When You Forget Me (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 12
Gi Ju walked firmly up the stone steps. The closer he got to the main house, the more casual he became, until he pushed open the front door carelessly and stepped inside.
No matter when he smelled it, the thick, damp scent of beef bone soup always hit him right from the entrance.
Chairman Song, perfectly healthy as he was, obsessively looked after his health. Though Gi Ju had seen countless shameless villains wishing for long life, it still never failed to disgust him.
Gi Ju took off his shoes and opened the inner door. From the living room sofa, he immediately saw the back of Chairman Song Myung Hwan, who was reading a newspaper. A gentle flame from the fireplace burned dry firewood.
Gi Ju bowed slightly in time with the rustling of turning newspaper pages.
“You called for me?”
At those words, Chairman Song turned around personally.
“Yes, let’s have dinner together.”
Just by looking at Gi Ju’s face, Chairman Song rose with evident satisfaction. He clutched the newspaper loosely in one hand and patted Gi Ju’s shoulder a few times—an unmistakably friendly gesture.
On the way to the dining room, Gi Ju matched Chairman Song’s pace.
“You’ve lost weight, Team Leader Kwon.”
Instead of denying it strongly, Kwon Gi Ju simply ran one hand along his jaw and even gave a light, cheeky smile.
Chairman Song laughed heartily, clearly pleased that Gi Ju didn’t bother with false modesty.
“You’ve got a face fit for an actor. Maybe I’m wasting such a rare face by using you for mundane tasks.”
Madam Ham An, spotting the two entering the dining room as warmly as father and son, hurriedly carried the soup bowls to the table.
Chairman Song pulled out the seat at the head of the table, where a pot of steaming hot soup sat, and took his place. Gi Ju seated himself to the chairman’s right, and Madam Ham An immediately brought over a soup bowl and set it before him—filled with beef bone broth, Pyongyang-style dumplings, and generous portions of meat.
“Eat.”
After saying that, Chairman Song scooped up a large dumpling with his spoon, transferred it to his side plate, and split it in half.
Gi Ju picked up his spoon too, but seemingly lacking appetite, only took a sip of the broth. Chairman Song, chewing noisily on his dumpling, spoke between bites.
“Director Kim and Attorney Choi keep saying you’re too young for the job, Team Leader Kwon. As if they know anything. If they had even half your capability, would I have gone to such lengths?”
As if recalling it now stirred up irritation, Chairman Song tapped the bottom of his soup bowl sharply with his spoon.
“I’m a firm believer in meritocracy. That’s how I got to where I am today. So, Team Leader Kwon—what’s your goal?”
Chairman Song fixed Gi Ju with eyes gleaming with desire. Among those evaluated for ability, Kwon Gi Ju had scored perfectly—a prodigy on par with, if not superior to, graduates from the most prestigious universities.
He’d thought him merely lucky, but clearly, Gi Ju was no ordinary man. Chairman Song had long felt exhilarated just imagining the future of Deowon, proportional to what Gi Ju would accomplish.
“Honor? Power?”
Gi Ju swirled his spoon lazily through his soup before replying.
“Money.”
Chairman Song raised his eyebrows, surprised, and Gi Ju gave a faint smirk.
“I’m not interested in anything but money.”
“I like your honesty. Indeed, nothing is more precious than money. But as a man, you should aim higher.”
“As long as you keep rewarding me this reliably, I’m satisfied just being recognized for my ability.”
Right now, Chairman Song seemed so elated he might hand out anything—but deep down, he was utterly despicable.
Once he deemed someone too greedy by his own standards, he’d discard them without hesitation. Worse, if Gi Ju’s role as a fixer became public knowledge, that alone would become a stain on Chairman Song’s reputation.
Pretending to be nothing more than Song Eun Chae’s bodyguard and quietly keeping a low profile—like a pine caterpillar eating only pine needles—was the wisest course.
“If you keep performing like this, I can give you all the money you want…”
Even as he said this, Chairman Song clicked his tongue, still unsatisfied.
Kwon Gi Ju had been hired through a special program for low-income households.
His mother lay bedridden, and he had three younger siblings to support. No matter how hard he worked, it was like pouring water into a cracked jar.
That was exactly why Chairman Song Myung Hwan had chosen him—because he was desperate.
Someone who’d grit his teeth and carry out any order, someone who wouldn’t even whimper when used and discarded.
And now, this same man was sharing a meal at the chairman’s very table. Chairman Song took a bite of dumpling, amused by how absurd life could be.
