As soon as they started dating, Eun Chae, uncharacteristically stiff, entered the theater and sat in the seat Ki Joo had pointed out.
It was early on a weekday evening, so there weren’t many people. They had chosen any movie that was showing at the time, and it turned out to be one that was about to stop screening. Therefore, there were only four people in the theater, including them.
Soon after the advertisements ended, the movie began. Eun Chae, initially unable to concentrate on the early part of the movie, reflected on the events of the day.
They had dinner at a fine dining restaurant, and at the cinema, they chose popcorn flavors together. She hadn’t realized there were so many varieties of popcorn flavors.
Ki Joo, as usual, gave her the choice, and when she chose the savory flavor, he complimented her for her good choice. They had about fifteen minutes until the movie, so they finished their drinks before entering. Of course, they shared a straw.
The thought of him nonchalantly chewing what had just entered her mouth would remain a secret forever.
Eun Chae felt a new atmosphere and experience. Although they spent a lot of time together every day, she never imagined doing something like this with him. It was an ordinary date that anyone would have, and that made it all the more special.
Eun Chae glanced at Ki Joo. He was leaning back on the armrest, resting his chin on his hand. She couldn’t take her eyes off his relaxed posture, but soon turned her head back to the front. This time, she consciously tried to focus on the movie.
It was about a woman who became a killer to avenge her brother’s wrongful death. The plot was common, but there were many bloody, violent scenes.
The action was splendid, causing her to flinch intermittently, but Ki Joo seemed unimpressed. In fact, he looked bored, and Eun Chae wanted to find something in the movie to pique his interest.
Maybe they should watch a horror movie next time.
As she was thinking this, Ki Joo glanced at her and then lifted the armrest, offering her some popcorn.
Eun Chae, who hadn’t touched the popcorn they bought, regretted not choosing his favorite caramel flavor. She knew he liked sweet things, but didn’t think of it at the time. While she hesitated to eat popcorn, Ki Joo put a few pieces into her mouth. Surprised, Eun Chae flinched, but he fed her a few more, then brushed off the crumbs from her lips with his thumb before leaning back in his chair to watch the screen again.
“……”
Eun Chae, gently touching her lips that Ki Joo had brushed, soon started eating popcorn.
However, she couldn’t taste the popcorn’s savory flavor, only the strong scent of cologne remained on the surface of her lips.
Unable to concentrate on the movie again, Eun Chae shifted her posture and stared intently at the screen. After watching the cookie video at the end, Ki Joo asked her.
“Did you enjoy it?”
Eun Chae, walking down the stairs of the auditorium, recalled the content of the movie. She missed parts of it but didn’t find it unenjoyable. The revenge seemed too extreme at times, but the action was worth watching.
“Sort of? But there were too many violent scenes. I couldn’t focus on the protagonist’s feelings. Do you understand the protagonist, Ki Joo?”
He was disposing of the empty popcorn tub at the door of the auditorium and responded.
“I don’t think I would get my hands dirty like that villain.”
“True, doing the same thing doesn’t justify it.”
Nodding, Eun Chae found it fun to chat with him about the movie. She became interested in his thoughts.
“Are you an only child like me, Ki Joo?”
When Eun Chae suddenly asked, Ki Joo replied in the past tense.
“I had a brother.”
…had.
Realizing that Eun Chae might feel uncomfortable about the question, she became solemn.
“Ah… I see.”
She wanted to know more but kept silent. Ki Joo was not one to talk about himself, and this much was already a big step.
“Is there anywhere you want to go? Anything you wanted to do?”
Ki Joo turned to Eun Chae and asked. Until now, she had followed his lead for dinner and the movie. Stopping to think, Eun Chae nodded. She wanted to experience everything people typically do on dates.
Interior museum, a prop shop, an indoor arcade, a coin-operated karaoke room.
They conquered the seemingly impossible route.
At the interior museum, which Mi-rae had visited on the weekend, Eun Chae quickly lost interest and left. The prop shop felt similar to shopping at department stores, but with Ki Joo actively choosing things according to his taste, it was certainly different.
As the stiffness faded while visiting these two places, Eun Chae decided to drop by the indoor arcade she had always wanted to visit as a child.
She naturally lost the shooting game, and also the basketball and racing games. When she sulked, Ki Joo lost the final round of the racing game on purpose. It wasn’t even a close loss, but a complete retirement.
After Being Cheated On, She Picked Up a Treasure (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: The husband I married on a whim had been secretly in love with me for a long time.
On the day when Jun Shao finally obtained the imperial decree for her marriage, Lan Qu, the person she had admired for six years, defied the decree and ran away.
Her gentleness and devotion, her promise of a lifetime together, were all disregarded by him. Instead, he dreamed of entering the palace to serve the Emperor’s sister as a sixth-rank attendant.
News of this incident spread throughout the capital, and the alleys in front of and behind the Lan mansion were crowded with people who came to watch the commotion.
Jun Shao should have been embarrassed and angry.
But someone stepped in to protect her dignity.
The figure was in a miserable state, yet still possessed an undeniable elegance and handsomeness.
The young lord struggled to climb the wall of the Lan mansion and shouted to her, “If he won’t marry you, I will!”
So, Jun Shao took advantage of the situation and married the person.
She thought the young lord did it to save the Lan family from the crime of defying the imperial decree, but never imagined that from beginning to end, what he coveted was her.
*
After the wedding, Jun Shao felt like she was living in a dream.
Her Wife-master was as beautiful as a fairy in a painting, skilled in the six arts, well-versed in poetry and literature, capable of being gentle and attentive, and also grand and dignified. Most importantly, she was the only one in his heart and eyes.
Jun Shao didn’t know how Lan Shiwu, as a illegitimate son without a father and blessed with beauty, had managed to preserve his purity, recklessly escape, and use his last ounce of strength to ruin his own reputation, all because of his love for her, just to stand before her.
She could only see him gazing at her with eyes full of love, and when she bestowed a name upon him, his eyes shone like stars.
“You have come to me like a weary bird perching on a branch. I shall call you A Qi.”
