Moon Jong-beom froze with his mouth wide open while looking at Jeong Jin-woo.

That appearance was truly an absurd expression, like a broken toy.

It was Jeong Jin-woo who usually gave off an iron-wall-like impression with his sharp gaze and suit attire.

The fact that such a man had chanted a savory melody with his mouth a moment ago was a shock itself to Jong-beom.

"Let me go~! Let me go home~! I can't do things like PPT anymore~!"

Jeong Jin-woo's low voice strangely seemed to tickle the back of the neck.

The vocalization was plain, but somehow it became languid and sad.

But above all, this song contained the sorrows of office workers.

That melody that touched the heartstrings of the entire nation and turned many people's commute home into a sea of tears.

The legendary office song that was hummed even in conference rooms with a whistle.

The only song that gave comfort to office workers suffering from the mood of their bosses, the power trips of clients, and infinite overtime.

Of course, Moon Jong-beom was no exception.

"That… that song… why is it coming out here?"

Toward Assistant Manager Moon, who was muttering with a dazed face, Jeong Jin-woo threw a single word with an indifferent face.

"Do you not know this song?"

Only then did Moon Jong-beom come to his senses, and he nodded with a face that looked as if it would burst into laughter at any moment.

"A-ah, I know it! If you don't know that song, you're not a person of the Republic of Korea!"

It seemed the tension that had been pulled taut was gradually loosening.

In the end, he lay down on the sofa, stretching his body out like a flat cola.

After that, he looked at the screen as if he had met an old friend.

The familiar melody made his tension fly away.

Jeong Jin-woo was still looking at the screen with an expressionless face, but he was also smiling inwardly.

It was just that it did not show when other people looked at him.

Although he looked indifferent on the outside, the song he sang a moment ago was by no means a coincidence.

In fact, he had already noticed that Assistant Manager Moon had been unusually nervous even before departure.

He guessed it as he saw his speech decrease at the airport and even minor tasks being slower than usual.

'At this rate, it will be a matter of time before he is caught.'

So he chose it.

Although it did not suit his cold-headed image, he helped him in perhaps the most human way.

If the tension of Moon Jong-beom could be completely relieved with the song called the office song, things like embarrassment were nothing.

He was not the type of personality to be ashamed of such a thing anyway.

Jeong Jin-woo shifted his gaze slightly toward Assistant Manager Moon.

He saw him looking at the screen with a face that had relaxed before he knew it.

Tension had completely disappeared in the way he leaned his body deep into the backrest.

"Going to a state guest event hall with a nervous face is a disgrace as a working-level staff member."

Moon Jong-beom was startled and scratched his head in embarrassment.

"Ugh, did you perhaps do that on purpose?"

Chief Jeong turned his head away immediately while putting on a serious face.

"Not a chance."

But in those words, the heart of a boss who was more considerate than anyone else was clearly hidden.

A few hours passed, and I, Hyunjun, slowly fastened the buttons of my shirt while gazing out the window.

Beyond the glass window, the redly burning sunset was slowly submerging the exotic city of Baghdad.

At that moment, the room was full of busy hands.

"Representative, please lift your head for a moment. Yes, exactly that angle."

It was not even an hour since the local stylist team, whom Moon Jong-beom had suddenly recruited, arrived at the accommodation.

He called a makeup artist, a hair designer, and even a coordinator capable of styling suit attire.

At this time, Assistant Manager Moon instructed them one by one very seriously.

Even the usually taciturn Chief Jeong Jin-woo stood aside and watched silently.

A makeup brush brushed over my face, something was applied to my hair, and then it was being refined with brilliant hand movements.

Their fingertips were swift yet delicate.

The makeup artist naturally decorated my skin tone and made the three-dimensionality come alive with a makeup method suitable for a young face.

My deep-set eyes were brought to life even more clearly.

The hair designer neatly organized the sides and directed the top with a sense of volume, finishing it in a classic yet sophisticated style.

A few strands of hair falling forward added a natural dignity as if unintentional.

Finally, a custom suit was draped over my shoulders.

The charcoal tone, close to deep navy, with silk fabric that had a subtle luster, was a suit made by an Italian craftsman, and the fit that adhered perfectly to the body perfectly showed my broad shoulders and slim waistline.

The bow tie had a dark-toned wine color, which radiated a neat yet classic elegance.

On the left chest, I wore a gold brooch prepared by the Prime Minister's Office.

It was a symbol of the state guest invitation and a sign that implied the importance of tonight.

As I stood in front of the mirror, I, who had been watching in silence for a while, organized the suit with one hand and leisurely touched my shirt sleeves.

With a calm expression, clear features, and even a composed smile added, that appearance could not be seen as a high school student.

The head of HJ Partners, who handles billions of dollars, and a person whom even the Prime Minister of a country treats with polite respect.

Tonight, I am not a simple businessman, but a person representing Korea standing at the center of the stage.

Moon Jong-beom let out an exclamation while looking at me standing in front of the mirror.

"Wow! Representative, you are truly no less than a movie star. It wouldn't be out of place at all even if you stood on a Hollywood red carpet. No, honestly, you are superior to an actor."

I smiled quietly.

Turning my head slightly and looking at Jong-beom, I said jokingly.

"It is burdensome for me as well if you praise me excessively. Haha."

"Still, you must take photos."

Moon Jong-beom moved here and there to take photos.

The photos he took are planned to be sent to the HJ Partners PR Office immediately.

"Do I still have to take more?"

"Of course. Just a moment."

The atmosphere in the room became even more gentle.

