The Former Chaebol Heir Excels as President

Chapter 43: Vote Counting (2)

Kim Bu-seong's residence.

On TV, the scene of him lowering his head deeply and letting out a sigh appeared.

He had allowed a reversal.

The difference was 157 votes.

Kim Bu-seong furrowed his brow.

Trailing in the exit poll, and now it had come to this?

It was fortunate he hadn’t gone to the campaign office.

How was he supposed to endure this humiliation?

His wife, sitting beside him, voiced her concern.

"Dear, the gap is growing wider."

"Tch, I’m speechless."

"Didn’t our internal opinion poll say we’d win?"

"It narrowed a bit at the end. Still, we were ahead by about 8%."

Kim Bu-seong recalled Kang Cheonmyeong speaking in Yeongdeungpo.

A powerful message that overwhelmed the crowd, an expression brimming with confidence.

"This is ridiculous. The opinion polls are a mess!"

"Dear, is there still a chance we can reverse it?"

"It’s going to be tough. All the areas favorable to me have already been counted."

Kim Bu-seong stared straight into the approaching shadow of defeat.

As the vote counting progressed, the gap widened.

"This won’t do."

Kim Bu-seong stood up.

"The vote count hasn’t even reached 60% yet."

"We’ve already lost."

Kim Bu-seong stepped out onto the veranda and put a cigarette to his lips.

Had he underestimated him too much?

Or was Kang Cheonmyeong really that strong?

Had he been too engrossed in central politics all this time?

He shook his head, trying to dispel his tangled thoughts.

"Damn it!"

Just as he finished smoking, the ringtone of his smartphone rang out.

It was Secretary Jang.

― Assemblyman, I’m sorry.

"How many people are left at the office?"

― About thirty.

"Send them all home. There’s no hope left."

― You’re not coming, are you?

"What for? To embarrass myself?"

― Understood.

Kim Bu-seong hung up and lit another cigarette.

"This is truly absurd."

His smartphone kept ringing nonstop.

Kim Bu-seong, hands trembling, removed the battery.

"This is the vote count situation in Yeongdeungpo. With 70% counted, candidate Kang Cheonmyeong has surpassed 40,000 votes and is now highly likely to win."

Supporters gathered in the office erupted in cheers.

With the vote gap exceeding 10,000, a reversal was unlikely.

The staffer who had gone out to take a call returned.

He was bursting with dopamine.

"Assemblyman!"

"Did we win?"

"I just spoke with the vote counting observer. We’re at 75% counted, and the gap has surpassed 13,000 votes. Victory is certain. The broadcast will soon display it as confirmed."

I stood in front of the TV.

"Everyone! I have won! This is all thanks to you, teachers. Thank you."

I bowed deeply, my head nearly touching the floor.

"But the TV still says it’s just highly likely?"

"Are you sure?"

The staffer explained.

"The observer at the vote counting site reported in. The remaining votes are from areas favorable to us, and with the gap over 13,000, it’s impossible to overturn. The TV will soon announce the confirmation."

"Wow!"

A deafening roar erupted, enough to split eardrums, as people clapped their hands.

At the same time, the door opened, and cameras and Song Min-chae entered.

"Candidate, congratulations on your victory."

Song Min-chae beamed brightly.

The Ddoli Stationery Owner shot up and asked,

"Reporter, is it officially confirmed that our candidate won?"

"Yes. That’s why I’m here to do the interview."

The Daehwa Supermarket Lady came up to me and held my hand.

"Cheonmyeong, congratulations. I knew you would win."

The ajumma's eyes brimmed with tears.

People continued to gather around me.

"Congratulations."

"A new era of Kang Cheonmyeong has begun. Candidate, you’ve worked so hard."

"Thank you. I’ll become a hardworking servant of the nation."

"Candidate, you have an interview in five minutes. Please get ready."

"Yes."

I once again expressed my gratitude to the supporters and asked them to take their seats.

