Then, with a delighted smile, she looked towards Ji An, who was running towards her.
“Is it time to leave now?”
“Yes.”
“Were you surprised by my sudden visit?”
Instead of answering, Ji An nodded and quickly bit her lower lip as her eyes began to well up.
Upon seeing Yeonwoo in the library, she had called her ‘Mom’ out of joy, but she quickly averted her gaze.
Although she had thought about visiting Yeonwoo, who runs the beautiful workshop owned by Ha Jun’s parents, she kept postponing it day by day, making her feel even more weighed down.
In truth, what she feared most after her relationship with Ha Jun soured was this.
The reality of being unable to readily visit Yeonwoo, Ha Jun’s mother, and the distance that inevitably needed to be kept. And the somewhat apologetic feelings that arose for no apparent reason.
Seemingly understanding Ji An’s feelings, Yeonwoo spoke first.
“It was nearby, so I stopped by for a moment. I wanted to see the changing seasons and watch you work.”
“Mom.”
“By any chance, if you have time, shall we go to the salon together? It’s been a while since Mom got her hair done.”
Surprised by the unexpected suggestion, Ji An agreed gladly.
Sometimes, although Ji An had initiated conversations, it seemed like the first time Yeonwoo suggested going to the salon together.
One hour later.
Ji An and Yeonwoo, wearing gowns, sat side by side in the salon.
When the approaching designer, using their fingers, puffed up Yeonwoo’s hair, they asked, “Is she your daughter?”
“Yes, she’s my daughter.”
“Perhaps because she takes after her mother, your daughter is beautiful.”
“Is that so? After becoming a mom, I prefer hearing that my daughter is beautiful rather than me being told that I am pretty. It’s more enjoyable to hear that my daughter is lovely. Without a daughter, life wouldn’t be as fun, I think.”
“After raising a daughter, I feel the same way.”
As Ji An looked at Yeonwoo’s face reflected in the mirror, she met her eyes, and Yeonwoo smiled gently.
Although Yeonwoo had always introduced herself to others as Ji An’s daughter, Ji An felt something different about Yeonwoo’s words and actions in the salon until they had dinner together. However, she couldn’t pinpoint what it was.
“Don’t you dislike going to the department store?”
“It’s the last time.”
Upon entering the department store, hearing Yeonwoo casually spill the words, Ji An vaguely sensed what it might be.
It seemed like Yeonwoo had come to bid farewell after realizing that her relationship with Ha Jun had gone awry.
“Ji An, will you let me buy you a scarf? A durable one for you to keep for a long time.”
“…Sure.”
“Did Mom coming to visit suddenly make you uncomfortable?”
“No, I didn’t think that way.”
Holding a scarf with a subtle pink hue made of silk, Ji An showed it to Yeonwoo.
Instead of saying she liked it, Yeonwoo nodded and swept her hand over Ji An’s back.
With a vague sense of an impending end, Ji An felt a strange, choking emotion. As the rising sadness became heavier and choked her throat, Ji An couldn’t bring herself to look at Yeonwoo.
Yeonwoo’s gaze was also directed elsewhere, not at Ji An.
Coming out of the department store and walking down the street, Yeonwoo sat on a bench near a taxi stand. Instead of taking a taxi, she held Ji An’s hand and petted it a few times.
“Ha Jun quit the law firm.”
“What?”
“Didn’t you know?”
Since she hadn’t been in touch since visiting the law firm due to Danwoo’s matter, Ji An naturally didn’t know.
Was it tough enough to quit the law firm?
Seeing Ji An’s surprised face, unable to turn it back, Yeonwoo looked at her.
However, Yeonwoo just smiled without saying anything else. Then, once again, she swept Ji An’s hair.
“It’s not your fault, so don’t blame yourself. …Maybe Mom was wrong to expect too much. I thought Ha Jun would handle everything on his own.”
“Mom.”
“Are you happy with that person now?”
“….”
Ji An couldn’t bring herself to respond to Yeonwoo’s words, as if she knew about Ji An’s relationship with Danwoo. Although it wasn’t a wrongdoing, Ji An could instantly tell that Yeonwoo’s expectations differed from her own heart.
