Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: I Spent a Night with the Murim Alliance Leader's Youngest Daughter
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When the two first met, there was an air of discomfort. Even though they already knew each other, the atmosphere was wary.
What happened before?
If it was something like that, Yeonhui would've told me beforehand.
I'd felt a bit uneasy stepping away briefly, but seeing them both smiling brightly now, it seemed it was just awkwardness from not seeing each other in a while.
"Gaga, you came back quick?"
"How long does it take to fetch a cup of water?"
Yeonhui looked a bit disappointed.
Maybe I should've taken my time. I'd heard girls have their own conversations. I might've interrupted their friendly chat.
"Thank you. There's no one like Gaga!"
"......"
Yeonhui took the canteen from me and gulped it down. She must've been thirsty. Jegal Yeong stared openly as Yeonhui drank. Should've brought another one.
"Taking such good care of your fiancée, huh?"
"Of course! Gaga always looks after me so diligently."
"Must be tough. Fetching water for her every time like this."
"Nah, Senior. It's no big deal. What's hard about grabbing a cup of water?"
"Aw, you two look so cute. Like a harmonious older brother and little sister?"
Just for fetching water?
"Could look that way. Gaga's basically family to me already."
"......"
Hm, the mood was good, right?
Both spoke in gentle tones. They were smiling brightly like before. But somehow, during their conversation, the flow felt choppy. It would connect, then a brief silence. One or two words to cover the quiet.
"Enough chit-chat. Come on, Se-woong."
"Huh? Senior, what'd you just call me......"
"Let's train. We have to do what needs doing."
She just called me something weird, didn't she? Hallucination? She always called me Junior or Yi Se-woong. Sudden change of heart?
Because of Yeonhui?
A suspicion I'd buried in my heart began to surface. Maybe Jegal Yeong saw me as a man. That would explain the situation. Their oddly mismatched conversation too.
No. Senior said clearly she didn't.
She'd been fed up with my persistent questions. And I'd even tested it.
Staring contest for 10 seconds.
This might sound silly, but no one in my life had ever held eye contact with me for 10 seconds. It always showed on their face or expression. Blushing, holding back a smile. That's why I was confident.
Jegal Yeong had zero interest in me.
I still remember it. Her blank expression throughout. After the test, her cold glare like she never wanted to see me again. I'd never gotten such an icy reaction.
So I was certain.
"Senior, didn't you just call me 'Se-woong-ah'?"
"So?"
"It's just unfamiliar hearing it suddenly."
"Got a problem?"
"Not really."
"Don't sweat the small stuff. Get ready to move."
I thought Yeonhui coming would let us rest a bit.
Normally, you'd take a break when an acquaintance visits during work. That's the perk. But Jegal Yeong planned to keep training regardless. A bit inflexible. Maybe she took that 'just do as usual' comment to heart.
It's kinda intense?
Jegal Yeong was always serious about training. But today felt extreme. The intensity was over the top? She dove in without even catching her breath. Passion's great, but I had to match her pace. Powerless junior like me had no choice but to follow.
"Gaga, is the training always this intense?"
After barely finishing a set, Yeonhui asked from where she'd been watching. I wiped sweat with the towel she handed me.
"Kinda? A bit more than usual today."
"But do you really need to repeat these exercises without using inner energy?"
"Well, it's the rules. Can't help it. Didn't you say my muscles look good?"
"That's true, but......"
Yeonhui trailed off, seeming thoughtful.
Like she had complaints but couldn't voice them.
"Gaga, getting hungry? Let's eat!"
Wasn't she about to say something?
Yeonhui, who'd been lost in thought, suddenly beamed.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Jegal Yeong felt uncomfortable here. Not the place. Dongha Inn near the Murim Alliance. She and Yi Se-woong came often.
To think she'd drag me along.
Namgoong Yeonhui's invitation to eat together. Being in the same space was awkward enough, yet she'd insisted. Her intentions were obvious.
Showing off their relationship.
What the hell was this from earlier?
Jegal Yeong had fired back at Yeonhui's provocations.
Shouldn't have engaged if she hadn't started it?
Yeonhui's constant needling made her snap.
"Yeonhui, what do you want?"
"Stir-fried rice for me."
"Senior?"
"Samgyeopsal for me. What about you?"
"Thin noodles are enough for me."
"Thin noodles again? You always get that here. I told you to eat meat."
"......"
Just ordering food.
But sparks flew.
If Namgoong Yeonhui was going to pick a fight anyway, Jegal Yeong figured she'd strike first.
Two words flashing through Namgoong Yeonhui's mind as she watched.
Familiarity.
And care.
Her face is so transparent.
She tried to hide it, but Jegal Yeong saw.
Namgoong Yeonhui biting her lip right after her words.
Preemptive strike successful. Jegal Yeong smirked faintly.
