The Marriage Meant for Another

The earth had long forgotten the color green.

Under the scorching summer sun, cracked fields stretched as far as the eye could see.

Rivers had dried into winding scars across the land, and famine had turned every village into a place where people fought over a single bowl of porridge.

Kim Taehyung slowly opened his eyes.

"...Where am I?"

The last thing he remembered was working late at the hospital before a truck's blinding headlights swallowed his vision.

Now he was lying on a hard wooden bed inside a shabby mud house.

Before he could understand what was happening, countless memories flooded his mind.

The original owner of this body was also named Kim Taehyung.

An eighteen-year-old ger who lived in a small famine-stricken village.

His father had died years ago, leaving behind only his timid mother, a cruel grandmother, and an older brother who was treated like the family's treasure.

Taehyung pressed a hand against his aching forehead.

"So... I really transmigrated."

He had even read this kind of novel before.

Unfortunately...

He hadn't become the protagonist.

He had become the cannon fodder.

According to the memories, within three months the original Taehyung would be secretly sold to a brothel after his usefulness to the family ended.

His miserable life would end before he even turned nineteen.

Taehyung slowly sat up, his eyes becoming calm.

"No."

"I didn't survive one life just to die in another."

His medical knowledge, martial arts training, survival skills, farming techniques, and business experience from the modern world were still with him.

If he planned carefully...

He could change his fate.

Just then—

"Mother! Grandma! I already said I won't marry!"

A loud shout came from outside.

Taehyung quietly walked to the thin wooden door.

His older brother stood in the courtyard with an ugly expression.

"The Jeon family is poor! Why should I marry into a family that can't even eat their fill?"

The grandmother frowned.

"They're still decent people."

"I don't care! I'd rather starve than marry a fool."

Taehyung's eyes narrowed.

A fool?

Searching the original owner's memories, he remembered.

The neighboring Jeon family wanted a spouse for their youngest son, Jeon Jungkook.

People said Jungkook had gone to war years ago.

When he returned, he had become foolish.

He laughed at nothing, forgot everything, and acted like a child.

No respectable family wanted to marry him.

"So let Taehyung go!" his brother suddenly shouted.

"He always obeys anyway."

The timid mother lowered her head without saying a word.

The grandmother looked toward Taehyung.

Her wrinkled face showed no affection.

Only calculation.

Before either woman could speak, Taehyung smiled.

"I'll go."

Silence fell over the courtyard.

His mother looked up in shock.

"T-Taehyung..."

His brother's face immediately brightened.

"See? Even he agreed."

Taehyung ignored him.

Unlike these people, he knew the future.

If he stayed...

Within months, his grandmother would secretly sell him to a brothel for a much higher price.

Compared to that fate...

Marrying into a poor but honest family was infinitely better.

Besides...

He could already think of dozens of ways to earn food during the famine.

This marriage wasn't a disaster.

It was his opportunity.

His grandmother nodded in satisfaction.

"Good. The wedding is tomorrow."

Not once did she ask whether he was willing.

Taehyung simply lowered his eyes, hiding the coldness within them.

Enjoy your favoritism while you can.

One day, you'll regret choosing the wrong grandson.

The next morning, a simple ox cart stopped outside the house.

There were no drums.

No celebration.

No wedding procession.

Only a poor couple wearing patched clothes.

Jungkook's parents.

Instead of looking down on Taehyung, they smiled warmly.

"You've had a hard life," Jungkook's mother said softly as she held Taehyung's hands.

"From today onward, you're our family."

For a brief moment...

Taehyung was stunned.

No one had ever welcomed him so gently.

The ox cart slowly rolled toward the neighboring village.

When they arrived, Taehyung saw a small courtyard surrounded by old wooden fences.

Poor.

Simple.

But clean.

The front door suddenly burst open.

A tall young man ran out barefoot.

His clothes were slightly crooked, one sleeve hanging loose.

He clapped happily when he saw Taehyung.

"Wife!"

Without waiting for permission, he rushed over, grabbed Taehyung's sleeve, and grinned foolishly.

"Wife is so pretty!"

Then he proudly held up a small wildflower with missing petals.

"I picked this for Wife!"

The Jeon family sighed helplessly.

"There he goes again..."

Taehyung looked at the man before him.

Jeon Jungkook.

The village fool.

Jungkook giggled to himself, completely unconcerned as he tucked the tiny flower behind Taehyung's ear.

"There."

"Wife prettier now."

Looking into those innocent-looking eyes, Taehyung sighed inwardly.

"It seems... taking care of this fool will be harder than surviving the famine."

Little did he know...

This foolish husband would one day become the greatest secret hidden beneath the heavens.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***