The Day I Quit Being a Wife (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 8
Finally, Eun Soo’s lips parted in surprise as she realized who Hwang In Woo was.
“In Woo oppa?”
“You remember?”
“Yeah……”
Eun Soo, who had been about to smile brightly with joy, calmed her emotions and responded in a quiet voice.
It was because she saw Hyuk Joo’s stiff expression. She felt she shouldn’t show pure happiness in front of her husband, who looked as though something unpleasant had happened.
In Woo, expecting her to be delighted, slightly frowned at Eun Soo’s calm reaction, looking a little hurt.
“That’s disappointing. When I took the phone from you back then, I recognized right away that you were Oh Eun Soo.”
“You’ve changed. More than ten years have passed in a flash, after all.”
Feeling sorry yet glad, Eun Soo cupped her own cheeks with her hands and then let go.
Hwang In Woo was the son of Dr. Hwang Tae Kyung, who had been her primary physician. He often visited his father’s hospital and hung out with Eun Soo without reservation.
Since she couldn’t go to daycare because of her illness, Eun Soo desperately wanted friends, and she was always happy when In Woo, who was much older, came to see her.
But after she was declared fully cured, contact was lost when Dr. Hwang Tae Kyung, her doctor, left for the United States.
“How’s your health?”
“I’m fine.”
“Father would have been so happy if he had seen you like this……”
At In Woo’s fading words, Eun Soo carefully asked.
“Is Doctor…?”
“He passed away last year.”
Ah— Eun Soo let out a slow sigh. Remembering Dr. Hwang Tae Kyung, who had treated her with utmost devotion, her eyelashes quickly grew wet with tears.
“When last year?”
“Around this time. He collapsed while doing volunteer work in Mongolia and couldn’t get timely treatment, so…”
“That must have been heartbreaking.”
“Because of that, I went a little astray for a while. He had asked me to go volunteer with him, but I refused because I didn’t want to.”
Regret made In Woo’s forehead crease with sorrow. Then he glanced briefly at Eun Soo’s mother lying in the hospital bed and let out a quiet sigh.
“You must have gone through a lot too, Eun Soo.”
“Compared to what Mom did for me, it’s nothing—you know that, oppa.”
“Our Eun Soo has really grown up. You even say things like that. I thought you’d only ever act spoiled your whole life.”
In Woo habitually reached to pat Eun Soo’s head, but his eyes met Hyuk Joo’s beside her.
Hyuk Joo’s face was twisted, his eyes hardened black.
In that moment, Hwang In Woo realized he had momentarily forgotten that Eun Soo was married.
He had already heard from Professor Kim Won Jin who the patient he would be in charge of for the next month was.
She was one of the patients who required the most careful attention at the hospital affiliated with Myungjin Group. That was why Professor Kim Won Jin had repeatedly emphasized to In Woo:
She is the mother-in-law of Vice President Moon Hyuk Joo, the group’s successor, and his wife frequently visits the room, so never forget to check on the patient every day.
The day In Woo first saw the patient, he was shocked.
It was Eun Soo’s mother.
The woman he had called “auntie” and followed around when he was young.
If she was Vice President Moon Hyuk Joo’s mother-in-law, that meant Eun Soo was his wife.
So our Eun Soo got married.
For a while, In Woo’s mouth felt bitter.
He had lived thinking she was probably doing well somewhere, that they would meet again someday.
He never imagined it would be like this.
“I had no idea Eun Soo’s husband was Vice President Moon Hyuk Joo.”
“It seems the two of you were close.”
Hyuk Joo’s eyebrow twitched slightly.
Eun Soo cautiously introduced In Woo to Hyuk Joo.
Since the fact that she had been sick was a secret, instead of saying he was the doctor’s son, she vaguely explained In Woo’s existence.
“He’s an oppa I knew when I was little.”
“Nice to meet you, I’m Hwang In Woo.”
In Woo extended his hand first with a greeting. Hyuk Joo stared at him for a moment before taking the hand.
“Moon Hyuk Joo.”
“I’ll do my very best to take care of her from now on.”
“You’d better.”
The hands separated, and a quiet silence circled between the two men.
Watching them silently, Eun Soo gave In Woo a greeting that promised a next time.
“Let’s have a meal together sometime.”
“Sure.”
“Please take good care of my mom.”
“Of course I will.”
In Woo checked a few numbers shown on the machines connected to Eun Soo’s mother.
