Free Web NovelI knew full well how outrageous my request sounded.
But there was no one who could make it happen except Wen Jiabao.
— President Kim, you know this doesn’t make any sense, right?
“I know it’s a difficult thing to ask. But I also know that if the Vice Premier decides to make it happen, it’s possible. Am I wrong?”
Wen Jiabao maintained rather deep ties with the North Korean regime.
He had already visited North Korea multiple times.
He was one of the few Chinese officials who could directly reach the country’s top leader through a hotline.
— This would be a heavy political burden for me as well. Still... if it’s something worth enough, I should help you.
“In order for me to strengthen my influence in South Korea, this is unavoidable. I didn’t plan on asking for such a favor so soon, but things turned out this way. I’m sorry.”
— Hmm... I’ll try, but I can’t guarantee a hundred percent success. Please keep that in mind.
“Yes, but I’m still asking. I don’t care how much money it takes. These are people whose very survival is uncertain. Please find out about that first.”
To lessen the weight of his hesitation, I added, as if making a suggestion.
“If it’s too difficult to bring them directly to South Korea, then at least bring them to China.”
— I’ll try. Just give me a little time.
“Thank you, Vice Premier.”
— If it’s something I can do, I should do it.
Once I ended the call with Wen Jiabao, Chief Ma, who had been standing in front of me, asked,
“What did he say?”
“He said he’ll try. Even if it takes time, I think it’s possible—if it’s Wen Jiabao.”
“I hope it turns out well.”
“Let’s wait and see.”
“Yes, Boss.”
Now all that was left regarding Jang Daeho’s family was to wait.
If they were alive, and if we could bring them to China at least, Jang Daeho would have no choice but to grant my request.
While waiting, I decided to focus on other matters I could handle in the meantime.
“How’s the atmosphere at the Prosecutor’s Office?”
“It’s the calm before the storm.”
“I hear the pressure on Myungsoo is heavy.”
“Well, he’s the son of the current regime’s top leader, and ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) this was something Prosecutor Lee Myungsoo handled unilaterally without reporting up the chain.”
From the prosecution’s point of view, it was absurd.
Lee Myungsoo was known to be in Yoon Changho’s line, but for him to spark an incident like this at such a sensitive time—one that could easily backfire—was something even the leadership hadn’t anticipated.
And then, right on cue, Koryeo Daily dropped an exclusive report.
It was beyond the prosecution’s ability to cover it up.
Now the Blue House would have no choice but to strip the case from Lee Myungsoo and hand it to a prosecutor who would steer it in their preferred direction.
“Keep an eye on the moves of both the prosecution and the Blue House.”
“Yes.”
“And Cheon Sooman?”
“He contacted President Noh Ikseon and President Kim Hosik. Said it’s been a while and suggested they have a drink together.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes.”
“Tell the Myeongdong presidents to meet Cheon Sooman. I’m curious what trick he’s trying to pull now.”
“Understood.”
The two presidents still active were now firmly on my side.
Even so, I wondered why Cheon Sooman was going out of his way to meet them.
“Don’t schedule anything for year’s end. I’ll be going down to Busan and staying by Grandfather’s side.”
“Yes, Boss.”
I looked out the window at the setting sun with a bitter expression.
People were all excited about the start of a new millennium, but I found myself waiting for a sorrowful ending—while also wishing it would never come.
Even while I was in Busan, Seoul moved at a breathless pace.
Koryeo Daily and other outlets continued to criticize President Kim Hakgwon’s handling of affairs.
Ilseong tried, through Aseong Daily, to keep the Geukseong Group case in the spotlight, but public attention was fixed entirely on the presidential relatives’ corruption scandal.
After spending a few days at my Busan home, organizing my thoughts, I returned to Seoul.
“You’re here, President.”
I accepted Chief Ha’s greeting and entered the ward.
“How’s Grandfather?”
“He’s resting.”
“How’s his condition?”
“Unchanged.”
“What about his memory?”
“......”
Chief Ha’s inability to answer was telling.
It seemed Grandfather’s condition had worsened.
“...I’ll go in.”
“Yes.”
Leaving Chief Ha’s quiet reply behind, I opened the hospital room door.
In the spacious room, only the beeping of machines could be heard.
Lying in bed, Grandfather turned his head toward the sound of the door opening.
“Grandfather, I’m here.”
No reply came.
I sat beside him and took his dry hand in mine. Seeing his emaciated arm made my chest ache.
