The Inspector Is Getting Promoted! [EN]: Chapter 194

Prosecutor, You’re Going Places! – Episode 194

Blueprint (5)

“By the way, is there a reason you chose Seongwang-dong?”

I answered Shin Dong-hyun’s question simply.

“Even if you get elected with the Min-guk Party’s backing in their stronghold, you won’t stand out much. To us, a National Assembly member is just a stepping stone, isn’t it?”

His eyes gleamed.

“You mean, if the goal is Seoul Mayor anyway, you need to make an impact in Seongwang-dong, Seoul, not in the provinces.”

“Exactly.”

Ideally, Jongno, the heart of politics, would have been better, but that’s Choi Gyu-hyun’s district.

Since that seat won’t be vacant, I chose the second best, Seongwang-dong.

If I get elected in a politically important district like Seongwang-dong, it will definitely give me a big boost in the next Seoul mayoral election.

The best scenario would be to run directly for Seoul Mayor and get elected, but that’s out of the question.

Sung Tae-hyun needs to hold the Seoul Mayor position until the 22nd presidential election in 2030. That’s the only way he can be sure of becoming president.

However, it’s too much to ask Shin Dong-hyun to wait until 2030.

As time passes, the public attention and interest he gained this time will naturally fade away.

Therefore, the best option in the current situation is to win the by-election in Seongwang-dong.

Of course, if it weren’t Seongwang-dong, I would have waited a bit longer, but luckily, a vacancy arose due to election fraud, so there’s no need to miss this opportunity.

Until Sung Tae-hyun is elected in the 21st presidential election and takes over the Seoul Mayor baton, I can at least gain the title of a two-term National Assembly member.

If it’s Seongwang-dong, and not somewhere else, no one will object to my running for Seoul Mayor, even if my career as a National Assembly member isn’t long.

“The by-election is scheduled for February 12th next year. You need to step down from your position as CEO of SV Group before then.”

“Yes. I was already sorting out my shares due to the MIRS Aviation incident. I’ll pass them on to my sons, so you don’t have to worry too much.”

“Under no circumstances should there be any disputes between your children. Absolutely not.”

I urged him.

“If it turns into a fight over shares, the media will portray you as a tycoon far removed from the common people. That will obviously damage the image of caring for the people that you’ve gained this time.”

“Don’t worry. As a father, it’s a bit much to say this myself, but the difference in abilities between my three sons is clear, so there won’t be any conflict.”

“That’s a relief then.”

I sank into the sofa and slowly organized my schedule.

President Kyung Dong-soo’s term ends in May next year.

The presidential election will be held in April.

Once the by-election is over, I need to immediately start preparing for the presidential election, so the schedule is quite tight.

At that moment, Sung Tae-hyun found us and approached us happily.

“Hello.”

“When did you arrive, Mayor?”

“A little while ago. If it’s not a serious conversation, may I sit down?”

“Of course.”

He smiled and said to me.

“It seems like it’s hard to see your face these days.”

“I’ve been very busy.”

“Indeed, you two were really amazing this time.”

“Oh, no.”

Shin Dong-hyun waved his hand.

“I just followed the plan that Prosecutor designed.”

“Then it’s all thanks to me.”

When I said playfully, they both burst into laughter.

Sung Tae-hyun said jokingly.

“I think you’ve become more sly than before, maybe because you’re getting older.”

“Having kids makes you like this.”

I took a sip of champagne and asked.

“By the way, how is your sister-in-law? Isn’t her due date soon?”

“It’s about a month away now. My wife is having a hard time being full-term, and I’m just grateful.”

“Oh, has it already been that long?”

Shin Dong-hyun looked at Sung Tae-hyun with a gleam in his eyes.

“I guess I should prepare a gift for the birth of your niece or nephew.”

“Oh, you don’t have to.”

I snapped my fingers and said to him.

“By the way, it seems like their birthday will be similar to the twins’ next month?”

“My wife and I have been thinking about that too. According to the exact due date, it’s about two days later…”

Shin Dong-hyun looked surprised.

“Wow, a third child just one year after having twins… Mayor Sung, you’re very energetic despite your age…”

He silently gave a thumbs up, and Sung Tae-hyun waved his hand shyly.

“I just feel sorry for my wife’s suffering.”

At that moment, a man came from behind.

“CEO Shin Dong-hyun. Can you spare some time?”

It was none other than Assemblyman Jo Hyun-woong.

I had already mentioned the by-election to him, so I think it’s probably related to that.

“I’ll get up.”

“See you later.”

“Yes.”

After Shin Dong-hyun left, only Sung Tae-hyun and I remained.

He broke the silence first.

“By the way, have you talked about this presidential election?”

“Yes. The Manse Party proposed a single candidacy, but I told them it would be better for Assemblyman Jo Hyun-woong to run alone.”

“Ah…”

He glanced around and lowered his voice.

“Is that in case of defeat?”

As expected, he understands perfectly.

“That’s right.”

“Then did you talk about the election strategy separately?”

“No. I should have talked more in detail, but the government suddenly announced that they were giving up the black box search, so we couldn’t talk further.”

Sung Tae-hyun’s eyebrows twitched.

“It seems like the Prosecutor didn’t know in advance.”

As expected of Sung Tae-hyun.

His intuition is no joke.

But even if he’s a partner, there’s no need to tell him my weaknesses.

