Chapter 33
My defenses were solid.
It had already been two weeks since I joined the White Sun Squad.
Jegal Yeong took every opportunity to show her goodwill toward me, trying to move beyond the mere senior-junior relationship!
But who am I?
A man who’s as good as dead without his sharp senses.
I was resolute in guarding against her advances.
No matter what, Jegal Yeong could not fall for me any further!
“Gaga, don’t you think you’ve been a little distant with me lately?”
Yeon-hee didn’t understand my strenuous efforts.
Since I joined, her complaints had gradually piled up.
“All you do is sleep right after work! I can barely remember the last time we went for a walk together!”
“Yeon-hee, it’s just that training is more exhausting than I thought.”
“Well, it’s not like I don’t know how hard Gaga is working… it’s just a little…”
Yeon-hee trailed off, turning her head to the side.
She was pretending to pout, occasionally glancing at me with half-closed eyes.
It was a sign that she wanted a hug.
“Now that I’m getting used to things, how about we go to the market soon, okay?”
“That’s not enough! I demand more outings!”
I reached out my arm toward Yeon-hee.
Pretending to be reluctant, she leaned into me. Once in my arms, she tucked her head down shyly and shivered slightly.
By now, she should be used to it.
Despite being bold enough to display her affection as if she might pounce on me, she never seemed to know what to do when I simply held her.
Not that my heart didn’t skip a beat, either.
“Alright, alright. There’s a flower garden I found near the South Gate. They say it’s really charming at night. Let’s go there next time.”
“Really? I’d be happy to go anywhere as long as I’m with you, Gaga!”
With that, I managed to soothe her dissatisfaction. Thankfully, I had planned in advance.
Then one day, good news arrived at the Namgung Family estate.
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you, brother-in-law! I owe it all to you!”
“I didn’t do anything.”
“Haha! So modest. You made me a better man, didn’t you?”
Sang-gwan Yeong was pregnant. Namgung Hyeo was expecting his third child.
The entire family was in a festive mood over this sudden blessing.
Namgung Hyeo went around praising me, saying I was the reason for the improvement in his marriage.
I didn’t think I had done much, but maybe I had influenced things after all.
Introducing Namgung Hyeo, who was once consumed by gluttony, to the world of chicken breast had transformed him into a lean, sculpted man.
Encouraging him to eat plenty of unagi, a delicacy that was difficult to prepare, also seemed to have boosted his vitality.
Maybe that’s why.
One rare day off.
While enjoying a peaceful day with Yeon-hee, we received an unexpected visitor.
“Did I come too suddenly?”
“No, Madam.”
“Oh, come on. I know you two barely get enough time together, and here I am taking away from that. I’m sorry.”
It was Jo Shim-hyang, apologizing with an air of guilt.
Her face looked more downcast than usual. What happened? She was always so good at easing the tension whenever I met with Namgung Jin.
Seeing her arrive with such a worried expression made me curious.
“You’ve heard that your brother-in-law is expecting his third child, right?”
“Yes, of course. The entire family is abuzz with excitement.”
“It’s a happy occasion. But… maybe it’s because I’m just not enough of a person? I feel a little unsettled.”
Jo Shim-hyang spoke as if she were confessing a sin.
Feeling unsettled at a joyous family event? It was only then I realized that Namgung Jin and she didn’t have any children.
***
Arranged marriage.
Like most families with high ambitions, Jo Shim-hyang had to marry without consideration for her own wishes.
It wasn’t hard to accept; she had grown up with the support of her family, never lacking anything.
Everyone lives like this.
She didn’t feel particularly burdened or troubled.
‘He seems like a strict person.’
They met a few times before the wedding.
Namgung Jin’s first impression was like a solid rock.
He didn’t seem to understand women very well.
Their conversations consisted more of silence than actual dialogue.
Even when she tried to keep the conversation going, his curt responses would end it right there.
It was a bit stifling, but Jo Shim-hyang thought that things would eventually work out if they just kept going.
“I hear your younger sister is very beautiful?”
She had tried to find a topic for conversation, and that was the one she casually mentioned.
That was the turning point in their relationship.
“Are you talking about Yeon-hee?”
“Yes. I’ve heard the Namgung Family’s youngest daughter is quite charming.”
“It seems you have a keen eye.”
Like her father, Namgung Jin was an incorrigible braggart.
It was fascinating.
A man who spoke so little that she wondered if he disliked her suddenly became as talkative as a marketplace vendor when she mentioned his sister.
Starting with the youngest, he went on about the eldest, the second eldest, and even his parents.
Left unchecked, he would’ve narrated the entire Namgung Family tree.
But Jo Shim-hyang didn’t mind the torrent of family stories he poured out.
‘With a man like this, he would surely cherish me and our future child.’
Jo Shim-hyang wasn’t close with her siblings.
Her brothers often fought over the family’s limited inheritance.
Although they didn’t treat her harshly because she would eventually marry out, it was far from a typical family relationship.
That’s why Namgung Jin’s affection for his family was refreshing to her.
