Discovering Han Seong Yoon entering through the door, Kim So Hee immediately burst into pitiable tears.
Eun Chae felt a twinge of envy for the pure and defenseless So Hee, especially after learning a few unpleasant truths during her investigation.
So Hee, raised as a pampered only daughter, shielded from harsh realities like loneliness, frustration, or despair, was ignorant of such emotions. Her unconditional support and safety net ensured she would never crumble.
Eun Chae observed the exaggeratedly crying So Hee with a calm gaze. Han Seong Yoon, caught off guard by the unexpected situation, only looked around nervously, careful not to provide a catalyst for their breakup.
So Hee’s obsession with the indecisive Han Seong Yoon seemed pathetic.
“I didn’t think you’d come. How did you manage to arrive so late?”
Eun Chae originally intended to confront Han Seong Yoon alongside So Hee. Although she didn’t expect the cowardly man to arrive on time, he was excessively late.
“We’re done here. Enjoy your time together.”
Eun Chae calmly collected her handbag and stood up. As she opened the director’s office door, Han Seong Yoon rushed out after her. Through the open door, So Hee could be seen glaring at them, tears streaming down her face.
“Wait. What is this all about?”
Han Seong Yoon protested, though his effort lacked conviction.
“Did you ask her to contact me and beg to call off the wedding?”
Surprised by this accusation, Han Seong Yoon’s expression darkened.
Eun Chae retorted sharply, “So noisy about being a mistress already.”
“…”
“Keep it under control.”
Han Seong Yoon couldn’t muster a response, only managing to offer a handkerchief.
“Wipe it off, at least.”
Eun Chae nonchalantly accepted the handkerchief and wiped her face. She then tossed it back at Han Seong Yoon’s chest. That moment, he noticed the shining ring on her left ring finger.
“Where did that come from? What about the one I gave you?”
Eun Chae replied incredulously, “Isn’t it enough that she’s wearing it?”
Han Seong Yoon had gifted both women similar rings from the same brand around the same time. Eun Chae subtly criticized this lack of thoughtfulness and walked away.
Outside, Eun Chae saw Kwon Ki Joo waiting. He leaned nonchalantly against the car, looking bored. Unwittingly, she found herself gazing at him blankly.
Reflecting on her life, Eun Chae realized she had grown accustomed to repression. Raised by a mother who wanted her to live a sheltered life, viewed as nothing more than a tool by Chairman Song Myung Hwan and her fiancé, and treated differently by her friends.
The reasons behind this treatment varied – affection, ambition, or admiration – but ultimately, they were all forms of violence.
But Kwon Ki Joo was different.
He seemed to neglect her yet gave her complete freedom. His relaxed attitude provided Eun Chae with a sense of stability.
Lost in thought, she suddenly felt the weight of his gaze. Ki Joo, who appeared just twenty minutes after her, scanned her from head to toe with a look of indifference.
“Looks like you had a water fight.”
Caught off guard, Eun Chae nodded. Ki Joo, observing her nonchalantly, let out a lazy smile. His lips curled up in a way that was sharp and sinister.
He was about to head towards the art museum when Eun Chae hastily grabbed his forearm. Although she couldn’t grip it fully and ended up barely holding onto his sleeve.
“It’s okay. Don’t go.”
“…”
“I’ve already paid back multiple times.”
Ki Joo tilted his head, seemingly intrigued.
“I need to see it with my own eyes.”
“Don’t make me look petty. I really did pay back. She’s probably feeling sorry for herself right now.”
As she rambled on, her excuses sounded more desperate, making her feel awkward. She missed the moment his eyes fixed on her left ring finger.
“Using that to your advantage would make me sad.”
Eun Chae’s expression froze in dismay as he grabbed her arm and lifted it, causing her to lose balance and press against his imposing figure.
Eun Chae tried to push away but hesitated when she saw his cold, laughing face. His expression painfully hit home, but she pretended not to notice.
Intentional or not, Han Seong Yoon had given Kim So Hee false hope.
Perhaps.
Maybe.
Not giving such false hopes was the least respect Eun Chae could show him.
“To me, Kwon Ki Joo is all about utility.”
Ki Joo looked down at her emotionlessly, then smiled as if nothing mattered. There was no hint of the expected betrayal in his expression.
“…Value.”
He muttered in an empty voice. Eun Chae’s heart stung, but she brushed him off nonchalantly. She then removed the ring and placed it on her right hand.
Ki Joo watched her actions intently, like a predator eyeing its prey.
For the first time, she felt embarrassed under someone’s gaze. His relentless scrutiny surprisingly ceased quickly.
He opened the passenger door and gestured for her to get in. Eun Chae climbed in as if escaping, and the door closed effortlessly behind her.
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.”
