The Inspector Is Getting Promoted! [EN]: Chapter 313

Rising Up (2)

“Oh, you’re already here?”

Han Jiyu greeted me with surprised eyes.

“Should I have come later?”

“No, I just thought you’d be out past midnight celebrating your retirement.”

In fact, the dinner party I left was still going strong.

I barely managed to dissuade the prosecutors from holding me back before slipping away.

Even though I was the guest of honor, perhaps because today wasn’t just the last day of the year but also my last day as a prosecutor, I wanted to be home with my family, so I came back.

“Did you have dinner?”

“Yeah. Let’s have a glass of wine.”

“Sounds good.”

While I showered, Han Jiyu prepared wine and cheese by the window.

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Just the two of us drinking wine like this.”

“It has.”

I smiled lightly.

“We’ll be able to do this often from now on.”

“That’s right. You’re unemployed now, aren’t you?”

I chuckled at her words.

She was right.

I had completed all the preparations to transition into a lawyer.

However, immediately becoming a lawyer after retirement wouldn’t look good, so I planned to rest until at least spring.

During that time, I should properly fulfill my role as a husband and father, and also travel.

I was slowly making plans in my head, but what should I say? I still can’t quite believe that I don’t have to go to work tomorrow.

Han Jiyu raised her wine glass and said playfully.

“I won’t complain even if you become a ‘three-meals-a-day man’ from tomorrow.”

“A ‘three-meals-a-day man’?”

“It’s what they call a man who eats all three meals at home every day.”

Ah, I think I’ve heard of it before.

After retirement, if you don’t find a job and eat all three meals at home, they call you a ‘three-meals-a-day man’?

And if you only eat one meal, they call you a ‘one-meal man.’

I chuckled.

“I’ll make my own meals.”

“I’m just kidding. I’ll make you delicious meals.”

She clinked her glass against mine.

After taking a sip of the fragrant wine, Han Jiyu spoke again.

“Oh, about Jihun’s kindergarten…”

The usual trivial stories continued.

We usually only had these conversations during meals or in the bedroom because I was so busy, but it felt different to talk so leisurely like this.

It was a peace I hadn’t felt in a long time.

In the middle of our conversation, Han Jiyu suddenly remembered something and asked.

“And what happened to Seolha?”

“She’s coming to my law firm. She’s going to be my office manager.”

“That’s a relief. I thought it would be reassuring to have Seolha by your side.”

She placed her hand on her chest and let out a sigh of relief.

Perhaps because of the alcohol and the mellow atmosphere, the conversation naturally turned serious.

“Jiyu.”

“Yeah?”

“The path ahead might be a little difficult.”

Instead of a heavy expression, she wore a determined one.

“It’s okay.”

“Even if it’s hard, there’s no turning back.”

Han Jiyu gently placed her hand on mine and held it.

“If I’m with you, I can walk barefoot on a thorny path.”

“……”

“No matter how difficult the process, I believe we’ll be happy as long as the three of us—you, Jihun, and I—are together.”

She smiled brightly without a hint of doubt.

“I also know that no matter what happens, you’ll make me happy in the end.”

I felt a surge of emotion.

I didn’t feel this way even at the retirement ceremony.

“Thank you.”

This one word couldn’t express all the thoughts in my head.

I was able to come this far because of Han Jiyu.

And it’s no exaggeration to say that I can move forward further because of her.

I became certain that the greatest blessing I’ve received in my life is having Han Jiyu as my wife.

“You can lean on me when you’re having a hard time. That’s what couples are for.”

Han Jiyu playfully patted her chest, seeing the emotion on my face.

“I’m still top-notch, you know. I even got a comeback offer with better terms than Han Sia a while ago.”

Although I’m not good at expressing myself, I wanted to tell her my feelings.

“Jiyu.”

The best expression I could muster was.

“I think I like you more than Jihun.”

Han Jiyu let out a hollow laugh.

“……Jihun will hear that.”

***

Time accelerates.

I realize that’s true not because I’m getting older, but because I’m happier.

The month I spent focusing on my family felt faster than my last month in the prosecution.

And so, time passed, and it became February 1st.

I shared my updates through Han Jiyu’s social media.

-Hello, this is Han Jiyu. Today, I want to talk about my family, not myself. My husband, Choi Seojun, has been resting for a long time after retiring last year and has been organizing his thoughts. And after a long discussion with his family, my husband has decided to embark on a new path. He has decided to open a law firm as a lawyer, using his experience as a prosecutor and even as the Prosecutor General. The reason for this decision is to help those who find the law difficult or burdensome and are unable to receive legal assistance, even though there is a legal aid system in place, because they are unaware of it or find it too difficult to access. Therefore, all legal consultations and lawyer appointments at my husband’s law firm will be free of charge. My husband will provide more specific details later. I want to support my husband on his path. I wouldn’t dare ask for support from the public, but I wrote this in the hope that you wouldn’t view his opening of a law firm with disapproval or misunderstandings. I hope you all have a good day and a happy life.

Han Jiyu’s post immediately became a hot topic.

It was shared countless times, and articles were published by many reporters and spread to various communities.

The official opening of the law firm was on March 4th, still a month away.

However, there was a separate reason for announcing the opening of the law firm so early.

The Lunar New Year of 2031 was on February 3rd.

