As all the reporters finished their questions, Choi Eun Ho slowly stood up, bowed politely in gratitude, then gathered the documents on his desk, ready to leave the venue with Park Guk Chang and head to the office.
They hadn't taken a few steps when a familiar voice came from behind.
"Eun Ho, wait a moment!" Kim Yong Sun's voice echoed.
Choi Eun Ho turned around, a look of surprise on his face: "Senior, you came to the press conference too?"
Kim Yong Sun didn't answer directly, but hurried forward, placing his hands firmly on Choi Eun Ho's shoulders, his eyes filled with inexpressible emotion.
His lips trembled slightly, as if he had something to say but couldn't find the words.
Choi Eun Ho remained almost serenely quiet, just standing there.
He was used to Kim Yong Sun's complex gaze; if he hadn't known Kim Yong Sun's sexual orientation, he would have almost doubted his true intentions.
Eun Ho, I was so wrong.
I thought you were corrupted by power and wealth, that you had forgotten your past ideals. But that wasn't the case, I misjudged you."
Kim Yong Sun stammered out his guilt, as if these words had been bottled up in his throat for too long and finally found an outlet.
"Actually, Senior, you don't have to blame yourself so much."
Choi Eun Ho replied lightly, his gaze briefly sweeping over the few reporters in the corridor, a calm smile still on his face,
"I've never felt resentful about your misunderstanding. It just shows that my image in your mind needs improvement. In order to avoid any further doubts from So Sik and you, I will work harder and be more meticulous in my actions."
Kim Yong Sun listened to his reply, said nothing more, just silently lowered his head and hurried away.
Those few reporters politely greeted him before hurrying away as well, needing to release this news as soon as possible.
The crowd gradually dispersed, leaving only Choi Eun Ho and Park Guk Chang standing alone in the middle of the corridor.
After a while, Choi Eun Ho suddenly tilted his head, curiously looking at Park Guk Chang beside him, and asked: "Guk Chang, what do you think, compared to power and money, how much value does an ideal truly have?"
Park Guk Chang gently pushed up his glasses, smiling and replying: "Prosecutor, power and money are my ideals."
Choi Eun Ho nodded slightly after hearing this, a smile appearing on his face as well. He thought to himself: "Me too!"
………
………
Zhang So Sik's fingers lightly pressed the remote control button, the picture on the TV screen gradually disappeared, becoming silent.
She pulled the soft, thin blanket around her, then buried her face deeply between her knees.
Since childhood, due to her family environment, she always felt restless, always liking to hide like an ostrich.
Ever since she saw Choi Eun Ho speaking on stage during a report at the Judicial Research Institute, it was like a beacon had lit up in the darkness, dispelling her long-lasting unrest and confusion.
Especially during the period of preparing for the wedding with Choi Eun Ho, this habit had never reappeared.
However, on their wedding night, she sat alone on the bed, that unease, anxiety, and confusion surged back like a tide. It wasn't until just now, when she watched Choi Eun Ho speak with righteousness and severity on the news broadcast, and his apology to her in the end.
Choi Eun Ho's apology shocked her, but then she thought again, he was doing it for the sake of judicial justice, to achieve his ideals.
He's also doing it for me, Zhang So Sik thought to herself.
She buried her face deeper, immersed in the unprecedented softness and fragrance between her knees, unable to help but take a deep breath.
When she raised her head, her cheeks had turned crimson.
Zhang So Sik quickly slipped on her slippers and hurried into the dressing room, standing in front of the mirror to examine herself.
There were no obvious tear stains on her cheeks, nor were her eyes red and swollen, but there was still a faint blush on her cheeks, and the corners of her lips were slightly raised, as if carrying a hint of a smile.
She couldn't help but wonder, was she smiling? She reached out to touch the corner of her mouth, trying to smooth out the upward curve, but found it stubbornly staying there.
She suddenly remembered that he had mentioned in the morning that he had a public prosecution trial in the afternoon. She should tidy herself up and go to the trial to see him. Zhang So Sik clenched her small fists, cheering herself on.
………
………
Central District Prosecutor's Office. After parting ways with Kim Yong Sun, Choi Eun Ho took Park Guk Chang back to the office to retrieve the materials and documents needed for the afternoon public prosecution.
Meanwhile, his name had started appearing in various news media, with many media outlets even featuring him as headline news.
Earth-shattering! Newly Appointed Prosecutor Secretly Infiltrated Gang Organization for Extended Period, Obtaining Countless Intelligence!
Rising Star of the Peninsula! Future of the Republic of Korea! Prosecutor Proactively Undercover in Gang, Contributing to Judicial Cause!
After all, it is quite rare for a prosecutor to publicly disclose their undercover identity, let alone one working in the Central District Prosecutor's Office.
Even the deputy chief prosecutor of the Central District Prosecutor's Office personally issued a statement regarding Choi Eun Ho.
All of this undoubtedly brought him great honor and prestige.
Time flew by, and soon it was afternoon.
Choi Eun Ho changed into his black prosecutor's robe, adorned with striking red stripes.
Choi Eun Ho took Park Guk Chang with him to the Seoul Central District Court.
On the court's public trial information board, he quickly found the courtroom corresponding to the case he was responsible for.
Choi Eun Ho didn't expect to run into Kim Yong Sun again at the entrance to the courtroom.
"Senior, you're here too."
"Yeah, I have a case to handle, so I need to prepare beforehand."
"Then I'll go to the public trial, you're busy."
Choi Eun Ho said, carrying the stack of indictment materials, he confidently walked into the courtroom through the main entrance with his head held high.
Inside the courtroom, the three judges were already seated on the bench. Those few members of the Cheonan Gang were wearing brown prison uniforms, their hands handcuffed, and their expressions despondent as they were led by the bailiffs, standing within the enclosure.
In the silence of the courtroom, Choi Eun Ho stood up as the prosecution and faced a lawyer assigned by the court for legal aid. The lawyer remained expressionless, seemingly accepting the outcome that was about to unfold.
The court proceedings were orderly. When it was Choi Eun Ho's turn to speak, he began to accuse the defendants, detailing the course of the case.
The case wasn't complicated. The defendants were charged with participating in gang activities, illegally opening casinos, and engaging in gambling.
Finally, Choi Eun Ho added another charge: assault on a prosecutor.
The legal aid lawyer listened impassively, not attempting to refute any of the charges, but only acknowledging all the crimes on behalf of the defendants at appropriate times.