Marrying someone like this would bring happiness.
With that thought, Jo Shim-hyang accepted her marriage to Namgung Jin.
‘He has a warm heart. But…’
Six years as Namgung Jin’s wife. He had been devoted to her, always putting her first and working hard for her sake.
Though a bit clumsy, his actions showed his affection.
But Jo Shim-hyang couldn’t suppress her disappointment.
‘Isn’t he a bit too shy?’
Namgung Jin had confessed he’d never had a romantic relationship before.
Perhaps that’s why he was awkward with affection, to the point of being bashful.
He carried himself confidently in official matters, yet in front of her, he fumbled like a boy.
At first, she found his bashfulness endearing.
But as time passed and he remained unchanged, she couldn’t help but feel a little resentful.
‘Maybe I’m not good enough for him?’
The news of Sang-gwan Yeong’s pregnancy had been the catalyst.
‘I can’t keep going on like this!’
Her husband lacked initiative, even in their private matters as a couple.
She had longed to start a family and build a warm home, but despite her desires, nothing seemed to change.
She remembered Lee Se-woong, whom Namgung Hyeo had praised endlessly throughout the estate.
Yes, if it’s my brother-in-law!
***
“So that’s why I came to see you, brother-in-law.”
“Um, Madam. I understand, but… why me?”
She’s upset because her husband’s indifference bothers her.
It was the kind of concern you might hear on a marriage counselling show.
I could see what Jo Shim-hyang was worried about.
She wanted a child, but it wasn’t happening, and now, hearing that Sang-gwan Yeong was pregnant made her anxious.
But wouldn’t it be more typical to seek out a herbal tonic or visit a renowned shaman?
Why come to me?
“I was so frustrated that I swallowed my pride and asked my sister-in-law for advice. I asked her how their marriage stayed so affectionate. She said it was all thanks to you.”
“Oh, no. They were always close. I didn’t do anything.”
“Yes. Ideally, every couple should be kind to each other…”
It felt like walking on thin ice.
The words I hastily said to avoid unnecessary compliments became a dagger that pierced Jo Shim-hyang. She seemed even more downcast than before.
“That’s not what I meant. From what I’ve seen, you and the third brother look quite happy together. What’s the problem?”
“Really? It’s true that he’s devoted to me, of course. But there’s one thing that’s missing.”
Jo Shim-hyang spoke with a meaningful expression.
“Affection.”
“……?”
“I know he cherishes and loves me. I can feel it even if he doesn’t say it. But he’s just not affectionate enough!”
Jo Shim-hyang’s voice rose as though overwhelmed with sorrow. What was going on here?
“When I first saw you, brother-in-law, I felt it. How you boldly declared your love in front of the entire family, vowing to wait for her no matter how many springs passed!”
“……”
Had I unknowingly done something wrong to Jo Shim-hyang? It seemed like my words about Namgung Hyeo and his wife’s natural happiness had somehow hit a nerve. She began to passionately express her feelings.
“And even when we had our first meal together, you were just so affectionate with each other in front of everyone.”
“……”
“I playfully tried to give him hints, but he’s so oblivious! I was envious of how you and Yeon-hee sweetly cared for each other.”
Could she stop, please?
Those memories were ones I wanted to erase from my mind. Just recalling them made me cringe. All those things I did to provoke Namgung Jin…
Feeding Yeon-hee food, having her feed me back, acting like a lovesick fool—all that ridiculous display. I wanted to crawl into a hole.
“Please, tell me your secret! How can you be so unashamed and confidently show affection?”
“Pardon?”
“What’s your secret for not caring about what others think, even with the elders watching?”
Enough, enough!
I’ll apologize.
Please, Lady Jo Shim-hyang, stop attacking me.
“Hmm, Sister. I believe it’s time for me to step in here!”
“Yeon-hee?”
“It’s true that the third brother has a rather stoic personality. But there’s something you’re overlooking, Sister.”
At that moment, Yeon-hee, who had been silently enduring Jo Shim-hyang’s barrage, decided to join the conversation.
“A man’s affection depends on how a woman approaches him. It’s something Mother always emphasized. Sister, you need to realize this!”
“Do you think it’s because I’m lacking?”
“Hehe, don’t worry. You’re beautiful enough, Sister. You just haven’t learned the right way yet. Neither the third brother nor you.”
Yeon-hee was strangely confident, a gentle smile on her face, but there was a dangerous glint in her eyes.
“I’ll share with you a method to make him unable to contain his feelings!”
I felt uneasy.
Yeon-hee’s eyes shone like a strategist hatching a secret plan.
She glanced at me.
“Now, let me demonstrate how to seduce your partner!”
“?”
“Come here, Gaga.”
Rejection was not an option.
There was an unusual intensity in Yeon-hee’s gaze.
“Watch closely, Sister. I’ll show you how to make Gaga completely smitten!”
Yeon-hee wasn’t about to let this rare opportunity slip away.
The look in her eyes was as fierce as a hawk that had spotted its prey as she looked at me.
—
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