Chapter 5: The Dining Table

⚠️ A LITTLE WARNING.... DON'T NOT EAT DURING THIS EPISODE ⚠️

"Slurp, slurp."

The sound of gnawing on a chicken leg echoed at the dining table.

Undercurrents swirled beneath the surface, but Big Yellow, being an innocent food enthusiast, was oblivious to it all. It was just a simple dog focused on its meal.

If the owner allowed it, then it would eat.

The puppy ate with great relish, even causing the plate to rattle with the movement of its snout.

The rest of the people at the table fell silent.

This was because Jungkook's actions were so swift and bold that they were astonishing. As a result, by the time Big Yellow had reached the halfway point of its chicken leg, everyone else at the table was still in disbelief.

Madam Kang's chopsticks, poised to grab the drumstick, froze in mid-air.

Kang Jungguk's outstretched hand also froze.

Until Jungkook dislodged the bone from Big Yellow's mouth: "Hey, cooked bones aren't safe for dogs to eat."

"Ahh!"

Madam Kang let out a sharp cry.

She had even forgotten her most-prized etiquette, pointing her chopsticks alternately at Jungkook, who was eating, and the dog eating beside him, "Y-You dared to let a dog on the table! And it stole Gukkie's chicken leg?"

While she spoke, Jungkook took the other drumstick and placed it in Big Yellow's bowl.

Kang Jungguk was also confused by Jungkook's actions.

But he reacted quickly, immediately pretending to be afraid of Big Yellow as he pulled back his chair forcefully.

After being slapped twice by Jungkook, he was both shocked and secretly pleased.

With Jungkook taking such actions, there was no way the Kang couple would accept him.

This meant he didn't have to worry about his position in the Kang family being jeopardized.

Yet, despite his joy, Kang Jungguk still had concerns beyond his control.

After all... a slap on the face truly did hurt.

As he retreated, the chair scraped against the ground, producing an earsplitting sound.

These voices should have caught the attention of Madam Kang and Kang Gyeongho at the table, but after waiting for a while, Kang Jungguk didn't receive any concerned inquiries.

Perplexed, he lifted his head, only to notice that Madam Kang was covering her chest, almost fainting from anger.

Kang Gyeongho's chopsticks, held between his fingers, were trembling, while his eyes fixated intensely on Jungkook.

Despite their anger, both of them were inexplicably focused on Jungkook.

Kang Jungguk felt somewhat annoyed.

He turned to look at Kang Haemin again.

Kang Haemin, however, didn't glance at Jungkook. Instead, he gazed at the yellow dog next to Jungkook, who was licking its plate, seemingly lost in thought about something.

Kang Jungguk had to intervene, "Mom, Dad, don't ruin your health over this!"

As he spoke, he lifted his head to look at Jungkook, as if he wanted to say something, but then timidly lowered it, covering his face with his hand, "The puppy... is actually quite cute..."

While verbally acknowledging the dog's cuteness, he gently stroked the 'bitten' wound on his arm.

"Jungkook! What are you doing! Get rid of that dog for me!"

Kang Gyeongho slammed the table in anger.

"Hurry and take it away, see how frightened Gukkie is. Don't be scared, Gukkie, it's just a dog..."

Madam Kang comforted Kang Jungguk.

"Brother... Maybe he just loves this dog too much," Kang Jungguk suggested while brewing tea.

"Slurp, slurp."

Jungkook and Big Yellow were indulging in their meal.

Jungkook seemed oblivious to the chaotic scene around the dining table.

The chef hired by the Kang family was highly skilled, offering flavors not found in school canteens. Moreover, due to Kang Jungguk's "serious injury," Mrs. Kang had specifically instructed the kitchen to prepare low-salt, low-oil dishes.

Many of these dishes happened to be suitable for Big Yellow's diet.

"Eat! You still dare to eat?"

"Jungkook, have you lost your mind? First, your dog bit my son, then slapped him twice. Now, you even bring it to the dining table. Do you still respect me as the head of the Kang family?"

Kang Gyeongho was dissatisfied with Jungkook's attitude.