“Grandfather, just one more day and the new year will be here.”
It wasn’t anything important, but I kept talking on purpose.
“A new millennium is starting—you should get up and see it for yourself.”
Grandfather didn’t answer, but I felt the faintest squeeze in his hand.
It was both heartening and heartbreaking, but I smiled as if nothing was wrong.
“I’m twenty-seven now. Time really flies, doesn’t it?”
I carried on the one-sided conversation for ten minutes.
“I’ll come back later tonight.”
I let go of his hand and stood.
His empty gaze followed me as I walked away.
Smiling, I bid him farewell and stepped out of the room.
In front of the ward, Chief Ha and Chief Ma were talking.
“Who’s been visiting lately?”
“Miss Jiyoung comes almost every day. Miss Jisoo has also come by a few times.”
“What about Cheon Sooman and Cheon Jiwon?”
“They haven’t been here since that day.”
My face showed no emotion at all, as if the expression I’d worn before Grandfather had been a lie.
“I’ll come back tonight. I’m staying here today.”
“Understood.”
Leaving the hospital, I went straight back to the Myeongdong office.
I called Han Kyungyeong and Eva to check on the progress of their tasks.
“Hyung, how’s the negotiation?”
— At first, I could’ve taken over at twice the value of the shares. But word must have gotten out that I’m gathering Ilseong stock, and now these bastards are getting cocky.
“Wall Street’s always quick on things like that. Secure as much as you can, no matter the cost.”
I heard a sigh through the receiver.
— I’ll do it. Guess I’ll be called a sucker.
“What about the stocks?”
— Mostly liquidated.
“Good work. Happy New Year, Hyung.”
— Yeah. You too, Muhyuk.
Han Kyungyeong was now moving efficiently in his role without me having to give step-by-step orders.
Eva was the same.
“Eva, how’s it going?”
— I’m gathering slowly.
“Keep buying quietly until the tender offer timing comes. No leaks.”
— Okay, Boss.
“Enjoy the year-end, and Happy New Year.”
— Happy New Year to you too, Boss.
Eva too was doing her job to the fullest.
I spent the next few hours calling others connected to me to exchange New Year’s greetings.
Lastly, I called President Yoon Changho.
— It’s been a while, junior.
“Yes, President.”
— I hear you’ve been busy lately?
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.
He probably knew the whole story already, but Yoon Changho still asked carefully.
“A little. Chairman Seo and Cheon Sooman have been bothering me, using Grandfather’s illness as an excuse.”
— The election’s coming soon, so I’m sorry I can’t help.
“It’s nothing. I’m holding back from stepping in directly right now. You should be careful too, President.”
— I appreciate your understanding.
Leaving behind the sound of his laughter over the receiver, I got to the main point.
“A few days from now, Myungsoo will hold a press conference at the Koryo Hotel. I just need you to provide outside support at that time.”
— Hmm... There won’t be any backlash, will there?
“No. If things go according to the scenario, both the Progressive Party and the Conservative Party will take a hit.”
— Understood.
“Enjoy the year-end, and give it your all next year. I’m looking forward to the results of the general election.”
— Haha, me too. You have a good year-end as well, and send my regards to Chairman Cheon.
“Yes, President.”
With that, I had contacted everyone I needed to.
“Phew, socializing really is exhausting.”
A sigh escaped naturally.
My phone felt hot from the overheated battery after being in use for so long.
Now that all the calls were done, all that was left was to return to the hospital and welcome the New Year.
When I opened the office door, Chief Ma stood up from his seat.
“Chief, let’s head to the hospital.”
Outside the window, the last sun of the year was already setting.
2000.
A new millennium had dawned, but for me, it was just another day, no different from yesterday.
When I got up early and came out of the shower inside the hospital room, a welcome face was waiting.
“Oppa.”
Cheon Jiyoung, who had been holding Grandfather’s hand as he slept, stood up to greet me.
“When did you get here?”
“Just now. Did you sleep here?”
“Yeah. Have you eaten?”
“Not yet.”
“No schedule today?”
“Of course not. I cleared everything beforehand. I’m going to stay with Grandfather today.”
“Alright. Then let’s go eat together.”
After glancing once at Grandfather, still asleep, I left the hospital with Cheon Jiyoung.
“What do you want to eat?”
“Anything.”
“Chief, take us to any open restaurant nearby.”
“Yes.”
As the car carrying us began to move slowly, I spoke first.
