Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 190

190

Hyun-sung and Park Hee-cheol set out before dawn, arriving at a mountain in Jungsan-dong, Ilsan-gu. A short climb would take them to Gobongsan Mountain.

“Is this the place you were talking about?”

“Yes, it is!”

Hyun-sung’s voice was brimming with energy, a clear sign of his excitement.

The reason for his excitement was simple: he had visited this very place during his military service in his past life. Of course, back then, the area was in the throes of a hectic new city development.

In contrast to Hyun-sung’s enthusiasm, Park Hee-cheol asked with an indifferent expression.

“So, you’re saying that an apartment complex will be built here?”

“Yes, that’s right. This entire area will be transformed into an apartment complex.”

“Heh, this is something else…”

Despite Hyun-sung’s confident assertion, Park Hee-cheol remained unconvinced. The surroundings were dominated by rice paddies and fields, and they were standing on a barren, rocky hillside.

“Why? Does it seem unbelievable now that you see it in person?”

“So, you’re saying this place will be developed in three years?”

“Yes, that’s right. The government will announce large-scale housing site developments in Sanbon, Jungdong, and Pyeongchon as an initial measure to curb soaring real estate prices, but housing prices will not stabilize. As a result, they will inevitably develop a new city here, close to Seoul, as a second step.”

“A new city…”

Park Hee-cheol was momentarily speechless, gazing at the surrounding landscape with his arms crossed.

Hyun-sung simply watched him.

There was no point in rushing him.

Park Hee-cheol needed time to process the information. It was hard to believe that an apartment complex would rise from this desolate field.

Hyun-sung knew that patience was a virtue in situations like these.

After a while, Park Hee-cheol spoke, as if he had sorted out his thoughts.

“It would be quite a sight if an apartment complex were to be built here.”

“A complete transformation. Who would have imagined that an apartment complex would be built here?”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

“You don’t need to wait long. Just three years. Just sit on it for three years.”

Park Hee-cheol slowly nodded.

“You’re saying it will be developed in three years?”

“To be precise, the announcement of the Ilsan New City will be in three years, and the development will start one year after that. It seems it will take some time to complete the compensation process.”

“We don’t need separate compensation, so we’ll just leave as soon as it’s announced, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. Since it’s not a house anyway, we’ll just leave as soon as the land price is right. There’s no need to stay long.”

It would be different if it were a house. But in the case of land, there’s no need to stay any longer if the price is right, because the land price is almost fixed the moment it’s announced.

Park Hee-cheol nodded in understanding, then asked cautiously.

“If that happens, about how much do you think it will go up?”

“In my opinion, this area should be expected to increase at least 100 times. Maybe even more.”

“A hundred times? Is that real?”

“That’s the minimum. Isn’t this an area where you can easily commute to Seoul from?”

“A hundred times…”

Park Hee-cheol still looked doubtful.

Hyun-sung, noticing his expression, said, “Have you seen enough? Shall we go to the real estate agency now?”

“Alright. I still can’t believe it, no matter how much I think about it…”

“You probably won’t. And just in case, you shouldn’t mention the new city when you go to the real estate agency. Otherwise, it will be a real headache.”

“Alright. I know that much.”

Park Hee-cheol gave him a look that said, “Don’t worry.” Then, as if curious, he immediately asked, “By the way, about how much is the market price around here right now?”

“Even though this is a mountain, wouldn’t it be at least 5,000 won per square foot [approximately $4 USD per square meter]?”

“You’re saying this rocky mountain costs 5,000 won per square foot?”

“Yes, that’s what I expect.”

Even though it is useless land right now, Hyun-sung thought it would be worth that much due to the potential of its location.

The two of them descended the mountain and headed toward the city.

After driving for about 10 minutes, a real estate agency came into view.

“Should we go there?”

“Yes, it doesn’t matter where we go anyway. We just need to buy land.”

“By the way, who will the land be registered under when we buy it?”

“Of course, it should be in your name, Uncle. What kind of money is this? Isn’t this your entire fortune?”

“That’s true, but…”

Park Hee-cheol trailed off, leaving a lingering feeling.

Hyun-sung immediately asked, “Is there another problem?”

“It’s because of you.”

“Why me?”

“I’m worried you might be uneasy.”

*chuckle*

Hyun-sung laughed without realizing it.

He finally understood what Park Hee-cheol was talking about.

“Are you saying that I don’t trust you?”

“Hey, it’s not a matter of trusting or not trusting right now. Is this a small transaction? If you make 100 times the profit like you said, that’s over 5 billion won [approximately $3.7 million USD]. People have no parents or siblings in front of money.”

“So, are you suggesting that we have joint ownership?”

Hyun-sung looked at Park Hee-cheol.

Park Hee-cheol nodded and continued, “If you want, I should do that.”

“It’s okay.”

“Huh… It’s okay?”

Park Hee-cheol was dumbfounded. Even though Hyun-sung was young, he couldn’t understand how he could just dismiss this issue.

Park Hee-cheol asked again, “Are you really okay with it?”

“Yes, I’m okay with it. I trust you, Uncle.”

“Heh, this kid… What do you see in me that makes you trust me?”

Park Hee-cheol shook his head.

Who is Kim Hyun-sung? He is a high school student who is so economically minded that he runs a store.

He thought he would definitely ask for joint ownership.

But contrary to that, he said he would trust him, which didn’t make sense. He was entrusting a whopping 5 billion won without any safety net.

