Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 257

257

A few days later.

Hyun-sung visited the principal’s office.

“You called for me, Principal?”

“Welcome, Hyun-sung. I heard a competing store opened in Samgeori. Is it affecting your business?”

“At first, their lower prices did affect us, but after a few days, many customers have returned. It’s not as big of a problem now.”

His prediction was correct.

Initially, students switched over because of the price, but as time passed, they began to return one by one. After a few days, almost 80% had returned.

This clearly showed that taste is more important than price.

Principal Park Sang-hyun spoke again.

“Well, your hangover ramen is something special. It even appeared on TV. Ultimately, the taste of food is more important than the price. Anyway, I’m relieved to hear that your business isn’t significantly affected.”

“Thank you for your concern. But what was the reason you called me in…?”

“It’s about the career paths for the 3rd-grade students that you mentioned last semester. I called you in to discuss this.”

“Ah, I see.”

Hyun-sung nodded.

One of the biggest problems in rural schools is the limited career options after graduating from high school.

Due to the rural setting, there’s only one school.

There are no specialized departments like science or vocational studies, only liberal arts.

The problem is that only about 3% of students who graduate from the liberal arts program go on to university, including early admissions, late admissions, and vocational colleges.

Only about 6 out of 200 students pursue higher education.

As a result, the remaining 97% have no choice but to enter the workforce without adequate preparation.

This was the issue Hyun-sung had previously pointed out.

Park Sang-hyun spoke again.

“Last semester, you were in the 2nd grade, so your involvement was naturally limited. But now you’re in the 3rd grade, so I called you in to actively discuss this issue.”

“The problem is still the same. There’s not much the school can realistically do.”

“Of course, I know that. But if we explore different avenues, there might be something we can do, right?”

“I think there’s only one real option.”

“One option? What is it?”

“The students themselves need to choose their career paths as early as possible.”

Park Sang-hyun nodded.

Then he continued.

“So, you’re saying it ultimately depends on the students’ initiative?”

“Yes, that’s right. The school can’t be the primary driver.”

“I suppose so. The school has its academic schedule and must focus on that.”

“But we can still help.”

“How?”

“We can help students explore and choose their career paths sooner. For example, by providing information on civil service exams or vocational training programs like heavy equipment operation.”

Park Sang-hyun looked at Hyun-sung with interest.

Then he nodded and continued.

“Civil service exams or heavy equipment academies?”

“Yes, but that’s just one example. There are many other potential career paths. They could consider becoming chefs, bakers, or beauticians.”

“Of course, there are many possibilities. So, you’re suggesting the school should support providing that kind of information?”

“Yes, that’s right. It won’t be easy, but I think that’s the best way to help the 3rd graders find jobs. From the student’s perspective, they want to choose a career, but they lack information and feel lost when they think about their future.”

“Hmm…”

Park Sang-hyun nodded.

Then Hyun-sung spoke again.

“If you do that, it will be very helpful for the students.”

“So, you’re saying we need to gather information about various jobs first?”

“Yes, that’s right. If we do that, even students who don’t go to college will have a year to prepare for entering the workforce after graduation.”

“But would simply having information be that meaningful?”

Park Sang-hyun tilted his head and looked at Hyun-sung.

Then Hyun-sung immediately said.

“Of course, the best approach would be for people working in those fields to give lectures directly to the students. If you could arrange that, I wouldn’t ask for anything more.”

“Lectures?”

“Yes, because that would make it more real and relatable for the students.”

“So, you’re saying someone needs to find and invite those people?”

Park Sang-hyun’s expression became more serious.

Then Hyun-sung continued.

“Of course. But it doesn’t have to be too complicated.”

“Do you have a suggestion?”

“Ask the alumni.”

*Thump.*

As soon as Hyun-sung finished speaking, Park Sang-hyun slapped his knee and said.

“That’s a great idea! We can invite graduates who have become successful after leaving school.”

“That’s right. Invite alumni who have established themselves in various fields.”

“That’s a very good idea. But how do we get their contact information…?”

“Isn’t there an alumni association president? The cooperative president is also the alumni president, so if you ask him, that problem will be solved.”

“Haha, I’m glad I called you. That would solve the problem.”

Park Sang-hyun smiled with satisfaction and nodded.

Then Hyun-sung spoke again.

“And I have something important to tell you.”

“To me?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Haha, what could be making Hyun-sung so serious?”

“Well…”

Hyun-sung hesitated.

Then Park Sang-hyun immediately asked.

“What’s so difficult to say? Don’t hesitate, just tell me.”

“I… I’m thinking of making a donation.”

“A donation? What are you talking about all of a sudden? Are you saying you’re going to make a donation now?”

“Yes.”

Park Sang-hyun looked at Hyun-sung with a surprised expression, as if he couldn’t believe it.

Why would he? It’s generally unheard of for a student to make a donation.

Park Sang-hyun asked again.