The staffer placed a flower garland prepared in advance around my neck. Then, a female office worker handed me a bouquet.

"Thank you."

"Kang Cheonmyeong! Kang Cheonmyeong! Kang Cheonmyeong!"

Supporters began chanting as the camera rolled.

Song Min-chae raised her voice.

"Everyone! We’ll start the interview soon. Please quiet down for a moment."

"Of course! We’ll keep our mouths shut!"

Soon after, the TV announced that my victory was virtually confirmed.

The camera began to focus on me.

"We’ll begin shortly. Candidate, please get ready."

"Yes."

The anchor’s voice came from the TV.

"Kang Cheonmyeong’s victory in Yeongdeungpo has been confirmed. We’ll now connect to the scene. Reporter Song Min-chae!"

"Yes, I’m here at Kang Cheonmyeong’s office."

"Please give us the update from the scene."

The screen shifted to the campaign office, and supporters chanted my name with excitement.

"According to our simulation, Kang Cheonmyeong is projected to win by securing 55,000 votes, with a margin of about 12%. The gap is larger than expected. Let’s hear from Assemblyman Kang Cheonmyeong."

The camera zoomed in on my face.

"First of all, congratulations on your victory. What do you think was the key factor in your win?"

"I believe it was the explosion of the district residents’ desire for change. I’m deeply grateful."

"This is your first time entering the National Assembly. What do you think is the most urgent issue?"

"Each Member of the National Assembly is a legislative body. While I’ll focus on local issues, I will also strive to create laws that shine sunlight on the dark corners of South Korea."

"Lastly, please share a final word."

"I will carry out my duties as a Member of the National Assembly in a way that won’t bring shame to the district residents. Thank you."

The screen switched back to the anchor.

Song Min-chae smiled brightly.

"Congratulations. You won by a huge margin."

"Thank you."

"I’m curious what kind of figure you’ll become."

"I have to do well."

"Madam has arrived!"

Upon hearing the female staffer’s words, I looked ahead to see Woo Ah-mi entering, holding Onchan.

"Congratulations."

"You’ve worked hard too, Ma’am."

"Thank you."

Woo Ah-mi received congratulations from the supporters and came over to me.

"Assemblyman Kang Cheonmyeong, congratulations."

"Thank you."

I gave Woo Ah-mi a light hug, and the supporters erupted into loud applause.

It felt like I was floating on a cloud.

An illusion as if the world was beneath my feet.

Today, it might be okay to feel a bit arrogant.

The campaign office after the supporters had left.

Past midnight, Ji Jeongseok, Ahn Jin-su, and Yang Seok-gu remained.

The four musketeers formed back in high school.

Each of us was doing well on our chosen path.

"I thought it would be a tough win, but it was too easy. A 15% margin."

"I was surprised too."

"The opponent had just been there too long. People like change."

I poured soju while listening to the three talk.

The jokbal Yang Seok-gu brought looked delicious.

"You guys helped me a lot. Thank you."

"It’s because you’re outstanding. You’re on magazine covers every day."

"Ha ha. That was part of the campaign strategy too."

"That’s why people need to be competent."

I looked Ji Jeongseok in the eye and laughed.

A pleasant joke.

Yang Seok-gu stuck out his tongue.

"Wang Dohun won too. Two Members of Parliament from the same class. Amazing."

"He won easily because it was Gangnam."

"Still, he’s a Member of the National Assembly."

Wang Dohun in Gangnam, Ryu Jong-min in Seocho both secured easy victories.

We exchanged congratulatory texts.

"Wang Dohun was a former prosecutor?"

"He worked in the Central Investigation Department of the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office. His nickname was 'Baby Monk'."

"Baby Monk? What does that mean?"

"They said he investigated like he was possessed. Since he was young, that nickname stuck."

"I remember him being quiet and not very talkative. It feels a bit off that he became a prosecutor."

"There are those who are simply good at the tasks given to them."

Ahn Jin-su joined the conversation between Yang Seok-gu and Ji Jeongseok.

