Chapter 155: Must Be My Imagination?

"Director Cha, is it absolutely necessary for the Human Resources Department—and for you personally—to participate in the operation against the hacker group?"

Chairman Park Yeongil asked with a concerned expression.

"According to Deputy Director Jo Ilcheol of the General Reconnaissance Bureau, Politburo member Liu Peiqi's villa is an impregnable fortress. That's why we absolutely need Saho. But if I'm not there, Saho simply won't carry out the operation."

"Hmm, I see. Then what kind of reward are you planning to give Saho for playing such a crucial role?"

Just thinking about that question still gave me a headache.

The reason was the argument that had broken out between three directors: NIS Director Om Giyeon, CIA Director Griffin, and FBI Director Glenn Nevers.

Director Om Giyeon insisted that although Saho was an animal, he played a key role in the operation, and therefore demanded that CIA Director Griffin pay him a special reward.

Director Griffin immediately objected, emphasizing that Saho was officially an operative assigned to the National Intelligence Service.

Director Nevers went even further, arguing that since they were contributing a strategic asset—a stealth submersible—it was the NIS that ought to reward Saho.

I explained the entire dispute to Chairman Park Yeongil.

"...In the end, they argued themselves in circles and accomplished absolutely nothing."

"It seems Director Om is being rather stubborn. What do you think his real objective is?"

"I believe he wants to keep all the captured hackers for himself."

"You're °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° saying the special reward for Saho is actually the hackers themselves?"

"Exactly, Chairman."

"Hmm..."

Park Yeongil trailed off and began tapping his fingers against the sofa's armrest.

Chief Secretary Kang Inhan and I simply sat quietly across from him, giving him time to think.

After a while, having finished sorting through his thoughts, the Chairman finally spoke.

"Director Griffin and Director Nevers figured out Director Om's intentions as well, didn't they?"

"That's exactly why they argued with him so fiercely."

"Indeed. How do you think their dispute will end?"

"My guess is they'll split the hackers evenly."

"That does seem like the best solution. By the way, when are you planning to leave for Dandong?"

"Capturing the hackers alive requires extensive preparation, so we're planning to depart in about a week."

"I understand."

As soon as the conversation ended, Chief Secretary Kang Inhan spoke up.

"Director Cha, when you transport Saho aboard the stealth submersible, shouldn't someone accompany him?"

"I was actually considering Team Leader Lee Hyeonsol."

"Team Leader Seo Donghun gets along with Saho better than Team Leader Lee."

"But Team Leader Seo and his men are supposed to accompany me."

"I'll be the one accompanying you, Director Cha."

"I'm sorry, Chief Secretary Kang, but you need to stay here and assist the Chairman."

"Director Cha, don't worry about me. Take Kang with you," Chairman Park Yeongil concluded without hesitation. "Now then, let's move on to another matter. Chief Secretary Kang, when is the operation against the Scorpion Gang scheduled?"

"Team Leader Jeong Gwangseok and his men flew to Macau this morning. Considering they'll need time to assess the situation and prepare, the operation should be ready in another two or three days."

Bzzz—

Just then, the phone lying on the table vibrated.

I glanced at the screen and saw the caller's name: Vice Chairman Wei Chen.

After informing Chairman Park who it was, I answered immediately.

"Vice Chairman Wei, I'm listening."

["Director Cha, when will your people arrive in Macau to eliminate Cho Insu's gang?"]

"They left this morning, so they should arrive within the next hour or two."

["Hmm, I see."]

"Did something happen? Some unexpected development?"

["According to our information, Park Kicheol is returning to Korea this evening."]

A bad feeling immediately settled in my chest.

Team Leader Jeong Gwangseok and his men had planned to wipe out Cho Insu's organization, which operated the underground gambling houses in Macau.

Meanwhile, the police had prepared a separate operation to arrest Leech Gang leader Park Kicheol the moment he stepped onto Korean soil.

The operation had originally been scheduled for two or three days later.

But by sheer coincidence, Park Kicheol was flying back to Korea tonight.