Chief Jeong Jin-woo opened the door and bowed his head politely.

"Representative, the vehicle preparation is finished. You must go out now."

I touched my bow tie for the last time and took a short deep breath while looking in the mirror.

Only then did the finished appearance radiate a subtle light in the mirror.

Just before arriving at the official banquet hall, the vehicle slowly entered the event entrance under iron-clad security.

As soon as the vehicle I was riding in arrived, the surroundings quickly began to stir.

"That is the car right there!"

The sound of camera shutters burst out all at once.

Press corps from various countries flocked, and photojournalists pressed their shutters continuously toward the car door.

As the car door opened, the pouring gazes and flashes were directed at me simultaneously.

I slowly got out of the vehicle.

The gold brooch sparkled subtly over the charcoal-tone suit, and under the exotic evening sunlight, my silhouette exuded dignity like a scene from a movie.

Moon Jong-beom, standing right next to me, was frozen while struggling to hide his tension.

Sweat formed in beads on his forehead.

It seemed he was not a stage type after all.

On the other hand, I, the party concerned, was calm.

Spotlights poured down and dozens of lenses followed my every move, but I harbored a gentle smile as always.

From the entrance of the event hall, a man who looked handsome and was wearing traditional Iraqi clothing walked quickly.

"Representative Lim!" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

He, who had thick features and a nimble-looking physique, was Samir al-Zaidi, the son of Prime Minister Hakim al-Zaidi.

Gladness also spread on my face.

The two of us looked at each other without a word and soon shared a firm hug with open arms.

"Thank you for inviting me like this, Samir."

"Rather, I should be the one to be thankful. My father wanted you to come by all means."

The scene of the two people hugging was captured by numerous cameras and soon became a scene worthy of rising as a news headline.

I moved my steps inside the event hall according to Samir's guidance.

Moon Jong-beom and Samira Naji followed behind.

In particular, Moon Jong-beom repeatedly looked around while rolling his eyes in case he missed anything.

Far away on the other side of the hall, Chief Jeong Jin-woo quietly revealed himself.

He was not attending the official event in advance and was watching my line of movement like a shadow.

It was the same expressionless face as usual, but his gaze was sharper and firmer than ever.

The banquet hall was already bustling.

High-ranking officials from various countries, including the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, were gracing the seats while dressed up splendidly.

The fragrant scent of spices filled the space along with traditional exotic music.

Every person whose eyes met mine bowed their heads in greeting.

Some officials came forward first and asked me for a handshake.

Being a teenage entrepreneur the world pays attention to, and a Korean who received an invitation from the Iraqi Prime Minister, held an extraordinary meaning.

For those watching, my presence was clear enough to make them catch their breath while looking at me.

The banquet hall where the celebration was held was a royal-level protocol hall in the center of Baghdad.

On the dome-shaped ceiling, glass was shining translucently while harboring the light of time, and curtains made of high-quality silk and golden-patterned pillars lined up along the walls revealed authority while being classic.

In the middle was a chandelier with thousands of crystals hanging, and the subtle light spread through them, warmly wrapping the entire space.

On the table, high-quality silver tableware, crafted glass cups where tradition stood out, and desserts and wine made by famous local chefs were set up.

I passed the waiting room and entered the inner hall under Samir's guidance.

Another figure who welcomed me quietly stood up from his seat.

Prime Minister Hakim al-Zaidi.

He was a middle-aged figure with a straight posture and a dignified atmosphere, and traditional clothing suited him very well.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Representative Lim."

Prime Minister Hakim's voice was low but had a resonance.

An elegance that contained sufficient respect without being intimidated by the opponent's status stood out.

I bowed my head lightly before the Prime Minister.

"It is an honor for me to be invited, Prime Minister."

"Just the fact that you came to this place holds great meaning to me and Iraq."

The Prime Minister looked into my eyes for a moment and then smiled softly.

In his gaze, a sense of trust in me was dwelling.

"Heads of state and special envoys from various countries are gathered here. It is like a gathering where politics, diplomacy, and even economy are entangled. I hope it will be of help to you as well, so please enjoy it without burden."

"Thank you, Prime Minister. And I sincerely congratulate you on your birthday."

The Prime Minister wore a satisfied smile.

I took out something from the inner pocket of my jacket and gave it to the Prime Minister.

It was a luxurious-looking box.

I respectfully handed the box over with both hands.

Prime Minister Hakim received it as if interested and opened it right away.

Inside, there was a single card.

[To the Honorable Prime Minister Hakim al-Zaidi,

HJ Partners, a private investment company from Korea, wishes to propose a journey of future industrial cooperation that the Republic of Korea and Iraq will walk together.

-Joint establishment of an entrepreneurship fund for Iraqi youth

-Introduction and transfer of Korean-style smart infrastructure technology

-Joint hosting of a private investment roadshow between Korea and Iraq

Centering on the above three directions, we promise a practical contribution to the diversification of Iraqi industry and the creation of youth jobs. All execution funds will be the responsibility of HJ Partners, and we state that this proposal is a promise of mutual growth, not a simple investment. We intend to invest in future possibilities now, not in the fuel of the past. Accordingly, we invite the Prime Minister as the first companion of this proposal.

Respectfully, Lim Hyunjun, Representative of HJ Partners]

The Prime Minister, who finished reading the invitation to the end, was silent for a while.

His fingertips touched the invitation, and his gaze lingered for a long time.

He slowly raised his eyes, looked at me, and said.

"This is large enough to be burdensome to receive as a birthday present."