"He was scouted by the Korea Unification Party because of his many politically motivated investigations."

"Really?"

"Our organization was even raided once. I saw him then. He’s a very political guy."

"You know Dohun?"

"I recalled him after Wang Dohun entered the race. He had an extremely authoritative attitude when our office was raided."

It was a refreshing story to me.

To think that Wang Dohun, who looked so innocent and pure, had shown such a domineering attitude.

People are inevitably influenced by their environment.

Even I had changed so much compared to my previous life.

"Cheonmyeong."

"Yeah?"

"What do you think about bringing Jin-su on as your staffer?"

"A staffer?"

"She’s done a lot of civic work, so I think she’d be a great policy advisor."

Ji Jeongseok’s suggestion wasn’t bad.

"Jin-su, what do you think? I agree with Jeongseok’s suggestion. You’ve worked in policy oversight, so I think you’d be a great help."

"Are you allowed to hire staff?"

"I’m a first-term member, so the party will make recommendations, but I can hire one Level-4 staffer."

"I’ll think about it."

"If we work together, it’d be reassuring. Please think positively."

Ahn Jin-su smiled instead of answering.

It was her decision to make.

I turned to Yang Seok-gu and asked,

"How’s your business?"

"I keep winning bridge contracts domestically. Starting next year, I’m planning to expand into Southeast Asia."

"Aren’t you becoming a great businessman like Cheonmyeong?"

"Not a chance. How could I ever match Cheonmyeong? I’d split at the crotch."

Ji Jeongseok raised his glass to Yang Seok-gu.

"If you succeed, don’t forget us."

"Even if we lack in other things, we had loyalty. I stick to loyalty. Let’s toast!"

It reminded me of our senior year in high school.

The pledge we made behind the woodworking shop, drinking soju and eating uncooked ramen.

'Let’s always stay loyal to each other.'

Ahn Jin-su remembered too.

"Let’s always stay loyal to each other!"

"Right. That’s what we promised behind the woodworking shop, wasn’t it?"

"Those were such fun days."

"Ha ha. Still, I wouldn’t go back. I like it now."

We toasted with laughter.

Talking about school days, the neighborhood, and our businesses, we enjoyed the time.

Once the drinks were finished, it was time to leave.

I turned to Ji Jeongseok and asked,

"Reporter of the Year, what are you digging into these days?"

"I’m investigating bad overseas investments."

"Like what?"

"It’s a total disaster. Right now, I’m digging into an energy company acquisition. They bought it at a price way above its valuation. It reeks."

"Are you going overseas too?"

"I’ll be heading to Canada soon. If you ask me, this is a major scandal."

Ahn Jin-su looked at Ji Jeongseok with admiration.

"That’s a bit much. Don’t look at me like that."

"I admire you."

"I’m not worthy of that."

Yang Seok-gu added,

"Jeongseok was always like that even in school. He must have nine lives."

"You know what they say, the devil is in the details. Negotiations require thorough scrutiny, but taxes are being used in such a sloppy way. There’s definitely vested interest involved."

Ahn Jin-su asked with concern,

"Isn’t your safety threatened?"

"Sometimes I get threatening calls from unknown numbers. I’ve even received anonymous death threats."

"Are you okay?"

"I have life insurance."

"Seriously, just like Seok-gu said, you must have nine lives."

"It’s just how I am. I can’t stand seeing villains get away."

Ji Jeongseok took a shot of soju and said to me,

"Join the Knowledge Economy Committee. It’ll be a huge help to you."

"Are you sure?"

"I’ll make it happen."

I couldn’t choose a standing committee freely. Especially the Knowledge Economy Committee—being such a popular one—my chances of getting in were slim.

But what if Ji Jeongseok could reel in a big catch?

It would be a great opportunity to make my name known in central politics.

Ambition sparked.

"You’re tempting me."

"I trust you, that’s why."

Same here.

I trust Ji Jeongseok too.

Knowledge Economy Committee.

Let’s make a push.