Delicious

Chapter 112 Delicious

"I just spoke to a friend on the phone."

"What kind of friend is he that can make our Do-hoon so happy?" Bae Suzy opened the clay pot, waved her hand, and sniffed it.

He had no intention of hiding anything, but since Soo-ji didn't ask, he saw no need to say anything.

After all, setting the kitchen on fire is not something to be proud of.

"It's only been cooking for a short while," Jung Do-hoon said, putting the lid on the clay pot. "Speaking of which, you don't actually have a contract you want me to take a look at, do you?"

"There really is one, wait for me!" Bae Suzy shoved the towel she was using to dry her hair into Jung Do-hoon's hand and shuffled into the study in her slippers.

Since he didn't need to keep an eye on the kitchen, Jung Do-hoon went to the living room to wait for Bae Soo-ji.

While I was waiting, Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jin-woo called.

"Dohoon, I tried calling you but the line was busy."

"Minister, I was busy in the kitchen just now. What are your orders?"

"Tomorrow's joint meeting—the secretary just said that the committee has changed the speaking order, and our Ministry of Foreign Affairs is first. They want you to report on the Expo's publicity and campaigning plan."

Being the first to speak is not always a good opportunity for someone to steal the spotlight.

In particular, the issue of allocating funds for external publicity will be discussed at tomorrow's joint meeting.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was originally scheduled to speak in the middle to later part of the speech, which gave Jeong Do-hoon a chance to see the positions of these old foxes.

Who exactly condoned the Blue House's actions, who firmly opposed them, and who remained caught in the middle with an ambiguous stance?

"Let me tell you, the National Assembly election is coming up soon, and the President wants Minister Park Jin to run for the seat of the Gangnam B constituency. Minister Park will be resigning as early as next month."

"The World Expo has only just begun and they're already changing the leadership?" Zheng Daoxun frowned slightly and smiled helplessly.

Not only was there a last-minute change of candidates for the World Expo, but Choi Hong, the candidate for the National Power Party in the Gangnam District B constituency of Seoul in the 2024 general election, was originally a financial entrepreneur. However, at this crucial moment, Choi Hong was sanctioned by the Financial Supervisory Service for illegal transactions by his company and lost his eligibility to run.

Park Jin, who had served three consecutive terms as a councilor in Jongno-gu, was pulled out to replace Choi Hong. Even though Seoul has become increasingly conservative in recent years, such a last-minute change of leadership was something that even someone like Jung Do-hoon, who hadn't studied elections in depth, knew was unlikely to win.

This also shows that the country's strength is stretched thin in terms of personnel, resulting in a shortage of capable successors.

The former Minister of Foreign Affairs is still here, not to mention the saying "out of sight, out of mind".

But as soon as these old foxes heard the news, they began to plan to push the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which was without its top leader, to be the first to test the Blue House's attitude towards the Dong-kyung faction.

"If we can't hold onto our seats in Seoul, the Donggyeong faction in Busan will become even more important. If we're the first to object to allocating the funds to Busan, the Blue House will inevitably have a problem with us."

However, this conclusion is drawn from the perspective of the Blue House and the entire Gukpower Party. For political departments like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and for career diplomats like Kim Jin-ah and Jeong Do-hoon, the victory or defeat of the Gukpower Party is not that important.

On the other end of the phone, Jin Zhen was still analyzing the current situation. As his direct superior, it was necessary to keep his subordinate informed of the current situation and information.

Jung Do-hoon listened silently. Soo-ji had already sat down next to him at some point and placed a not-so-thick stack of contracts on the table. Seeing that he was busy with work, she turned around and ladled out a bowl of fish soup from the kitchen.

The first spoonful was put into his mouth.

Zheng Daoxun looked at her with surprise, then drank it down.

"Anyway, go and report to Minister Park tomorrow morning and see what his thoughts are. My suggestion is to maintain the previous strategy." Kim Jin-ah sighed on the phone.

Whether it's within the diplomatic system, other public officials, or most South Korean businesses, overstepping authority and reporting to higher levels are inappropriate.

Therefore, Park Jin-seon contacted Kim Jin-ah first, and then Kim Jin-ah contacted Jung Do-hoon. The same logic applies to reporting back.

Now that Jin Zhenwo has given his consent, it is a good thing for Zheng Daoxun. In the face of thorny issues, he has effectively gained more decision-making power and autonomy.

"Understood. Okay, I'll report to Minister Park's office tomorrow morning and then update you on the results."

After hanging up the phone, Zheng Daoxun slowly savored the taste of the fish soup.

He looked at Soo-ji, who was sitting quietly beside him, and raised his eyebrows slightly: "Why aren't you drinking?"

"Isn't this just so you can taste the saltiness first? If you need more seasoning, I'll add it. I promise—"

The first bite you taste is the most delicious, right?

"Add about another spoonful of salt, and simmer for a few more minutes, and it should be ready to serve." Zheng Daoxun estimated that it was best to avoid making phone calls while cooking, even though he himself had made a small mistake due to distraction.

Not to mention that blonde pabu who almost set the kitchen on fire.

Soo-ji quickly brought out the soup. Jung Do-hoon temporarily put down the memo he was editing and took another sip: "Hmm, this is about right."

Bae Soo-ji said "Oh," and took a spoonful herself, clicking her tongue in satisfaction: "Hiring a diplomat to cook at home, isn't that a bit too extravagant? But it really is—very delicious."

"If you want to eat my cooking, you don't necessarily have to hire me as your chef."

"Then how can I eat your cooking every day?" Soo-ji put down her bowl, crossed her legs, and her pajamas seemed to be open a little more. Looking down from her delicate collarbone, although there were no peaks or valleys, one could still see a delicate snow mountain.

She asked the question knowing the answer already, but Zheng Daoxun smiled and did not answer.

"Why is your boss calling you so late on a weekend? Doesn't she have any sense at all? Doesn't she know that her subordinates also have their own private time?" She glanced at Zheng Daoxun's phone with a hint of complaint.

"The matter is rather urgent and is related to tomorrow's meeting."

Jung Do-hoon sighed. If he were Minister Park Jin, he would have been even more radical in opposing the allocation of funds to the Busan City Government.

Only if the Donggyeong faction cannot be won over will the National Power Party devote more resources and energy to defending its seats in the Seoul constituency.

For Park Jin personally, this is a positive development. Having a member of parliament from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would also benefit the ministry's future work.

But it also depends on whether Park Jin has enough determination and courage to face the pressure exerted by the Blue House, the criticism he faces within the National Power Party, and the general election for lawmakers that he absolutely cannot lose.

If Park Jin loses the general election for members of parliament, his career will basically be over.

Zheng Daoxun weighed the pros and cons in his mind and already had a plan for tomorrow.

He picked up the contract that Bae Suzy had placed on the coffee table and flipped through a few pages.

Since it's already stamped with the official seal, what need is there for him to translate it for her?

"Didn't you pick up the wrong contract?" He looked at Bae Suzy with suspicion.

"I just wanted you to familiarize yourself with the contents of the contract, otherwise what will you say when Ya-Hsien asks you why you're going home so late?" Bae Soo-ji gently placed her hand on his thigh, patted it, and then withdrew it.

"You've thought of everything."

Buzz————

My phone vibrated.

Jung Do-hoon picked up his phone and glanced at it; it was a picture sent by Hwang Ye-ji.

A plate of braised pork that doesn't look very good.

[Yeji: Actually, it tastes alright!]