“Is that true?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Haha, really… Okay, how much are you donating…?”

“Ten million won [approximately $7,500 USD].”

“How much?”

Park Sang-hyun couldn’t believe his ears.

Is this even possible? It’s hard to believe that a student is making a donation, but the amount is ten million won.

Park Sang-hyun stared at Hyun-sung and asked again.

“No, what are you saying? Ten million won…”

“I can’t explain everything in detail, but I happened to come across a large sum of money. So, I want to donate some of it as a scholarship for students in need.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about right now.”

Park Sang-hyun still shook his head as if he couldn’t believe Hyun-sung’s words.

Then Hyun-sung took something out of his inside pocket and handed it to Park Sang-hyun.

“Please check this first.”

“What is this?”

“It’s a consent form signed by my parents. I prepared it in advance because I thought it would be necessary.”

“You mean your parents agreed to this?”

“Yes, that’s right. I told them a few days ago, and they agreed with my decision. And they even wrote this consent form themselves.”

Park Sang-hyun nodded and began to examine the consent form that Hyun-sung had handed him.

After a while.

Park Sang-hyun opened his mouth.

“Well… I’ve checked your parents’ consent form. Anyway, I don’t know what happened, but this is so sudden that I’m honestly very surprised and a little overwhelmed.”

“I understand. And I’m sorry, but I have one request.”

“A request? What is it?”

“Please process the donation anonymously.”

“Haha, anonymously…”

Park Sang-hyun could only let out a hollow laugh.

What could he say?

The fact that a high school student is making a donation is already unbelievable.

But he’s still going to make the donation.

And the problem is the amount of the donation. Even if you only calculate the interest, it’s a significant amount, over two million won [approximately $1,500 USD] a year. Even if you set aside the principal and only give 100,000 won [approximately $75 USD] in interest, you could give it to 20 students.

But now he’s even asking for anonymity.

That’s why Park Sang-hyun doesn’t know what to say.

Then Hyun-sung handed Park Sang-hyun a check.

“Here it is.”

“…”

“Please take care of the scholarship operation, Principal.”

“…”

Park Sang-hyun was still silent.

Then Hyun-sung slowly got up from his seat and bowed his head.

“Please take care of it. Then I’ll be on my way…”

“Sit down!”

Park Sang-hyun, who had been silent, said in a low voice.

Then Hyun-sung had no choice but to sit down again.

As Hyun-sung sat down, Park Sang-hyun spoke again.

“What’s the reason?”

“Yes? What reason are you talking about…?”

“It may be a foolish question, but what is the reason for making this donation?”

“I want to share.”

“Share?”

“Yes, that’s right. I think the world is not a place to live alone, but to live together. I recently made a resolution. That’s sharing. I believe that the more we share, the warmer and happier the world becomes.”

That’s what he thought while regressing [reincarnating or traveling back in time].

He thought about living together, not just eating well and living well alone.

And Nongshim’s Chairman Shin Chun-ho also said the same thing while handing over the money.

He said that the world is a place to live together.

Park Sang-hyun looked at Hyun-sung and continued.

“Is this the happiness of sharing?”

“Yes, that’s right. I believe that if we share, many more people can laugh and be happy.”

“Hmm… I’m a little ashamed of myself.”

“Why do you say that? You give us so much support, Principal.”

Park Sang-hyun shook his head and continued.

“No, it’s not. It’s embarrassing, but I’ve never really thought about things that way in my life.”

“…”

“I’m reflecting on myself today. Anyway, how would you like this money to be used?”

“You can decide, Principal.”

“Haha, that’s not true. You should still have some input.”

“I only have one request. It should be used fairly for the purpose of the scholarship.”

As soon as Hyun-sung finished speaking, Park Sang-hyun smiled and continued.

“Okay, I won’t decide this alone. I’ll convene a school board meeting as soon as possible to discuss it.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“And about the issue of processing it anonymously.”

“Yes…”

“Do you really want to remain anonymous?”

“Yes, of course. Otherwise, it will be uncomfortable for the students receiving the scholarship.”

Park Sang-hyun tilted his head and asked.

“The students will be uncomfortable?”

“That’s what I think. If the person giving the scholarship is another student, they may feel humiliated or relatively deprived.”

“So, you want to hide your identity for the sake of the students who will receive the scholarship?”

“I think that’s the right thing to do. And my name isn’t important. If it can help my friends in need, I’m satisfied.”

“Okay. If that’s what you want, I have to respect your wishes. Anyway, your decision today will be a great help to students in need. And not only that, but you’ve also done a great service for this school.”

“You’re too kind.”

“No, I want to express my gratitude on behalf of the school.”

Park Sang-hyun looked at Hyun-sung and bowed slightly.

Hyun-sung left the principal’s office and headed to the classroom.

*Creak.*

Just as Hyun-sung entered the classroom…

“You moronic bastard!”

Hyun-sung’s gaze quickly turned toward the source of the sound.