Yeongju looked at the building in front of her. Among the gardens adorned with sculptures, a building reminiscent of a shrine stood prominently. It was the Art Center, represented by Aeryeon.
After taking a deep breath, Yeongju entered the Art Center. Employees who recognized her face greeted her kindly.
“Hello. Miss Yeongju.”
Yeongju also greeted them kindly and entered the elevator.
On the 5th floor of the building, there was a reception room. It was elegantly decorated and the venue for today’s social gathering that Yeongju had to attend.
Next to the wide window with a clear view outside, tables and sofas were arranged. All were products designed by famous designers.
By the time Yeongju arrived, some chaebol wives, their daughters, and daughters-in-law were already seated.
“Hello.”
Yeongju politely nodded her head, and the other women also nodded their heads in greeting.
As Yeongju tried to sit down, the door opened, and Aelan entered. This time, everyone stood up and greeted her.
“Welcome, Madam Chairman.”
“Long time no see.”
“Oh, you look even better.”
Yeongju also bowed her head in greeting towards her.
“You’ve arrived, Mother.”
“…Yes.”
Aelan sat down, concealing her uneasy expression. People continued to come in, exchanging greetings gracefully.
Before they knew it, the agreed-upon meeting time had passed. It seemed like everyone had gathered, but one person’s face was not seen. It was Chaerin.
A woman asked Aelan discreetly, “It seems the first daughter-in-law couldn’t make it today?”
“Well, she didn’t say she wouldn’t come.”
Aelan replied as if she didn’t know either. In the end, the gathering proceeded without Chaerin. About 20 minutes had quickly passed.
Knock, knock.
With the sound of a knock, the door opened, and Chaerin appeared.
Chaerin, as usual, appeared with a luxurious designer outfit. She was 20 minutes late but showed no signs of feeling sorry or embarrassed.
Instead, she approached everyone with a nonchalant expression.
“I’m sorry. Was I a little late?”
After glancing around, Chaerin touched her lower abdomen and continued, “After getting pregnant, my body doesn’t feel the same. I kept feeling sleepy and sluggish, so I rested a bit before coming.”
She briefly glanced at Aelan and continued, “I shouldn’t push myself; it’s not good for the baby. It’s Mother’s precious great-grandchild, you know.”
There was irritation in Aelan’s eyes, visible to Yeongju. However, because she couldn’t show it in front of everyone, Aelan spoke with a forced calm tone.
“…Right. You shouldn’t push yourself. Sit down.”
Others also made comments.
“That’s right. Chairman Cha brags about her great-grandchild every day, so you have to take care of yourself day and night.”
“That’s true. What’s the rush? Sit here.”
Chaerin smiled and took her seat. Previously, everyone used to be cautious of Aelan’s reactions, but since Chaerin got pregnant, they began to take turns watching the two.
In the midst of the conversation, Chaerin suddenly spat out the pastry she was eating onto a tissue. She then grimaced and said, “None of these tastes good. Is there anything else?”
Aelan’s expression, who was in the middle of continuing her conversation, stiffened. Aelan narrowed her eyes and pointed out her behavior.
“Chaerin, is that an appropriate behavior?”
“I’m sorry, Mother. Since I got pregnant, my taste has become a bit picky.”
Chaerin spoke calmly again while gently touching her belly.
“I used to eat anything well, but it seems the baby in my belly has a picky mouth.”
Aelan’s expression was boiling. Chaerin, since getting pregnant, had often used the baby as an excuse whenever something happened. It not only made Aelan uncomfortable but also sometimes portrayed her as a bad person.
It was already a well-known fact that Aelan and Chaerin didn’t get along. When the tense atmosphere between the two escalated, everyone felt unsure whose favor they should cater to.
Yeongju, who was in the middle of them, also found the current situation uncomfortable. Before Aelan exploded and overturned the table, Yeongju decided to step forward.
“Brother, do you have any specific food you’d like to eat?”
Yeongju calmly asked, and Chaerin hesitated for a moment before opening her mouth.
“Well, I want a salad made with fresh vegetables.”
Yeongju turned her head and looked at a staff member standing on one side. She was in charge of the refreshments for today’s gathering. Yeongju spoke to her.
“Can you prepare a salad?”
“Yes. Please wait a moment.”
The staff member who went outside came back a short while later, pushing a serving cart inside. She lifted the plate from the cart and placed it in front of Chaerin.
“This is an avocado salad with smoked salmon. Enjoy your meal.”
The staff member placed salad plates one by one on other tables as well. Chaerin took a bite of the salad in front of her and finally showed a satisfied expression.
“This one suits my taste.”
The women nearby laughed and commented.
“I’m glad it suits your taste.”
“It seems the baby likes it. Hoho.”
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.”
