Power & Sex, And... 84
0131 ------------------------------------------------------
The results of the first primary poll were staggering. Congressmen who had been cozying up to Moon Uiwon and Sin Uiwon started reaching out through Kim Seong-gap, and even the fence-sitters among the National Assembly Reform Alliance members began poking their heads into our campaign headquarters one by one. There was no reason to shove them away, and with the party convention looming, we had no choice but to take the hands they offered. We could just dole out rewards matching their contributions—nothing more, nothing less.
The biggest change after the poll results dropped was Jeong Sang-won. He scrapped his passive routine overnight, parked most of his staff at the campaign HQ full-time, and started dropping by whenever he could to foot the bill for the volunteers' meals.
I jumped into the nationwide tour circuit too. When tagging along with Han Uiwon, I'd rally support for him; with Park Seong-hwan, I'd push for Park.
Strategically, we prioritized Park Seong-hwan first in Honam and Jeju, with Han Seong-su as backup; Han first in Chungcheong and Gangwon, Park second; in Busan—where our party's support ran strongest and his home turf sprawled wide—Jeong Sang-won topped the ticket, backed by Han (the Chungcheong native) in most spots, but we slotted Park into strongholds like Saha-gu, Buk-gu, and Yeongdo-gu. Ulsan and Gyeongnam got Park as second; Daegu and Gyeongbuk favored Han. The capital region was a mixed bag of all three origins, so we'd tour together, each pitching their case—the vote tallies there would reveal who truly pulled weight. You couldn't keep propping up a nice guy with no votes forever, after all.
I headed to Busan first—my home base. Jeong was due tomorrow, so I had a day to reunite with the family.
"Honey, what're you doing home this time of day?"
"Yeah. Missed your voice, called the house, but no one picked up."
"Mom's out shopping. I'm at the office."
"Office? What's up with that?"
"Volunteer meeting today."
"Got it. Call me after it wraps."
I swung by the in-laws' place in Busan, but no one was home. Called Ara—she was at the district office. To surprise her, I played it casual, hung up, and drove over. Women's chatter spilled out as I reached the door.
"Assemblyman?"
The Women's Committee Chair shot up from across the room, eyes wide.
"Good to see you."
"Honey! Aren't you in Seoul?"
"Never said that. Just told you I missed your voice."
Ara finally clocked it, whipped around, and bolted over. Tears welled in her eyes. Mindful of the party members, I just took her hand and smiled down faintly.
"Mwah!"
"Ara!"
The office erupted in thunderous applause. I'd been standing there stiffly for appearances when she threw her arms around me and planted a sneak kiss. As I flushed, the women chanted "Kiss her! Kiss her!" roaring with glee. Ara grabbed my neck and went in again.
"Our assemblyman, you've got way less guts than your wife."
The women burst into giggles, teasing me mercilessly and loving every second. But Ara didn't blush or let go, ignoring the ribbing entirely.
"Ara, come on, let go now."
"Pfft~ You that shy, honey? It's been almost a month since we saw each other."
"Sorry. You know how crazy it's been with the convention."
A few more words to soothe her, then I took the seat the Women's Committee Chair offered.
"So, Assemblyman, what brings you here on a weekday?"
"Campaign support for the convention."
"How long you staying?"
"Gotta hit all 18 districts, so probably three days in Busan."
"Whoa, your wife's in luck."
At my three-day estimate, the volunteers piled on, joking she should use the chance to make another baby. Ara's cheeks pinked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
We herded the volunteers—who helped party staff and locals—into a restaurant for lunch, treating them and hearing their thoughts. I mentioned the mobile bath van Lee Hoejang pledged from Daesan Group, set to arrive in Busan within a month. Cheers erupted; Ara beamed at me.
"Honey, it really comes next month?"
"Yeah. Lee Hoejang gave his word."
"Scored a good husband, huh."
"Why so thrilled? It's not even your car."
"Pfft~ With a bath van, we can wash way more folks more often, and keep 'em warmer too."
True enough. Most shut-ins lived rough, so boiling bathwater at their homes strained volunteers' wallets and time—few had instant heaters anyway. Now it was solved: warm baths in a draft-free van, no more shivering elders. How could they not cheer?
But a nagging thought hit: couldn't just take it at face value. Folks might question why Daesan gifted my district alone. Needed a cover.
"Jeong-ah, you busy?"
"No, oppa. What's up?"
"I'll explain in Seoul later—post an announcement on the cafe."
"What kind?"
"Say local volunteers serve baths to shut-ins and disabled but struggle heating water, so they're pooling dues for a van. Call for fan cafe members' voluntary support."
"How much we need?"
"Don't worry. No real funds needed—Lee Hoejang's already committed."
"Got it. Leave it to me."
If Jeong-ah got it, she handled it flawlessly—no need for me to micromanage. Relaxed, I chatted convention prep in the district office room with the Office Manager and Youth Committee Chair, then called in the Women's Committee Chair for her input.
First, minimize rebel votes in my district, then tour Busan and Yeongnam pitching Kim Seong-gap, Jeong Sang-won, and Han Seong-su. As evening neared, volunteers headed out; I took staff to dinner—hadn't been down in ages, wanted to buy a meal. We wrapped cheerfully, promising tomorrow, and they went home.
"Bro, your name's all over the news lately. Things going well?"
"Yeah, on track so far. We'll see when results hit."
My brother—worried after our reunion—probed the situation. Even he, politics-averse, was hooked now. I reassured him, asked to shield Mom from news; more worry for her frail heart. We headed down from the roof.
One more coffee, then home with Ara. Greeted Jangmo-nim, sipped tea recounting events, and hit the sack. Fresh bedding waited; quick shower, then bed.
"Honey~"
Her whisper tickled my ear like a dream. Tried opening my eyes—heavy as lead. Just spread my arms; she nestled in.
"Honey~ Wake up."
Morning already. Her tone had an edge.
"Did Jangmo-nim sleep well?"
"Yes. You must've been beat, Park."
"Yeah, busy times."
After breakfast and goodbyes, as I headed out, Ara followed.
"Where you off to?"
"Office. Why?"
"What's with the attitude this morning?"
"Hmph! Don't play dumb. I was all hyped last night, but you crashed out."
Ah, that dream-voice was real. The volunteers' teasing had her geared up; I conked out first. No wonder she was miffed—a month apart, husband zonked. Gently hugged and kissed her.
"Sorry. Exhausted yesterday."
"Hmph! Try that tonight, see what happens!"
"Promise. Skip home—hotel instead."
"Why hotel?"
"Walls have ears with Jangmo-nim. Hotel's best to wreck you proper."
"Hee!"
She giggled brightly—crisis averted. Vowed to pace myself today, starting fresh.