Chapter 154: Night of Korea-US (1)

I looked at my watch for a moment and asked Secretary Jo Hana.

"Secretary Jo, will we not be late for the banquet?"

"It is not enough, but there is no problem."

"Yes, then I will rest for a moment."

I had crossed one mountain, but now another mountain lay before them.

As soon as I arrived at the hotel, I headed straight to my quarters.

The stylist and protocol team, who were waiting, moved quickly.

A dark navy suit, a silk tie with a fine luster, and subtly shining cufflinks were prepared.

"Representative, how should I arrange your hair?"

"Let's slick it back. It would be good to do it formally today."

Makeup followed, just to the extent of tidying my hair and lightly matching my skin tone.

In the mirror, I was not simply a young entrepreneur, but one of the economic figures representing a country.

After a moment, Choi Seo-jun, General Hong, Jo Hana, and Baek Yu-jin entered the room one after another.

They were also perfectly prepared in suits.

Choi Seo-jun wore a bow tie with a dark gray-toned suit.

General Hong was in a neat and dignified black suit.

Jo Hana wore a pearl earring with a somewhat dark-colored one-piece suit.

Advisor Baek Yu-jin wore a slim black suit stylishly.

As they walked out in a line into the hallway where the lighting shone subtly, they looked like Hollywood stars just by their appearance.

A sense of dignity and confidence was exuded.

In front of the hotel lobby, vehicles sent by the White House were lined up.

The vehicle doors opened, and now all we had to do was get in.

Before I got into the car, I looked back and spoke.

"Is everyone ready?"

At my question, the gazes of the three people gathered simultaneously and answered.

"Yes, Representative."

It was a voice full of spirit.

The car departed slowly toward the White House.

The road was already controlled.

On the exterior wall of the White House seen in the distance, bright lights were settling down quietly.

***

The major broadcasting stations in Korea were all transmitting the same scene.

The anchor's voice flowed calmly.

"The place currently seen on the screen is the White House in Washington D.C., USA."

As the camera slowly shone inside the magnificent White House, two figures were standing at its center.

The Korean President and the US President.

The two leaders shook hands while wearing bright smiles.

Countless flashes went off, and the shutter sounds of reporters spread continuously.

Under the background where the national flags of both countries were placed side by side, the handshake of the two leaders was reflected like a signal opening a new era.

Soon, the camera switched to the inside of the banquet hall.

It was as if the golden chandeliers were slowly swaying and emitting light.

A pure white cloth was spread over the round tables, so the silver-colored tableware stood out exceptionally.

Nameplates were placed on each table.

As the figures from both countries filled the seats, the President and his spouse came inside.

Along with a soft melody, the welcoming applause resonated warmly.

At that time, the camera in the broadcast screen moved slightly and captured a figure.

Lim Hyunjun, the representative of HJ Partners.

I was quietly entering the banquet hall entrance.

The subtly spreading lights over my black suit and my calm expression made me stand out more.

I quietly moved my steps following the gesture of the guidance personnel.

The banquet hall of the White House was already crowded with numerous figures.

Since the white cloths spread on each table were laid out beautifully, the drinks contained in the glass cups seemed to sparkle as they were reflected by the chandelier light.

Finally, having checked my seat at the place I arrived at following the guidance personnel, I stopped for a moment.

The table I was sitting at was the main table where the President and his spouse were sitting.

My gaze wavered slightly.

A hint of embarrassment at the unexpected thing brushed by for a moment, but I soon composed my expression.

The seat next to me was occupied by Lim Hye-seon, who had arrived first.

She also wore a somewhat surprised expression as she saw me.

Wondering what was going on, I asked in a lowly voice.

"Aunt, how did this happen?"

"I do not know either."

I took a short breath, looked at the ceiling, and then faced forward.

At that time, the moderator's voice resonated through the speakers.

"Now there will be a welcoming greeting from the President."

Everyone stood up from their seats while clapping.

The US President went up onto the podium.

As the light shone toward him, camera flashes went off one after another.

"Today at this place, we intend to talk about cooperation that connects not one generation, but two generations. Technology, trust, and people... those are what will make us one."

Cheers and applause broke out repeatedly.

Soon after, the Korean President went up onto the podium.

He responded with a powerful voice.

"Korea and the US are long-time friends, and today will be a night where that friendship heads toward the future."

The greetings of the two leaders ended, and the sound of glasses clinking followed.

The US President returned to his seat and discovered someone, and then his expression changed clearly.

As if he had met a welcome person, his gaze was naturally looking at me.

Rather, while the aides beside him were looking at each other without knowing the reason.

He tried to sit but stood up again.

The surrounding air seemed to have stopped for a moment.

He slowly moved his steps and then stopped in front of me, who was sitting on the other side of the table.

Then, he opened his mouth naturally as if he had met an old friend.

I also hurried to get up from my seat and answered clearly in English with a soft intonation.

Since this was not the first meeting, I was quite relaxed.

"It is good to meet you here. I really hoped you would come."

"I am also honored to be invited like this, Mr. President."

It was a short conversation, but no one could intervene between the two people.

The figures around them also just looked at them blankly as if catching their breath.

