episode_0018

“…I have no connections, none at all.”

Clicking my phone, I keenly realized it anew.

This idiotic, good-for-nothing bastard really had ruined his golden spoon life, I sighed a sigh that could make the ground sink.

I lamented at length about my fate as a good-for-nothing on a secluded island with no connections.

It wasn’t ‘connections’ in the literal sense of the word.

It was ‘connections’ in the sense that there was no trustworthy, useful subordinate around.

At the time I transmigrated, the remaining phone number list, excluding family, was all women bought for sex.

It was as if he didn’t deal with men; except for one close associate and a friend to find out if something happened at the company, the rest were prostitutes who sold their bodies for money.

If there were any talents around me currently, it would be Woo Miae, who recently changed her mind to my side, but that was truly the only one.

The reason I gave Woo Miae, who tried to stab me in the back previously, ample grace period was because I absolutely had to create one loyal subordinate to control.

Though money is everything in the world, means cannot be achieved by capital alone.

To establish a new kingdom, number one in the business world, I need to gather more competent and useful loyal subjects.

There are subordinates in the company, but they are merely corporate slaves who dream of ‘salary-lupin’ rather than success, simply earning money.

‘Well, I also diligently participated in *tteokchigi*, so I can’t complain much….’

Anyway, to achieve the promise of becoming number one in the business world for my mother, it means I need politically savvy and capable talented individuals.

Even though I firmly hold the capital lines of the future in my head and can push things through with money alone, I would collapse if I tried to handle everything by myself.

Therefore, increasing the cards I can play is the best strategy.

Click!

“! Ah~ you’ve arrived?”

As I opened the CEO’s office door and entered, perfectly on time for the meeting, he lifted himself from the sofa.

To the person extending a hand for a social greeting, I willingly reached out and clasped it.

“We meet again so soon.”

“Then, I suppose that means I’m a welcome sight?”

It was Ryu Sua.

Just like last time, she appeared wearing a black suit.

“And here, this is Assemblywoman Song Hanna, my university senior-nim.”

“Oh my~ It’s truly a pleasure! I’ve seen you a lot on TV!”

My hand immediately moved to shake hers.

I clasped her quite floral-scented and soft hand.

Song Hanna.

A 30-something National Assembly member, selected by her party to win over young voters.

With a neat appearance and quite good speaking skills, she stood out.

As I greeted her with a smile, she too softened her lips.

“I also recently saw you on TV for the first time.”

“Hmm? Where did you see me?”

A faint smile.

“On the women’s volleyball channel. The message of encouragement to do well, along with immense sponsorship for women’s sports that could otherwise be marginalized, I watched it well with a quiet sense of emotion.”

By quoting my own words, she added even more double meaning to this meeting.

As expected of a politician, it was a performance that strongly conveyed the nuance of having investigated me, along with her refined speaking skills.

‘Hah… she looks quite sharp and decisive.’

Her neat bob cut was also impressive.

A white suit and a tie that subtly alluded to a specific party’s color. She exuded a politician-like impression.

A grin.

This was precisely it.

The precise reason I had built a connection with Ryu Sua, formerly of the Financial Supervisory Service, was for this.

Connections spread like a spider’s web.

If she’s young but already holds the position of Financial Supervisor, she’s already part of the elite establishment.

She’s not an elite because she’s excellent.

She’s an elite because she’s been part of the ruling class from above for a long time, like a freeloading sneak.

【Ryu Sua】 Financial Supervisor Age: 31 Charisma: 92 Talent Management: 61 Operational Ability: 99 Charm: 88 Loyalty Towards You (Trust): 77% Cool-headed and Calm Supervisor 《Quick Intellect》 {Calculative} {Not a Leader}

Even Ryu Sua’s stats were excellent.

Perhaps she didn’t gain much trust from colleagues or juniors, but even if her Talent Management was low, the rest were monstrous.

If she were placed in an organization, she would certainly be a useful card with a clear purpose.

“Shall we sit first?”

After I said that, we both took seats on the sofa.

Song Hanna took a sip of the bottled water prepared in front of her, then directly got to the point.

“Although a close junior-nim repeatedly contacted me to come, what is the specific reason you called me all the way here?”