Then Hyun-sung said, “You trusted me first, Uncle.”

“What are you talking about?”

“The reason why I was able to come to this point is because you trusted me. If you didn’t have faith in me, we wouldn’t be here right now.”

“That’s because I said I would invest from the beginning.”

“That’s right. Honestly, who would invest in a young guy like me? It’s not just a small amount, but 55 million won [approximately $41,000 USD]. But now, how can I not trust you and ask for joint ownership?”

Hyun-sung was sincere. No matter what anyone said, Park Hee-cheol was the one who believed in him and followed him to this point.

“I’m different from other people. You’re the one who saved me.”

“Of course, that’s true, but investing your entire fortune is impossible without trusting the other person to some extent.”

“So you trust me too?”

“Just like you trusted me, I trust you too.”

“Heh, really…”

Park Hee-cheol was speechless.

Of course, it wasn’t that he didn’t have any mental conflicts. He had countless worries, hesitations, and conflicts.

Why wouldn’t he? It was his last fortune. But the final conclusion he came to was, like Hyun-sung’s words, ‘Let’s trust him.’

Hyun-sung said, “Now that ownership issue is settled.”

“Since that’s what you want, what can I do? Anyway, you’re a young friend, but when I look at you, your thoughts are different from ordinary people.”

“Well, shall we go into the real estate agency now?”

“Okay. And take that money bag with you.”

The two got out of the car and headed to the real estate agency.

The transaction went smoothly.

Fortunately, the mountain that Hyun-sung wanted was for sale, so the transaction was completed quickly.

The market price was higher than Hyun-sung had expected. It seemed that this was inevitable due to the future value of the area.

The two, who had completed the transaction, came out of the real estate agency in a good mood.

The two returned to the car.

Park Hee-cheol handed Hyun-sung a document envelope.

“Keep this safe.”

“Why are you giving this to me?”

“Because I don’t trust myself.”

“Yes?”

Hyun-sung tilted his head, and Park Hee-cheol continued, “I’m worried that I might get greedy later. Who knows? What if I get senile and run away to eat it all myself?”

“No way.”

Hyun-sung smiled and looked at Park Hee-cheol. Then Park Hee-cheol shook his head and continued, “Don’t you know the saying that ‘maybe’ can kill people? And there are no friends in front of money. If it’s over 5 billion won like you said, how many people would be sane in front of that money? I guarantee you that there won’t be a single person. That goes for me too.”

Park Hee-cheol’s voice was full of conviction. He knew how scary the power of money was.

Of course, why wouldn’t Hyun-sung know?

He had seen it many times while living. Siblings, friends, and even parents and children severing ties because of money.

In fact, would it only be severing ties? Hyun-sung knew very well that the attribute of money was that it would not hesitate to commit even murder.

A moment later.

Park Hee-cheol’s words continued.

“And is there anything you forgot?”

“Yes? What are you talking about?”

“Heh, this friend is like this. I’m talking about the share. You have to get your share later, right?”

“Ah, that…”

It wasn’t that he hadn’t thought about it. But since there was no special standard to demand, he was in an ambiguous situation where he couldn’t say anything.

When Hyun-sung didn’t say anything else, Park Hee-cheol spoke again, “Feel free to speak.”

“Honestly, I don’t know about that part. There is no standard, and I’m not sure what to say.”

“Well, that could be the case. Then I have to decide…”

Park Hee-cheol seemed to be contemplating for a moment.

After a while.

Park Hee-cheol’s mouth opened again.

“How about 8:2?”

Even if it is divided into 8:2, it is 1 billion won based on 5 billion won. Of course, that’s based on 20%. With that money, what can’t you do? There will be no problem opening a restaurant on the land Park Hee-cheol gave him.

“I’m grateful. It’s at least over 1 billion won…”

“Heh, this friend, that 1 billion won is my share.”

“Yes? What do you mean?”

“I’m saying that 20% is my share.”

Hyun-sung doubted his ears for a moment. Park Hee-cheol clearly said 20% now. If 20% out of 100% is his share, where did the remaining 80% go?

No way…

Hyun-sung immediately asked, “You don’t mean that 80% is…”

“It’s your share. In three years, I’ll be 63 years old. What do I, an old man, need that much money for? In a way, that 1 billion won is also greed. But that’s because I have one last thing to do, so please bear with me.”

“No, Uncle, but this is too much…”

It was an absurd situation.

When Park Hee-cheol first said 8:2, he naturally thought that 20% out of 100% was his share. He thought that even 20% was a lot of money, over 1 billion won.

But now Park Hee-cheol said that not 20% but 80% was Hyun-sung’s share. 80% is over 4 billion won [approximately $3 million USD]. Does this make sense?

Hyun-sung looked at Park Hee-cheol with an unbelievable expression.

Then Park Hee-cheol smiled and continued, “Live to your heart’s content. Do whatever you want with that money.”

“Uncle!”

“Anyway, I wouldn’t be in this world if it weren’t for you. How can I be greedy in front of you? Please live wonderfully, even for my share.”

“I don’t know what to say. It’s an excessive gift for me, but I won’t forget your heart, and I will live wonderfully with the people around me rather than alone.”

“Thank you.”

Park Hee-cheol smiled at Hyun-sung.

The car carrying the two was already crossing the Hannam Bridge. The sunset reflected in the Han River was shining red, so dazzling that it was mesmerizing.