Chapter 5: Into the Mist of the Black Mountain

​ The next morning, the reality of Jungkook's physical condition became very clear. When his parents were alive, they had pampered him to death, ensuring his hands never touched rough labor. But after they passed, his maternal sister-in-law had cut his food rations drastically. His current 18-year-old body was genuinely thin, frail, and lacked the stamina for heavy farm work.

When Jungkook tried to help Mama Kim by lifting the heavy wooden water bucket in the yard, his slender arms trembled violently, and he nearly dropped it, his face turning pale from the sudden exertion.

Taehyung, who was limping over to gather his farming tools, immediately stepped in. His large hand caught the bucket handle before it spilled, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Jungkook’s breathless, exhausted state.

​"Go sit down," Taehyung ordered softly, a frown marring his forehead.

Because the autumn harvest was in full swing, every able-bodied villager had to work in the fields to earn contribution points (the 1970s system for food distribution). Mama Kim,and little Jimin all had to head out to the fields. Taehyung, despite his leg injury, was also registered for field duties.

Before the family left for the fields, Taehyung stood in the main room and addressed his emma. Because Taehyung had sacrificed his youth in the military and sent all his salary home for years to support his family, his Mother valued his words above all else.

​"Mom," Taehyung said, his voice firm and respected. "Jungkook’s health is poor. In his maiden family he has never done heavy field labor. If we force him into the fields, he will collapse, and we will spend more money on medicine than he earns in points. Let him stay back. He can look after the house, feed the chickens, and cook the meals for us."

Eomma Kim looked at Jungkook, who was sitting meekly on a small stool, his face genuinely pale and his frame looking so small it stirred a mother's protective instincts.

​"Alright," Mama Kim nodded, her strict voice softening just a bit. "Taehyung is right. The boy is too delicate for the sun. Jungkook, you stay home. Keep the courtyard clean, boil the drinking water, and have dinner ready when we return. Don't touch the heavy logs."

​"Yes, Mom. Thank you. Thank you, Taehyung," Jungkook murmured softly, bowing his head. His 26 year old mind felt deeply touched. Taehyung didn't just understand him; he was actively shielding him from the brutal reality of 1974's manual labor.

The next day marked the third day of their marriage. According to strict Chinese and Korean rural customs, this was the Hui Men—the day the new bride must return to his brother's house for lunch and dinner, accompanied by his new husband.

It was a test of pride. If the groom’s family sent the bride back with poor gifts, the maiden village would look down on them.

Mama Kim, despite being strict, was a proud and fair woman. She didn't want the Kim family name dragged through the mud. She packed a heavy wicker basket for Taehyung to carry: two pounds of cured bacon, a bag of dried sweet potatoes, and a small carton of eggs.

"Take this," Mama Kim instructed Taehyung. "Don't let those greedy in-laws say the Kim family treated their Ger poorly."

The walk back to Jungkook's village was quiet. Taehyung rode a bicycle slowly, letting Jungkook sit carefully on the padded back seat. Because they were out in public, they couldn't speak freely, but every time the bicycle hit a bump on the dirt road, Taehyung would slow down drastically, ensuring Jungkook didn't get shaken up.

When they arrived at the mud-brick house of Jungkook's brother, the sister-in-law was already standing at the gate, her greedy eyes instantly landing on the wicker basket on Taehyung's bicycle.

"Oh, you're back!" she called out, entirely ignoring Jungkook and reaching straight for the basket. When she saw the two pounds of bacon and the eggs, her eyes lit up, but her mouth still muttered, "Only two pounds? I thought a retired military officer would bring a whole leg of pork."

Jungkook’s older brother stood behind her, looking guilty and uncomfortable. "Come in, come in. Sit down."

The Bitter Feast :-

The lunch and dinner were a masterclass in awkwardness and passive-aggression.

