Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 267

“What news?”

Hyeonseong asked, looking at Choi Miyeon.

Choi Miyeon spoke cautiously, as if sharing a secret.

“The culprit from last night, well, he has five prior convictions.”

“Five prior convictions?”

“Yes, a colorful record of violence, rape, theft, and even attempted murder.”

“How did you find that out, Teacher?”

“The police came to the house this morning to check for additional damages. That’s what the officer told me. They said I was incredibly fortunate that it ended there, since there were no further damages.”

Choi Miyeon’s voice trembled as she spoke, still seemingly frightened.

And why wouldn’t she be?

If Hyeonseong hadn’t been there at that time, no one knows what might have happened. So, it’s only natural that Choi Miyeon would be scared.

Hyeonseong said,

“By the way, looking at the window, I didn’t see any security bars installed. What’s the story with that?”

“I already had some unpleasant words with the landlord about that today. Actually, I asked him to install security bars a few days ago.”

“And?”

“He said this neighborhood is rural, so there’s no need to install security bars.”

Hyeonseong couldn’t understand. It’s right next to an alley, and it’s a room where a woman lives alone. How could he say security bars aren’t necessary because it’s a rural area?

Hyeonseong asked again,

“So, he’s still not going to install them?”

“No, after seeing the police come this morning, he said he’d install them as soon as possible.”

“Today is today. What’s ‘as soon as possible’? If he’s going to install them anyway, he should do it as soon as possible.”

“That’s what I’m saying. It’s not like the price will be cheaper if he installs them in a few days. I don’t know why he’s doing that.”

Choi Miyeon said with a dissatisfied voice.

Hyeonseong immediately said,

“Install them right away today.”

“The landlord said he’d do it.”

“How do you know when he’ll do it? What if another accident happens?”

“That’s true, but…”

Choi Miyeon couldn’t make a decision.

Hyeonseong said,

“What are you hesitating about?”

“It’s just that the landlord might…”

“There’s no need to worry about the landlord in this situation. Install the security bars first and then submit the receipt to the landlord for reimbursement.”

“Is that okay?”

Choi Miyeon still seemed weak.

Looking at Choi Miyeon, Hyeonseong said,

“Should I come to your house after class today?”

“No, you can’t do that. You have to run your business after class anyway. I can’t take away your precious time because of me.”

“That much time is okay. It’s not like I’m doing the work; a contractor is doing it. I’ll just show my face briefly.”

“Just show your face briefly?”

“Of course. I’m not doing the work; the contractor is. And since he’s a contractor I know well, he’ll take extra care of you.”

Choi Miyeon seemed to be contemplating for a moment.

After a brief pause,

Choi Miyeon opened her mouth again.

“Then, can I ask you for a little favor?”

“Of course. If you allocate about an hour, it won’t significantly affect your business.”

“Okay, then I’m sorry, but please do me a favor.”

“Okay. Then I’ll go straight to your house after class.”

Only then did Choi Miyeon look relieved, with a comfortable expression.

Looking at Choi Miyeon, Hyeonseong smiled.

A precious connection from his past life. Among all the teachers, Choi Miyeon was the only one who called to check on him when Hyeonseong was sick.

Hyeonseong thought he could do this much for her.

That afternoon.

Hyeonseong headed straight to Choi Miyeon’s house after finishing class.

Arriving at Choi Miyeon’s house, the contractor, Yoo Mincheol, was already waiting for Hyeonseong.

Hyeonseong greeted him happily first.

“Hyung [older brother or close male friend], you came early?”

“No, I just arrived a little while ago. By the way, is the ramen business doing well?”

“Yes, it’s doing okay.”

“That’s a relief. I was worried because a ramen shop opened at the three-way intersection.”

Yoo Mincheol said with a slightly worried expression.

Hyeonseong said,

“At first, there was some impact because of the price, but it recovered quickly after a few days. Now, I feel a bit more tension than when I was alone, and I think I need to work harder, so I think it’s a good thing.”

“That’s what you think. The other person’s insides are probably rotting away.”

“Well… who can they blame? It’s their own choice, so I don’t want to worry about that.”

“Well, yeah… who can you blame? By the way, you’re installing security bars?”

“Yes, on this window here.”

Hyeonseong pointed to the window.

Then Yoo Mincheol immediately picked up a tape measure and walked towards the window.

At that moment.

A man in his 60s came from the main building. It was clear at a glance that he was the landlord.

The landlord asked Yoo Mincheol,

“What are you doing now?”

“Yes? As you can see, I’m here to install security bars.”

“I’m the landlord, and I never requested that. Who’s installing security bars without my permission?”

“Yes? That’s…”

Yoo Mincheol didn’t expect this situation, so he didn’t seem to have anything to say.

Then Choi Miyeon came out of the house.

The landlord looked at Choi Miyeon and asked accusingly,

“Did Teacher Choi call this person?”

“Yes, I told you this morning. But when I got off work, the security bars still weren’t installed. So, I had no choice but to call him.”

“I told you to wait a little longer, and I’d install them within the week, didn’t I? How can you call someone like this without waiting?”

“I’m anxious right now. You know what happened last night.”

Choi Miyeon looked at the landlord as if she was frustrated.

Then the landlord answered casually, as if it wasn’t a big deal.

“Isn’t the result what matters? So, what happened?”

