‘dating Min-jae’?
Lee Soo was baffled why Do-yeon, who knew the situation better than anyone, would say such a thing.
Ji-ho firmly gripped Lee Soo’s hand, which was trembling slightly.
“What’s nonsensical? Guys, you know it too. Lee Soo and Min-jae dated. Everyone in our school knew about it. They were a famous couple at school.”
Do-yeon looked at Min-ju and Da-eun, emphasizing the truth in her words.
“Come out with me for a second.”
Unable to bear it any longer, Lee Soo glared at Do-yeon and abruptly stood up.
The Male lead Always Seduces Her with His Beauty (Matriarchy)
Xin Jiao Zhou is the leader of the world’s premier sect. She has just experienced betrayal from all sides, was poisoned in an assassination attempt, and faced death squad attacks while the poison was taking effect. After finally clearing out the scum from her sect, she was drugged again while trying to detoxify.
After waking up from a night of unconsciousness, she gained a “beautiful and kind-hearted” husband.
Xin Jiao Zhou: “???”
He fell ill.
She came to see him, bringing breakfast.
As she put down the breakfast and was about to leave, his hand slipped while holding the spoon. “Clank!”
She turned around upon hearing the noise.
He looked up at her, his eyebrows drooping: “My hand… has no strength.”
“Shall I… feed you?” she asked tentatively.
He opened his mouth cheerfully: “Ah—”
Thinking she was drowning, he jumped in without hesitation to save her, but nearly drowned himself. In the end, it was she who swam over to rescue him, giving him air underwater.
After emerging from the water, his ear tips turned red. He lightly brushed his cheek, tucking his sideburns behind his ear, revealing delicate, pink-tinged ear tips. He lowered his gaze, too embarrassed to look at her.
Xin Jiao Zhou: He’s truly beautiful, kind-hearted, and adorable.
A certain someone when disciplining subordinates behind the scenes: “If they don’t obey, just kill them.”
What’s that? She might already have someone she cares about in her heart? A certain someone: Find out who it is, kill them, and then there won’t be anyone.
What? She met a man by the riverside? What? That man even hurt her? A certain someone: Whichever hand hurt her, chop off his entire arm.
Love at first sight without realizing it, gradually falling in love, slowly getting closer…
Family and national grudges, schemes and desires, good and evil, crime and punishment, she and he face the future together, seeking justice with passion!
A naturally dark female lead who could accidentally destroy the world but is actually an honest person VS a weak, pitiful, and helpless but skilled fighter, beautiful white-cut black male lead
My heart is not of stone, how steadfast is your love? — Tao Yuanming “Imitating the Ancients (No. 3)”
— Reading Guide —
Cold female lead & dramatic black lotus with hidden yandere traits male lead
