Chapter 35
Chapter 35
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: Bragging Practice and True Confession
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"Do you have that kind of resolve, brother-in-law?"
It was a question loaded with meaning.
What kind of person was Namgoong Jin?
He embodied the concept of gruffness itself. No one had ever seen him treat anyone warmly, regardless of what he might feel inside.
Sure, he could act that way in public, but surely he showed some affection to his wife in private. Yet, to think he was aloof even with Jo Simhyang, to the point of asking me and Yeonhui for advice. This was serious.
"Resolve?"
"Yes. Since you've come to me for help, I plan to give it my all. But the method might be painful and difficult for you. Is that alright?"
"……."
"I'm asking if you're prepared to endure any humiliation for your wife's sake."
"Of course. If I weren't, I wouldn't have come."
"I'll ask one last time. Do you promise?"
"A real man doesn't go back on his word."
"Good. Then from now on, you must follow my instructions completely."
I pressed Namgoong Jin relentlessly, to the point it might seem obsessive. The agreement I extracted at the end needed to be nailed down firmly, to prevent any backtracking later.
"First, we need to address the root cause."
"The root cause?"
"You said it's hard to show your wife that you love her. Why is that?"
"Well……."
This was the most crucial issue.
Why couldn't Namgoong Jin express affection to Jo Simhyang? Because of others' gazes? To maintain his authority as a husband? Family prestige? Without clarifying this, I couldn't solve his problem.
"Hmm, it's……."
"Don't hesitate—speak plainly. Like when you first came to me for help, be honest!"
"It's embarrassing!"
"?"
"Whenever I try to say anything like that, she giggles like a girl and pats my shoulder... It was just too embarrassing."
Namgoong Jin squeezed his eyes shut and bowed his head. Ah, damn. A thirty-something man blushing and acting shy—it was torture to watch.
"That's the only reason...?"
"Only? You wouldn't understand, brother-in-law. Someone who can boldly confess his love for Yeonhui in front of dozens of people!"
"……."
This guy.
Trying to turn it back on me?
If that's how he wanted to play, I'd have to get tough.
"Fine. I get the problem now. So, you're a coward who fears expressing his feelings to the one he loves. Is that right?"
"Coward? Isn't that too harsh?"
"Hey now. Already rebelling against my words? I can't help you like this."
"Urk……."
Coward.
As the third son of the Namgung Family, it was probably an insult he'd never heard before. But swallow it. Compared to the humiliation I felt, this was child's play.
"First, you need to get used to embarrassment. For that, you'll become a shameless braggart."
"Shameless braggart……."
"Father-in-law and Second Brother are famous for openly showing family love. What did you feel watching them boast without restraint?"
"Sentimental?"
"That's why you're failing! People don't know if you don't say it! Do you think others see them and think, 'How sentimental'? No. They think, 'They really cherish their family.' Anyone normal would!"
Of course, those two went overboard at times, but it didn't matter now. Direct comparison would make Namgoong Jin feel something.
"The key is to let it flow naturally, like breathing. If you can't praise her in front of others, how can you whisper love to your wife?"
"So what should I do?"
"Start by expressing it to those around you. I'm not telling a baby to run before it walks."
Familiarity was key.
If confessing directly was embarrassing, he needed to practice by bragging to others first. The suffering that came with it was a bonus.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Good morning, brother."
"Hey, Jin. What's up so early?"
"You've been so busy with family affairs, we haven't had time to talk. I came to check on you."
Namgoong Seon was surprised by his sudden visit from his younger brother but welcomed him warmly. His reliable brother, who hated wasting time, coming just to check in—it was unusual.
"Brother, did you know my wife plays the qin beautifully?"
"Really?"
"Yes. Listening to her melody feels like strolling on clouds."
"I didn't know your wife had such talent."
"Haha, you'll be amazed if you hear her."
Namgoong Jin suddenly praising his wife.
Namgoong Seon found it a bit out of place but responded politely.
With that, Namgoong Jin left hurriedly, as if his business was done.
'What was that...?'
It wasn't like Namgoong Jin at all. Namgoong Seon wasn't the only one taken aback.
"Brother, I heard Sister-in-law is skilled in cooking."
"Haha, skilled might be too much. She just puts her heart into caring for me."
"But did you know my wife is just as good?"
"?"
"She rises at dawn to prepare breakfast. She cherishes me that much. How grateful I am!"
"Uh, yeah. I didn't know. Lucky you."
His brother had come to congratulate Sanggwan Yeong's pregnancy, but started bragging about his own wife. Still, Namgoong Hyu chuckled heartily, looking pleased. Good for him.
"Grandfather, you'd be shocked at how devoted my wife is to me."
"Ho, that's new."
