“Does it hurt?”
He spoke, still focusing on her ankle.
“No, it’s cool and nice.”
Whether the answer was to his liking, Tae Sang silently continued with the ice pack.
In the living room filled with a faint scent of wine, the crackling sound of ice replaced the conversation of the two.
Da Jeong relaxed her stiff back and leaned comfortably on the sofa.
Contrary to her worry, the time alone with Tae Sang was not that awkward. He was as stoic as ever, just stepping over the line enough not to scare her.
“Why couldn’t you go home?”
After a period of silence, Tae Sang abruptly broke it.
“Ah… well, my roommate brought her boyfriend over. They are having a quiet birthday party and I couldn’t interrupt.”
Eager to explain, Da Jeong promptly spoke up.
“Does this happen often?”
“No! Not at all. She’s a great roommate.”
Da Jeong defended her friend with a start, as a clear furrow formed on Tae Sang’s brow. If one were to nitpick, Yeong Mi, who was of a sharp nature, often took care of me more.
Da Jeong surveyed the cold living room with her eyes, filling the awkward gap in the conversation.
“Do you live here alone, Deputy Chief?”
“Yes.”
“It’s a bit… spacious for one person.”
Actually, the word ’empty’ was more suitable than ‘spacious’. Only the minimum furniture was laid out in the house, and there was no sight of any signs of living.
If he was going to keep it so empty, what was the point of living in a big house in the first place? Da Jeong kept her nagging curiosity down and gave a plain impression.
“This house is not for living alone.”
“Then what is it?”
“A newlywed house.”
“Excuse me?”
At his abrupt words, Da Jeong jolted up straight. Her legs, which had been neatly resting on the cushion, shook in response to her moving upper body.
Tae Sang quickly grabbed her sliding ankle and carefully put it back on the cushion. Of course, he didn’t forget to warn her with a heavy gaze.
Da Jeong, who was startled by his look, quickly positioned her upper body back.
“Are you married, Deputy Chief? Is this a newlywed house?”
Da Jeong asked incredulously. What insane man would bring a female guest to a newlywed house without a bride? Her big eyes widened in disbelief.
“I’m not getting married.”
“…Why do you need a newlywed house if you’re not getting married?”
“My grandfather bought this house on his own. He secretly moved my luggage here, so I had no choice but to live here.”
“Ah…”
She seemed to recall hearing rumors about him marrying the daughter of a big group. Along with the story that the marriage was broken.
Da Jeong could tell that his marriage had taken place entirely without his own will.
What does it feel like to be forced into a marriage you don’t want? As an ordinaryborn Da Jeong, she couldn’t even imagine it.
Da Jeong carefully examined Tae Sang’s face with her eyes. His expression was still indifferent.
Would it have been better if he had frowned instead? His nonchalant demeanor made it feel all the more pitiful.
Da Jeong touched the Tshirt he was wearing, calming her mind. It was probably just his warmth now, but it still felt like she could sense someone’s warm body temperature.
“I hope your grandfather changes his mind……”
Da Jeong said, clutching the hem of her clothes tightly.
“There’s no chance of that.”
“Why?”
“Because his stubbornness is the greatest in the world.”
“The greatest in the world……”
Da Jeong, who had been softly repeating his words, closed her mouth as if lost in thought. Shortly after, her shoulders started to tremble subtly, and her head dropped heavily.
“Uh.”
“……?”
“Oh, I’m, I’m sorry…… Huh, hahaha.”
She tried to hold it in, but her laughter was too overpowering. Starting with a sound like a balloon popping, clear laughter flowed continuously from Da Jeong’s mouth.
“……”
Tae Sang slowly lifted his head, putting the ice bag on the floor.
Her laughing eyes and bright red cheeks. Her face, as tempting as a peach, was fully captured in his sight. His mouth went dry at the sight of her that he wanted to bite into.
It was a thirst he had never felt before. It felt like his throat was on fire and someone was choking him tightly.
At this confusing sensation, Tae Sang’s cheek lightly crinkled.
“Oh, I’m sorry. It was just so funny……”
Da Jeong quickly apologized, possibly misinterpreting his furrowed brows.
“What…… What’s so funny.”
“Well, it’s not like you, Vice President, should be talking about someone else’s stubbornness.”
“……Why not.”
“Well…… Because……”
The man’s face, which still seemed clueless, made her giggles seep out. Eventually, giving up on containing her laughter, Da Jeong completely covered her face with her palm.
Then, Tae Sang moved close to the front of the sofa and put his arm on the seat. The way he slowly lifted his gaze as he rested his chin felt like he was admiring a painting.
“Don’t cover it.”
“Excuse me……?”
“Your laughter suits you much better.”
“……”
“Don’t cover it.”
His voice was languid but heavy. His gaze was soft, relaxed. Da Jeong slowly lowered her hand with a flustered expression.
When scheming men desperately battle for her favor in the male harem
This one’s also on my reread list! The rivalry, scheming between the men in the imperial harem are just as intense and thrilling as in classic palace drama novels, where concubines fight to the death. Give it a read, girls! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Synopsis:
“I am not worthy of her… but I still want to be by her side, even if only as a loyal dog…”
Those were the painful whispers of Yue Guanyi – the proud Crown Prince of the Great Qi, who was torn between deep love and a guilty conscience. Despite holding the supreme power of the Imperial Guard, he still could not forget the dark past when he was sold into a brothel.
Fate played a cruel twist when Qiu Shuzhi – a young female official who had just passed the imperial examinations with top honors – stepped into his life. She did not know that she was the one who had saved him from a tragic fate many years ago. And now, her heart was the target of pursuit for both Yue Guanyi and the powerful Empress Dowager Qin Qing.
While Yue Guanyi only dared to silently care for and protect the one he loved from afar, the Empress Dowager Qin Qing openly expressed his feelings and did not hesitate to take advantage of his power to approach Qiu Shuzhi. The covert struggle between the two most powerful forces in the imperial court began…
Trigger warning: All men in this novel are yandere style.
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