“No, perhaps I’m just as foolish.”
He swallowed a bitter smile, talking to himself with a hint of self-mockery. He had been standing there, watching Hestia for hours now.
As Aslan’s breathing grew harsher, the shadows of his chest muscles deepened.
He watched Hestia, who stood motionless like a predator with its prey in sight, silently holding her breath.
“What on earth is she thinking?”
It was strange to him that the woman who used to run away kept trying to catch his eye. He was annoyed at not being able to guess her inscrutable intentions.
Aslan kept clicking his tongue roughly and sipped his drink.
The strong liquor harshly scraped down his throat.
“It doesn’t make me feel any better.”
On the contrary, it was more uncomfortable and made him angrier.
There was no meeting. He had deliberately made up an excuse to avoid meeting her, hoping that it would make Hestia give up and leave. If she chose to wait, he intended to make her miserable.
Just like she did to him six years ago.
Back then, Aslan was in his adolescence.
When he prostrated himself in front of that little girl, he even felt ashamed.
It was the first time he realized that their relationship was not equal.
On the day she bloomed most beautifully in the world, he had to kneel and bow his head. He felt his situation was utterly pathetic.
So, he hoped. He hoped Hestia would forget about that day with him. But at the same time, he wished that she would remember him, even in his state.
“Does this make us a bit more even?”
Was she feeling miserable now?
Shamefully, he was curious about that.
After gulping down the liquor in one go, Aslan wiped his lips with the back of his hand.
Soon, butler Robert appeared as he pulled the bell rope. Robert respectfully bowed to Aslan.
“Did you call for me, Your Grace?”
“Bring her in.”
“Are you planning to meet her?”
Hmm. An indistinct grunt escaped Aslan’s lips.
Clearly displeased with his own decision, Aslan continued, “I can’t stand her loitering in my space.”
Robert looked startled at that moment.
His master, usually indifferent and cutting off interest in things he didn’t care about, was bothered by Hestia waiting.
That meant Aslan was, in fact, paying attention to her.
Caught off guard, the butler stuttered, prompting Aslan to frown and gesture impatiently.
“Don’t stand there looking stupid. Just bring her in.”
“Ah, yes. Yes, Your Grace. Right away.”
Robert quickly adjusted his expression and demeanor.
“Where should I escort the Princess?”
There was no immediate response, as Aslan seemed to have not thought that far. Finally, he spoke.
“Bring her to this room.”
Robert’s eyes widened again, but this time he quickly composed himself and left the room silently.
Left alone, Aslan exhaled a hot breath.
It seemed the effects of the liquor he had been drinking were now catching up to him, though he had never been drunk before.
‘How much time has passed?’
Despite wearing makeup, her complexion grew increasingly pale, making it difficult to conceal.
Hestia clasped her frozen fingertips with her other hand, trying to thaw them with her own body heat, but it was like ice meeting ice, hardly effective.
At some point, a drizzle started, accompanied occasionally by a chilly breeze, significantly lowering the perceived temperature.
With trembling hands, Hestia pulled her hood, which had been blown away by the wind, back over her head.
‘Certainly, my strength is waning. From now on, it will only get worse.’
Hestia bit her quivering lips and put more strength into her knees.
The sensation throughout her body was dulling, and she feared that if she relaxed her tension, she might lose consciousness and collapse.
‘This is my last chance. I can’t fall before meeting Aslan Kalati and talking to him. So, endure, Hestia.’
It seemed she had a fever as hot breath escaped her lips.
Watching her breath, which turned white and scattered in the air, Hestia bit her tender cheek hard.
‘It had to start now.’
She swallowed her saliva and continued her negative thoughts.
‘Surely, my physical condition will only deteriorate over time.’
When she was diagnosed with a terminal illness in her past life, it didn’t feel real since her condition wasn’t bad.
But like a lie, from the tenth day onwards, Hestia’s vitality noticeably weakened.
‘Eventually, it even led to coughing up blood.’
It seems to be the same in this life.
‘Today marks exactly ten days since I turned back time.’
She was fine when she left the palace, but now her skin trembled, and she felt nauseous.
Suppressing the rising bile, Hestia shook her head slightly.
‘I can’t just lose consciousness and collapse here.’
She hadn’t even met Aslan yet.
With determination and stubbornness, Hestia gathered her scattering consciousness.
Suddenly, the firmly closed door of the mansion opened again.
“You’ve waited a long time.”
Seeing the butler Robert’s face, Hestia shook her head.
“Thank you, but I’ve had enough tea. My stomach is quite full.”
Despite not liking her, the butler was a person faithful to his duty.
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.]
