Chapter 230: < Protect – Episode 220 – Grand Circle [3] >

“Crazy b.a.s.t.a.r.d.”

“Why are you cursing as soon as we meet?”

“When did you gather defectors, anyway?”

Yoon Chul looked at Ahn Soo Ho with a blank look on his face.

“When I went to Hong Kong.”

“So almost a year ago. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because it was still uncertain. I never intended on using them this way.”

“So it was a coincidence?”

Ahn Soo Ho shrugged. It was hard to believe, but it was true. He had no idea Pig Kim would give him land, and the Emerald Plan wasn’t some grand vision but just an impromptu idea.

‘Michel thought differently though…’

The religious freak made everything an act of G.o.d.

“Let’s not make this complicated. Just stay loyal to what’s in front of you.”

“Easier said than done.”

“Anyway, why are you renouncing your citizens.h.i.+p?”

“So Min s.h.i.+k told you.”

“What about your wedding?”

“What about it? I want to get married in Hawaii, too.”

“No, that’s not what I… Tsk. Fine. Do what you want.”

Since both Yoon Chul and Kim Soo Jung were grown adults, there was no point in telling them what to do. But since family matters still had to be peaceful, he ordered Kosino to monitor the Yoon and Kim family in secret.

‘Maybe this is a good idea to keep an eye on them.’

Corruption always began with small problems. If they had even just one family member that would betray them, it was just a matter of time before destructive rumors got out.

“What about the contract?”

“It ended well.”

“Will you be able to control it?”

“I’ll try.”

Ahn Soo Ho didn’t intend to put Koreans first when hiring police. But when it came to Emerald City – Origin, Koreans were definitely at an advantage. They were better with geography, and knowing Yoon Chul’s personality, he was going to prefer Koreans.

His first employment contract was with a Korean guard company.

Hosoo Guard Team definitely grew in size, but it wasn’t enough to cover all four corners of a city. And with just Yoon Chul’s abilities alone, there were limits. For that reason, he signed Caroline. Emerald Q, K and R were exemptions since those places were going to have mercenaries as police for the time being.

After parting with Yoon Chul, Ahn Soo Ho took a helicopter to Seoul. Hosoo Airlines was probably the only airline that could go between the North and the South so easily.

Currently, Ahn Soo Ho was even above the president. After the Nigeria kidnapping case, those who didn’t like him turn around, and a discussion began regarding a military reform. It was a violation for the military to get involved with politics, but as soon as the spy scandal, as well as the corruption that followed, took place, the topic of a military reform rose once again.

“Not bad.”

Ahn Soo Ho was waiting for his guest in a Daesan Hotel suite room when he mumbled as he put down his newspaper. The person who heard that was Jang Seol Hyun in a yoga position.

“What’s not bad?”

“Oh, I’m talking about an old cla.s.smate from the Naval Academy.”

“Oh, that 80 Society or whatever it’s called?”

“No, it’s another gathering with a different personality.”

Ahn Soo Ho told her many secrets. But of course, he never spoke of being a magician or a supernatural being.

‘It’s still too early…’

No matter how strong Jang Seol Hyun was, there was a limit to how much she could handle. It was best to go one step at a time.

“If the reform of the rich failed, why would a military reform go through?”

She had a strong interest in the current affairs.

“You can’t really say it failed… We just have to keep going at it. But I’m sure the politicians will handle it.”

“Oh, that politician friend?”

“Yeah. Sol Ji.”

It wasn’t easy to maintain a new party in Korean politics. Corporations couldn’t make donations like in the States, and an individual person couldn’t do it either.

Korea’s political funding laws were very old-fas.h.i.+oned.

There was the excuse of trying to stop cozy relations between politics and business, but it was impossible for anyone to stop any kind of influence between the two. Did the appearance of a female politician change things around? The answer to that was iffy.

In order to have an influence in the Naitonal a.s.sembly, one had to have rank, but that took at least 20 years. Not long ago, she gathered a total of 20 members of the National a.s.sembly. Some could see that as great results, but the fact that that was all she could gather even with Ahn Soo Ho’s help meant politics was still very conservative.

‘A young girl trying to do politics?’

The prejudice against age and gender still ran rampant in Korean society.

“Over here.”

“You sure are busy for a retired man.”

The guest Ahn Soo Ho was waiting for was the director of the Hope Medical Foundation, Choi Jung Yeon. She cut her hair short to look like a beautiful career woman. No one could think of her as a married woman with children.

“Long time no see, Seol Hyun. You look healthy.”

“How have you been?”

Choi Jung Yeon and Jang Seol Hyun had known each other for a long time. The beautiful doctor from a famous medical college was a hot topic amongst broadcast producers, so she partic.i.p.ated in various variety shows.

“What?”

“You’re so cold.”

In response to Ahn Soo Ho’s short and direct question, Choi Jung Yeon looked at Jang Seol Hyun in pity, but she just smiled. She secretly praised her man for only being good to her woman.

But Choi Jung Yeon just smiled bitterly.

“I guess all that matters is if you’re happy.”

“Stop the nonsense and tell me why you’re here.”

