“You’re not late today?”
Tae Jo, walking up the stairs connected to the garage, raised his head. Yae Ryung was standing in the yard, seemingly waiting for him.
“On a day like today, I can’t afford to be late. But why are you outside, sister-in-law?”
“I heard you were coming. But did you come alone?”
Looking for someone else? Yae Ryung craned her neck, peering behind Tae Jo. Her obvious search for Se Kyung made Tae Jo raise an eyebrow.
“Are you going to be this obvious? Didn’t we agree to keep that day a secret?”
“It would have been nice if you brought her today. It would be natural to introduce her. What better birthday gift for mom than that?”
This might lead to spilling the beans in front of the family.
Seeing Tae Jo’s skeptical look, Yae Ryung chuckled.
“Ah, your glare is too fierce for me to even joke. Don’t worry. I’ll be careful in front of others. But how is Se Kyung? I read the articles.”
“Well, things are gradually settling down.”
The past week had been chaotic due to Lim Ju Hee’s video.
Fortunately, the situation quickly reversed thanks to interviews by Yoo Na, a former group member, and posts on Ki Jeong’s SNS.
As the articles featuring Yoo Na and Ki Jeong’s statements spread, the arrows of criticism initially aimed at Se Kyung turned towards Lim Ju Hee.
Lim Ju Hee’s drama also couldn’t escape the fallout. Discussion boards and live chat windows were abuzz more with Se Kyung and Lim Ju Hee’s story than the drama’s plot.
Faced with growing criticism, Lim Ju Hee belatedly posted an apology video, claiming her words had been misunderstood, saying she was merely upset with Se Kyung, not that she disliked her.
Even though she clarified that the staff’s comment was written without knowing the full story, it was too late, and the controversy refused to die down.
Furious at the unjust attack on Se Kyung, Director Song and Manager Shin were busy preparing lawsuits against the malicious commenters.
“What’s with that Lim Ju Hee? Why did she suddenly bring up the past to trouble Se Kyung?”
“It seems she was jealous that Se Kyung was more successful when they were active together. I heard she always resented Se Kyung.”
“Ah, is that what it is? Jealous of someone else’s success and trying to bring them down? What a strange person. She should spend that time improving herself instead of trying to pull others down.”
Yae Ryung sneered sharply. If Lim Ju Hee were present, she might have received a slap from her.
“Are you going to let her get away with it?”
“I’m considering it. I’d like to file complaints against each one of them, but Se Kyung thinks it’s not good to sue a former member and colleague. She’s pregnant and wants to avoid unpleasant situations.”
“Our delicate doe. I would have taught her a legal lesson she’d never forget.”
Yae Ryung smacked her palm with her fist, showing her resolve. Tae Jo watched her from a distance.
“…”
Ah, this is the woman who once turned her school upside down.
As Tae Jo averted his gaze, Yae Ryung quickly turned towards him.
“Keep an eye out, Young Master. People like that might stab you in the back again.”
“I’ll remember that.”
Tae Jo smoothly responded and opened the front door. As they entered, a delicious aroma wafted through the air.
“What were you two talking about outside for so long?”
Mrs. Ma in the dining room addressed them.
“Just business talk with the Young Master. At least he managed to be on time today.”
“That’s good. Come sit down. Yae Ryung worked hard preparing this for today.”
Tae Jo surveyed the lavish spread on the dining table.
“Did you do all this, sister-in-law?”
“No, we invited a chef. How could I present my cooking in front of mom? It would be embarrassing.”
Yae Ryung spoke confidently, and Mrs. Ma, chuckling, pointed to a bowl with her spoon.
“Still, she made the seaweed soup for my birthday.”
“You did well. You must be busy with the gallery, sister-in-law. Next time, let’s just eat out. Oh, and this.”
Tae Jo, seated at the dining table, handed a small shopping bag to his mother.
“Is this my gift?”
“Yes. Please open it.”
Mrs. Ma took out the box and opened it. Recognizing the familiar brooch, she looked at Tae Jo.
“Oh my, how did you know I wanted this?”
“I heard it from Manager Sung when I went to buy the gift. You had looked at it and left.”
“Thank you. I’ll wear it well. But, I want a different gift more than this.”
