I sipped my coffee while watching the news about Myungsoo on TV.

— Floor Leader Lee Myungsoo has reached an unprecedented agreement with the Progressive Party...

Seeing things like this really drove home how different Myungsoo and I were.

Unlike me, who cornered opponents without mercy, Myungsoo managed to secure both practical gains and legitimacy.

Thanks ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) to that, the uneasy atmosphere within his party had settled down.

In a situation where the opposition needed to unite just to stand a chance against the ruling party, the Progressive Party had broken away.

Perhaps because of that, the National Alliance had redirected its criticism toward the Progressive Party instead.

It seemed like Myungsoo had used this method to split the two apart.

As a result, the attacks against him had decreased, and he had bought himself time to firmly seize control of party power.

“Guess I’ll have to help him just a little more.”

Tomorrow, President Hu Jintao would visit South Korea.

It was a state visit made possible through President Yoon Changho’s efforts—and my help.

It was rare for China’s president to visit South Korea.

Until now, it had usually been the Korean president traveling to China for summits.

I planned to attach Myungsoo to Hu Jintao’s side and firmly imprint in people’s minds that he was the next power in line.

“When is the meeting with President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao?”

“They’ve sent word that they can spare some time during the welcome banquet.”

At Manager Ma’s report, I nodded.

“Then I should prepare a gift.”

No matter how favorable Hu Jintao felt toward me, asking for something empty-handed would be rude.

I thought for a moment about what to give him.

Jiang Zemin had already stepped back, and Hu Jintao now held China’s power in one hand.

What would satisfy a man like that?

If it could be solved with money, it would be easy—but someone in his position would have money follow him naturally.

“Then I’ll give him mining rights in Guinea.”

That should be something he’d like.

With China’s rapid economic growth, securing resource mines had become a matter of survival for them.

* * *

The next day, Hu Jintao arrived in South Korea.

It had been ten years since Jiang Zemin’s visit in 1995.

At the airport, the ones who welcomed him were National Assembly Speaker Yoon Seokhwan and Lee Myungsoo.

With the prime minister position vacant, it wasn’t a diplomatic issue for the Speaker to receive him.

But Lee Myungsoo was a different matter.

He wasn’t the ruling party leader, and for a floor leader to step forward could be seen as a diplomatic breach.

Even the Progressive Party, which had declared a truce with Myungsoo, voiced concern, while the National Alliance launched full-scale attacks as if it were a life-or-death struggle.

To calm the controversy, the Blue House announced that China had specifically requested Floor Leader Lee Myungsoo.

And so, Myungsoo stood waiting to greet Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao.

“I didn’t expect your status to be this high. The Chinese president mentioned you himself?”

While waiting, Yoon Seokhwan spoke to him.

“I don’t know the reason either.”

“Really? Shouldn’t there normally be some prior exchange?”

“That would be normal. I’m puzzled myself.”

“Hm... strange. The president personally singled you out, yet you don’t know why? That’s not common.”

Of course, Myungsoo knew exactly why.

That Muhyuk had pulled strings to help him. There was no other explanation.

But he wasn’t foolish enough to tell that to Yoon Seokhwan.

“Maybe he wants something from me.”

As they chatted quietly, Hu Jintao finally appeared from the plane.

He waved long enough for reporters to take photos.

After finishing the photo op, he descended the stairs.

Yoon Seokhwan stepped forward first.

“President Hu Jintao. Thank you for visiting Korea.”

“Speaker. It’s good to see you.”

They shook hands and exchanged greetings.

After greeting several officials, Hu Jintao stopped in front of Myungsoo.

“You are Floor Leader Lee Myungsoo, correct?”

“Yes, President. It’s an honor.”

“Haha. This is our second meeting, isn’t it?”

He was referring to their brief encounter in China before.

“Yes, that’s right. I’m honored you remember.”

“I like young politicians. You know where I come from, don’t you?”

Hu Jintao had risen through the Communist Youth League.

“That’s right.”

“I worked for the country from a young age as well. I understand how difficult it is for young politicians like you. That’s why I requested that you personally come to receive me.”

Unlike the brief greetings he gave others, Hu Jintao spent quite a bit of time speaking with Myungsoo.

“Thank you.”

“Unlike me, you’ve already reached the core of power. There’s little I can do to help you directly, so I chose this method instead.”

As Hu Jintao continued speaking, the Chinese officials accompanying him couldn’t hide their surprise.

They hadn’t expected him to show such favor to a Korean politician.

Only Wen Jiabao, who had been informed beforehand, watched with a satisfied smile.

“Let’s speak again at the banquet. I’d like to set aside some time.”

