Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 301

301

Shin Young-hoon’s heartfelt confession concluded with the signing of a 5-year long-term contract.

The reduction from 10 years to 5 was for Shin Young-hoon’s benefit. After all, the future is uncertain.

However, a clause was included: should Shin Young-hoon wish to extend the contract after 5 years, it would be renewed for another 5 years without further conditions.

Finally, Hyun-sung inquired,

“Didn’t you say you were only planning to stay for 2 years and then move? What’s the real reason for the change of heart?”

“Didn’t I already explain? It’s because of you, boss. I’ll never find a landlord as good as you anywhere else.”

“You expect me to believe that?”

“It’s the truth…”

Shin Young-hoon’s voice trailed off, lacking conviction.

Hyun-sung chuckled, seeing through Shin Young-hoon’s words. At twenty-six, Shin Young-hoon was worldly and a restaurant owner. Hyun-sung doubted he’d make such a decision solely because of his landlord.

Hyun-sung pressed again.

“Is there absolutely no other reason?”

“Well…”

Shin Young-hoon scratched his head, hesitated, and then blurted out, “Actually, I saw hope.”

“Hope?”

“Yes, initially, I honestly believed there was no future in this rural area. My plan was to run the business for 2 years and then relocate to the city. But I realized that was a misjudgment.”

“Did you say misjudgment?”

Hyun-sung was intrigued by what Shin Young-hoon would say next, what he had misjudged.

Shin Young-hoon continued, “Yes, I realized the problem was with my own perspective. I was wrong to assume there were limitations to doing business in the countryside. I only understood that today.”

“And the reason for this realization?”

“Today’s sales. To be honest, I didn’t believe you when you said the day before yesterday that if I followed your advice, my sales would increase by 100,000 won [approximately $85 USD] soon. I was just hoping to break even. But seeing it increase by over 50,000 won [approximately $42 USD] in two days, I realized how flawed my thinking was.”

Hyun-sung nodded.

Shin Young-hoon continued without pause. “In the end, the issue wasn’t the countryside, it was me. I realized I could succeed even here. That’s why I rushed to see you as soon as I finished *yeong-eop* [business hours] today, even though it was late.”

“So, you’re confident now?”

“More than confidence, I’ve decided to trust your judgment, boss. I’ve decided to cast aside my doubts. Frankly, I was conflicted because of your age. But I’ve resolved to put that aside. I’ll simply trust you and work hard from now on.”

Shin Young-hoon seemed to have finished.

But as he turned to leave, he paused and asked, “Oh! Isn’t there something you’ve forgotten?”

“Yes? Something else?”

“The new menu, of course.”

“New menu?”

Hyun-sung tilted his head, confused.

Shin Young-hoon elaborated, “Isn’t there one more new menu item left? You said there were three initially. Now that the anchovy *kal-guksu* [knife-cut noodle soup with anchovy broth] and *dae-pae samgyeopsal* [thinly sliced pork belly] are out, there’s one more…”

“Ah, that?”

Hyun-sung nodded, understanding dawning, and chuckled.

Shin Young-hoon pressed, “What’s the last hidden card?”

“Haha, hidden card?”

Hyun-sung laughed involuntarily. The final item wasn’t particularly special, certainly not worthy of being called a hidden card.

Hyun-sung continued, “What can I say? It’s not as impressive as you think…”

“Really? Now I’m even more curious.”

Shin Young-hoon stared intently at Hyun-sung.

Hyun-sung smiled and explained, “Think of the third menu as an application version of the second.”

“Application version?”

“Yes, we’re adding other *yangnyeom* [seasonings] to the *dae-pae samgyeopsal* shabu-shabu mushroom *kal-guksu*.”

“What other *yangnyeom* are you adding…?”

Shin Young-hoon tilted his head, pondering.

Hyun-sung prompted, “Isn’t it a clear soup now?”

“Are you referring to the *gungmul* [broth]? Then maybe…?”

“Are you starting to get it?”

“Yes, are you perhaps suggesting adding *gochutgaru* [Korean chili powder] as a *yangnyeom*?”

“Exactly. But two other *yangnyeom* are added besides *gochutgaru*.”

“Two? What are they?”

“It’s *doenjang* [fermented soybean paste] and *gochujang* [fermented red chili paste]. What do you think? Simpler than you expected, right?”

Shin Young-hoon clapped his knees in excitement. “Ah! So, you’re creating two flavors with one menu? One mild, and one spicy, right?”

“Yes, precisely. But the key is the ratio of *doenjang*, *gochujang*, and *gochutgaru*.”

“There’s a specific ratio for that too?”

“Of course. That’s the secret, isn’t it?”

“Ah, I see. It won’t taste right if you just throw it in randomly. But you’re not going to make me figure out the ratio myself, like when I was boiling the *yachae* [vegetables], are you?”

“Yes? Ah, that’s a good method too. Haha…”

Hyun-sung laughed heartily.

Shin Young-hoon’s expression turned mournful. “Ah, are you serious? I won’t get a wink of sleep tonight; I’ll be up all night.”

“Well, do you think you’ll actually find the right ratio if you stay up all night?”

“Yes? Is it that difficult?”

