The Inspector Is Getting Promoted! [EN]: Chapter 273

Stealing People’s Hearts (1)

Time flew by quickly.

And finally, November 15th.

The date indicated by one of the three future texts was just around the corner.

November 29th, Namyangju Star Rock Golf Course.

I didn’t know what would happen, but I kept that date open.

There was no significant movement from Minister of Justice Park Chang-shik yet, but you never know.

In the meantime, quite a few things had happened.

Of course, most of them were resolved peacefully.

At least, from my perspective.

The regular National Assembly session, which ran for 100 days from July, was a complete victory.

No matter how much Sung Tae-hyun struggled, if the Daehan Party and I joined forces, we would definitely secure a majority, so there was nothing they could do.

They were utterly helpless.

However, Sung Tae-hyun used the President’s veto to prevent the situation from tilting too much.

If you put it in terms of percentages, it would be around 65:35?

No matter how much we won in the National Assembly, we had to allow that much because it was a privilege of the ruling party that had the President.

No, if you’re in opposition to the President, that ratio is actually excellent.

You could even say it’s the best ever.

Above all, I called Kim Kang-jin, a member of the Daehan Party, directly to the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, so Sung Tae-hyun was worried that I was plotting something with the Daehan Party and couldn’t focus properly on the regular National Assembly session.

Thanks to the significant gains made in the regular National Assembly session, I’ve been living quite comfortably ever since.

One disappointing thing is that I assigned Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook to investigate Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, Min Ho-sun, but, contrary to expectations, I couldn’t find any unusual connections between him and the Blue House [the presidential residence and executive office].

Instead, I found an unexpected connection.

None other than Minister of Justice Park Chang-shik.

Min Ho-sun and I both went to Korea University, but Park Chang-shik is from Anam University, so he’s not an alumnus, and I couldn’t find any other politicians who could connect the two.

But the two were much closer than expected.

They not only occasionally met for drinks but also went camping together once a quarter.

Last September, they even went glamping [glamorous camping] together in the sweltering heat before the heatwave had fully subsided, so there’s nothing more to explain.

I have to use this.

At this point, having captured Minister Park Chang-shik’s heart, reaching Min Ho-sun by using him as a stepping stone is the easiest way and the route to gain trust easily.

However, it shouldn’t be too obvious to Minister Park Chang-shik.

If he gets suspicious, he might think, ‘Did he use me for this?’ when I actually break into his house.

It has to be very natural, disguised as a coincidence.

While I was researching for a long time what method to use.

Bzzzz.

The phone vibrated.

The caller was Minister Park Chang-shik.

“Ahem.”

I cleared my throat and answered the phone right away.

“Yes, this is Choi Seo-jun.”

-Oh, Chief Prosecutor Choi. Are you busy right now?

“No, I was just finishing up work and having a cup of coffee.”

-Good. I timed it well.

“That’s right. Hahaha.”

-It’s nothing much… Do you have any plans for the week after next?

Two weeks later.

The week that includes the date from the future text.

Instantly, my eyes sparkled.

“What’s going on?”

-Why don’t you come skiing with me for two nights and three days, starting on Monday?

Monday is the 29th.

The date the future text mentioned!

I immediately looked at the calendar and crossed out the schedules for Tuesday and Wednesday with a red pen.

“I don’t have any important appointments. But.”

I asked cautiously.

“Are you talking about weekdays?”

-Yeah. I was going to go on the weekend, but I heard it’s already booked. You still have vacation days left, right?

“Yes.”

-Take a half-day off on Monday and take vacation days on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“I understand.”

Wait a minute.

There’s still a problem.

The place in the text is a golf course, not a ski resort.

Did the future change because I got closer to Minister Park Chang-shik?

“May I ask where we’re going?”

-Have you ever skied on a golf course?

My ears perked up.

“No, not yet.”

-There’s a place called Star Rock Golf Course in Namyangju. It’s a place where you only play golf in the spring, summer, and fall, but in the winter, it’s covered in white snow. Only VIPs can use it, and it’s no joke.

It seems that if a VIP makes a reservation, they control access so that no one else can enter during that period, and they can play on the entire golf course.

I’ve heard stories from people in the line who play like this sometimes, but this is the first time I’ve actually seen it.

-Let’s try it out. It’ll be amazing.

“I understand. I’m looking forward to it.”

-By the way, it’s a family trip, so bring your wife and son.

“Yes. I will.”

-And I invited a friend I want to introduce to you, is that okay?

“Who is it?”

-It’s Min Ho-sun, the Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office. You’ve heard of him, right?

A gourd rolled in, vine and all [an idiom meaning an unexpected bonus or stroke of luck].

The corners of my mouth turned up on their own.

“Yes. I’ve been wanting to meet him.”

-Good. That’s great.

Minister Park Chang-shik chuckled lightly and continued.

-Oh, and bring Prosecutor Gong, that friend too.

