“Really? I knew he liked the library, but he’s really unstoppable, isn’t he?”
“Tell me about it.”
Mikyung once again believed Ji An’s words without any suspicion.
But tails inevitably get caught. Ji An, noticing Mikyung’s watchful eyes, swept her chest lowly.
Here marks a division in time.
On a Friday morning with an event hosted by the Ministry of Environment to reduce plastic use.
As Taeyun entered the office, Dan Woo quickly scrolled down the search window titled [How to Make Your Girlfriend Laugh].
“You know we have a Jeju business trip starting Monday, right?”
“Yes. And we’re back in Seoul by Thursday.”
“And this.”
After completing the schedule report, Taeyun handed over a file containing the history of Lee Soo Jung.
When Dan Woo saw a movie title midway through the file, he asked, “A movie?”
“She snagged the lead role through street casting, but after the movie flopped, only Soo Jung became famous. She disappeared without any notable career progression following her second film.”
True to Taeyun’s words, her filmography listed just those two films.
“Private journals suggest her brother frequently paraded her around under the pretext of sponsors. Every guy seemingly wanted a night with the young girl.”
“Find out what happened to her brother.”
Taeyun then inquired about the possibility of encountering Soo Jung at the day’s event.
“What do you think Lee Soo Jung will do?”
“If she’s connected with Haesong, it won’t be easy to get her on our side in one go. But we still have to do whatever it takes.”
Dan Woo briefly halted, then resumed speaking.
“She was the one who refused when we suggested meeting. We need to create an excuse for a meeting. If that doesn’t work, we’ll look for another method.”
Dan Woo read Lee Soo Jung’s history of becoming a lobbyist involved deeply with Company D’s defense industry bidding years later, then closed the file.
“S Hotel’s restaurant is reserved under your name for 8 PM.”
“S Hotel restaurant, 8 PM, reserved under your name, sir.”
Taeyun concluded his report, informing Dan Woo of the restaurant reservation time he had made for Dan Woo and Ji An.
Dan Woo had his concerns that their formally arranged first date might be as heavy and somber as a confession. Yet, he had resolved to open up to Ji An about his being an illegitimate child of Haesong Group, how he was forced to flee to the United States after a fire incident ten years ago, and his story about his mother.
Hoping to lighten the mood after sharing such weighty stories, Dan Woo muttered some hilariously tear-jerking jokes he’d searched for in advance.
Here marks a division in time.
That same Friday afternoon.
The sedan driven by Taeyun entered the convention center where the plastic reduction charity event was being held.
Banners of companies seeking to plant an eco-friendly image hung in rows, hosted by the Ministry of Environment.
Dan Woo’s attendance at the event was also to meet lobbyist Lee Soo Jung, who had been involved in contracts between Haesong Bio and M Pharmaceuticals.
As Taeyun opened the rear car door, Dan Woo stepped out and straightened himself up.
Flashes from cameras burst in unison as his superior appearance graced the carpet.
Representative Woo Dan Woo of Play Round, the veiled figure now carrying the trust of Michael, chairman of the global Ace Corporation, garnered intense interest.
Entering the 3rd-floor hall C, designated for the event, an attendant approached them.
“This is Representative Woo Dan Woo of Play Round.”
“We’ll show you to your seat.”
The staff member walking ahead pointed to the name tags on the table.
Dan Woo sat down next to Taeyun, both of them attentively watching the stage.
[Ministry of Environment’s Marine Life Protection and Plastic Reduction Charity Event]
In came Lee Soo Jung, dressed in a red suit with her hair in wavy bobs, into the event hall. Upon being guided to her seat, Soo Jung’s brow twitched as she caught sight of Woo Dan Woo.
‘Representative Woo Dan Woo?’
Seeing that she was to be seated at the same table as Woo Dan Woo, Soo Jung signaled for an attendant. Reluctant to take the coveted seat, she asked in a hushed tone, “Is there no other seat available?”
Pointing across to another table, the attendant informed her, “The only available seat to move to right now is next to the Deputy Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration.”
“Is there really no other option? Are there no vacant seats?”
“I am sorry, but that’s all we have.”
Soo Jung scowled at the seat pointed out by the attendant. After a moment of hesitation and double-checking the name on the table card, she reluctantly moved to the new seat.
Woo Dan Woo turned a cold glance toward Soo Jung. Even without the red lipstick and thick eyeliner, her looks were ostentatiously glamorous.
A little while later, as the room dimmed, the emcee’s voice announced the start of the event.
“Good evening, I am Lee Byung-jae, honored to host the Zero Plastic charity event organized by the Ministry of Environment.”
Stepping back from the desk and bowing, the host then approached the microphone again.
“We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the dignitaries from the political and business communities who have joined us at the Zero Plastic charity event. We will soon proceed with the introduction of our guests followed by the opening speech.”
Woo Dan Woo cast a slanted glance at Soo Jung. She was obstinately removing the hand of the Food and Drug Administration’s Deputy Commissioner wrapped around her waist, using the dim lights as a pretext.
Remembering the rumors about Soo Jung’s promiscuous past, Dan Woo smiled askew.
He glanced down at his sleeve and then flicked off his cufflink toward the man’s hand with a snap. The cufflink struck the man’s hand and fell next to Soo Jung’s red high heels.
Although there was an intention to draw Soo Jung’s attention away from her seat, the act felt out of place and annoying at the event.
The vice commissioner of the Food and Drug Safety Office wrapped his hand and looked back. Once he realized he was being watched, he no longer harassed Soo Jung.
Soo Jung, turning around, firmly grasped the cufflink that had fallen next to her high heels.
Suddenly, the presenter’s comment signaled the event was nearing its end.
“We will now call the names of the corporations who have donated to marine life relief and conclude the event. Play Round Korea has donated three billion won, and the chairman of S Chemical has donated one billion won…….”
As the event drew to a close, corporate executives began to rise from their seats one by one.
As the lights brightened inside, Soo Jung spread her hand and looked down at the cufflink.
Although she had become a lobbyist, her past still clung to her ankles. Those days when she was an aspiring entertainer being dragged here and there, longing to become a star.
Soo Jung looked at Dan Woo, who was busy receiving greetings from various corporate executives, with a peculiar gaze.
She had a fierce argument with her secret lover, Yoon Sun Woo, a few days ago because of a video circulating on social media about Hae Song Bio’s cloned drugs. It was a fight where threats were exchanged, demanding responsibility and even one’s life.
It seemed like a good idea to leave room for negotiation with CEO Woo Dan Woo, just in case.
It was when Dan Woo came down to the parking lot and was moving toward his car.
“CEO Woo Dan Woo.”
Dan Woo stopped in his tracks and saw Soo Jung approaching him.
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.]