In his middle age, he enjoyed venting his anger most during meals.

Each of his three sons reacted differently, but they all showed some response. However, Jungkook gave him the infuriating feeling of being completely ignored.

Jungkook picked up an entire piece of salmon.

His action demonstrated that he didn't place any importance on the so-called family head of the Kang family.

"Do you think you can do whatever you want just because you're back in the Kang family?"

"Look at your younger brother and then at yourself. What are you? Apart from causing trouble for the family, what else can you do?"

"You studied veterinary medicine that's not even good enough for public recognition. Do you expect me to tell others that my son, Kang Gyeongho's son, is a veterinarian?"

Jungkook continued eating without looking up.

Big Yellow seemed to sense that the human across from them was insulting its owner. It stopped eating the meat on its plate and lifted its head, looking at Jungkook with its concerned, black button eyes.

Every word Kang Gyeongho spoke came straight from the heart.

The pain of losing his youngest son had long faded away. Upon hearing that Jungkook had been found, his first reaction was annoyance.

If Jungkook had turned out well, it would have been fine. But if not, it would bring disgrace to the Kang family's reputation.

Now, all that pent-up anger erupted:

"How dare you ask for a billion? Do you think it was anyone's fault but your own when you went missing? You've been causing trouble for the family ever since birth!"

"Is that how the director of that orphanage named Jeon taught you? No wonder he died of illness last year – karma!"

At this, Jungkook paused in his actions.

He casually pushed Big Yellow's head down and whispered, "Hurry up and eat."

Initially, everyone at the table listened to Kang Gyeongho scolding Jungkook.

Only Jungkook was eating.

Yet, Jungkook's dining manner was too appetizing.

The duo, man and dog, somehow managed to create the ambiance of a food broadcast.

As they watched, a stomach grumbled, though it was unclear whose.

Mrs. Kang couldn't help but tug at Kang Gyeongho, hinting for him to let it go.

Dinner should come first, after all.

As Kang Gyeongho continued scolding, his own hunger grew.

Just as he reached for his chopsticks, Jungkook belched and grabbed a tissue to wipe his mouth.

He looked at the few family members who had yet to touch their food, offering a serene smile:

"Since you're not in the mood to eat, then don't force it."

The Kang family members, who were about to dig in, froze.

Observing this, Jungkook turned to Big Yellow and said, "Big Yellow, don't hold it in. Go ahead and do your business."

The last two words left everyone at the table questioning their hearing.

Even Big Yellow was momentarily taken aback.

Feeling a bit awkward, it glanced at Jungkook and barked questioningly.

"Go," Jungkook instructed succinctly.

Big Yellow anxiously circled its chair.

In the end, it jumped down and relieved itself with a healthy pile of dog poop on the floor.

An enchanting aroma wafted through the air.

The Kang family, who had been ready to start eating with their chopsticks, began to turn green with disgust.

Even Kang Jungguk lost control of his expression, his features contorting.

"You, you!" Kang Gyeongho's lips trembled after his tirade.

In the next second, Jungkook stood up with a stern expression.

He reached into his pocket and took out a dog waste collection bag. Without hesitation, he picked up the pile of feces on the floor.

But he didn't leave.

Amidst the horrified gazes of the entire Kang family, he stepped on a chair and climbed onto the dining table with the feces in hand.

Jungkook kicked over the food and swung the garbage bag wildly like a madman.

In an instant, it was a indiscriminate attack.

Kang Jungguk instinctively wanted to scream but quickly clamped his mouth shut when he felt an unknown object fly past his face.

Amidst the chaos, Jungkook approached Madam Kang first.

With the swinging bag, he pointed at Kang Jungguk and asked, "Do you think he's being wronged?"

Madam Kang was utterly stunned.

Her eyes were fixated on what Jungkook held in his hand, her body recoiling and leaning back against the chair, both hands raised high, as if every strand of her hair was crying out to keep its distance.

Jungkook was displeased with her attitude. Squatting on the table, he moved closer and said, "Why should I care if he feels wronged? If you want to be a bootlicker to your adopted son, don't drag me into it?"

"Or do you think I'm not wronged? Huh?"

