People were more eager to find faults in Cinderella’s resurrection than to give blessings.
‘How did I handle this in the past?’
It was something she had experienced before.
The modern version of Cinderella’s birth, people going up and down with their opinions, was an everyday occurrence.
Even a small mistake of hers led to words belittling the VAN Group’s standards. People constantly scrutinized and tore apart every little thing.
Arin suddenly felt a pang of sadness for her past self. Back then, Jaehyuk didn’t look out for her, and she was desperate, fearing Lady Jeong’s criticism.
“What kind of life did I lead…”
Once again, she felt how difficult her life had been.
‘I lived fiercely. Choi Arin, you really lived hard.’
Present-day Choi Arin offered comforting words to her past self.
It was then. A few women entered the powder room, creating a commotion. They briefly glanced at Arin and exchanged glances.
After a moment, as if they had been waiting, words of criticism poured out between the lips of the women.
“If I were her, I wouldn’t show my face.”
“Yeah, seriously shameless. Honestly, isn’t it over after a breakup?”
“Well, the money must be good. Rumors of her running away were rampant.”
“Our sister is really fast. What’s good about a man who likes such a woman?”
‘Ha.’
Arin easily noticed that the conversation among the women was about her. And she knew well why that woman was disparaging her in front of her.
‘Minsueun.’
The younger sister of Minhaeyeon and Minyujin, and the troublemaker of the LW Group who chased after Jaehyuk.
Even though Minsueun was a minor, she fell in love with Jaehyuk at first sight and begged her father, Chairman Min, to marry her to Jaehyuk. However, the teenage girl’s love quickly faded, and her sister Minyujin was chosen as Jaehyuk’s marriage partner.
‘Sibling rivalry, this is really pointless, but if it comes out like this, there’s no way to avoid it.’
Arin sighed involuntarily. Moreover, Minsueun was still the same, even as she grew older.
‘Doing the same things.’
Arin’s gaze toward Minsueun turned cold.
The man Minsueun married was also a heir to a conglomerate. So, even if she didn’t want to, they occasionally crossed paths at events. Every time they did, Minsueun openly insulted and scorned her.
[VAN Group’s standards are really low, ruining their image by bringing in such a woman.]Past Arin cried a lot at Minsueun’s words. Every time, she blamed and tormented herself for not being suitable for Jaehyuk. She struggled to match Jaehyuk’s level.
Whether it was an effort to improve herself or a path to her own ruin, she didn’t know…
The memories of that time surfaced, and Arin bit down hard on the not-so-sensitive flesh in her mouth. Her whitened fist trembled.
‘Now it’s different. I’m no longer the Arin from back then.’
When Arin remained silent to Minsueun’s group, Minsueun, as if thrilled, spat out even more insulting words in a louder voice.
Thud!
Arin forcefully put down the pouch she was holding on the sink, as if indicating for them to listen. The sound made Minsueun’s group turn towards her in surprise.
Arin walked towards Minsueun, making eye contact.
“Minsueun.”
Arin stood in front of Minsueun. Staring directly at her, Arin spoke.
“It’s been a while.”
Minsueun couldn’t hide her uneasy expression and looked at Arin.
“Well, I guess.”
“Minsueun, did you learn to swear at people you know rather than greet them?”
She decided not to stay as the ‘nice girl’ anymore. The more she endured and understood, the more people saw her as an existence to be ignored and trampled upon.
Just like the past and present Minsueun.
“What did you just say!”
“You heard me clearly.”
“Ha?”
Minsueun’s face stiffened in confusion. She couldn’t even counter the sarcastic remarks and only pursed her lips.
On the other hand, Arin, in a relaxed manner, crossed her arms and looked at Minsueun.
“And it seems Minsueun still has a lot of interest in our Jaehyuk.”
“…Our Jaehyuk?”
At the word ‘our,’ Minsueun’s eyebrows twisted like a crumpled can.
“Yes. Our Jaehyuk.”
Arin pressed each word firmly. She deliberately wore a drawn smile, and at that, Minsueun’s eyebrows crumpled even more severely.
“Oh, I forgot to congratulate you on your marriage. Belated congratulations?”
“……. ”
“But I heard you got married. Wouldn’t it be sad if your husband is still unable to forget the man he had a crush on?”
“What, what did you say? A c-crush?”
Provoked, Minsueun’s thinly-lined eyes shot up. Her fractured voice echoed in the powder room.
“What are you talking about now? What did I say!”
“Ah. Wasn’t I talking about myself again? I thought I was talking while glancing at myself.”
Arin deliberately lowered her eyes while speaking.
“Weren’t you?”
“……. ”
“Sorry, I thought I was talking about myself again. Moreover, I forgot that Minsueun, even after getting married, is not only lacking interest in the man who used to be her sister’s but also making ignorant comments to the other woman. I forgot about that.”
Minsueun’s face turned red and purple.
“What kind of nonsense are you talking about?”
Minsueun was completely pushed back by Arin. She couldn’t hide her emotions and burst out angrily at Arin. Arin calmly and leisurely received Minsueun’s gaze.
“Did I just say that I’m oblivious and lack common sense?”
“No.”
Arin released her fist and approached Minsueun. Perhaps because she was wearing heels, their eye levels matched.
“Was I talking about you just now?”
“……. ”
“Then, what’s the problem? I didn’t say anything to Minsueun. Minsueun is not that kind of person, right?”
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.]