"Her gentle smile at me—it's endlessly lovely."
"……."
"Did you feel this way looking at Grandmother? Heart racing, overwhelmed with affection...?"
"Enough already, you rascal!"
Even Namgoong Hwan, pulled away mid-go game.
Namgoong Jin went around the family like a touring performer, boasting about his wife to everyone—even passersby. The usually taciturn and cool-headed Namgoong Jin.
His sudden change sparked rumors: had he eaten something bad, or fallen into qi deviation during training?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The training progressed smoothly.
Namgoong Jin, who initially recoiled in horror, soon bragged openly enough for the whole household to notice. Imagining his stiff face praising his wife was satisfying.
For the next step, I wracked my brain.
Recalling my past life.
Lines from romance dramas for women—cringeworthy enough to make my toes curl and head tingle.
"Do you like me?"
"Very much."
"Want to grab beef noodle soup at the east pavilion?"
"Perfect."
"Order it for me, Jo Simhyang Honorary Guard."
"That's it."
"……."
I fed him lines so cheesy they hurt to say, eroding one's humanity on utterance. I looked forward to Jo Simhyang's reaction.
"Brother-in-law, sorry for doubting again... but is this really right?"
"Hey now, doubting again? Didn't I say following me builds courage bit by bit?"
"No, do you really say stuff like this to Yeonhui?"
"Of course. I do it dozens of times a day."
Would I?
If I said those to Yeonhui...
I'd run to a cliff to test if falling grants a fortuitous encounter.
But this wasn't enough!
I dragged Namgoong Jin to the courtyard.
"Do I really have to go this far?"
"If your resolve wavers, quit now!"
"A-alright."
"Now, repeat after me: 'Jo Simhyang, I like you so much!'"
"Jo Simhyang, I like you so much!"
"Louder!"
"Jo Simhyang! I like you so much!"
"Much louder!"
"I love you, Jo Simhyang!"
"Even louder!"
Namgoong Jin bellowed.
Following my orders, channeling his qi to echo across the estate.
The cold, aloof Namgoong Jin.
His flushed face shouting made the family freeze, as if witnessing something forbidden.
'Namgoong Jin. Hurt others, and prepare to be hurt yourself...'
A gentleman's revenge is never too late, even after ten years.
"D-dear!"
Right, she had to hear that.
Jo Simhyang arrived.
Her face red as she called to Namgoong Jin.
'Now, Namgoong Jin. Time to show training results!'
I watched fondly, like a master seeing off a disciple into the jianghu. Realizing his deeds(?) were exposed, Namgoong Jin chose...
"Uwaaa!"
To flee.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Namgoong Jin ran fiercely.
'Keep running away!'
He always felt sorry thinking of his wife.
It started as an arranged marriage, but her treatment of him brimmed with endless affection.
He just wasn't used to showing his feelings.
All he felt was guilt toward his poor wife.
'She was crying.'
After Sanggwan Yeong's pregnancy news.
It was joyous, worth celebrating.
Yet, despite their efforts, they had no child.
He pictured her secretly shedding tears, blaming his lack of devotion.
'It's my fault!'
So he endured the shame. Bare his soul to his much younger brother-in-law, follow incomprehensible orders.
Expressing love to family did make it somewhat familiar. A illusion of surging courage.
'Still, I'm such a...'
Enough? Hardly.
His wife approached after hearing his shout.
Perfect moment.
Yet he fled, unable to endure.
'Here...'
He stopped at the flower garden.
Before they were wed, the place he'd strolled with her.
-I can't promise to make you happy. But I vow no tears will wet your eyes.
The recalled oath.
Why utter words he couldn't keep so lightly?
She'd trusted him on that alone—why had he...
"Dear, what if you run off like that?"
His wife followed.
Catching breath, she smiled.
Even after years, stunningly beautiful. How cruelly had he treated her?
'Now!'
Lines from Yi Se-woong flooded his mind.
Polished phrases to convey love.
But memorized words scattered.
None sufficed.
"Dear?"
Step by step.
Dragging heavy legs, Namgoong Jin approached Jo Simhyang.
He embraced her.
"I love you."
I love you.
How hard could these words be?
"Thank you for always staying by my side. For waiting for a fool who can't even speak properly."
"……."
"I love you. Every morning seeing you makes my heart flutter so much I couldn't speak."
His heart poured like a breached dam.
"I hurt you because of it... I'm such a worthless man, but can you forgive me?"
"Dear."
Namgoong Jin awaited judgment in her embrace.
"I'm listening."
"No forgiveness between husband and wife."
"……."
"We love each other—what do mere words matter?"
No more words needed.
Warmth from embraced bodies.
One hard step forward.
That was enough.