Highly studious, Tein thrived on large amounts of homework.

“Sharti, you’re here? But you look even thinner than before. You’re not skipping meals again, are you?”

Viretta emerged from behind Tein, worrying about Sharti. Sharti awkwardly smiled and shook her head.

Viretta, her face full of freckles, frowned and handed Sharti a basket.

It contained a small amount of fruit jam and four small breads.

“Grandma came back today. She left this for you before leaving. Take it and make sure you eat.”

“I can’t. Viretta and Tein should eat it.”

Fruit jam, made with expensive sugar in the mountainous village, and bread, made from costly flour, must have been hard to afford on Viretta’s grandmother’s daily wages.

“Tein told me! Last time, during the typhoon, you braved the storm to find Tein! You risked danger to safely bring him home, and you say you can’t accept this?”

As Sharti tried to escape without accepting the gift, Viretta quickly blocked her.

“If you don’t take it, I’ll tell Grandma! She’ll climb the mountain herself to deliver it.”

Sharti hurriedly accepted the basket.

It was essential to prevent Viretta from climbing the mountain. Despite her excellent swordsmanship and being incredibly fit for her age, climbing the rugged mountain was dangerous.

‘And if she happens to come near the cave and finds the man…’

The situation would become complicated if Viretta discovered she was secretly treating and hiding a stranger.

‘I must stop it.’

Sharti knew of Viretta’s broad understanding. Viretta was someone who couldn’t overlook anyone in need of help.

But Sharti didn’t want to burden her anymore.

She had already received much kindness and owed a lot.

“Thank you, Viretta.”

Sharti awkwardly expressed her gratitude.

“Stop it, you’re making me blush!”

Viretta giggled as she felt Sharti’s palm writing. Tein laughed along.

The siblings’ smiling faces were strikingly similar.

‘And now with the basket on top of the bag.’

It was a day with heavy hands.

“Hurry up, Sharti. It won’t taste good if it gets cold.”

“Thank you, teacher!”

Sharti left with a heavy load in her hands and heart.
Sharti bid farewell to Viretta, who was urging her on, and waved to Tein.

Holding the basket in her arms, Sharti left the village.

Fortunately, she did not encounter any soldiers.

‘That smells delicious.’

All the way up the mountain, the aroma of the savory bread tickled her nose.

Gurgle, gurgle.

‘I need to hurry.’

The smell of the bread might attract animals, so Sharti quickened her pace.

Staggering under the weight of the bag and basket while climbing the rough mountain, Sharti paused for a moment.

‘I’ve only fed him carrots and potatoes so far.’

She thought of the man in the cave she had been feeding.

Sharti listened to her rumbling stomach, pondering.

‘Eating this should help him recover faster.’

Then he might leave the cave sooner than expected.

She remembered the seasoned advice of Viretta.

‘Whether it’s people or animals, giving them food eases their wariness. Hunger clouds judgment.’

Sharti sighed, glancing inside the basket.

Her plan to visit late in the afternoon had changed.

‘Let’s go.’

Bread should be eaten before it gets cold.

Sharti changed her direction and headed straight up the mountain.

Perhaps it was the weight of the savory and sweet smells, but a flush of excitement tinged Sharti’s pale cheeks under her hooded robe.

‘Huh?’

Upon arriving at the cave, Sharti hesitated as she was about to check on the man lying on the bed as usual.

‘His hair seems a bit wet…?’

She quietly set down the basket and touched the man’s black hair, feeling the cold dampness.

‘Is there a leak in the cave wall from the storm?’

She looked around the cave corners.

Although the cave was artificially made and had small holes and cracks, it was unlikely they would cause a person lying in bed to get wet.

Sharti checked the man’s arms, abdomen, and thighs.

‘His body feels cooler today.’

The temperature inside the cave was lower, but the man’s body temperature was unusually cool.

‘Wet hair, cool body temperature, and his lying position looks awkwardly hasty.’

It seemed like he had quickly returned after going out.

Sharti became certain of her suspicions.

‘The worst injuries were in his abdomen and thighs, but other areas were almost recovered enough for daily activities.’

She thought about the possibility of the man developing a tolerance to the sleeping drugs and anesthetics.

Sharti pressed her forehead, reflecting on her past carelessness.

‘Sigh…’

She quietly stood up and slowly backed away.

She took out a long stick coated with paralyzing poison from the cave wall.

‘This is just for self-defense.’

Since she had to talk, she hid the stick behind her.

Sharti tiptoed towards the bed.

‘I need to start with a conversation.’

Her throat swallowed dryly.

Her heart started beating rapidly.

“……!”

Just then, the man suddenly opened his eyes. Sharti hastily retreated, thinking their eyes had met, but the man’s arm caught her robe and pulled her faster.

Thud!

‘Sh’ was forcefully laid on the bed and reflexively swung the stick.

“Are you going to subdue me with a weapon now?”

Startled by the unfamiliar voice, Sharti trembled.

The man easily pressed down her arm to defend himself.

“Not even trying to talk first?”

An Indifferent Woman is the One Men Desire the Most

One-line summary: The female lead is actually cold-hearted and extremely rational. She has stage-by-stage relationships and won’t two-time, but there will always be someone who secretly likes her.

This novel has the following triggers, so if you’re sensitive to these, please don’t read:

1. The female lead has had many relationships, but she treated each one seriously and broke up properly.

It’s just that the men unilaterally pestered her incessantly. For the female lead, when she doesn’t like someone anymore, she simply doesn’t like them.

(This applies to her relationships with Male Lead 1, 2, 3, and 4 as well, but she’s loyal in each 1-on-1 relationship!)

2. In this novel, Male Lead 2 and the female lead kiss in a car, and Male Lead 1 sees it and beats up Male Lead 2.

The female lead calls the police and sends both Male Lead 1 and 2 to the police station! Male Lead 1 begs the female lead not to break up with him.

3. Male Lead 1 has a gentle appearance but an obsessive personality.

Male Lead 2 has a delicate and soft appearance, slightly green tea-like (two-faced).

Male Lead 3 is a youthful college student and a smart person who has secretly liked the female lead for a long time.

Male Lead 4 is the female lead’s father’s special assistant, a business elite with deep, hidden thoughts.

4. At the beginning of this novel, the female lead has already broken up with Male Lead 1 (Chapter 4) and gotten back together with Male Lead 2 (ex-boyfriend).

5. Enter with caution if you have triggers!!!