Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 192

192

Park Hee-chul returned home after parting ways with Hyun-sung.

“Wow! 100 times…”

The number alone was enough to make his heart swell.

If Hyun-sung was right, he would have at least 5 billion won in his hands after taxes and everything else in three years.

5 billion won!

It was an unimaginable amount.

Even if he only took 20% as promised, that would be 1 billion won. It was a huge sum of money that he had never been able to touch in his entire life of loan sharking.

But the funny thing was that he realized once again that people’s greed has no end.

As soon as he thought about having 5 billion won in his possession, he became greedy.

His initial thought was a 5:5 split. That was already the most he could concede. Then he reconsidered and thought about 8:2. Of course, 80% would be Park Hee-chul’s share.

But the reason his thoughts changed at the last moment was because of Hyun-sung’s attitude.

Joint ownership.

He naturally expected that much. But the unexpected words came out of that young man’s mouth.

Trust!

He would trust him.

When he first heard those words, he didn’t say it, but it was a fresh shock to him. His habit of not trusting people had become ingrained in him from his years in the loan shark business.

Of course, if someone else had said that, he would have laughed it off. But because the words came from that kid’s mouth, they sounded sincere.

Because he was different from others from the beginning.

Even when he gave him land as compensation for saving his life, he didn’t accept it at first. It was only after confirming that Park Hee-chul himself had changed that he reluctantly accepted it, making him seem unusually upright for his age.

Because he was that kind of person, he could immediately tell that the word ‘trust’ was not a pretense.

He couldn’t bring himself to be greedy in front of him. In the end, that was why he had no choice but to choose 20% instead of 80%.

Park Hee-chul quietly opened his notebook.

Sharrack.

When he turned the first page of the notebook, two names caught his eye.

Park Min-soo, Park Beom-soo.

His first and second sons.

At first, he didn’t even want to look at them because of the betrayal. But filial bonds were not so easily severed.

As time passed, he couldn’t help but miss his children.

Park Hee-chul quietly picked up the phone.

‘Should I answer?’

After a moment of hesitation, Park Hee-chul put the phone back down.

Not yet. They wouldn’t answer anyway, but even if they did, he still had nothing to say. They were only interested in money.

It meant that it was meaningless until the money was ready.

‘Okay! Let’s wait three years.’

Park Hee-chul bit his lower lip.

***

A few days later.

“Hyung [older brother/male friend], did you hear the news?”

Choi Min-sung asked Oh Sang-cheol.

“What news?”

“That kid got first place in the midterm exams this time.”

“No way, how is that possible while running a business?”

“That’s what I’m saying. Anyway, he’s definitely not an ordinary guy. And that’s not all. A student named Lee Soo-hyuk, the son of the cooperative president who was studying with him, also got first place, and that fatty Kim Il-soo, who used to be at the bottom, got 20th place this time. So their restaurant is celebrating.”

“When did they study so hard while running the restaurant?”

“They gathered at the restaurant and stayed up all night from three days before the exam.”

Oh Sang-cheol tilted his head.

They were only high school sophomores. He couldn’t easily understand how those guys could stay up all night while running the restaurant and dealing with fatigue.

“Anyway, he’s a real hard worker.”

“That’s what I’m saying. But the important thing is that it doesn’t end there, and more students are coming as the rumor spreads.”

“What are you talking about now?”

What does studying have to do with ramen?

Oh Sang-cheol couldn’t help but be curious.

“As you know, hyung, that kid is good-looking, right?”

“Good-looking? Now that you mention it, he seems to be… Does that mean the students who are coming are female students?”

“Yes, that’s right. He’s good at business, good-looking, and now he’s even the top student, so he’s become a spectacle. And it’s natural for male students to flock to where female students gather.”

“So you’re saying business is getting better?”

“These days, waiting 30 minutes is the norm. In fact, yesterday, quite a few students waited for more than an hour.”

Oh Sang-cheol was just dumbfounded as he listened.

When he first started the business, he wondered if he could last even three months. But as time went on, he realized that his worries were his own delusion.

But now they’re saying people are lining up for an hour. How can this be possible in this small rural town?

Oh Sang-cheol looked at Choi Min-sung and asked.

“So, how much did they make yesterday?”

“Don’t be surprised. Yesterday, they made over 90,000 won. That’s over 300 bowls of ramen. Does that make sense?”

“300 bowls?”

“I didn’t believe it at first either. So I even checked with that woman again.”

Oh Sang-cheol couldn’t help but be surprised once again.

Let’s say 200 bowls was possible. That was only a week ago. Of course, the number 200 is by no means a small number. But in just one week, it increased by 100 bowls.

What kind of magic is this?

Just because he got first place on the exam…?

That wouldn’t be it.

Of course, it would have had some influence, but that wouldn’t be all.

Then the key is still that spicy flavor.

Oh Sang-cheol asked again.

“What’s the ratio?”

“Huh? What do you mean…?”

“The ratio of the spicy flavor. How many people are looking for the spicy flavor?”

“Ah, that. These days, it’s about 8:2. I don’t know why these young kids like the spicy flavor so much.”

“Tell me about it… By the way, when is our chili powder arriving?”

“I just checked a little while ago, and they sent it by parcel post from the post office today. It should arrive the day after tomorrow.”

Oh Sang-cheol’s expression momentarily distorted.

The reason is simple. The problem isn’t the chili powder. He needs to find out the secret of the sauce that the kid made, but he doesn’t know how.

He failed to analyze the sauce last time. He tried eating it raw and boiling it several times, but he couldn’t find the secret to the deep flavor.

Oh Sang-cheol looked at Choi Min-sung.