Since the holiday started on February 2nd, many people would be meeting relatives or acquaintances and discussing various topics.

Especially if the news was delivered right before the holiday, it was inevitable that it would come up when many people gathered.

Then, the topic of my opening a law firm would naturally come up.

Even people who weren’t interested in social media would find out.

From a national prosecutor to a human rights lawyer for the people.

Since I would be working without pay, people would have no choice but to see me favorably.

The most effective method of promotion is word-of-mouth.

I could hold a press conference right now if I wanted to, but since I’m a civilian now, not the Prosecutor General, it would seem more friendly to announce it through social media. It would also give a lighter feeling than a press conference.

Above all, the post on Han Jiyu’s social media was written to give the feeling that she was worried that the public might view it with prejudice.

Therefore, it would highlight the wife’s concern for her husband rather than feeling like a promotion to the readers.

Also, the fact that people have a more favorable impression of couples who have a good relationship has been proven in history and in the world of politics.

Therefore, although it was just a few lines of text, a high level of effort went into writing it.

More precisely, it was the effort of me and Go Junghyuk.

That’s how you capture the hearts of the people.

“Good job, Go Pro.”

“It’s nothing.”

Go Junghyuk bowed his head.

I looked at the post on social media again and opened my mouth.

“Your writing skills have improved a lot while working as Park Hyungtae’s aide.”

“Of course. Who else would have written Park Hyungtae’s speeches?”

He covered his mouth and chuckled.

“I look forward to working with you in the future.”

“I won’t let you down.”

Go Junghyuk would continue to help me like this from under the surface for a while.

I had to continue to hide my strength until I ran for president.

And when the presidential election camp was set up, he would finally reveal himself.

***

“There are more than I thought.”

I couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh.

I expected reporters to come to the opening ceremony of the law firm.

But there were far more than I had anticipated, stationed at the entrance.

“I didn’t think there would be more reporters than citizens coming for legal consultation.”

Yoon Seolha asked me after pulling over to the side of the road before driving into the building.

“Should we hold an impromptu press conference?”

“Will that make the reporters back off a bit?”

“Yes. They need to have at least one news item to settle down.”

“Then I’ll get out here and do an interview with the reporters. Seolha, turn around, park, and go in to prepare for work.”

“Are you sure you’ll be okay alone?”

“Of course.”

I smiled and opened the car door.

“Call me immediately if there’s a problem.”

“Understood.”

With those words, I walked towards the entrance of the law firm.

But after only a few steps, a reporter spotted me and shouted.

“It’s Choi Seojun!”

Sure enough, countless reporters’ cameras turned towards me.

The sound of shutters clicking.

But none of the people running towards me were reporters.

This is probably…….

As I greeted the citizens and headed towards the entrance of the law firm, I let out another hollow laugh.

I knew it would be like this.

They had already set up a photo line.

Reporters seem to have a way of communicating in these situations.

I’d probably be stuck for at least 30 minutes to an hour… but I expected it to some extent.

As soon as I stood in the marked spot, a reporter approached me with a microphone.

“Hello, Prosecutor General.”

“Please call me a lawyer now.”

“Ah, yes. Lawyer.”

“I thought I was just going to have a small interview…”

I looked around at the reporters and said.

“It’s almost a press conference.”

“We’ll write a good article.”

“I’ll look forward to it.”

The reporter immediately took out a questionnaire and asked me.

“First of all, what is the reason for your transition to a lawyer?”

“It’s the same as what I revealed through my wife’s social media. While resting after retirement, I realized that there are many people in Korea who are suffering because they find the law difficult and burdensome. So, I thought about how I could help them, and I happened to have a good conversation with the Korea Legal Aid Corporation, so I opened a law firm.”

“I see. But even though it’s a law firm, I think there are people who are confused about exactly what it is. Could you explain in detail what you do for these people?”

This was the question I was waiting for.

“To be exact, I provide simple legal consultations and connect those who need legal aid with the Korea Legal Aid Corporation. However, I intend to help environmental organizations or various associations that do not represent the interests of specific groups or those who work for national or public interests by allowing them to appoint me as their lawyer if they wish.”

This is the key.

Passing on simple cases to the Legal Aid Corporation and taking charge of cases that can be highlighted in the eyes of the public.

In other words, winning their favor by handling cases that can capture the hearts of the people.

This is why I chose to become a lawyer as a stepping stone just before running for president.

If I can just make one or two big splashes, it will be enough to imprint my image in the minds of the people.

“You stated that you would support everything from consultation to defense free of charge, but is there a reason why you are working without receiving money?”

“While I was working at the prosecution, I received a salary as a public official through the taxes paid by the people, and I am still receiving a pension. It doesn’t make sense for me to receive money from citizens for working.”

“Should we see it as a kind of volunteer work?”

“It would be too grand to say that; it would be better to express it as helping.”

“You’re even humble. It must have been a difficult decision; you’re really amazing.”

The reporter continued the questions with a respectful look.

“There is a special reason why this law firm was established in the Jongno area…”

The remaining questions also did not deviate from the list that I and Go Junghyuk had anticipated.

And throughout the interview, I was convinced.

If this content is published in the articles, the people will see me not as a ‘privileged class’ but as one of the ‘common people’ who represent their interests.

The feeling is very good from the start.