“Please come in. The Head of the Family is waiting for you.”
The next morning. The hard-won second chance for the rematch. It was finally time to avenge the defeat in the first round.
“They’ve come.”
As soon as I entered, the cold tone hit me like a slap in the face.
Stay calm.
I have no intention of repeating the errors from the first match. Father-in-law, I have so much to say. Even if I bring up justifiable excuses, it would only reserve my spot in the Brainwashing Special Room today.
A different plan is needed.
Hoping to succeed by executing the same plan without self-reflection is like betting your life on the flip side of a coin.
Let’s change the strategy.
I focus my strength on my soles and advance, feeling my father-in-law’s icy gaze pierce through me.
Walking with confidence.
“I’m sorry! Father!”
I knelt as gracefully as a picture.
“…What are you apologizing for?”
I guess kneeling right away wasn’t anticipated. It took some time for my father-in-law to respond.
Good omen. Just wishing the floor wasn’t stone, because that hurts more than I practiced.
Let’s get started.
“Since meeting you, Father, I’ve been endlessly self-reproaching. No matter the reason, living together from the start was a mistake! I should have first apologized to you, Father!”
I begin with unconditional apologies. Unlike when we first met, I’ll shift the blame entirely onto myself.
“Is that what you’ve realized now?”
My father-in-law’s anger pierces through me.
Doesn’t matter. I am but a target prepared. I have been waiting for this.
“I truly apologize, Father! I should have understood my parents’ hearts, but under the weight of the Zhuge family’s name, I made the foolish mistake of prioritizing my own path!”
My father-in-law had sent skilled warriors after me.
I felt something might happen, so I prepared my excuses in advance. I sprinkle explanations while blaming myself to avoid provoking his anger too much.
“Ha! I can’t tell if I’m meeting the man living with my daughter or a merchant!”
“It’s all my fault! I acted like a merchant trying to curry favor, wanting your acknowledgment! I should have shown my genuine feelings to earn your heart!”
I clenched my fists in a display of self-reproach and shame.
Father-in-law, this time is different.
It’s all my fault. It’s because of me. I am shedding the armor I wore to protect myself and exposing myself.
This was a risky move that could end in nothing but scorn and banishment. I had to gamble everything on my father-in-law’s forgiveness. Betting everything on the flip side of a coin isn’t my preferred move, but…
‘Since my mother-in-law is my safety net…’
With a reliable ally by my side, it felt different.
Even if I unarmed myself and declared unconditional surrender, I’d still have to keep an eye on my wife, who was glaring at me.
My father-in-law looked at me with disapproval but soon, with a bitter expression, spoke.
“Living with my precious youngest daughter without my permission! Do you know what it feels like to have the sky fall on you?”
“I truly apologize!”
Even if he scolds me, he will eventually engage in conversation.
“I was contemplating running in there with a weapon, you know.”
“Father-in-law, but why are you holding a steel brush?”
“Hahaha…”
The Zhuge family’s secret writing tool, the Judge’s Brush. He probably thought it couldn’t strangle me like a brush from the scholar’s study.
“Why do you keep moving your legs?”
Because if I get hit by that, I’ll die, of course.
“I-I just moved a bit because my leg was getting numb.”
“Ahem… What’s that you brought with you?”
Fortunately, the Judge’s Brush did not become my demise.
“This is Korean ginseng from Joseon.”
I presented a luxurious box that I had brought with me.
“Ginseng?”
“It’s getting cold, so I thought you might want to take care of your health. I personally selected only the finest quality.”
A gift for my prospective father-in-law. I opened the box.
“That’s… Huh?!”
Even the Head of the Zhuge family couldn’t help but stop and stare in surprise.
What I presented was a super premium selection, meticulously chosen by someone who had only seen ginseng for twenty years.
Any martial artist would increase their favorability just by receiving it. The notification message couldn’t help but appear. Except for my father-in-law, who had a lukewarm reaction.
If I don’t grease the wheels, that is.
“I heard my mother-in-law had trouble sleeping a few nights ago, and that her hands and feet tend to be particularly cold. Even if you don’t need it, she would surely appreciate you preparing some for her.”
“What?! Is that really so?”
How would I know?
Anyway, if I cooked it using what my son-in-law gave me, I’d score points with my mother-in-law. I whispered slyly.
My father-in-law kept alternating his gaze between the ginseng and me, then clicked his tongue and extended his hand.
“Tsk. Fine. I will graciously accept it.”
It was subtle, but I could see my standing in my father-in-law’s eyes rising.
———
“Sit up.”
“Thank you!”
I had just leveled up from being someone to lock up in the Brainwashing Room to someone who could take a seat.
“So, is it true that you saved my father-in-law?”
I was slightly flustered by the sudden topic thrown my way.
Now, I had a chance to appeal to my father-in-law. I had to hold back. Look at his expression. He looks indifferent.
He’ll definitely disregard any bragging I do.
He was likely asking to hear about Man Geum-jeon’s news, not interested in my self-praise.
It’s a good opportunity, no doubt. Is there a way to break through this solid wall of his heart… maybe? Yes!
I carefully opened my mouth.
