Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 346

346

“Maritime Rescue Team?”

“Yes, Chairman. After leaving Chodang Soft Tofu House, Hyun-sung went straight to the Maritime Rescue Team office on Gyeongpo Beach.”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh tilted his head, a puzzled expression on his face. “No, why did Kim suddenly go there?”

“At first, I wondered the same thing, but I later discovered the reason was quite… remarkable.”

“Remarkable? In what way? Not something ordinary, I presume?”

“Exactly. The reason is…”

Chief Kim Young-woo began to detail Hyun-sung’s visit to the Maritime Rescue Team office. As the explanation unfolded, Chairman Shin Chun-oh’s puzzled expression gradually morphed into a smile. By the time Chief Kim Young-woo finished, laughter erupted from the Chairman.

“Haha, hahaha… So, you’re saying he went there to express his gratitude for being rescued a year ago?”

“Yes, that’s right. Even though Hyun-sung’s behavior with his peers can be… unique, I was genuinely surprised this time. I’m amazed he’d even think of something like that.”

“I agree. And this was a year ago. Though, knowing his personality, it’s not entirely unexpected. But what exactly happened a year ago?”

“He nearly drowned.”

“Drowned?”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh’s eyebrows shot up.

Chief Kim Young-woo quickly elaborated. “He almost died. They said he was barely breathing when the paramedics arrived.”

“Hehe, that happened, did it? He almost died.”

“Yes, sir. In a way, it was divine intervention. If not for that…”

“Enough! I don’t want to dwell on that. By the way, what did he do when he went there?”

“He ordered chicken.”

“What? Chicken?”

“Yes, five orders, half fried, half seasoned. Honey Fried Chicken is all the rage these days, isn’t it? Thanks to him, the team had a feast that day.”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh couldn’t help but smile. The image of Hyun-sung returning after a year to buy chicken as a thank you was genuinely touching. He mused that there could be no better gift for young people.

*Swish.*

Chairman Shin Chun-oh suddenly pulled out a 10,000 won bill from his wallet.

“Here, take this.”

“Huh? What’s this for?”

“Buy Honey Fried Chicken on your way home. It’s my way of showing gratitude to you, Chief Kim.”

“Oh, Chairman…”

A smile stretched across Kim Young-woo’s face. Just a year prior, Shin Chun-oh’s current demeanor would have been unimaginable. He had always been reserved, his silence a symbol of authority, rarely speaking about anything beyond work.

But now, a year later, Shin Chun-oh had transformed. He was more talkative and considerate of those around him, finding joy in the small things. Today’s chicken money was a new, almost unbelievable, development.

At the heart of this change was one person: Kim Hyun-sung.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh spoke again. “And?”

“Yes?”

“Where did he go next?”

“Ah, yes. Next…”

Chief Kim Young-woo began to recount Hyun-sung’s next destination. Chairman Shin Chun-oh listened with a smile, and when the explanation concluded, he chuckled. “This time, a taxi driver?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“He bought sundae [Korean blood sausage] soup and even packed boiled pork slices to share with the patients in the hospital room?”

“Yes, and he also paid the taxi driver’s hospital bill before leaving. The driver only found out later. Apparently, the taxi company doesn’t cover hospital bills for incidents considered personal deviations from work.”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh nodded silently. “I’m sure of it!”

“Yes? What do you mean…?”

“That young man… I know exactly what kind of person he is now. I was right about him.”

Chief Kim Young-woo tilted his head, not fully understanding. He hesitated to ask for clarification, waiting for the Chairman to continue.

But even stranger words followed. “I’m getting greedy.”

“Yes? Greedy?”

“That young man…”

“Are you saying…?”

“I want to keep him close. No, I *need* to. Chief Kim!”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh’s tone shifted, prompting Kim Young-woo to stand straighter. “Yes, Chairman!”

“How’s that project I asked you to prepare?”

“It’s ready. I just need to meet Hyun-sung tomorrow and deliver it.”

“Excellent. And from now on, I’m giving you a special mission.”

“Yes, sir!”

Chief Kim Young-woo braced himself, anticipating a significant task.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh’s next words were indeed unexpected. “Establish a long-term project to bring that young man into the company.”

“Yes? You mean Hyun-sung?”

“Yes! I don’t want to let him slip through our fingers. From this moment on, devise a plan to ensure he joins us. Do you understand?”

“Yes, I understand. I’ll form a task force to recruit Hyun-sung to Nongshim today.”

“Chief Kim, you will lead and manage it directly. No matter what, that young man must be working in this building after he graduates from college.”

*Tap tap.*

Chairman Shin Chun-oh punctuated his words with two sharp taps on the desk.