Looking at Eun Soo, who looked tense, he smiled and said,
“She’s okay.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Are you coming to the hospital tomorrow?”
“I should.”
“Then see you tomorrow.”
“Yeah. See you tomorrow.”
Eun Soo said goodbye to In Woo. Just as In Woo nodded briefly and was about to leave the room—
“Mr. Hwang In Woo.”
Hyuk Joo, who had been standing still, called him.
Seeing Hyuk Joo’s rigidly hardened face, Eun Soo worried he might have felt offended.
Born as the third-generation only son of Myungjin Group and having lived a life of authority from birth, he disliked others treating him—or Eun Soo—lightly.
Not long after they were married, an executive from a group affiliate had spoken to Eun Soo somewhat casually.
It was rude, but since it was a superior her father had served for a long time, Eun Soo let it slide. Hyuk Joo, however, did not overlook it.
“It seems he still doesn’t understand hierarchy. If he dislikes that, the only choice is to let him live without being involved from now on.”
A few days later, on Hyuk Joo’s recommendation, the executive resigned, citing poor performance.
Since he wasn’t exactly a clean person, rumors circulated for a while that he had resigned voluntarily for other reasons.
Whether it was truly because of Hyuk Joo’s personal feelings or settling a long-held grudge was never clarified.
Because he was like a founding contributor to Myungjin Group, Hyuk Joo’s great-aunt had been angry at his decision.
“Treating Eun Soo carelessly is the same as disregarding me. He should be grateful I handled it as a resignation instead of dismissal.”
Remembering that incident, Eun Soo couldn’t help but tense when Hyuk Joo called In Woo.
But what came out of Hyuk Joo’s mouth was unexpected.
“If you have time, let’s have dinner together.”
“Pardon?”
“You’re the one who’ll be in charge of my mother-in-law for the next month—I’d like to greet you properly.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Then.”
Hyuk Joo paused for a moment before continuing.
“Let’s meet at Sodam in front of the hospital. In thirty minutes.”
“Understood.”
Sodam was a Korean restaurant near the hospital.
It was a place where you couldn’t eat without a reservation. Eun Soo was surprised by Hyuk Joo’s rather sudden dinner invitation.
As soon as In Woo left the room, Hyuk Joo called Director Song.
With a completely stiff face, he told Director Song to prepare because they would eat in thirty minutes.
His hard, cold voice made it sound as if the purpose of the meal wasn’t exactly pleasant. When Hyuk Joo hung up, Eun Soo spoke with an awkward expression.
The night caregiver for her mother still had a long time before arriving.
“Hyuk Joo, the caregiver…”
“Just ask a nurse.”
“…Ah, right.”
Eun Soo slowly nodded at Hyuk Joo’s neat handling of the situation.
She put on the coat she had taken off.
She didn’t know why Hyuk Joo’s unmoving, firm eyes bothered her so much.
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As Eun Soo expected, the dinner was not comfortable.
After a few formal greetings asking him to take good care of her mother, almost no conversation followed.
Eun Soo scooped a spoonful of abalone porridge from the small bowl. Perhaps because her mouth felt rough, she had no appetite at all.
She ate one spoonful of porridge, took a sip of water, and slowly continued the meal.
Then Hyuk Joo’s phone rang.
“It’s an urgent call.”
“Please take it.”
Thinking it would be a long call, Hyuk Joo answered and stepped outside.
Eun Soo unknowingly let out a long sigh. Then her eyes met In Woo’s across from her.
“When did you get married?”
“About two years ago.”
“Why were you in such a hurry to marry so early?”
Why did we marry so early.
Eun Soo recalled the day she had the arranged marriage meeting with Hyuk Joo. It was a meeting she had no choice but to attend because of her father’s pressure.
No matter who the other person was, she wasn’t in a position to refuse, so Eun Soo could only attend nervously. But the person who showed up was Hyuk Joo. Seeing a familiar face, Eun Soo was inwardly overjoyed.
Remembering that time, a soft smile appeared on Eun Soo’s lips.
“You must have liked him so much you wanted to marry quickly. You’re smiling without realizing it.”
“…Yeah.”
Eun Soo answered in a small voice, cheeks flushing.
In Woo quietly watched her and took a sip of water from his glass.
“I’m glad you look healthy.”
“Don’t I look like someone who was never sick?”
“Yeah. But your face looks a bit rough. Is it because you’re worried about your mother?”
“…Yeah.”
