I Became a Scoundrel of a Chaebol Family-Chapter 386

‘Ah, should I not have said that?’

I was just explaining what had happened, and it sort of slipped out from habit—but now it feels like I made a mistake.

I mean, if I tell a woman who’s already done everything that I’ve got marriage proposals coming in... of course she’s going to react coldly.

— What are you talking about? Marriage proposals?

But the water’s already spilled.

I can’t just walk it back now and say it was nothing.

“Well... You know how next month is our Victory Day? Apparently, some guests are coming. And since it’s a little awkward for outsiders to attend our family’s event without a reason, I think they’re using this as a kind of pretext.”

— So you're saying they used a marriage proposal as an excuse to visit? Who are they?

She pressed me with a slightly pointed tone.

Clearly, the idea of me receiving marriage proposals doesn’t sit well with her.

Maybe she wants to be my first wife? Given how our family works, I doubt she’s expecting to be the only wife... probably.

‘If she ever starts wanting that, our family’s definitely going to collapse...’

Just counting the ones I’ve slept with—there’s Go Min-young and Go Hayoung, both of whom control corporate branches within the militaris and finance sectors.

If they were to clash, it would basically be an all-out Asian civil war.

“Uh... it’s from the Three Great American Families. They seem to be running their own megacorps too. But to be honest, none of them contacted me directly, and even Grandfather only mentioned it in passing, so it really just felt like a formal greeting, nothing more.”

— Who the hell uses a marriage proposal as a greeting? That’s so damn rude.

“Well... maybe it’s just their way of doing things?”

— That old fossil, always fiddling with his Go board all day, and now he’s doing this kind of bizarre shit too? So? What did you decide to do about it?

“Me? I just listened and walked out.”

I didn’t bother mentioning that I’d come back with a full catalog of women.

Min-young treats sex with secretaries and guards as nothing more than glorified masturbation, but she’s more sensitive when it comes to women she considers to be on her level. No point poking the bear.

— Hmm... Really?

“Yeah. And look at my age. I’m nowhere near ready to get married. I’ve got you, Min-young.”

— Well... y-yeah, I guess so.

Thankfully, after some idle chatter, the tense atmosphere eased a bit.

— Still, that’s a bit sudden. Seems like there’s something weird going on over there too.

“Have you heard anything from your end?”

— Maybe something if it’s Asia. But for Europe or the U.S., I’ve only done cursory checks. I’d have to dig deeper. Still... if they’re going as far as marriage proposals right now, I should probably look into it.

“...You think a war’s about to start?”

— If things were that extreme, there’d be more definite signs. But... it’s true that tensions are rising. We’ve seen hints here and there.

America... what the hell is going on over there?

Maybe I should check the news.

— It probably won’t go to extremes just yet. At least not for the U.S. Europe, though—that’s another story.

“Didn’t Europe show some unity back when former Premier Li Wei held that Sino-unification summit? They all condemned us in one voice.”

— That was basically Germany leading the charge. Because we used the term “war criminal state,” they flipped their shit.

Was it?

It’s been so long I barely remember.

— Europe... might actually be heading toward a real war.

“Seriously?”

— Yeah. That’s why all our think tanks are focused there right now.

Holy shit.

Are we really gonna see World War IV in my lifetime?

It’s terrifying... but kind of exciting too.

If war really breaks out, what do I do?

Will Asia stay untouched? I doubt it.

— If even the still-composed Americans are sending marriage proposals... then Europe must be up to something.

“I haven’t heard anything yet.”

— Same here. Maybe they’ve got a secret agreement. Like, to keep outside powers out.

That... actually makes sense.

Especially in this block-divided world.

— Anyway, you’re not thinking of getting married yet, right?

“Of course not. Do I look like I’m at marriage age?”

— ...Right. Got it. If that’s how you feel, then I’ll handle it. I’ll talk to Grandfather.

“Huh? W-Wait, no, don’t. Grandfather didn’t seem that serious about it.”

— No. Stuff like this needs to be shut down early. I’m gonna make sure no one brings it up for the next ten years at least.

Uh...

That far?

— What kind of marriage proposal do you send to a kid who just became an adult?

Go Min-young continued to chew out Grandfather afterward.

It wasn’t actual cursing so much as a daughter scolding her father.

Despite all the shouting, it somehow felt... wholesome. Maybe our family’s sense of affection really is unusual.

Especially for a chaebol family.

