Kwon, Je, Ho.
As I slowly muttered his name in my mouth…
Thump, thump.
As if my stopped heart started beating again from an electric shock,
My dried-up emotions twitched and convulsed with memories from the past.
In the dizzying whirlwind of emotions, Yuri tightly closed her eyes.
It wasn’t an illusion.
There was clearly a change in her expression. Jeho took another sip from his glass while closely observing Yuri’s face. But when Yuri’s closed eyes opened again, the light of confusion that had just been visible was gone. Yuri smiled brightly at Minwoo and followed his steps.
Jeho leaned against the wall, silently watching her retreating figure.
Huh, this is getting interesting.
With a short laugh, he drained his glass in one gulp and followed the two.
[This is the timeline separator]“You should have told me in advance.”
Thinking it was just a simple dinner appointment, when Chairman Kwon and Director Kwon also joined, Yuri whispered a protest to Minwoo. But Minwoo only responded with a slight smile in her direction.
If she had known the elders would be joining, she would have refused right away. It was so uncomfortable, like sitting on pins and needles, that she couldn’t even taste the food in her mouth. Mechanically chewing her food, Yuri stole a glance at Jeho sitting across from her.
Since taking his seat until now, he had kept his gaze lowered and hadn’t joined in any conversation. Even stranger was that no one had introduced Kwon Jeho to Yuri. Of course, they were acquaintances, having once been engaged.
At the time, it was arranged under Chairman Kwon’s initiative, and when the engagement was broken off, she heard that Chairman Kwon was very disappointed. Perhaps that’s why when Minwoo wanted Yuri as a marriage partner, he readily agreed despite her past engagement with Jeho.
Even so, it was rather rude to have former fiancés sitting together so casually. However, Jeho didn’t seem to mind. With an expressionless face like a mask, he quietly focused on his meal.
Feeling a gaze stealing glances at him, Jeho raised his head and looked at Yuri. He could sense her startled reaction. She quickly lowered her head and averted her gaze.
Yuri must be very uncomfortable right now. After all, she and Jeho were once engaged.
Jeho silently brought a piece of grilled sirloin to his mouth as he recalled his meeting with Chairman Kwon an hour ago.
“You said you were busy, but you finally found the time.”
Chairman Kwon Geonchul had decided to summon Jeho, his eldest grandson, early last year. At the time, Jeho was staying in Dubai and used work as an excuse to postpone the Chairman’s call. After nearly a year of tug-of-war, he finally returned to Korea.
Without even asking how he had been, Chairman Kwon immediately got to the point. The chief secretary placed a tablet PC in front of Jeho.
“I plan to build a proper headquarters building. A work that will make a big mark in architectural history.”
KG Group started as a construction company and grew into the current conglomerate. Although the profits from other fields now exceeded those from construction, Chairman Kwon’s love for construction remained. That’s why he had high expectations for the headquarters building construction.
“Jeho, you need to do this.”
It was a very bold proposal. In terms of scale and significance, it was a project that even world-renowned architects would covet. But Jeho only glanced down at the screen, not touching the tablet PC.
“Why me, of all people?”
After a moment of silence, he blurted out. Chairman Kwon frowned as if he didn’t understand the question.
“Why you? Aren’t you of the Kwon family bloodline? You already have a reputation as an architect. If not you, then who!”
At the mention of the Kwon family bloodline, Jeho smiled brightly, his eyes curving.
“Kwon family bloodline? Do you think the company is some personal possession? Chairman, you’re just the major shareholder. You don’t own the group.”
“How dare you be so disrespectful!”
Director Kwon Woosik, sitting next to Chairman Kwon, flushed with displeasure. He hadn’t liked this meeting from the start. His son, Manager Kwon Minwoo, was about to be designated as the successor, but Jeho had suddenly returned to Korea, changing his mind. He couldn’t figure out what Jeho was up to.
Tapping the tablet PC screen, Jeho gathered his jacket beside him and stood up.
“If you want to entrust me with the design, follow the proper procedures. You should select other architect candidates besides me and choose from among them. That would be fair.”
“If you’re selected, are you willing to do it?”
