Chapter 836: A Second Chance

“Sigh… No matter what, I can’t shake this feeling. The President trusted him so much. How would you feel if I betrayed you?”

“Are you laying the groundwork for betraying me?”

“No you bastard! What would you do if that happened?”

Myeong-su’s betrayal. It was a question with a clear answer, one I’d thought about long ago.

“Hmm. I think I’d forgive you, just once.”

My answer seemed unexpected, Myeong-su’s lips moved but it took him a while to respond.

“…Sure.”

In the past, I abandoned Myeong-su once.

So in this life, I planned to forgive him once no matter what he did.

But his reaction made me want to tease him.

“Why do you think that? Do I seem like such a bad guy?”

When I asked seriously, Myeong-su seemed embarrassed and changed the subject.

“Forget it. I can’t say anything around you. If the President approves, I’ll accept it.”

“Yeah. I was planning to convince you first and then meet the President.”

“Well it’s not like I can start a riot since the President is forgiving him… Still, it feels wrong.”

Myeong-su’s voice was filled with dissatisfaction until the end.

“Then are you going to kick out Park Seok?”

“That’s impossible!”

Myeong-su shouted while shuddering. Then there’s no choice.

“There’s no better alternative. There’s no politician with as much influence as Park Seok.”

There was no justification to suppress a politician as influential as Park Seok.

To do that, the President would have to step in and mediate.

“Well that’s reality. At this rate, Park Seok will easily get the nomination. He was originally a multi-term lawmaker in Jongno.”

Jongno was considered the number one district in Korean politics.

Being a multi-term lawmaker there meant that you were a politician who received a lot of attention and love from the people.

When the Conservative Party was about to collapse, Park Seok declared his non-candidacy and retirement to avoid the fallout. It was unlikely he’d return to politics just to become a lawmaker once more.

If Park Seok entered the National Assembly, it was obvious he would quickly rise as a potential presidential candidate.

Seemingly thinking the same thing, Myeong-su crumpled a paper cup in his hand and asked.

“By the way, does Senior Secretary Woo Young-shik plan to run?”

“I don’t know yet.”

“What? Then talking about this won’t lead to any conclusion.”

“Still, he’ll contact us soon. We need to finish everything before then to be at ease.”

Myeong-su, who had been showing a puzzled reaction to my words, soon nodded.

“If it’s Senior Secretary Woo Young-shik, no one in the party can oppose him. After all, he was President Yoon Chang-ho’s friend and closest confidant. Also, no one in the party knows why he stepped down.”

Myeong-su tossed the crumpled paper cup like a basketball into the trash can.

“Nice!”

The paper cup went into the trash can, which had become a hoop, in one shot.

Seeing him clench his fist and shout, I chuckled in disbelief.

“What are you doing?”

“Didn’t you see? It went in, in one go. My skills aren’t rusty.”

“Grow up.”

“Whatever. You should stop being so uptight.”

Myeong-su grumbled and stood up.

“I’ll hint at it to the party leadership for now. Let’s talk again after you convince the President.”

“Alright. I’ll go to the Blue House tonight.”

“Then let’s talk tomorrow. I’m leaving.”

Myeong-su waved his hand and left the office. I immediately picked up my phone and contacted the Blue House to make an appointment.

* * *

Late at night, the car carrying me entered the Blue House discreetly.

“Mr. President.”

“Boss Kim, welcome.”

The President greeted me warmly at his residence. The First Lady, who was next to him, also greeted me warmly.

“Boss Kim Mu-hyeok, welcome.”

“Yes, First Lady.”

After greeting her, I handed the flowers I was carrying to the First Lady.

“Oh my, what’s this?”

“I thought of you on the way here, so I bought them.”

“Ho-ho. Boss Kim has more sense than this guy.”

“Alright, go in and rest.”

Glancing at the scolding Yoon Chang-ho, the First Lady spoke to me kindly.

“Then I’ll go in and rest.”

“Yes. I apologize for the late hour.”

“It’s fine. It was hard seeing him drinking alone these days.”

“Have you been drinking often?”

