Unrequited Love is Over, Fend for Yourselves (5 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 33
As soon as they arrived at the inn, the group split into two factions.
The men, who wanted to fill their hungry stomachs first, and the women, who insisted on washing up first. Bazon wanted to wash, but after glancing at the men, he sat down at the dining table instead.
It was almost laughable how dirty they’d become after merely spending one night outdoors, yet even in that state, his handsome face seemed to glow.
The proof was in the eyes of everyone in the dining hall, which were fixed on Fernando or the Crown Prince.
Whether it was due to the others’ stares or simply the Crown Prince’s presence, an awkward silence settled among the men. Just then, Bazon chuckled softly and asked,
“Is this journey turning out as Your Highness expected?”
He was subtly referring to how they couldn’t properly camp out last night because they’d failed to gather firewood. Reinhart replied lightly,
“I certainly didn’t expect wild boars.”
He was implying that, aside from that incident, they would have managed to build a fire and camp as planned. Bazon nodded casually.
“That’s true. Do you think we’ll be able to camp out again from now on?”
“It’s possible—if nothing like the boar incident happens, things should proceed as planned.”
“Right. But the others are late.”
Bazon changed the subject, having run out of things to say. Nick nudged his side—a silent scolding for asking so bluntly. Bazon merely shrugged.
“Oh? They’re coming.”
Bazon pointed toward the women approaching from afar. Sola appeared first, carefully holding her skirt with both hands so as not to trip. Watching her, Nick murmured,
“Beautiful.”
At Nick’s entranced remark, Bazon grinned at him.
“You went to get ready together… Anyway, I don’t know about you, but she looks beautiful to everyone.”
“What?”
Nick glared, and Bazon continued,
“She showed up wearing a dress far too elegant for traveling.”
“Ah…”
Nick finally understood Bazon’s meaning. Just then, Bazon caught sight of Hana behind Sola and exclaimed with genuine admiration,
“She’s truly beautiful.”
It wasn’t just the dress—it was Hana’s own stunning appearance that made him say it.
Hana’s gentle smile matched perfectly with her exquisite pale yellow gown.
“Heishi, even you… agree, don’t you?”
Seeing Heishi half-dazed, Bazon decided not to press further. Meanwhile, Sola and Hana took their seats right where everyone’s attention had already gathered.
“Why are you staring like that?”
Sola snapped at Nick, who kept gazing at her intently. Still, she subtly lifted her chin—clearly aware he was looking because of how she’d dressed.
“Did you bring that dress along in your bag?”
Nick hesitated before finally asking. Sola glanced at her dress. It had slight wrinkles, but unless examined closely, they weren’t noticeable.
“Even on a journey, I thought wearing clothes I don’t usually wear would feel even more uncomfortable.”
She spoke while glancing toward Crown Prince Reinhart—it was all for his sake that she’d dressed this way.
While Sola was talking, Hana, seated beside Fernando, pointed to the water pitcher on the opposite side and said,
“Prince Fernando, could you pass me some water?”
Without a word, Fernando placed a cup before her and poured water. Hana picked it up, thanking him with a smile.
Truthfully, the water was just an excuse—she’d spoken to him hoping he’d look at her. If he saw her, surely he’d think she was beautiful. Secretly, Hana smiled to herself, having put so much effort into looking lovely for him.
“But will you two keep speaking so formally? We’re all friends—why not be more relaxed? Everyone else already is. Isn’t it fine to be polite only in official settings?”
Bazon tilted his head, puzzled. Glancing at Fernando, Hana hesitantly agreed, “Maybe so?” Seeing Fernando wasn’t particularly bothered, her smile grew warmer.
“Where’s Etienne?”
“Etienne’s still washing up.”
Yet Fernando didn’t even look at her—he immediately asked after Etienne instead. Though slightly disappointed he’d said nothing about her appearance, Hana answered obediently.
“After the meal, everyone should buy what they need and rest. We’ll be leaving again tomorrow. Since we don’t know when we’ll next get a chance to rest, prepare well.”
As Sola and Hana received their ordered dishes, Reinhart stood up and spoke. Alex also rose to follow him. Just then, Fernando looked toward something in the distance.
Following his gaze, Reinhart looked up the stairs. The only one left to come down was Etienne. Reinhart wondered how she’d appear after taking so long to bathe.
And upon seeing Etienne, Reinhart couldn’t help but smile.
“There really isn’t a single thing that goes exactly as expected.”
