The 7-Day Contract (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 10
A listless gaze drifted toward the phone vibrating dully on the table.
After checking the caller ID, Jeong Hyeok pressed the answer button with an irritated flick of his hand. He then switched the call to speakerphone—immediately, a grating soprano voice poured out.
“Oh, Oppa! It’s me, Hyun Ah.”
“I know.”
“Oppa, listen. Hyun Ah got into a minor collision on the way to work today—didn’t you hear?”
“So?”
Hyun Ah’s breathing turned petulant at his flat response. He was the kind of man from whom she couldn’t expect even the slightest concern over whether she’d been injured.
Undeterred, Hyun Ah pressed on in an artificially sweet tone.
“I’ve dropped my car off at the service center. So, could you pick Hyun Ah up later?”
“I’m busy. Take a taxi.”
“Ugh, seriously—Hyun Ah is too sensitive to just hop into any random car.”
Her whiny tone made Jeong Hyeok’s eye twitch irritably.
“I’ll see.”
“It’ll wrap up at 3 p.m., so be on time.”
Before she could finish her coquettish laugh, Jeong Hyeok terminated the call.
The noisy chatter ceased abruptly, and at last, peaceful silence returned.
An arranged marriage between families—Jeong Hyeok found the whole thing profoundly tiresome.
Even before the official engagement, he was contractually obligated to fulfill a set number of dates, with every detail—including scheduling—mutually agreed upon by both sides.
Since this was purely business anyway, why bother with such tedious formalities?
He wouldn’t even care if he met the bride for the first time at the wedding venue.
Da Jung pushed up her safety helmet and, with a grave expression, compared the shoddily installed piping to the architectural plans.
A sigh escaped her lips in frustration.
“Chief, we can’t finish this as-is.”
“Yeah, I told them that too. But they insist it’s no big deal—what am I supposed to do?”
Kim, the on-site manager, shook his head, exasperated.
Da Jung scrolled through her call log and dialed a number. Just as the endless ringing began to grate on her, a rough but hearty voice answered.
“Well, well—look who it is! Team Leader Yoo? What’s got you calling me?”
“Hello, Director Hwang. This is Hanbit. About the Bangbae-dong remodeling site—you’ll need to redo the entire front section.”
“What? Wait—why?”
Director Hwang’s voice rose incredulously.
“Why? Because the work wasn’t done according to the blueprints.”
“Come on, Team Leader Yoo—why so rigid? If the design’s too finicky, you can make small adjustments. Are you really that new to business?”
Da Jung exhaled sharply.
“It’s *because* we’re not new to business. There’s always a reason for a precise design. If Mansoo Plumbing’s just going to build whatever they want, then why bother with blueprints at all? Honestly, why does this keep happening?”
The aggressive tone made Director Hwang immediately backpedal.
“Oh, come on—look, from where I’m standing, it’s fine. Let’s just keep things friendly, okay?”
“If this leads to leaks or electrical shorts and someone gets hurt, are *you* going to take responsibility, Director Hwang?”
“Seriously—has it *actually* caught fire? Did water even leak?! We’ve got other clients besides Hanbit, you know. Ugh—*puh!* Disgusting!”
At last, his true colors shone through.
Da Jung closed her eyes tightly, then reopened them and lowered her voice, calmer now.
“If you’re not going to redo the work, just say so clearly now. We can claim damages for the delay, and honestly, we wouldn’t mind cutting ties with Mansoo Plumbing altogether.”
“Ugh, fine! Got it, okay?!”
Director Hwang snapped, then abruptly hung up.
“That Director Hwang—even *he* grovels when facing Team Leader Yoo.”
Kim chuckled dryly.
Though she was barely past thirty, the young architect was impressively sharp and decisive.
Gentle and docile by nature, she became fiercely assertive when it came to work—evident in how she consistently bested even seasoned, middle-aged men in this field.
“Chief, if Mansoo Plumbing drags their feet, please push them. And if they make any more unauthorized changes, stop them immediately and let me know.”
As Da Jung stepped outside the building, she suddenly changed direction and dashed toward the exterior wall.
“Uncle! If you leave the wiring exposed like that, it’ll risk short-circuiting and look terrible!”
The electrician on the ladder grimaced at her shout.
“Oh no—the nagging expert’s here again! Our Team Leader Yoo is so nitpicky—we can barely work with her!”
“Well, you *have* to work with me. I’ll treat you to coffee today—just do your job properly!”
“What’s this? Team Leader Yoo bringing coffee?”
“Consider it a bribe—have some, get energized! Fighting!”
After flashing a coy smile, Da Jung continued poking her nose into every corner, giving the technicians a hard time.
Unable to watch any longer, Kim finally spoke up.
“Wow. With an employee like you, Representative Kwon won’t have to worry about going bankrupt.”
“Exactly. If our Representative goes under, my son and I won’t have rice to eat.”
Da Jung grinned cheekily, then her gaze shifted to her vibrating phone.
“The part-timer we hired the other day ghosted us. Customers won’t stop coming after lunch.”
Sol Yi’s voice, thick with irritation, came through the phone.
“Don’t worry—I’m just leaving the site. Sorry for the trouble; I really appreciate you.”