“Prosecutor Gong, you mean…”

His voice dropped.

-The guy who held a knife to my neck.

I swallowed my tension and asked cautiously.

“If you’re still angry…”

-Hey, what do you think of me?

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way…”

-You have to bury the past in the past. Since you took him under your wing, won’t you run into him a few more times in the future?

“That’s right.”

I said honestly.

“We’re working together now, and he’s a pretty good guy.”

-Good. If he’s your man, he’s my man now, right?

He laughed heartily as he said that.

My man is his man.

He’s playing games.

Now that I’ve gotten close to him and 맞춰 [matched/aligned], he doesn’t even remember when he grabbed my pant leg and begged.

But I still had to 맞춰 [match] his mood.

That’s how I can perfectly carry out the 빈집털이 [empty house robbery – meaning to take advantage of an opportunity].

“Yes, that’s right.”

-Good. If we’re going to be together anyway, it’s better to meet in person and get rid of the old feelings from the past.

Since Gong Sang-wook’s return is less than two months away, I was going to arrange a meeting with Minister Park Chang-shik anyway, but I didn’t have to use my strength.

“Yes. After all, his goal was promotion, not to have bad feelings towards the Minister.”

-Then tell that friend to come too. See you that day.

“I understand.”

I hung up the phone and immediately called Yoon Seol-ha.

“Please adjust the schedule for the week after next. Move all the schedules for Tuesday and Wednesday to after that. Don’t schedule any additional events from Monday to Wednesday. No meetings either. Chief Song Hyun-sung will handle all the basic tasks.”

“Yes, I understand.”

After Yoon Seol-ha nodded and left, I called Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook.

-Yes, Chief Prosecutor.

“Keep your schedule open from Monday to Wednesday the week after next.”

-I understand. May I ask what’s going on?

“I’m going to meet Minister Park Chang-shik.”

-……Yes?

He made a 음이탈 [vocal crack] as if he was flustered.

-S, suddenly Minister Park?

“I’m preparing to wrap up the last incident well, so don’t be nervous.”

-Ah, thank you!

“Then come to the High Prosecutors’ Office right now. We need to come up with a plan.”

-Yes. I’ll leave right away!

***

It was as expected.

There were no other guests at the golf course besides us.

Of course, I was accompanied by my family, and Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook also came with his wife and two children.

Min Ho-sun was the same.

However, Minister Park Chang-shik, who was older, brought his son, daughter, and even grandchildren.

His daughter graduated from law school and works at a law firm, and his son works as an aide in a member’s office in Yeouido [the “Capitol Hill” of South Korea].

It seems that he subtly arranged the meeting to create connections with prosecutors, including me, to help his son enter politics in the future.

I pretended not to know and comfortably went along with the situation.

But the most excited person here wasn’t me or Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook.

“Wow, snow!”

It was the children.

They were sledding and running around in the snow instead of skiing and snowboarding.

My son, Ji-hoon, is still ignorant and just happy to have new friends, but if they meet a few more times like this, a community of 2nd and 3rd generations will naturally be created among themselves later on.

Continuing with a golden spoon in their mouths [born into wealth].

Their own connection.

Ji-hoon will probably be able to reach higher places more easily than me.

Just thinking about watching that makes me feel proud already.

“Chief Prosecutor Choi.”

When I turned my head, Deputy Chief Prosecutor Min Ho-sun approached me.

“Hello, Deputy Chief.”

“We already greeted each other earlier, what’s with that.”

“No. Earlier, we were all together with the Minister, and this is a place where it’s just the two of us. I wanted to greet you directly, just the two of us.”

“You’re good with words.”

He chuckled and asked.

“So. Is work going well?”

“Yes. There’s nothing difficult about the High Prosecutors’ Office work, is there?”

“The hardest thing is the High Prosecutors’ Office work. When I look back on the past, it seems like the High Prosecutors’ Office was the most difficult.”

“Ahaha, it seems that you were in charge of big and important things.”

The atmosphere was much softer than expected.

The excitement of coming to ski must have played a part, but above all…

“The Minister praised you a lot.”

“Oh, did he?”

“Yeah. He said you have a good personality, excellent skills, and manage people well.”

“That’s an overstatement. I’m not that good.”

Thanks to Minister Park Chang-shik creating such a good image, I was able to easily form a good relationship with Deputy Chief Prosecutor Min Ho-sun.

“Do you snowboard?”

“I used to snowboard sometimes in college.”

“Then shall we have a match?”

“Yes?”

Deputy Chief Prosecutor Min put on his goggles and tapped me on the shoulder.

“The person who comes late buys a drink.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he went down first.

This is a man’s fight.

“I’m giving you a handicap!”

I also put on my goggles and quickly snowboarded down.

Suddenly, I noticed the children looking up from below, showing off my flashy 개인기 [personal skills/tricks].

“Dad, fighting!”