“It would be my honor.” 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

After finishing with Myungsoo, Hu Jintao moved on with Yoon Seokhwan.

The scene of their long conversation spread nationwide as breaking news.

Needless to say, it became a major issue in both Korea and China.

* * *

I headed to the Blue House early.

Even though the banquet was still an hour away, the guest hall was already full.

This was an important event for everyone—only the most powerful figures in Korea were present.

China’s economic growth was astonishing, and it had become a critical market for everyone.

After arriving, I looked for Myungsoo and found him speaking with chaebol chairmen near the front.

“Hey, Myungsoo.”

He turned at my voice.

“You’re early.”

“No other plans today.”

I lightly tapped his shoulder and greeted the chairmen.

“It’s been a while, everyone.”

“Chairman Kim.”

They all welcomed me warmly.

“I hope today brings good results. I’ll borrow him for a moment.”

Today, Myungsoo’s matter was more important than anything else.

After excusing ourselves, I pulled him aside.

The moment we moved, he asked:

“It was you, right? The one who made sure I’d greet Hu Jintao?”

Since he already knew, there was no point denying it.

“Yeah. After what happened in Guinea, you needed a performance like this. China and Guinea aren’t even comparable.”

“Thanks.”

“Don’t thank me yet. This is just the beginning.”

He looked confused.

“What do you mean?”

“They’ll call you later. You’re getting a big gift—so accept it no matter what.”

“What is it?”

“If I tell you now, it won’t be fun. Just know it’s good for you.”

“...Now I’m curious.”

He clearly wanted to ask more but held back.

“How is it? Manageable?”

“I should’ve done this earlier. I’ve never felt this comfortable. Though my nerves are completely shot.”

“Then why did you spare him?”

I meant Kang Taehyun.

“If you draw your blade, you should at least cut something.”

“He groveled hard, and he’s useful. So I left him a way out. Besides, he’s still under investigation.”

I’d already heard from Oh Hyunwoo.

They’d agreed to go through the motions without indictment.

“That’s just for show.”

“That’s enough. Everyone understands now. That the blade in my hand can cut their throat anytime. If they don’t want to die, they’ll stay in line. Though I wonder if they know who gave me that blade.”

He joked, but there was still softness underneath.

He was trying to change—but not quite there yet.

Still, that softness was part of who he was.

“I won’t interfere. Just handle it well.”

He smirked and lowered his voice.

“Did you hear? Lee Sujin and Park Jihyun got into a physical fight.”

“What? Seriously?”

I pictured the rigid Lee Sujin and the sly Park Jihyun.

“Yeah. Like sworn enemies.”

“Not surprising, considering how the National Alliance was formed.”

“I didn’t expect it to go that far. Do you know how hard it was to break them up?”

“And it didn’t leak?”

“It happened during a floor leaders’ meeting. Neither of them wants it out—and I’m not the type to spread that kind of thing.”

“That must’ve been entertaining.”

I couldn’t help but laugh imagining it.

“Not something you get to see often.”

“By the way, how are things with the president?”

Myungsoo and President Yoon Changho had grown distant.

The party leader was someone very close to the president.

With Myungsoo stepping forward, the floor leader’s influence had surpassed that of the party leader.

Naturally, it made Yoon uncomfortable.

“...Same as always. I’ll talk to him today.”

I nodded at his bitter expression.

I could easily mediate—but I chose not to.

“You don’t need my help, right?”

“Of course not. This is mine to solve. And if you step in, it’ll make things worse.”

“Alright.”

“You’ve already done enough.”

At that moment, the Chinese delegation entered the hall—except for Hu Jintao.

Wen Jiabao approached me first.

“Chairman Kim.”

“Prime Minister.”

“It’s good to see you again.”

Even in front of everyone, he didn’t hide his favor toward me.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Floor Leader Lee Myungsoo.”

He greeted Myungsoo as well.

“I’ve heard so much about you from Chairman Kim that my ears are practically worn out.”

“Really? He must’ve exaggerated.”

“Not at all. I can understand why he values you.”

People’s attention began to gather around us.

Wen Jiabao was the most important figure here after Hu Jintao.

Everyone wanted even a word with him.

“Let’s speak later.”

“Of course.”

“I’ll see you both again soon.”

With a light joke about the attention, he returned to the delegation.

Soon, people began approaching both me and Myungsoo.

“I’ll leave these people to you.”

I slipped away and headed to another table.

“Chairman Kim.”

I approached Kim Byungwoo.

“May I sit?”

“Of course. I was hoping you would.”

The moment I sat down, the doors opened.

Hu Jintao and President Yoon Changho entered together.