The weekend arrived. Ji Na was getting ready to go to Do Jin’s house. After all, she wasn’t preparing to impress anyone. She opened her wardrobe and casually put on the first clothes she saw.
Ji Na, who was gazing at her own reflection in the fulllength mirror, picked up her bag.
Ji Na, who had left her home, hailed a taxi on the road.
Upon getting into the taxi, Ji Na recited Do Jin’s home address to the driver. She had almost forgotten his address and had nearly called the company’s HR department to find it. Fortunately, she was able to find the address in the old saved list on her memo app.
‘It’s for Jin Woo.’
She kept telling herself it was an extension of work, just another task. On this particular day, the sky beyond the window was filled with ominous dark clouds.
The unease she felt in the corner of her heart felt as if it were being draped over by the dark clouds.
Do Jin’s house was just as Ji Na remembered it.
“Did you arrive, Ji Na?”
Do Jin’s mother welcomed Ji Na. As soon as Ji Na entered the entrance, she hugged her abruptly.
Ji Na knew that it was her habit to always hug her every time they met, but today, this warm embrace felt more uncomfortable than ever. Awkwardly, Ji Na detached herself from her.
“Ji Na, I’m sorry. Let me apologize on behalf of him.”
Do Jin’s mother, who was holding both of Ji Na’s hands, suddenly apologized.
With a puzzled face, Ji Na looked at Do Jin who was standing next to her, not knowing what to do. Unlike Ji Na, no expression could be read from Do Jin’s face. He seemed to be quietly observing the situation.
It was as if he was watching to see how well Ji Na would handle this. In that sort of nuance.
“We prepared a lot of delicious food because you were coming, Ji Na. Just wait and see. Make yourself comfortable here.”
After a long scrutiny of Ji Na, Do Jin’s mother, with her uncomfortable gait, headed towards the kitchen. Ji Na hastily stopped her. It was not a situation to comfortably have a meal.
“Madam, there’s something I need to tell you.”
At Ji Na’s solemn words, Do Jin’s mother, while looking at the boiling soup, picked up the ladle.
“Let’s eat first, then talk. Ji Na, you’ve lost weight. It hurts my heart.”
Unable to firmly state her intentions, Ji Na could only fidget with her hands.
ads
Unlike with Do Jin, she couldn’t be outright assertive with his mother. After all, she had come to ask for their consent for the marriage of Do Jin and Yoon Ju. She couldn’t afford to offend her.
As if mocking Ji Na’s precarious state, Do Jin approached and asked,
“Do you want some water?”
Unable to hide her emotions, Ji Na frowned at Do Jin.
Upon this, Do Jin shrugged and spoke as if there was nothing he could do.
“If you don’t want to eat, don’t.”
He seemed to find the situation amusing as he was grinning.
Although she had wanted to leave the house multiple times, Ji Na restrained herself, thinking about Jin Woo.
Do Jin’s mother, despite her discomfort walking, was quick with her hands, and the meal was ready in no time. The dishes spread out on the table looked appetizing.
“Now, eat quickly. I didn’t prepare much.”
Do Jin’s mother continued to smile at Ji Na and handed her a spoon.
“Um… Madam…”
Ji Na opened her mouth hesitantly. Then, Do Jin’s mother’s eyebrows furrowed. It was a face that seemed to understand what Ji Na was about to say.
“Ji Na, I raised my only son poorly.”
“Ah….”
Caught off guard by the sudden confession, Ji Na couldn’t utter another word and only pursed her lips. Everything Do Jin’s mother had said was absolutely right. Considering Do Jin’s character now, he was nothing short of trash.
“If it’s you, I can trust our son with you. If it’s not you, I can’t accept any other woman.”
How should she take such words said to a former girlfriend of her alreadybrokenup son? Do Jin’s mother’s desperate tone left Ji Na with no choice but to be flustered.
“Madam, the reason I came here today is because I heard that you disapprove of the marriage between Assistant Manager Kim Do Jin and Officer Heo Yoon Ju.”
At this point, Ji Na firmly bit her lip.
No matter how much she thought about it, it was laughable. The spectacle of an exgirlfriend asking for approval of the marriage between her exboyfriend and the woman he cheated with.
There was not an ounce of lingering feelings. And so, Ji Na could speak sincerely.
“They are wellsuited for each other. Please give your approval, madam.”
Please. Otherwise, Jin Woo won’t lose his job. Ji Na looked at Do Jin’s mother with desperate eyes. Do Jin’s mother was left speechless by Ji Na’s words, her mouth gaping.
“Ji Na, don’t you have any selfrespect? Why would you say such things? When Do Jin told me you were coming today, I thought maybe you two were back together…”
No, not at all, Madam. The two of us would never meet again, even in death.
And about selfrespect… does a mere company employee have such a thing? And right now, someone’s very important job is on the line.
Ji Na smiled awkwardly.
ads
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.”