Mrs. Ma smiled slyly at Tae Jo, who frowned, sensing something ominous.
“Next time, don’t buy things like this. Bring the person you’re going to marry.”
“…….”
“Pfft.”
Yae Ryung covered her mouth, trying to suppress her laughter.
Tae Jo sighed at his sister-in-law’s suggestive look and quietly ladled soup into his bowl.
Clap!
Yoo Na announced the end of the shooting by clapping her hands, in place of a slate.
The ‘Couple’s Dream’ shoot, which started in the morning, had finally wrapped up in the afternoon.
Contrary to worries, the shoot went smoothly, except for some discomfort Se Kyung felt during yoga and some mild nausea while eating.
When male lead is the homewrecker
“I know she doesn’t love him.”
I’ve read the novel below twice already. Girls, I’m highly recommending it to you!
The female lead? Not a good person.
The second male lead? Not a good person.
The male lead? Willingly plays the third party, breaking up the female and second male lead’s relationship despite all the warnings from his friends—so yeah, he’s definitely not a good person either.
Basically, nobody in this novel is simple-minded or without scheming.
The female lead starts off as the male lead’s secretary, but don’t worry—later on, she takes over the company while the male lead steps back to support her. He won’t steal her spotlight, overshadow her, or dull her shine.
I love novels where men are out here snatching wigs, tearing each other down, and going to war just to win the female lead’s affection. And this is exactly that kind of novel. Most of Hai Dai Ran’s works have this dynamic. You’ll see the male characters’ emotions being pushed to the absolute extreme.
There’s even a scene where the second male lead exposes the male lead online for being a homewrecker. The brotherhood immediately gangs up on him, dragging him through the mud. I find it compelling —it completely flips reality on its head, where usually, women are the ones fighting over a man and getting torn apart by the sisterhood.
For me, female leads in the novels I read should only struggle in their careers, not in love. But if the brainless romantics in the story are all men? I have zero complaints.
I’ve pretty much read all of Hai Dai Ran’s novels and even translated all of them—her works are just my thing. I’ll slowly upload everything here. One day, when my website is official, I hope I can invite her to join as one of the star authors.
Here’s the story synopsis:
One-line summary: She is his lifelong obsession, to the point where he was willing to be a third wheel, scorned by society, just to wedge his way into her relationship with her fiancé.
Cold-hearted and indifferent female lead + Scheming and subservient CEO male lead
Intro 1:
“I know she doesn’t love him.”
With blood trickling from his clenched fist, Rong Xiu gazed at the woman before him, his eyes clouded with anguish. Hidden in the wardrobe, he had witnessed Fan Xia – the woman he desperately loved – in an intimate embrace with her fiancé. Yet his heart still yearned for her, defying all reason.
Fan Xia, the elegant and composed assistant, carried something mysterious in her eyes whenever she looked at her fiancé, Wen Lan Sheng. Strange occurrences began to surface – secret meetings with the young Gu Jin Yi, an unexplained withdrawal of 5,000 yuan… Then suddenly, her fiancé’s sister, Wen Jing, violently attacked her.
In this matriarchal society, Rong Xiu had risen to become the chairman of a powerful healthcare conglomerate, breaking through gender prejudices. But for the first time, he willingly stepped into the shadows as the other man, disregarding his friends’ warnings to become her secret lover.
Because he had discovered the truth – Fan Xia wasn’t the pure angel everyone believed her to be. And perhaps, he was the only one capable of helping her execute her mysterious plan…
Intro 2:
Rong Xiu’s biggest regret in life was missing out on Fan Xia.
He secretly loved Fan Xia for 7 years.
Watched her go public with her boyfriend.
Watched her kiss her boyfriend at their wedding.
Until that man blissfully nestled in Fan Xia’s arms, obtaining everything he could only dream of.
The crazy jealousy stripped away his hidden secret love, layer by layer, burning like wildfire.
Fan Xia, how can I have you!
【Reading and Trigger Warning Guide】
1. Female dominant, male submissive, male pregnancy
2. Male lead schemes his way to the top, male competition
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Please help me, I want to bring you the best possible things.
If you find any chapter or novel with poor translation and editing quality, let me know by commenting directly under that novel or chapter. I will retranslate it as soon as possible.
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