Yet, she couldn’t spill the details about meeting Danwoo here.
So, Ji An simply nodded silently.
“People’s hearts are truly fickle, aren’t they? Moms inevitably side with their own children. I might not be able to see you in the future because Ha Jun might be hurt.”
“…,” Ji An couldn’t deny Yeonwoo’s words.
Dating Danwoo, distancing from Ha Jun, and Ji An vaguely expected these things.
It wasn’t something to apologize for.
Ji An felt uneasy for not being grateful enough for what Yeonwoo had done for her.
To alleviate Ji An’s feelings, Yeonwoo spoke.
“By buying you the scarf today, I’ve repaid everything Mom did for you. So don’t harbor any feelings of guilt.”
Ji An, forcing a tight-lipped smile, reluctantly raised her gaze and nodded.
Though she vaguely thought today might be the last day with Yeonwoo as a mom, the words spoken aloud felt even heavier.
“I should have visited you first. I kept delaying it, unsure how to express myself.”
“Still, Mom doesn’t feel bad about you being like a daughter. It’s a good thing.”
“…”
“Even if Dad isn’t here, you have to live well. Don’t stay alone; go to Unni and Mom. Got it?”
“Yes.”
As Yeonwoo’s heavy heart finally let tears stream down, she quickly stood up from the bench.
Then, she hailed a taxi and pulled the backseat door handle. She shook her hand outside, signaling Ji An to go quickly, and got into the taxi.
Ji An stood still, staring fixedly at the departing taxi.
While walking to where she had parked her car, the overwhelming emotions of grief continued to plummet endlessly.
Although it was late, heading straight to Beren House was the right thing to do, but Ji An couldn’t bring herself to go in this mood.
During the times when Danwoo returned home late, Ji An had spent some time in Lake Tower.
Feeling the desire to be alone, she eventually turned the steering wheel towards Lake Tower.
The Male lead Always Seduces Her with His Beauty (Matriarchy)
Xin Jiao Zhou is the leader of the world’s premier sect. She has just experienced betrayal from all sides, was poisoned in an assassination attempt, and faced death squad attacks while the poison was taking effect. After finally clearing out the scum from her sect, she was drugged again while trying to detoxify.
After waking up from a night of unconsciousness, she gained a “beautiful and kind-hearted” husband.
Xin Jiao Zhou: “???”
He fell ill.
She came to see him, bringing breakfast.
As she put down the breakfast and was about to leave, his hand slipped while holding the spoon. “Clank!”
She turned around upon hearing the noise.
He looked up at her, his eyebrows drooping: “My hand… has no strength.”
“Shall I… feed you?” she asked tentatively.
He opened his mouth cheerfully: “Ah—”
Thinking she was drowning, he jumped in without hesitation to save her, but nearly drowned himself. In the end, it was she who swam over to rescue him, giving him air underwater.
After emerging from the water, his ear tips turned red. He lightly brushed his cheek, tucking his sideburns behind his ear, revealing delicate, pink-tinged ear tips. He lowered his gaze, too embarrassed to look at her.
Xin Jiao Zhou: He’s truly beautiful, kind-hearted, and adorable.
A certain someone when disciplining subordinates behind the scenes: “If they don’t obey, just kill them.”
What’s that? She might already have someone she cares about in her heart? A certain someone: Find out who it is, kill them, and then there won’t be anyone.
What? She met a man by the riverside? What? That man even hurt her? A certain someone: Whichever hand hurt her, chop off his entire arm.
Love at first sight without realizing it, gradually falling in love, slowly getting closer…
Family and national grudges, schemes and desires, good and evil, crime and punishment, she and he face the future together, seeking justice with passion!
A naturally dark female lead who could accidentally destroy the world but is actually an honest person VS a weak, pitiful, and helpless but skilled fighter, beautiful white-cut black male lead
My heart is not of stone, how steadfast is your love? — Tao Yuanming “Imitating the Ancients (No. 3)”
— Reading Guide —
Cold female lead & dramatic black lotus with hidden yandere traits male lead
