Chapter 262: The President’s Request

“Huh… I see that happened.”

“Yes, Father.”

“I’m relieved you made it back safely. If anything had happened to you, I wouldn’t have been able to hold on.”

A fleeting sadness crossed Song Chan-woo’s face upon hearing Chairman Song Young-ju’s words.

Noticing his expression, Song Young-ju gently patted his son’s shoulder.

“So what did you discuss with Boss Kim?”

“Nothing much, really.”

“You idiot, didn’t I ask you to plead my case? I told you not to miss this opportunity!”

“…”

Song Young-ju chose to ignore the fact that, during his hospital stay, some loyalists had already pledged allegiance to Song Chan-seong.

He also knew that without Kim Mu-hyeok’s help, they wouldnt be able to prevent Daehyeon Motors and other subsidiaries from separating.

To avert that crisis, Kim Mu-hyeok’s cooperation was asolutely necessary.

However, aware that every action of Song Chan-woo was being reported to Song Chan-seong, he urged him to seek help from Kim Mu-hyeok in Pyongyang, wherethey wouldn’t be seen.

“What? Did he say he can’t help? Or did you not even manage to ask him properly?”

“He looked at me with distrust. What can I ask from someone like that?”

“…Of course he won’t find you satisfactory in his eyes. That’s just common sense!”

Song Young-ju let out a soft sigh.

He knew Song Chan-woo always felt sensitive about trivial matters, but he lamented inwardly for not expressing himself properly.

“Father…”

“You’ve become someone who can’t even act recklessly at a young age. What could ever please his eyes?”

“That’s because I’m the heir of Chairman Cheon Tae-san…”

Cutting off Song Chan-woo’s small voice, Song Young-ju bellowed.

“Listen here! Chairman Cheon Tae-san had to pay the Prest’s respects too! Yet now that person has made the President bow to him. When will Mu-hyeok realize he didn’t earn that position solely from the Cheong family?”

Song Young-ju stopped lecturing, momentarily coughing before exhaling sharply.

Surprised, Song Chan-woo jumped to his feet, startled by his father’s labored breathing.

The one who stopped him from calling a doctor was Song Young-ju himself.

“It’s fine. It’s just my blood pressure rising, so don’t panic and sit down.”

“But…”

In a small voice, he murmured as he hesitated.

“I said sit!”

Only then did Song Chan-woo sit back down. Song Young-ju felt his son’s hand gripping his own.

“The only person on your side is Kim Mu-hyeok. So whatever it taks, keep a firm hold on him and give him all you’ve got!”

“Father, can’t we just hand over a few subsidiaries to my brother? Why do you insist on giving everything to me? I feel scared. I don’t think I can handle what you’ve given me.”

“I built Daehyeon. I am Daehyeon, and Daehyeon is me. Would you have me tear it apart and divide it? By whose authority!”

Despite Song Chan-woo expressing his pain honestly, Song Young-ju replied resolutely.

Though he was an old man sitting in a hospital bed, he remained steadfast.

“Father… then please hand Daehyeon over to my brother. I can’t take that place.”

“You fool, he’s someone who will erase you from Daehyeon when I’m gone! How can you suggest handing Daehyeon over to such a person?”

“…If it’s because of my mother, you don’t need to do this. I’ve already received more than enough.”

In the end, Song Chan-woo brought up his mother.

“…Chan-woo.”

“I understand you want me to succeed your father’s business towards North Korea. But that’s not all, is it?”

He had already sensed that Chairman Song Young-ju’s stubbornness was partly rooted in his guilt towards him.

Tears brimmed in Song Chan-woo’s eyes as he trembled, even at over fifty years of age.

“Honestly, it’s tough. I hate the disdainful looks from my other brothers, except you.”

“…”

“I’m scared. There’s a chance I could lose everything you handed down to them.”

Song Chan-woo gripped Song Young-ju’s hand tighter, feeling it faintly tremble.

