May the Congressman Bless Us

The responding voice of Chief Eom was naturally filled with displeasure.

“What? What’s too much?”

“Cha Jaerim. I heard he risked his life to expose corruption and got sent here as a result.”

Chief Eom sneered.

“There she goes again, showing her rebellious nature.”

“It’s not rebelliousness.”

“Hey, Hamsol.”

Hamsol.

Cha Jaerim silently mouthed her name to himself.

It was his first day, so he hadn’t memorized all the employees’ names yet.

But he clearly remembered Hamsol’s name.

Both her surname and given name were unusual.

And most importantly, amidst a sea of older men and women, she was one of only two employees in their 20s alongside Cha Jaerim. If you considered gender, she was the only woman.

For a man, it was impossible not to notice her.

Cha Jaerim distinctly remembered her name and face.

Judging by the way Chief Eom immediately accused her of rebelliousness the moment she opened her mouth, it seemed expressing her candid opposition wasn’t a new thing for her.

“I don’t know about the others, but I think Cha Jaerim did the right thing.”

“Right? What was so right about it?”

While other colleagues with plenty of seniority kept their mouths shut, the rookie chirping away seemed to have struck a nerve with Chief Eom.

Yet, Hamsol kept chirping.

“The people who got arrested—did they commit ordinary misconduct? Rumor has it that beating people up was just the norm for them.”

“Anyone who gets hit deserves it. They did something to earn it.”

“What kind of wrongdoing justifies beating up a fellow civil servant?”

“Talking out of line like you’re doing now is reason enough to get hit.”

“Are you going to hit me?”

“Ah, for crying out loud! If you were a man, I’d have already decked you and sent you to the hospital.”

The surrounding colleagues tried to stop Hamsol.

“Ham, stop it. Why do you keep ruining the team spirit?”

“If teaming up at a bar to bully an innocent rookie is what you call team spirit, then breaking it is the right thing to do.”

“Hey, watch what you’re saying…!”

Seeing Chief Eom about to explode, the colleagues trembled, worried the fallout might land on them.

This gathering was supposed to end with unanimous agreement to ostracize Cha Jaerim and a fun night of drinking.

Now, they hated Hamsol more than Cha Jaerim for stirring things up.

Chief Eom, already fuming, downed his beer in one go and slammed the glass down with a loud bang.

Then, he turned his glare toward Hamsol.

“Do you like that guy?”

“What did you just say?”

Hamsol’s voice sharpened, clearly insulted by the question.

“I mean, with that pretty-boy face of his, it’s probably rare to see someone like him in a rural area like Sameun.”

“Chief!”

“Still, supporting a bastard like him while stabbing your colleagues in the back? That’s crossing the line.”

“Please speak respectfully, Chief.”

“I’m already toning it down because you’re a woman. How much more respectful do you want me to be?”

“…”

“Hey, do you even know Cha Jaerim?”

“I don’t.”

“See? You don’t even know him. Why are you standing up for him already? Falling for him at first sight must be the only explanation, right? Isn’t that it? Hey, Team Leader Choi. Don’t you agree?”

“Well, that does make sense…”

When Chief Eom sought agreement from his subordinate, Team Leader Choi gave an awkward smile and nodded hesitantly.

“I don’t know what kind of person he is. That’s exactly why I’m doing this. If I did know, wouldn’t I have already decided whether to join the bullying or not?”

“Hey, stop throwing the word ‘bullying’ around like that. Don’t make it sound so petty.”

“If this isn’t bullying, then what is it?”

“This is a desperate measure to protect our organization. Know your place before you run your mouth.”

Hamsol smirked.

“Oh, desperate measures? You think slapping a fancy term on it makes it valid?”

“That’s it, I’ve had enough!”

“Keep planning your ostracism. I can’t listen to this any longer. I’ll be leaving first.”

Hamsol bowed her head and grabbed her bag before standing up.

Chief Eom followed suit.

“Hey! Don’t you dare walk out! Hey!”

“Chief, calm down! Just let her go.”

Even in that heated moment, Hamsol didn’t forget to bow to the bar owner.

It wasn’t until she saw the owner half-heartedly raise a hand in response that she firmly shut the door behind her and left.

Chief Eom poured himself another drink.

“That damned brat!”

“Isn’t she always like that?”

“Next time, don’t invite Hamsol. That brat is going to be the death of me!”

“Got it. She’s gone now, so let’s just enjoy the drinks. Here, I’ll pour you another.”

“Brats like her are why discipline is crumbling. Did you see the way she rolled her eyes at her senior? Absolutely disgraceful!”

Chief Eom continued his tirade for quite some time.

Eventually, the bar owner, unable to take it anymore, shouted at him.

“Hey, you loudmouth bastard! I can’t hear the TV because of you! Shut up and drink quietly!”

Chief Eom, unable to argue with the bar owner, lowered his voice and continued muttering insults.

Go Young-jin, meanwhile, smirked slyly and gave Cha Jaerim a knowing look.

[You must be happy, huh?]

“Happy about what?”

[After all, a guy has to be good-looking, right? Since you’ve got a decent face, that Hamsol girl seems to be taking your side.]

“How could you say the same thing as that idiot Chief Eom? That kind of remark is uncalled for.”

[Alright, alright. But still, it feels good, doesn’t it?]

“It doesn’t.”

Cha Jaerim curtly replied and downed his drink.

But he couldn’t stop the slight smile creeping onto his lips.

Hamsol saying what he wanted to say gave him a sense of relief.

‘She’s got guts. But this means she’s probably going to end up ostracized too.’

