“Drop me off over there.”
The navigation system indicated a right turn ahead, but Lee Soo pointed at the entrance of an alleyway and spoke.
The rain was still falling.
“We’re still quite a way from your place, and it’s still raining.”
“No, it’s okay. I’ll get down here. It’d be troublesome if you had to drive into the alleyway.”
Although Ji Ho didn’t find it troublesome at all, he decided not to insist any further considering she had come this far.
“Alright then.”
“Thanks for the comfortable ride.”
She had sat uncomfortably the whole time yet she called it comfortable.
Ji Ho slightly turned his head and swallowed a chuckle.
“I keep saying thank you……”
Lee Soo spoke with a slightly embarrassed expression.
Ji Ho had seen many women who found every little thing a cause for gratitude, promising to treat him to meals, drinks, or coffee, which was quite bothersome.
Would Lee Soo make such an obvious statement too?
Ji Ho tilted his head slightly, waiting for Lee Soo’s next words.
“……How will I ever repay you?”
He wasn’t sure if she was asking him or merely speaking to herself.
Her troubled expression seemed quite serious.
Time passed, but her tightly closed lips didn’t move.
Was she not going to say something obvious?
Or was she hesitating?
“Why don’t we grab a meal together then. Or drinks. As a treat from someone who’s grateful…….”
Ji Ho was the first to break the ensuing silence.
Had he ever been the one to suggest such a thing first? It seemed like the first time upon reflection.
But who cares who spoke first.
If she was hesitant, it didn’t matter if he spoke up instead.
“…….”
Instead of responding, Lee Soo looked at Ji Ho with a perplexed expression.
The one who was flustered, however, was Ji Ho.
“What? Is that not okay?”
Interpreting Lee Soo’s gaze, Ji Ho’s forehead wrinkled slightly.
“Not like that. Like you did for me. I’d like to repay you that way.”
To repay exactly as she had received as if she had received a great favor.
An unexpected response led to an incredulous laugh escaping from Ji Ho’s lips.
So, she didn’t want to have a meal together.
“Let me know when you need help, I’ll assist.”
Lee Soo spoke with a calm smile.
Gosh, she’s kind until the end.
Help, what help.
Faced with her rejection for the first time, Ji Ho felt a hot surge at the back of his neck.
“Number.”
With a lingering smile, Ji Ho handed his phone to Lee Soo.
Lee Soo looked at Ji Ho with a surprised expression.
From the moment they first met, everything about Ji Ho was straightforward.
His actions, born from overflowing confidence and composure, flowed naturally and assertively.
His unique atmosphere of overpowering others with a gentle gaze seemed inherent.
Lee Soo swallowed dryly.
She couldn’t be overpowered by his aura.
“Why? Is this not okay either?”
Ji Ho asked, narrowing his eyes.
“You said to let you know if I need help. Was that just lip service?”
“……No.”
After some hesitation, Lee Soo answered belatedly.
Since they were in the same club, sharing phone numbers was not an issue.
Lee Soo typed her number into Ji Ho’s phone and handed it back to him.
As Ji Ho hit the call button, Lee Soo’s phone rang.
“Save it. I’ll contact you when I need your help.”
Ji Ho said with a smirk.
While blankly looking at the unfamiliar number appearing on her phone, Lee Soo entered the name Ji Ho.
This was the first time she had exchanged numbers in this manner.
“Take this and go.”
As Lee Soo unbuckled her seatbelt, Ji Ho handed her an umbrella.
“Thank you. When should I return the umbrella?”
“……Return it next week. I’ll contact you.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Ji Ho spoke.
He had readily given away the hardtofind expensive perfume, but he insisted on getting the souvenir umbrella back.
Looking back, it was a ridiculous thing.
((()))((()))
Yu Mi came out of the café.
In one hand, she had a milk tea; in the other, an umbrella.
After seeing off her relatives, she had been craving milk tea and had come out specially for it.
Yu Mi, who had been looking at the ground as she walked, fearing that she might step into a puddle, happened to look up.
A splendid car caught the eye even from afar.
“Ah! It’s the same as Ji Ho oppa’s car.”
Just the sight of the same car brought a bright smile to Yumi’s face.
It was no ordinary car, it not only matched the model, but also the color.
With a glimmer of hope, Yumi kept her eyes on the car as she walked.
The car stood for a long while at the entrance of the alley, its red tail lights glowing.
Then, abruptly.
The passenger’s side door opened.
Yumi stopped walking, her eyes wide open.
From the slightly opened door, an umbrella peeked out and a woman descended beneath its wide spread.
As the woman straightened up and turned, a white and thin face was revealed from beneath the umbrella.
At that moment, Yumi blinked her widened eyes several times.
The car did not move while the woman walked towards the alley.
As Yumi came closer, a glimpse of a man’s profile was visible through the halfopen passenger’s side window.
Yumi’s lips fell open weakly as she recognized Ji Ho at first glance.
“Ah!”
Then the window slid closed and the car smoothly slid out of the alley.
Only after the woman’s figure had completely disappeared.
“It can’t be!”
Yumi, feeling her heart pounding, walked with quick steps.
Then she started to run, speeding up.
((()))((()))
Lee Soo carefully pulled the front door.
Fortunately, she felt no sign of anyone.
Going up to the second floor, Lee Soo opened an umbrella on the terrace and went into the bathroom.
She turned on the hot water in the bathtub filled with bubble bath and came out again.
She put down the perfume that Ji Ho had given her on the vanity table in the powder room and sat down heavily in the chair.
Lee Soo stared blankly at the perfume, then opened the cap and sprayed it into the air.
As she took in the scent, naturally, Seo Ji Ho came to mind.
His profile as he drove, his affectionate smile, his sweet voice, his incredulous laughter, and the unfamiliar number.
Suddenly, she thought the perfume in front of her resembled Seo Ji Ho.
It was unusual, had a unique presence, and a similar elegant atmosphere.
‘It matches Seo Ji Ho very well.’
Perhaps because she was tense in the awkward atmosphere, Lee Soo felt so tired her neck was stiff.
She came comfortably, but it wasn’t comfortable at all.
As Lee Soo touched her stiff neck and was about to go into the bathroom.
Yumi suddenly burst into the room without knocking.
Her face was flushed and beads of sweat were formed.
“You…… with Ji Ho oppa…… what’s going on…….”
Her speech was cut off because her breath was so ragged.
“What?”
Lee Soo scowled.
It took her a while to realize that the Ji Ho oppa Yumi was talking about was Seo Ji Ho.
“Why did he drive you home!”
Two eyes without a blink glared at Lee Soo and her rough breathing sounded like a growl.
What do you mean, what’s going on with Seo Ji Ho?
What the hell are you doing then.
Staring at Yumi’s twisted face, Lee Soo calmly spoke.
“I don’t know what I am to you, but I’m nothing to him.”
This should be the end of the conversation.
Lee Soo didn’t want to deal with Yumi for long.
“Are you done? I’m going to take a shower now, so please leave.”
Lee Soo left Yumi standing and went into the bathroom and immersed herself in the bathtub filled with bubbles.
Ji Ho oppa……
Lee Soo gently closed her tired eyes.
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.]