Sensing the unease within that hand, Song Young-ju called out softly.

“Chan-woo.”

“So, can’t you pass it to my brother instead? Your talks about North Korea…”

Song Young-ju knew well that his son, who had been weak since childhood, would fall apart.

However, he was resolute that Song Chan-woo was the person to succeed him.

“No. The next inheritor of Daehyeon is you, Song Chan-woo. That is my wish, so you should always follow my will like you always have. Understood?”

“But, Father.”

“Despite all this…!”

An irate Song Young-ju yelled again, but before he could finish, he lost consciousness.

“Father! Father!”

Song Chan-woo shouted and shook Song Young-ju’s body. But his consciousness didn’t return.

Soon, the hospital room surrounding Song Young-ju was filled with the urgent rush of medical staff.

* * *

Kim Hak-gwon rose from his seat upon hearing that Manager Ma had been shot by Kim Jong-il.

With a face full of shock, he looked down at me.

“Did I hear you right? Yes, Manager Ma was shot by Kim Jong-il.”

“No, Boss Kim! Are you aware how big of a commotion this is? Kim Jong-il shot at our citizens?”

Even in a time of peace, North Korea remained a hostile nation to us.

Yet, if the news spread that one of its citizens was shot by Kim Jong-il, Kim Hak-gwon’s administration would surely suffer a heavy blow.

Not long ago, a cordial atmosphere prevailed as the North Korean delegation visited Seoul, and a South Korean delegation traveled to Pyongyang following their return.

But now, one of those who went was shot by Kim Jong-il?

Though it might not lead to war, the atmosphere of reconciliation would inevitably chill rapidly.

“But it’s true. Just sit down. I will explain everything to you.”

With a deep sigh, Kim Hak-gwon reluctantly took a seat.

“What I’m about to share must remain a secret only to the President. Even among close aides, never discuss this with the Secretary or any other Cabinet members.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Can you promise me?”

I kept silent, watching him intently. Kim Hak-gwon’s eyes scanned my face.

Having rolled with the punches in politics for decades, he seemed to be choosing his words carefully.

In the end, he had no choice but to agree to my request.

“Fine, I promise.”

“Great! I appreciate your trust.”

I lifted my teacup and took a sip before diving into the details about the peace agreement between the U.S. and North Korea.

Kim Jong-il proposed first, and the U.S. offered new terms after that.

“…Is what you said really happening?”

“Yes.”

Kim Hak-gwon’s expression hardened as he absorbed all my words, his lips tightly sealed as he appeared to need time to think.

I waited while sipping my tea. It wasn’t until my cup was nearly empty that Kim Hak-gwon finally spoke.

“So, did Kim Jong-il accept the proposal? To send troops alongside the U.S.?”

I shook my head softly and set down my teacup.

“A coup broke out during the negotiations. We couldn’t even discuss things properly.”

“Hmm… I see. But why in the world would the U.S. government assign such a task to you? We have the South Korean government in place, after all. Why would they bypass us like this for such a significant matter without a word to me…”

Kim Hak-gwon frowned.

Even if you were the President, attempting to tackle matters that couldn’t be handled would only sour his mood.

So I gave him a prepared answer.

“It’s better for fewer people to know about such things, you know? There are always those who don’t want peace in the U.S., North Korea, and our country. What do you think would happen if this news reached Japan or China?”

“They’d try to stop it by any means necessary. Nonetheless…”

“I received a direct request from Kim Jong-il himself, and I was the one who delivered it to the U.S. Not many are aware of this situation. You need not take offense.”

Kim Hak-gwon, who had been quietly listening, started to nod awkwardly.

Unfortunately, there was one more piece of news to relay.

“Mr. President. There’s something even more important.”

Kim Hak-gwon’s face creased as if sensing something was amiss. He looked much more fatigued compared to when he first entered the conference room.

“What now?”

“They’ve instructed me to convey that all negotiations with the U.S. and every agreement the President had made with South Korea has been put on hold.”