Jungkook’s sister-in-law took the fresh bacon and eggs straight to the kitchen—but she didn't cook them for the guests. Instead, she served a meager meal of watery wild vegetable soup and coarse, burnt sorghum bread.

"Eat, eat," the sister-in-law said snidely, pushing the basket of hard bread toward Jungkook. "Now that you're married to the Kim family, you must be eating like royalty. You don't mind eating our poor peasant food for one day, right?"

Jungkook looked at the burnt bread, his 26 year old corporate mind noting how incredibly toxic this household was. His 18-year-old body subconsciously flinched, remembering the many nights he had gone to bed hungry in this exact room while his sister-in-law hid food for her own children.

Taehyung sat silently, his sharp military eyes taking in everything. He noticed how Jungkook’s shoulders naturally tensed up in this house. He noticed the lack of warmth, the greasy, demanding looks from the sister-in-law, and the absolute spinelessness of the older brother.

Taehyung didn't touch the food. Instead, he picked up a piece of the sorghum bread, broke it in half, and placed the softer inner part onto Jungkook's chipped bowl.

"Eat," Taehyung said softly to Jungkook, his voice laced with a heavy, protective undertone that cut through the sister-in-law's chatter. Then, he looked up at the sister-in-law, his eyes cold and commanding. "Jungkook is a member of the Kim family now. What he eats at our house is white rice and fresh broth. His health was ruined before, but I will make sure he regains his strength."

The sister-in-law choked on her soup, her face turning red at the blatant slap to her face, but she didn't dare argue with a tall, intimidating ex-soldier.

After lunch, the brother and sister-in-law went out to attend their own village chores, leaving the house quiet. Because of the long distance between the villages, Taehyung and Jungkook had to stay until after dinner before they could travel back.

With the house empty, Jungkook took Taehyung to his old, cramped bedroom to rest during the afternoon nap hour. The room was tiny, cold, and dark, containing nothing but a broken wooden bed and a pile of straw.

Seeing the miserable conditions Jungkook had lived in, Taehyung’s heart twisted with a sudden, sharp pang of anger and pity.

Jungkook sat on the edge of the old bed, looking up at Taehyung. Now that they were completely alone behind closed doors, the fragile mask slipped just a little, revealing his mature, calm soul.

"Don't be angry," Jungkook whispered, reaching out to pull gently on Taehyung’s sleeve. "It's in the past. I left this place behind when I married you."

Taehyung looked down at Jungkook’s small hand on his sleeve. He stepped closer, sitting next to him on the narrow bed. The proximity in the quiet afternoon was heavy with unspoken emotions.

"They treated you like a servant," Taehyung murmured, his deep voice thick with suppressed rage. "If I had known, I would have brought more bride-price just to get you out of here sooner."

Jungkook smiled, a genuine, soft look in his doe eyes. "You got me out. That’s what matters."

Jungkook leaned in slightly, keeping his voice dangerously low against Taehyung’s ear. "Taehyung... while I was washing clothes by the cold stream yesterday, I learned about Black Mountain (‘Perfect,’ Jungkook thought, his modern analytical brain working fast. The mountains are full of untouched resources. If I find something valuable there, I can pretend it’s just luck, without anyone getting suspicious!) Behind our Kim family compound, is completely unregulated.Let’s go up there. Just the two of us. I have a way to find rare medicinal herbs—like wild Lingzhi—that we can sell to the county hospital for real cash. But I need your strength to get up there."

Taehyung stared at Jungkook, his breath catching at how close Jungkook’s face was. He could see the absolute trust and sharp intelligence in the younger man's eyes. The contrast between Jungkook’s fragile, starved body and his brilliant, scheming mind was intoxicating.

Taehyung reached up, his large, warm hand covering Jungkook's small one on his sleeve, squeezing it firmly.

"Okay," Taehyung whispered back, his gaze locking onto Jungkook’s lips for a split second before rising to his eyes. "We will go. I’ll carry you up the mountain if I have to.”

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