“You know what Director Cha Hyun of HJ Gallery is like. Kind and mannerly to everyone, but absolutely uncompromising when it comes to mistakes.”
So do well.
The year’s sales and reputation of our ‘Persona’ depend on you.
With these earnest words from Ji-su in mind, Ye-eun passed through the main entrance of HJ Gallery.
She was carrying a portfolio that Ji-su had entrusted to her, filled to the brim.
Six luxurious leather-bound, thick portfolios.
Heavy enough to feel like her arms might fall off, but Ye-eun, determined not to show any strain, approached the information desk with a bright smile.
“I’m here to see Director Cha Hyun.”
The desk attendant asked with a pretty smile, “Did you have an appointment?”
“Yes, I have an appointment at 3 PM. You can tell them I’m from the Image Training Center ‘Persona’.”
“Ah.”
The attendant’s eyes widened in surprise, then she showed a kind smile.
“If you’re from Persona, I’ve already been informed.”
She then whispered something a bit embarrassing in a lowered voice.
“You’re so beautiful, I thought you were one of the models for today’s photoshoot at the headquarters.”
Ye-eun’s smile stiffened awkwardly at her words.
Being called beautiful wasn’t a compliment to her.
In her life, a pretty face had never been of any help.
Rather, it was always a hindrance, or even a disability.
Especially on a day like today, with an important contract ahead, being called beautiful felt more like a curse.
Uneasy at the employee’s casual remark, Ye-eun followed her directions.
“The director is currently one floor down from here, on the right in Studio B. There’s a small room next to the studio where you can wait.”
“Thank you.”
Ye-eun, pushing away her ominous thoughts, walked toward the indicated direction.
She didn’t wear heavy makeup.
Just a light touch-up of her skin and some rose-colored lipstick was all she used for color.
Ye-eun, who avoided accessories to maintain a neat appearance, instead wore glasses to cover her ‘pretty’ face.
In a white shirt blouse with elegant ruffle details, dark slacks, low-heeled pumps, and her hair neatly tied back, she strived for a look that was understated yet sophisticated and well-groomed.
Taking a deep breath as she stepped off the escalator, she told herself, “Do well, Seo Ye-eun.”
This was crucial.
The future of Persona rested on her shoulders.
But was that all?
If the contract is successful, she would instantly receive a substantial incentive.
That meant she wouldn’t have to worry about her mother’s surgery expenses.
This project was just as vital for her personally as it was for Persona.
This project referred to the new request from Cha Hyun, director of HJ Gallery, a key client and investor of Persona.
“I have a nephew. Quite a troublesome one.”
That was the first thing Cha Hyun said when she came to Persona.
“He’s much cherished by our father, but he’s too rough around the edges. Make something of him. Turn him into a national heartthrob everyone adores.”
And with that, Cha Hyun had specifically requested Ye-eun as the trainer.
“Seo Ye-eun seems suitable. My nephew is quite particular about appearances. Do well, and if it’s successful, I’ll ensure a generous incentive.”
Cha Hyun’s nephew.
That must be referring to Cha In-woo, the eldest grandson of Hanju Group Chairman Cha Ji-seop and the son of Vice Chairman Cha Kang.
The representative of Hanju Mulsan.
Since he’s the only grandson currently working at Hanju.
For this reason, Ye-eun spent the last week researching everything about Cha In-woo, representative of Hanju Mulsan.
“The nephew they called ‘troublesome,’ Cha In-woo, as seen in the media, didn’t fit that description at all.
With his handsome features and tall stature, not to mention his gentlemanly demeanor and soft smile, he seemed more than capable of becoming the nation’s beloved ‘it man’ with just a little refinement.
That’s why Ye-eun marked the difficulty of this project as ‘fairly easy,’ assuming she was accepted as his trainer.
“Still, I can’t let my guard down. First, I need to win over Representative Cha In-woo…….”
With this thought in mind, she was just about to turn the corner to the promised room, passing by the studio.
“Ah!”
Ye-eun’s shoulder bumped into something, causing her to stagger and almost fall.
Her balance wavered, and the portfolio she was carrying spilled onto the floor.
