Adjusting the Gangster Male Lead’s Intensity [Novel] Chapter 26

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 26

Chapter Title: No More "Seo-bang-nim"

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Upon arriving home, O Seo-bang, who was passing near the entrance, greeted them with a bright smile.

"Young miss, young master. Did you have a good day at school?"

At first, she'd suspected he might be a spy, making his kind and diligent nature seem almost ridiculous in hindsight.

She hadn't judged him solely by his looks, but as I-heum Seo's right-hand man, she'd assumed he was intimidating.

'Usually, leaders don't get their hands dirty themselves; their closest aides handle the dirty work.'

But in reality, O Seo-bang was like the mother of this household. He scolded I-heum Seo, Do-gyeom Seo, and Yeol Seo when they stepped out of line, but the affection in it was plain to see.

Moreover, at some point, he began looking at Yi-hae Baek with the same fondness one might reserve for a daughter.

Whether it was due to I-heum Seo's acknowledgment of her, or the fact that she'd saved I-heum Seo and Yeol Seo, she couldn't say.

"Yes! Have you been keeping the house safe, Seo-bang-nim?"

Since he treated her so well, Yi-hae Baek reciprocated in kind. She even teased him like this.

He'd been flustered at first, but now he was quite accustomed to it and simply laughed it off.

"I've told you not to call me that."

Instead, it was the family—including Do-gyeom Seo—who stiffened every time she said it.

Just like now.

Do-gyeom Seo grabbed Yi-hae Baek by the nape as she smiled back at O Seo-bang and yanked her away from him. Not satisfied with that, he dragged her straight inside, leaving her blinking in bewilderment.

For some reason, O Seo-bang watched the whole scene with a fond expression.

"Hey, I can walk on my own! And since Uncle's name is Seo-bang, Seo-bang-nim fits perfectly!"

"If you're gonna call him that nonsense, you might as well curse him out."

No, had she ever seen such a disrespectful brat?

Was the yakuza seedling already sprouting? Yi-hae Baek pondered the matter seriously.

She halted her steps abruptly, drawing a puzzled look from Do-gyeom Seo.

"Do-gyeom Seo."

"Yeah."

"Uncle Seo-bang is..."

"O Seo-bang."

"...Right, Uncle O Seo-bang is."

Just one syllable's difference—why was he so stubborn about it?

Still, when she obediently went along with it, the faint crease between his brows finally smoothed out in satisfaction.

"He's someone who's always been good to you and Yeol. You shouldn't even joke about stuff like that, got it? Telling you to curse at him? That's seriously messed up, understand?"

Do-gyeom Seo's eyes darted around. Scary-looking men in black suits were everywhere nearby.

He was probably wondering why anyone in a household like this would fuss over something so trivial.

"Answer me quick! You gonna ignore your noona?"

"Noona? Didn't you just say I felt like an oppa you could rely on?"

His tone dripped with absurdity. Stung a little, she hesitated—then the status window popped up again.

'You're the one pulling tricks while acting all annoyed on the outside—enjoying it deep down!'

She'd nearly let herself feel guilty and shrink back. Straightening her slumped shoulders, she caught Do-gyeom Seo eyeing her with real interest.

"I can't tell if you're sharp or clueless."

"What's that supposed to mean all of a sudden?"

"I'm not the type to wear my emotions on my sleeve, but sometimes you act like you can see right through me. Just now, it felt like you were testing the waters, realized I wasn't serious, and switched up on me."

Yi-hae Baek flinched. Do-gyeom Seo rarely spoke at such length. She chalked it up to her quick wits, but he didn't look entirely convinced.

'Sharp kid. Better watch myself from now on.'

Not that confessing she read his mind via status window would fly anyway.

Yi-hae Baek didn't like that he wouldn't just agree with her. She pouted, and Do-gyeom Seo curved his lips into a small smile.

A smile he showed only occasionally in front of her.

"Got it. I won't make you curse at him."

