"Ugh. My head feels ready to split."

Mun-jong Lee pressed his thumb into his throbbing head and turned to Seong-ho Kim, who was getting papers ready beside him.

"You seem to be all right?"

"I am not well either."

"Then why do you look so fresh?"

"Because I am pretending to be."

Seong-ho Kim squared the papers and gave him a light smile.

Going about with you, I have grown thoroughly used to this much.

In his past life he had gone out to drinking parties in Mun-jong Lee's place more times than could be counted, and he knew far too well how to keep the next day's hangover to a minimum.

"Aigo."

"Aigo, I am dying."

Mun-jong Lee was not the only one nursing a hangover.

Groans were coming out of the economic delegation without a break.

"Are you all well?"

Presidential Chief of Staff Jeong-do Mun came to where the economic delegation was gathered.

"The Korea–China business conference is due to begin shortly. You are all ready?"

Jeong-do Mun looked round at the groaning men with concern in his eyes as he asked it.

Just then a voice came that eased a little of his concern.

"There is no need to worry. We shall prepare well and do our utmost so that both countries may gain by it."

He turned his head toward it.

"Are you all right, Vice-Chairman Kim? You seemed to drink a very great deal."

"He is young, so he will be all right."

Mun-jong Lee, sitting beside him, answered for him.

Seong-ho Kim smiled lightly and nodded.

"Just so. Am I not the youngest here?"

"That is a relief."

Jeong-do Mun was reassured that Seong-ho Kim at least was in good order.

Because at today's conference he was the most important man in the room.

"Then it will begin in ten minutes. I shall hope for a good result."

As Jeong-do Mun said it and made to leave, Seong-ho Kim raised a hand.

"All the same, ought you not to give us a line to hold to?"

Jeong-do Mun, already half turned to go,…