But unfortunately, Deputy Chief Prosecutor Min Ho-sun came in first.

In fact, I deliberately came in a fraction of a second late.

I had to ride a 접대 [entertainment] board [meaning to deliberately lose to please someone].

“Ah, that’s too bad. I could have won.”

“I think I won thanks to the handicap.”

He smiled broadly and raised his goggles.

“By the way, I only came down once, but my whole body is aching.”

“Hahahaha.”

A loud laugh came from behind.

The main character was, of course, Minister Park Chang-shik.

“Deputy Chief Min, when you get old, it’s much more comfortable and fun to have a beer and watch the kids run around.”

“I guess I’ll have to do that from tomorrow.”

Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook was next to Minister Park Chang-shik.

Seeing his good expression, it seemed that the two of them had finished talking separately.

Seeing him subtly raise his thumb so that only I could see, it seemed that I didn’t have to step in.

I had a feeling that this 2-night, 3-day camping trip at the ski resort would be quite beneficial.

However, I haven’t let my guard down yet.

The future text wouldn’t have bothered to tell me the date and place just to promote friendship through this kind of camping.

Deputy Chief Min Ho-sun looked at Gong Sang-wook and asked.

“Prosecutor Gong hasn’t ridden yet, right?”

“Yes. I’m about to ride now.”

“Then go up and come back with Chief Prosecutor Choi. I’ll wait here with the Minister.”

“This, this, you’re trying to be a 말동무 [conversation partner] because the old man is bored.”

Min Ho-sun 능글맞게 받아쳤다 [replied slyly/smoothly].

“Did you get caught? Hahahat.”

Listening to them talk, I felt that they were much closer than I thought.

There might be bigger results than I thought at the drinking party tonight and tomorrow.

“Then, Prosecutor Gong, shall we go up together?”

“Yes. But.”

He pointed to the high place and asked.

“Isn’t that the Chief Prosecutor’s wife up there?”

I raised my hand to block the sunlight and checked above, then nodded.

“Oh, that’s right.”

Han Ji-yu was taking 화보 [photoshoot] alone.

Her age in her mid-30s was 무색할 정도 [inconspicuous/faded].

I don’t know how she shines even when she’s wearing a ski suit.

“Wow, 제수씨 [term for a friend’s wife] is still in the 배우 [actress] class. Amazing.”

At Gong Sang-wook’s 넉살스런 [easygoing/jovial] words, Han Ji-yu touched her cheek.

“Oh, what 배우 [actress]. It’s been years since I retired from acting.”

“No.”

Minister Park Chang-shik shook his hand and said.

“I’d believe you if you said she was friends with my daughter?”

While they were praising Han Ji-yu, that’s when.

“Dad.”

Choi Ji-hoon approached with a somewhat disappointed expression.

“Why, son?”

“I’m the only one without a sibling.”

“Huh?”

“Everyone else has siblings, but I’m the only one who doesn’t.”

He grabbed my sleeve and shook it with a crying face.

“Make me a sibling too!”

At those words, we all burst into laughter at the same time.

Minister Park Chang-shik, who laughed the loudest, looked at me and said.

“Chief Prosecutor Choi, you need to use some strength. You’re still in your 30s, a 파릇파릇 [youthful/vibrant] age, right?”

“That’s right. Chief Prosecutor Choi was the only 외동이 [only child]. It’s lonely to have only one in this day and age.”

Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook carefully added.

“Chief Prosecutor. I also have a son and a daughter, for a total of two.”

“Hehehe…”

While I was scratching my head embarrassedly.

Han Ji-yu 능청스레 [shamelessly/playfully] winked at me and then.

“I’ll prepare a 장어 [eel – considered an aphrodisiac] table when we get back this time.”

She came up to me and whispered in my ear.

“I like twins too.”

It seems like Han Ji-yu is serious…?”

***

The time when the sun began to set and darkness began to fall.

“Let’s go back now!”

At the voice coming from below, Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook, who was in a high place, rubbed his stomach.

“It’s perfect because I was starting to get hungry.”

“Yeah. Let’s take care of the kids and go quickly.”

Minister Park Chang-shik and Deputy Chief Min Ho-sun, who were below, started walking leisurely first, and the rest of the people started following them.

The children were also enjoying the last moment, sledding down one by one.

I and Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook also 쓸며 [gliding] down the snow smoothly.

After coming down like that, I started taking off my snowboard, and Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook started changing his shoes after taking off his skis.

“I guess we won’t be able to ride tomorrow, right?”

“That’s right. If we run like crazy tonight, it’ll be hard to even stay still tomorrow because we’ll be drunk.”

“Hahaha. That’s right.”

He said to me with sparkling eyes.

“Thank you for inviting me to a good place.”

“What invitation. The Minister called you to come.”

“I know that it’s all thanks to the Chief Prosecutor.”

“Make sure you take good care of everything you’re leaving behind.”

“I understand!”