Min Woo tried calling again. Finally, the call connected, bringing a hint of color back to his face. But the voice that followed wasn’t Director Jin’s.
[The number you have dialed is not in service. Please check the number and try again.]His patience, held back for so long, finally snapped.
“Argh!”
Min Woo yelled, hurling his phone against the wall.
He was dying to know how things were unfolding.
Beep―.
The espresso machine signaled the coffee was ready. Je Ho got up, still holding Yul Li, kissed her forehead, and went to get the coffee.
How does he return to normal so quickly?
Watching him pour coffee, Yul Li mumbled to herself.
Did I provoke him unnecessarily? She regretted it. Quickly getting off the island table before he could tempt her again, she fixed her tousled hair and clothes.
“I talked to my father.”
As Je Ho handed her a cup of coffee, Yul Li quickly started the conversation, needing to change the heated atmosphere.
“He said I can cancel the wedding if I want. Regardless of the reason, since Min Woo didn’t show up at the ceremony.”
“Really? That’s good.”
He didn’t seem surprised, just nodding calmly. Yul Li added for clarity.
“It seems Hyun Kyung dug up some dirt on Min Woo. I don’t know what, but it’s serious enough to cancel the wedding.”
Je Ho furrowed his brows, listening silently.
“When Min Woo returns, I won’t wait. I’ll meet with the family elders to finalize the cancellation.”
Once again, he just nodded, not saying anything. He then sipped his coffee, looking thoughtful. After a moment, he spoke.
“So, is that why you confessed your love to Hyun Kyung earlier?”
“Even if it wasn’t for that, Hyun Kyung is one of the most important people to me.”
“Important enough to share all your secrets?”
For a moment, Yul Li’s expression cracked. She slightly averted her gaze, a gesture Je Ho didn’t miss. He recalled Chairman Chae’s words.
―Why ask me? You should ask Yul Li directly. But will she open up to you? Even Hyun Kyung, her best friend, hasn’t heard anything for 10 years.
Yul Li ultimately didn’t respond to his question, just sipped her coffee, looking away. Je Ho checked his watch. It was just past 8 PM.
“Shall I take you home?”
Given that Hyun Kyung’s house was no longer an option, Je Ho’s question to Yul Li was a natural one. Holding her coffee cup tightly, Yul Li turned her gaze towards him.
“Can I stay here tonight?”
Though his teasing demeanor was a bit embarrassing, she didn’t want to leave his side. After so long, seeing him and being in his arms again felt too precious. The longing still lingered even in these shared moments.
“Just for tonight?”
“If it’s okay, I’d like to stay here until Min Woo returns.”
“Of course, it’s okay. You can stay even after Min Woo comes back,” Je Ho said gently as he sipped his coffee. Yul Li recalled his earlier words.
He had definitely said this place was his home. Though she didn’t understand how it had suddenly become his home instead of a client’s, she didn’t believe it was a lie. Whatever the story was behind it, she was content to find out in due time.
“There’s only one bed, though.”
As Je Ho put down his coffee cup, he mentioned this. It made sense; the guest rooms probably weren’t ready since the renovation had just finished.
“I can sleep on the living room sofa.”
“I won’t allow that. Decide. Either we share the bed, or you go home.”
When Yul Li hesitated to answer, Je Ho smiled slyly.
“Don’t worry. If you don’t want, I won’t touch even a fingertip. If you just want to sleep, we’ll only sleep. I’m quite good at exercising patience.”
He had already proven his patience moments ago. The man, who seemed ready to go all the way in his passion, had immediately stopped and let her go at the sound of the coffee machine. How that was possible was beyond her understanding.
“Okay, then.”
Pleased with her answer, Je Ho’s lips curved into a smile. Opening a wide-mouthed glass jar, he took out a cookie.
“Just to let you know, I don’t like things rushed.”
He held the cookie to Yul Li’s lips as he whispered.
“If it’s a candy, I won’t chew it in one bite, but slowly suck on it. If it’s chocolate, I’ll lick it with my tongue, letting it melt slowly. That’s how you truly savor the taste.”
It was clearly a conversation about desserts, yet Yul Li felt a shiver run through her body. Je Ho urged her to eat, pushing the cookie forward. As she cautiously bit into it, he grinned broadly.
“You must taste it completely, thoroughly, and greedily.”
Bowing his head, Je Ho deeply captured Yul Li’s lips, where crumbs of the cookie lingered.
The Male lead Always Seduces Her with His Beauty (Matriarchy)
Xin Jiao Zhou is the leader of the world’s premier sect. She has just experienced betrayal from all sides, was poisoned in an assassination attempt, and faced death squad attacks while the poison was taking effect. After finally clearing out the scum from her sect, she was drugged again while trying to detoxify.
After waking up from a night of unconsciousness, she gained a “beautiful and kind-hearted” husband.
Xin Jiao Zhou: “???”
He fell ill.
She came to see him, bringing breakfast.
As she put down the breakfast and was about to leave, his hand slipped while holding the spoon. “Clank!”
She turned around upon hearing the noise.
He looked up at her, his eyebrows drooping: “My hand… has no strength.”
“Shall I… feed you?” she asked tentatively.
He opened his mouth cheerfully: “Ah—”
Thinking she was drowning, he jumped in without hesitation to save her, but nearly drowned himself. In the end, it was she who swam over to rescue him, giving him air underwater.
After emerging from the water, his ear tips turned red. He lightly brushed his cheek, tucking his sideburns behind his ear, revealing delicate, pink-tinged ear tips. He lowered his gaze, too embarrassed to look at her.
Xin Jiao Zhou: He’s truly beautiful, kind-hearted, and adorable.
A certain someone when disciplining subordinates behind the scenes: “If they don’t obey, just kill them.”
What’s that? She might already have someone she cares about in her heart? A certain someone: Find out who it is, kill them, and then there won’t be anyone.
What? She met a man by the riverside? What? That man even hurt her? A certain someone: Whichever hand hurt her, chop off his entire arm.
Love at first sight without realizing it, gradually falling in love, slowly getting closer…
Family and national grudges, schemes and desires, good and evil, crime and punishment, she and he face the future together, seeking justice with passion!
A naturally dark female lead who could accidentally destroy the world but is actually an honest person VS a weak, pitiful, and helpless but skilled fighter, beautiful white-cut black male lead
My heart is not of stone, how steadfast is your love? — Tao Yuanming “Imitating the Ancients (No. 3)”
— Reading Guide —
Cold female lead & dramatic black lotus with hidden yandere traits male lead
