A Baby Cat Who Commands the Dog Clan - Chapter 71

—————

This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

—————

Chapter 71
* * *
Afternoon.
For once, the entire family gathered leisurely in the Tea Room to enjoy tea together.
Nam Goong Baek found himself staring intently at his younger brother, Nam Goong Heuk, for some reason.
‘Hmm….’
The way he kept tapping a silk fan from one hand to the other was undeniably irritating.
‘Nam Goong Heuk has a blue silk cord ornament hanging from his waist too.’
His gaze shifted to the seemingly naive youngest, Jeok.
‘Nam Goong Jeok tied his hair with that blue silk cord.’
He had just witnessed Hong Seol, Deng Xiao Xiao, and Yang Do Jin passing by the Back Garden moments ago.
‘Those reckless fools were all wearing bracelets made from blue silk cords too.’
This information had become clear only after he channeled his inner energy to sharpen his vision.
All those blue silk cords undoubtedly came from Hong Seol.
He could be certain of this, having watched Hong Seol sew clumsily alongside the maidservant Mae Ran countless times.
‘Only I don’t have one.’
That was what had shocked Nam Goong Baek.
‘Seol gave that blue silk cord to everyone except me….’
Nam Goong Baek lifted his gaze toward Hong Seol with resentment in his eyes.
‘Why? Haven’t I been the kindest to her?’
Oblivious to all this, Hong Seol laughed cheerfully, enjoying the family time over tea.
Her carefree demeanor only twisted Nam Goong Baek’s insides further.
‘Even that beggar and the child from the Deng Family Estate received blue cords, and they’ve barely known her!’
The moment Nam Goong Baek gripped his silk fan so hard it creaked.
Hong Seol exclaimed proudly.
“I’m a member of Pal Shin Woo!”
“What is that?”
Nam Goong Ho set down his teacup and looked up.
Nam Goong Baek muttered quietly to himself.
“Surely not.”
“They’re my friends! Deng Xiao Xiao and Yang Do Jin, and me. The three of us founded Pal Shin Woo!”
His suspicion had been correct.
Nam Goong Baek suddenly felt a throbbing pain in his head.
“How wonderful that you’ve made friends, our Hong Seol.”
His oblivious father’s agreement only made Nam Goong Baek feel more uncomfortable.
“But isn’t having us as friends already enough for the little one?”
Nam Goong Heuk chimed in.
For the first time in his life, Nam Goong Baek felt the urge to pat his younger brother’s head.
“I’m here, and Jeok is here too—why does she need more friends?”
‘Why did he leave out my name?’
My momentary pride, however, quickly deflated.
Just then, the maidservant Mae Ran entered carrying a single plate.
“Wow, candied fruits!”
Jeok clapped his hands excitedly. Heuk didn’t show it outwardly, but his eyes gleamed with delight.
“Candied fruits!”
Hong Seol rose to her feet and reached for one, but hesitated.
It was because she’d met Nam Goong Ho’s stern, piercing gaze.
“Wan Li Yi Xian said you are forbidden sweets for the time being, Hong Seol. Your teeth are weak and could decay quickly, is that not so?”
“Ugh…”
“You should answer ‘Yes, sir!'”
“Yes, sir!”
Despite her spirited reply, Hong Seol sat down with a dejected expression.
There were three candied fruits on the plate. None were meant for her.
Unlike Heuk and Jeok, who munched happily on theirs, Nam Goong Baek merely stared at his.
Seeing this, Nam Goong Ho remarked.
“Tsk, no wonder rumors spread throughout the City that the Nam Goong Family’s eldest young master has such a finicky palate.”
Even at those words, Nam Goong Baek remained motionless, his eyes fixed on the candied fruit.
Heuk, having finished his own portion, asked Nam Goong Baek.
“Brother, aren’t you going to eat?”
“…”
Baek turned his head away without a word. Catching a glimpse of this, Heuk reached toward the plate.
“Then I’ll have it?”
Snap.
Baek’s finger stood guard over the dish like a sentry, blocking any access.
His gaze burned with intensity as a bonus.
“If you don’t want to give it, just say so… You’re really too much.”
“Nam Goong Heuk!”
At Nam Goong On’s sharp rebuke, Nam Goong Heuk clamped his mouth shut.
As time passed, the busy family members gradually left one by one.
Somehow, only Hong Seol and Nam Goong Baek remained in the Tea Room.
Before Nam Goong Baek, the dish of candied fruits still sat.
‘Finally, it’s quiet.’
He slid the dish of candied fruits toward Hong Seol.
“Go on, eat.”
“Huh?”
Hong Seol blinked in surprise.
“Is it… is it really okay for me to eat this?”
Nam Goong Baek let out a soft laugh.
“Why else would I have waited all this time?”
Hong Seol’s face brightened like the sun breaking through clouds.
“Thank you!”
