Adjusting the Gangster Male Lead’s Intensity [Novel] Chapter 5

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 5

Chapter Title: Unwanted Betrothal

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'Seriously, that guy's got nothing going for him except his face.'

Pitying the future heroine who would end up with a guy like Do-gyeom Seo, Yi-hae Baek shot him a glare. She thought she'd done it subtly, but of course their eyes met.

Caught off guard, Yi-hae Baek quickly averted her gaze. But those same emotionless eyes were now fixed on her.

She hadn't expected I-heum Seo to actually eat the food anyway. As the highest-ranking person here, he probably wouldn't for the sake of his image.

'Just tell him to eat already! I don't care if he throws the chopsticks away—the food's getting cold!'

She was staring intently at I-heum Seo's lips when they finally parted, and he slowly took a bite of the braised short ribs...

What?

'Why are you eating food that's supposed to go in my mouth? Look, everyone's so shocked their jaws are about to drop.'

Yi-hae Baek hadn't expected I-heum Seo to actually eat it, so she couldn't hide her surprise. But the real shock was rippling through everyone around them.

The gang members gaped silently, while Yeol Seo’s eyes went wide. Even Do-gyeom Seo flinched a little this time. That reaction showed just how unusual this was for them.

"Now eat."

His calm words after startling everyone were basically permission. Whatever the process, they'd reached the desired outcome.

Yi-hae Baek couldn't hide her delight and broke into a wide grin.

"Yes! Enjoy your meal, sir!"

For a moment, it seemed like Do-gyeom Seo stared at her smile in a daze, but whatever. He was probably just baffled by how stupid she looked.

Unlike I-heum Seo, who chewed his food elegantly—maybe because there were no bones in the short ribs—Yi-hae Baek moved her chopsticks at lightning speed.

Her family watched in astonishment as the petite girl devoured her meal with surprising gusto.

"...Yeah, definitely a beggar."

Yeol Seo muttered with a disgusted look and finally picked up his spoon. Watching her eat made him feel unexpectedly hungry.

Is this the power of mukbang?

Yeol Seo began his meal while live-streaming her feast.

'This food is amazing! A rich family like this probably even has a live-in maid, right? Maids are the best!'

Yi-hae Baek stuffed side dishes into her mouth without touching her rice, her cheeks puffing out like a chipmunk.

At the silly, adorable sight, I-heum Seo sighed and slid a glass of water toward her.

"Eat slowly."

"Yesh! Shir!"

Unable to pronounce properly with her mouth full, she gulped it down and chugged the water before letting out a satisfied breath.

Now that some food was in her stomach, she felt alive again.

"Sir, you're as kind as you look!"

Gasps echoed from around the table. As if they were the audience.

"What do you mean by that?"

I-heum Seo asked flatly, ignoring the reactions. His face wasn't exactly kind or smiling, even if described generously.

He had to know that. But more importantly...

"You're handsome! Your face makes my eyes happy, so it's kind!"

It wasn't flattery—just the truth. The delicious food might have sweetened her words a bit.

Expecting him to dismiss it as nonsense, Yi-hae Baek was surprised when I-heum Seo quirked up one corner of his mouth in a smirk. It was a mocking smile, but dazzling enough to hurt her eyes.

'His vibe isn't bad after all. Maybe now's a good time to ask about that fiancée thing I overheard.'

The mood didn't seem hostile, so Yi-hae Baek put on an innocent expression and spoke up.

"Sir, I heard something weird, so can I ask you something?"

"Did some punk bother you?"

As he asked Yi-hae Baek, his cold gaze flicked to a gang member by the wall. The man frantically shook his head in denial.

"Oh, no, not that! Cute little Yeol said I'm Do-gyeom Seo's fiancée. He's mistaken, right?"

Yeol Seo choked at "cute," and Do-gyeom Seo slowly patted his back.

I-heum Seo's gaze returned to Yi-hae Baek.

"Correct. We're planning to get them engaged soon. The ceremony will be simple, and the wedding after they come of age—we'll rent a hotel..."

"No, wait a second!"

Yi-hae Baek cut him off as he rattled off the absurd plan with a straight face.

She jumped to her feet in panic, but somehow his eyes still seemed to look down at her.

