"And so I came here thinking I might be able to get your help again this time."

"My help?"

Seong-ho tilted his head and, looking at Sang-jong, asked,

"Ilhyeon Construction is doing well at the moment, isn't it? And yet you say you need my help — is there some problem I'm not aware of?"

"No. Ilhyeon Construction has no problem at all."

Sang-jong shook his head, saying it was not an Ilhyeon Construction matter.

Seong-ho had already guessed why Sang-jong had come to him, but without betraying it he threw out another question.

"If it isn't an Ilhyeon Construction matter, is there something you'd need my help with?"

"There is. Very much so…"

Sang-jong drank from the ginseng tea in front of him to wet his mouth for a moment, then leaned in close toward Seong-ho and said,

"The presidential-campaign funds… How do you think it would be best to hand them over?"

At the question he'd anticipated, the corner of his mouth wanted to rise of its own accord — but since he couldn't let a delighted look show, Seong-ho kept a serious face and said to Sang-jong,

"Your time must be very nearly up, and it seems you still haven't found an answer."

"Which is exactly why I came to you."

Having spoken to Seong-ho as though exasperated, Sang-jong asked again.

"Haven't you thought of anything? I'd have thought a man like you would have a couple of ideas set aside for something like this."

Sang-jong looked at Seong-ho with an insinuating gaze.

"That's a difficult one…"

Seong-ho put on a troubled expression and drank his ginseng tea.

And at the sight of him, Sang-jong became certain.

"You do have something in mind, I knew it!"

"It's not so much that I have something in mind as… I just briefly gave a thought to what I'd have done in your place, that's all."

"It doesn't matter. That's exactly what I came here to hear."

At Sang-jong's words, Seong-ho, feigning reluctance, began to open his mouth.

"I simply thought about it plainly. Put the cash in apple crates…