Thrilled by Madness (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 15
Jo In Ha relentlessly pressured Eom So Yeon, not only cornering her but also harshly scolding her. He disparaged her careful, thoughtful nature—always cautious in everything—as inflexible and socially maladjusted.
Yet Eom So Yeon remained silent, enduring it all?
Clearly, something was going on between those two.
Seo Jun, who had been watching indifferently as their conversation unfolded, now felt an uncomfortable ache deep in his chest as he saw So Yeon unable to utter a word.
Tae Seo Jun’s sudden interference in something as trivial as Eom So Yeon’s acting practice—something he’d never shown interest in—was merely an extension of his foul mood.
“Why would people who should know better act like this?”
Seo Jun exhaled a long sigh, his voice low, then continued,
“Script leaks are strictly prohibited, and it seems Ms. Eom So Yeon is concerned about that. Let’s just drop it.”
“Pfft…”
Instinctively, In Ha let out a quiet, derisive snort at the awkwardness of Tae Seo Jun—but couldn’t escape Yeo Do Sun’s sharp eyes right in front of her.
That… Ms…!
“Exactly! We should stick to what matters! Director Tae is absolutely right!”
Seizing the brief silence, Do Soon cast her vote firmly in Tae Seo Jun’s direction—in other words, “Go, Tae Seo Jun! Get lost, Jo In Ha!”
She couldn’t help being biased.
As both So Yeon’s friend and fan, she couldn’t just stand by while In Ha clearly tried to flirt with So Yeon again—and even mocked Tae Seo Jun on top of it.
“The drama has already started filming, but Ms. Eom So Yeon’s scenes don’t begin until the middle of the series, so there’s still time. Surely, there are plenty of better approaches we can consider.”
As Seo Jun spoke, Won Hoo’s eyes widened in surprise.
“What’s gotten into Director Tae?”
Tae Seo Jun wasn’t the type to meddle in other people’s affairs so easily. But Gu Won Hoo, who knew well that Tae never acted without reason, saw a flicker of hope in his gaze.
“Whether or not you conspired with Jo In Ha beforehand, Representative Gu, it seems you’ve been worrying over nothing.”
“!”
Conspired?!
The unexpected punch hit In Ha right in the gut, and her brow instantly twisted in frustration.
Though he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes like Do Soon had, Seo Jun had clearly heard the faint snort. Perhaps it was his small way of acknowledging it—and as a result, a sharp electric current crackled between Seo Jun and In Ha.
“Fine, then you do it, Director Tae!”
After glancing between the two men, Gu Won Hoo suddenly defused the tense atmosphere with a new suggestion, as if wondering what they were even arguing about.
“Director Tae, you’re her actual on-screen partner. If you could be Ms. Eom So Yeon’s practice partner, nothing could be more perfect. No risk of script leaks, and it’d give you both a chance to rehearse lines early—you wouldn’t mind, would you?”
Tae Seo Jun had never once dedicated his personal time to another actor—at least, not up until now. Won Hoo, who knew Tae all too well—how utterly devoted he was to himself and stingy with others—had only added 1% sincerity to what was otherwise a 99% joke.
So Yeon, too, had never even imagined, let alone hoped for, such a thing to happen.
It felt good to have someone take her side—and especially moving that it was Tae Seo Jun speaking up for her. But surely this man, who seemed as cold as the biting wind, wouldn’t go so far as to offer this kind of help.
Yet what was this unexpected twist?
“Well then, Director Tae will do it, right?”
“……”
When Representative Gu pressed him once more, Seo Jun wordlessly arched his already thick, dark eyebrows into even rounder curves.
Won Hoo recognized that expression as a positive sign.
“Seriously? You’re really willing to do it?”
“Not that I can’t.”
“……!”
Stunned by Seo Jun’s decisive tone, So Yeon’s gaze snapped toward him—just as she was about to protest, Won Hoo cut her off before she could even part her lips.
“As Ms. Eom So Yeon just heard, we can arrange separate rehearsal times with Director Tae afterward….”
Though unusual, Won Hoo saw no reason not to welcome Seo Jun’s decision—and with his relentless persuasion, So Yeon was pushed to a point where refusal was no longer an option.
Thus, Eom So Yeon’s practice partner issue was neatly resolved.
But Jo In Ha, now reduced to the dog that chased a chicken only to end up staring at the roof, showed her displeasure through every fiber of her being—from her sulky tone to her indifferent expression.
“Aren’t you already in drama filming, Director Tae? As the lead, you probably don’t have the luxury of spare time to bother with supporting actors.”
“Hmm. That’s clearly my own business—what gives you the right to comment on it?”
Seo Jun didn’t even bother hiding the quiet scoff that slipped out.