Ahn Soo Ho wasn’t scolding his friend. He was just curious why such a busy friend came to see him first.

“What are you going to do about the hospitals in the Emerald Plan?”

“What?”

“If you’re going to build a city, you’ll need hospitals.”

“Oh, Danny will take care of that.”

“Danny? Director Navarros, right?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“What do you think? I’m trying to get in on it, too.”

Ahn Soo Ho laughed bitterly.

“It’s not easy, is it?”

“Yeah. It’s rotten beyond damage control.”

The medical and pharmaceutical foundations had leagues of their own. Unless they replaced everything and started over, there was no way to break old habits.

“If you leave, too, it’ll just be Sol Ji, Kyung Il, and Joon.”

“Joon is going to leave, too.”

“Ha.”

Everyone was getting ready to leave. But he did predict that things were going to be unpredictable. Changing a country couldn’t be done with pa.s.sion alone. Even Kang Joon couldn’t stand it, which meant the Korean society was very stiff.

“Is it because of the renouncement of my citizens.h.i.+p?”

“I can’t say that didn’t have any influence.”

Korean citizens didn’t know if they were cheering for Korean Ahn Soo ho or Foreign Ahn Soo HO.

“It’s starting to lose effect.”

Ahn Soo Ho’s popularity rose again thanks to France returning Korea’s cultural a.s.sets, but after two months, it slowed down again. He listened carefully and then looked back at Jang Seol Hyun.

“Seol Hyun. The time has come.”

“Pardon?”

******

The release of the film that Jang Seol Hyun last filmed before her wedding was finally decided.

The film, “Nuremberg’s Poem” has finally been revealed!

A Korean blockbuster set to break records!

Dates have already been confirmed in China, j.a.pan, and Southeast Asia!

Single Jang Seol Hyun’s final work! Nuremberg’s Poem!

There were many provocative articles as well but most were favorable. Ahn Soo Ho thought he was no longer popular enough, but the subject of France returning Korea’s cultural a.s.sets was still a hot topic, so no one dared to mess with him.

He decided to open a large-scale screening that would be open to both professional reviewers and regular viewers. As a result of Hosoo Entertainment’s push, many famous people attended as well. Not only were there Korean celebrities, but there were famous people from all over the world as well.

“Lila! Lila!”

“Over here!”

Jang Seol Hyun’s close friend—Lila—appeared, which was to be expected. Considering Hosoo Entertainment America and Europe, it was understandable that even Miss France and Miss Brazil attended as well.

“Mich.e.l.le!”

“Alice!”

Considering the status of Korean films, this was overly high cla.s.s.

“Alex!”

Even Hong Kong’s Alexander Johnny Chung was there.

“Kimura!”

Even j.a.panese celebrities, who rarely visited Korea, attended the screening. The climax of the event was Jang Seol Hyun’s appearance.

“Jang Seol Hyun!”

“First Lady!”

Ahn Soo Ho had never been the president before, but people gave her the nickname, anyway. She was escorted by the actor that played her father in the film, and the flashes started going off.

The entertainment news reporters pushed their mics her way.

“Did CEO Ahn come with you?”

“When will you go into labor?”

“What about your next work?”

Jang Seol Hyun did her best to answer the questions and avoided the ones that made her uncomfortable before walking up the stairs. The netizens that were watching it in real time were showing exploring responses.

Wow! Has Jang Seol Hyun’s physique always been this good?

She’ll probably go into labor soon! Is this okay?

I heard pregnant women get super swollen! But she’s skinny everywhere except her belly!

Did she get even prettier?

Maybe Ahn Soo Ho gives her shots of milk every night!

That’s so dirty!

Huh? Milk shots?

You know what that means. Hahaha!

Most of the netizens were talking about her physique more than her film.

Did she get plastic surgery?

No way! I don’t know about faces, but her body couldn’t have been changed with surgery!

She doesn’t have time for that either. She’s always being photographed, so we would have seen it if she did.”

Then what’s going on?

Compare her to old photos! It’s true her body got better after dating!

You’re right! Did love make her look better? Because of female hormones?

But she changed so much. She looks like a totally different person!

It’s because she has a lot of s.e.x!

The Internet was crazy.

Regardless of the disputes, the screening proceeded as planned. All events related to Hosoo Entertainment used Do Min Ho. Due to the many foreigners that didn’t speak Korean, he had to go through quite a bit of trouble. His not-so-fluent English and his weird jokes must have been funny because they all smirked every time Do Min Ho did anything.

The vibe wasn’t so bad.

“Let’s welcome the star of the night!”

The directors and actors were introduced before the film. When Jang Seol Hyun appeared, the cheers got louder.

“h.e.l.lo. I’m the soon-to-be mother, Jang Seol Hyun.”

“Haha.”

Most actors talked about their role, but she started with the sensitive topic first. As soon as everyone introduced themselves, a Q&A session began.

“What kind of film is ‘Nuremberg’s Poem?’”

“It’s an entertaining film.”

“Isn’t that too explicit, Director?”

“It’d be a shame if we thought it wasn’t entertaining.”

