Kids who had sought doctors to treat their sick mothers, but were turned away due to lack of money. The orphanage was filled with children who had lost parents in this way.
Perhaps sensing Lea’s hesitation, tears started rolling down the girl’s cheeks. At that moment, Lea called over an employee from the Magnolia store, who had been waiting at the entrance.
Lea whispered something to the employee so the girl wouldn’t hear, then took the girl’s hand.
“Shall we go see where your mom is?”
The girl’s face finally showed a faint hint of color.
.
.
.
The girl remained silent as they walked together. Holding her hand, Lea felt increasingly concerned about the girl’s noticeably thin wrists.
Growing up in an orphanage would at least have ensured meals. Children growing up under sick parents often suffered from malnutrition.
‘Parents can’t take care of their children when they’re this sick…’
Eventually, Lea stopped walking and took a piece of chocolate out of her bag.
“Kid, would you like to eat this?”
“…”
“I don’t really like sweet stuff, you know.”
The child held the chocolate Lea had given him but did not eat it. An inscrutable expression briefly crossed his face.
“Is it further to your home than you thought?”
The child, who had been walking with Lea for a while, turned onto a deserted path. Because it was a slum area, many creepy eyes followed Lea as she walked.
Before following the child, she sent a message to Rickel through an accompanying staff member.
If she disappeared, Rickel would find her no matter what. Lea tightly held the child’s hand.
After walking for a while, the child abruptly stopped in front of a narrow alley and began to tremble as tears flowed.
“Why are you crying? Your sister will make sure your mom isn’t sick.”
Bending her knees to meet the child’s eye level, Lea looked at him. The child shook his head vigorously and pointed to the path they had been walking on.
“Si, sister. Lo, lost.”
“Huh?”
‘Sorry?’
Seeing the child’s frightened face, Lea’s heart sank. And at that moment, sounds of people came from the far end of the alley.
She had thought the alley was empty. Men began to appear one or two at a time and approach her.
“So you lead me all the way here and cry, little one?”
‘Ah.’
A deep sigh escaped from Lea’s lips.
So the purpose was to lure her here using the child as bait.
Lea clenched her lips tightly. Then she grasped the hem of her dress firmly.
A group of men approached, fiddling around. Even at a glance, they had robust physiques, putting Lea at a disadvantage.
‘This will take a bit of time if Rickel is coming.’
“What are you guys doing, involving a child like this?”
Faced with the men, anger surged more than fear. Using this child as bait.
What fault lies with the child who had cried, apologizing to Lea? They must have been threatened by these men.
The men looking at Lea chuckled among themselves.
“That’s not for you to know. Let’s see… Hmm. Red hair is rare, so you could fetch at least 10 silver coins.”
“No, I think she’ll fetch more than that? She’s prettier than I thought.”
They were valuating Lea as if appraising an object. Chills ran down her body.
‘Is this human trafficking?’
Lea gripped her fleeting consciousness. Count Heidern’s townhouse wasn’t far, Rickel would arrive soon.
‘Just hold on a bit longer…’
“Your thinking is too obvious. Just give up and follow us… Urgh!”
As a man reached for her wrist, Lea flailed to shake him off. Her struggle seemed to provoke him, and the moment he pushed her to the ground
Suddenly, the man who had pushed Lea was the one sprawling on the ground. In a flash, the man was lying flat without a chance to dodge.
Lea didn’t understand what was happening and just blinked her eyes.
At first, she thought Rickel had come. Then, a man appeared out of nowhere, beating down the traffickers.
“You, who are you!”
Even those who had finally grasped the situation asked the man. He smirked, as if the question was amusing.
Hidden in the deep shadows of the buildings, the man’s height couldn’t be made out clearly.
His garment swayed as if slicing through the air whenever he moved.
His motions indicated rigorous longterm training.
‘Who is he?’
Lea saw the man’s eyes even in the darkness. A man with eyes that glowed a clear blue, like a lake, took a step toward the remaining scoundrels.
There was an inexplicably noble aura emanating from each of his movements.
“You guys don’t need to know that.”
Lea heard a faint voice near her ear.
Male lead Asks for a Divorce Every Day
It’s not often you come across a plot like this in the female-dominant genre — make sure to check it out!
This is a novel I’m planning to reread as well.
The male lead is strong, skilled in martial arts, and not the usual fragile type you often see in matriarchal novels.
Meanwhile, the female lead is a scientist—rational and logical. Even when she falls for the male lead, she doesn’t let her emotions cloud her decisions.
If you push through the first few chapters, you’ll gradually find the story really intriguing.
It has a mix of mystery, detective elements, and romance.
The author’s writing style is like crafting a puzzle—except they deliberately leave out a few pieces, making it hard to predict what happens next, yet keeping you hooked.
In the end, everything will come together and be explained.
One-sentence summary: Wife, stop playing with beakers and look at me!
In a laboratory accident, research scientist Zhu Wansheng accidentally travels to a matriarchal world. The original owner of the body is an eighteen-year-old only daughter of a wealthy rouge merchant, already married with a handsome young man.
Zhu Wansheng grins: Nice! She always said she was heaven’s favorite granddaughter. After a life of toil in her previous life, she can enjoy blessings in this one.
However, her joy lasts no more than three seconds as bad news arrives: the original owner’s family is about to go bankrupt, and her husband wants a divorce.
Even worse, she’s stuck with a research system full of restrictions.
Zhu Wansheng: ? Is this the destiny of a research dog?
——
Faced with this mess, Zhu Wansheng pours herself a bowl of wine to drown her sorrows. In her drunken haze, her husband arrives.
His figure is imposing, holding a long sword, with a dignified air that captivates Zhu Wansheng.
Gu Yingqing, however, looks at the alcohol-reeking Zhu Wansheng with undisguised disgust and coldly asks, “Divorce or not?” The intoxicated Zhu Wansheng mumbles vaguely, “I think… it’s not… it’s not… impossible!”
——
The next day, after sobering up, Zhu Wansheng is full of energy, rolling up her sleeves ready to make a big move. As for yesterday? She has no memory of it.
Zhu Wansheng is ambitious; a research dog fears nothing!
Upgrading rouge, extracting fragrances, producing perfumes, researching lipsticks… all shall bow to the power of modern technology!
The original owner’s dying rouge shop is revitalized. Her mother is pleased and with a wave of her hand, passes on the family business to her. As she takes control and her experimental results gain popularity, it’s the pinnacle of her life…
——
But there are always those who can’t stand to see her doing well. Jealousy, scheming, assassination attempts – they want nothing less than her life.
The person who has always kept his distance from her suddenly holds her tightly in his arms, eyes full of concern.
She is unharmed, but he falls into a pool of blood…
Zhu Wansheng feels guilty, “I can grant you one wish.”
Gu Yingqing tentatively circles his arms around her, carefully resting his head in the crook of her neck, pleading softly, “I regret it. Can we not divorce?”
Zhu Wansheng: ? When did I agree to a divorce?
[Small Theater]
The newly developed rouge is beautifully packaged, and Zhu Wansheng is eager to try it.
Gu Yingqing suddenly appears: “My lady, may I apply it for you?”
Cool fingertips lightly brush her lips. His Adam’s apple bobs as he leans in for a light bite.
Zhu Wansheng: ?
Gu Yingqing: It smells so good, I wanted to taste it…
On a warm spring day, Zhu Wansheng tries a new perfume: “Spring Night.” Gu Yingqing corners her against a wall.
Warm breath lingers on her neck.
“My lady, from now on, may I test the fragrances for you?”
[Humorous female scientist vs scheming live-in son-in-law male lead]
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