“You, Ms. Jo In Ha, should probably focus more on your own affairs if you have the time. Your poor judgment—constantly picking sloppy scripts—is one issue, but claiming to be ‘Chungmuro’s hidden card’ while delivering pathetic ratings below break-even point and blaming others instead of owning up—that won’t fly anywhere.”
He’d been deeply irritated by Jo In Ha’s rudeness toward Eom So Yeon just moments ago—but what grated on him even more was So Yeon’s passive acceptance of it.
Along with delivering that sharp rebuke, Seo Jun made sure to add a touch of mocking sarcasm to seal the deal.
“Though I suppose that’s just your nature.”
“!”
At those final words, In Ha’s brow furrowed sharply.
After such scathing criticism, her own careless remark had boomeranged straight back to strike her weakest point. Yet she couldn’t even manage a retort—let alone any words at all.
No matter how she turned it over in her mind, there was simply nothing wrong with what he’d said.
[This is the timeline separator]Ding.
So Yeon received Seo Jun’s message inviting her for a cup of tea just as she stepped out of the restaurant, having seen Do Soon off and now approaching the rehearsal room.
Reading the note asking her to come to the director’s office, her heart skipped a beat.
In those few fleeting seconds, she wavered endlessly between going and staying.
Her heart, which had been fluttering strangely since the restaurant, now felt as if it had jammed completely.
Yet her legs—no longer feeling like her own—moved swiftly like a well-trained puppy, bringing her before the office door before she knew it.
Knock knock.
After tapping lightly and stepping inside, So Yeon’s eyes met Tae Seo Jun’s, who sat upright in his swivel chair.
Meeting his frosty gaze, So Yeon instinctively tensed, barely managing to realign her stiffened shoulders before speaking.
“I’m he…”
“Whether it’s night or day, you’ll come when I call—can you do that?”
Something about him seemed angry—cutting her off mid-sentence, making her stand without offering a seat, and getting straight to business—this clearly wasn’t just a casual invitation for tea.
“Yes…?”
“Do I have to repeat myself? I mean you’ll adjust your practice schedule to fit mine.”
Of course she’d align with his schedule—it was only natural. Since he’d already started drama filming, carving out time would be burdensome for him anyway. She’d even half-resolved to agree if he asked.
But then why did this fill her with such bitter disappointment?
Because he wasn’t treating her gently like last week? Because his voice carried no trace of warmth, as if it were perfectly obvious?
Countless unnamed reasons weighed heavily on So Yeon’s tongue, keeping it rooted.
‘Don’t go crying anywhere just because you’ve got that face.’
‘What’s wrong with my face?’
‘Because you’re pretty?’
She still cherished that winter night when snowflakes fell thickly—his tender voice and warm hands cradling her wounded heart.
Yet So Yeon also knew.
That Tae Seo Jun was someone impossibly distant—someone she could never hope to reach. That his kindness existed only in her memory, limited to that one day. That she’d never see that version of him again. No—perhaps that man had never truly existed at all, just a mirage.
“You don’t need to answer.”
Seo Jun rose from his chair and looked out the window. The utter indifference radiating from his back was more than enough proof that he’d always been this cold.
“Because you, Ms. Eom So Yeon, are the ‘eul’—the subordinate—who must always follow my will.”
“……”
Of course you are. You’re the ‘gap,’ and I’m barely worthy of being called the ‘eul.’ But don’t you realize how childish you sound, insisting on it so bluntly?
Her eyes welled with moisture, the rims turning red-hot. Just as she clenched her fists tightly against a sudden surge of hurt and slowly exhaled—
Seo Jun turned from the window and strode toward her.
Jolted by his icy presence, So Yeon stared up at him with trembling hazel eyes.
“……”
“……”
Seo Jun gazed deeply into her large, clear eyes, shimmering with unmistakable sorrow.
What’s with these sad eyes?
Are you upset because I shut that annoying bastard down in an instant? Is that really why you’re on the verge of tears—out of pity for him?!
And you dare do it right in front of me…!
Back in the restaurant, Eom So Yeon had worn this same expression—speechless as In Ha belittled her. He couldn’t miss how deeply Jo In Ha’s arrogant behavior stemmed from strong feelings for this woman.
That was why.
Sparks crackled in his chest.
A scorching blaze surged through his veins, burning his heart until it nearly smoked.
It was fierce jealousy.
Yet because it was an utterly foreign feeling—one he’d never experienced before in his life—Seo Jun could only register it as irritation. Masking his turbulent emotions with a cold smirk, he asked,
“You seem dissatisfied. Is it because of Jo In Ha?”
“……”
Unwilling to explain the true meaning behind her tears, So Yeon bit down hard on her lower lip.