Eun Soo raised one hand to touch her cheek and then lowered it.
It was partly because of her mother, but today Eun Soo’s dark expression had another reason.
From her father to that woman.
Today had been more exhausting for Eun Soo than any other day.
She had tried not to show it, but the deep wound in her heart seemed to have spread to her face without her own.
“I checked your name every year.”
“Huh?”
“I looked through the list of students admitted to medical school to see if your name was there.”
“Really?”
“You used to say all the time that you wanted to become a doctor.”
“Ah… I wasn’t good at studying. I couldn’t even dream of medical school.”
Eun Soo gave an embarrassed smile.
Because she admired Dr. Hwang Tae Kyung who had treated her as a child, Eun Soo had wanted to become a doctor.
In Woo still remembered the dream a mere five-year-old child had spoken of.
“Father talked a lot about you and Aunt Hye Yeon.”
“Mom often talked about Doctor and oppa too. She said she was truly grateful. It would have been nice if we had met earlier so I could have seen Doctor again…”
“Yeah. I should have looked for you sooner.”
“Still, I’m happy to see oppa’s face after so long.”
Eun Soo looked up at In Woo.
She was truly glad to see In Woo again.
It felt even more so because the only people left around her were those connected to her husband Hyuk Joo.
I have someone who knows the old me, she thought. Then worry suddenly arose.
Hyuk Joo did not know she had been sick as a child. It would be a big problem if In Woo mentioned it.
Her in-laws might even call it a fraudulent marriage.
At the anxious thought, Eun Soo glanced down at the envelope in her bag.
She felt sad that she had to hide something that wasn’t a crime as if it were.
“Um, Eun Soo.”
“Yeah.”
“Does your husband know you were sick?”
“No.”
Eun Soo shook her head.
“I remembered your father asking to keep it a secret.”
The day Eun Soo received her full recovery verdict, her father had come and said that.
Please make sure that when our daughter marries later, the other family cannot find any record of her illness.
In Woo vividly recalled the greedy eyes of Eun Soo’s father, who had never once visited his sick daughter, as if it were just yesterday.
Eun Soo’s father had stubbornly insisted on destroying the medical records themselves, but Dr. Hwang refused, saying it was absolutely not possible for Eun Soo’s future.
Then Oh Joo Hwan threatened that he must never reveal the fact of her illness.
Because he would soon become related by marriage to a great family, and if rumors of his daughter’s medical history spread, it would be troublesome.
“…Just say we’re acquaintances.”
“Okay. I will.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Why are you sorry?”
“Because I feel so pathetic.”
Eun Soo’s eyes suddenly grew hot.
It must have been because today was so hard—her emotions welled up in an instant.
“You’re not pathetic at all. The moment I saw you today, I was inwardly amazed.”
“Huh?”
“Because you’re so pretty.”
Eun Soo let out a soft laugh.
Just like back then, when she used to smile and forget the pain of chemotherapy while In Woo teased and joked with her.
⋆﹥════════━━━━━═﹤⋆
“Keep watching President Oh Joo Hwan.”
Hyuk Joo ended the call.
The report said there was nothing particularly unusual in the movements of Oh Joo Hwan, Eun Soo’s father and president of Myungjin Apparel.
Then why did Eun Soo suddenly go to the bank and say she would withdraw all the money?
No matter how much he thought about it, nothing came to mind.
Hyuk Joo ran a hand through his hair and walked back into the restaurant.
From the room where Eun Soo and Hwang In Woo were together, soft voices could be heard.
Uncharacteristically, Hyuk Joo stood at the door like a stray cat, ears perked.
“Because I feel so pathetic.”
“You’re not pathetic at all. The moment I saw you today, I was inwardly amazed.”
“Huh?”
“Because you’re so pretty.”
At Hwang In Woo’s words, Hyuk Joo clenched his fist tightly. The veins on the back of his hand bulged from the force.
Yet Hyuk Joo could not easily enter.
It was because of Eun Soo’s laughter—a sound he had never heard before.
Hyuk Joo pictured his wife smiling beautifully.
Suddenly, it felt as if water droplets scattering under the hot summer sun had splashed into his eyes—they stung.
Hyuk Joo realized for the first time, through his wife, that even a sound could make one’s eyes hurt.
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.]
The extreme miscommunication is getting on my nerves now.
I wish he could actually say what he fully means for once
Hyuk Joo does not mess around. When dealing with someone like this you have to be direct!