Chapter 6
Chapter 6
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: The Glutton's Unexpected Ally
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The place I was staying was a guest room in the outer hall for receiving visitors.
"At first, I thought your family wanted to call off the engagement."
Namgoong Yeonhui's light scolding.
The moment we were alone, she started dropping hints right away.
"How could that be? I was just protesting because everyone was against it."
"Really?"
"I said I'd take responsibility. Don't you trust me?"
"Tch..."
"Your father just watched without doing anything, so what could I do?"
She agreed with the situation at the time, so she was at a loss for words for a moment.
If you hadn't brought up last night in the first place!
"Even if they oppose it, what can they do? Worst case, we can just run away from home!"
"Yeonhui. That's something we should save as a last resort."
"Still..."
"I'll persuade the elders properly, so wait and see. I've got plans."
Surprised by my words, Yeonhui's eyes sparkled.
A bold declaration.
True to my word, I already had several methods in mind.
A grand plan to escape being the Namgung Family's son-in-law!
"To do that, you'll have to help me."
"How?"
"What the family likes and dislikes. Last time, Mother-in-law was pleased enough with the modest gifts, but there's no guarantee the others will be."
Yeonhui flinched.
It was a petty revenge of sorts.
I'd been embarrassed last time, after all.
"At least Mother-in-law is on our side."
"The Retired Family Head too."
"I should pay him a visit soon."
Even though he'd deliberately stormed out, the reaction wasn't bad.
Who would've thought there were favorable people even after I caused a scene in the heart of the Namgung Family.
I'll make it so no one wants to acknowledge it.
I had to convince them.
To make them hate me.
I'll exit amid everyone's opposition.
Of course, I had no intention of repeating last time's failure.
I wouldn't judge based solely on Yeonhui's words.
I started by getting friendly with the Namgung Family's servants first.
Once I cross-checked the rumors I heard from them with Yeonhui's words, then I'd act.
This time, for sure.
I had to be meticulous in every aspect.
"Second Brother is in big trouble. They even brought up whether the family should manage him at the meetings..."
The first person I approached was Namgoong Hyu.
I'd heard about him from Yeonhui before.
The second son of the Namgung Family, lost in gluttony.
Even without prior acquaintance, I knew who he was.
During the chaos of the family head selection when I was making a racket.
I spotted him devouring the sweets tray without a care for the surroundings and immediately knew he was the second son.
Still, seeing his massive build up close left me stunned.
Is this a person or a slab of pork?
Children of martial families rarely got fat.
Unless they neglected their training.
But Namgoong Hyu, despite being a diligent trainer who never slacked, was morbidly obese by normal standards.
He looks like a balloon.
His bloated belly was as wide as a cart wheel, and his plump limbs rivaled temple pillars.
"Eat up, everyone~."
I only realized after sharing a meal with Namgoong Hyu.
The table, big enough for eight people to lie on comfortably, was piled high with food.
All of it greasy to the extreme.
And he washed it down with cups overflowing with strong liquor.
He'd have to be living wrong not to gain weight.
"Does it suit your taste?"
"Yes. Thank you for inviting me."
Namgoong Hyu was too busy gorging to care, so his wife, Sanggwan Yeong, was looking after us.
She was a refined lady who clearly came from a good upbringing, and she got along very well with Namgoong Yeonhui without any reservations.
"Sister-in-law, shouldn't you stop Brother?"
"Stop him from what?"
"He'll end up buried in his own fat and die."
"Why~? His plumpness is just lovely to look at."
Love is truly blind.
To gaze lovingly at that swollen body. Or maybe just a unique taste.
"Son-in-law, why are you staring at me so intently?"
"It's nothing."
Of course, some people are pretty even without the blinders.
As expected, first target: Namgoong Hyu.
There were several reasons for choosing Namgoong Hyu.
First, he didn't repulse me.
Put nicely, he had no particular feelings about me.
His only concern was probably what to eat tomorrow.
Second, his gluttony.
Appetite is a primal desire. Interfering with it would naturally provoke great anger. He was the easiest to turn hostile intuitively.
So, I set a date and secretly had Namgoong Yeonhui summon Sanggwan Yeong.
"What's this about?"
"Sister-in-law, it's not me— the son-in-law asked to see you."
Sanggwan Yeong looked at me curiously at Yeonhui's response.
We'd only shared one meal, so it was natural.
"Do you truly love Namgoong Hyu?"
"Of course."
Sanggwan Yeong answered immediately, as if no thought was needed.
"Then hear me out. If things continue like this, he won't live long."
"How dare you say such an ominous thing!"
A somewhat rude remark.
But I needed to shock her to persuade her.
"This is sincere advice for your happy marriage."
I meant it.
