Already, it was an uncomfortable situation just sitting there, with so many seniors present.
Shin Yeon had to break into a cold sweat whenever the topic of conversation turned to her.
“By the way, Shin Yeon seems to have changed a lot. I’m surprised every time I see her.”
“Ah….”
Actually, there was a reason why the topic kept turning to Shin Yeon.
After breaking up with her senior, Park Jin Woo, Shin Yeon thoroughly avoided any gatherings with juniors and seniors, though she would have attended gatherings with her colleagues.
So, for them, meeting Shin Yeon after a long time, who had changed so much, was quite a surprise.
“Even though Shin Yeon was famous for being beautiful since her undergraduate days, I had no idea she would dress up so well.”
“I mean, she was bold during studies and presentations, but she was overall very quiet. I was really surprised when I heard she joined Han Shin Planning.”
“I thought she was preparing for the civil service exam when she said she dropped out of the doctoral course.”
They were busy discussing the Shin Yeon they remembered.
In the midst of the glances directed at her, she just showed an awkward smile.
“If Shin Yeon had dressed up like this in college, it would have been no joke. At that time Park Jin Woo was so… Oh, sorry.”
Then, suddenly.
The table was shrouded in momentary silence at the name that came out almost instinctively.
Everyone looked carefully at Shin Yeon’s expression.
“It’s okay. It’s been so long, feel free to speak.”
Although she said she was comfortable, mentioning it couldn’t possibly be comfortable.
It wasn’t just a breakup, it was a fullfledged divorce.
On the other hand, she fully understood their feelings.
Receiving consideration from those around you due to a breakup is not a given.
When deciding to date someone within a group, the discomfort of the breakup is something they would have to bear.
“Oh, that’s a relief. I was a little worried you might be uncomfortable.”
“Yes, indeed.”
“It’s such a relief. I was a bit worried…”
“Hey, then it’s fine to not feel uncomfortable.”
In response to her seniors’ observant glances, Shin Yeon pretended to laugh lightly.
But while consideration isn’t a given, she did wish they would be a bit more careful.
Either bring it up or it’s been weird since earlier.
Whenever Park Jin Woo’s story came up, they carried on the conversation while avoiding that person, that person.
This isn’t Voldemort or anything.
“Oh.”
Then, suddenly, she remembered an appointment with Do Jun.
After attending a wedding, she had planned to review the salary contract at his house.
With a face full of energy, she suddenly sent a message to Do Jun.
“I might be a bit late, when does Director Kim arrive?”
Hmm, satisfying.
“Who are you texting that has you full of smiles?”
“Huh? No, it’s nobody.”
She didn’t want to get caught, but she got caught.
The smile on her lips didn’t fade.
My beloved salary.
I wonder how much it will increase considering what was said yesterday.
Her chest was full just thinking about it.
“Shin Yeon has a boyfriend, I guess. Whatever.”
She had hoped that if it was Jung Eun, she would have given some kind of hint, but the only one who spoke was a colleague who had been around earlier.
Jung Eun’s table was quite far away.
“Wow, Shin Yeon. Are you in love?”
Shin Yeon showed a vague smile.
One should not speak carelessly.
The lesson to always be cautious of one’s surroundings was fully learned through the appearance of Kim Jae Hee.
“Was it HanShin Electronics?”
Next to Shin Yeon who had declared silence, that colleague from earlier spoke instead.
“Wow, really? You’re doing great, Shin Yeon.”
“I heard your boyfriend dropped you off at the wedding hall earlier.”
Yes… this is all because I let my tongue slip earlier.
But let’s not blow this situation up anymore.
Instead of responding, Shin Yeon simply showed an awkward smile.
But then.
“I’m a bit late.”
It was the moment Shin Yeon, swallowing dryly, was reaching for the cocktail in front of her.
A very familiar voice reached her ears.
“Sorry, the traffic was a bit heavy.”
