“I’ll do that.”
Taeseok replied without hesitation, even though he hadn’t prepared anything. Instead, it was Yeoreum who protested.
“No! Our house is too small, and we haven’t prepared anything well. It will be uncomfortable for my brother.”
“It’s just guys talking.”
Wonsu made a disapproving expression as he watched Yeoreum expressing her dissatisfaction.
‘How can my dad be so busy taking my boyfriend’s side without even knowing his feelings? When my mom married, my father-in-law must have had similar feelings.’
Taeseok also reassured Yeoreum.
“It’s okay. As long as there’s one blanket, I can sleep well.”
Yeoreum raised the white flag, and the long night finally began.
Through Wonsu’s words, the little Choi Yeoreum came out. Born two months prematurely, the baby, who had been unusually frail, was a regular at the emergency room, they said. Wonsu wiped his face, saying that it felt like every day was like walking on thin ice.
“Still, by the time she went to school, she was much taller and healthier than her peers.”
He said there was nothing more to wish for than health. He had never lectured about academics even once.
Taeseok already knew this part about Yeoreum.
Comparing Taeseok’s life, who lived by reporting his daily study hours to his mom, having tutors for each subject, to Yeoreum’s life, was a notable contrast. Although it resulted in entering a prestigious university, it was a bit strange to have parents who didn’t give lectures.
“Looking back, it was a moment. The baby who used to toddle around suddenly wearing a school uniform one day.”
Wonsu spoke somewhat disorderly. While talking about the time when the fever rose to 40 degrees around the time of turning one, he also talked about the time when he fell and broke his leg during a sports day. He even went back to kindergarten, saying that all that time was just a moment.
“In middle school, I cried for a week because my first love rejected me. Really.”
While smiling with a slight smile and listening, the word “first love” hit Taeseok’s ear directly. It was sharper than a knife.
First love.
Masterfully maintaining a smile without changing his expression, his heart began to freeze. He wanted to summon the child immediately and see her face.
“Father, I’m curious about Yeoreum’s first love story. Who was it?”
“It was just for a while in middle school!”
Yeoreum hastily interjected. Seeing her flipping the plate while raising her arm, it seemed like there was something. Her efforts to stop it only raised suspicions. Taeseok spoke to Yeoreum using silent language.
‘Just stay still.’
“Choi Yeoreum in the third year of middle school. Without fear, she came to a boys’ high school and handed a letter, but that guy rejected her, so…”
“Dad!”
Taeseok still smiled and turned his head to Yeoreum.
‘Is she crazy? Where did she sneak into?’
Yeoreum turned pale. She looked like flour, cute but there was no intention of giving in.
‘Go up and watch.’
Yeoreum hurriedly explained.
“I didn’t break into a boys’ school. My dad was a teacher at that school, and I went to see my dad.”
Jeongsuk intervened with a fruit tray.
“Sure. I just confessed my love while I was at it. I brought a letter I wrote all night, just in case.”
“Why even involve Mom!”
Jeongsuk spoke with a laugh, as if finding this situation amusing. The letter written and discarded that night filled the trash can, but the contents were said to be so earnest.
“What did it say? Brother, if you don’t have a girlfriend, how about watching a movie with me…”
“No!”
“Why did you go to meet Dad? You just made an excuse to do something you didn’t usually do.”
Yeoreum’s expression seemed like she was about to cry. She seemed to anticipate how much she would torment herself with this incident. But what can you do? It’s going to be more tormenting than she imagines.
“Which male student was it, anyway?”
“Yeonghyeon. He was the class president of our class. That guy was handsome, good at studying, and quite popular. I heard he’s a PD at a broadcasting station now. Haven’t you seen him, Yeoreum? PD Wi Yeonghyeon.”
Wi Yeonghyeon. The name wasn’t great either. Taeseok pushed the name into his mind.
“Thank you for the interesting story.”
Although the story wasn’t pleasing to Wi Yeonghyeon, the light conversation topic softened the atmosphere. Wonsu finally brought up typical questions that parents with a daughter would ask.
What do your parents do, where did you go to school, how did you get your job, and such things.
Taeseok answered without embellishment.
“I’m the dean of a university and a medical school professor. It seems like it might be too grand for your liking. I wonder if your parents want a daughter-in-law from a better family.”
Taeseok was surprised, jumping up.
“Absolutely not. They are people who will cherish Yeoreum more than me.”
After having a few drinks, Yeoreum, who seemed to be almost dozing off, leaned her head on Taeseok’s arm. It must have been a tiring day for her. Seeing Yeoreum, who was almost falling asleep, Taeseok stopped talking for now.
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.”