“But then again, you need to say that to please the investors. I understand, Director.”

“No, it’s actually entertaining.”

“I understand.”

The jokes lightened up the mood. Every time her colleagues answered Do Min Ho’s question, Jang Seol Hyun reacted in a dramatic way.

“Okay! The star that you’ve all been waiting for! Let’s proceed with the questions. h.e.l.lo, Seol Hyun.”

“h.e.l.lo.”

“I’m sorry to ask this, but when are you due?”

Do Min Ho already knew, but he had to ask.

“No need to be sorry. In about 10 days.”

“Really? Is it okay for you to be here then?”

“Of course.”

Jang Seol Hyun lifted her arms with energy.

“I heard you’ll be showing off intense action without the use of much stand-ins. I heard you underwent some serious training.”

“I did a lot of preparing. I learned a lot at action school, and I also learned from someone I know personally.”

“By that… do you mean…”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“So he did help you out.”

“I got cursed at a lot. He still doesn’t go easy on me.”

“That must have been an important decision as an investor of the work.”

“Whose side are you on?”

Do Min Ho cowered in response to Jang Seol Hyun’s remark.

“Okay! Then let’s hear from him in person. Mr. Ahn Soo Ho?”

Ahn Soo Ho had no choice but to go up on stage due to Scott Warren’s push from his side. The stage was set up last minute, but thanks to Do Min Ho’s help, it all came together.

“h.e.l.lo. I’m the soon-to-be father, Ahn Soo Ho.”

“Haha.”

“It sounds like you were hard on Seol Hyun.”

“That’s an exaggeration. I just wanted to make the work more complete.”

“Then that’s what you intended on doing?”

“No.”

“Did you hear that, Seol Hyun?”

Do Min Ho’s playful face made everyone burst into laughter. Once Ahn Soo ho appeared, the attention s.h.i.+fted away from the actors and directors. However, no one complained.

He was the top of the top.

He was someone that everyone wanted to make into a star. The topic of the conversation had changed from films to something else. It was along the lines of something like this.

Q: Will the Hosoo Town plans around Star Tower be halted?

A: No. The culture street will still proceed as planned.

Q: Will anyone be able to visit Origin?

A: We haven’t made the decision yet.

Q: What do you think about the Koryo Confederal System?

A: I’ve never thought about it. It’s probably a joke.

Q. Have you decided on the baby’s name?

A: We don’t even know the gender yet.

Q: There’s talk about how the Korean stock market will take a hit due to Hosoo Investments withdrawing. Can you say a word about that?

Ahn Soo Ho stared on in response to Do Min Ho’s final question.

“What did you invest in?”

“Oh, haha.”

Ahn Soo Ho clicked his tongue in response to Do Min Ho’s awkward laugh.

“You lost a lot of money, didn’t you?”

“Well, I heard cryptocurrency was the best!”

“What a fool.”

Ahn Soo Ho spoke to the audience with a serious look on his face.

“The economy of Korea and Asia will be frozen soon. The transport restraint of products is fatal to Korea, j.a.pan, and Southeast Asia.”

He was certain about his beliefs.

‘When it goes down, you’ve just got to embrace it.’

If the ones at the top want it that way, that was what would happen.

“So be ready, everyone.”

The next day, the film critics didn’t write about the film because the stock experts, fund managers, and a.n.a.lysts swarmed over.

What? What? Does that mean we have to sc.r.a.p it all?

Sc.r.a.p what? Ahn Soo Ho’s probably kidding.

Ahn Soo Ho probably knows something that we don’t!

The marine transport companies are going crazy right now. But that’ll probably be solved with time. I don’t think there will be an issue besides the terror.

The cost of living has increased a lot lately!

That’s only for now! Time will resolve it. The companies went down because of their shabby operation!

This is at a whole another scale! Such big marine transport companies can’t be taken down with a mission. This is on an astronomical scale! Not even Soros can do that!

What if the ones at the top did it?

That’s nonsense! There’s no reason for the market economy to want that kind of damage! It’s not like they got anything out if! Besides, the marine alliance is still going strong!

Then does Ahn Soo Ho have it wrong?

We don’t know when a crisis will hit, but we’re fine for now!

Yeah, what would a mercenary know about the economy, anyway?

The talk about how he controls the world’s economy is bulls.h.i.+t!

The media didn’t hold back either.

CEO Ahn makes a warning regarding Asia’s economic crisis!

Having a lot of money and knowing about the economy are two different things!

Korea Bank has been on the rise by +1.5% this year!

Ahn Soo Ho tries to promote the film using unreasonable methods!

They took the bait that Ahn Soo Ho threw in. The opportunists were busy biting on it, but the situation changed completely a week later. That was because of an article put out by Forbes Magazine.

US Department of Commerce, “The unfair FTAs of America shall be dealt with!”

Most reacted as if this was understandable. With WTO being famous, the FTA strategies of each country diversified, and in order to be at an advantage, they even hired industry spies.

But a bomb landed in Korea the next day.

US Department of Commerce, “The first FTA revision will be conducted with China and Korea!”

< Protect – Episode 220 – Grand Circle [3] > The end.