Last year, she had to refuse Ha Joon’s riding plans one after another due to consecutive translations.
Every year, it was a rule to eat Yoon Ha Joon’s special patbingsu after riding, but obviously, that wasn’t done either.
Turning his upper body slightly, Ha Joon looked at Ji An. Buying patbingsu wasn’t the issue, but a mischievous idea popped into his mind.
“Forgot yesterday’s meal that I bought?”
“Then let’s eat something ordinary. I’ll buy it.”
“Ha.”
With his eyes blinking, Ha Joon ruffled Ji An’s bangs and grinned.
How could I hate that cheeky face? Not seeing it is even more difficult.
Getting on her bicycle, Ji An heard Ha Joon say,
“Let’s go.”
“You go first.”
Shortly after, the two bicycles left the parking lot side by side.
Rrrrr. Rrrrr.
Just as her legs were getting relaxed, Ji An’s phone rang. Using the call as an excuse, she stopped her bicycle and answered, shaking her phone and saying, “Dan Woo,” then pressed the call button.
Meanwhile, Ha Joon sat on a bench, enjoying the holiday scenery. The people who appeared to be families or couples looked leisurely.
After finishing the call, Ji An poked Ha Joon’s arm and sat next to him.
“What are you thinking so deeply about?”
“Just stuff. What about Chairman Woo?”
Ha Joon pointed at Ji An’s phone.
“He asked if I enjoyed cycling. He said he’s nearby since his afternoon schedule got delayed.”
“Nearby?”
“He came to Seoul Forest.”
“…”
“It might be difficult to eat patbingsu together if Dan Woo comes. Is that okay?”
Ji An couldn’t exactly say anything but waited for an answer, glancing awkwardly at Ha Joon.
The riding appointment, which she stubbornly managed to schedule knowing they probably couldn’t do what they used to do just the two of them, was this. Ha Joon had expected to be disappointed even if they did go riding, and his heart was full of disappointment.
It would be nice to end it with patbingsu, but that seemed difficult.
“Yeah, that’s how it is.”
He answered bitterly and changed the subject.
“Is your father doing well?”
“Uh-huh. Grandma said the house repairs are done, so we should visit next weekend. Mom and my sister are going too. She said she has something to talk about, so I guess I’ll find out when I go.”
“Want me to go with you?”
“No. But I really don’t like moving around with Mom.”
In the past, Ha Joon wouldn’t have understood the ‘I don’t like it’ part, but not anymore.
Ha Joon had dined at Ji An’s family home, thanks to Jae Yoon’s invitation. The way Eun Ji treated Ji An that day was uncomfortably unrealistic.
“Shall I go with you then? Maybe see your father too.”
‘Shall I.’
At Dan Woo’s seemingly caring words, Ha Joon swallowed another bitter smile.
“No, I’ll go with my sister.”
Ha Joon hesitated to tap Ji An’s arm, which was resting on her chin. Eventually, he felt strange looking at his hand as it returned to its original position.
Is it just me who feels a bit dwarfed by Dan Woo’s presence, when Ji An remains the same?
“Dan Woo.”
At that moment, Ji An’s voice trickled out as she saw Dan Woo approaching from a distance. She alerted Ha Joon by looking back at him.
Walking steadily toward the bench, Dan Woo was casually dressed.
Hearing Ji An, Ha Joon turned his gaze and let out a deflated laugh upon spotting Dan Woo.
“You got here quick. You didn’t give him the latitude and longitude, did you?”
“No, but I did say it was in front of the outdoor stage.”
As Dan Woo stopped in front of the bench, Ha Joon stood upright and crossed his arms, looking straight at him.
Dan Woo too didn’t avert his gaze, creating a strange silence around them.
Ji An broke the palpable tension by standing up from the bench and looking up at Dan Woo.
“Found us quickly?”
“Yeah, I was nearby, looking around. This place is nice. We should come here again.”
After brushing his hand once over Ji An’s head, Dan Woo greeted Ha Joon.
“I heard we were supposed to go riding together. It’s a promise that’s been postponed three times since last year, right?”
Feeling a slight ache, Ha Joon dusted off his seat and nodded.
It would be a lie to say that I’m not bothered by the presence of her male friend. I would be too.
There was no doubt that Dan Woo, having come this far, had no intention of turning back. And Ha Joon didn’t want to make Ji An uncomfortable like the last time by canceling.
Moreover, there was no reason for the three of them to do anything together.
If he were to get greedy here, he would have to go back on his resolution to remain friends.
Hiding his complicated feelings, Ha Joon calmly spoke.
“Ask CEO Woo to drop you off. I have to go to the law firm.”
“Is that okay?”
After nodding to Ji An, Ha Joon spoke to Dan Woo.
