Power & Sex, and... 80
“You gonna keep doing your job like this, you son of a bitch Kim Foreman?”
“Sorry, sir.”
“Sorry my ass! Train those bastards properly and wrap it up right!”
“Yes, sir.”
When I arrived at the site, Kim Sajang was yelling his head off, veins bulging in his neck.
“Kim Sajang, you're still full of youthful vigor.”
“Aigoo, Assemblyman! What brings you all the way out here?”
“I just wanted to see your face.”
“It's dangerous here. Let's head to the site office.”
Kim Sajang was thrilled to see me but fretted over the site's hazards, tugging me along. It didn't look risky at all to me, but he was beside himself with worry at the thought of me getting even a scratch. The site office reflected his personality perfectly—not the usual chaotic construction shack, but impeccably tidy, almost too pristine for words.
Once inside, he took off his hard hat, showed me to a seat, and called over a young woman to pour tea.
“Seriously, what brings you here?”
“No joke—I really just came to see your face.”
The truth was, since he'd come up from Busan, I'd only met him once, so I was curious about both him and the project's progress. He couldn't believe it. Sitting face-to-face with him put my mind at ease. No schemes, no strings—a man I could lean on like a big brother when times got tough. That was Kim Sajang.
After thirty minutes of chit-chat, with me spouting nothing but pleasantries, he asked again if I'd really come with no agenda. Finally, he probed if something bad had happened.
“Jeez, I can't turn myself inside out to prove it. I swear, I just missed your face.”
“An assemblyman as busy as you with national affairs—got all the time in the world?”
“Assemblymen aren't human, you know? I figured I'd hang out here, mooch dinner off you, and head out.”
With no urgent business to pull me to him, I decided to slack off at his site. Who was gonna nag me anyway? If something cropped up, I'd just hop to it after a call. What was there to worry about?
“Heard you're using the PC method for this build?”
“Yes, as you can see.”
“That must rack up some serious material costs.”
“Madam's no stranger, and this company's tied to you. Finishing fast helps you out, right?”
“Still, you gotta make a profit on a job like this.”
“Like I said before, I'm doing just fine.”
“Come on, who doesn't know that? Ask for more on the contract.”
We chatted about district matters, Yeouido gossip, and eventually even construction talk to kill time. Before long, the site workers trickled into the office one by one, livening things up.
“Kim Engineer, site's wrapped?”
“Yes, sir.”
“I'm heading out with the assemblyman. Feed the crew yourselves.”
Kim Sajang instructed one of the engineers to handle dinner for the staff, then left the site with me.
“Kim Sajang, let's grab some meat.”
“Sure. I'll take you to our usual spot near the office.”
The restaurant buzzed with energy. Most office workers unwinding after a stressful day with drinks—makes sense. Grills sizzled with pork belly here and there, groups of three or five clinking soju glasses, faces flushed, swapping stories of their day. A peaceful scene.
“Let's go to a private room.”
“Why? This spot's comfy.”
“Got something to discuss.”
At his insistence, I followed the server to a room. Soon, veggies and pork belly covered the table, and she sat beside us, grilling the meat without leaving. Maybe VIP treatment for regulars or private-room guests.
“Project going smoothly?”
“No major hitches. Gotta finish quick so Madam can start her business proper.”
“Something on your mind?”
“Nah, nothing big. Eat first, talk later.”
We filled up on meat, then ordered rice to round out dinner. Oddly, since moving to Seoul, I'd had few chances for pork belly—this hit the spot. Sipping coffee leisurely afterward, Kim Sajang slid an envelope my way.
“What's this?”
“You've been busy lately. Use it for expenses. Not much, but...”
“Aigoo, Kim Sajang. I'm on salary now. Keep it.”
“Back in the day, tens or hundreds worked, but not anymore. Even for lineage management, you gotta cover those folks' meals.”
“Why do this? I can never repay what you've done already.”
“Assemblyman, you once said I felt like a brother. Think of it that way.”
“Fine. If I really need it later, I'll ask.”
“Pocket it. If not, don't use it. Politics without cash is impossible. I'm just worried you'll end up in scandals like the others. Keep it— you know my heart.”
That “you know my heart” sealed it. I had to accept. Lee Hoejang's card and account were one thing, but spreading support across sources like Kim Sajang was safer.
“I'll put it to good use.”
“Good. Now go achieve that dream.”
No more words needed. From my days under Assemblyman Hwang, he'd supported quietly from the shadows, never once leveraging it for his business. I knew his intentions were pure better than anyone. For the first time in ages, I gladly accepted a soju shot from him. I'd pay for it tomorrow with a foggy head all day.
A single shot's power over a nondrinker like me was mighty. I woke queasy, brushed repeatedly, splashed cold water on my face, and still took a taxi to work. In the office, I opened last night's envelope: passbook and cash card inside, with a note “Sister-in-law's birthday.” The PIN, probably.
“What's this?”
“Use it for campaign expenses for now.”
I called Kim Sil-jang in and handed him five million won from the account.
“No reason we should cover that.”
“It's about creating debt. And testing who thinks to chip in.”
“Testing?”
“It's their campaign too—they know office costs. See who volunteers cash first. For the future, think of this five mil as test budget for buying rice cakes.”
“Just say split it 1/n.”
“Later. If they can't handle basics, hard to do big things with them. Waste or not, let's do it my way.”
The idea hit me receiving the passbook. Unexpected funds—use some to gauge character, consideration for others. Kim Sil-jang looked reluctant but agreed, pocketed it, and headed to the campaign office.
Nothing much for me here anyway; I'd just be in the way. I made a few calls and followed to the campaign office. Kim Sil-jang would handle prep, but I needed to check tomorrow's launch event.
“Assemblyman, you're here?”
“Yeah. Good work, everyone.”
They greeted in unison as I entered. Teamwork was gelling. My crew were workaholics anyway, but even Han Seong-su's staff—our biggest group—were fired up.
Knock, knock.
“Come in.”
“Ha Jae-cheol, aide from Assemblyman Han Seong-su's office.”
“Yes, I know you. Something to say?”
“Got a request.”
“Have a seat.”
Out of the blue, an aide from Han Seong-su requested a meeting. I offered a chair and tea.
“Go ahead.”
“Asked Kim Sil-jang, but he said talk to you direct.”
“Sure. What's up?”
“Can we add Gu Hyunji, secretary from our office, to your online team?”
“I left assignments to Kim Sil-jang.”
“He said no issue. But for online, better ask you.”
“Fine, do it. But she's a secretary-officer?”
“Yes, grade 5 congressional secretary.”
“Overkill for online, no?”
“She's got writing chops and loves online work. Assemblyman Han wants her to learn your techniques anyway.”
“My what...”
“Gu was key in him joining you. Pushed hard for this camp.”
“Really? Hard to believe.”
“She's your fan. Insisted you'd do big things.”
“Send her by when you get a chance.”
Han Seong-su's team had a woman—turns out, a secretary-officer. Curious how she swayed him, ditching her boss for my fan. Worth meeting.
Have a peaceful night.
Thank you for your encouragement and support.
Thanks for the recommendations and adding to favorites, too.