Min Yoo-shin, deeply engrossed in his work, didn’t notice my presence and didn’t look back. It was fortunate, considering awakeners are supposed to have better senses than ordinary people.
My heart was racing even as I took the elevator down, fearing someone would recognize me and go, ‘Oh, isn’t that person…’
Of course, nothing happened. Surprisingly, nothing occurred until I met Baek Yi-hyun at the impulsively chosen meeting place.
A hint of disappointment washed over me.
Locked up for a week on the mere possibility that something might happen. And yet, I got no answers to my questions while obediently staying put.
Honestly, I wanted to run away somewhere.
Whether he knew my feelings or not, Baek Yi-hyun’s face was only bright.
“Is there something that happened to you… um, something I can help with? Or should I contact the association…”
“It’s not that kind of issue. …Maybe?”
“Maybe?”
I couldn’t bring myself to tell Baek Yi-hyun, ‘In fact, I’ve been imprisoned because I’m the ranking number one’s younger sister,’ so I just drank my Americano. It was bitter and harsh.
“Really, if there’s anything, tell me. I’ve been feeling like a series of events have been happening to you lately, and I’m worried…”
“Um, well. If I really need it, I’ll ask for your help.”
My response didn’t ease the uneasiness on Baek Yi-hyun’s face. To him, I probably still seemed like someone who got caught in an S-rank Gate incident.
I quickly changed the topic.
“But how come you came as soon as I asked to meet? Aren’t you busy?”
“Ah, it’s okay. If I’m not in the middle of a raid, I can adjust my time.”
“Ah, I see… you can adjust it…”
Right, he was a promising candidate under the association’s protection, so he must be at least a near S-rank by now.
In fact, part of the reason I impulsively decided to sneak out was because of Baek Yi-hyun.
Is it thanks to him? I believed that if he was by my side, a repeat of the last incident wouldn’t happen, considering he must be at least near S-rank by now.
Of course, I was worried.
Considering Cheon Shin-woo’s personality, it was highly likely he would be furiously searching for Min Yoo-shin. …Ah, but surely he wouldn’t really do that.
“…….”
For a moment, I worried if Cheon Shin-woo was treating Min Yoo-shin like a slave. A needless worry, probably.
“There are many people worried about you. I heard you were hospitalized, and even visiting was prohibited…”
“Really! It’s really nothing! And I’ll tell you first when I can talk about it. Okay? I finally got out and don’t want to keep talking about the same thing.”
“Hm? Were you trapped somewhere?”
“….Not exactly trapped, more like enjoying a comfortable life? Like a hotel vacation.”
“Do I need to come rescue you? Like a hero saving a princess kidnapped by a dragon?”
“You’re really bad at making jokes.”
Baek Yi-hyun chuckled lightly at my words.
I’m not sure if it’s the first sunlight I’ve received in days. I stretched out fully. Indeed, people need to bask in the sunlight.
We continued talking, Baek Yi-hyun and I, about this and that. I tried to keep the conversation on everyday topics, but whatever I said, it always ended up with him asking, ‘Are you really sure nothing’s wrong?’ It was hard to pick a topic. Baek Yi-hyun worried too much.
I had coffee, shared some updates. It was less than an hour, but it was the small happiness of ordinary life.
Then, suddenly.
“……I never thought you’d slip out in that brief moment.”
A familiar voice rang out, laced with subdued anger.
“Huh? Shin-a, how could you sneak out without me knowing?”
“Gulp.”
Min Yoo-shin approached me, radiating an overwhelming presence.
Judging just by the expression, it was on par with the ‘extremely irritated Cheon Shin-woo.’
“Uh, well. That’s because…”
I had planned to return before getting caught, but it was too late!
In less than a second, a myriad of thoughts raced through my mind.
But in the meantime, Min Yoo-shin and Baek Yi-hyun were already facing off against each other.
“……Hayoung, who is this person?”
A deadly atmosphere lingered.
“Oh? Are you challenging me?”
“Depends on your answer.”
Clang! Before I could even explain with words, metallic sounds echoed. A fight broke out in broad daylight.
“Blocking?”
“Such a weak attack.”
Metallic objects flew around in front of my eyes. I stepped back two steps, watching the flying weapons.
They fought dazzlingly, careful to ensure no fragments hit me.
Why are they suddenly fighting here? And with such impressive skills!
It would be a big problem if someone reported this. It’s illegal for hunters to fight in public places.
“Haha, you seem young, but you’re skilled!”
“And you look like an uncle, maybe polish your skills a bit more.”
“That damn brat!”
I’m going to lose my mind. The two men were fighting at an invisible speed, yet they seemed to have the leisure to converse.
What should I do? I hopped around anxiously, surveying the surroundings.
Strangely, no one seemed to care about the two men. Even though they were openly fighting on the street in broad daylight!
“Could you be the one? The main culprit behind Hayoung’s troubles?”
“Haha, I don’t know who Hayoung is. Are you a spy from another guild?”
After Being Cheated On, She Picked Up a Treasure (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: The husband I married on a whim had been secretly in love with me for a long time.
On the day when Jun Shao finally obtained the imperial decree for her marriage, Lan Qu, the person she had admired for six years, defied the decree and ran away.
Her gentleness and devotion, her promise of a lifetime together, were all disregarded by him. Instead, he dreamed of entering the palace to serve the Emperor’s sister as a sixth-rank attendant.
News of this incident spread throughout the capital, and the alleys in front of and behind the Lan mansion were crowded with people who came to watch the commotion.
Jun Shao should have been embarrassed and angry.
But someone stepped in to protect her dignity.
The figure was in a miserable state, yet still possessed an undeniable elegance and handsomeness.
The young lord struggled to climb the wall of the Lan mansion and shouted to her, “If he won’t marry you, I will!”
So, Jun Shao took advantage of the situation and married the person.
She thought the young lord did it to save the Lan family from the crime of defying the imperial decree, but never imagined that from beginning to end, what he coveted was her.
*
After the wedding, Jun Shao felt like she was living in a dream.
Her Wife-master was as beautiful as a fairy in a painting, skilled in the six arts, well-versed in poetry and literature, capable of being gentle and attentive, and also grand and dignified. Most importantly, she was the only one in his heart and eyes.
Jun Shao didn’t know how Lan Shiwu, as a illegitimate son without a father and blessed with beauty, had managed to preserve his purity, recklessly escape, and use his last ounce of strength to ruin his own reputation, all because of his love for her, just to stand before her.
She could only see him gazing at her with eyes full of love, and when she bestowed a name upon him, his eyes shone like stars.
“You have come to me like a weary bird perching on a branch. I shall call you A Qi.”