“He’s been drinking alone a lot lately. He won’t tell me what’s wrong, even when I ask.”

Unable to refute the First Lady’s words, Yoon Chang-ho just smiled bitterly.

After looking at him, I spoke respectfully to the First Lady.

“Then I’ll keep him company tonight so he won’t be lonely.”

“Please do, Boss Kim. I’ll head in now.”

The First Lady bowed her head, smelled the flowers once, and headed towards the bedroom.

“Let’s go in.”

Yoon Chang-ho and I moved to the dining room. A lavish spread of food and drinks was already prepared on the table.

“My wife showed off her skills for the first time in a while since you were coming.”

“I’m glad I bought the bouquet.”

“Seriously, you should’ve said something. What am I supposed to do?”

I smiled at the grumbling Yoon Chang-ho.

“You should be good to the First Lady.”

“Yeah, yeah. Have a seat.”

Yoon Chang-ho expertly shook the makgeolli and asked.

“Makgeolli is okay, right?”

“Yes. Anything is fine.”

Yoon Chang-ho poured two bottles of makgeolli into a pitcher and added a bottle of cider.

Maksa, they called it. His preference was the same as ever.

After a moment he poured the drink into a bowl and handed me one first.

“Let’s have a drink.”

We lightly clinked our bowls and emptied them.

Yoon Chang-ho picked up a piece of pajeon and put it in his mouth.

His expression was so somber that I couldn’t help but ask worriedly.

“Have you been drinking a lot alone lately?”

“They say it’s always darkest before dawn. I’ve never related to that saying more than these days.”

“…”

There’s nothing more emotionally draining than being betrayed by those you trusted. I could fully understand Yoon Chang-ho’s feelings.

Yoon Chang-ho drank another bowl of makgeolli by himself.

“I heard there was trouble in China?”

I thought he wouldn’t know because the Chinese government blocked the information, but President Yoon Chang-ho already knew.

“Did you know?”

“Of course I know. I’m the President.”

“What’s the point of talking about it now? It’s all in the past. It’s enough that I returned safely.”

Yoon Chang-ho nodded and picked up the pitcher.

I held out my bowl with both hands towards him.

“Always be careful, Boss Kim.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

After receiving the drink, I took the pitcher and poured for Yoon Chang-ho.

We clinked our bowls silently and emptied them again.

“Woo Young-shik. That guy contacted me.”

I paused while putting down my bowl and looked at Yoon Chang-ho.

His eyes were filled with mixed emotions.

“He said his daughter came to Korea. And we talked about a lot of things.”

“Did you?”

“I had a lot of thoughts. I resented him, but I also understood his heart, having to betray me because of his daughter.”

“Do you want to forgive him?”

Yoon Chang-ho shook his head firmly at my question.

“How can I forgive a traitor?”

He said it firmly but it was clear he had already softened.

I poured him another makgeolli and asked.

“Did Senior Secretary Woo Young-shik say anything else?”

“Anything else? We just talked about his daughter and hung up.”

Hasn’t he decided yet, or can’t he bring himself to tell the President?

For Woo Young-shik to become a candidate, the President’s approval was necessary.

“Hmm. That’s unexpected. I thought he would ask for your opinion.”

“Opinion? What opinion?”

“I advised him to run in Jongno.”

“What?”

Perhaps he hadn’t expected it, Yoon Chang-ho dropped his bowl.

The bowl fell to the floor, clattering loudly, but Yoon Chang-ho’s gaze was fixed on me.

“You told him to run for the National Assembly? That guy?”

“Yes. I told him to enter politics before. He refused then. I suggested it again this time. To get a badge in Jongno this time.”

“…”

“Are you uncomfortable with it?”

Yoon Chang-ho didn’t answer, he just poured makgeolli into a new bowl.

After drinking two bowls in a row, he finally spoke.

“…What’s the reason?”

“There’s no other reason.”

“There’s no way. If you made that suggestion, there must be a reason. The Boss Kim I know doesn’t offer such kindness without reason.”

He knows me too well. I shrugged and met his eyes.

“You might not like it, but do you still want to hear it?”

“I need to hear it.”