She narrowed the topic sharply, but her tone still held caution and wariness.

To assure her not to worry about anything else, I personally stepped forward and neatly cleared the air.

“To tell you beforehand, let’s confirm that I’m not sinisterly recording this conversation, nor do I have any ill intentions as rumors about me in the world might suggest.”

“…….”

“This meeting is simply a place where I wanted to meet Assemblywoman-nim. It’s a simple meaning: to get along well, perhaps having meals together when the thought occurs in the future.”

Song Hanna rolled her eyes, surveying the CEO’s office.

As if she wasn’t letting go of her suspicion with just a hint, she didn’t open her mouth.

“I was the one who extended the invitation to meet in the first place, and if I were to dare make a negative request, I would willingly resign right here.”

Only after hearing this resolve did Song Hanna look clearly into my eyes.

She parted her lips beautifully and spoke.

“A meal, you say… As a company CEO, you’d probably treat me to quite an expensive meal, wouldn’t you?”

She spoke metaphorically, but subtly revealed her dark intentions.

She subtly illuminated the dark heart hidden beneath her white suit.

A wide grin.

“Yes, it’s a top-quality meal. When you eat it, an umami flavor rises, and it’s clean, so you don’t have to worry about any repercussions.”

“Hmm… I wonder. Being in this position, I’ve found there’s no such healthy meal in the world. I have to be careful about being called a bribe-taker just for receiving a chocolate set. Under a plum tree, one shouldn’t adjust their hat strings.”

“No, this is definitely a sweet plum that won’t cause any trouble.”

“Hmm….”

Still probing, she pulled at the hair near her temples, then,

“How can you be so sure of that?”

“Given Assemblywoman-nim’s preparedness, having gone so far as to look up information about me, haven’t you already heard?”

I instilled it with a confident smile.

Still seated on the sofa, I leaned my upper body slightly forward and lightly tapped my temple with my index finger.

“That in here, there’s a wealth of very rich and sweet provisions.”

“…….”

My provisions.

They were a lot of information about the future.

“The provisions inside are simply too abundant for me to eat alone. I’d be glad to share them with my friends.”

Subtly, Song Hanna made eye contact with Ryu Sua, who had arranged this meeting.

Through Ryu Sua, who had already witnessed my abilities, they exchanged glances to confirm once more if this was a sturdy stone bridge they could cross.

Nod…

Ryu Sua affirmed by slightly bouncing and nodding her chin.

As if the declaration of them being close and trustworthy wasn’t mere pretense, Song Hanna stroked her chin, seemingly having gained confidence.

However, perhaps as expected of a probing politician, she still cautiously deferred the final decision.

Therefore,

“You receive a lot of lobbying, don’t you?”

“Lobbying….”

Lobbying.

Underhand dealings between corporations and politicians, where various dirty demands are exchanged.

“Frankly, that position, like something out of a film noir depicting a corrupt official, must often be unpleasant and troublesome. Whether this money is truly cleanly laundered, whether you’ll become politically vulnerable, or whether accepting it for the sake of a greater cause might inadvertently make you a new slave to a corporation.”

Clap!

I gathered negative examples and punctuated them with a clap to emphasize.

“I will personally step forward and eradicate such matters. Dirty corporate lobbying that threatens politicians working hard for the nation and exploits their weaknesses with bribes, I will cut off their lineage.”

I confidently declared once more.

I pledged to completely shake it off cleanly, like a detergent advertisement leaving no single stain.

“Would that really be possible…?”

“If you believe in my ability, it is possible. Political fund laundering, proxy donations, sponsorships using civic groups… Isn’t it about time such dealings became troublesome?”

It was a perfect moment to light a cigarette.

Instead, I pulled a throat lozenge from my pocket, the kind people eat to curb smoking, and put it in my mouth.

Crunch!

I quickly crushed it and chewed on it noisily, then,

“I promise only clean information that will cause no trouble, no matter how much you ‘eat’ of it. To ensure there are no unnecessary repercussions, I’ll completely filter out major issues like stock manipulation or fraud.”

“Is that truly possible?”

“Please trust me. There’s no need to rush; just trust me little by little as we narrow the gap in our relationship.”

That was all.

