The movements of her slender hand gradually stopped. Hye-yoon felt as if the cheerful music resonating in the studio was getting farther away. Slowly distancing and slowing down, in the end, it couldn’t be heard well. Only his voice echoed in the quiet ears.
Pure sincerity alone.
“…I hope so.”
For a moment, her head shook. Then she soon faced the camera. Jiho didn’t miss that small action.
A woman who doesn’t lie didn’t even make promises that she might not be able to keep. Sometime later, I remembered Hye-yoon’s words that reality was not a fairy tale. When she wanted to act like a child the most, she always appeared mature.
Now would be the time to proudly say, “Of course!” and show off, but even if she couldn’t keep it.
Hye-yoon’s expression, which I observed, seemed awkwardly stiff. I tried to comfort Hye-yoon, thinking that she might have unnecessarily shouldered the burden of the distant future, but this time, she was quicker. A mischievous playfulness flickered on her rigid face.
“In ten years, I’ll be an amazing person.”
As swiftly as the prompt response, they had already leaped ten years into the future. So Jiho promptly caught up with those ten years.
“How amazing a person must he be?”
“Even if I cook it roughly, my kimchi stew will taste like a master’s.”
“Hehe. Is that what makes someone amazing?”
“Yeah. A woman who effortlessly whips up about five side dishes.”
At times like these, when one wants to engage in childlike imagination. For a moment, her voice settled calmly.
“If someone is that amazing, they probably aren’t living with regrets, right?”
In response to the incomprehensible words, Jiho turned his head. His gaze, momentarily forgetting the shoot, focused intently on someone. Then, Hye-yoon squeezed his hand firmly. A signal. Focus.
It was as professional an action as her calm voice. Only then did Jiho’s gaze turn directly ahead. The clicking sound could once again follow a regular rhythm.
“What do you mean? Regret?”
And now that everyone was relieved, Jiho, with lingering curiosity, raised a question. Hye-yoon’s following voice was much quieter.
“Just… Even then, a regret like, ‘What if I was good at cooking back then?'”
“…Huh?”
“To eat such delicious food alone… A regret like that.”
Jiho’s lips slightly parted. It was clear what she meant. Just like Hye-yoon earlier, Jiho’s head trembled momentarily. Hye-yoon, looking at him, didn’t seem pleased. Her own imagination seemed somewhat sad.
Jiho’s thumb pressed firmly on the back of Hye-yoon’s hand. Wishing that my big wish would be conveyed through this small gesture.
The voice trying to conceal affection was refreshing.
“Forget regrets. Even back then, you’d probably grumble. Jiho, who eats three bowls of rice with just one kimchi stew…”
“Hehe. I really wish that happened.”
Hye-yoon let out a pleased snort. Her calm voice seemed to resurface a bit. So, Jiho couldn’t help but put more force into his hand.
“Yeah. It will definitely happen.”
Click [dash] Click [dash]
Amidst the loud shutter sounds, Jiho’s last words got buried.
“As long as you don’t leave me.”
A brief phrase scattered sadly in the air.
“Shall we go home? We can even take a taxi that far.”
The time when all the shoots had ended. Jiho looked at Hye-yoon, who had changed her clothes, with regret. She was still dressed comfortably.
Faces that shone on familiar outfits. Although they had been together all day, the time they had comfortably looked at each other without facing the camera wasn’t long. Jiho had two more schedules to follow.
To part ways with someone so beautiful like this. It couldn’t help but be regrettable. Moreover, she herself knew how beautiful she was today.
“No! I have plans today. I dressed up so nicely; it would be a waste to just go home.”
The man’s regret could only grow. Nevertheless, he hoped she was happy. Lately, she hadn’t been taking care of him; seeing her face occasionally was all he got. Apologies were piling up.
The two who left the set naturally held hands. The place where each of their cars was parked was just a 2-minute walk away. A short but too short walk. Jiho’s steps felt heavy with each stride.
“It seems like I’m getting busier.”
“Yeah. Even though I’ve reduced my workload compared to before.”
There was a sigh mixed in Jiho’s response. Unexpectedly, it was Hye-yoon who was surprised by his emotions. So, she leaned against his arm.
“We’ve been almost glued together for over a month. It was good then, and it’s good now. It’s heartwarming to see you occasionally.”
She tilted her head and examined his face. She deliberately smiled more brightly, trying to dispel his regret. However, something was a bit off. Normally, Jiho would have smiled back similarly by now.
Jiho’s expression was awkward. Even the belated smile seemed forced.
“After one more schedule today, I’ll meet the director in the evening. The one I debuted with.”
“I see.”
“Yeah. They gave me a script at the end of the year, and it seemed good. The director wants me to do it with him.”
As they walked slowly, they shared a few lengthy conversations. Hye-yoon, who had been nodding slightly, suddenly focused her eyes. She glared at him with a determined look. She was making a serious effort to mimic a proud young bird.
Loosen up a bit.
“What kind of movie is it? Another really spicy one?”
Squeaky. In response to the squeaky voice, Jiho eventually chuckled.
“Hehe. No. It’s an action movie. There’s not even a hint of romance.”
“Hmm… That’s too bad.”
Rather than the mention of an action movie, Hye-yoon felt relieved by Jiho’s laughter. However, that relief didn’t last long. With a light step, Jiho’s walk suddenly stopped.
Due to the captured hand, Hye-yoon, too, turned around. Her halted steps were mirrored in Jiho’s pleasing smile. Jiho’s smile, as good-looking as his stopped steps, also froze. She tilted her head in confusion at his bewildering behavior.
Jiho’s tongue briefly touched his lips. The focus, which had been ambiguous until then, also found Hye-yoon. A few steps away from the car, the two gazes perfectly overlapped.
“But the movie is being shot overseas.”
The reason that had seemed unfamiliar throughout the short walk was heard.
“How long?”
Although her momentarily surprised feelings pressed on her hands, Hye-yoon soon gently stroked Jiho’s back. Her tone of questioning was as warm as her gestures.
‘Let’s act like an adult. Don’t throw a tantrum.’
While waiting for Jiho’s answer, Hye-yoon was replaying one sentence in her mind. The surprised child inside her seemed to be exhaling a deep breath. Still, that child was making a sunny commitment like ‘Let’s respond with a smile, saying it’s okay.’
Having made two commitments within her small body, it seemed like a moment when she could smile.
“…3 months. It could be a little longer.”
“Ah…”
The roundly opened lips couldn’t utter any response.
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.]
