Thus Began Your Regret - Chapter 8

Unlike the past few days, today Edward looked quite presentable.

It was thanks to Jeffrey, who persuaded him to leave the lab where he had been holed up without going home, saying, “How do you know if a telegram reply hasn’t arrived at the mansion?”

Of course, there was no telegram he hoped for at home either. But Edward couldn’t give up, and he was still glancing at the door every now and then when he could.

Then, a few hours later, he heard someone had arrived from outside.

Before the staff in charge could move, Edward stood up, knocking over his chair with a clatter, and rushed outside first.

Flinging the door open, Edward glared at the delivery man standing before him.

The delivery man glanced at the door that had narrowly missed his nose, then timidly held out a single sheet of paper he was carrying.

“Here, a telegram for Mr. Allen.”

Edward quickly took the paper he offered. With trembling hands, he hastily unfolded the paper.

What arrived was not the desired reply from Louisa, but news of her return sent from home.

Edward stared at the words written on the paper for a long time.

After gazing blankly at the paper in his hand, he folded it twice and pushed it deep into his jacket’s inner pocket.

* * *

Jeffrey seriously pondered.

Is this company alright?

The president of the company where he worked was now pioneering new frontiers, showing endless restlessness.

For example, instead of staring at the door, he would fidget somewhere with his arms crossed, or constantly cross and uncross his legs. He even took out his handkerchief to wipe his hands occasionally.

Unable to bear it any longer, Jeffrey approached and said,

“Sir.”

“What.”

“It seems the contact you’ve been eagerly waiting for has arrived. Right?”

“I really hate sharp-eyed fellows like you.”

“Thank you for your words. So why are you still here now?”

“What’s it to you?”

Jeffrey then made a gesture as if to tear at his hair, waving his hands in the air a few times. He glared at his boss and said,

“Oh, let’s put aside all worries before our esteemed president! Well then!”

Jeffrey turned his back and walked away. Edward made a groaning sound and reluctantly opened his mouth in a barely audible voice.

“I don’t know what to do either.”

He had been pondering since the moment he received the telegram until now, but couldn’t find an answer. If they met, he had to make his wife retract those words, but he still couldn’t find a way to do so.

Jeffrey, who had been walking away with heavy steps, gently turned his head back.

“Sir. You know we’re in quite a crucial period right now, don’t you?”

“How could I not know?”

“I’d like to pretend I don’t know and take your side if possible, but this isn’t a problem that can be avoided.”

Jeffrey sighed. He returned to Edward’s side, gathering his bag and coat, and said,

“I’ll stay for a while, so please go. It would be even better if you could resolve things and come back with a refreshed face.”

“If I knew how to do that, I would have gone long ago.”

“Oh, please. Sir.”

Jeffrey closed his eyes as if he really couldn’t bear it anymore. He pointed to his head and then the floor in succession, saying,

“Resolve it even if you have to bury your head in the ground. Understand?”

Edward was about to say something but then pressed his lips shut. After letting out a deep sigh, he stood up and took the bag Jeffrey was holding out.

* * *

When the day to leave Quenel arrived, Rachel was visibly disappointed.

Even until the moment of departure, sitting on the train, she chattered incessantly—It was like a dream. When will I have days like this in my life again?—expressing her impressions of this trip, and Louisa appropriately echoed her words.

After traveling for a while, when minds started to feel hazy, the conductor’s voice announcing the train’s arrival was heard.

“Lindblum, Lindblum station…”

The familiar word that reached her ears stuck unnecessarily.

Following the bustling movement of people, Louisa also got off the train.

The scene before her was no different from usual.

Those waiting for someone and those quickly flowing through between them.

As she moved, she felt the texture of paper rustling against her chest.

Amidst the crowd, Louisa turned her head, scanning left and right. Rachel, standing beside her, exclaimed,

“Ah, it’s Mr. Johnson. He’s over there!”

She lifted her luggage with an “oomph.” However, Louisa remained standing in place.

Rachel called out to her as she stood there, staring blankly at the people.

“Madam?”

Despite Rachel’s call, Louisa continued to stand for a long time, her gaze fixed far away as if searching for something.

The loud bell announcing the train’s departure rang out.

The platform, after a wave of people had passed, became deserted. Paul Johnson, who had been waiting for them, approached and lifted their luggage.

“Madam.”

Only then did Louisa lower her gaze.

She spoke in a low, sunken voice.

“I’m sorry, Johnson. Let’s go now.”

Louisa straightened her back with a face as heavy as lead. She lifted her feet that had been rooted to the ground and walked forward.

* * *

The one who greeted them upon arrival at the mansion was Mrs. Johnson, a servant. As Mrs. Johnson received the luggage, she asked,

“Did you have a good trip, Madam?”

“Thanks to you, I had a good trip. It was a spectacle worth traveling the long distance.”

“I heard it’s a really nice place, so it seems you enjoyed it too, Madam.”

Mrs. Johnson chimed in with a smile. Rachel, sensing an opportunity, interjected,

“You’ll surely be amazed if you go there too, Ma’am. I’ve never seen so many autumn leaves before!”

“The sky was clear too. That’s quite a rare sight here.”