Could we be... the only ones like this?

“I’ll come visit next week, Min-young. Probably leave on Friday.”

— Okay. I’ll get everything ready. Don’t forget to bring Minji too.

“Got it.”

After that long conversation, I finally hung up.

I tossed the phone aside and picked up the catalog scattered across the bed.

It «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» was full of provocative photos of the Western women who’d sent in their marriage proposals—like a damn fashion magazine.

“...Still, marriage is probably out of the question, right?”

Judging from Go Min-young’s extreme displeasure, it’s not gonna be easy.

And to be honest, I don’t even want to get married.

I mean, look at my lifestyle.

Does this look like someone who can manage a marriage?

What I want is someone absolutely devoted—who’ll never interfere with my sex life but offer her chastity to only me.

But all these women sending marriage proposals?

They’re all big shots in their own countries. Their pride must be through the damn roof.

If it were just a cockhouse, I could use status to keep them in line—but as wives? No thanks. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

‘Compared to that, the Go women are way more generous.’

Well, to be precise, it’s more like they don’t even consider anyone outside the family human.

So whatever I do, they don’t really care.

End result? No matter how much I sleep around, they take it in stride.

Especially Go Minji, who even joins in on the rapes.

Says it all, really.

But that’s not exactly a normal worldview.

Even if it's a marriage proposal from another megacorp’s owner family, expecting them to accept something like that is a pipe dream.

‘Guess I really do have to marry a Go woman...’

Maybe this is what they call fate.

+++

Since I was staying at Grandfather’s house, we also had dinner together—and that night, we had a pretty deep conversation about Go.

I’d been taking Go lessons from a professional female player for the past few months to suit Grandfather’s taste, and once he found out, he started asking all sorts of questions.

I’d gotten good enough to hold a decent conversation about it, and after dinner, we even had a quick match.

Of course, since Grandfather is practically in the top pro tier, I started with a four-stone handicap.

Even then, he completely shattered my territory and killed my groups, but it was a rare chance to see Grandfather’s ultra-focused face up close.

Just as we were finishing the game and reviewing it, something unexpected—and wild—happened.

Grandfather’s phone rang.

And even I, sitting across the table, could hear the high-pitched scream from the other end.

— Dad, are you out of your fucking mind???!!!!!!!!!!!

Grandfather’s face contorted in a deep frown, and he almost flung the phone away in shock.

That fierce lion’s roar came from none other than Go Hayoung—another Vice President of the group, and the Chair of Koryo Financial Holdings.

— What the hell do you mean you’re marrying Muyeol off?!

— He just became an adult!!!

Ah...

Didn’t see this coming.

How the hell did Go Hayoung find out?

Grandfather wouldn’t have told her.

And I only mentioned it to Go Min-young...

‘...Did Min-young seriously...?’

Did she tell Hayoung and form a joint resistance?

“Wh-Wh-What the hell is this brat even talking about?!”

Grandfather’s face went red as he shot up from his seat, roaring in a voice to rival Hayoung’s.

She didn’t back down one bit—they both kept yelling with equally deafening volume.

It was the exact same dynamic we always saw at family gatherings—only now it was happening over the phone.

“When did I say that?! I said a marriage proposal came in! I’m not pushing it! It just came in, you damn girl!!”

— Then why the hell did you accept it?! You could’ve just ignored it!!

“You little brat! What, since when do you care so much about Muyeol?! People would think you were his damn mom!”

The screaming match between Grandfather and Go Hayoung lasted for about 20 minutes.

They were both so loud, I could hear every word crystal clear without even trying.

Damn, Hayoung... you’ve got serious combat power. Going toe-to-toe with Grandfather like that...

But could you think about my situation too, please?

Feels like I’m going to get my ass chewed out when this call ends.

“You’re a damn man! And you went crying to a woman like some tattletale?!”

Yep. There it is.

Grandfather hung up the phone looking exhausted—and immediately turned his wrath on me.

“I-I didn’t snitch, I swear! I just said it in passing... I’m sorry...”

I didn’t think a careless comment would cause this much trouble.

Guess I really need to watch what I say.

“Unbelievable. In all my years, this is a first. Why the hell is that girl so obsessed? She should worry about her own damn business.”

Grandfather clicked his tongue, shook his head, and let out a long sigh.

Even though he looked like he was in his thirties, he suddenly seemed more like he was in his forties—maybe from all the stress.