Chapter 3:The Mask of the New Bride

Jungkook lay down under the red silk quilt, staring at Taehyung’s broad, unmoving shoulders in the dark.

He has strong principles Jungkook thought, his 26-year-old corporate brain shifting into analytical mode. ‘Good. We don't know each other. Slow and steady is safe.’

Before closing his eyes, Jungkook quietly dipped his consciousness into his secret space. The boundless warehouse of modern food and supplies sat there, a golden safety net. But Jungkook knew the reality of the 1974s. The Kim family was struggling, and the village gossiped about everything. If a poor household suddenly started eating premium white rice or spending unexplained cash, the local authorities would investigate them for illegal black-market trading.

"I have to look fragile, blend in, and find a logical, legal way to earn money first,’ Jungkook planned. The space stays locked until I have a perfect cover story."

...The Strict Household of Mama Kim...

The next morning, the sharp crowing of a rooster broke down. Jungkook, driven by his modern internal alarm clock, woke up before sunrise. The spot next to him was already empty.

When Jungkook stepped out into the chilly morning air of the courtyard, the atmosphere was thick and disciplined.

Mama Kim stood in the center of the yard, her face carved into a stern, unyielding expression. She was the true matriarch of the Kim family, running the household with absolute authority. 14-year-old Jimin was already swept up in sweeping the dirt yard, not daring to slack off under her mother’s sharp gaze. Near the well, Taehyung sat on a low wooden stool, silently sharpening a rusty ax, his face a stoic mask as he ignored the dull ache in his thigh.

"You're up," Mama Kim said, her sharp eyes sweeping over Jungkook from head to toe. Her voice was strict, carrying the weight of traditional expectations. "Since you've entered our Kim family door, you must learn our ways. We don't keep idle people. Come into the kitchen. I will show you how to manage the rationed grain."

"Yes, Mom," Jungkook said softly, bowing his head deeply. He kept his shoulders slightly hunched, his voice quiet, perfectly embodying the timid, fragile Ger his brother's family had sold off.

In the kitchen, Mama Kim strictly measured out a small portion of coarse cornmeal and a handful of withered wild greens. "Rice is tight because of the wedding feast yesterday. We must stretch this. Watch the fire, and don't waste a single drop of oil."

"I understand, Mom," Jungkook murmured meekly.

But the moment Mama Kim turned her back to tend to the backyard chickens, Jungkook’s eyes sharpened. Using his modern understanding of heat control and flavor profiling, he precisely rendered a tiny scrap of leftover pork fat to sear the wild greens first, unlocking an incredible fragrance without using extra oil, before perfectly simmering the coarse cornmeal into a smooth, savory porridge.

The Unspoken Hierarchy:-

By the time the porridge was ready, the front gate rattled open. The oldest sister-in-law (26) and the middle Ger brother-in-law (24) walked into the yard, eyeing the kitchen greedily. They carried an empty basket, clearly intending to parasite off the wedding leftovers.

"Mom!" the oldest sister-in-law called out loudly. "We came to help clean up. Is there any leftover pork from yesterday? My son woke up crying for meat."

Jungkook stood quietly by the kitchen door, his hands clasped in front of him, looking down at his shoes like a helpless, timid lamb. He knew his place as a new bride—if he spoke up or argued with his older in-laws, the village would brand him as unfilial and wicked, ruining his reputation instantly.

But he didn't need to speak. Mama Kim walked out of the main house, her face like thunder.

"Help clean up? The sun is already up, and you just arrived!" Mama Kim’s voice boomed with absolute authority, cutting through the yard. "The wedding feast ended last night. Whatever food is left belongs to this house to sustain Taehyung,new Ger and Jimin. Your households split from our registry two years ago. If your son wants meat, tell your own husband to earn the contribution points in the fields!"

The middle Sister-in-law sniffed, casting a nasty glance toward Jungkook. "Mom, we're just asking. Look at the new bride, standing there doing nothing. He looks so delicate, he probably can't even carry a water bucket. You're going to let him eat our family's grain for free?"

"Who eats what is in my house is my decision!" Mama Kim snapped, slamming a wooden washing tub onto the ground. "Jungkook prepared breakfast under my supervision. Now get out of here before I report your laziness to the Production Team Captain!"

Fearing Mama Kim’s iron fist and her fierce authority, the greedy in-laws bit their lips, muttered complaints, and scurried out of the gate.

Throughout the entire ordeal, Jungkook remained perfectly silent, looking properly frightened and fragile. But near the well, Taehyung’s hand paused on his sharpening stone. His dark, intelligent eyes scanned Jungkook’s posture. He had noticed the subtle, completely calm glint in Jungkook's eyes right before Mama Kim stepped in. The teenager wasn't trembling with fear; he was deliberately staying out of the crossfire, calculating the situation with a strange, mature patience.

Taehyung narrowed his eyes. His new bride was hiding something behind that timid mask,but don't say anything.

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Hiiiii everyone 😍😍😍

I am new to this writing, so if I made a mistake please correct me okkkzz....

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