Jae In nodded in agreement with Tae Seo’s suggestion. It was a cozy night bathed in moonlight.
The place Tae Seo led Jae In to was a small, old restaurant. It was packed with people, a spot often frequented by Manager Jong for hangover soups—a specialty restaurant for garaetteok noodles topped generously with crown daisy.
After tasting the deep and rich broth, Jae In naturally ordered a bottle of soju, and they spent the winter night slowly sharing it between them, savoring half a bottle each.
They ate garaetteok noodles with only a plate of crunchy pickled radishes in the middle. There was no discomfort while they refilled each other’s glasses. Despite the noisy atmosphere, it was an enjoyable time to learn about each other in a space filled with character.
Tae Seo handed over the wheel of his distinctive blue large SUV to a valet driver. Sitting together in the back seat on the way home, Jae In’s hand was held by Tae Seo the entire time.
―Are you in?
“Yes.”
―What floor did you say?
“The ninth floor.”
Jae In looked down at her hand that had been held by Tae Seo just moments ago.
Her hand was still tingling, buzzing with the tight grip he had on it. She flexed her hand several times while washing it but still felt his warmth lingering.
She took out the lamp he had referred to as a bribe and placed it on the bedside table. It was a good thing she had been thinking of buying another small lamp.
Click—the lamp switch was flipped on, and as she turned off the bedroom light, the whole room seemed cozy in the soft glow.
“Thank you.”
―Hmm?
“For the bribe. I really liked it. It’s like getting a belated Christmas present.”
―I’m glad.
Tae Seo had his moments of casual speech, which, instead of coming off as rude, strangely felt charming.
“You must be tired. It was a long flight… You’ll probably collapse as soon as you get home. Even though it’s Sunday tomorrow, in case you have to go to work…”
―Come back down.
She was about to ask Tae Seo if he had to go to work the next day, considering he headed straight to the art center after his business trip. Jae In tilted her head at his sudden instruction to come back down.
“…Why?”
―Because I want to see you.
“…”
―If I go up, I’m afraid I won’t leave politely. I might just find any excuse to get inside Yoon Jae In’s house.
She couldn’t help but laugh at the man’s candidly dark confessions.
―It’s not funny. I’m serious.
“Have you not gone yet?”
―I’m still here, looking up. Can you see me from outside the window?
Jae In smiled as she stood in front of the window with the curtains closed. Her palm felt ticklish as she grasped the curtain.
“I don’t want to look.”
―You’re cold.
“If I look, I’ll feel like inviting you up for a cup of tea.”
―…….
The sigh coming through the phone, followed by a languid chuckle, tickled Jae In’s eardrum.
“Right. It seems fitting to leave it here for today. Ah, did you put on enough locks?”
“I put on three locks.”
“Let’s add two more. Some wolf might come knocking, trying to coax the door open.”
Jae In burst into laughter again as she walked into the living room. She leaned over the dining table, resting her warm cheek against its cool surface.
“Go inside.”
“I’ll probably crash as soon as I get home. I don’t think I’ll wake up until the afternoon tomorrow.”
Likely, like her, he was now feeling the tiredness he had been oblivious to in the heat of the moment.
But did he ever get nervous?
Fiddling with a small Santa-clad bear that had been left next to the mood lamp, she recalled the elf-costumed bear Tae Seo had taken. It dawned on her then that they had unwittingly divided a couple’s set of items between them.
It was childish, but pleasantly so. A mature relationship at over thirty wouldn’t have been fun. Besides, it was her first relationship, one she had entered into after much contemplation.
A relationship.
The word inadvertently brought a blush to Jae In’s cheeks. It was a term she had thought would never apply to her.
Before parting, Jae In had been about to ask Tae Seo what they were now. He had whispered clearly,
“Now, we are…”
“Lovers.”
Jae In bit her lip as Tae Seo uttered the term with a soft smile around his eyes, the definition of their relationship making her heart flutter.
“You look like you want to soften. Disappointing.”
“No, it’s not that…”
“There must be things you want to say. Let’s leave all that for tomorrow. For tonight, just think about Yoon Jae In, and Kang Tae Seo about Yoon Jae In, before falling asleep.”