“Of course. If my mother hadn’t taught me, I wouldn’t have found it even after a week.”

Of course, it was a lie. The ratio was based on Baek Jong-won’s recipe, something he remembered from TV.

Shin Young-hoon’s face brightened slightly, sensing that Hyun-sung would reveal the secret.

“You’re not going to make me find something even you can’t, are you?”

“Haha, I’m not that cruel.”

“Phew! That’s a relief. I was worried… anyway, what’s the ratio?”

“It’s 0.5 : 2 : 3.”

“So, in spoons, half a spoon of *doenjang*, two spoons of *gochujang*, and three spoons of *gochutgaru*, right?”

“Our boss has a good sense. Exactly. Correct. That’s for two servings. Adjust the amounts proportionally for larger quantities.”

“Ah, I see. Surprisingly little *doenjang*, though?”

“Yes, I tried adding more *doenjang* once, but it didn’t taste right. So, I stick to my mother’s recipe.”

That was true.

In his past life, his wife, Yoon Ji-soo, loved *kal-guksu*. Whenever it rained, he’d make spicy *kal-guksu*. He used Baek Jong-won’s recipe.

Initially, he hadn’t known Baek Jong-won’s recipe, so he only added *gochujang* and *gochutgaru*, omitting *doenjang*.

But after learning Baek Jong-won’s recipe, he always followed it.

The reason was simple: Baek Jong-won’s method was undeniably delicious.

Shin Young-hoon exclaimed, “I have to go make it right now!”

“It’s past midnight?”

“Is that a problem? I’ll never forget your kindness, boss. I’m off…”

Shin Young-hoon vanished from the store as he spoke.

Exactly 40 minutes later, he called, declaring the spicy *kal-guksu* the best.

With that, the Shin Young-hoon situation was temporarily resolved.

***

Two days later.

Clang.

About 30 minutes after closing, the store door opened, and two women entered.

“Hello, boss!”

The cheerful woman was Shin Mi-ae, the *Nonghyup* [National Agricultural Cooperative Federation] employee who had promised to visit with her sister.

Her sister stood beside her.

Hyun-sung greeted them warmly. “Welcome, *nuna* [term for older sister or female friend]! Please, sit over here.”

“Yes, first this…”

Shin Mi-ae handed Hyun-sung a box of bottled drinks.

It was a Del Monte gift set, popular at the time. Empty Del Monte bottles were often reused as water bottles, a common trend.

There’s no such thing as a free lunch. Hyun-sung knew Shin Mi-ae and her sister hadn’t come empty-handed.

He’d find out the reason soon enough.

Hyun-sung accepted the gift with both hands. “You didn’t have to bring anything…”

“I didn’t know what else to get. Put it in the refrigerator and drink it cold.”

“Yes, thank you. How did you know I like oranges… I’ll enjoy it.”

Words cost nothing. Hyun-sung believed in making others feel good.

Perhaps that’s why Shin Mi-ae’s face lit up even more.

“You always say such nice things, boss.”

“Haha, is that so? I’m even more grateful you appreciate it.”

After the formal greetings, Shin Mi-ae gestured to her sister. “Boss, I said I’d visit with my sister, right? This is my older sister, Shin Mi-sook. Sister, say hello. This is Kim Hyun-sung, the *ramyeon* [ramen] store owner.”

“Hello, I’m Shin Mi-sook, Mi-ae’s sister.”

“Yes, hello. I’m Kim Hyun-sung. I’m young enough to be your younger brother, so feel free to speak comfortably.”

“No. You’re the boss I’ll be serving in the future, so I can’t do that.”

“Yes? What do you mean…?”

Hyun-sung tilted his head, confused.

Shin Mi-sook’s words were strange. She said she would be serving him.

‘Serve?’

Did that mean some future connection between them?

Hyun-sung was clueless.

He expected more than a casual visit, but Shin Mi-sook’s words surprised him.

Shin Mi-ae, noticing Hyun-sung’s confusion, stepped in. “Boss, my sister is a bit impulsive. She spoke too quickly.”

“Ah, yes. But what did you mean by that…?”

“Yes, I’ll explain slowly. But first, I need to tell you a few things.”

“To me?”

Hyun-sung was puzzled.

Shin Mi-ae continued, “Yes, boss. Actually, my sister has been *honja* [alone] for two years.”

“Yes? Ah… yes.”

Hyun-sung was taken aback by the word *honja*, implying either bereavement or divorce.

But that was personal. Why reveal this to him?

He couldn’t ask.

Shin Mi-ae continued, “Her husband passed away in a traffic accident.”

“Oh no, how did that happen…?”

“He was *toegeun* [leaving work] early in the morning and then…”

“…”

Hyun-sung was speechless.

Shin Mi-ae continued, “She has two nephews now. The older one is in the 5th grade, and the younger one is in the 3rd grade.”

“Your sister must be having a hard time?”

“Yes, the biggest problem is probably financial. It’s not easy for a woman to raise two children alone. Not only that…”

Shin Mi-ae’s explanation continued at length. Finally, when she finished, Shin Mi-sook looked at Hyun-sung and knelt down.

“Boss!”