Chapter 28: A Proposal from the Political World (4)
Mom, who had only just begun to find joy in living, strongly opposed the idea, asking why I would walk such a rough path again.
I couldn’t persuade her in her agitated state, so I decided to talk to her later and left the house.
As I got off the elevator, I ran into Yeonhwa.
“Oppa! What’s with that expression?”
She was quick-witted.
It seed my complexion didn’t look good.
“What expression.”
“Did sothing happen?”
I had already hinted to Yeonhwa that I was thinking of going into politics, so I told her the truth.
“Mom’s strongly against it.”
“You told her you’re going into politics?”
“Yeah.”
“Aigo! The timing wasn’t good.”
“What do you an?”
“Let’s go over there and talk.”
Yeonhwa walked over to a bench along the apartnt’s outer wall and sat down.
“What do you an the timing wasn’t good?”
“Big Oppa ca ten days ago, rember?”
“So?”
“He looked skin and bones. He reminded of Dad back in the day. Mom kept asking if he was okay, if his health was alright.”
“It’s probably because the National Audit is coming up.”
“Anyway, from what Big Oppa said, being a mber of the National Assembly isn’t so job where you just sit around. He said he gets less than three hours of sleep a day.”
It was probably because he was part of a minority party.
With a small organization, it was hard to gather data, and with so many civil complaints, being busy was natural.
On top of that, they needed to assert their presence, so both the mber of the National Assembly and their aides must’ve gone all-in on the National Audit.
“It’s Big Hyung’s party that’s busy. Most mbers of Parliant aren’t that busy.”
“Mom feels so sorry just seeing Big Oppa like that, and now that you’re talking about politics too, of course she’s upset.”
“Talk to her for .”
“Which party are you going to join?”
“I haven’t decided yet.”
“I’m really curious where you’ll go. Judging by your personality, an opposition party suits you, but based on your business record, the ruling party seems like a better fit…”
“I’ll decide that, so don’t worry about it.”
Yeonhwa nodded.
“Oppa will make the right choice. Anyway, co back in a few days and try to persuade her again. I think it’d be better to talk after Big Oppa puts on so weight.”
“Is it that bad?”
“I just don’t get how he lost that much weight in just two months. I’m worried he might be sick.”
“I should go see him.”
“You should. I think he needs to see a doctor.”
When I last saw Big Hyung, he didn’t look quite that emaciated.
He looked tired, but his eyes were lively, and he seed satisfied with his work.
Could there really be sothing wrong with his health?
After losing Father so suddenly, I couldn’t help but worry about Big Hyung.
I looked at Yeonhwa and said,
“I really enjoyed the performance. You’re starting to look like a pro now.”
“You ca?”
“I watched from the middle.”
“You should’ve said sothing. You could’ve greeted the staff and treated us to a al.”
“I’ll do that next ti.”
Yeonhwa looked happy.
“The year-end concert is already sold out. I’m only doing one show on Christmas. Should I get you a ticket too?”
“I already saw today’s, so it’s fine. Invite so other fans.”
“It’d be nice if you ca with Unni.”
“I’m busy.”
I got up from the bench.
“Is On-chan growing well?”
“He’s crawling.”
“Already? Wow! That’s amazing. I want to see him.”
“Co anyti. On-chan’s mom is ho.”
“I’ll co after your concert.”
“Okay, go.”
“Yeah.”
I needed to et Big Hyung soon.
In front of the National Assembly Welfare Center.
Maybe because the National Audit was approaching, there were a lot of people here too.
Would we be able to eat?
I had planned to have lunch with Big Hyung, but judging by the atmosphere, it seed unlikely.
12:30.
Even ten minutes past the appointnt ti, there was still no sign of Big Hyung.
I stared blankly at the fountain located diagonally across.
“Cheonmyeong!”
Big Hyung ca running from the left, out of breath.
Seeing his face, I felt relieved.
Contrary to what Yeonhwa said, he wasn’t skin and bones.
There were dark circles under his eyes, and he had lost a bit of weight, but nothing seed seriously wrong.
“Hyung.”
“Sorry. I’m a little late.”
“You’re busy, huh? Do you even have ti to eat?”
“There are too many civil petitioners, so probably no seats. And today, even the library cafeteria is closed, so it’s a bit tricky.”
“Not hungry?”
“There’s bread and milk in the office.”
His eyes were bright and clear, which put my worries to rest.
“Mom’s really worried. She’s afraid you’ll end up like Dad.”
“I got a health checkup last month. Nothing wrong at all.”
“Take care of yourself while you work.”
“I’ll have so breathing room once the National Audit ends. No need to worry.”
His clear voice reassured .
“Which standing committee is Seol Yeong-chan in?”
“Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee.”
“That must be really busy.”
“Of course, it’s because of the Four Major Rivers issue.”
“The National Audit is a great publicity opportunity for mbers of Parliant. That’s why you’re busy, right?”
“I can’t say that’s completely wrong, but our old man is soone with deep patriotism.”
Seol Yeong-chan was soone Big Hyung had long respected.
He had fought for workers’ rights for thirty years, always standing on the side of the common people, and was well-known.
“Did anything co up?”
“They manipulated the project plan to pass the preliminary feasibility study. They excluded drainage systems, signposts, streetlights, parking lots, and rest areas when estimating the budget.”
“But the project’s already underway.”
“We have to catch the wrongdoing so they can’t do whatever they want next ti. It’s not that the country lacks money—it’s that there are too many thieves.”
I thought of Mr. Heo.
He wasn’t wrong.
“Construction’s perfect for playing tricks with numbers. Inflating construction costs to skim money is common. They even get fake tax invoices from subcontractors to funnel money back.”
“Huh? How do you know that stuff?”
Big Hyung looked at intently. I knew it well, because in my previous life, I was in construction.
