The Inspector Is Getting Promoted! [EN]: Chapter 112

A Blank Check (1)

“I’m glad it worked out well.”

“Jiyu, it all ended well thanks to you.”

The 1 billion [Korean currency, roughly equivalent to $750,000 USD] that went to So Hyung-seop was recovered intact and re-deposited into Han Jiyu’s account.

Of course, as expected, So Hyung-seop changed his statement, claiming he had made a false confession due to coercion. However, all the evidence was clear, and Inspector Kim Byung-tae had revealed everything, so the situation didn’t change.

What goes around comes around.

“It’s such a large sum, and you didn’t hesitate for a moment… I’m really grateful.”

Han Jiyu shook her head.

“If you’re thankful for this, you’ll be saying thank you for the rest of your life, won’t you?”

The way she tried not to burden me was so lovely.

“Meeting you seems to be the greatest luck in my life.”

She intertwined her fingers with mine, seemingly satisfied with my answer.

“By the way, it’s already November.”

“I know. Time flies so fast. I heard it’s going to drop below freezing soon.”

“They say the first snow is next week. It’s already winter.”

While chatting with Han Jiyu, she suddenly seemed to remember something and turned to look at me.

“Oh, right. Oppa [Korean term for older brother, used by females to address older males they are close to], your profile picture is still that one, isn’t it?”

“The one I took in Malaysia?”

“Yeah. It’s below freezing now, but it’s a complete summer picture. You should change it.”

She took out my phone, scrolled through the photos, and changed my profile picture herself.

“What did you change it to this time?”

“A picture of you in a suit.”

“The one you took a while ago?”

“Yeah. It’s totally my style.”

Han Jiyu looked at me with hearts in her eyes.

“Why is my oppa so handsome?”

“That’s just in your eyes.”

“To say that, you even have a fan club, you know?”

“I’m grateful to them, but I don’t know how to express it. I’m embarrassed, you know…”

“It’s okay. I’m taking care of it all.”

“You’re taking care of it?”

“Yeah. I secretly go in and spread oppa’s pictures sometimes.”

She smiled bashfully.

“Good things should be shared.”

“Oh my…”

While chatting with her, the car quickly arrived at her apartment parking lot.

“I had so much fun today too.”

“Sleep well, and contact me.”

“Yeah. Oppa said you’re going to meet the Line people?”

“Yeah. Prime Minister Choi Gyuhyun came after a long time, so I’m just going to show my face for a bit.”

“It’s past 10 PM, you’re working hard.”

Han Jiyu stroked my cheek.

“Go carefully and get inside. Don’t drink too much.”

“I’m not going to drink today.”

“Oh my, you’re so good.”

She lightly kissed my lips and got out of the car.

“Go in quickly.”

“Okay, okay.”

Han Jiyu waved for a long time before heading to the elevator.

After seeing the elevator with her go up, I immediately headed to the Dobby Hotel.

Since it was Prime Minister Choi Gyuhyun’s first time coming to the Line after being re-elected as a member of the National Assembly in the recent general election, I thought I should show my face even if I was tired.

Not only Choi Gyuhyun, but today was also the day when most of the people who were re-elected and newly elected to the National Assembly from Line No. 1 were attending, so I couldn’t miss it.

The real party starts after midnight when everyone is at the peak of their intoxication, so the atmosphere should be sufficiently heated by now.

Seong Taehyun also said he would attend the party after being elected with an overwhelming vote difference, so he must have already arrived.

I have a feeling that tonight will be an unforgettable night at the penthouse.

I arrived at the Dobby Hotel a little after 11 PM.

The penthouse on the top floor, the 37th floor, was much more heated than expected.

I never thought that EDM [Electronic Dance Music] music would be playing in this place, where people in their 50s and older are the majority, with 30-year-olds being called babies.

At the center of the penthouse, a young man was dancing wildly to the music, shirtless and swinging his shirt around.

I think he was a newly elected member of the National Assembly from Sangmun District.

His belly, which protruded like a typical 40-year-old, was wiggling, but his excitement was no less than that of a 20-year-old. Of course, it was drunken excitement.

“Oh, our Chief Choi is here!”

Assemblyman Seo Sanghyun, who was elected for the sixth time in Gangnam District.

He was in his late 60s, looking towards his 70s, but he approached with a vigorous face, even with women on either side of him.

“Chief Choi, why are you so late?”

“Ah, I had some work to do…”

“It looks like you were on a date with your girlfriend.”

The women next to him clapped and sparkled their eyes.

“That’s right. Our prosecutor is a complete romantic guy.”

“You and Jiyu seem to be dating really beautifully.”

“Thank you.”

As I scratched my head in embarrassment, Assemblyman Seo Sanghyun burst out laughing.

“That’s the best time. Wait until you get to my age. You’ll be all wrinkled and won’t even remember what romantic feelings are.”

“Oh my, Assemblyman. Don’t you get all fired up when you see us?”

“Do I?”

At the woman’s words, Assemblyman Seo Sanghyun laughed heartily and greeted me.

“Then have fun.”

“Yes. Have a good time, Assemblyman.”

“Okay.”

He moved to one side with the women.