She should have known from the moment she was complimented on her looks that today would be a challenging day.
All sorts of thoughts flashed through her mind in that brief moment of impending disaster.
Hoping that no one witnessed her clumsy moment, she shut her eyes tightly.
But, contrary to her fears, she didn’t fall.
Her flailing hand instinctively clutched at something, and at the same time, a cool hand grabbed her arm.
‘A person?’
Ye-eun opened her eyes and held her breath for a moment.
Her own reflection was vivid in the deep, black eyes staring back at her.
“Be a little careful, will you?”
When male lead is the homewrecker
“I know she doesn’t love him.”
I’ve read the novel below twice already. Girls, I’m highly recommending it to you!
The female lead? Not a good person.
The second male lead? Not a good person.
The male lead? Willingly plays the third party, breaking up the female and second male lead’s relationship despite all the warnings from his friends—so yeah, he’s definitely not a good person either.
Basically, nobody in this novel is simple-minded or without scheming.
The female lead starts off as the male lead’s secretary, but don’t worry—later on, she takes over the company while the male lead steps back to support her. He won’t steal her spotlight, overshadow her, or dull her shine.
I love novels where men are out here snatching wigs, tearing each other down, and going to war just to win the female lead’s affection. And this is exactly that kind of novel. Most of Hai Dai Ran’s works have this dynamic. You’ll see the male characters’ emotions being pushed to the absolute extreme.
There’s even a scene where the second male lead exposes the male lead online for being a homewrecker. The brotherhood immediately gangs up on him, dragging him through the mud. I find it compelling —it completely flips reality on its head, where usually, women are the ones fighting over a man and getting torn apart by the sisterhood.
For me, female leads in the novels I read should only struggle in their careers, not in love. But if the brainless romantics in the story are all men? I have zero complaints.
I’ve pretty much read all of Hai Dai Ran’s novels and even translated all of them—her works are just my thing. I’ll slowly upload everything here. One day, when my website is official, I hope I can invite her to join as one of the star authors.
Here’s the story synopsis:
One-line summary: She is his lifelong obsession, to the point where he was willing to be a third wheel, scorned by society, just to wedge his way into her relationship with her fiancé.
Cold-hearted and indifferent female lead + Scheming and subservient CEO male lead
Intro 1:
“I know she doesn’t love him.”
With blood trickling from his clenched fist, Rong Xiu gazed at the woman before him, his eyes clouded with anguish. Hidden in the wardrobe, he had witnessed Fan Xia – the woman he desperately loved – in an intimate embrace with her fiancé. Yet his heart still yearned for her, defying all reason.
Fan Xia, the elegant and composed assistant, carried something mysterious in her eyes whenever she looked at her fiancé, Wen Lan Sheng. Strange occurrences began to surface – secret meetings with the young Gu Jin Yi, an unexplained withdrawal of 5,000 yuan… Then suddenly, her fiancé’s sister, Wen Jing, violently attacked her.
In this matriarchal society, Rong Xiu had risen to become the chairman of a powerful healthcare conglomerate, breaking through gender prejudices. But for the first time, he willingly stepped into the shadows as the other man, disregarding his friends’ warnings to become her secret lover.
Because he had discovered the truth – Fan Xia wasn’t the pure angel everyone believed her to be. And perhaps, he was the only one capable of helping her execute her mysterious plan…
Intro 2:
Rong Xiu’s biggest regret in life was missing out on Fan Xia.
He secretly loved Fan Xia for 7 years.
Watched her go public with her boyfriend.
Watched her kiss her boyfriend at their wedding.
Until that man blissfully nestled in Fan Xia’s arms, obtaining everything he could only dream of.
The crazy jealousy stripped away his hidden secret love, layer by layer, burning like wildfire.
Fan Xia, how can I have you!
【Reading and Trigger Warning Guide】
1. Female dominant, male submissive, male pregnancy
2. Male lead schemes his way to the top, male competition
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Please help me, I want to bring you the best possible things.
If you find any chapter or novel with poor translation and editing quality, let me know by commenting directly under that novel or chapter. I will retranslate it as soon as possible.
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