"Vice Chairman Wei, thank you very much for this valuable information."

["Don't mention it. By the way, have you learned anything about the matter I asked you to look into?"]

During yesterday's phone call, Vice Chairman Wei Chen had asked how the U.S. government intended to deal with Deputy Secretary Zhang Jinan.

"Deputy Secretary Zhang Jinan enjoys President Xi Jinping's special favor, so the recent incident won't seriously damage him."

["And why is that?"]

"If he simply denies everything and claims he knew nothing, there's nothing anyone can do. The U.S. government has decided to wait for the decisive moment."

["...I see."]

Deputy Secretary Zhang Jinan was Vice Chairman Chen Zhihui's elder brother-in-law and his most powerful political patron.

If Zhang fell, the entire political faction supporting Chen Zhihui would inevitably lose its influence.

Since the Americans had decided to wait for the decisive moment, it was easy to understand why Wei Chen sounded so disappointed.

Feeling that he needed some encouragement, I tried to lift his spirits.

"The decisive moment is coming very soon, so there's no need to lose heart."

["What do you mean?"]

"The reason Vice Chairman Chen Zhihui fled to the Philippines in such a hurry..."

I openly told Wei Chen everything Director Glenn Nevers had discussed with me.

"...The U.S. government intends to intercept an Eastern Shipping cargo vessel transporting North Korean weapons. Once the seizure is broadcast live, Deputy Secretary Zhang won't be able to deny anything."

["Hahahahaha!"]

Vice Chairman Wei Chen burst into booming laughter, clearly delighted by the thought alone.

After waiting for his laughter to subside, I continued.

"Our people may not finish preparing the operation against Cho Insu's organization in time. Vice Chairman Wei, I'd appreciate your assistance to make sure everything goes smoothly."

["Leave it to me. You have nothing to worry about."]

After discussing a few more matters with Vice Chairman Wei Chen, I ended the call.

As if he had been waiting for exactly that moment, Chairman Park Yeongil immediately spoke.

"Director Cha, wouldn't another two or three days have been enough to prepare the operation against Cho Insu's people?"

"Park Kicheol is returning to Korea tonight."

"I see... That leaves us almost no time. Chief Secretary Kang, contact Commissioner General Choi immediately."

***

"Big Brother, you're home early today?"

Cha Hyeonji opened the front door and looked at me in surprise.

"I overworked myself last night, so I decided to take it easy today. Where's Mom?"

"A woman from Chairman Park's house said she was lonely and invited her over."

"I see. Where's Saho?"

The moment I finished speaking, Saho came charging down from the third floor.

As always, the cat leaped effortlessly into my arms.

I sat down on the sofa and gently stroked his head.

"Saho, we're going on a business trip to China next week, so be prepared."

"Grrr!"

Saho frowned and let out a deep growl.

I'd promised him a week-long vacation and a trip back to the monastery where he had lived with the late monk Popchin.

Ever since then, all he'd thought about was running around with the wild forest cats that lived nearby.

And now I was suddenly telling him we were going to China instead.

Naturally, he was furious.

Fortunately, I still had a secret trump card that would change his mind.

"Phew... What a relief."

"...Meow?"

The moment I pretended to sigh in relief, Saho tilted his head in confusion.

"I was actually worried you'd start begging to come with me."

To my surprise, Saho immediately jumped off my lap, grabbed my pant leg with his teeth, and tugged hard.

"Saho... Should I take that to mean you want to come with me after all?"

Still refusing to let go of my pants, the cat nodded vigorously.

***

Bzzz—

I had just gone upstairs and was changing into comfortable clothes when my phone vibrated on the desk.

Glancing at the screen, I saw a message from Lee Ujin.

Lee Ujin: Busy again today?

Cha Jiham: I overdid it last night, so I came home early today.

Lee Ujin: Beer?

Cha Jiham: If your eyesight's getting bad, should I make you an appointment with an ophthalmologist?

Lee Ujin: We'll drink at your place!