That’s what made her such an intriguing opponent.
Etienne appeared last. Yet she looked no different than she had that morning—perhaps just slightly cleaner, if anything.
Unaware that Fernando was watching her, Reinhart kept his eyes fixed on Etienne.
She descended the stairs with light steps, her ankles visible, no need to hold her skirt. Approaching the group’s table, she didn’t sit but instead asked while standing,
“Is today free time?”
“Not so much ‘free time’ as each of us buying what we need and resting… I suppose it’s the same thing?”
Reinhart muttered, and Etienne responded cheerfully,
“Then I’ll head out first—I have something to buy.”
With an eager smile, Etienne turned to leave. Immediately, Fernando stood as well.
“I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
Fernando’s words carried a clear message: don’t look for me, Reinhart. As a result, Reinhart, who’d been the first ready to leave, remained seated, watching the two walk away.
“I should get going too.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Bazon stood up—and Heishi followed suit. Soon, aside from Sola and Hana, who were still eating, the table emptied quickly. Reinhart offered a wry smile as he addressed the remaining three,
“Stay in well-lit areas as much as possible—it could be dangerous. As you know, we didn’t bring any guards.”
Though commoners wouldn’t dare harm nobles recklessly, Reinhart reminded them they had no one to protect them either, then turned to leave.
Sola and Hana, who’d gone to such effort only to be utterly ignored, were left utterly deflated.
Hana’s hand trembled slightly as she gripped her cup. To someone who’d never experienced such indifference before, it was a humiliation she’d never forget.
[This is the timeline separator]“You have something to buy?”
“Yeah. If we’re sleeping outside again, a sleeping bag alone won’t be enough.”
Reality had diverged completely from expectations. While Etienne, drawing from last night’s experience, decided what else to purchase, Fernando quietly watched her.
He, too, had been surprised when he saw Etienne earlier.
She’d tied her red hair neatly into a single bun, making her fair face stand out brilliantly against the vivid strands. Every time she moved, her skin seemed to emit a soft, radiant glow.
Her face bore no makeup, yet the liveliness in her eyes made her appear more vibrant than ever—which made it impossible for him to look away.
Simple, yet more dazzling than anyone else.
“Why are you staring like that?”
Etienne, glancing around, met Fernando’s eyes.
“Because you’re beautiful.”
“What?”
Etienne’s eyes widened in surprise—unlike with Sola and Hana earlier, this time the emotion felt genuine—then she laughed softly.
“Do you know how shocked I always am whenever you say that?”
“Why?”
“I don’t know… Maybe because I’ve rarely heard it before.”
‘Because you never used to tell me I was beautiful.’
That’s why it still felt so awkward.
“Fernando, look at that over there.”
Though he noticed she’d abruptly changed the subject, Fernando pretended not to and looked where she was pointing.
Etienne pointed at something, then headed straight for it. Fernando’s gaze followed her back.
“You’re beautiful.”
He repeated the words he’d just spoken.
“If I told you you’re beautiful, why are you so surprised, Etienne?”
Fernando asked softly, but Etienne was already too far away to hear.
Meanwhile, having spotted something intriguing, Etienne dashed to a stall and picked it up. After quickly asking the price, she opened its lid.
A mirror appeared inside. Etienne’s smile vanished as she caught Fernando’s reflection in it. In a voice too low for him to hear, she murmured,
“There was a time when I desperately hoped to hear those words.”
She’d imagined that scene countless times—Fernando looking at her, smiling brightly, saying something that would make her heart flutter.
Now that the fantasy had become reality, her heart felt so heavy that even forcing a smile was difficult.
“Will you buy it?”
“…I’ll take it.”
Etienne paid for the item she’d used to steady her emotions. After examining the mirror again a moment later, she sighed resignedly.
“I suppose I might need a mirror too.”
She already had one of her own, but this one was small.
Tucking it into her pocket, she resolved to hurry and buy what she truly needed.
“Fernando? Should we go check out… over there?”
He’d already appeared beside her—accompanied by a delicious aroma.
“You haven’t eaten yet.”
Fernando appeared holding a skewer, offering it to her as if urging her to eat. While she’d just been lost in memories of her past life, he was looking at her—right here, right now.
For some reason, that truth made her feel guilty, so Etienne took the skewer with an exaggeratedly bright smile.
“I’ll eat it well.”
It was a moment where Etienne, who remembered her past life, kept glancing backward—while Fernando, unaware of any past, stayed firmly rooted in the present.
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.]
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