That evening, a small office was set up adjacent to the secretary’s office.

The office’s name was simple:

-Special Talent TF Team [Task Force].

***

The next day.

“I think he should be here soon…”

Hyun-sung peered down the road, as if waiting for someone. Five minutes passed.

*Blink blink.*

A black sedan pulled up, hazard lights flashing. Hyun-sung, as if anticipating its arrival, immediately opened the back door and hopped in.

“Welcome!”

Before Hyun-sung could even settle in, Chairman Shin Chun-oh clasped his hand, as if greeting a long-lost son.

Hyun-sung returned the greeting with a smile. “Hello, Chairman!”

“Yes, yes. I’m doing well. And you?”

“Great, thanks. You’re here earlier than I expected.”

“I hurried. The thought of seeing you made me want to arrive even a few minutes sooner.”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh had arrived not just a few minutes, but a full hour early. The previous evening, he had mentioned arriving around 1 p.m., but he had called again early that morning, saying he’d be there an hour earlier. He was clearly eager to meet Hyun-sung.

Hyun-sung smiled and greeted the two people in the front seats. “Chief, good to see you. Mr. Choi, too?”

“Yes, it’s good to see you again after a year.”

“How have you been?”

“Great!”

As Hyun-sung finished his greetings, Chairman Shin Chun-oh spoke. “Alright, where are we headed? You promised to show me a great place today, and I’ve been excited all morning.”

“Is that so? You’ll see soon enough.”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh had called the previous night, mentioning a lack of appetite and a desire for something delicious. Hyun-sung had offered to take him somewhere special.

“Driver Choi, turn left up ahead.”

“Understood.”

Hyun-sung was guiding them to a place he had frequented in his previous life. It was a bit off the beaten path, easily missed if you didn’t know where to look.

What was unique was that the restaurant had no sign. Later, it would become a popular spot, with the owner’s son taking over his mother’s business and turning it into a success.

About 30 minutes later, they reached Meondri Pass, the name of the hill connecting Seomyeon and Hoengseong.

“Turn right up ahead.”

Choi Jin-young signaled and made the turn.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh tilted his head. “There’s no sign. Is there really a restaurant out here?”

“Yes, you’ll see.”

“Out here in the mountains…”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh shook his head, still skeptical.

After another five minutes, a house came into view.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh, stepping out of the car, looked around in amazement. “How did you even find this place?”

“I stumbled upon it a while back.”

He had to lie.

“Welcome.”

A woman approached. In his previous life, she had been a grandmother in her 70s, but now she appeared to be in her early 40s. It was strange to see her so much younger.

Hyun-sung smiled. “We’re a party of four.”

“Please, come inside.”

As Hyun-sung led the way, Chairman Shin Chun-oh, Chief Kim Young-woo, and Driver Choi Jin-young exchanged puzzled glances and followed.

*Clatter.*

As soon as Hyun-sung entered the room, he began setting the table.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh immediately asked, “What are you doing?”

“Getting ready to eat.”

“Yes, but… what are you *doing*?”

“It’s self-service.”

“Se-self-service?”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh stammered, dumbfounded. Hyun-sung smiled. “She runs the place by herself, so we have to help set the table.”

“Oh? Oh, I see…”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh nodded, then cautiously asked, “What’s on the menu here?”

“There isn’t one.”

“There isn’t?”

“No, just sit down, and the lady will bring the food.”

“She’ll bring it…?”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh trailed off, looking at Chief Kim Young-woo, who simply shrugged, equally clueless.

Hyun-sung smiled. “There’s no set menu. The side dishes are always the same, but they change with the seasons. That’s why it’s so popular in the spring.”

“You mean…?”

“Yes, spring greens from the mountains and fields become side dishes. It’s the perfect place for people who’ve lost their appetite after winter. And on rainy days, she’ll even bring out kimchi pancakes.”

“Hehe…”

A smile spread across Chairman Shin Chun-oh’s face.

Hyun-sung continued. “And that’s not all…”

He began to describe the food he had enjoyed in his previous life, the memories he had made there, and the most delicious dishes he had tasted.

As Hyun-sung’s explanation went on, Chairman Shin Chun-oh, who had been listening intently, suddenly raised his hand. “Wait! Something’s not right, is it?”

“Yes? What is it?”

“If I recall correctly, you said you hadn’t known about this place for very long…”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh’s head tilted sharply. Chief Kim Young-woo and Driver Choi Jin-young mirrored his expression. All three pairs of eyes were fixed on Hyun-sung.

*I see.*

*I made a mistake, letting my memories from my previous life slip out.*

Hyun-sung paused, then smiled. He was about to speak.