The Inspector Is Getting Promoted! [EN]: Chapter 285

Prosecutor, You’re Going Places! – Episode 285

The Spy Begins to Shine (5)

“How have you been?”

Realizing that he was sent by Prime Minister Park Hyung-tae, I felt relieved, and a gentle question about his recent activities came naturally.

“It feels like it’s been quite a while since I last saw you.”

“Indeed. It seems like about half a year since our last meeting.”

“Thinking about it, time really does fly.”

“Doesn’t everyone say that as they get older, time seems to pass by faster and faster?”

Go Seong-tak smoothly played along with the conversation.

“I’m starting to feel that way myself.”

“Then, isn’t it about time for you, Prosecutor Go, to settle down and start a family? You should have children before it gets too late.”

“Hahaha, I’m planning to seriously look for someone once this matter is over. Thanks to you, Prosecutor, I think I’ll be able to get married soon.”

“Thanks to me?”

Tilting his head as he asked, he held his thumb, index finger, and middle finger in front of his face and shook them up and down [a gesture implying physical attractiveness or improvement].

“My mask has changed, you see?”

“…Ah!”

“Not only do I look younger than my age, but I also asked for a more masculine look during the plastic surgery. It’s optimized for capturing women’s hearts! My popularity is no joke, even beyond the Blue House [the executive office and official residence of the President of South Korea].”

Go Seong-tak shook his head and added.

“Just the other day, I was walking down the street and got asked for my number for the first time in my life!”

I couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

I really did think that with this kind of appearance, it would be entirely possible to live a different life than before.

“So, are other figures besides the Prime Minister not noticing?”

“Yes. Not only the President, but also Chief of Staff Gong Jae-won, who used to work with me, doesn’t recognize my face at all.”

“That’s a relief.”

“My voice has also changed, and I speak in a Seoul accent with almost no unique intonation, so there’s no chance of being recognized.”

“That’s good. Please continue like this in the future.”

“Of course.”

Go Seong-tak smiled confidently.

After a moment, he clapped his hands as if he had remembered something.

“Ah, right. Did you happen to know about this?”

“What are you referring to?”

“It seems like Seong Tae-hyun has a woman recently.”

He lowered his voice as if it were a secret.

“It’s spreading openly even within the Blue House, but it seems like everyone is keeping it quiet because of the sensitive nature of the matter.”

As expected, when water leaks, it starts from the closest source [meaning secrets are often revealed by those closest to the situation].

I said as if I had been waiting for it.

“Is his mistress a Pilates instructor?”

Go Seong-tak’s eyes widened in an instant.

“How did you know?”

He swallowed hard and asked.

“Besides me, is there anyone else dispatched to the Blue House?”

I smirked and replied.

“It’s her.”

“Excuse me?”

“Jennifer Kang. I sent that Pilates instructor.”

“…Ah!”

Go Seong-tak let out a loud exclamation, seemingly quite surprised.

“Heh heh…”

Soon followed a hollow laugh.

He clicked his tongue and looked at me.

With a gaze purely mixed with admiration.

“You really do think several steps ahead of what I imagine… No, you move while looking even further beyond that.”

“Thank you.”

However, Go Seong-tak continued to shrug his shoulders in surprise and admiration, as if the shock hadn’t worn off.

Only after a long time did he finally calm down and open his mouth again.

“But Jennifer… that Pilates instructor seems to be quite something.”

“Did something happen?”

“I heard it didn’t even take her a few weeks to win over the President. And to top it off, I heard Seong Tae-hyun is practically begging for her attention these days.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. I overheard the Prime Minister and Chief of Staff having a secret conversation, and they said the amount of money he’s showering Jennifer with is enormous.”

If she had been born in the Joseon Dynasty [Korean kingdom lasting for approximately five centuries], she would have devoured the royal concubines and become the queen.

It felt like joining hands with Kim Nana was a divine move.

“Then that’s even better. We don’t have much time left now.”

“Yes.”

His eyes gleamed.

“I will watch the downfall of the Seong Tae-hyun administration from the closest possible position. No, I will lead it.”

“You have to.”

I wrinkled my nose and replied.

After a moment of silence, Go Seong-tak cautiously opened his mouth.

“Anyway.”

After a long chat, he got to the main point.

“What should we do about this matter?”

The task that the Prime Minister gave Go Seong-tak was to persuade me.

“You know how I’ll answer, right?”

Of course, no matter how much it’s Go Seong-tak, I shouldn’t give in easily.

To burden the Prime Minister.

And to make Go Seong-tak trust me even more.

I need to make him sweat a little more.

Go Seong-tak smirked and nodded.

“I’ll make him anxious.”

“Yes. However, this time, tell him that you refused after a long deliberation, making it seem like it was a close call. Then, it would be good if you came with the Prime Minister the third time.”

“Me, together?”

“Yes. You need to skillfully use your rhetoric in a place with the three of us. And make it seem like I fell for it.”

His eyes gleamed.

“He will trust me even more.”

“That’s right.”

“Yes. Then I will come to see you soon.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

Go Seong-tak bowed his head and got out of the car.

***

The reunion with Go Seong-tak happened not long after.

As time went on, the Prime Minister’s heart became more and more urgent, so he came to find me in less than a week.

And he brought his right-hand man, Go Joong-hyuk, with him.

“It’s been a while, Prosecutor Choi.”

