Saved Him, Now I'm Obsessed - Chapter 8
“If you really do that, I’ll immediately defect to another country.”
“It’s too much to threaten with such scary words.”
Ian said with a dejected look. That pitiable expression made with his handsome face was enough to stir one’s heart. But I steeled myself.
Ian, who had turned 23, had grown up splendidly to the point where it was hard to find any trace of his youthful appearance, but in front of me, he still acted like a child.
Perhaps because he had no friends his own age, his expressions became particularly diverse when talking to me, especially often showing pitiful expressions like pouting or looking disappointed.
It seemed that he had gotten used to me easily granting things I had refused before when he showed such expressions.
“That expression won’t work on you.”
I wasn’t really thinking of leaving, but Ian seemed to think that I had no lingering attachment to the Callovanian Empire now that grandfather had passed away.
It was true that I had been staying in the Callovanian Empire for too long. When I lived with grandfather, we used to move frequently from country to country.
But I was different from grandfather. The process of settling in a new place every time and being treated as a foreigner wasn’t very enjoyable. I had just finished paying off the loan for the current pharmacy location recently, so it would be a shame to leave all of this behind.
“Alright, so stop saying scary things and sit here.”
He pushed my back and made me sit down. I followed with a reluctant face.
In fact, if I wanted to leave, I could easily do so. Even as a child, I crossed borders with my blind grandfather, so it wouldn’t be difficult for me to go to another country alone now that I’m an adult.
In fact, even though I’ve lived in the Callovanian Empire for over 17 years, I still felt like I hadn’t settled in.
Nevertheless, the reason I had settled in one country for so long was because of Ian.
If I left, his life would be in danger, so how could I turn my back without any lingering feelings? No, even if Ian’s illness was completely cured and he no longer needed the medicine I compounded, I wouldn’t be able to leave easily.
“I’ve prepared the picus you like. It’s not picus season yet, but there were some left stored in the ice cave.”
As he said, the table was full of dishes made with picus. I couldn’t help but smile as the muscles around my lips relaxed softly.
‘Damn, picus…’
Picus is a pink fruit with fluffy white fuzz like a child’s skin. It was round, about the size of two fists combined, and when you peeled off the thin, tough skin, you’d find flesh full of juice.
Depending on preference, some people ate it with the skin, while others ate it without. Due to its characteristic of intensifying sweetness when exposed to heat, it was often used in breads and desserts.
It was my favorite fruit because of its sweet fragrance as much as its sweet taste. If I could only eat one food for the rest of my life, I would choose picus without a second’s hesitation.
Seeing his confident smile that I couldn’t resist such a strong temptation, I felt annoyed but couldn’t help it.
“That’s unfair! How can I ignore this sweet fragrance… Your Highness the Crown Prince knows too much about me, it’s annoying.”
“What did I do?”
He smiled faintly, pretending not to know. Even if he’s handsome, annoying is still annoying.
“Nevermind, stop smiling.”
Ian smiled even more broadly. Tch! I should just ignore it and eat the picus.
With a reverent heart, I used a fork to pick up a piece of fruit that had been cut into bite-sized pieces and put it in my mouth. As I gently pressed it with my teeth, the crisp flesh burst, filling my mouth with sweet juice.
‘If they serve picus every day, it might not be bad to go to the imperial palace daily… No! What am I thinking?’
I quickly shook my head. If Ian really offered “constant picus provision” as a negotiation condition, I felt like I might immediately quit being a pharmacist and become a glutton who just devours picus at the imperial palace. That can’t happen.
“Is it delicious?”
“I’m eating it because I think Your Highness the Crown Prince would be disappointed if I didn’t.”
“Well, I’m honored.”
While I said with my mouth that I was eating it reluctantly, I steadily emptied the food on the table.
Especially the drink made by blending picus fruit with ice and honey was heavenly. I wanted to gulp it down, but it was too precious, so I sipped it slowly, savoring each mouthful.
‘This is indeed the imperial palace. A drink blended with plenty of picus fruit even though it’s not in season.’