Yoon Chang-ho replied in a firm voice. I emptied the makgeolli in front of me and spoke.

“It seems unlikely that a constitutional amendment for a cabinet system will happen within the President’s term.”

Yoon Chang-ho nodded in agreement, he seemed to have expected it as well.

“Then I need to make the next president someone I want.”

“…And that’s Woo Young-shik?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because he already has a weakness. Ye Xiaotong in China… Ah, Ye Xiaotong is Senior Secretary Woo Young-shik’s daughter.”

“I know. I heard about it.”

They only talked on the phone, but they must have had a pretty deep conversation.

“He has a weakness, so he’ll move as I want him to.”

“…Are you saying you’ll make him a puppet?”

“Do you think of yourself as my puppet right now?”

Yoon Chang-ho stared at me without saying anything.

“I’ve never once thought of the President as my puppet. If you think that way, I’d be a little disappointed.”

The answer came after a long while. Yoon Chang-ho replied in a subdued voice.

“I think the same. We were partners.”

“That’s right. I just need my work not to be interfered with. That’s why I joined hands with the President, and made it possible for the President to seize power. Senior Secretary Woo Young-shik is the same as the President. Because I need him, I plan to make him the president.”

“There will be strong opposition within the party.”

“Myeong-su will take care of that. As you know, for politicians, approval ratings are everything. As long as the President’s approval rating doesn’t fall, no one can openly oppose the President.”

Yoon Chang-ho let out a deep sigh and asked.

“Is there a reason it has to be him?”

“Of course, I could put someone else forward. But do I have to? Taking the hard road when there’s an easy one is enough with just the President.”

“…”

“Still, if the President opposes it, I’ll scrap this plan.”

When I added, “Because we’re partners,” Yoon Chang-ho’s face grew even more somber.

Yoon Chang-ho kept emptying his makgeolli in silence.

I didn’t add any more words to give him enough time to think.

When Yoon Chang-ho finally spoke, the pitcher of makgeolli was empty.

“Let’s do that. He made a mistake once, but he wasn’t originally like that. It’s not bad to give him another chance. No, thank you.”

“It’s something I’m doing because I need to. Then please convince Senior Secretary Woo Young-shik. I’ve already informed the Secretary General.”

President Yoon Chang-ho nodded. His complicated expression showed he had a lot on his mind.

“I think you need some time alone. I’ll take my leave for today. I’ll visit again next time with better news.”

I stood up, bowed my head to Yoon Chang-ho, and left the dining room.

Yoon Chang-ho didn’t follow me out. When I stepped outside, the First Lady was waiting for me.

“Did you finish your conversation?”

“Yes, First Lady.”

“And him?”

“He seemed to have a lot on his mind.”

“Thank you. He was looking forward to seeing you all day today. Please visit often.”

The First Lady, unaware of what was discussed inside, asked me to come often.

“Yes. I’ll make time to visit often.”

I left the residence with the First Lady’s farewell.

A few days had passed since my meeting with President Yoon Chang-ho.

Woo Young-shik visited the Myeong-dong office in person.

After exchanging greetings, we immediately got to the point.

“What do I need to do?”

“You already talked with the President, right?”

Woo Young-shik nodded.

“Apply to join the party immediately and declare your candidacy for Jongno. After that, the Secretary General will take care of the arrangements.”

“Do you think I can do well, Boss Kim?”

“Are you afraid?”

Woo Young-shik hesitated for a moment before answering.

“…To be honest, it would be a lie to say I’m not afraid.”

“It’s the same path President Yoon Chang-ho walked before. Didn’t you watch him walk that path by his side? Just do as he did. Just stay on the boat, the Secretary General will handle the rowing.”

Woo Young-shik and I talked for a long time afterward.

After we finished talking, Woo Young-shik left me with one last remark.

“Leave my daughter alone. If you harm my daughter, I will…”

“You keep saying the same thing. Such threats don’t work on me.”

“It’s not a threat, it’s a plea. If you do that, I’ll gladly be your puppet.”

Woo Young-shik’s sore spot was his daughter, Ye Xiaotong.