Free Web NovelMedvedev still wore that same genial expression.
“But if I may ask, what brings you here...?”
“Ah, Putin said he felt bad for not paying enough attention to his guest and asked me to go in his place.”
Apparently, Medvedev had come at Putin’s request.
“But why are you out on the terrace? You should be inside, enjoying the food and talking with people. It’s not every day you get an opportunity like this.”
“I just had a headache, so I stepped out for some air.”
“Well, that can happen if you’re not used to these kinds of events. Would you care to come inside with me? It’s a party, after all.”
I followed him without protest.
Earning some goodwill wasn’t a bad thing.
“Let’s go.”
As we stepped back into the hall, all eyes turned to us.
Medvedev casually picked up a glass of wine and handed it to me.
“Honestly, I don’t enjoy anything that’s not vodka, but since it’s all wine here, it’s a little dull.”
We clinked glasses lightly and began chatting, and the stares around us felt like they were burning into my cheeks.
“It was like this earlier too... All these languages flying around. No wonder I got a headache.”
“It’s probably best not to try to understand everything. But your Russian is excellent. I’d believe it if you said it was your mother tongue.”
“I worked hard at it. Thank you.”
Pleased with my language skills, Medvedev beamed.
“What are you two talking about that’s so amusing?”
“Mr. Kim, let me introduce you. This is Minister Sergey Solomatin, our Minister of Industry.”
“A pleasure to meet you. I’m Kim Muhyuk.”
“Oh! You’re the businessman who invested in Russia last year. What an honor to meet you. I’m Sergey Solomatin.”
Solomatin smiled warmly and extended a hand first.
“Russia is an attractive place to invest in.”
“Thank you. Not all businessmen feel the same, though. Please help us promote that more.”
“I’ll do my best, however modestly.”
After that, Russian politicians and officials kept coming by, recognizing Medvedev and sneaking glances at me.
Politics is a living organism.
Everyone knew Medvedev, who once served under Putin during his Saint Petersburg mayoral days, was about to enter the heart of power.
Thanks to Medvedev staying by my side, I was able to meet and greet high-ranking guests not just from Russia, but across Europe.
At some point, Medvedev noticed someone and said,
“Please wait here for a moment. I’ll be right back.”
He disappeared quickly, leaving me to look around on my own.
As soon as Medvedev was gone, the gazes evaporated like magic.
I couldn’t help but laugh to myself.
“Bored, Chief?”
“Not at all.”
After speaking Russian and English nonstop, I really felt like speaking Korean again.
Chief Ma leaned in and whispered softly in Korean.
“That Medvedev guy... he seems pretty influential in Russia.”
“He’ll become one of Putin’s closest allies. Other countries don’t really know who Putin is yet.”
They’re probably still figuring out where to form alliances.
“Mr. Kim Muhyuk?”
Then someone addressed me in Chinese.
“Yes, that’s me.”
“Just as I heard—your Chinese is excellent.”
I instantly recognized the face. It was Wen Jiabao, one of China’s Vice Premiers.
“And you are?”
I asked as if I didn’t know.
“I’m Wen Jiabao, Vice Premier of China.”
“Ah, a pleasure to meet you. I’m Kim Muhyuk.”
“I’ve heard of you for some time. It’s good to finally meet.”
How the hell does he know me?
Then he leaned in just enough so only I could hear him.
“Mei Hong.”
“...”
Wen Jiabao smiled from ear to ear.
“...Goddamn it. What the hell is this supposed to be?”
“You must think lightly of China. You just told the Vice Premier that you’re annoyed.”
“And you’re smiling here? So you were the Chinese power figure behind Mei Hong all along?”
“Who knows?”
This bastard was playing games.
“I don’t even care. I don’t want to talk to you anymore. Please leave.”
“Hmm... It seems you’re not interested in doing business in China. Isn’t Peregrine your company?”
“Is that a threat? Do whatever you want. I’ll pull out of Hong Kong. Doesn’t have to be there.”
That smug face—God, I wanted to punch it.
“What are you two talking about?”
Medvedev had returned and slipped smoothly between us.
“Ah, Professor Medvedev. It’s been a while. Since we met in Saint Petersburg, right?”
“About half a year, I think. But what were you discussing with Mr. Kim? Do you know each other?”
“Hahaha, just a brief acquaintance.”
“Hmm...”
Medvedev glanced sideways at my stiff face.
Then turned back to Wen Jiabao with a smile and said,
“Vice Premier, Mr. Kim is here as a guest of Prime Minister Putin.”
Wen Jiabao’s smile instantly vanished.
Medvedev added with a pointed look,
“I would appreciate it if you showed him proper respect.”
But that didn’t last long.
Wen Jiabao smiled again and waved his hand.
“Haha. I didn’t realize. My apologies.”
“No need. Please leave now.”
“I’ll be in touch another time.”
He didn’t even wait for a response and disappeared into the crowd.
Once he was gone, Medvedev turned back to me.
“Is something going on?”
“I met him for the first time today.”
“Your expression says otherwise.”
“I’m fine. Thank you for stepping in.”
It was unexpected that Medvedev would intervene so openly.
“The Prime Minister should be out soon. The private meetings took longer than expected.”
Though it was a party, Putin had been holding one-on-one meetings with figures from powerful countries.