Prime Minister Park Hyung-tae greeted me with a face deeply lined like a Hahoe mask [traditional Korean mask known for its exaggerated features].

“Ah, yes.”

I deliberately answered coldly.

“I didn’t expect you to come so suddenly…”

In fact, it was unexpected.

After asking Yoon Seol-ha on the phone if my schedule was open, he came up to the prosecutor’s office in less than 10 minutes.

He probably arrived nearby and hesitated before asking.

“I’m sorry. I was too impatient… If I have been rude, I apologize again.”

Since the Prime Minister was bowing his waist and apologizing, I greeted him at an appropriate level.

“No. Please sit down first.”

“Yes, thank you.”

After Yoon Seol-ha brought coffee.

“By the way, what brings you here?”

“Ah, that’s…”

Prime Minister Park Hyung-tae began to speak indirectly.

“Do you remember last year? We said we should find a way to work together…”

“I’m busy with work.”

I glanced at my wristwatch and said.

“Let’s get straight to the point.”

“…Alright.”

He took a deep breath and opened his mouth with difficulty.

“I was wondering if you could arrange a meeting with Minister of Education Hwang Seon-hyung, as I mentioned last time…”

Sweat began to bead on Prime Minister Park Hyung-tae’s forehead.

Since I had already refused twice, he must have thought that I would not be pleased to hear this.

As he thought, I sighed as if I was displeased.

“Haa…”

Then, as planned, Go Seong-tak stepped forward.

“Prosecutor. Of course, we know that you may not be happy with us because of your bad relationship with the President, but…”

“No. Seong Tae-hyun is Seong Tae-hyun, and the Prime Minister is the Prime Minister. However, this matter is…”

I subtly gave the impression that it was a separate matter from Seong Tae-hyun.

“It’s not simply within my authority, but I’m hesitating because I could offend Minister Hwang. To be honest, I’m close to Minister Hwang, but this matter is just not…”

The Prime Minister grabbed my hand.

“That’s why I’m asking. If it’s not Prosecutor Choi, there’s no answer to this matter.”

Go Seong-tak’s eyes gleamed as he said.

“If this matter is resolved, we will help you, Prosecutor.”

I stared at him intently and asked.

“In what way?”

“So that you don’t have to take off your robes even after the term of the High Prosecutor ends [meaning to help him retain his position]. Even if Seong Tae-hyun is the President, if the Prime Minister directly persuades him, he will definitely consider it.”

A proposal that I would have kicked away without hesitation under normal circumstances.

However, I pretended to be tempted, rested my chin on my hand, and slowly pondered.

Go Seong-tak continued to speak as if he had a motor in his mouth.

“It doesn’t have to be a commanding position, does it? The Ministry of Justice is also fine… You will definitely be able to fly high once Seong Tae-hyun’s term is over. If it’s just about enduring until then, we promise to roll up our sleeves and help you.”

“…”

“Or there is also the option of amending the Prosecution Act in the next regular session of the National Assembly to extend the term. Since you hold the casting vote, Prosecutor, this is also a possibility…”

Nonsense.

However, I pretended to be persuaded by those words, showed a long period of contemplation, and then nodded very slowly.

“If you say so much, I can arrange a meeting.”

“Really?”

Prime Minister Park Hyung-tae asked, forgetting what Go Seong-tak had said in an instant, with a delighted expression.

But I immediately shook my head.

“I can bring up the story, but Minister Hwang will not accept it.”

He desperately clung to me.

“Even if a meeting is arranged, I will talk well…”

“No. She also told me. If Prime Minister Park Hyung-tae asks you to connect him with me, refuse him like a knife [meaning to refuse him sharply and decisively].”

“Ah…”

Prime Minister Park Hyung-tae wore a desolate expression as if he had lost the world.

It shouldn’t end here.

After a moment of silence.

I leaned towards him and opened my mouth.

“However, it’s a different story if I step in to persuade her.”

“Choi, Prosecutor Choi?”

Prime Minister Park Hyung-tae’s Adam’s apple bobbed.

“Yes. I’m quite close to her, so she will listen to me if I speak. I’ve had quite a few conversations with her about this matter, so she has a lot of trust in me. Above all…”

I twisted my lips roughly.

“She’s also thinking about entering politics after her term as minister, so she trusts me very much. If I talk well, it may be possible for her to accept this matter.”

The part about entering politics is, of course, a lie.

However, Prime Minister Park Hyung-tae, who had no way of knowing this, came so close to me that his neck was about to fall off.

“C-Can you really do it?”

“Instead.”

I clasped my hands together and placed them on my knees.

“Help me once next time.”

“If you tell me what it is…”

As I frowned, Go Seong-tak quickly jumped in.

“I understand.”

Prime Minister Park Hyung-tae wore a surprised expression, but Go Seong-tak replied with a confident expression.

“Whatever it is, we will definitely help you.”

He brought his right-hand man, or rather, bringing him to this place proves that he is like his shadow, so he can’t go back on what Go Seong-tak said.

As expected, Prime Minister Park Hyung-tae also nodded.

“Yes. I promise.”

Only after hearing those words did I take out the answer they wanted.

“Good. I will connect you with Minister Hwang.”

Prime Minister Park Hyung-tae’s eyebrows rose as if they would soar to the sky.

“Thank you, Prosecutor Choi!”

How naive.

When I think about how this will be used as a card in the future, I’m the one who should be thankful.

I smiled broadly and shook hands with him.

“Let’s work together, Prime Minister.”