novelraw Chapter 65 : A Warm Breeze Blows (1)
Chapter 65 : A Warm Breeze Blows (1)
Chapter 65: A Warm Breeze Blows (1)
Terrace outside the window.
The taste of eating live fish while watching the waves crash against the rocky shore was excellent.
I looked at Park Jang-beom and spoke.
“It feels great to enjoy delicious food in such a scenic place.”
“Try some octopus too. The suction power of the tentacles is no joke.”
Member of the National Assembly Park Jang-beom, who came in second place with a 2% difference.
He had judged that regions favorable to him—Daegu, Gyeongbuk, and the Capital Area—were worth a try.
Was there a chance?
Yeon Han-gil, who had preemptively seized the image of party reform, had more backing.
The momentum was tilting toward Yeon Han-gil, and many regional chairs and delegates were lining up behind him.
Politics—a drug that makes everyone who runs believe they can win.
Park Jang-beom was no exception.
“Representative Kang.”
“Please speak.”
“When I look at you, it’s like you have a clone. How do you propose so many bills?”
“I’ve co-sponsored a lot of them.”
“You led the credit card fee reduction bill for self-employed people and the scholarship expansion bill to make half-price tuition a reality. You’re a monster.”
“Thank you for the kind words.”
“The reason you became a successful businessman was your drive.”
I brushed past his compliment and got to the point.
“What do you think of the atmosphere? This is my first internal election, so I’m seeking advice.”
“You have Bok Dae-seon and Im Seong-chan, don’t you? You must have a good sense of the flow.”
No doubt the two were remarkable figures. Perhaps Park Jang-beom needed their help more than mine.
“They’re working hard, but they say cracking the top four will be difficult. I entered the race thinking I’d gain experience, but once you’re in, it’s hard to give up hope.”
“That’s how it is for everyone. But you supported Yeon Han-gil to gain votes, right?”
“I thought backing the most promising person might at least earn me some crumbs. It’s shameful, but I avoided the frontal assault and chose cowardice.”
“Ha ha.”
Park Jang-beom gave a sly smile.
“Looks like the terms of the deal are in place.”
“I’m starting to feel greedy too.”
“Politicians must have big ambitions to move forward. If you help me, I’ll do everything I can to support you in return.”
“I’m not sure how much help I can be, but I’ll let my greed run.”
“I like your honesty. Let’s have a drink.”
I clinked glasses with him.
“The only help I can offer is concentrating the scattered votes toward you. It won’t be a lot.”
“If we get help from Representative Seong Chang-rae and the first-term lawmakers, we can compete evenly. We just need to narrow the gap in the provinces and win in the Capital Area. Your two arms will play a crucial role.”
By "two arms," he meant Bok Dae-seon and Im Seong-chan.
“Realistically, we can’t expect many votes from the delegates. But we can wield the power of the dues-paying party members and general members.”
“I’ve made promises with the veteran lawmakers, so I can’t back down.”
“You promised them party positions?”
“Secretary-General, Chair of the Policy Committee, Standing Committee Chairs and secretaries, Floor Spokesperson, and Deputy Floor Leader—I have to offer those.”
“Isn’t that practically everything?”
Park Jang-beom burst into laughter.
“A successful businessman is surprisingly naïve. Politics and acting have something in common—lies work.”
“Is that so?”
“An actor and their role are completely different characters. If everything a politician said was fulfilled, this country would already be a utopia. Remember, a politician’s success depends on how well they package lies to look like the truth.”
It wasn’t wrong at all.
Human nature changes from the moment one enters to when one exits the restroom, and politics—where one must constantly fight—was even more so.
“Thank you for your wise words.”
“Everyone dreams of utopia at first. But reality is different. You’ll learn that over time.”
“I still earnestly want to realize ideals. That way, we might get even a little closer to an ideal world.”
“I was like that too in my first term. Representative Kang.”
Park Jang-beom’s eyes gleamed.
“Yes.”
“Just publish an article. I think Representative Go Jae-gyeong is secure, so there shouldn’t be any issue.”
“Should I exaggerate it?”
“To intimidate the competition, you need to puff yourself up.”
If I asked Go Jae-gyeong, she’d likely agree. Just as he said, she was secure, and supporting Park Jang-beom wouldn’t do her harm.
“I’ll puff it up like a blowfish.”
“Ha ha ha. I like how straightforward you are. Let’s drink.”
My alliance with Park Jang-beom was forged.
Listening to the words of a seasoned politician gave me much to ponder.
Politics is credit, they say.
It means if you build enough trust to have plenty of credit, you’ll succeed.
Repayment is something to worry about later.
He offered me much advice.
It was a time to reaffirm that politics is not about ideals—but about reality.
Inside a hotel room.
I sat facing Im Seong-chan and Bok Dae-seon.
“How did it go?”
“The negotiation was easy.”
To Im Seong-chan’s question, I answered with a smile.
“He’s saying he’ll help in Daegu and Gyeongbuk?”
“Let me explain.”
I shared everything I had discussed with Park Jang-beom.
“That’s a relief. Will Representative Go Jae-gyeong agree to it?”
“I spoke with her just a while ago. She readily agreed to help. But if she takes the mainstream vote, will Park Jang-beom really stand a chance?”
“It’ll be difficult. Nearly half the electoral college is from the southern region. And in the Capital Area, many are lining up behind Yeon Han-gil.”
“Overturning the tide will be hard.”
“This isn’t the time for us to worry about others.”