“It was going to be our last ride together. It was my insistence. You understand, right?”
“Of course.”
Would he understand this as some sort of a farewell ritual acknowledging the changes between the two?
Dan Woo readily nodded and moved, hand in hand with Ji An, pulling his folded bicycle with the other.
As the two disappeared from sight, Ha Joon weakly slumped down on the bench.
To say it’s the end with my own mouth. Ha Joon bitterly laughed at his own predicament.
Dan Woo, who had come to the parking lot with Ji An, folded the frame of his bicycle in half and placed it in the trunk before getting into the driver’s seat. He held Ji An’s cheek in his hand and gently touched her nose tip with his thumb.
“Did you have fun?”
It was an act to make her smile, but she just looked straight at Dan Woo.
“Why?”
“Do I look like a fool?”
“No, you look like my very pretty and smart girlfriend.”
Ji An crossed her arms and glued her body to the co-driver’s side window, piercing Dan Woo with her gaze.
He kept his promise, so she couldn’t complain, but what was his intention in showing up all of a sudden?
She isn’t smiling while angry, is she?
Male lead Asks for a Divorce Every Day
It’s not often you come across a plot like this in the female-dominant genre — make sure to check it out!
This is a novel I’m planning to reread as well.
The male lead is strong, skilled in martial arts, and not the usual fragile type you often see in matriarchal novels.
Meanwhile, the female lead is a scientist—rational and logical. Even when she falls for the male lead, she doesn’t let her emotions cloud her decisions.
If you push through the first few chapters, you’ll gradually find the story really intriguing.
It has a mix of mystery, detective elements, and romance.
The author’s writing style is like crafting a puzzle—except they deliberately leave out a few pieces, making it hard to predict what happens next, yet keeping you hooked.
In the end, everything will come together and be explained.
One-sentence summary: Wife, stop playing with beakers and look at me!
In a laboratory accident, research scientist Zhu Wansheng accidentally travels to a matriarchal world. The original owner of the body is an eighteen-year-old only daughter of a wealthy rouge merchant, already married with a handsome young man.
Zhu Wansheng grins: Nice! She always said she was heaven’s favorite granddaughter. After a life of toil in her previous life, she can enjoy blessings in this one.
However, her joy lasts no more than three seconds as bad news arrives: the original owner’s family is about to go bankrupt, and her husband wants a divorce.
Even worse, she’s stuck with a research system full of restrictions.
Zhu Wansheng: ? Is this the destiny of a research dog?
——
Faced with this mess, Zhu Wansheng pours herself a bowl of wine to drown her sorrows. In her drunken haze, her husband arrives.
His figure is imposing, holding a long sword, with a dignified air that captivates Zhu Wansheng.
Gu Yingqing, however, looks at the alcohol-reeking Zhu Wansheng with undisguised disgust and coldly asks, “Divorce or not?” The intoxicated Zhu Wansheng mumbles vaguely, “I think… it’s not… it’s not… impossible!”
——
The next day, after sobering up, Zhu Wansheng is full of energy, rolling up her sleeves ready to make a big move. As for yesterday? She has no memory of it.
Zhu Wansheng is ambitious; a research dog fears nothing!
Upgrading rouge, extracting fragrances, producing perfumes, researching lipsticks… all shall bow to the power of modern technology!
The original owner’s dying rouge shop is revitalized. Her mother is pleased and with a wave of her hand, passes on the family business to her. As she takes control and her experimental results gain popularity, it’s the pinnacle of her life…
——
But there are always those who can’t stand to see her doing well. Jealousy, scheming, assassination attempts – they want nothing less than her life.
The person who has always kept his distance from her suddenly holds her tightly in his arms, eyes full of concern.
She is unharmed, but he falls into a pool of blood…
Zhu Wansheng feels guilty, “I can grant you one wish.”
Gu Yingqing tentatively circles his arms around her, carefully resting his head in the crook of her neck, pleading softly, “I regret it. Can we not divorce?”
Zhu Wansheng: ? When did I agree to a divorce?
[Small Theater]
The newly developed rouge is beautifully packaged, and Zhu Wansheng is eager to try it.
Gu Yingqing suddenly appears: “My lady, may I apply it for you?”
Cool fingertips lightly brush her lips. His Adam’s apple bobs as he leans in for a light bite.
Zhu Wansheng: ?
Gu Yingqing: It smells so good, I wanted to taste it…
On a warm spring day, Zhu Wansheng tries a new perfume: “Spring Night.” Gu Yingqing corners her against a wall.
Warm breath lingers on her neck.
“My lady, from now on, may I test the fragrances for you?”
[Humorous female scientist vs scheming live-in son-in-law male lead]
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