At Chairman Kwon’s question, Jeho smiled, showing his teeth.
“Well, that depends on my schedule. I’m quite busy, you see…”
“You! How dare you to your grandfather!”
Unable to tolerate the insolent attitude any longer, Director Kwon stood up abruptly. However, Chairman Kwon raised his hand to stop him.
“That’s enough. Stop it.”
Director Kwon Woosik, the second son, lacked the ability to control his emotions, let alone his capabilities. It was the worst quality for a business executive. If it weren’t for the unfortunate incident, the management rights would have gone to the eldest son.
The grandson standing before him now was different from his father who had stepped down powerlessly. It was evident just from his eyes. He was certainly not an easy opponent, which made him even more desirable.
“It’s been a while, let’s have a family meal.”
Chairman Kwon stood up and spoke gruffly.
Jeho accepted the dinner invitation without much thought at the mention of family. But he didn’t expect Yuri to be there.
Snapping out of his reminiscence, Jeho smiled bitterly and picked up the water glass in front of him.
“So, is the incident from today being handled well?”
As the meal was coming to an end, Chairman Kwon threw a question at Minwoo. The previously cheerful atmosphere suddenly cooled.
“Yes, grandfather. I’m sorry for causing you concern.”
Minwoo bowed deeply towards Chairman Kwon.
“Of all times, for such an incident to occur right before the wedding…”
“I’m sorry, grandfather.”
Minwoo bowed his head again with a hardened expression. Seeing his son cornered, Director Kwon quickly turned the arrow of attack towards Jeho.
“Jeho, you still haven’t broken that habit of using your left hand.”
Director Kwon looked at Jeho using his left hand with disapproval.
“Tsk tsk tsk, a left-hander in the Kwon family…”
At that moment, Yuri’s gaze turned to Jeho’s left hand holding the chopsticks. Left-handed? But for a left-hander, his hand holding the chopsticks didn’t look entirely comfortable.
Wasn’t it his right shoulder that was injured earlier?
Perhaps he’s using his left hand because he injured his right shoulder.
“…Excuse me.”
As Yuri was about to say something, Jeho raised his lowered gaze and looked at her. When their eyes met directly, his gaze towards her dangerously sparkled.
It was as if he was warning her to keep quiet. Flustered, Yuri closed her mouth and quickly averted her gaze.
“I believe we’re in the 21st century now.”
Jeho slowly put down his chopsticks and leaned back in his chair.
“Yet you’re still going on about left-handers in such an old-fashioned way, Director?”
“In my day, using your left hand at the dinner table would get you a beating with a switch right away.”
“Ah… latte. Sigh, that’s why people call you old-fashioned, Director.”
“What? Old-fashioned? How dare you speak to an elder like this…”
“Ahem.”
As the exploding Director Kwon stood up abruptly, Chairman Kwon cleared his throat as if to calm him down. At one cough, Director Kwon sat back down in his chair, his face red. No matter how angry he was, he couldn’t upset Chairman Kwon.
“I’ll be taking my leave now, finish your meal.”
As Chairman Kwon stood up, Director Kwon hurriedly followed him out. After the two left, an awkward silence fell for a moment. Minwoo was the first to speak.
“Brother, take it easy. Do you have to act like this at a gathering after such a long time?”
“Well, I wonder what you mean by ‘like this’?”
At Jeho’s question, Minwoo wore a sardonic smile.
“Brother, you’re not still under the delusion that uncle is the successor, are you? If you want to get even a little piece of the pie, watch your words. If you don’t want to leave empty-handed…”
Despite knowing that Chairman Kwon had contacted him several times to finally bring him in, Minwoo pretended not to know and grated on Jeho’s nerves. But Jeho didn’t flush; instead, he gently curved his lips.
“You speak as if you’ve already become the successor.”
Jeho doesn’t easily get excited in any situation. Is it an innate dignity? The composure of a born crown prince? Having grown up being compared since childhood, Minwoo disliked Jeho’s laid-back attitude.
“Not as if, I already am the successor. Can’t you see?”
Minwoo, irritated, stretched out his arm and pulled Yuri’s shoulder close as if to show off. As if to flaunt, ‘Your former fiancée is now my woman.’