Ian took out a handkerchief from his chest and wiped the sweat on my forehead. The glimpse of the snow-white handkerchief showed the elaborate imperial crest embroidered with gold thread.
‘Even in such a small item, the difference in status is noticeable.’
I don’t usually carry a handkerchief, but in emergencies, I use a gauze handkerchief.
It’s what I use for hemostasis when treating external wounds, made by boiling clean cloth and drying it well in the sunlight. It’s practical, but compared to his silk handkerchief embroidered with gold thread, it seemed shabby.
Ian the Crown Prince, and myself, a commoner. Considering the gap in status, it was only natural. Rather, it was strange that we knew each other like this.
“You’re thinking about something else now, aren’t you? What are you thinking about with me right in front of you?”
Although I had been lost in thought for just a moment, Ian asked with a face full of dissatisfaction. While complaining that I wasn’t focusing on him, he continued to fan me.
Despite the winter weather, it was humid after the rain, and I had sweated while walking, so his fanning was welcome.
The same motion might make his arm sore, but it was at a constant speed as if he had become the pendulum of a grandfather clock.
“I wasn’t thinking anything special. I was just amazed that we’ve known each other for 17 years already.”
“What’s so amazing about that? Ten years will become twenty, fifty, and a lifetime.”
He said as if it were natural. Considering the average lifespan of Callovanian Empire citizens, I’m not sure if we can live another 50 years from now, but I nodded in agreement without saying anything.
“You know, when we first met…”
My question hadn’t even started, but he smiled brightly with his eyes crinkling. He visibly liked it when I showed interest in him.
Such reactions made me feel embarrassed, so I usually didn’t ask about these topics. Perhaps that’s why Ian didn’t hide his delighted emotions when I occasionally asked questions about him.
“You knew my name, didn’t you? And your way of speaking was somehow very familiar, like someone who had known me for a very long time… Did I appear in your dreams too?”
“You’re asking this now, after 17 years? I don’t know whether to be grateful that you’re finally showing interest, or upset that Jane has been so indifferent to me.”
“I just suddenly remembered that time. Did you know my name because you saw me, I mean, the future me, in your dreams?”
“Yes. It’s strange, but I’ve been meeting Jane through dreams for a very long time. I’ve met 13-year-old Jane, 17-year-old Jane, 20-year-old Jane, and even 27-year-old Jane as you are now. It was so familiar. Ah, and I’ve also seen Jane when you were very young. In a way, I might know Jane better than Jane herself?”
“Then how do you feel when I act exactly the same way as I did in your dreams? Isn’t it strange? I think I’d be bored if I saw the same thing I’ve already seen… Professional books have to be read repeatedly for learning, but with novels, it’s boring to read them again because you already know the story.”
He shook his head firmly at my words.
“It’s never boring. Jane in my dreams was good, but meeting Jane in person like this is even better.”
“…”
I thought he was saying such cheesy things so shamelessly. Funny enough, I laughed at his extremely cringeworthy words. It was embarrassing, but listening to him made me feel like I was a special person, which felt good.
Sometimes I wondered how Ian would converse with the nobles. When meeting him, I had to pretend to be a perfumer and avoid people’s gazes, so I had never seen how he interacted with others.
That’s why it’s even harder to imagine. He says such Casanova-like things to me, a commoner, so I became curious about what sweet lines he would deliver to noble ladies.
‘It might be quite charming…’
I imagined Ian, dressed up in a grand ballroom with chandeliers shining brightly, kissing the back of a beautiful noble lady’s hand and whispering sweet words, and nodded with satisfaction.
Wasn’t he a crown prince who seemed to exist only in imagination from his appearance? As time passes, Ian would probably meet a beautiful princess like in fairy tales and get married.
I felt satisfied that the young boy who used to groan buried in bed covers had grown up so well, but also felt somewhat bitter and empty. It seemed like it was because we had been together for too long.
While Ian’s future probably awaited a picture-perfect ending of living happily ever after like in fairy tales, I became curious about what kind of life I would lead in the future.
I would probably continue running a small pharmacy like now, but… Would I perhaps meet someone compatible and get married? What kind of person would my husband be? How many children would I have? Curious, I asked Ian.
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]
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