She understood he was probably annoyed—he’d taken on her burden out of obligation after all—but bringing up In Ha and acting so petty made her feel like he was mocking her pathetic state.
All the vague excitement and anticipation she’d carried into the room had vanished from So Yeon’s transparent face. Only self-reproach remained for having foolishly hoped in the first place.
“Then what is it? Could it possibly be because of me?”
“Yes. Exactly. If you’re going to be this angry, why did you step in at all? That’s what I don’t understand.”
Pressed persistently by Seo Jun, she finally blurted out everything bottled up inside, fists clenched tight.
“There’s no bigger fool than someone who can’t even speak up properly! Was helping me out a little really that unbearable? Are we really not close enough for even that much?”
“What relationship do you think exists between us, Director? Or—did it ever?”
His dark eyes flickered downward at her small, trembling fists, brows subtly furrowing.
“Why wouldn’t there be?”
“!”
Suddenly, Seo Jun leaned in close—So Yeon’s spine stiffened, her shoulders jerking in alarm.
“Who even are you to keep tensing up in front of me? That bothers me intensely. And after this, you still claim there’s nothing between us?”
She’d expected him to deny it—but instead, his lips, now looming right before her, insisted point by point that something did exist between them.
“……”
So Yeon looked up quietly at his flawless face, unable to find a single flaw.
Though his expression remained icy as he suppressed his obvious anger, his black eyes burned with intense heat—as if desperately yearning for something.
For what? What was he craving? Could it possibly be… me?
One question after another swirled in her mind, slowly reinflating her crumpled hopes like a deflated balloon reigniting with life.
And then that spark flew in the wrong direction.
“B-but why do you keep switching to informal speech! You’re all over the place—can’t you make up your mind?!”
“……”
Seo Jun suddenly let out a soft chuckle.
Her wide-eyed glare looked fiercely serious—but she was fixating on the most irrelevant thing imaginable. He couldn’t help but laugh.
Honestly, this woman had exceptional skill at pointless battles and masterful deflections.
“So that bothered you too?”
“Why not just stick to one form?”
“One form? If it’s unfair, Ms. Eom So Yeon, why don’t you use informal speech too?”
“Huh…!”
Hey, hey—this is entirely your call!
Though So Yeon pouted with exaggerated annoyance, inwardly she breathed a sigh of relief.
After all, however it happened, she’d narrowly avoided a far more serious situation.
Male lead is a Divorced Husband
She said to him: “Tell me, what makes you like me? I’ll change it!”
Liu Changning transmigrated into a female cannon fodder character in a female-dominant novel.
After reading the first half of the novel’s plot, the first thing she did upon transmigration was to divorce the Pan Jinlian-style male protagonist she had just married.
She indulged herself, pretending to be ugly and poor.
But as time passed, the way that man looked at her became more and more unusual…
Liu Changning was dumbfounded: Tell me, what makes you like me? I’ll change!
――
This lifetime, Pei Yuanshao was rejected by the same woman twice!
The first time, she drove him away. Forced by the situation, he endured the waves of anger in his heart, yielding and humbling himself.
That person lay slanted on a rocking chair, her sallow face emotionless: “If you don’t want a divorce, go cook!”
Pei Yuanshao’s face was dark and gloomy: “You!”
The second time, after the crisis in Jinling City was resolved, the new emperor sent someone to pick him up. He turned around, stammering: “I… I have to go. If you keep me…”
That person lay on the kang bed, her back to him, as if she had long anticipated this day, crisp and clear: “Goodbye!”
Pei Yuanshao was so angry his fingers trembled: “You… you!”
The mission of family and country made him restrain himself, averting his eyes and turning to leave this broken household.
Two years later, they met again. Seeing her ethereal face, his body shook like a sieve.
“She was originally a ‘she’!”
At the Qionglin Banquet, the top scholar of the imperial examination, a talented person with exceptional speech and conduct, all the unmarried young gentlemen from aristocratic families looked at her with shy and timid eyes.
The peerless imperial official Pei Yuanshao felt the anger in his heart erupt. He pointed at the woman surrounded by the crowd at the Qionglin Banquet, his thin lips slightly curled: “Little sister, I wants that person to be the wife-master of my Mingde Prince Manor.”
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Chapter Comments (4)
Inline Comments (1)
Though his gesture had been instinctive, So Yeon accepted it without resistance.
I wonder if Korean women really cry that easily. Wow, that’s exhausting.
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Finally…some communication. Love triangle at this point is surprising and yup it’s gonna be awkward 😑.
Why do I get the feeling that she’s not going to tell him? Haah
I know the revelation is not gonna happen😀, but the ml is just..🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️