Suddenly finding herself caught in the middle of a competition between two men, Yuri frowned.
Is this why you called me? To show off in front of him?
She was only disgusted by Minwoo trying to drag her into this childish rivalry. Yuri quietly shook off Minwoo’s hand on her shoulder and picked up a ginseng jelly from the plate in front of her.
As she chewed slowly, savoring it, a sweet yet bitter taste filled her mouth.
[This is the timeline separator]“We need to talk.”
After the meal, Yuri grabbed Minwoo’s arm as he walked ahead. They needed to discuss him dragging her into an uncomfortable dinner without any prior consultation.
“I’m sorry, but can we do this later? I need to go back to the company…”
Minwoo said with an awkward expression.
“Alright then. Let’s talk later.”
Promising a future conversation, Yuri let Minwoo go and headed to the lobby to catch a taxi. As she took out her phone to call a taxi, a call came in.
[Are you okay? Were you there when the accident happened?]Hyunkyung asked in an urgent voice. Today, the first person to check on Yuri was Hyunkyung, not her family. By now, her entire family must have seen the news.
Once again confirming the distance from her family, a dark shadow fell over Yuri’s face.
“Yeah. I’m fine. Just looked like a drowned rat, that’s all.”
[I was so worried when I heard there were injured people…]“I’m sorry for making you worry.”
Honestly, she almost got hurt. If Jeho hadn’t appeared at the right time, she would have been badly bruised.
[I want to come see you right away, but the event isn’t over yet.]Hyunkyung grumbled in a sulky voice.
“We can meet tomorrow. You know you’re all I have, right?”
This wasn’t just empty words; Hyunkyung, who always took her side, was the most precious person in the world to Yuri. More precious and closer than family or lovers.
[Of course I know that. I love you, Chae Yuri.]“I love you too. Finish the event well, and let’s talk when you get home later.”
Yuri hung up the phone with a bright smile. As she was about to open the taxi app again, she felt a presence beside her. Turning her head, Jeho was standing next to her, having arrived at some point.
She thought he had left right after the meal ended. He must have gone out and come back, as there was a chill emanating from his body.
Not expecting to see him again, Yuri looked at Jeho with a surprised face and tucked her fallen hair behind her ear.
“Didn’t you bring your car?”
Despite the uncomfortable and awkward atmosphere during the meal, Jeho spoke naturally.
“Isn’t Minwoo taking you home?”
“He needs to go back to the company. Because of the accident at the shopping mall today…”
Yuri realized she hadn’t properly thanked him earlier due to the confusion.
“Thank you so much for earlier. How’s your shoulder? Did you get it treated?”
Judging by his inability to use his right hand, the wound must be deep. Was he wearing a black sweater to hide any bandages?
Jeho remained silent with a thoughtful expression. After a long while, his tightly closed lips opened.
“If there are questions, let me ask first.”
Questions for me? What?
As she turned her head with a puzzled expression, the hair she had tucked behind her ear fell loose. Jeho reached out before her and tucked her hair back.
“…!”
At the unexpected contact, a soft voice flowed into Yuri’s ear as she wore a dazed expression.
“Do you really have to go through with this marriage?”
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
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Daily Life of a Scumbag Man Giving Birth (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: The way for a promiscuous scumbag man to atone for his sins is to let him get… pregnant.
Synopsis:
Meng Huan, a scumbag who has dated countless girlfriends, scammed countless women, transmigrates to a female-dominated country.
Day 1: Whether it’s female dominance or not doesn’t matter. The beauties here are passionate and amorous. Isn’t it easier to scam them than in modern times?
Day 2: After a night, Meng Huan discovers the differences in the female-dominated world. Men here actually have chastity locks and menstrual cycles. This hinders his ability to perform, damn it!
Day 3: What’s wrong with sleeping around? I don’t want you to marry me. I’m meant to be a playboy. I don’t care about male virtues… What? You want to drown me in a pig cage? Marry, I’ll marry!
Day N: Meng Huan inexplicably vomits and receives the shocking news of his life… He’s pregnant.