Just then, as dinner was in full swing, Song Eun Chae entered the dining room.
Her hair was still damp—she must have just showered. Her bare, pale face clearly showed panic, though she quickly hardened her expression, seemingly offended that she’d let it show, and sat down at the table.
Gi Ju looked up at her, seated stiffly across from him. Between the loose folds of her homewear, her slender neck was visible; and as she lifted her water glass, her sleeve slipped just enough to reveal a wrist—pale and delicate.
She was frailer than the flowers she so cherished. If she ever stepped into a greenhouse, she’d surely catch a cold from the slightest chill.
Gi Ju merely bit the corner of his lip to show his discomfort and slumped slightly against the chairback.
Beside him, Chairman Song prattled on.
“Team Leader Kwon, do you play golf at all?”
“I wouldn’t know. Never had any interest.”
“You should learn. It’ll come in handy.”
Chairman Song had a history of entertaining politicians mainly through golf. Suggesting Gi Ju learn meant he planned to bring him along to such gatherings.
Eun Chae, who clearly remained outside Chairman Song’s interest, listened intently nonetheless—repeatedly picking at kongjaban, a side dish she normally didn’t care for.
Watching her, Gi Ju felt an inexplicable itch in his molars.
“…Join headquarters. Alright?”
Gi Ju didn’t even glance at Chairman Song, who was practically begging now. He only watched Song E ‘un Chae, whose chopsticks slipped as she tried to pick up another kongjaban bean.
“Oh, sure.”
A hint of amusement colored his voice. Fortunately, Chairman Song, busy talking, seemed not to notice.
Song Eun Chae, however, arched one eyebrow. Then she lifted her chin halfway and met his gaze directly—her eyes sharp and clearly offended.
“If I were to tell Director Kim…”
“But.”
Her soft voice cut through Chairman Song’s deep, rough one. Only then did his eyes turn to Song Eun Chae. Confused at first, he soon realized she’d interrupted him—his face briefly flashing with displeasure.
Unfazed, Eun Chae spoke.
“If I actually had a boyfriend, what would happen?”
The table fell instantly silent. Chairman Song Myung Hwan wet his lower lip with a tongue coated in white fur.
“What? What are you talking about?”
Furious, Chairman Song clenched his fist so tightly the skin between his wrinkles turned pale.
Eun Chae watched his reaction calmly and spoke clearly.
“Like… a secret boyfriend.”
At that, Chairman Song instinctively glanced at Gi Ju—if Song Eun Chae really had a boyfriend, he should’ve reported it immediately.
Gi Ju shook his head placidly, as if hearing it for the first time. Chairman Song believed this answer implicitly and clicked his tongue, now looking at Eun Chae with annoyance.
“If you’re going to spout nonsense, go back to your room. Your wedding is right around the corner!”
Without changing expression, Eun Chae watched Gi Ju lie and twitched one cheek.
“I just meant—hypothetically—if I had a boyfriend, would I have had to break up with him because of the marriage?”
“What kind of question is that?”
Chairman Song let out a hollow laugh. She’d always been uncooperative. Probably sulking over something again. With a sigh, he tried to dismiss the conversation.
“Just focus on your wedding preparations. That family’s handling everything, so you only need to show up.”
“Yes. That’s fine.”
After saying this, Eun Chae put half a dumpling into her mouth. Gi Ju stiffened against the chairback. He felt thoroughly disgusted.
*** *** ***
Seung Yoon rested his elbows on the table, fingers solemnly interlaced as he thought. Though they kept meeting regularly, it still left an unpleasant, irritating taste.
That woman… that woman…
Seung Yoon briefly recalled Song Eun Chae’s words—her specialty being to crush his pride with just a sentence.
“If you wanted to break off the engagement, a phone call would’ve been enough.”
“Right. Since you hate hearing me play, should I just ruin it for you?”
“If you’re bored, call one of your other women. I don’t care.”
The famously talked-about Song Eun Chae was certainly not kind-hearted. Forget mastering the basic acting skills expected in their world—she wasn’t even obedient.
It was hard to believe Chairman Song Myung Hwan had ever truly controlled her. Just how had he managed that stubborn, infuriating girl?
As Seung Yoon’s discomfort over their already awkward meetings grew, Song Eun Chae walked into the restaurant.
Contrary to his reluctance, his body reacted instantly—standing up abruptly and even stepping forward a few paces to greet her.