“I just heard it here and there.”
“I was already digging into that part. There are countless problems. It’s progressing at lightning speed, and it’s even violated the National Finance Act and the Cultural Heritage Protection Act.”
“You’re not even getting to eat. That’s rough.”
“By the way, are you really going into politics?”
Big Hyung’s eyes sparkled.
“I have to.”
“Our party actually ntioned your na. You’re a billionaire, after all, so they didn’t go further, but still.”
“I’ll handle it myself.”
“There’s a group chat for aides. Your na cos up there now and then. Feels like they’ve started fishing.”
Then, a loud mobile phone ringtone rang out.
Without even checking, Big Hyung gave an apologetic look.
“Sorry, I have to rush back. Things are crazy right now.”
“Got it. Make sure to score one.”
“Sorry. Let’s have a drink after the National Audit ends.”
Big Hyung waved his hand and quickly ran toward the mbers’ Office Building.
It was an extre job.
Working without even ti to eat.
As I stepped out of the front gate of the National Assembly with a bitter feeling, I ca across a man staging a solo protest.
I checked the placard he was holding.
[Withdraw the Budget Cut!]
― Budget cuts for school als for undernourished children, budget cuts for full-ti employnt conversion, budget cuts for disabled support.
It was Ahn Jin-su.
After graduating from seminary and receiving ordination, he had been working with a civic group.
I had occasionally seen his photo in the news, but this was the first ti seeing him protest in person.
“Jinsu.”
“Huh? Cheonmyeong. What brings you here?”
“I was eting Hyung.”
“I see.”
“I didn’t see you when I ca in earlier.”
“In the morning, I was doing a solo protest in front of KSB Broadcasting Station. Their recent reporting is just too biased.”
I had never imagined that the calm and gentle Ahn Jin-su would beco a street activist.
I thought he’d be the kind of pastor who builds churches in rural or impoverished areas and lives out his ministry there.
“You’re working hard.”
“Hard work? I’m doing this because I want to. We have to make a better country.”
“Are you eating at least?”
“You bet. Gotta keep fueled. I had sundae soup just a little while ago.”
Ahn Jin‑su smiled brightly like a child.
Despite his age, there was still a sense of purity left in him.
“Take care of yourself. Whether inside or outside the National Assembly, it’s all fierce.”
“We really need to get together, but everyone’s so busy.”
“We need to sync up. Ji Jeongseok is the real problem. Half the ti we can’t even reach him—no idea what he’s doing.”
“He’s always risking his life. I pray for him sotis.”
“Ha ha. I’m heading off first. Take care.”
I walked over to where my car was parked in front of KSB Broadcasting Station.
Then suddenly, a thought ca to .
My past self, Jung Chanseong.
By now, he would have returned from studying abroad and would be working at Yongho Construction.
Actually, I had gone to Pyeongchang-dong last year, where Jung Chanseong lived.
I had gone around 10 p.m., the ti when my past self used to return from work, but I hadn’t been able to see him.
Doppelgänger.
I rembered the saying that if you et soone exactly like yourself, you die, so I hadn’t gone again after that.
‘What if I die? What about my family, the company, my dreams?’
Because I had so much now, I was honestly afraid.
But still.
Now that I had decided on politics, Jung Chanseong could beco a variable, so I had to confirm. More than anything, I was curious about his whereabouts since no news had co out about him.
This was the ti when Jung Chanseong had made a huge hit by launching premium apartnts.
Had my return caused a different outco?
I gathered my courage and headed to Pyeongchang-dong.
The Pyeongchang-dong mansion, fortified with tall walls.
It was the place I had lived in during my past life.
Today, I had co with resolve, intending to ring the bell and check.
As I approached the gate.
Boom—
The heavy iron gate opened and Jung Junseong ca out.
My younger brother from my past life.
He still looked at with that sa swaggering attitude.
“What do you want?”
“I ca to ask sothing.”
Jung Junseong looked up and down.
Suit, shoes, watch, tie.
He tilted his head after seeing decked out in luxury brands.
“What’s this about?”
“You are Mr. Jung Junseong, correct?”
“Huh? You know ?”
Jung Junseong furrowed his brows and said,
“Are you here about a business partnership? Then talk to my secretary and coordinate…”
“No. I ca to et Mr. Jung Chanseong.”
“Uh…?”
It was as if ti froze, trapping all movent in a vacuum.
Jung Junseong, who had stood frozen for a while, suddenly grabbed by the collar.
“You bastard, who the hell are you!”
What had happened?
Sothing clearly had happened to Jung Chanseong.
“I’m an old friend. I’ve been abroad studying for a long ti.”
“Old friend?”
Jung Junseong was simple-minded.
He released my collar and continued speaking.
“From when?”
“Lari Elentary School. It probably changed to elentary school by now.”
Just in case, I ntioned the earliest ti.
“My big brother died a long ti ago. He had an accident in high school.”
If it was high school, that would be around the sa ti I returned to the past.
I needed confirmation.
“Can you tell when exactly?”
“He died of a heart attack during winter break of his first year of high school.”
That’s right.
I had started school a year early, so I was in my third year of middle school before entering high school, but Jung Chanseong was a first-year high school student.
“Was it in February by any chance?”
“What! How do you know that?”
“No, nothing.”
I quickly turned around and walked down the street.
“Hey!”
I heard Jung Junseong calling out, but I ignored him.
Jung Chanseong.
He had definitely died on the day I returned to the past.
I didn’t feel any sadness.
Having lived over twenty years as Kang Cheonmyeong, Jung Chanseong felt more like a role I had briefly played in a drama.
Whether I died or soone else did, there was a fleeting mont of confusion.
But it was a relief that one major concern had disappeared.
Now I had to et Ryu Jong‑min.
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