Because of that, he hadn’t shown his face once in the hall—an awkward situation for a guest of honor.
“I understand.”
“He’ll probably set up a separate meeting with you after the party.”
“Really?”
“He seemed like he had something to ask and something to offer. You’ll hear the details directly.”
“Got it.”
At that moment, the large doors at one end of the hall opened, and Putin entered.
He walked confidently across the floor, took the mic on the podium at the center.
“My apologies. This is my own Prime Minister inauguration party, yet I arrive late. How shameful.”
He opened with an apology.
“I am ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) Vladimir Putin, newly appointed Prime Minister of Russia. I imagine many of you are curious about me. Some of you know me, some don’t. Until recently, I was Director of the FSB. You’ve all heard of the KGB, I’m sure. But we’re not the devils other countries make us out to be. Do I look like a devil?”
His joke drew laughter from Russian officials and politicians—but not from foreign guests.
“The economic crisis in Russia will soon be over. To the honored guests here, I hope you will return to your countries and discuss investing in Russia. A friend in need is a friend indeed, wouldn’t you say?”
He was nothing like the man I’d met last year.
Now, he radiated confidence—starting to resemble a modern tsar of Russia, bowing to no one.
After finishing his speech, Putin stepped down and began greeting guests.
There were so many attendees that he could only offer quick greetings as he passed.
“Thank you for coming. The trip wasn’t too difficult, I hope?”
“Thanks to your invitation, I’m enjoying the drinks and the atmosphere.”
“I’m glad to hear it. Let’s talk more later. For now, enjoy the party a bit longer.”
“Understood, Prime Minister.”
People in the hall subtly widened their eyes at how casually and warmly Putin spoke to me.
He smiled with ease. No one could tell whether it was real or staged—but they were all watching closely, glancing between us.
“See you later, then.”
Putin shook my hand and gave my shoulder a friendly pat as he passed. It was a stark contrast to his stiffness the last time we met.
Then he left the hall again—his meetings weren’t done yet.
“The Prime Minister seems to really like you, Mr. Kim.”
“Does he?”
“Yes. He’s not someone who smiles like that. As a former KGB man, he’s a master at hiding emotion.”
Once he was gone, the hall erupted again in a cacophony of languages.
“Mr. Kim Muhyuk.”
The Foreign Minister approached.
Medvedev tilted his head, not recognizing him, and looked at me.
“He’s the Foreign Minister of South Korea. Let me introduce you.”
I couldn’t ignore it, so I did the honors.
“Ah, I didn’t recognize you. I’m Medvedev, currently a professor at the university. A pleasure.”
“I’m Kim Hyungil, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea. Nice to meet you.”
“With people like Mr. Kim here, I’m sure Korea will overcome its economic crisis in no time. Enviable.”
Sensing an opening, Minister Kim made his move.
“By the way, Professor Medvedev...”
“Yes?”
“I’d like a bit of private time with the Prime Minister. Could you pass along the message?”
“Hm...”
Both Medvedev and the Minister looked at me.
‘God, stop bothering me.’
With a sigh, I added,
“...It seems the Minister hasn’t been able to arrange a meeting. I’d appreciate it if you could ask the Prime Minister to spare just a little time—for my sake.”
“Understood. Please wait a moment.”
While Medvedev went to relay the request, I was left alone with the Minister. The ambassador was nowhere to be seen.
“Thank you for speaking on my behalf.”
“You came all the way here and still couldn’t arrange a meeting? Isn’t the communication channel working?”
“There are just so many countries requesting time. We got pushed back.”
That was Korea’s reality.
They prided themselves on being an economic powerhouse, but to nations like Russia and the U.S., they were still just a small country in the Far East.
It honestly disgusted me.
“Don’t get your hopes up.”
“I nearly missed the chance to deliver the President’s letter. Even a brief moment with the Prime Minister would be enough.”
“A personal letter?”
“Yes.”
“You brought a letter from the President himself and still couldn’t get a meeting?”
“There were some issues with inter-ministry coordination...”
I’d just seen the North Korean delegation heading in earlier.
Clearly, something had gone wrong between the Russian and Korean foreign ministries.
“Let’s wait and see.”
Time passed awkwardly.
“Someone will be here shortly. It won’t be long, but you’ll get your meeting.”
When Medvedev returned with the news, Minister Kim’s face lit up.
“Thank you, Professor Medvedev.”
“Thank Mr. Kim, not me. The schedule was already full, but the Prime Minister made room because Mr. Kim asked.”
“Thank you, Mr. Kim. I’ll report this to the President when I return.”
“I’m glad I could help. I hope the rest of your trip goes well.” freewebnøvel.com
Watching Kim walk away, I swallowed the annoyance rising inside me.
More and more guests were starting to leave the increasingly noisy hall.
“You may go now, Mr. Kim.”
Soon after, Medvedev escorted me to the room where Putin was waiting.
Putin stood up and welcomed me warmly.
“Mr. Kim, good to see you.”
“Likewise, Prime Minister.”
“Please, have a seat. Medvedev, don’t let anyone in.”
“Yes, sir.”
With Medvedev gone, it was just me and Putin.
“Did you enjoy the party?”
“Thanks to you, yes.”
“I don’t have much time, so let me get straight to the point.”
What Putin brought up next was something I hadn’t seen coming at all.