His presence dwarfed Do-gyeom Seo's intimidating aura.

"Who decided that? I just met him today! You didn't even ask me, sir!"

"It was decided before you were even born."

"Did our parents promise? Or was it a dying wish?"

He didn't answer, but his silence confirmed it. Oh my god.

'The house is so modern, but their thinking is so outdated. Who does arranged marriages based on parents' promises anymore?'

Absolutely not.

'Besides, the original game never mentioned Do-gyeom Seo having a fiancée. Is this some minor detail that didn't make it in?'

Even if he was destined for the heroine later, she didn't want the title of ex-fiancée.

Do-gyeom Seo would eventually lead this yakuza family after I-heum Seo! What if enemies mistook her for his weakness and took her hostage?

"I don't want it!"

"Why not? You just have to show up."

Well, that part was tempting.

Yi-hae Baek hesitated for a second before shaking her head and pointing at Do-gyeom Seo.

"I may look at faces a lot, but I consider personality too!"

No thanks to being a yakuza wife!

At Yi-hae Baek's desperate refusal, I-heum Seo blinked slowly. No change in expression, but he seemed a bit thrown off.

"Hey, who are you to reject my brother?!"

While I-heum Seo and Do-gyeom Seo stayed calm, Yeol Seo was the one fuming.

He climbed onto his chair without manners and yelled, even pointing accusingly.

"I have tastes too!"

"My brother's face is everyone's type!"

"True, but...!"

Yi-hae Baek glanced at Do-gyeom Seo's face. His long bangs hid his features, but his sharp jawline and smooth skin screamed model material.

Ugh, damn it, he had a point!

"You said you hated being his fiancée earlier!"

"Yeah, but I hate you rejecting him even more, you pumpkin! It's for the family's honor!"

"Your tiny brain gets what family honor means?!"

"Quiet."

The gang members fidgeted, unable to intervene as the two shouted at each other.

One was the young master, the other a girl personally acknowledged as a guest by I-heum Seo!

I-heum Seo silenced them, rubbing his temple like he had a headache and gesturing for them to sit.

"Both of you, sit down."

"Dad!"

"Yeol Seo. Who told you to climb on the chair during dinner?"

His gaze was icily stern for a child. Yeol Seo flinched, eyes welling up as he sat. Yi-hae Baek felt bad and scratched the back of her neck.

'Better sit before I get scolded too.'

She sat quietly, and the room fell silent. Only Yi-hae Baek and Yeol Seo stole glances at I-heum Seo.

Do-gyeom Seo, meanwhile, leisurely cut his steak.

"If the parties involved don't want it, I won't force it. But to honor your parents' dying wish, we'll proceed with a simple engagement ceremony."

"Sir!"

"It won't even be recorded—just a formality. After that, you two decide."

The "two" meant Yi-hae Baek and Do-gyeom Seo. Since he wouldn't marry her anyway, it was somewhat reassuring.

'Well, if it's just a formal engagement...'

Besides, refusing outright felt wrong with the dying wish brought up.

She nodded in understanding, and the issue was settled for now. The silent meal resumed.

'I was too busy eating earlier, but they really eat quietly.'

Do-gyeom Seo was quiet by nature, but she hadn't expected chatty Yeol Seo to be too.

He seemed deeply wronged by the scolding—tears brimmed in his eyes, and his forehead looked even redder, like a bump was forming.

Finally realizing her fault, Yi-hae Baek spoke cautiously.

"Um, I have something to apologize for."

"What?"

"It wasn't on purpose, but I accidentally hurt Yeol Seo's forehead. It was just a rubber band, so it should be fine soon, but..."

She hoped they wouldn't bury her alive for harming the precious youngest.

Her voice trailed off as she explained. Only then did I-heum Seo's gaze shift to Yeol Seo.

Yeol Seo gripped his fork tensely, but after a quick glance, I-heum Seo looked away and said casually,

"It's fine."

That's it?

Yi-hae Baek gaped. Was he saying that to spare her guilt? It still didn't make sense.

'Why doesn't he even ask him if he's okay?'

She saw Yeol Seo bite his lip hard. No one else seemed to notice or care.

Aw, crap.

This was the moment she felt sorriest for Yeol Seo yet.