It was Hye Yoon, mimicking exactly what he had done for her earlier. Probably trying so hard to remove her arm so she could do this for him. The habit of memorizing what felt good and then imitating it.
He gently pulled her closer again to close the gap made by her withdrawn arm, an inescapable smile on his face.
About ten minutes later, the small patting gestures slowly ceased, and the neatly perched lips gradually found their place. That afternoon, a silent happiness settled over the two, accompanied by their softly mingling breaths.
Outside the window, darkness befitting 9 o’clock loomed. Even though it wasn’t directly related, Hye Yoon’s expression mirrored that darkness, as if she was drenched in it.
As time passed, her downcast expression deepened, especially as Ji Ho’s hands got busier.
‘The convenience store is only a 5-minute walk. I want to go with you.’
‘Then, you have to dress warmly.’
‘Yes, of course.’
The conversation between Ji Ho and Hye Yoon about going out to buy ice cream, as promised, after dinner. Hye Yoon hadn’t imagined there would be a major problem in this short conversation.
The gap between their definitions of ‘warmly’ was unexpectedly vast.
On top of her clothing, Ji Ho added several of his own outfits he fetched from the room. Only when her arms couldn’t move from the layers did he seem satisfied. Conversely, Hye Yoon’s mouth pouted due to her ballooned size.
“Only a scarf is left.”
Ignoring her duck-like pouting, Ji Ho wrapped the scarf around her.
“This is too much…….”
Hye Yoon looked dismayedly at the mirror. Ji Ho’s white padded jacket reached down to her cheekbones and her hands didn’t even fully emerge from the sleeves. She looked like a marshmallow from head to toe. Or perhaps, a polar bear.
Struggling with arms that barely moved, her eyes eventually welled up with tears. Her frustrated breath made it clear how peeved she was, and Ji Ho’s content gaze eventually set off her sense of injustice.
“That’s it. Let’s go.”
“Geez… Even babies in the Arctic don’t dress like this! I feel like I’ll just roll around.”
“Hehe. Babies with colds need to dress like this.”
Even though she grumbled, perhaps wanting to get some fresh air, Hye Yoon took the lead and went out with a wobbly step as soon as she opened the door. Ji Ho bit his lip tightly, looking at her retreating figure. It was already too late to hide his laughter.
Her feet were barely visible, making her look like a floating ball of cotton. Or perhaps like magnolia petals floating on a lake.
She’s so cute that I can’t take my eyes off her.
I felt a bit sorry, understanding why she might be upset.
“Pick just one thing you want the most. We’ll share it.”
Upon entering the convenience store, her excited steps quickened. Watching her with a smile, he saw her, or precisely, her coat sleeves, clutching the ice cream preciously. She knew exactly why she was allowed ‘just one’, yet she seemed completely sold on a pint of ice cream.
Ji Ho tightly embraced her even before taking his first bite.
“Hye Yoon… are we doing this?”
Hye Yoon sneaked a glance and then quickly relented. Unable to resist the firm grip on her shoulder, the stern gaze, and the charming smile, she put back the large ice cream and chose just one mini cup.
“Ah, good girl.”
Ji Ho stood at the checkout with the well-behaved bundle. As soon as the barcode was scanned, she snatched it, eager to eat, so he took it away.
“It’s too cold here; let’s eat in the room.”
“……Okay.”
Until they left the room, she seemed frustrated and sulky, but now she looked thoroughly delighted. Her nod was quite vigorous despite her small response. Her eyes still fixated on the ice cream shone brightly.
Right now, Hye Yoon resembled a dog staring at a treat, as if saying ‘paw’ would get her to offer her hand. Curious if she really would, Ji Ho suddenly raised the ice cream above his head, and her moist eyes followed intently.
“Ah… I really hate being sick.”
“Huh?”
“No, nothing.”
Ji Ho swallowed the words ‘because she looks so pretty like this’. Feeling regretful for being such a tease, he lowered his head, out of her sight.
By the time even the faint scent the two left behind had vanished from the convenience store, the previously silent store clerk, now with her just-arrived friend, spilled out her belated excitement.
“A while ago, An Ji Ho and his girlfriend came in!”
“Was he handsome?”
“Totally… Insane. He didn’t look human.”
“Ah, I should’ve come earlier!”
“I wanted to tell him I’m a fan, but I couldn’t say anything. I was too nervous…”
And in the excitement’s wake:
“You could see An Ji Ho really adores his girlfriend. Just by looking… you could see he’s so in love.”
Were the feelings of envy.
“Was the girlfriend pretty? Jang Hye Yoon?”
“I don’t know. She was bundled up when she came in. At first, I thought a snowman was walking in.”
“A snowman? What are you talking about?”
Those who hadn’t seen them couldn’t understand the honest reviews.
Sitting side by side on the bed eating ice cream, Hye Yoon watched Ji Ho, who fed her a bite and then took one for himself. This repeated, over and over.
Then, once again, her lower lip began to swell as if she’d been stung.
‘We agreed to share, so it’s one bite for you and one for me, but…’
Finally, her bubbling feelings spilled out.
“Ji Ho, you know…”
“Yes?”
“Our bite sizes… seem very different…”
“Mm. Our builds are different.”
Ji Ho replied as if it was the most natural thing in the world. He had been watching, wondering when she would spill those feelings. From the very first bite, which was as small as a fingernail, she looked like she was about to cry. Blaming it on their builds was a lame excuse, but he thought she shouldn’t eat too much because of her cold.
Hye Yoon sucked in her swollen lips and gave a listless nod. Ji Ho held back a laugh upon seeing her face.
‘Ah… I really hate being sick.’
Even after his moment of reflection at the convenience store, seeing that he had such thoughts again made him feel like he truly was a bad guy.
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.]