“What did you just say?”

Kim Hak-gwon questioned, aghast. I repeated my statement for clarity.

“All agreements with South Korea are on hold.”

“That’s absurd! I’ve spent years preparing for this! We’re at the moment of fruition, and someone dares put it on hold…!”

Kim Hak-gwon expressed his raw emotions, causing me to wait patiently until he calmed down before continuing.

“I simply conveyed Chairman Kim’s wording. You can discuss this with your aides as needed.”

Hasty and furious, Kim Hak-gwon downed his glass in one go.

“So you’re saying that Chairman Kim wants to put all agreements between South and North on hold?”

“Yes, I believe official contact will follow. I just thought you should be prepared for it.”

“…Thank you. I appreciate this heads-up. But what in the world is going on in North Korea that leads to such drastic decisions? Can you provide more context?”

Kim Hak-gwon asked again, looking frustrated. It wasn’t difficult to answer, so I nodded and slowly began to elaborate.

“It seems there are quite a few factions against Kim Jong-il. Kim Il-chul is acting as the face for them, and it appears his son and young officers under him were the masterminds behind the coup. It’s somewhat akin to our situation forty years ago.”

“So you mean that Kim Il-chul is just a figurehead?”

Seeing Kim Hak-gwon with a disbelieving look, I offered further clarification.

Having arrived in Seoul without knowing much of the details, I shared what I could.

“I don’t know the full situation either. Whether Kim Il-chul was simply manipulated by his son or genuinely intended to seize power from Kim Jong-il… is still unclear. This is about as much as I know for now.”

Had this occurred before I returned, I might have known the details better, but since it was unprecedented, I could only theorize based on what I had experienced and seen.

Kim Hak-gwon chose to remain silent, his expression stiff.

‘He must be feeling immensely troubled.’

During his presidency, Kim Hak-gwon had mobilized every resource he could to improve inter-Korean relations.

But now, all of that seemed on the verge of crumbling, and it must be distressing to him.

“So was it Kim Jong-il who shot at your secretary?”

“During a disagreement while we were leaving Pyongyang from the secret bunker, Kim Jong-il shot Manager Ma. That’s all there is to it.”

“…I see. Thank you for letting me know. Can you keep this shooting a secret?”

Even without him saying it, it was something he didn’t want to go public.

As a sign of agreement, I nodded slightly, and Kim Hak-gwon sighed in relief.

“If it’s the President’s request…”

“Yes, I wish for it, indeed.”

“Understood. However, it will eventually come to light. There are too many witnesses to Manager Ma’s injury.”

“I’ll make sure to keep things under wraps. As long as it doesn’t get publicized that Kim Jong-il fired the shot, it’ll be fine.”

His nonchalant remark made me internally smirk.

‘So he’s become someone who cares more for his own security than for the safety of his citizens. He wasn’t always this way, though; he had ambition, yet his passion for the people was genuine…’

This was perhaps because of the future I had altered. Swallowing my bitter emotions, I stood up first.

“I’ve taken too much of your time already. I’ll see you again, Mr. President.”

I slightly bowed, greeting him as I left the conference room. The Secretary was waiting outside.

“Thank you for yesterday.”

“Not at all. I’m aware you’ve been through a lot, so I should extend my assistance. What was discussed, though?”

I responded to the plainly curious question with a smile.

“It’d be better if you heard it directly from the President. He’ll call for you soon. I’ll take my leave now.”

After greeting the Secretary, who tried to stop me, I exited the Blue House.

No matter how many times I visited, the weight that came with the name ‘Blue House’ remained unchanged.

With a small sigh, I got into the car that was waiting.

“Let’s head to Busan.”

“Yes, Boss.”

While Manager Ma was hospitalized, I wanted nothing more than to rest my weary mind and body without a single thought.

I deeply missed the people who understood the real me.

As the car carrying me swiftly departed for Busan, I closed my eyes.