The movie theater was bustling on the weekend.
While there were families and friends, most of the crowd in front of the ticket booth were couples on dates.
Amidst the affectionate couples, Sukyung remained silent, and Dojun’s gaze wandered aimlessly inside the ticket booth. Despite agreeing to a date, an awkward air enveloped them once they met.
Dojun tried hard not to show his complex feelings. He had accepted her invitation because he felt guilty, but that only made him feel sorrier towards Sukyung.
Ten dates. What good would they do? His heart belonged to someone else.
Yet, he couldn’t ignore the efforts of the lively lady before him and decided to show his best intention.
After a light cough, Dojun spoke up.
“Would you like some popcorn?”
“I don’t usually eat during movies.”
“Okay…”
“But since it’s our first date, maybe we should get something sweet, like caramel flavor?”
Sukyung’s mood fluctuated like a whimsical child, and her bright smile brought a faint one to Dojun’s face.
Entering the theater, Dojun quickly placed the drinks down and pulled out Sukyung’s seat for her.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Dojun then took his seat. During this, their arms brushed against each other, a fleeting touch.
His broad shoulders tensed up like startled snail antennae.
“…I apologize.”
Sukyung laughed it off as if it were nothing. Dojun quietly took a deep breath, covering the elbow that had touched her.
Remembering the hot body temperature and the cool, smooth touch of her skin made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.
As the quiet family movie ended, they stood silently inside the ticket booth, unsure of what to do next.
Dojun seemed lost in thought. Even though the movie was over, he was clueless about what to do next.
Though Sukyung, with her usual personality, would have struggled in such a stifling situation, she silently waited for him to take the lead.
After an uncomfortably long silence, Dojun finally spoke.
“How was it? I reserved it because it had good reviews from female audiences…”
With her straightforward nature, Sukyung replied.
“Honestly, it wasn’t really my taste.”
“Oh… I see.”
Dojun’s face fell, his expression mixed with relief that he tried but also feeling sorry.
“I prefer something more thrilling. I’m a big fan of Marvel.”
As Sukyung murmured, Dojun’s eyes sparkled.
“Marvel? I love it too.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Who’s your top pick?”
“My favorite isn’t a hero, but a villain…”
Their eyes locked as they both exclaimed at the same time.
“Dark Black!”
“Dark Black.”
Both laughing at the coincidence, it was a moment where walls seemed to crumble down instantly.
“I’ve always been different. When other kids were playing with dolls, I was sword-fighting with sticks.”
“Really? You don’t seem that rowdy.”
“My sisters say I’ve grown up now. ‘Lee Sukyung has become a decent person.'”
Sukyung was unreserved in revealing her true self, prompting some self-reflection in Dojun.
He had assumed a sophisticated, urban woman like her would find action or superhero movies frivolous. Yet here she was, honest and straightforward.
Finding common ground made him see her in a new light. After all, he hadn’t really tried to get to know her, too busy keeping his guard up.
Though he should keep her at arm’s length romantically, he realized there was no need to draw lines on a personal level. With this realization, his defenses softened significantly.
“Would you like to have dinner together, Sukyung?”
“Why not? But please don’t tell me you’re thinking of Italian noodles.”
“Ah…”
Caught off guard, Dojun felt exposed. He had almost suggested pasta, almost a cliché for first dates.
“Don’t underestimate me. I’m totally a native Korean.”
“Then…….”
Their eyes met again.
“Pork belly?”
“Pork belly!”
Both said simultaneously and laughed out loud.
The banner in front of a traditional Jeju house didn’t seem to impress him.
“Green Tangerine Picking Experience! Admission Fee: Adults 20,000 Won (Children 10,000 Won). Pick all you want for 90 minutes!”
Jung Hyuk couldn’t hide his sigh. He had hurried here early in the morning only to find himself at a tangerine orchard.
He questioned the necessity of doing this in Jeju, renowned for its clean air and water. Seeing Yu Siwoo, who had come along despite looking sleepy and under his mother’s insistence, deepened his sighs.
Yoo Da Jung, cheerfully encouraging, tucked a large yellow basket under her arm. Jung Hyuk followed her with a displeased face.
“Yoo Da Jung. It’s only 8 o’clock. Why did we even come on this trip?”
“If we were just going to stay in the hotel, why come all the way to Jeju?”
Da Jung brushed off his complaint and moved towards the orchard with Siwoo.
“Siwoo, all the tangerines we pick here will be ours. Shall we bet who can pick more, you or mom?”
“Uh… these aren’t tangerines?”
Siwoo blinked in confusion at the unripe, green tangerines.
“They are tangerines, but they turn into the yellow ones you like by fall.”
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.”
