A Baby Cat Who Commands the Dog Clan - Chapter 72

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

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Chapter 72
Yang Do Jin pointed to a dish of raw fish sliced paper-thin into delicate strips.
“It’s called fish fillet. In my hometown, we eat fresh raw fish like this. We serve it with ginger and scallions.”
Raw fish with ginger and scallions.
Yang Do Jin picked up his chopsticks and hesitated for a moment. Mae Ok Ryung wiped her hands on her apron with an apologetic expression.
“Raw food makes you uncomfortable, doesn’t it?”
“Not at all!”
At those words, Yang Do Jin immediately picked up a piece of the fish fillet. No matter how unfamiliar raw food was to him, he didn’t want to hurt Mae Ok Ryung’s feelings.
‘Thinking of everything she’s done for me, this is nothing!’
Steeling himself, Yang Do Jin placed the fish in his mouth and was utterly astonished.
“Oh!”
“Yang Do Jin, you shouldn’t talk with food in your mouth.”
Chastened by Mae Ok Ryung’s rebuke, Yang Do Jin closed his mouth and chewed thoroughly before swallowing, his eyes widening in wonder.
“Sister, this is truly delicious!”
“My, is it?”
Mae Ok Ryung covered her mouth and laughed.
“Inland people rarely eat raw fish, but in the small coastal village of Gangso Province where I’m from, it’s considered a delicacy. I finally managed to obtain fresh fish, so I thought I’d prepare it.”
“It’s so delicious! With this, wouldn’t the Giru become quite famous?”
At that moment, Mae Ok Ryung smiled sadly.
“But Yang Do Jin, what’s the point of this food if no one eats it?”
“Ah…”
“You eat it willingly because you care for me, but will others do the same?”
Yang Do Jin scratched his head. She was right, after all.
Despite the inn being open all this time, he hadn’t seen a single customer walk through the door.
The shop was simply located in too remote a location.
‘No matter how delicious the food is, it’s useless if there are no customers like this.’
Thinking this way, Yang Do Jin became even more curious about Hong Seol’s plan.
‘What exactly is Hong Seol trying to do?’
That day in the Pavilion of the Nam Goong Family Estate.
Hong Seol hadn’t told Deng Xiao Xiao and Yang Do Jin her entire plan.
“I’m not sure if it’ll work out. For now, Xiao Xiao, you handle the fish, and Yang Do Jin, just prepare what I asked!”
And a month had already passed.
During that time, Deng Xiao Xiao had pestered the Deng Family Estate’s master to arrange for fresh fish from fishermen.
Thanks to Hong Seol introducing the Mu Young Merchant Guild, transportation was resolved without difficulty.
“I’m so grateful for all the effort our Yang Do Jin has put in, but making the inn successful turned out to be harder than I expected.”
Mae Ok Ryung stroked Yang Do Jin’s head with her hand, missing one index finger.
It was her way of saying he’d done enough and didn’t need to strain himself further.
“Still, now that we’ve finally received such good fish, why don’t we do our best with business today? If there’s any left over, we’ll just eat it ourselves, won’t we?”
That was when it happened.
The front of the inn suddenly became very noisy.
Yang Do Jin craned his neck to peer outside, and his face contorted in bewilderment.
“What’s going on? Why isn’t Deng Xiao Xiao coming in and just standing there like that?”
Through the crack in the door, Deng Xiao Xiao stood with her hands clasped at her chest, staring so intently at something that she looked ready to drool.
Then the inn door opened.
Only then did Yang Do Jin understand the reason.
Standing before the inn was the eldest young master of the Nam Goong Family, his face serene as falling snow.
He was famous for rarely leaving the Estate Grounds except to attend the Academy.
Yang Do Jin had never even heard rumors of him wandering about a place like an inn.
“Why is Young Master Nam Goong Baek here of all places?”
“Hehe.”
From behind him, the small girl Hong Seol peeked out with her head tilted, her tiny pink tongue poking out playfully.
Only then did Yang Do Jin grasp Hong Seol’s scheme.
Days ago at the Pavilion, Hong Seol had made him promise several times.
“Listen, I need you to bring lots of beggars. I need people with loud voices who can spread word throughout the neighborhood!”
At the time, he hadn’t understood why Hong Seol said such things.
‘So she was planning to bring Young Master Nam Goong Baek all along.’
From his earliest years, Nam Goong Baek had commanded everyone’s attention.
Being the legitimate eldest son of the Nam Goong Family and the living fruit of a famous love story certainly helped.
But above all, he was renowned since childhood for his refined features and exceptional martial prowess.
Wherever he went, people naturally gathered.
Moreover, he rarely ventured outside these days.
