Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 224

224

The two men sat facing each other.

“Haa!”

A deep sigh escaped from Chairman Shin Chun-oh.

Watching him, Oh Seung-woo slowly opened his mouth.

“Chairman, it’s too early to jump to conclusions, so please don’t…”

Oh Seung-woo had to stop mid-sentence.

He had been a doctor for 30 years. Of course, a more thorough examination was needed to be certain, but there was no doubt it was a tumor. In this situation, he felt that offering more words of comfort would be against his conscience as a doctor.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh quietly spoke.

“Doctor, please tell me honestly.”

“Why would I lie to you in this situation? Of course, we need to do more tests to be sure, but based on my experience, the ultrasound results alone suggest that young man is right.”

“You’re saying it’s definitely a tumor?”

“Yes, that’s right. The good news is that it’s very small. That means even if it’s malignant, it hasn’t been there long. That makes it easier to treat. Whatever the case, I don’t know who that young man is, but he’s a lifesaver for you, Chairman.”

“……”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh was speechless.

How could this be happening?

To know someone’s illness just by physical contact? It didn’t make sense. But that unbelievable thing had become a reality.

How could this be…….

Then Oh Seung-woo asked.

“Who is that young man anyway?”

“I met him for the first time recently. He appeared on TV a while ago, which greatly helped the company, so I went down to thank him, and that’s how we became acquainted.”

“He was on TV? What are you talking about?”

“Well…….”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh began to explain about Hyun-sung.

A short while later.

After Chairman Shin Chun-oh’s explanation, Oh Seung-woo nodded and continued.

“So that’s what happened. Anyway, whatever the reason, you’ve met a valuable person, Chairman.”

“You’re telling me. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have gotten the checkup, and I would have lived without knowing anything. It’s a terrifying thought.”

“Heaven has helped you.”

“I think so too. So, when will the final results be available?”

“It usually takes more than 10 days for most people, but we can’t do that. I’ll expedite it as much as possible. I’ll find out within three days at the latest. And I’ll contact you as soon as the results are in.”

“I’m counting on you, Doctor.”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh said his goodbyes and left the examination room.

As Chairman Shin Chun-oh exited the examination room, Chief Secretary Kim Young-woo, who had been waiting outside, approached him.

“Chairman, how did it go?”

“That young man was right.”

“Yes? Is that true?”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh nodded.

Kim Young-woo’s expression darkened rapidly.

“Chairman…….”

“Hey, I’m still fine. No need to look so grim.”

“But…….”

“I was so shocked at first that I couldn’t even speak, but I’m thankful that I found out early thanks to that young man. I’m actually grateful.”

It was true. When he first heard the word ‘tumor’ from Dr. Oh a little while ago, he felt like the sky was falling. But he was able to find solace in the fact that it was small.

Kim Young-woo continued.

“But how did that young man know?”

“I’m just amazed myself. How he has such an ability, I don’t know. It’s beyond common sense, so I have nothing to say.”

“Anyway, it’s a stroke of luck for you, Chairman, that you met that young man. If not…….”

Kim Young-woo shook his head vigorously as if he didn’t want to imagine it.

Seeing this, Chairman Shin Chun-oh said.

“Is it that terrible?”

“I don’t even want to imagine it. It’s impossible for something to happen to you, Chairman. Absolutely not.”

“I’m grateful that you think of me so highly. By the way, how long have you been with me, Kim?”

“It will be 10 years next year.”

“10 years…….”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh was silent for a moment, as if deep in thought.

After a brief pause.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh spoke again.

“Kim.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“Thank you for everything. Now that I think about it, I’ve been able to live without any major problems thanks to you.”

“Why are you suddenly saying that…….”

Kim Young-woo looked at Chairman Shin Chun-oh.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh chuckled.

“Why can’t I say such things?”

“It’s just a bit…….”

“After experiencing something like this, I see the people around me differently. Especially in your case, Kim, you’ve always been by my side like a shadow. I used to take it for granted, but today it feels a bit special.”

“Why are you saying such weak things…….”

“Thank you. And I look forward to your continued support.”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh lightly patted Kim Young-woo’s shoulder a few times.

The two arrived at the parking lot.

“Please get in.”

Kim Young-woo said, opening the back door.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh smiled and continued.

“Thank you, Kim.”

“……Chairman.”

Kim Young-woo couldn’t help but be taken aback by Chairman Shin Chun-oh’s demeanor, which was so different from usual.

A short while later.

Kim Young-woo asked.

“Where shall I take you?”

“Let’s go to the bank first.”

“Yes? To the bank?”

Kim Young-woo tilted his head. The reason was simple. Chairman Shin Chun-oh had never personally gone to the bank before.

As if reading Kim Young-woo’s mind.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh immediately opened his mouth.

“I have some personal business to take care of.”

“Ah, yes. I understand.”

It was hard to understand since this had never happened before, but he couldn’t ask again.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh continued.

“And in the afternoon, let’s go to Gangwon-do again.”

“Are you going to see that young man?”