How's that?
Your man's been spending time here with someone else.
Wonder what that feels like? I wouldn't know.
"Gaga, want some of my stir-fried rice?"
Not to be outdone, once the food arrived, Namgoong Yeonhui counterattacked.
Offering it casually, like it was natural.
Yeonhui gently grabbed Yi Se-woong's hand as he reached for his spoon, scooped some fried rice with hers, and fed it to him.
"Gaga, ahh~"
"......"
"Gaga?"
"Yeonhui, Senior's watching......"
"Getting shy now? So cute. Who cares? Come on, ahh~"
Continuing would've been weirder, so Yi Se-woong awkwardly accepted the bite to smooth things over.
"Now you have to feed me too?"
"Mm."
"Gaga, quick! Is your love cooling already?"
Yeonhui grinned cutely, acting spoiled. But Yi Se-woong felt subtle pressure. A hint of menace. No choice, he scooped some and fed her.
"Mmm, tastes better when Gaga feeds me."
Saying cheesy lines without a hint of embarrassment. But her bright smile hid eyes aimed at Jegal Yeong.
Jealous?
That's what her gaze said.
Meeting Namgoong Yeonhui's eyes twisted Jegal Yeong's mood.
Why should I be?
Them feeding each other was none of her business. Just think it's cringy in public and move on.
But.
Why does it piss me off?
Because the kid's younger and grating on her nerves?
Because her table manners were trash?
Neither.
I hate seeing it.
Heat rising in Jegal Yeong's heart.
A raw emotion she couldn't put into words.
Just.
Yi Se-woong speaking to Namgoong Yeonhui with a kind expression, indulging her whims reluctantly, her happiness watching it.
All of it disgusted her.
Do I... like him?
Me liking Yi Se-woong?
What a ridiculous joke.
She'd scoffed when Namgoong Yeonhui started needling her.
But what was this?
It was just a moment.
Just glimpsing their lovey-dovey act, and something boiled over.
A heavy grip on her heart.
Under Namgoong Yeonhui's endless provocations, Jegal Yeong finally realized.
The identity of this sticky emotion coursing through her veins.
It was jealousy.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The night echoed only with the soft chirp of crickets.
Yeonhui lay in bed, recalling the day's events.
It was nothing.
Denying it bothered her would be a lie.
She was curious.
About Jegal Yeong, who lately stuck to Yi Se-woong so much.
What kind of person she was, how he treated her.
She's decent-looking, I guess.
Jegal Yeong was a beauty. Smooth skin untouched even by the sun. Toned body from training. Yeonhui had felt a twinge of wariness.
But not worth worrying over.
It fizzled out.
To think the Jegal Yeong who'd always irked her was this underwhelming. The short skirt she'd worn to snag his attention even seemed cute now.
Gaga showed no interest.
To Yi Se-woong, Jegal Yeong was just his direct senior.
Nothing more, nothing less.
They spent a lot of time together, so they seemed close, but no signs he saw her romantically.
Unnecessary worry.
Her husband being such an outstanding man was a headache too. Fine jade shines even in mud. Inevitable that unworthy ones lusted after him.
Some, like Jegal Yeong, might be attractive.
Gaga might waver sometimes.
Not this time, but someday.
But it didn't matter.
Heroes were lustful by nature.
No plans to scold him for a little snacking.
After all, the deepest place in Gaga's heart is mine.
Deep-rooted conviction.
Faith in Yi Se-woong.
Thinking of him, Yeonhui lay down.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A day off.
The leisurely morning everyone welcomes.
I'd been handling all sorts of tasks, forgetting what leisure was. Thought it'd ease when work dried up. No such luck. Jegal Yeong filled it with extra training.
Today, do nothing and rest!
A long-overdue break.
Goal for the day.
Hole up in my room.
Even if Yeonhui comes, no dice today.
I steeled my resolve.
No one disturbs me.
Won't leave the room all day.
Planned a solid day like that.
"How long you gonna make me wait before showing up?"
But things don't always go as planned.
Namgoong Hwan's summons.
The old man greeted the off-duty me with a grumpy face.
"Scolding me right away. Haven't seen you in ages; isn't this too harsh?"
"Harsh? You saying that?!"
"?"
"Baekyangdan this, Baekryongdan that. So busy you don't show your face?"
"What? Newbie's got a lot to learn; what can I do?"
"Aigoo, might as well die old! So hard to see my grandson-in-law's face!"
Pretending to groan.
But he couldn't fool my eyes.
Anticipation in the old man's sidelong glance.
Setting the bait early; he wanted something from me.
"Fancy a game of baduk?"
"Bah! Think I'm obsessed with baduk?"
"......"
"You brat. Why the wide eyes?"
Why?
Suspicious glare.
"Called you for something else today."
The old man refusing baduk?