I greeted people briefly and became acquainted with the new people in the Line [political faction].

Even if there weren’t any completely drunk people, everyone seemed quite intoxicated.

I wonder if they’ll even remember me tomorrow.

When I went to the innermost part, Assemblyman Choi Gyuhyun, looking pleased, was already quite drunk and waved at me happily.

“Oh, Prosecutor Choi is here?”

“Yes, Assemblyman. You seem to have had quite a bit.”

“Hey, this is just the beginning.”

He had finished his term as Prime Minister and jumped back into the general election, but he seemed to be soaring through the sky as he had won by a landslide, as if the period of absence as a member of the National Assembly was insignificant.

I offered him a drink and said.

“Congratulations, Assemblyman.”

“Hahaha, thank you.”

He smiled contentedly and handed me a glass.

I told Han Jiyu I wouldn’t drink, but how could I refuse a drink in this situation?

As I raised my glass, he filled it and said.

“We should go with Prosecutor Choi for a long, long time.”

His face was flushed, but his eyes were still sharp.

“I remember well the story I had with you.”

“Please remember it for life.”

“Good.”

He grinned and lightly clinked glasses.

Just as I was about to put the glass down after finishing it in one shot.

“Congratulations, Assemblyman!”

A chief prosecutor from the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors’ Office approached and greeted him energetically.

Naturally, Assemblyman Choi Gyuhyun’s attention was focused on him.

I had already made eye contact, and since he was already drunk, I quietly stepped back and moved my seat.

At that time, Seong Taehyun, who was sitting by a window alone and drinking, caught my eye.

“Assemblyman Seong.”

“Ah, Prosecutor.”

While everyone else was drunk, Seong Taehyun didn’t even seem to have a red face.

“When did you arrive?”

“I just arrived. How about you, Assemblyman?”

“I think it’s been about an hour.”

“Shall we have a drink together?”

“Sure.”

I immediately took a seat by the window where he was sitting.

“Congratulations on your re-election.”

“Haha, thank you.”

Seong Taehyun smiled and greeted me, but for some reason, his complexion didn’t seem as good as before.

“Is something wrong? You don’t seem happy for someone who came to a party celebrating his election as a member of the National Assembly.”

“Ah, it’s nothing.”

He shook his head and changed the subject.

“Did this case end well?”

“Yes, it ended well. It’s been handed over to the Public Prosecution Department, so we’re done with it now.”

“I see.”

Even after talking for about 10 minutes after that, I couldn’t help but notice that his attention was elsewhere.

So, I finally leaned towards him and said seriously.

“Assemblyman, please tell me honestly if something is wrong. I want to help if I can. It makes me uncomfortable to see you like this.”

“Ah, is it that obvious?”

I joked and nodded.

“Yes, very much.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“Tell me.”

I grabbed his arm and said.

“What’s so difficult between us?”

After I said that, Assemblyman Seong Taehyun, who had been contemplating for a while, finally opened his mouth cautiously.

“I’ve been thinking about asking you several times, but I gave up.”

“No, what’s so difficult between us that you’re hesitating? Feel free to tell me.”

“It’s a bit embarrassing…”

He blushed as if he was embarrassed.

It doesn’t seem like a difficult request, but is it something a little embarrassing?

“I was worried that you might be uncomfortable… and that you might feel burdened.”

“I’ll at least listen. I’ll refuse outright if it’s difficult.”

“Please really do that.”

“Yes.”

Assemblyman Seong Taehyun scratched his cheek and finally opened his mouth with difficulty.

“It’s nothing else, but I noticed that your profile picture changed a little while ago.”

“Ah, yes. Jiyu changed it on the way to dropping me off.”

“Since your picture changed today, I thought it might look strange if it goes on any longer, and if I miss this timing, there might not be another chance. Besides, I’ve felt a different kind of emotion after a long time…”

He listed the circumstances in detail.

“I’m saying this with the help of alcohol, but it’s definitely not because I’m lonely in the fall.”

“I understand, so tell me. I won’t look at you strangely.”

“Hahaha…”

Nevertheless, Assemblyman Seong Taehyun gave an awkward laugh as if he was embarrassed, and then finally got to the point.

“I want to be introduced to a woman.”

“You should have said so sooner.”

I said with a bright smile.

“Jiyu has a lot of pretty and kind friends around her. You said your ideal type is unconditionally a pretty woman, right?”

“Ah, that’s right, but… I saw someone who is exactly my ideal type in your profile picture.”

My profile picture?

That was a picture I took with Jiyu.

He’s not asking me to introduce him to Han Jiyu, is he?

Wait a minute.

Could it be…

“Are you talking about Jiyu’s younger sister?”

“Ah, yes.”

Assemblyman Seong Taehyun continued with a apologetic expression.

“I’ve been holding back because I thought it would be quite rude to ask you to introduce me to your girlfriend’s younger sister, not anyone else. But since you changed your profile picture this time, I thought I would really never be able to meet her again if I missed this opportunity… Your sister-in-law is exactly my ideal type.”

He wants me to introduce him to Han Jiyu’s younger sister.

I never expected that.

But at that moment, a scenario suddenly came to my mind.

A very brilliant scenario.