This was everything I could offer as my advantage to a cautious politician.

All the conditions were favorable to her side.

For her, it was a clean bait with no possibility of loss.

Low risk, high return.

The conditions were naturally not bad, so Song Hanna half-closed her eyelids, and,

“…You said what you’re asking of me is merely friendship, but is that truly so?”

“Ah, that could change depending on the value of the information I provide.”

Ha!

As expected, Song Hanna snorted.

In response, I held out my palm, meaning for her not to judge too hastily,

“However, the part I will ask for is clear. Your Assemblywoman-nim’s party— isn’t there a tremendous amount of capital flowing in from Hwaryeong Group and other large corporations, under the table?”

“…….”

Agreement by silence.

“That’s it. What I desire is one thing. Please gradually distance yourselves from that capital which could potentially cause trouble. Instead, please promise fair play that allows Assemblywoman-nims to sleep soundly and feel at ease.”

Offering the unconventional condition of high-quality information sharing and diligently increasing my political connections — this is the purpose.

This good-for-nothing may have idled away his time, but our sisters already have deep ties in the political sphere.

Because it would be bothersome if political pressure came in beyond corporate operations while I am currently lacking power.

Knowing the future, I can rake in as much money as I want.

However, to gather all Hwaryeong’s affiliates, which my sisters possess, and swallow them up, I need every means necessary.

I need to increase my team so that later, I won’t be strangely caught up in political issues like regulations or laws.

Song Hanna meticulously chewed over the proposal.

However, no matter how deeply she deliberated, as if passing through a long tunnel, she would likely arrive at the conclusion that she could instead discard the troublesome issue of illegal rebates.

“Is there truly nothing else to ask for besides friendship?”

“Hmm… If there is, it would be like today’s matter. If we can have another meeting, please comfortably invite more friends to have a meal and converse with.”

Song Hanna remained cautious until the end.

She listened to my proposal all the way through, continually weighing the pros and cons.

Smoothly…

Then, as if she had finally reached a conclusion, she stood up to prepare for her departure.

It seemed like a refusal, but she simply added these words to reverse it.

“Next time, let’s do it with more friends.”

A faint smile.

A sign of approval.

A mere meal, signaling the start of an exchange.

We immediately shared contact information while standing.

After getting my phone number, Song Hanna added one more thing.

“Representative-nim, do you like golf?”

This time, Song Hanna made a proposal of her own.

The female assemblywoman subtly revealed her white teeth, as if subtly poking at me with a flirtation.

As she exuded a rather faint floral scent towards me, I willingly raised the corners of my lips to match her.

“I enjoy golfing rounds with friends. I think I’ll continue to enjoy it.”

“Yes, then I look forward to it.”

We respectfully exchanged greetings.

Perhaps feeling burdened to stay long with a businessman as a National Assembly member, she slowly began to walk away.

“Sua-ya, let’s go.”

“Ah… Senior-nim, please go first. I have something to stay and say.”

“Hmm?”

However, Ryu Sua, who had arranged the meeting, did not leave with her.

Though she had come together, Ryu Sua stood up to see off her colleague.

Song Hanna looked at her junior who had connected them, then subtly glanced at me as well.

Then, adding another meaningful smile, she left alone, merely being seen off towards the door.

“I’ll go ahead. Privacy is important, after all.”

“Yes, then I’ll see you next time.”

“Yes, there’s no need to come down with me. Goodbye for now.”

Click.

Thus, the door closed.

“…….”

“…….”

Ryu Sua and I stood in front of the door for a few seconds.

As an awkwardness began to settle due to her internally hesitant demeanor, I opened my mouth first.

“To specifically stay behind, it seems you have something to say to me?”

“…….”

“What you want to say, is it that, after all?”

The supervisor quickly bit this bait.

“Yes, there’s no need for two words; it’s that.”

Her pupils trembled with impatience.

“Can you give me more information? That…”

She swallowed her saliva.

Having become so engrossed in the interim, she swallowed her saliva several times before continuing to speak.

“About ‘Dogecoin’…?”

Dogecoin.

I smiled at that one word that came from the Financial Supervisor’s mouth.

As if the information I had subtly thrown out was truly irresistible, impatience bloomed on her cool-headed face.