After ending the call, she checked the time. Accounting for travel, she’d be cutting it close.
Da Jung hurried into her car, started the engine, and smoothly turned the wheel.
Her fingers gripping the steering wheel twitched restlessly. Just then, the phone vibrated again.
A smile bloomed on Da Jung’s lips as she checked the caller.
“Senior, perfect timing—I was just going to call. Mansoo Plumbing made another unauthorized modification.”
“I just got off the phone with Director Hwang, actually.”
Da Jung let out a disbelieving huff.
That slippery Director Hwang apparently couldn’t wait even a moment before complaining to Do Jun.
She’d prepared to explain why rework was necessary—and why it was entirely justified—but before she could begin, Do Jun cut her off.
“No need. I’ve already told them to fix everything to match the blueprints within this week. Don’t worry.”
A satisfied smile spread across Da Jung’s face. As always, Kwon Do Jun was firmly on her side.
“Senior, I’ll be back a little late. I’ll send you a message when I leave.”
“Okay. Oh, and Da Jung—”
His gentle voice paused for breath. Da Jung leaned in, listening to the speaker through her Bluetooth.
“Drive safely.”
His simple, caring words warmed her—she smiled softly.
“Yes, I will.”
Sol Yi and Do Jun. Without these two beside her, balancing motherhood and a career as an architect would have been impossible.
To think such wonderful people had entered her lonely, anchorless life—it truly was something to be grateful for.
…Though her mother was decidedly *not* one of them.
After a brief hesitation, Da Jung picked up her phone again. The call rang and rang, then cut off.
“Mom, it’s me. What are you up to?”
“I’m out picking peppers in the field. What’s up?”
Despite their recent screaming match, her mother’s tone was utterly normal—as if nothing had happened. Perhaps that’s just how parent and child were meant to be.
Da Jung hesitated, then released her tightly bitten lip.
“I was just wondering… if things went okay last time.”
Jung Ae fell silent for a moment.
“I’m sorry for that day. I got so angry when you blurted things out in front of Si Woo.”
Da Jung’s forced smile slowly faded. Here it came again—the same old script from Jung Ae.
She squeezed her eyes shut and steadied her breathing. She’d hoped that if she kept laying her feelings bare—over and over—her mother might finally understand.
But Jung Ae clearly had no intention of grasping her daughter’s heart.
Da Jung’s voice rose, helpless and strained.
“What do you *want* from me?! Once you’re gone too, I’ll be alone—don’t I at least need Si Woo?”
“That’s why you should *get married*! Why bring a child into the world without a father?!”
The same argument—now in its fifth year.
“‘No father’! ‘No father’! How long are you going to keep saying that?! For heaven’s sake, watch your words around Si Woo!”
Da Jung snapped, then slammed the call shut.
She’d meant to soften her mother’s heart—but instead, only raised her voice again.
Stuck at a red light, Da Jung dropped her forehead onto the steering wheel. The heat pooling in her eyes refused to subside.
Long walking paths flanked the entrance road, lending a serene atmosphere.
Soon, a vast grassy playground unfolded before him. A large-scale play area, packed with charming equipment, also came into view.
At the far end, a sleek, modern building stretched left and right in an elegant, elongated form.
Jeong Hyeok parked his car wherever it felt convenient—completely ignoring the bright “No Parking” sign right in front of him.
His scowling eyes swept dismissively over the bland scenery, then he shuffled past a large fountain and ascended the low steps at the front.
Groups of women gathered near the entrance began stealing glances at the man who’d just arrived at the kindergarten.
Wherever he went, he inevitably drew covetous stares—a striking man who stood out unmistakably, his good looks radiating even in this solemn educational setting.
Unfazed by the heavy attention, Jeong Hyeok checked the time.
2:50 p.m.
Too early. With a bored expression, he sighed, leaned against the railing, and crossed his arms.
How much time passed?
A chorus of chirping voices emerged from the entrance, and tiny figures spilled out like cockroaches. Jeong Hyeok observed the bizarre scene with his usual detached indifference.
Same uniforms, same backpacks, all screeching in eerily similar tones.
Each child ran to a waiting woman and clung to her—so passionately it evoked the poignant illusion of a family reunion after thirty years apart.
One by one, the children paired off and faded into the distance—until only a single boy remained.
The teacher who’d come to see him off exchanged a few words, then pressed her phone to her ear. After telling the boy to wait a moment, she dashed back inside the building.
The boy scanned his surroundings—then spotted Jeong Hyeok and locked eyes with him, bright and curious.
A staring contest? Assuming the boy’s intent, Jeong Hyeok held his gaze unflinchingly.
But only for a moment. The little boy trotted over, leaned on the railing beside him, shot him a sidelong glance—and then crossed his arms, mimicking Jeong Hyeok exactly.
An indifferent glance dropped to the tiny head now standing beside him. After observing silently for a beat, Jeong Hyeok uncrossed his arms and nonchalantly slipped his hands into his pockets—just in case.
Predictably, the boy quickly followed: arms uncrossed, hands awkwardly shoved into his tiny pants pockets.