I wanted to help so this wife, who loved even her rotund husband, wouldn't grieve.
Eyes don't lie.
Seeing my unwavering gaze, she began to listen.
"Obesity is the root of all diseases. You know that, don't you?"
"Well..."
"Right now, his exceptional martial arts hide any issues, but as time passes, he'll suffer from illnesses."
"Then what should I do?"
"From tomorrow, only serve the dishes I recommend. They are..."
And so, Namgoong Hyu's dietary reform began.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Food is the joy of life.
That was Namgoong Hyu's creed.
So he was bewildered when the food on his table changed.
"Wife, what's going on here?"
"I've taken up cooking as a hobby lately. Try it."
He usually left it to the servants.
At his wife's sudden personal service, Namgoong Hyu happily picked up his chopsticks.
But something was off.
The table was filled with chicken dishes.
Braised chicken, steamed chicken, boiled chicken, and more.
All things he enjoyed.
But the difference was that every ingredient was made solely from chicken breast.
It's edible, but...
His wife's lovingly prepared food tasted too healthy.
For someone used to greasy feasts, it fell short.
Too chewy!
And the dry, fibrous texture that clogged his throat with every bite...
It felt like torture.
As his chopsticks slowed, Sanggwan Yeong asked.
"Doesn't suit your taste?"
"Of course not!"
Namgoong Hyu truly loved his wife.
The woman who cherished him endlessly despite others' scorn.
He couldn't complain about food she'd made.
Maybe some salt?
The chicken breast's gamey smell seeped through the blandness.
He tried adding seasonings to mask it.
No use.
It's not Wife's fault. This food just can't taste good!
The tough texture was like chewing leather.
Who the hell invented this cruel cooking method?
The side vegetables were his only salvation.
Never thought grass would taste good.
Despite his inner turmoil, praise poured from Namgoong Hyu's mouth.
"Even the rarest delicacies couldn't taste better than this!"
"I'm glad you like it, dear. I'll keep cooking for you."
Namgoong Hyu wanted to scream.
But he couldn't refuse his beaming wife's offer.
A day, two days passed like that.
A week later, Sanggwan Yeong sought me out.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Little brother-in-law. Is this really right?"
Sanggwan Yeong burst in unannounced.
Tears welled in her worried eyes.
"What do you mean?"
"I followed your advice, but... watching my husband waste away day by day is too painful."
He's not wasting away—he's losing weight.
I swallowed the urge to snap.
"That's proof his condition is improving. A good sign."
"Really?"
"Yes, sister-in-law. Steel your heart. Pain is fleeting, but health lasts a lifetime."
I had to be firm to steady her resolve.
Smooth sailing.
Chicken breast.
Nothing better for shedding pounds.
With some carbs and veggies on the side.
But why do so many fail despite the shortcut? Because chicken breast tastes awful.
It's tough.
Boiled, grilled, fried.
No method erases its inherent chewiness.
And the gamey smell.
Even smothered in spices, that distinct chicken breast aroma punches through.
I'd forbidden seasonings for health, so no masking it.
Heh heh, Namgoong Hyu. Suffer all you want.
A first for him, probably.
He'd spared no expense on fine food before.
Being denied gourmet pleasures.
Torture for a glutton like him.
Let him harbor resentment toward me instead of fat.
Two weeks later.
The moment I'd hoped for arrived.
BAM!
"Brother-in-law! Are you here?!"
Namgoong Hyu stormed into the outer hall room like he was kicking down the door.
I could barely hide my grin at his agitated state.
Finally.
Two weeks since I baited via Sanggwan Yeong.
Enough to test anyone's patience.
"What brings you here, Brother?"
"Is it true you're the one who recommended those dishes to my wife?!"
Namgoong Hyu bellowed, demanding an answer.
He looked completely different from two weeks ago.
The puffed-up blobs of flesh were gone, replaced by chiseled musculature like a statue.
With that training regimen, swapping food makes the fat melt fast.
I'd told Sanggwan Yeong when suggesting the diet.
If Namgoong Hyu asked the cause, tell him honestly.
Now he'll hate me!
That's right, Namgoong Hyu.
I'm the one who made you eat nothing but tough chicken breast.
Got used to the gamey smell yet?
How's that K-diet taste!
I smirked provocatively, but his response was unexpected.
"Thank you!"
"Pardon?"
"I wondered how to curb my gluttony. Thanks to your advice, I'm this healthy now."
"?"
"Overflowing energy's improved our harmony too. Might even have a third child, haha!"
Namgoong Hyu grabbed my hand with a bright smile.
"You're our family's blessing, a blessing! No matter who opposes, I'm on your side. Trust me, brother-in-law!"
This isn't what I wanted...
Now I had two more ardent supporters for the engagement.