Feeling guilty for neglecting her lately, my gaze drifted to Cheon Jiyoung.
“Got any plans for the year?”
“I’m preparing a new album.” freewebnøvel.com
“Yeah?”
“The agency also suggested I do a drama, but I’m not confident in my acting, so I’m going to focus on the album first.”
“Are you enjoying it?”
In response to my question, Cheon Jiyoung gave a big, bright smile.
“Yes.”
I couldn’t help but smile back at her cheerful expression.
Her bright face seemed entirely free of deceit.
We had a simple breakfast at a seolleongtang restaurant near the hospital, then returned.
“Miss Jisoo has arrived,” Chief Ha reported as we entered.
“She came alone?”
“Yes.”
Instead of replying, I simply nodded.
When we opened the door to the hospital room together, Cheon Jisoo was sitting beside Grandfather.
At the sound of the door, she turned to look at us. I spoke first.
“It’s been a while.”
“It has. I saw Jiyoung a few days ago, right?”
“Yes, unni.”
An awkward air filled the room, but Jiyoung, unconcerned, walked over to Grandfather’s side.
“Grandfather, are you awake?”
At her lively voice, Grandfather’s gaze shifted toward her.
It looked as if a faint smile appeared on his face.
Cheon Jisoo gave up her seat to Jiyoung and approached me.
“Do you have time to talk?”
“Did we have anything to talk about?”
Even at my cold reply, her expression didn’t change.
“Maybe there’s something we could do that would benefit us both, if we don’t let emotions get in the way.”
“Let’s go outside.”
I took the brazenly speaking Cheon Jisoo to the adjoining reception room.
“Talk.”
“You’re as cold as ever, then and now.”
“Just get to the point.”
“Push me forward, like we promised before.”
The casual way she said it left me momentarily dumbfounded. I frowned.
“What?”
“You promised me before, didn’t you?”
“Hah... unbelievable. Are you seriously saying this to me right now?”
“Like I told you before, this is between my father and aunt. I have nothing to do with it.”
“...Watch your words.”
“I really want Ilseong. I can’t accept being pushed aside by you just because I’m a woman. Even my father spoke to you first as soon as he came to Korea.”
“That’s your business. It has nothing to do with me.”
When I cut her off bluntly, her expression turned cold.
“My mother said she would help me.”
“So? Why should I help you? Maybe back then, but right now you’re of no use to me at all.”
Whether my answer changed or not, she bit her lip.
“You don’t know whether I’d be useful or not.”
“I doubt someone like you would be.”
Instead of bristling at the insult, she held back and kept her composure, which was strange.
It was a sight I’d never seen in the previous life, and I found it slightly satisfying.
“Just inherit the hotel side. Stick to what you’re good at.”
“...I don’t want to.”
“Then bring a worthwhile card to the table and negotiate. Don’t whine like this. If you want to deal as a business partner, that’s how it works.”
I could see her mind working. She was probably thinking about what she’d have to bring me for my support.
“You know that has more potential than dragging up some absurd promise from the past, right? You’re not stupid. You can tell how much has changed since then.”
“...”
“At least you’re still human, though. You visit Grandfather from time to time, after all.”
I looked at her, hesitant to answer, then turned away.
That’s when a sharp voice came from behind me.
“If I bring you something that would help you, will you really help me?”
I answered without turning around.
“Yeah. If you bring me what I want.”
When I returned to the hospital room from the reception room, Jiyoung was still holding Grandfather’s hand, chatting away.
“Grandfather, I’m having fun these days. Back then, even if there was something I wanted to do, I couldn’t... Now that I’m doing what I want, it’s fun.”
No matter how much she spoke, there was no reply.
Her voice began to tremble slightly.
“So... get up, okay? You said you wanted to see me get married, didn’t you? Hm?”
Grandfather’s tired gaze stayed fixed on Jiyoung.
The next day, Myungsoo called.
— Muhyuk, I think they’re about to push me out.
“Okay. Let’s do the press conference.”
— Location’s still the Koryo Hotel?
“Yeah. Bring the documents right away. Don’t leave even a single page behind.”
— Got it.
“Wrap everything up in three hours and come to the Koryo Hotel. I’ll have the preparations done.”
I gave orders to Chief Ma, who had been waiting for the call to end.
“Call Koryeo Daily and the other outlets, get them to gather at the Koryo Hotel.”
“Understood.”
At last, all preparations for Myungsoo’s debut into politics were complete.