The inn visited by Young Master Nam Goong Baek, who had secluded himself for three years.
The cuisine chosen by the eldest young master of the Nam Goong Family, famous for his discerning palate!
‘So that’s what she meant by spreading rumors.’
Gazing into the small girl’s clear eyes, Yang Do Jin let out a hollow laugh.
“Hong Seol, you really are something….”
Whether it was amusement, astonishment, or admiration.
Something indescribable surged up from within his chest.
“I can’t handle you.”
Yang Do Jin said this while looking at Hong Seol, and the embarrassed girl hid behind Nam Goong Baek.
“It’s nothing special, really….”
Suddenly, Nam Goong Baek’s eyes sharpened, and he raised his wide sleeve to shield Hong Seol’s view.
It was as though he were protecting a precious jade.
As Yang Do Jin’s and Nam Goong Baek’s gazes collided, sparks seemed ready to ignite.
Mae Ok Ryung, who had been in the kitchen, poked her head out with an expression of disbelief.
“The eldest young master of the Nam Goong Family has arrived…?”
She, who had once played the lute at Giru, understood how crucial the caliber of guests was to an inn’s reputation.
And she knew well that a young master of the Nam Goong Family would never accidentally set foot in such a shabby establishment.
And yet….
The handsome face of Young Master Nam Goong Baek, sharp as a polished chestnut, was right before her eyes.
True to the rumors, he was a boy whose appearance suggested that with just a few more years, he’d have the ladies swooning.
“Oh my!”
Mae Ok Ryung, startled, dropped the tray she’d been carrying in her arms.
“Oh dear, oh dear. To commit such rudeness before the young master of the Nam Goong Family…”
Nam Goong Baek continued to shield Hong Seol from Yang Do Jin’s gaze, his tone decidedly reluctant.
“…Would it be possible to have something to eat?”
“What would you like?”
“Whatever the Innkeeper here is most confident in preparing.”
“Of course! We have some wonderfully fresh fish at the moment! Please, sit over here.”
The two were guided to the table beside Yang Do Jin’s.
Nam Goong Baek naturally positioned himself in the chair between Hong Seol and Yang Do Jin.
Following behind Baek, the warriors of the Changcheon Division filed in one after another.
When Nam Goong Baek mentioned he was going out to the Market District, Nam Goong On had sent along an escort.
As a result, the small inn quickly filled to capacity, and the chattering warriors ate quite heartily.
“Another plate of the fish here, please! I’ve never tasted such a savory fish dish!”
“Two more plates of the fish here and some Bamboo Leaf Green Wine!”
“And add some seasoned fried flounder!”
That wasn’t all.
Deng Xiao Xiao was also busy sampling food with her own guards.
Moreover, from somewhere, Elder Judge Nam Goong Mu Young had appeared with his merchant guild workers, raising cups of wine.
With so many orders pouring in, even Yang Do Jin had to tie on an apron and hurry about carrying plates.
“Could I perhaps also try some of that fish dish?”
“Bring me the same thing the young master of the Nam Goong Family is eating!”
The beggars from the Beggar Sect running about with their feet on fire had proven effective.
Before long, the area in front of the inn was teeming with people who’d heard the news.
Only then did Yang Do Jin, finally able to relax, break into a bright smile.
“Sister!”
“Goodness, how grateful I am!”
Even as Mae Ok Ryung busily sliced and fried fish, her expression was one of pure joy.
Only after all the fish that had arrived that day was completely sold out did the people reluctantly leave the inn.
Mae Ok Ryung emerged from the Kitchen, wiping her hands with a bewildered expression on her face.
“The plan was a complete success!”
Hong Seol, standing right beside Nam Goong Baek, had her eyes sparkling brightly.
Mae Ok Ryung was so moved that she bowed deeply.
“Thank you, young master.”
“You should thank this one instead. I came here at her request.”
At Nam Goong Baek’s words, Mae Ok Ryung clasped her hands to her chest and spoke to Hong Seol.
“How could such a tiny young lady accomplish this! Truly, what an unbelievable day. Thank you so much, miss.”
“Hehe, it was all of us in Pal Shin Woo working together!”
“Pal Shin Woo?”
“It means a trustworthy friend at eight years old! Deng Xiao Xiao, Yang Do Jin, and I created it together.”
Mae Ok Ryung’s expression grew peculiar as she turned to look at Yang Do Jin.
Yang Do Jin waved his hand helplessly, as if to say there was nothing he could do.
Mae Ok Ryung bowed deeply to Hong Seol once more.
“Whenever Pal Shin Woo holds a gathering, please feel free to use our inn. I shall provide delicious food free of charge for life!”
“Yaaay!”
The three little ones let out excited cheers.

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

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