“By any chance… among the female employees here, is there someone with a petite build? I’d like to see her hand.”
“Um, just a moment.”
Although it was a proposal that made her tilt her head, it wasn’t too difficult. After a while, two petite female employees approached Jiho slowly. Jiho also quickly stood up and nodded his head.
Even just looking at him up close, the man who was nervously making eye contact and smiling was now about to hold hands.
“I know it’s really impolite… I’m sorry, but may I hold your hand for a moment?”
His hand was reaching out. From then on, a subtle wave spread throughout the shop. Jiho’s deliberately indifferent face and the gently curved corners of his mouth made all the female employees unable to hide their excited hearts.
However, from Jiho’s perspective, it was a natural expression. Even thinking about it himself, it was absurd. He could only feel sorry for the employees. Nevertheless, the desire to give a gift was so strong that he couldn’t give up.
“Here…”
“Thank you.”
A nervously trembling hand descended onto Jiho’s palm. Of course, with a clear goal in mind, he immediately tried on the ring once the hand was given.
The female employee was ecstatic, and Jiho was cautious. Now, the employees in the shop didn’t bother hiding their excitement, exchanging glances with each other.
Even the male employee, everyone in the excited atmosphere, Jiho alone remained serious.
‘Ah… this is much thinner than this.’
And then, during the ring fitting with the female employee.
‘…This doesn’t feel right.’
It seemed like a big problem. If it continued like this, choosing another ring seemed more appropriate. Later, they could adjust the size. Even though it was regrettable to choose a ring that caught his eye from the beginning, it seemed there was no other solution.
So, just when Jiho’s disappointed head was about to admit defeat.
“Oh, there’s one more here. She was working on something else and just arrived now. She’s petite, and her hands are very small.”
Without even taking off her coat, one female employee approached Jiho with short, brisk steps. Although she seemed surprised as soon as she saw Jiho, her eyes were full of confusion because she couldn’t understand the situation. Jiho gently pressed his lips with his left hand. Still, the embarrassment couldn’t be erased.
“Well, let me hold your hand for a moment. It’s impolite for the first meeting.”
After saying that, he casually extended his right hand. It seemed better to seek help from one side than to feel awkward from both sides.
The red-cheeked female employee extended her hand beneath her lowered head. Jiho carefully held her hand.
“Wow…”
And admiration flowed out in an instant.
The caution turned into delight, and the power became evident in an instant. With a forced smile, he gently rolled the ringed hand. The redder the female employee’s face became as if it was about to burst, the clearer Jiho’s smiling face became.
That satisfaction was firmly embedded in his voice. As much as the strength added to the held hand.
“It seems like it’ll fit just right for this employee’s size. It’s a bit thinner than this… but it’s really similar.”
Unconsciously continuing to hold hands, it wasn’t until later that they could realize it. The female employee next to me, who had her hand held by Jiho, couldn’t lift her head.
Jiho quickly let go of her hand. It felt like he was endlessly rude, even though he could apologize later. “I’m sorry.”
“Oh, no. I guess I won’t wash my hands today.”
Fortunately, it didn’t seem to be an offense or rudeness.
The atmosphere naturally concluded. They agreed to be contacted when the product arrived, exchanged greetings and signatures with each employee. After Jiho left, the last female employee who had worn the ring had to shake hands with every employee in the boutique before leaving.
On the last day of the year, Jiho had arrived at the broadcasting station for the acting awards. As he was the winner of the previous year, it was a simple event where he would only present the award. However, the problem was that the grand prize would be presented last.
“Now, there’s really not much time left in this year!”
“That’s right. It’s an honor to be able to conclude the year with viewers like this.”
On the large TV in the waiting room, the awards ceremony was being broadcast live. Checking the watch while listening to the cheerful voice of the host, it was 11:58. New Year’s was just two minutes away.
Thinking back, December 31st had almost always been spent like this. Memories of welcoming the New Year together with applause in the awards ceremony venue. After the awards ceremony, replying to messages from family, going home, and sleeping.
It had been almost a dozen years of repetition. It wasn’t particularly good or bad, as there wasn’t much excitement about the changing year.
Ding [Dash]
Jiho brightened his phone at the cute notification sound and soon squinted his eyes.
“Thank you for making this year truly happy. I hope we can be as close next year. (11:59 PM)”
She was a woman who made the passing year tender and made him look forward to the upcoming year.
“…3, 2, 1! Happy New Year!”
Through the live broadcast, the sound of the striking clock resonated. Each chime engraved unforgettable scenes from the past year in his heart. Having captured 33 scenes like that, it felt like a mysterious experience, filled only with one person’s face.
“I miss her…”
Jiho murmured softly while looking at the last message on his phone. His fingers moved as if the sincere emotions bursting forth naturally.
“Can I come see you after it’s over? (12:01 AM)”
He sent the message and immediately checked for a reply, but there was no response. At that moment, Jiho regretted a little. It was because the impulsive emotions took precedence, and he couldn’t calculate the time properly.
When the awards ceremony ended, it would be at least 1 AM. By the time he arrived at Hye-yoon’s house, it would probably be 2 AM. Opening the door for her in the early morning, taking care of her after coming all this way…
Oh, he had thought too briefly. He hurriedly typed a message.
‘No, don’t wake up. Sleep well. See you tomorrow…’ He had to erase the sentence shortly afterward because Hye-yoon’s reply was faster.
“The house password is the price of the ice cream you bought for me in Busan. (12:03 AM)”
Even if he bit his lower lip, the happiness wouldn’t be suppressed.
“I’m here, so if you’re asleep, I’ll definitely wake you up. I can even kick you with my feet. Or I can roll you around and wake you up. (12:03 AM)”
It seemed cuter because she didn’t watch dramas much but seemed to read a lot of comics. The thought of wanting to see her quickly lingered in his mind like the sound of the clock.
Quickly, often, actually, every day.
Male lead fell into her trap — and shattered when she walked away
This is also on my reread list!
This one is a slow burn, but when it burns, it burns hard.
Definitely worth a read, y’all!
The story follows a thousand-year-old seductive spirit who, on a bet, sets out to charm the male lead—a once-promising but unfortunate cultivator.
But just when she succeeds in making him fall for her, she heartlessly leaves, driving him to madness.
Determined to find her at all costs, he captures her, keeping her by his side no matter what, even if she hates him.
I love this kind of trope—I enjoy watching the male lead suffer in agony.
The ending drags a bit with unnecessary filler, but that’s fine.
As long as I enjoy the beginning, I’m good.
Intro
As an enchantress, Su Heng possesses captivating eyes and charming beauty, easily manipulating the joys and sorrows of living beings at her fingertips.
But to enchant a god, making him taste the bitterness of love’s separation, long-lasting resentment, unattainable desires, and inability to let go…
Do you dare?
Su Heng assists a divine lord in his cultivation, aiming to make him experience all the sufferings of love, so that he can attain the Great Dao.
Only after being chased down from the heavens by the divine lord, confined and completely possessed by him, does she realize how successful she has been.
The once gentle and polite youth has transformed into someone she no longer recognizes.
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