The protocol officer was beside them, but because I handled English so fluently, I did not need a separate interpretation.

The President smiled and lightly patted my shoulder.

"I am glad to meet you sooner than expected. In fact, there is something I want to tell you."

"Is that so? If I had known that, I would have come to the US sooner."

"Hahaha."

The gazes of the two people crossed for a moment.

Without missing that time, camera flashes went off.

As the short greeting ended, the President spoke first.

"I heard stories about you here and there today. Everyone was not sparing in their high praise."

"It is an honor, Mr. President."

The President nodded and laughed.

I naturally turned to the side and sent a gaze to Lim Hye-seon.

"Mr. President, may I introduce one person to you?"

"Of course."

I stepped back one step and spoke.

"This is my aunt, Acting Chairman Lim Hye-seon of Taeseong Group. She was invited to this place with me today. And she is the person who will lead Taeseong Group forward."

Lim Hye-seon quietly stood up from her seat and bowed her head.

"It is an honor, Mr. President."

The President reached out his hand with a welcome expression.

"If it is Taeseong Group, I also know it well. The mobile phones made by Taeseong are famous. Furthermore, isn't it the core axis of the Korean economy!"

Lim Hye-seon held the President's hand while wearing a smile.

"I am just grateful that you say so. I hope that Taeseong and HJ Partners can cooperate together during this US visit schedule as well."

Not only the figures in the banquet hall but even the reporters whispered to each other.

Who on earth is the young person from Korea that the US President welcomes so much?

The image of them was transmitted to the whole world, and the name Lim Hyunjun of HJ Partners spread far and wide.

This scene was also transmitted to Korea and became a hot topic.

The fact that the US President approached the Korean entrepreneur Lim Hyunjun first and requested a handshake.

There was no one who did not know what that meant.

As the appearance of the White House banquet hall appeared on the news screen, the anchor delivered the news with a somewhat excited voice.

"An unexpected scene was captured at the White House banquet last night. The US President personally approached Representative Lim Hyunjun of HJ Partners and expressed his delight by requesting a handshake. According to local diplomatic sources, it is said the President personally delivered the words that he had been waiting for you to come to the US."

On the screen, the appearance of me and the US President shaking hands was being played repeatedly.

At the bottom of the news, bold letters appeared.

[A young Korean genius stands at the center of the White House.]

Other broadcasting stations were also busy delivering this news as if competing.

At that time, the same scene flowed from the large TV placed in the Daehan Group Chairman's office.

Chairman Nam Kun-ho watched the screen silently and then threw the remote control he held in his hand with a 'hwik'.

"It's that fellow again!"

The secretary standing beside him quickly picked up the remote control and turned off the screen.

After that, he carefully opened his mouth.

"Chairman, all broadcasts are currently dealing with the news about Lim Hyunjun."

Nam Kun-ho's expression was stiff.

"Even here the President protected him so much, and now he even went to the US..."

He picked up the glass containing liquor and then put it down on the table just like that.

Because he put it down somewhat strongly, the friction sound made the ears sting.

"If only it were not for Jae-heon's business..."

His gaze was fixed on the television screen that had turned black.

If only his eldest son Nam Jae-heon had not become like that, the seat Lim Hyunjun was sitting in was naturally Nam Jae-heon's.

Nam Kun-ho thought so.

At the same time.

Taeseong Hospital VIP ward.

Beyond the large window, sunlight seeped in softly.

On the television screen, the same scene was coming out continuously.

Chairman Lim Man-seok sat leaning against the bed, and an arc was slowly drawn at the corner of his mouth.

Beside him, Lim Man-cheol, who came for a visit, was sitting.

"Brother, these days, whenever I turn on the news, it is all about that fellow Hyunjun."

He continued speaking while wearing a somewhat bitter laugh.

"That fellow doesn't even get intimidated once. How big is his liver? I am truly envious, brother."

Lim Man-seok spoke while smiling gratifiedly.

"You have many things to be envious of. He rose to that position all by his own strength. It wasn't because someone made him do it, he climbed up by himself. That child... is making the thing I couldn't even do... no, the thing I only imagined, into a reality."

Pride dwelled in his eyes.

Lim Man-cheol cleared his throat for no reason and changed the subject.

"Even so, brother, if one does too well, they are bound to stand out in people's eyes. These days, he appears on the news more than the President."

Lim Man-seok laughed gently.

"Yes, that is also not a wrong word. Although he must be more careful as that happens... for some reason, I am not worried about that fellow. I just think he will do well on his own. Because he is a guy who makes such trust arise."

He looked again at the scene where me on the screen was shaking hands with the President while wearing a bright expression.

The corner of his mouth rose slowly.

"Look, Man-cheol. That fellow is making our Taeseong widely known to the world. Not the Taeseong I built, but by rising to that position himself."

Lim Man-cheol slightly turned his eyes.

"You must be happy, brother. Having a grandson to brag about."

Then he added a word while laughing smallly.

"I am dying of a stomachache, oh my!"

Watching his younger brother pretending to die, Lim Man-seok laughed heartily.

The air inside the ward became much brighter.

The anchor's voice was still flowing from within the television.

To him, who has to endure the giant wave that will occur in the future, it was like a gift from heaven.