“How can you say that? I’m still scared to death just thinking about what happened last night.”

“The culprit was caught anyway, wasn’t he? Isn’t that enough?”

The landlord was actually raising his voice.

The more he did, the more Choi Miyeon just looked at the landlord as if she was frustrated.

Then Hyeonseong, who was watching the scene, approached the landlord.

“Hello?”

Hyeonseong first greeted the landlord kindly.

Then the landlord looked at Hyeonseong and asked,

“Oh? Aren’t you Kim, the owner of the ramen shop in the alley?”

“Yes, that’s right. Do you know me?”

“Of course, I know you. Didn’t you volunteer at the senior center last month?”

“Ah, I saw you at the senior center? I thought you looked familiar.”

A smile spread across Hyeonseong’s face.

But it wasn’t just Hyeonseong’s expression that changed.

The landlord’s face, which had been frowning a moment ago, was now smiling.

“But what brings you here?”

“Actually…”

Hyeonseong began to explain to the landlord why he had come here. As Hyeonseong’s explanation grew longer, the landlord’s expression gradually became more comfortable. And finally, when Hyeonseong’s explanation was over, the landlord looked at Hyeonseong and asked.

“So, you’re saying that this Teacher Choi is your math teacher?”

“Yes, that’s right. She’s not just a simple math teacher, but the teacher I respect the most.”

“Hmm, I see. And you’re the one who caught the culprit last night?”

“Yes, that’s right. If I hadn’t been passing by here at that time last night, something terrible would have happened to our teacher. So, I came here today to install security bars myself. But is there a problem?”

Hyeonseong deliberately asked the landlord as if he didn’t know anything.

Then the landlord opened his mouth as if he was in trouble.

“Actually…”

The landlord couldn’t continue his words for some reason.

Then Hyeonseong immediately asked,

“What’s wrong? You have to tell us what’s wrong so we know what’s going on.”

“Actually, I’m waiting for someone I know to install the security bars.”

“Ah, that’s what happened. But when is that person available to work?”

“That’s a bit…”

The landlord couldn’t speak properly.

Then Hyeonseong asked again,

“They didn’t give you a definite answer?”

“That’s right. They said they were busy…”

“Busy? Does that make sense? By the way, why are you trying to entrust the work to that person?”

“Actually, they said they’d do it cheaply…”

Hyeonseong felt like he knew why the landlord was trying to entrust this work to that person.

Hyeonseong asked again,

“How much are they charging?”

“They said 10,000 won [approximately $7.50 USD].”

“10,000 won?”

The landlord nodded.

Then Hyeonseong looked at the contractor Yoo Mincheol next to him and asked.

“Hyung, did you hear that?”

“Yeah, I did.”

“How much would you charge for this, Hyung?”

“As I said before, security bars are all about being sturdy, so I have to charge at least 12,000 won [approximately $9 USD] no matter what. I have to use thick materials for that.”

Hyeonseong now looked at the landlord and said.

“I don’t know how well that person does the work, but just comparing the prices, there’s a 2,000 won [approximately $1.50 USD] difference. Right?”

The landlord nodded.

Then Hyeonseong immediately continued.

“The answer is clear. If we eliminate the 2,000 won difference, we can start construction right away, right?”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

The landlord left some lingering feelings as if he was feeling uneasy.

Then Hyeonseong asked again,

“Is there another problem?”

“Is there only a 2,000 won difference? I thought there would be at least a 5,000 won difference…”

The landlord had a disappointed expression.

Then Hyeonseong immediately asked,

“Do you know that acquaintance well?”

“We’ve been friends for 30 years.”

“30 years? How can someone like that…”

Hyeonseong wanted to say more, but he held back for the landlord’s sake.

It is said that acquaintances are scarier.

According to Choi Miyeon, she had been asking for it for several days. But they kept postponing the construction, saying they were busy.

That means they’re just planning to do it in their spare time when they have some time left over from their own work.

Hyeonseong looked at the landlord and said,

“What are you going to do?”

“Well…”

“Are you still going to wait for that acquaintance? You don’t even know when they’ll do it.”

“I made a promise…”

The landlord was still unable to make a decision.

Then Hyeonseong asked again,

“Who is that promise for?”

“That’s a bit…”

“I’m sorry to say this, but if that person is really your 30-year friend, they shouldn’t be dragging their feet like that. They should be rushing over here before anyone else, right?”

The landlord slowly nodded.

Then Hyeonseong immediately continued,

“Is there any reason to hesitate any longer?”

After hesitating for a moment at Hyeonseong’s words, the landlord looked at Hyeonseong and said.

“Okay. Just start the construction. I guess I’ve been acting like a fool all this time. I shouldn’t make Teacher Choi suffer any longer for just 2,000 won.”

“You made a good decision. Then let’s start right away.”

Hyeonseong turned around and looked at Yoo Mincheol and immediately continued.

“Hyung, did you hear that? Please start the work right away. But you have to make it sturdy.”

“Oh? Oh, okay.”

Yoo Mincheol smiled at Hyeonseong.

Then Choi Miyeon, who was next to him, winked at Hyeonseong and started laughing.

In a few days, streetlights will be installed here, and sturdy security bars will protect Choi Miyeon under those streetlights.

That’s all that matters.

Hyeonseong unknowingly began to smile.