Cha Jaerim felt sorry for her, but at the same time, he couldn’t help feeling good.

Even if you’re getting beaten, it hurts less when you’re not the only one.

The bombshell Hamsol dropped hadn’t exploded properly, thanks to the bar owner’s scolding.

Chief Eom left shortly after, unable to contain his anger.

Thanks to that, Cha Jaerim escaped the stuffy room earlier than expected.

The bar owner grumbled as she cleared away the half-eaten food left by Chief Eom’s group.

“Damn bastards, leaving all this food. Don’t say anything like eating and dying if you’re going to do this.”

“I’ll help you out a bit.”

“You think I’ll knock off a dime from the bill because of that? Not a chance, not even on credit.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll pay every last penny properly before leaving.”

“Young guy, you’re unusually polite, huh?”

“Your cooking’s just too good; I ate so well.”

“Is that so? Then why don’t you just wash the dishes before you go?”

“It’s not that good.”

“You bastard.”

The owner glared at Cha Jaerim while throwing out a half-hearted insult mixed with some fondness.

As payment for his labor, the owner packed two portions of well-fermented kimchi for him.

Cha Jaerim returned to his dorm with a warm feeling in his heart.

Every time he opened the fridge, the pungent smell of the kimchi seeped through the airtight Lock & Lock container, but to him, it was fragrant.

Goo Young-jin nearly fainted at the sight of the kimchi.

[A single bite of white rice with a piece of that on top, and I’d have no more wishes in life…]

Goo Young-jin’s eyes sparkled as he gazed at the kimchi.

***

The commotion from the night before showed its effects the following day.

The narrow atmosphere of the township office was frosty and tense.

Everyone was watching Chief Eom’s mood.

Hamsol seemed to be going about her work as usual, but even she was clearly conscious of Chief Eom.

‘If she was going to be this uneasy, why didn’t she just stay quiet?’

Cha Jaerim smiled bitterly as he watched her.

He was the one who’d received sympathy, but instead, he found himself pitying Hamsol.

Watching this, Goo Young-jin chuckled.

[Look at this guy pitying. Both you and that young lady are the same; fluffy little fledglings.]

Cha Jaerim responded with a faint smile.

While they might both be rookies, Cha Jaerim had already gone through enough at Seongbuk District Office to get used to these situations.

Whether Chief Eom snarled or Chief Kang lashed out, it was annoying, but it didn’t make him anxious anymore.

But Hamsol was different.

Even though she tried to hide it, it was obvious she was shaken.

He wanted to offer her a word of comfort, but he didn’t.

Getting too involved would only burden her further.

So Cha Jaerim ignored her unease and focused on his own work.

Chief Eom, meanwhile, sat watching Cha Jaerim’s back and let out a long yawn, like a male lion lazily observing a hunting lioness.

As he wiped the tears from his yawn, he called out.

“Cha Jaerim.”

“Yes, Chief.”

“Must feel nice, huh? Coming from the district office to the township office.”

“Excuse me? What do you mean by that…”

“It’s so laid back here, isn’t it? Most minor complaints are handled by the village head, and if it’s something tricky, you just tell them to go to the county office. Problem solved.”

At the bar last night, Jaerim was treated like a traitor, but now, in front of him, Eom was shamelessly acting like a kind boss.

Cha Jaerim found him repulsive.

Still, he forced a smile.

“Haha, it’s definitely less demanding than the district office.”

“That’s how it is in the countryside. But you’re like a private in the army here, so you can’t just take it easy, can you?”

“Give me work, and I’ll do my best.”

“When we’re not busy, you should help out with the general affairs team. There are only two people there, and they’re always swamped.”

“Ah, yes.”

Chief Eom dropped a thick stack of documents onto the desk with a thud.

“The hardest part of general affairs is negotiating with city hall.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. The guys at the county office are cocky enough as it is. The general affairs folks are totally fed up. Why don’t you help out a bit?”

“What should I do to help?”

“The new mayor’s just been elected, and he’s way too eager. Enthusiasm’s good and all, but he’s being harsh on us frontline offices. Short deadlines and everything.”

“I see.”

“So, I want you to read up on this by lunchtime, then head to city hall in the afternoon.”

“City hall?”

Chief Eom nodded.

“They’re asking us to finish this project by mid-next month. But that’s impossible. Go over there and explain the situation.”

Eom’s respectful tone quickly shifted into casual speech.

Cha Jaerim smiled faintly.

This was only his second day at the Saneum Township Office.

Chief Eom’s tone made it sound like he was just bargaining at a market.

Cha Jaerim didn’t think much of it.

But Goo Young-jin did.

Goo Young-jin smirked bitterly.

[This fatty’s no better than Kang.]

Cha Jaerim couldn’t speak aloud, so he shot Goo Young-jin a questioning look.

‘Why?’

[You know this already, but city hall and township offices are in a clear hierarchy.]

Cha Jaerim nodded.

[What Fatty Eom’s saying is, go argue that we can’t handle their orders. But this isn’t just any order—it’s part of a key project the newly elected mayor is pushing.]

‘Ah.’

[You’ve only been a civil servant for two years, and this is your second day at this office. Even a seasoned section chief would struggle with this. Do you think you can handle it?]

Goo Young-jin asked before answering himself.

[No way. And fatty knows it too. There’s no way he doesn’t. Which means he’s deliberately giving you an impossible task.]

‘Why?’

The reason was clear: it had been laid out at the bar last night.

[Fatty wants you to fail. Then he’ll hold you accountable for that failure. On top of that, he’ll frame you as an uppity rookie who dared to challenge the mayor’s project. It’s all part of a petty scheme to crush you.]