“It’s complicated to explain, but fortunately, it ended well.”

“Yes, that’s right. You have no idea how worried my wife and I were when we saw that.”

“Thank you for your concern.”

“You’re welcome, it’s natural as family and as partners.”

The corners of his lips twisted slyly.

“By the way, is CEO Shin Dong-hyun trustworthy?”

“Yes. I’ve been working with him for about two years, and he seems like a good person.”

“I see.”

Sung Tae-hyun nodded slowly.

“I had no idea you two were working together.”

“You don’t need to worry about that. Just focus on national affairs and capture the hearts of the people without worry. I’ll take care of the dirty politics. Don’t worry.”

He wrinkled his nose and looked at me.

“Okay. I trust you, Prosecutor.”

***

“How’s life at the broadcasting station these days?”

“Oh, it’s so boring these days.”

PD [Producer-Director] Song Jae-hoon, whom I met after a long time, waved his hand.

“In the past, there was at least the thrill of running around, but since I became a CP [Chief Producer], I’m just managing and supervising, so I’m stuck in the office every day.”

He grabbed his belly and said.

“I’ve gained 10kg in 6 months!”

“Haha, but doesn’t your wife like it?”

“Of course. Because I don’t have to work overtime or on weekends, and I can go home at a set time.”

PD Song Jae-hoon glared.

“That’s why I’m dying even more. I’m seriously starting to consider going to other teams’ dinners these days. Of course, it sounds like a luxury to others.”

I burst into laughter.

“Still, I’m glad your face looks better.”

“That’s one good thing. I feel like I’m regaining my health because I’m not working all night.”

“Besides, you’re the youngest CP at PBC [a broadcasting company], so you’ve gained fame too.”

He smiled proudly at my compliment.

“It would have been nice if Reporter Park Soo-hyung had come too, but it’s a shame.”

“I had no idea it was his mother’s birthday. If I had known, I would have set the date in advance.”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

PD Song Jae-hoon and I had a great time catching up after a long time.

“By the way, as a CP, are you only in charge of PD X-File?”

“No. I’m in charge of the entire current affairs and culture section.”

“Ah, so that includes quiz programs?”

“Yes. That includes health programs and documentaries, which are all included in current affairs and culture.”

The moment I heard his words, an interesting idea popped into my head.

PD Song Jae-hoon, noticing my expression, asked with an interesting look.

“Did something come to mind?”

“Jae-hoon.”

I leaned towards him.

“Can I ask you a favor?”

“Just say it. If it’s a favor from Seo-joon, I have to listen to anything.”

I lowered my voice.

“Please shoot a documentary.”

“A documentary?”

He tilted his head.

“What kind of documentary are you talking about…”

“A documentary about a person. A documentary that will elevate a person to a very admirable human being.”

PD Song Jae-hoon’s eyes lit up seriously.

“What kind of person is it? It’s not about you, Seo-joon…”

“It’s CEO Shin Dong-hyun.”

“Shin Dong-hyun, you mean the CEO of SV Group?”

“Yes.”

After thinking for a moment, he asked cautiously.

“Is CEO Shin also planning to go into politics?”

“That’s right.”

“I had some idea after seeing him capture the hearts of the people with this incident… but wouldn’t it be too sudden?”

“Isn’t two years of preparation enough?”

“Ah…”

He purely exclaimed.

“You’ve been preparing for a long time.”

“You can’t survive in this industry if you only live for tomorrow.”

PD Song Jae-hoon shook his head.

“I don’t think I can ever do politics.”

Instead of answering, I smiled lightly.

“I’ll try to push for the documentary. First, the director needs to approve it, but since you’ve done such a great job in this MIRS Aviation disaster, there shouldn’t be any special problems, so you don’t have to worry too much.”

“Thank you.”

I raised my beer glass.

“As a sign of gratitude, I’ll buy the drinks today.”

He joked.

“If I had known, I would have ordered whiskey.”

“Hahahaha, shall we toast?”

“One shot.”

PD Song Jae-hoon clinked glasses hard.

***

“Why did the Assemblywoman call for me?”

The woman with wrinkles around her eyes crossed her legs leisurely.

Although she was not young at seventy years old this year, the luxury goods she wore helped her maintain her dignity.

The elegant appearance in her tone and gestures seemed to indicate that the woman was a noble lady.

Assemblyman Choi Gyu-hyun, who was sitting across from her, opened his mouth.

“It’s been a while; shouldn’t we exchange greetings?”

He placed his clasped hands on his thighs.

“Is it about 10 years since we last met?”

“I think it’s been about that long.”

The woman gracefully lifted her teacup and took a sip.

“Thanks to the Assemblyman abandoning me, I was imprisoned in jail for 9 years.”

“Abandoning you? I cherish Jang Young-soon so much.”

Choi Gyu-hyun joked.

“9 years is less than you deserved. Don’t you remember the media saying you would get at least 20 years?”

“I don’t know.”

Jang Young-soon put down her teacup.

“So, what’s your purpose?”

Only then did Choi Gyu-hyun twist the corners of his lips.

“There’s a thorn in my side.”

“Not without a price.”

“If I seize the presidency, I’ll help you regain your glamorous nickname as the Queen Bee of Gangnam.”

“Not bad.”

Jang Young-soon showed off her deeply furrowed smile and met Choi Gyu-hyun’s eyes.

“Let’s hear the plan.”