“If it weren’t for him, I would have been unknowingly growing a lump in my body. If that had happened, the outcome would have been obvious. I owe him my life, so I can’t just stand idly by, can I?”

Kim Young-woo nodded.

He wasn’t wrong. If he hadn’t heard that from the young man this time, he wouldn’t have gone to the hospital for a checkup.

Moreover, it was the liver, wasn’t it? A typical silent organ. Since you don’t even feel any symptoms, the discovery would have been delayed even further.

Kim Young-woo said.

“Yes, I understand. I’ll prepare it in the afternoon.”

The sedan carrying Chairman Shin Chun-oh left the hospital and headed towards the city.

***

That evening.

“Hoo!”

As the last customer left, Hyun-sung took a short, deep breath.

Shin Myung-soon looked at Hyun-sung and said.

“The broadcast effect is amazing.”

“You’re telling me. Seeing customers even at closing time, the power of broadcasting is indeed great.”

“I’m especially glad that there seem to be more older customers.”

“I think so too. I was a bit worried about the students being on vacation next month, but if this many customers come, I don’t think we’ll have to worry too much.”

He had expected it to some extent, but the effect of the broadcast exceeded expectations.

In particular, it was most important that they came during lunchtime when there were no students. Until now, there had been no worries as students steadily came during school hours and after school.

The problem was lunchtime. Once students went to school, they couldn’t leave the school gates, so there were no student customers during the day.

But with this broadcast, older customers started coming during that time. Especially on market days like today, quite a few customers flocked in.

Anyway, it’s true that he benefited greatly from the broadcast this time.

Then Shin Myung-soon spoke again.

“Oh, did you hear the news?”

“What news?”

“It’s about Mr. Oh. Rumor has it that he’s quitting the store.”

“No, he’s only been open for two months. What are you talking about?”

Hyun-sung couldn’t understand. It had only been two months since he kicked out Shin Myung-soon and opened the store.

Moreover, he didn’t even have to pay rent there. So why would he quit the store?

Shin Myung-soon continued.

“Rumor has it that it’s because of me.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“The townspeople all know that he kicked me out. So people aren’t going to his store. The neighborhood is small, so everyone knows.”

“Ah, so you’re saying he lost the favor of the neighborhood.”

Hyun-sung finally understood.

In fact, Oh Sang-cheol had made an unreasonable move from the start.

To kick out someone who had been in business for over 10 years overnight and open the same type of business with his younger sibling was absurd.

So there was no way the rumor wouldn’t spread in a small neighborhood.

Shin Myung-soon said again.

“And he put the building up for sale.”

“Does that mean he’s leaving this neighborhood?”

“That’s right.”

Of course, he had heard that business wasn’t good. But since it was his building, he thought he would endure it. But it turned out that business wasn’t the problem.

After losing the favor of the neighborhood in a small town, he could no longer endure life itself.

He felt a bit bitter, but who could he blame?

Everyone had gone home, and Hyun-sung was alone.

Clang.

The door opened, and someone came in.

Hyun-sung said loudly.

“Chairman!”

“Hehe, why are you so surprised?”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh looked at Hyun-sung and smiled as if nothing was wrong.

Then Hyun-sung asked again.

“How did you come at this hour, Chairman?”

“I have to repay the favor, don’t I?”

“No, what are you talking about?”

“There’s that. Let’s talk about that later. Can I get a bowl of ramen? I can’t leave without tasting your ramen after coming all this way.”

“Of course, but…….”

Hyun-sung headed to the kitchen.

A short while later.

“Chairman, here’s your ramen.”

“Oh, thank you. Hmm…… even the smell is different.”

Slurp.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh began to eat the ramen.

Watching him, Hyun-sung asked.

“What about the others?”

“Oh, they had dinner at the rest stop on the way. I just wanted to eat this ramen.”

“Ah, I see.”

Hyun-sung nodded.

After a while.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh, who had finished the ramen, said.

“The ramen is the best.”

“Thank you. But really, why did you come all this way?”

Hyun-sung couldn’t help but be curious.

“As I said a little while ago, I owe you a great debt this time.”

“What do you mean?”

“You were right.”

“Yes?”

Hyun-sung tilted his head.

Then Chairman Shin Chun-oh immediately continued.

“I’m on my way back from the examination today.”

“Does that mean?”

“Of course, we need to do more tests to be sure, but they said it’s a tumor. And fortunately, it’s very small.”

“Is that true?”

Even Hyun-sung himself found it hard to believe. Of course, he said it because he felt a tumor. But it was amazing that it was actually confirmed.

Then Chairman Shin Chun-oh handed over an envelope.

“Take this.”

“What is this?”

“You refused the brick money yesterday, but this is the price of my life. So don’t refuse this. I have my own way.”

There was strength in Chairman Shin Chun-oh’s voice.

A short while later.

As Chairman Shin Chun-oh left, Hyun-sung looked at the envelope in his hand.

Then he slowly checked the envelope.

Flap.

There was a check inside the envelope.

Hyun-sung doubted his eyes as he checked the check.

“How much is this?”