Madam Kang dared not say a word, her mouth tightly shut, both hands waving frantically. "Uh uh uh, no... Yes! Yes!"

After scolding Madam Kang, Jungkook's dark eyes turned to Kang Gyeongho, who had been yelling for quite some time.

Kang Gyeongho seemed more resolute, pointing at Jungkook as if he still had more to say.

Jungkook extended his hand!

Kang Gyeongho rolled his eyes, nearly fainting.

But Jungkook didn't let him lose consciousness. Holding the garbage bag in one hand and gripping Kang Gyeongho's shoulder with the other, he began to interrogate him.

"You mentioned karma just now. Who were you talking about? And who gave you the right to speak of Director Jeon? Do you think you're worthy?"

Staring at the mess in his hand, Kang Gyeongho first nodded, then shook his head wildly upon realization.

"Still so talkative? Weren't you quite the chatterbox?" Jungkook's tone was not harsh but rather gentle.

However, combined with his dark, menacing gaze, there was no doubt that he would smear the mess on someone's face if provoked.

The head of the Kang family, Kang Gyeongho, faced a life-threatening crisis for the first time in his life. He could only press his lips together and force himself to say, "N-no! I'm not worthy!"

Jungkook continued, "Did you also belittle my profession? Is being a veterinarian not good enough? Say it again?"

Jungkook's face was almost touching Kang Gyeongho's nose.

In a semi-dazed state, Kang Gyeongho retreated while trying to smooth things over with his words, "G-good! V-very promising!"

Only then did Jungkook let him off.

He turned to look at Kang Jungguk.

Kang Jungguk had already risen to flee but was yanked back by his hair. "Run? Aren't you a good son? Your parents are being threatened with dog feces, and you should share their hardship instead of running away?"

Kang Jungguk didn't dare to move an inch.

Jungkook held up the garbage bag and pointed at Big Yellow. "I'll ask you one more time—whose bite is that on your hand?"

Kang Jungguk still tried to hold his ground.

Jungkook showed him the torn garbage bag in his hand.

This time, Kang Jungguk wasn't pretending; he really was about to cry.

For the first time in his life, he spoke honestly and loudly, "It was me, I did it myself."

While Jungkook interrogated Kang Jungguk, Kang Haemin had already moved away from the table.

As an overprotective older brother, he probably wanted to rescue his younger sibling.

But seeing what Jungkook had in his hand, he hesitated for a few unprecedented seconds.

In those few seconds, Jungkook turned around and threw the garbage bag at Kang Haemin. The flimsy garbage bag slapped against Kang Haemin's expensive leather jacket with a soft thud. The leather jacket was made of stiff material. The living room fell silent. The other three Kangs stood frozen, witnessing in slow motion how the thin plastic bag deformed and squeezed under the pressure. Then... it could no longer bear the weight. A soft splat echoed in the end. The contents inside scattered everywhere, splashing particularly far and high. Kang Jungguk, who was standing the closest, felt warm spots on his face. He instinctively looked away. He was still oblivious to what had landed on his face.

The semi-solid splatter had already begun its descent along a parabolic trajectory, pelting down like rain with a series of "pitter-patter" sounds.

The Kang family members sat frozen in their spots, dazed and bewildered.

In that instant, they all thought they were dreaming. They were so stunned that they didn't even remember to scream, let alone dodge.

When the "rain" finally subsided, Jungkook, who had swiftly scooped up Big Yellow and taken cover, approached.

He walked over to Kang Haemin's side.

The second young master of the Kang family was petrified on the spot, his eyes empty and blank.

"You thought you could escape?" Jungkook kicked him, "And you even dared to try to kill my dog? Go eat shit!"

He relentlessly kicked Kang Haemin several times.

Under the horrified gazes of the others, he then peeled off the garbage bag that had landed on Kang Haemin and slammed it onto the dining table with a forceful thud.

The entire Kang family trembled in unison.

With one foot on a stool and one arm cradling Big Yellow, Jungkook declared loudly,

"From this day forth, no one in the Kang family shall dare raise their voice at me or my dog!"

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