“What’s wrong with it?”
Hyun Kyung smiled and unfolded another dress, similar in design to the one Yul Li had just refused, only in a different color. Both dresses revealed the shoulders and had deeply cut necklines, clinging tightly to the body in the style of a mini-skirt dress. Small pearl beads adorned the cuffs and chest area, adding a cute touch to the otherwise sensual outfits.
Still, Yul Li was appalled. She had never worn mini-skirts, let alone shorts, and now she was being asked to wear such a revealing dress. It was unthinkable.
“Hyun Kyung, I can’t wear this.”
Yul Li shook her head in discomfort, refusing to wear the dress.
“Why not? You’re getting married the day after tomorrow. Shouldn’t you enjoy a night out at the club before becoming a married woman? Are you going to stick to your Cheongdam-dong look forever?”
The reminder that her wedding was just around the corner hit Yul Li like a dagger. Initially resistant, Yul Li hesitated, and Hyun Kyung quickly wrapped her in a hug.
“I’ll wear black, and you wear silver. Let’s wear them as a couple look, okay? Think of it as an early bachelorette party.”
“A bachelorette party for a loveless marriage…”
Yul Li’s cynical laughter escaped her lips, but eventually, she nodded.
“Fine, just for today.”
Always living under pressure, she thought letting loose for one day couldn’t hurt. Once Yul Li agreed, Hyun Kyung hurriedly helped her into the dress before she could change her mind. The dress clung so tightly it was hard to breathe. It was scandalously sexy but somehow less burdensome than the wedding dress she had tried on earlier. This attire, though uncomfortable, didn’t feel like the shackles of a chain.
“Different body shapes really make the same size look different.”
Hyun Kyung grumbled enviously as she admired Yul Li’s voluptuous figure. Quickly regaining her focus, she laid out her makeup collection.
“In case someone recognizes you, I’ll give you a makeover, almost like a disguise. Expect a totally sexy Chae Yul Li. We’ll meet Yoon Ah and Min Jung at the club, and Kim Manager will accompany us.”
Kim Manager was the head of security for the Ju Seong Uk family and often took care of Hyun Kyung’s personal security as well.
“Shall we start now?”
Hyun Kyung picked up a makeup brush, excited to begin.
“Ah!”
The strong whiskey spread through her body like burning embers, causing Yul Li to grimace involuntarily. Being at the club had lightened her mood somewhat, but it wasn’t enough. She quickly filled her glass for another drink, seeking solace in alcohol.
Hyun Kyung had reserved the top VVIP room in the club, with glass walls offering a panoramic view of the club below.
Yul Li adjusted her seating, pulling down her skirt that had ridden up her thighs. The excessive shortness of the skirt was quite bothersome. Luckily, she was alone in the room at that moment. Hyun Kyung and her friends, escorted by Kim Manager, had gone down to the dance floor just moments before. Yul Li had chosen to stay behind, preferring the solitude of the VVIP room.
Yul Li’s different look was the most she could deviate from her usual self, and Hyun Kyung knew not to push her further. She just told Yul Li to text Manager Kim if she wanted to come downstairs.
Staring at the flashy lights, Yul Li emptied her glass again. Despite drinking continuously, strangely, she didn’t feel intoxicated. It was a sign of how cluttered her mind was.
How long had she been sitting there? When Hyun Kyung and the others didn’t return, Yul Li got up. She almost texted Manager Kim but decided to head downstairs, thinking she could easily find her group in the same club.
It was a bad decision, she realized as soon as she stepped into the crowded floor. With people packed so tightly, it was nearly impossible to see even a step ahead, let alone find her friends without knowing their exact location. Regretting not bringing her phone, she turned back towards the stairs, but a man’s strong arm suddenly wrapped around her waist.
“Gotcha!”
Turning around, Yul Li faced a man she didn’t know, grinning at her. Drunk, with glazed eyes, he seemed either genuinely mistaking her for his girlfriend or pretending to flirt.
“You got the wrong person.”
“Ha, doesn’t recognize his own girlfriend?”
The man, reeking of alcohol, pulled Yul Li closer. Whether it was drunken confusion or an act, Yul Li struggled to break free, but it was tough.
No one paid attention, seemingly thinking it was a lovers’ quarrel.
“Stay still.”
The man buried his face in Yul Li’s nape, reaching for her thigh with his sticky, sweaty hand. She stomped on the man’s foot with her high heel with all her might.
“Ouch!”
The man screamed, finally drawing attention. Yul Li quickly broke free, but before she could get far, a rough hand grabbed her hair. The pain was so intense that Yul Li couldn’t even scream, dragged back by the man.
“This is what you get for trying to run!”
The man, enraged, thrust his face close to hers, shouting. But upon meeting Yul Li’s cold gaze, he flinched and released her hair.
After Being Cheated On, She Picked Up a Treasure (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: The husband I married on a whim had been secretly in love with me for a long time.
On the day when Jun Shao finally obtained the imperial decree for her marriage, Lan Qu, the person she had admired for six years, defied the decree and ran away.
Her gentleness and devotion, her promise of a lifetime together, were all disregarded by him. Instead, he dreamed of entering the palace to serve the Emperor’s sister as a sixth-rank attendant.
News of this incident spread throughout the capital, and the alleys in front of and behind the Lan mansion were crowded with people who came to watch the commotion.
Jun Shao should have been embarrassed and angry.
But someone stepped in to protect her dignity.
The figure was in a miserable state, yet still possessed an undeniable elegance and handsomeness.
The young lord struggled to climb the wall of the Lan mansion and shouted to her, “If he won’t marry you, I will!”
So, Jun Shao took advantage of the situation and married the person.
She thought the young lord did it to save the Lan family from the crime of defying the imperial decree, but never imagined that from beginning to end, what he coveted was her.
*
After the wedding, Jun Shao felt like she was living in a dream.
Her Wife-master was as beautiful as a fairy in a painting, skilled in the six arts, well-versed in poetry and literature, capable of being gentle and attentive, and also grand and dignified. Most importantly, she was the only one in his heart and eyes.
Jun Shao didn’t know how Lan Shiwu, as a illegitimate son without a father and blessed with beauty, had managed to preserve his purity, recklessly escape, and use his last ounce of strength to ruin his own reputation, all because of his love for her, just to stand before her.
She could only see him gazing at her with eyes full of love, and when she bestowed a name upon him, his eyes shone like stars.
“You have come to me like a weary bird perching on a branch. I shall call you A Qi.”