"No, that's a given—and you better not do it either. I hate hearing you curse."

"Then stop calling him Seo-bang-nim. I hate hearing that too."

Did he hate cutesy talk? Or just her cringeworthy lines?

It wasn't a tough ask anyway, so Yi-hae Baek grinned brightly and nodded eagerly. If this could help straighten out Do-gyeom Seo's character, she'd do it a hundred times over.

"Deal! If you hate it, I won't either."

Do-gyeom Seo stared at her intently. Puzzled by the stare, she tilted her head—and he reached out.

His hand landed familiarly on her crown and gave it a pat.

"Good girl."

"..."

Do-gyeom Seo was one weird guy.

Really, how did a kid like this end up loving the female lead in that oppressive way, treating everyone around him so harshly?

It would hurt the female lead, the people around, and Do-gyeom Seo himself.

"Why that look again?"

"Do-gyeom Seo."

"Yeah."

"I like you the way you are right now. So don't you dare turn into a scary person."

Yakuza were scary by nature. Objects of fear. Violent people.

That was Yi-hae Baek's ingrained view, and even with everyone here—including I-heum Seo—treating her kindly, it didn't shift easily.

"I can't tell you not to become a yakuza, but..."

Yi-hae Baek forced a smile under Do-gyeom Seo's steady gaze. She just hated the heavy mood.

They might be close now, but she wasn't some massive influence to overhaul his life. She knew this was just empty whining.

"Come on, let's go say hi to Uncle quick! I promised Yeol we'd game today—gotta hustle."

She tugged Do-gyeom Seo's arm toward I-heum Seo's study. He stayed silent the whole way.

His noncommittal response stung her just a tiny bit.

"They've gotten way too close."

Greetings to I-heum Seo after school had become routine. He quietly valued family time, making a big deal of meals and hellos.

Yi-hae Baek secretly enjoyed it—it felt so genuinely familial.

Of course, he sometimes frowned at the sight of them strolling in hand-in-hand, just like now.

"Yi-hae, Uncle's told you time and again: don't go grabbing strange men's hands so casually."

At I-heum Seo's beckon, Yi-hae Baek dropped Do-gyeom Seo's hand and scampered over. Up close, his much larger hand ruffled her hair.

The men in this house sure loved patting Yi-hae Baek's head. Or maybe her petite noggin was just perfect for it.

Whatever—it made her feel kinda cute, so not bad.

Like father, like son.

Unlike Yi-hae Baek, those two were blood-related—yet so stingy with each other. Hilarious, really.

"But Do-gyeom Seo's basically family to me!"

This time, she took his side on purpose. I-heum Seo chuckled helplessly.

Glasses or no, his sharp aura held firm, accentuating his good looks.

'No pleasing this guy—even taking his side ticks him off.'

She'd thought they were bonding, but he remained an enigma.

Agreeing to see I-heum Seo again at dinner, she headed upstairs to change out of her uniform.

"Yi-hae Baek."

This time it was Do-gyeom Seo calling. Midway up the stairs, waving hellos to the adults around, she turned.

"What?"

"You and I aren't family."

Yi-hae Baek froze mid-step. The adults nearby blinked in shock before holding their breath and scattering quickly.

After a beat of silence, Yi-hae Baek scowled—something she rarely did. Whatever his angle, he'd know better.

How thrilled she'd been when I-heum Seo welcomed her as family. He'd seen it firsthand and had some idea how much she treasured that.

Yet here he was, denying it out of nowhere.

She started to demand why—then clamped her mouth shut. Irritation bubbled up.

"Fine, then we'll be family without you—me, Uncle, and Yeol?"

Good—no malice there. Her mood was still soured, though.

She'd tried playing it cool, but he'd caught the waver in her voice.

Suddenly embarrassed, Yi-hae Baek bolted from the scene. Just in case he followed, she hollered a warning.

"Follow me and it's over between us!"

At least the guy listened obediently. Obedient little punk!