Only afterward did his wounded pride catch up, prompting him to feign nonchalance by leaning on the table with one hand—but by then, Eun Chae was already standing right before him.
Embarrassed, Seung Yoon offered an obviously awkward greeting.
“You’re here?”
Eun Chae looked up at Seung Yoon, who blocked her view with his lamppost-like height—not as tall as Gi Ju, but still imposing—and clearly found him unimpressive.
“Yes.”
Out of habit, Seung Yoon glanced behind her. Eun Chae had arrived escorted not by Gi Ju, but by another bodyguard.
Seeming unable to believe it, Seung Yoon kept glancing around. Though only a split second passed, Eun Chae’s brow furrowed.
Why wouldn’t he move, standing right in her way? She wanted nothing more than to shove past him, but that would be uncouth.
Eun Chae mentally repeated the character for “patience” three times and calmly responded outwardly.
“I’d like to sit down. Could you please step aside?”
“Oh. Right, of course.”
Seung Yoon withdrew the arm propped on the table and stepped to the side.
As soon as her path cleared, Eun Chae walked straight to her chair and sat down—again with perfect posture: neck, shoulders, and back held upright.
Seung Yoon made a face as if truly fed up, but quickly masked his expression.
Recently, suspicious behavior by their tax accountant had been exposed, forcing them to undergo a tax audit. Because of this, his maternal family could no longer afford to fund his father’s political activities.
Chairman Song Myung Hwan had thus become genuinely desperate—and that meant Seung Yoon absolutely had to win this woman’s favor. Naturally, the marriage had become urgent.
Recalling this, Han Seung Yoon smiled.
“Was traffic bad? It’s rush hour.”
“You called me at this hour—did you really think I wouldn’t know that?”
“…Let’s do lunch next time. I made you go through too much trouble.”
“Thank you.”
When Eun Chae readily accepted, Seung Yoon nodded and smiled. He’d grown up around women accustomed to being pampered, but one this transparent was a first. The more he saw her, the more novel she became.
Seung Yoon struggled to rein in his temper and instead signaled the server to begin serving. Then he pushed a shopping bag across the table.
“I’m giving this to you now.”
Eun Chae’s expression remained indifferent as she looked at the bag.
She didn’t need to open it—she knew a ring was inside.
Still, to show basic courtesy, she reluctantly pulled out the ring box. Opening the lid revealed an exquisitely crafted ring set with a sparkling diamond.
Seung Yoon’s shoulders lifted slightly with pride, but he asked in a tone so sweet it bordered on grating.
“What do you think? Do you like it?”
If she had any taste at all, she’d know it was expensive. Seung Yoon watched her with a mix of dismissiveness and expectation.
Eun Chae snapped the box shut with an audible click and stuffed it into her handbag—dashing Seung Yoon’s expectations.
“Not really.”
She muttered it almost to herself, tone flat and devoid of malice.
It was simply that, deep down, she’d come to see their engagement—as emotionless as a shared bed—as too distant for mere politeness with Han Seung Yoon, and this belief unconsciously manifested in her actions.
But could there be a more blatant expression of dislike? Seung Yoon, who’d never received such outright rejection face-to-face, felt humiliated—his cheek twitching visibly.
Male lead fell into her trap — and shattered when she walked away
This is also on my reread list!
This one is a slow burn, but when it burns, it burns hard.
Definitely worth a read, y’all!
The story follows a thousand-year-old seductive spirit who, on a bet, sets out to charm the male lead—a once-promising but unfortunate cultivator.
But just when she succeeds in making him fall for her, she heartlessly leaves, driving him to madness.
Determined to find her at all costs, he captures her, keeping her by his side no matter what, even if she hates him.
I love this kind of trope—I enjoy watching the male lead suffer in agony.
The ending drags a bit with unnecessary filler, but that’s fine.
As long as I enjoy the beginning, I’m good.
Intro
As an enchantress, Su Heng possesses captivating eyes and charming beauty, easily manipulating the joys and sorrows of living beings at her fingertips.
But to enchant a god, making him taste the bitterness of love’s separation, long-lasting resentment, unattainable desires, and inability to let go…
Do you dare?
Su Heng assists a divine lord in his cultivation, aiming to make him experience all the sufferings of love, so that he can attain the Great Dao.
Only after being chased down from the heavens by the divine lord, confined and completely possessed by him, does she realize how successful she has been.
The once gentle and polite youth has transformed into someone she no longer recognizes.
[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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