She nodded in agreement to his sweet suggestion. That’s when she had immediately received Tae Seo’s call upon getting home.
“Get some rest.”
“Tomorrow…”
“I’ll come to see the painting.”
Gauging when they should meet next, Jae In whispered with her eyes closed, a laugh escaping her lips.
“…”
“Don’t you like it?”
“No. It’s just too good to be true.”
Her laugh became loud at his prompt answer.
“It seems you really liked the bribe.”
“Yes. I liked it very much. I liked it so much…”
Peering through the open bedroom door at the still softly glowing lamp, Jae In straightened up.
“I want to give a reward.”
“A reward, huh… I’m looking forward to it.”
“I’ll bake you the world’s most delicious lemon madeleines tomorrow.”
The line went silent, and Jae In blinked her large eyes. Had he been expecting something else? Just as she felt awkward, his voice came through, slightly excited.
“You said it would be the world’s best lemon madeleines.”
“Yes. You asked me to bake them last time. Do you have an oven at home? I have the madeleine pans.”
His deep sigh through the phone felt intimate. And once again, the kisses from earlier returned to her mind.
At the art center, Jae In had clung only to the sensations Tae Seo offered, forgetting about the place. It was the same location as their first kiss, but this time it was different. More intense, deeper.
Dizzy with arousal, the only thing she could cling to was Kang Tae Seo himself. She had grasped his clothes, pulling him closer, desperate to feel more of him. She was just as eager as he was.
Amidst a new and vivid desire that felt both overwhelming and frightening, she was curious. If not for the tension stiffening her body, she would have willingly leaped into the fire he was leading her towards.
It was that good. Mind-numbingly so.
Suddenly feeling overheated, Jae In shook her head. She was about to sort out what she needed to buy for the next day when she was interrupted.
“Jae In.”
The low call automatically closed her eyes. His voice, especially when calling her name like this, was always pleasant to hear.
“Yes.”
Enjoying the aftertaste his voice had left, Jae In slowly opened her eyes. It was the same world as yesterday, but it seemed different.
The city lights peeking through the curtain gap seemed kinder, and perhaps because of the new mood lamp, the room appeared a bit warmer.
“Would you come out again, even now?”
Jae In chuckled softly.
The deep night flowed tenderly around her.
Male lead is a clingy little husband
One-line summary: The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
Introduction:
One day, Lu Yuner’s soul transmigrates into a female-dominant world. She enters the Imperial Academy and takes up the position of a doctoral instructor, teaching classes and grading schoolwork.
One day, she encounters the young prince Su Qingwan secretly skipping class from the male academy.
As a result, Su Qingwan is punished.
From then on, Su Qingwan sees Lu Yuner as a “thorn in his side”.
But before long, this “thorn” becomes the person he cherishes most, and he goes to great lengths to win Lu Yuner’s affection.
Mini scene 1:
One day, the sun is high in the sky but Su Qingwan still hasn’t gotten up for class.
Servant Xiaoyuan: “Young prince, it’s time for class. You’ll be late otherwise.”
Su Qingwan says arrogantly: “I’m not going. I am the esteemed prince, my status is so noble, why should I suffer this hardship? Besides, isn’t learning all this just to please women? Hmph, they’re not worthy!”
Mini scene 2:
After Su Qingwan falls for someone, he completely changes. He no longer skips class and diligently learns how to be a good husband and father. But he discovers that Sister Yuner is always surrounded by admirers.
Drunk and overcome with jealousy one day, he clings to Lu Yuner, crying beautifully like a pear blossom in the rain.
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan likes Sister Yuner.”
Lu Yuner: “Young prince, you’re drunk.”
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan isn’t drunk. Qingwan likes Sister Yuner, likes you so much, likes you to bits…” Before he can finish, Lu Yuner’s eyes flash with emotion and she leans in closer.
[Reading Guide]
1. The female lead is gentle, gracious, humble and polite but not weak. The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
2. 1v1, a bit torturous in the beginning but definitely sweet later on.
_____
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.
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