“That sauce…”

“You mean the kid’s?”

“Yeah, I’d like to get it one more time, but is that possible?”

“Ah, that might not be easy. I casually mentioned it a few days ago, but that woman said she couldn’t do it again.”

“Even if you give her money?”

“It’s not about the money.”

“It’s not about the money? Then what is it?”

“That’s…”

Choi Min-sung trailed off.

Then Oh Sang-cheol immediately asked.

“What is it? Can’t you say it?”

“I can’t say it because it’s so absurd.”

“What did she say?”

“Loyalty…”

“What? Loyalty? This crazy bitch, when did she steal last time, and now she’s talking about loyalty… There’s a limit to how much you can bullshit.”

Harsh words poured out of Oh Sang-cheol’s mouth.

After a while.

Oh Sang-cheol quietly called Choi Min-sung.

“Hey!”

“Yes, hyung.”

“Get that sauce from that crazy bitch by any means. Her goal is money anyway. No matter how much bullshit she spouts, her husband is in the hospital, what can she do? Do you know what I mean?”

“Yes, hyung. I’ll give her a little more money and get the sauce as soon as possible.”

“Maximum 20,000 won. No more than that.”

“Yes, I understand. I’ll hurry as much as possible.”

The two men made eye contact and smiled bitterly as if they had made a promise.

There was something the two men didn’t know. Sometimes there are things more precious than money.

At that moment.

After finishing business, Hyun-sung looked at Shin Myung-soon, Kim Ji-sook, and Kim Il-soo and said.

“I have something to talk about, so please sit over here.”

As soon as Hyun-sung finished speaking, the three people sat around Hyun-sung. Then Hyun-sung continued.

“You know it’s been exactly fifteen days today, right?”

“Has it already been that long? It feels like we just started business the other day, but time has already passed so quickly?”

Shin Myung-soon replied.

Then Hyun-sung slightly bowed his head and said.

“It’s all thanks to you, mother [term of respect for an older woman], for keeping the center and running it so well.”

“Don’t mention it. I’m always doing what I’ve been doing, so it’s okay, but you must have had a hard time going to school, boss. Anyway, you’re amazing. To be honest, I was very anxious at first, but now I feel reassured.”

“Anyway, the biggest reason we were able to establish ourselves this much was thanks to your help, mother. And I have something to tell you. I’m thinking of increasing the number of furnaces from 6 to 10 this time. What do you think, mother?”

When he first chose 6 furnaces, he thought that would be enough. But when he actually used them, he realized that 6 furnaces were not enough when customers flocked in.

It was even worse during school dismissal hours when students flocked in.

Fortunately, he had made the furnace space spacious just in case. It wouldn’t be too difficult to add just the lines.

“That’s right, I was going to tell you too. To be honest, it’s too much for one person to handle more than 10, and up to 10 should be fine. Yesterday, customers were waiting for more than an hour, so I felt so sorry.”

“That’s what I’m saying. That’s why I asked you first today.”

“Even if we only increase the number of furnaces to 10, the waiting time for customers will be greatly reduced. Anyway, the young boss has excellent judgment.”

“Mother, you too…”

Hyun-sung laughed lightly at Shin Myung-soon’s compliment.

Of course, Hyun-sung could decide and implement the change of furnace on his own. No one would question or oppose it. But he thought it was the least he could do to ask Shin Myung-soon’s opinion first.

After all, Shin Myung-soon is the oldest person in this store. And Shin Myung-soon is also the one who uses the furnace. Hyun-sung thought it was right to ask that person first.

Hyun-sung looked at Kim Ji-sook this time and said.

“Were you very tired yesterday?”

“No, I enjoyed it more. When I heard that we sold over 300 yesterday, I felt energized. You know what that’s like? Like a sense of accomplishment…”

“I’m grateful that you think of it as your own work. And I’m also grateful that you always smile. Sometimes it must be hard, but you always keep your smile.”

“Haha, that’s the basics for customers while doing business. And while we’re on the subject, I’d like to say something.”

Hyun-sung tilted his head.

“Yes? To me?”

“Yes, what I’m really grateful for is that the boss respects people. I’ve worked in many places, but to be honest, you’re the first boss like you. To be honest, I was very worried about you at first.”

“Because of me?”

“Yes, because you’re too young, maybe…”

Kim Ji-sook couldn’t finish her sentence.

Hyun-sung couldn’t possibly not know the reason.

“You were worried that a young guy would be a boss and be rude?”

“Hehe, to be honest, I’ve had that experience a few times. At that time, the bosses were in their 30s and 40s, but they were so dismissive and contemptuous of people that it was really hard.”

“We’re all family, how can you do that? The most important thing I think about is the people I work with. I think it’s best to be considerate and respectful of each other.”

“That’s why I’m grateful. There aren’t many bosses who think that way. There are more people who just think they can do whatever they want because they’re the boss.”

“Ah, yes…”

Hyun-sung nodded.

Hyun-sung has lived long enough to know.

Hyun-sung has directly and indirectly experienced that there are really bad people in the world. How else could there be people who make extreme choices because they can’t overcome that abuse?

After a while.

“And I’m thinking of creating one more new menu around this time. What do you think?”

Shin Myung-soon was the first to react to Hyun-sung’s words.

“A new menu?”

“Yes, my goal is to make 100,000 won by the end of this month, but I don’t think it’ll be enough as it is.”

“Do you have any menus in mind?”

Hyun-sung lightly nodded his head and continued.

“What do you think is our weakest time right now?”

“That’s definitely after the students go to school.”

“That’s right. I’m going to target that time.”

“So you’re saying you’re targeting adults?”

Hyun-sung nodded his head and smiled brightly.