Jeong Hyeok let out a quiet, incredulous chuckle.
He crossed his arms again—and crossed his legs. Once more, the boy twisted his short limbs into a clumsy imitation.
Jeong Hyeok lazily watched the miniature copycat, eyes half-lidded.
Cute? Not really. Amusing? Slightly.
“Oppa!”
A sudden voice made Jeong Hyeok turn toward the entrance. A woman with long, wavy hair was walking toward him.
Oh Hyun Ah—principal of Hansong Educational Foundation’s affiliated private kindergarten.
Her bright red two-piece suit was excessively flashy—and borderline inappropriate—for a kindergarten setting.
Having crossed paths with Hyun Ah several times since childhood, Jeong Hyeok felt neither awkward nor uncomfortable around her.
Per both families’ arrangement, they were to become engaged in three months and married six months after that.
In exchange, Myeonghan Group would acquire—essentially for pennies—a massive distribution conglomerate that Hansong had all but abandoned.
Forging a marriage alliance beneficial to the company: a proper duty for Myeonghan’s heir.
Hyun Ah sprang forward, latched onto his arm, and stretched her red lips into a wide smile.
“Oppa, did Hyun Ah keep you waiting long?”
“Yeah.”
He answered flatly, then pushed off the railing. Undiscouraged by his cold reply, Hyun Ah clung to his arm like a koala.
“Oppa, since you’re here—want to tour the kindergarten?”
“No.”
His blunt refusal made her pout.
Though used to rebuffs and embarrassment, Hyun Ah wasn’t disheartened. She had no reason to fret—after all, he *would* be her husband.
“Then let’s go eat. Hyun Ah’s hungry.”
At her urging, Jeong Hyeok turned to leave—but paused, his gaze dropping downward.
The lone boy was craning his neck, staring up at them. Jeong Hyeok glanced around, but no adult came to collect him.
It nagged at him—briefly. Surely someone would handle it.
“Hey, kid—has your mom not come yet?”
Just as he turned to leave again, Hyun Ah’s shrill voice cut in. The boy, who’d been gazing up at them, suddenly opened his mouth.
“Auntie will be here soon!”
“Si Woo!”
At that cheerful cry, the boy’s head whipped around—toward the woman now rushing toward him.
Ex-husband Wants Reconciliation
One-line summary: Chasing the wife to the crematorium (making an effort to attract someone who has become indifferent), the female lead doesn’t look back, the second male lead takes the position.
Intro:
To repay the kindness of the older generation, Su Mu crossed into a female-dominated world and became a live-in daughter-in-law of the Yan family, single-handedly saving the Yan family from fire and water.
But her husband, Yan Jiyue, the eldest son of the Yan family, treated her with sarcasm and never showed her a good face.
It wasn’t until after Su Mu’s death that this pampered and arrogant young master shed a few fake tears and pretended to want to die for love.
This life’s kindness was enough. If there was a next life, she would definitely kick Yan Jiyue away.
Who knew that the heavens would be so kind as to allow her to be reborn, returning to the time when she had just married into the Yan family.
Su Mu glanced at the Yan eldest son, who still spoke coldly to her, and threw a divorce letter in front of him.
“Let’s divorce!”
***
Yan Jiyue never imagined that he would be reborn. He happily went to find Su Mu, wanting to make up for the mistakes he had made in his ignorant youth.
Wasn’t the reason the heavens allowed him to be reborn to let him reconcile with Su Mu?
But when he pushed open the door to Su Mu’s room, the person lying on the bed was another man.
Su Mu’s personal attendant, Xie Yi.
Yan Jiyue hated him so much that his teeth itched. In front of Su Mu, Xie Yi was a gentle and considerate whisperer of sweet nothings, but in reality, he was vicious-hearted and deliberately sabotaged their husband and wife relationship.
In the previous life, it was he who secretly hid in Su Mu’s coffin and committed suicide, stealing a step ahead of him to be buried with Su Mu.
Yan Jiyue’s eyes were filled with hatred as he cursed, “What kind of thing are you? Your background is lowly, what right do you have to occupy Su Mu?”
Xie Yi looked at the sleeping Su Mu and no longer pretended to be a whisperer of sweet nothings.
He proudly stuck out his belly, “I have the right because my belly is capable of giving the Wife-master a daughter.”
***
Yan Jiyue was consumed with jealousy. He spread rumors that Xie Yi had once been branded with the mark of a “harlot” on his chest.
But on the night Xie Yi cut off the flesh bearing that mark, Su Mu suddenly realized something was amiss.
“How did you know the exact moment I was poisoned? And why did you show up a month early?”
Xie Yi remained silent, blood from his wound soaking through his robes. His sapphire eyes brimmed with anguish – or was it just a flawless act?
Between a once-arrogant husband now seeking redemption, and a gentle soul willing to die for her – who truly held the darkest secrets? And could it be that Su Mu and Yan Jiyue weren’t the only ones given a second chance at life…?
[Reading Guide]
1. True divorce, chasing the wife to the crematorium, the female lead doesn’t look back, the male lead is Xie Yi.
2. The ex-husband did not cheat, he just realized too late and didn’t realize that he liked the female lead.
_____
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