“Yes. Oh my, the sky was so blue.”

Encouraged by Rachel’s agreement, Mrs. Johnson also spoke in a subtle tone.

“Hearing such stories makes me want to go there at least once too.”

Then she naturally looked at her husband, Paul Johnson. As the three women’s gazes followed her and focused on him, Paul Johnson laughed and said,

“We should go there on our next vacation too.”

Those who had inadvertently made eye contact all burst into small laughter.

They were all good people. It was just a pity that they were all employed as servants in the Allen mansion.

Louisa, who had been laughing along, struggled to hide the bitterness rising above her smile in her heart.

Trying to organize it, there was too much to discard.

Names, habits, memories… So much that she feared she might become empty.

On the other hand, she also felt regret.

She wondered if loving him so earnestly, so deeply, had actually eaten away at her.

If she had given him just a little less of her heart, maybe she could have been okay with him not loving her.

‘Would we have been happy then?’

Louisa thought for a moment, then quickly erased those questions from her mind.

It was because that was impossible that she had become who she was now.

She had loved him too much. Until that light faded, worn out by pain.

The repetition of expectation and collapse only eats away at both parties.

Louisa took a deep breath and expanded her chest.

* * *

As evening twilight fell, a black car entered through the main gate of the Allen mansion.

As usual, Paul Johnson was the first to notice the sound.

“It seems the master has arrived.”

“He’s coming home early these days. Ah, Madam. Are you finished with your meal?”

“I’m sorry. You took special care because it’s the day of my return.”

Louisa answered, glancing at Paul Johnson who was going out to greet Edward.

“Please don’t say that. Actually, I was a bit worried that I might have prepared too heavy a menu when you must be tired. Next time, I’ll prepare a lighter menu.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

As Mrs. Johnson approached to clear the dishes, Louisa stood up from her seat.

At that moment, the sound of the front door opening was heard. It was Edward.

Louisa, who was coming out after finishing her meal, met him in the hallway.

Edward was as immaculate as always.

At that sight, Louisa felt a surge of sorrow. It seemed that her absence didn’t even cause the slightest tremor in him, just that much.

‘I guess I still have lingering attachments.’

Finding herself amusing, Louisa laughed lightly and greeted him.

“You’re back? You must have had a hard day today too.”

“Ah, yes.”

Edward said, pulling down the collar of his shirt as if his neck felt tight.

“Was the trip alright?”

“It was a beautiful place. It brought back old memories and was nice.”

“I see. That’s good.”

He answered somewhat perfunctorily, his gaze fixed on a corner somewhere. As he frowned, it seemed he was thinking about work he had left behind at the research lab again.

Poor man.

Just because there was unfinished business didn’t mean they had to talk about it today. Louisa decided to postpone their conversation for later.

“Alright. Then enjoy your meal and rest well.”

“What about you?”

“I was just finishing up and coming out.”

“Ah, I see.”

“I’ll go up first.”

Louisa turned towards the second-floor stairs after a light farewell. However, Edward’s voice caught her again, making her cry once more.

“How are you… feeling?”

It was an unexpected question. Louisa turned back and asked,

“My feelings?”

“Yes. How are you doing?”

Louisa was silent for a moment. Her husband seemed unlike his usual self. She let out a light sigh and said,

“Ed. You don’t have to do that.”

“Do what?”

“I mean, you don’t have to be so mindful of me.”

“It’s not like that.”

“Ed.”

Louisa called his name as if there was no help for it. Edward avoided her gaze that was staring straight at him.

“…It really isn’t.”

But his words weren’t very convincing. Louisa’s furrowed brows showed no sign of relaxing, and seeing this, Edward’s expression hardened in turn.

Louisa spoke slowly, in a tone one might use with young children.

“What I mean is, if you’re busy or tired, it’s okay to just rest.”

“I told you it’s not like that.”

“Then what?”

“What else? I was just curious about how your trip was, and worried if something might have happened… that’s why I asked.”

He glanced at her briefly, but when their eyes met, he turned his gaze aside again and added one more thing.

“Because I didn’t hear back from you.”

“Ah.”

Louisa let out a small exclamation as if she had just realized.

“That… needed a reply, I see.”

“Of course it did.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t think you would care about such things.”

“What are you saying? If that were the case, I wouldn’t have sent it in the first place.”

Hearing his response, Louisa’s expression became peculiar. This made Edward’s heart sink again, and he asked,

“Why?”

“It’s nothing. I’m just surprised that you were capable of doing such things.”

“Of course I am. What kind of person did you think I was?”

Edward retorted with a hollow laugh.

Louisa just smiled with a deflated expression.

Should she be comforted by the fact that he had her in mind, or should she be saddened by the fact that he knew but had acted otherwise towards her?

“Thanks to you, I had a great trip without any lack. Thank you. My mood isn’t too bad either, so don’t worry about me.”

It was an answer unlike her. Edward stared at her in bewilderment as she ultimately avoided answering his question.

Louisa, who had been meeting his gaze with tightly closed lips, soon turned her back and left.

Edward, watching her retreating figure climbing the stairs, headed towards the dining room with slow steps.

*

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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]

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