Bok Dae-seon furrowed his brow and added.
“Representative Yeon Han-gil can’t be trusted either. If you break out ahead, he’ll think he might lose the top representative position.”
“I agree. Their goal is to make Pyo Chi-won number one.”
“Our organization is weak—we’ll have to stir the wind.”
“Is Staffer Ahn Jin-su writing letters right now?”
“Yes, she is.”
Ahn Jin-su, the aides, and some party members wrote handwritten letters to the delegates and dues-paying party members.
“We need to work even harder.”
“Of course. Everyone is working so hard.”
“I checked SNS earlier, and things are going very well. Intern Yoo Yeon-jeong has great sense.”
I also checked SNS on the way to the hotel.
I wrote the long posts, and Yoo Yeon-jeong handled the photos and short messages.
[Strong on tests but weak on islands—our candidate]
The caption below a picture of me speaking confidently showed her wit.
The comment right below it:
[Strong in studies but weak in love—me]
A meme thread formed under that comment.
└ Weak to the strong but also weak to the weak—me.
└ Strong against men but weak against women
└ Strong in driving but weak in parking
└ Strong during the day but weak at night—my husband
Getting attention mattered.
My SNS following grew significantly, and the media poured out related articles.
“She’s a smart one.”
“You are truly blessed, Representative.”
“That’s why I’m working with the two of you.”
“Ha ha. I think I’m the one who’s lucky to have met you.”
“That’s a bit ticklish.”
“Well then, let’s get back to the point.”
Bok Dae-seon continued.
“If we can ride the momentum in Daegu and Gyeongbuk, we can definitely get into the top four. We need to stir up the wind there.”
“If only Member of the National Assembly Park Jang-beom helps, it’s not impossible.”
After scratching his philtrum with his finger, Bok Dae-seon said,
“It seems like Representative Yeon Han-gil really can’t be trusted. If you ride the momentum in Daegu and Gyeongbuk, he’ll definitely sense danger.”
“I don’t think I can beat Pyo Chi-won though?”
“If the wind blows, it’s not entirely impossible.”
The wind.
I hoped so.
And then, the wind truly began to blow.
I placed fifth in Busan and Gyeongnam, laying the groundwork.
Next was the party convention in Daegu and Gyeongbuk.
After news broke that Go Jae-gyeong and a group of first-term lawmakers were publicly supporting Park Jang-beom, the mood changed.
Park Jang-beom hinted that an unexpected result might come.
There were 950 delegates.
With a clear upward trend in party member and public opinion polls, surpassing 200 delegates would be ideal.
“Next is Candidate Number 7, Kang Cheonmyeong’s speech.”
I rose from my seat, bowed, and stepped onto the stage.
A conservative city.
The approach must match.
“Hello. I’m Kang Cheonmyeong. It’s scorching hot today. I deeply thank the delegates and party members who came here.”
I bowed 90 degrees.
In this place, attitude mattered greatly.
“I am close to being a conservative because I value democracy, human rights, a market economy, peace, and freedom. But I chose the People’s Union Party because Korean conservatism has lost its way. Alongside conservative values, transparency, fairness, equality of opportunity, recognition of diversity, and self-sacrifice are also essential.”
Was it just my imagination?
The eyes watching me sparkled brightly.
My voice, more confident than ever, continued.
“I know well that you sweat blood in this barren land. The defeat in the last election wasn’t your failure. It was largely our fault—mine and our lawmakers’—for not throwing ourselves in the way. I will lead the change. With our current political capital, we cannot win the people’s support.”
It was very quiet.
That meant everyone was focused on my speech.
Good.
Let’s push harder.
“Our party has one bad habit. We push out challengers! It’s true that instead of fighting the enemy, we’ve been obsessed with cutting down new growth within. Please choose the challenger! Show everyone that when a challenger succeeds, victory follows!”
“Kang Cheonmyeong! Kang Cheonmyeong! Kang Cheonmyeong!”
Once someone led the chant, the crowd echoed in unison.
The energy was good.
It was time to drive the nail.
“Innovation is a fight against inertia. I promise you three things. First, I will strengthen the decision-making power of our party members. Second, I will speak up when I must. Third, I will be a politician who takes responsibility. If I break this promise, I will gladly give up my seat in parliament!”
Was that message too strong?
The murmuring sounded like a mosquito buzzing in my ear.
But I had already stepped forward—no retreat now.
“Please raise the wind in Daegu and Gyeongbuk! Kang Cheonmyeong has kept every promise so far and will continue to do so! Choose me! Thank you!”
“Kang Cheonmyeong! Kang Cheonmyeong! Kang Cheonmyeong!”
A thrilling tingle rose from my groin, sparking my adrenaline.
Could I really win?
After the delegates voted, the moment came for the results to be announced.
I didn’t register the other scores, but when my name came up, my ears opened wide.
“Candidate Number 7, Kang Cheonmyeong. Delegates 33%, Dues-Paying Party Members 22.7%, Party Members and Public Opinion Poll 25.5%.”
My God!
One-third of the delegate votes?
“Sunbae-nim, congratulations. This is a massive hit.”
Representative Go Jae-gyeong looked at me with a radiant smile.
Was this a dream or real?
It didn’t feel real.
“This isn’t a dream, right?”
“You’ve climbed up to fourth place. Just 0.1% behind third.”
“Kang Cheonmyeong! Kang Cheonmyeong! Kang Cheonmyeong!”
Cheers filled the gymnasium.
I couldn’t tell anymore.
If this was reality.