Despite the high pitched jazz music echoing in the lounge bar.
Despite the still seemingly far distance.
Clearly and definitively, it was heard.
Even without facing each other, the voice alone was recognizable.
“Oh, Jin Woo, you’re here?”
It was Park Jin Woo.
Shin Yeon could not turn her head, quietly putting down the cocktail in her hand.
Her hand holding the glass seemed to tremble a bit, possibly due to her effort not to drop it.
Why is he here…
“It’s been… a long time. Everyone.”
While people were considering Shin Yeon’s reaction, they greeted him nonchalantly.
“Park Jin Woo. We were wondering when you’d show up.”
“Sorry.”
“I thought you’d come earlier, you’ve been busy?”
“Ah, yes.”
“It’s okay, the important thing is that you’re here. It’s been a long time since we’ve all gathered like this.”
Ah, so Park Jin Woo was supposed to come in the first place.
So that’s why you were all talking about Park Jin Woo and teasing me.
It felt empty.
An inexplicable sense of betrayal rushed in.
I’m not sure why my hand is slightly trembling.
Whether it’s because of you, whom I’ve faced after a very long time, or because of the discomfort from the people who teased me.
Shin Yeon bit her lower lip hard due to the inexplicable emotion.
“Has everyone… been well?”
That voice, which I haven’t yet made eye contact with, asked how I was.
Even though I didn’t turn my head, I knew.
That voice was directed at me.
Shin Yeon just blankly stared at the cocktail in front of her.
“Hey, Shin Yeon.”
At that moment, the colleague next to her spoke to her.
“Huh?”
“You’ve been getting a call.”
It was the cellphone placed ostentatiously on the table.
The phone was on silent, so there was no vibration, but the flashing lights on the screen were vibrant.
“Quickly answer it.”
“Ah, yes.”
Shin Yeon cautiously rose with her phone in hand.
When she stood up, she felt a multitude of gazes on her.
And in those gazes… Park Jin Woo was there too.
After such a long time, he was still the same.
His gaze, his speech, even his expression.
All, were the same.
“Hello.”
Shin Yeon, who had risen from her seat, pressed the call button.
It was a moment everyone had been watching.
[Do you know what time it is? How late will it be?]
It was Do Joon’s nonchalant voice.
With the call volume set to the lowest, there was no chance his voice could be heard outside.
After all, she was the one they were focused on.
Shin Yeon raised her melodious voice as she passed by the table.
“Uh, bro. I’m still drinking with friends.”
At the end of Shin Yeon’s voice, a small murmur could be heard.
She pretended to pass by casually, but she didn’t miss those gazes.
[Are you crazy?]
Regardless of what words might reach her ears.
Male lead fell into her trap — and shattered when she walked away
This is also on my reread list!
This one is a slow burn, but when it burns, it burns hard.
Definitely worth a read, y’all!
The story follows a thousand-year-old seductive spirit who, on a bet, sets out to charm the male lead—a once-promising but unfortunate cultivator.
But just when she succeeds in making him fall for her, she heartlessly leaves, driving him to madness.
Determined to find her at all costs, he captures her, keeping her by his side no matter what, even if she hates him.
I love this kind of trope—I enjoy watching the male lead suffer in agony.
The ending drags a bit with unnecessary filler, but that’s fine.
As long as I enjoy the beginning, I’m good.
Intro
As an enchantress, Su Heng possesses captivating eyes and charming beauty, easily manipulating the joys and sorrows of living beings at her fingertips.
But to enchant a god, making him taste the bitterness of love’s separation, long-lasting resentment, unattainable desires, and inability to let go…
Do you dare?
Su Heng assists a divine lord in his cultivation, aiming to make him experience all the sufferings of love, so that he can attain the Great Dao.
Only after being chased down from the heavens by the divine lord, confined and completely possessed by him, does she realize how successful she has been.
The once gentle and polite youth has transformed into someone she no longer recognizes.
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