“It’s true that I noticed the poison in the wine my father-in-law was about to drink and warned him, but it was truly my father-in-law who saved the day.”
Let’s twist this into a story that praises him instead of me.
“Me?”
“If it weren’t for the life-saving ring you gifted me for my sixtieth birthday, I wouldn’t have been able to save him. Plus, I also ate one, so you are the benefactor of my life as well.”
“A life-saving elixir crafted from an abundance of medicinal herbs. I’m glad it helped you, Father-in-law.”
A smirk appeared on one side of my father-in-law’s mouth.
Good. Let’s stir the pot and fan the flames of good feelings.
“The physicians couldn’t contain their admiration! They said it would have been a disaster without the life-saving ring! Who would have thought you would be so prepared for such an eventuality? It turns out that the Man Geum-jeon Lord really does consider you the best among his sons-in-law!”
“Did the father-in-law really say that?”
My father-in-law widened his eyes and asked me.
I’m going to cover my face with one hand, pretending to whisper to share a secret with him so no one else hears.
“He mentioned that among his daughters, Mother is the best, and among his sons-in-law, you are the greatest! He told me not to mention it anywhere; you must have been ecstatic.”
“Hmph! The father-in-law really… only speaks of such things in private.”
Both corners of my father-in-law’s mouth rose.
Indeed, compliments can make even a whale dance. Especially when the praise comes from a person known to be miserly with their compliments.
“I know you’re someone who is stingy with praise. You’d rather push your people hard if you see them as your own.”
The only issue is that I’ve never heard anything personal about Jang Noya. Regardless, if he permits me as his son-in-law, I’ll rise to be the number one son-in-law, so it’s not a concern.
“Yes. In my youth, I went through quite a bit to gain your favor.”
“I see. You’re a man of great patience. One day you’ll get to know the father-in-law’s true character.”
At that moment, my father-in-law’s interest in me seemed to grow.
“Let’s have tea.”
——
“What do you find appealing about my daughter?”
Here it comes. The classic question from a prospective father-in-law. I steadied my nerves, feeling like I might choke on my own words.
She’s beautiful. My hand doesn’t fit around her chest. Her cheeks are so soft that it makes me feel good. No, let’s leave out such superficial answers.
“Miss Zhuge is…”
“Enough.”
“Huh?”
“I can tell you’re about to say something that will just upset me.”
My father-in-law turned his head, realizing he made a blunder.
“I have many things I’d like to say.”
I had prepared model answers!
“Are you referring to stories from living with my daughter?”
“…”
“I can’t imagine anything about my daughter that you wouldn’t find appealing. This can only lead to frustration, so let’s stop.”
His confidence in his daughter is strong. Yet, objectively speaking, Zhuge So-jeo could hold her own even among beauties anywhere.
“What is your dream?”
My father-in-law shifted gears, correcting his earlier blunder.
“My dream?”
“A man should have at least one dream. Tell me.”
“It can’t be just about being a son-in-law.”
“Then what is it?”
He seems to have no real expectations of me, judging by his tone. This is the chance to show him a facet of myself that will pique his interest.
I decided to open my mouth.
“I want to make it so that people recognize you not just as the Head of the Zhuge Family, but as Kang Yoon-ho’s father-in-law.”
I packaged my goal provocatively to draw his interest.
“What? What do you mean by that?”
“I want my name to be known throughout the world.”
I placed my hand over my heart.
I’m showing my bare self, ready to drop the armor of my heart. I reveal the dream I hold dear.
A goal I carry in my heart that does not waver, one that no one dares to utter out loud, even though it’s an aspiration that could be regarded as unrealistic. Yet, I am moving forward.
“I want people of the Central Plains to hear the name Kang Yoon-ho, not just as the son-in-law of the Zhuge family or the heir of Man Geum Battlefield but someone whose name they all know! I don’t want to be a son-in-law they are embarrassed to introduce; I want to be one they can proudly boast about. And…”
I let the words linger to catch my father-in-law’s attention.
“And?”
With just a hint of embarrassment.
But proudly:
“I want one day for people to mention your name not just as the Head of the Zhuge Family but say, ‘That’s my father-in-law.’”
I’m expressing my dream.
“Oh…”
A pleasant sigh grazed my ears.
———
“I heard you caught the Demon.”
Was it just my imagination?
My father-in-law’s gaze softened slightly.
“It was sheer luck. I never expected someone who could skin a person’s face and eat their brain to infiltrate with plans for the Man Geum Battlefield!”
“Did he create the Impeachment Gate by eating brains?!”
“Yes. That scoundrel disguised himself as a candidate for your position and hid among us.”
“What?! You’re telling me you captured such a guy?!”
“Yes.”
“Tell me all about it.”
Unlike before, he seemed fully prepared to listen. Good! This time, let’s really brag as a son-in-law.
“It was…”
“Head of the Family!”
Just as I was about to elaborate, the office door burst open.
“What’s happening?”
Why do they look so frantic?
“The Elders’ Council members!”
“The Elders’ Council? Why?”
“The members of the Elders’ Council are rushing toward the Head Family’s Hall!”