Hong Seol accepted the confection from Nam Goong Baek’s hand and bit into it with a crisp crunch.
“It’s absolutely delicious!”
Her cheeks flushed a rosy pink like apples, glowing with the sweetness she hadn’t tasted in so long.
Nam Goong Baek watched her with a bittersweet expression.
‘I treat her so well, so why won’t she give me the blue silk ribbon?’
He was curious, but he couldn’t bring himself to ask.
‘It would make me seem too petty.’
Nam Goong Baek hesitated uncharacteristically, clenching his fists tight.
What if, by some chance, she simply didn’t consider him close enough to give him the blue silk ribbon?
With Nam Goong Baek lost in such troubled thoughts, Hong Seol was carefully watching for her opportunity.
‘If we’re alone like this now, maybe my brother will grant my request!’
Hong Seol hurriedly chewed and swallowed the confection stuffed in her cheeks, then gathered her courage to speak.
“Brother!”
Nam Goong Baek, who had been absorbed in thought, quietly lifted his gaze.
“Actually, there’s something I’d like to ask of you.”
“What is it?”
Hong Seol pulled a blue silk ribbon from her bosom.
“That is….”
Nam Goong Baek’s expression was ambiguous—neither quite crying nor laughing.
“Thank you.”
The moment he lifted his trembling hand to accept the blue silk ribbon.
“I’ll use it well——.”
“No, brother, that’s not what I’m giving it to you for!”
Hong Seol raised her small hand to cover her mouth so her words wouldn’t leak out, then whispered into Nam Goong Baek’s ear.
“Actually….”
After hearing Hong Seol’s explanation, he cleared his throat with a soft cough, concealing his flustered expression.
“You’ll help me, won’t you?”
“…It’s not a difficult task. Sigh.”
Hong Seol, not catching the sigh at the end, exclaimed with delight.
“Thank you, brother! I need to hurry and choose what to wear for going out!”
But as Hong Seol turned to leave, her collar was suddenly caught.
“Wait. You’re just going to leave after eating the confection?”
Nam Goong Baek held out a small hemp pouch with a stern expression. Inside were a pinch of salt and a carefully trimmed willow twig.
“Yes? But….”
“Go on.”
“Understood.”
Hong Seol accepted the hemp pouch for cleaning her teeth and left the room looking dejected.
Nam Goong Baek watched her departing figure, then turned his head to gaze at the blue silk ribbon remaining in his hand.
He’d thought he’d finally received the ribbon, only to learn it wasn’t meant for him at all.
“Sigh.”
He ran his free hand through the back of his hair, disheveling it, and bowed his head deeply.
* * *
Before long, a month had passed since Hong Seol, Deng Xiao Xiao, and Yang Do Jin made their promise.
“Sister!”
“Do Jin!”
Yang Do Jin, dressed in bright clothes, came scurrying to a halt in front of the Inn.
“Sister, are you all prepared?”
“Yes. I’ve made ready to cook the fish just as you said, but what is all this…?”
Mae Ok Ryung wore a bewildered expression.
And for good reason—unfamiliar men were unloading cargo in front of the inn.
“Out of the way, please!”
“Just a moment! I’ll show you fish so fresh they’ve only just come from the water.”
One of the sun-darkened men spoke with pride.
“I stake my reputation—they’ll be in the exact same condition as when I caught them yesterday afternoon!”
Yet the fish they unloaded from the cart lay motionless, wrapped in straw.
Mae Ok Ryung’s face showed disbelief.
“This… will actually work?”
The fisherman rolled up his sleeves, parted the straw, and hoisted a massive sea bass onto his shoulder.
He placed it upon the large wooden cutting board prepared at the inn.
“Now, watch closely!”
With lightning-quick movements, he pressed several points near the fish’s gills.
Flap!
The still fish suddenly thrashed its tail and fins wildly.
“Goodness!”
Mae Ok Ryung cried out in astonishment.
The flopping fish before her eyes looked exactly as if it had just been pulled from the boat.
Mae Ok Ryung, who had only ever been able to procure mediocre ingredients due to pressure from other shops, seemed delighted.
“I must try cooking with this right away!”
At Mae Ok Ryung’s brightened demeanor, Yang Do Jin’s expression also lit up.
“I’m looking forward to it, Sister!”
Shortly after, an abundant array of fish dishes was laid before Yang Do Jin at the table.
“Wow!”
There was steamed fish with the meat flaked and seasoned, fish lightly pickled in black vinegar and kelp, and crispy fried fish bones—each preparation distinct and varied.
Among them, one dish captured Yang Do Jin’s attention in particular.
“Sister, what is this?”

—————

This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

—————