Cha Jiham: You're hopeless. Fine, come over.

Lee Ujin: I'll be there in a flash.

After going downstairs, I found Mom sitting on the sofa. Apparently, she'd already heard that I'd come home.

The moment I sat beside her, she asked curiously,

"Hyeonji told me you're going to China next week."

"That's right, Mom."

"Where this time?"

"Dandong. It's right on the North Korean border."

"I've heard there are lots of North Koreans there... Isn't it dangerous?"

"Mom, don't worry. Dandong is a popular tourist destination. Plenty of Koreans visit every year."

"Maybe so, but I still can't shake this uneasy feeling."

I tried to reassure her.

"I'll have twenty people with me as security, and Saho's coming too. So don't worry."

"I understand the bodyguards, but can Saho really protect you?"

"Saho has extraordinary hearing and an incredible sense of smell. If there's any danger, he'll warn me before anything happens. Right, Saho?"

The cat nodded energetically, confirming my words.

"Well... I suppose that makes me feel a little better. I'll go prepare dinner now. Just wait a bit."

"Ujin's coming over soon. We decided to have a few drinks at home."

"Oh? Then do we have enough food to go with the drinks...?"

Shaking her head, Mom stood up from the sofa.

***

"Mom, I'm sorry I keep imposing on you!"

With those words, Lee Ujin handed her a bouquet of flowers.

"Oh my, these are for me? You could've come empty-handed."

Although she said that, the corners of her lips curled into a delighted smile.

"How could I come empty-handed when you always take such good care of me?"

"Thank you. Are you hungry? Dinner's ready, so come sit down."

As soon as Lee Ujin entered the kitchen, his eyes widened.

The dining table was so full of food that there wasn't an inch of empty space left.

"Wow, Mom... Didn't you make a little too much?"

"How could I treat such an important guest poorly?"

"Me? An important guest?"

"Who knows... Maybe you will be someday."

"Mom!"

Cha Hyeonji suddenly shouted like a bolt from the blue.

She had clearly understood what Mom was implying.

"Hey! Stop yelling! You're going to burst my eardrums!"

"Brother Ujin still treats me like a little kid!"

"But you are younger than he is. Ujin, hurry and sit down."

"Geez..."

Cha Hyeonji sat down with a look of utter disbelief.

While we ate and chatted casually, Mom suddenly asked,

"Ujin, does Jiham have a girlfriend?"

"Nope. But there are plenty of girls who like him."

"Do you know who they are?"

"Of course. I've even had drinks with a few of them."

"Really? Which one do you think suits him best?"

"Well... They all have their own charm, so it's hard for me to say."

Lee Ujin smoothly dodged the question.

Figuring it was time to change the subject, I stepped in.

"Ujin, you'll pass the bar exam this time, right?"

"If I don't, my father will probably break my legs. Let's drop the subject before I lose my appetite."

"Fair enough."

"I talked to Gloria yesterday. She said she's coming here with Tracy in the middle of next month."

The joint investment company being established by Korea Investment, Hangang Group, and the Bongard investment group was expected to launch sometime next month.

Employee recruitment would begin roughly a month after that.

Yet Gloria and Tracy were arriving a full month ahead of schedule.

I asked Lee Ujin if he knew why.

"She said they need to sort out housing and prepare a bunch of other things."

"...My head already hurts just thinking about it. Must be my imagination?"

Bzzz—

At that moment, the phone lying on the table vibrated.

I looked down and saw the caller's name:

Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong of the National Police Agency.

Since it wasn't a conversation I wanted everyone to hear, I picked up the phone, stepped into the living room, and answered.

"Commissioner General Choi, I'm listening."

["We've just successfully arrested Lee Jonghyeok. He's currently being transported to an NIS safe house."]

The words I'm exhausted and really don't want to go anywhere almost slipped out of my mouth.

But I couldn't possibly say them.

After all, I was the one who had advised NIS Director Om Giyeon to arrest Lee Jonghyeok.

"I'm leaving right now."