Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 355

The truck carrying Han Su-jin had already left Ojukheon and was heading towards Gyodong.

“You’re really something,” Han Su-jin said, glancing at Hyun-sung.

Hyun-sung immediately asked, “What do you mean?”

“Well, isn’t it? To be running a store and buying a car at your age.”

In fact, Han Su-jin had seen the truck in the vacant lot earlier and asked what was going on. So, he had no choice but to explain it roughly. He couldn’t explain everything, so he talked about the ramen shop.

Han Su-jin was referring to that situation.

“I was lucky.”

“Now you’re even being humble?”

“Haha, it’s not humility, it’s the truth. Otherwise, how could a young guy like me…”

“Stop it,” Han Su-jin interrupted Hyun-sung. Then she immediately continued, “You don’t have to make up lies. It’s not a flaw that you bought a car with your own money. It’s something to be praised. Anyway, I thought you were different from the other students from the first time I saw you, and you are different.”

“That’s not it…”

“It’s okay. By the way, how can you be so good at studying that you’re at the top of your class while running a business? That’s usually rare.”

“It just happened that way.”

Just then, a car in the next lane suddenly cut in front of Hyun-sung’s truck without signaling.

Hyun-sung didn’t panic and gently stepped on the brake to slow down. Then, as if nothing had happened, he focused on driving again.

Seeing this, Han Su-jin immediately asked, “Oh! That’s impressive. But when did you get your license?”

“A little less than a month ago.”

“A month? No, but how can you drive so well? It looks like you’ve been driving for at least 10 years!”

“Haha, 10 years?”

“That’s right, a car suddenly cut in front of you a little while ago, but you weren’t surprised at all and didn’t slam on the brakes. How can you say that’s the driving skill of someone who hasn’t even had their license for a month?”

“Before I knew it, my body just reacted on its own…”

“Exactly! The fact that your body moved on its own means you’re that familiar with it. That’s driving skill. How can someone who’s only had their license for a month do that?”

Han Su-jin shook her head, an unbelievable expression on her face.

Hyun-sung smiled and immediately continued, “Haha, I guess I’m just a natural driver.”

“A natural?”

“Yes, otherwise, how could I have done that in that situation, like my mother said? Don’t you think?”

“Oh? Now that I hear it, that makes sense. But are there people who are natural drivers?”

“Mom, come on, aren’t I right here! Haha…”

Hyun-sung smiled and tapped his chest a few times. Han Su-jin looked at Hyun-sung for a moment, then nodded and started laughing.

The truck had already arrived at the entrance of the Jungang Market in Gangneung.

The two got out of the truck.

Hyun-sung’s eyes were drawn to a cart at the entrance of the market. It was a street vendor selling fish cakes, tteokbokki [spicy stir-fried rice cakes], and sundae [Korean blood sausage].

In his past life, he always stopped there with Han Su-jin when they came to the market.

“How about over there?” Hyun-sung asked, looking at Han Su-jin.

Han Su-jin’s expression brightened.

“I like it. But do you like that kind of stuff too, Hyun-sung?”

“Of course. I like it a lot.”

The two approached the cart as if they had made a promise.

“Welcome!” the woman greeted them warmly.

Hyun-sung immediately ordered, “Please give me some tteokbokki and sundae. But give me only a little sundae and a lot of assorted meat. Especially a lot of liver.”

“Okay, I got it. Please wait a moment.”

As soon as the order was finished, Han Su-jin stared intently at Hyun-sung.

Hyun-sung smiled and asked, “Why?”

“Who are you?”

“Hyun-sung.”

“Don’t joke around. What’s going on?”

“What do you mean?”

Hyun-sung pretended not to know. In fact, that was how Han Su-jin used to order when she came here in her past life. Most people prefer sundae to assorted meat, but Han Su-jin’s case was the opposite. She preferred assorted meat to sundae, and among them, she liked the liver the most. So, he deliberately followed the way Han Su-jin used to order in her past life.

Han Su-jin’s words immediately followed. “Actually, I like assorted meat more than sundae. And I like liver the most. And I always dip sundae in tteokbokki sauce.”

“Me too.”

“Really?”

“Of course. The liver is savory. Some people don’t like the texture because it’s dry, but I like that taste even more.”

“Oh my!”

Han Su-jin had already put both hands in front of her chest.

At that moment, the owner put the plates of tteokbokki and sundae in front of them and said, “Your son is very handsome!”

“Yes? Oh, yes… Hoho, my son is handsome, isn’t he! Right! He’s also good at studying. He got the top score in the entire Gangsang University this time.”

Han Su-jin glanced at Hyun-sung and said with a smile.

Hyun-sung also smiled at Han Su-jin.

Then, at some point, their eyes met briefly. Then, without either of them being the first, they smiled brightly.

Then, as if they had made a promise, they started eating the liver.

***

That evening.

Hyun-sung flipped the meat on the grill and said, “Mom, you worked hard going to the market with me today.”

“What hard work? I actually enjoyed it… And thanks to Hyun-sung, I got to eat a lot of delicious liver. Anyway, today was great,” Han Su-jin said, her face still full of laughter as if she was having fun.

Hyun-sung moved a piece of meat in front of Han Su-jin and continued, “Try this. It’s not too greasy, so it’s chewy and delicious.”

“No matter how I think about it, it’s so amazing.”

“What’s so amazing again?”

“No, isn’t it? Earlier, when we were eating sundae, you made sure to get me the liver that I like, and now, how did you know that I like pork neck more than pork belly and bought pork neck like this? Actually, I don’t eat pork belly often because it’s too greasy.”

“Me too. Especially this fresh pork neck, if you cut it thick, the chewing texture is chewy, so I deliberately ask them to cut it a little thicker.”

In fact, it was what Han Su-jin had said in her past life.

After finishing at the market during the day, they stopped by the butcher shop last. What came to mind at that time was Han Su-jin’s meat preference in her past life.

Han Su-jin liked pork neck more than pork belly. The reason is simple: it’s because there’s less fat than pork belly, which makes the texture of the meat much chewier.

On the other hand, people who like pork belly usually prefer the taste because of the softness of the fat. Tastes may vary from person to person, but in Han Su-jin’s case, she preferred the chewy texture of pork neck to the softness of pork belly.

Han Su-jin expressed strong agreement with Hyun-sung’s words. “That’s right! Meat is all about the chewing taste!”

“Of course, so eat this quickly before it gets cold.”

“Okay, I got it. Don’t just grill, Hyun-sung, eat quickly too.”

Just then, Park Min-seok, who was watching the scene, smiled and opened his mouth. “Mom, did you just say ‘our Hyun-sung’?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah. Our Hyun-sung. But why?”

“Haha…, are you really my mom?” Park Min-seok couldn’t help but laugh. He knew his mother better than anyone else.

His mother doesn’t shy away from strangers too much, but she’s not the type to start talking and get comfortable with just anyone.

Of course, after some time passes and she gets a little closer, she gets along well with people without hesitation. But in order to do that, some time is needed.

But today, she’s showing such friendliness that she’s calling someone she met for the first time ‘our Hyun-sung,’ so it’s naturally strange.

Han Su-jin’s words continued. “You think it’s a little strange too, right?”

“Yes, a lot. Honestly, I’m seeing this side of my mom for the first time. It’s like I’m seeing someone else.”

“Actually, I’m unfamiliar with it too, this side of me.”

Han Su-jin smiled slightly.

To be honest, this is the first time even she has experienced this. No matter how old you get, you can’t help but be careful when it comes to dealing with people.

She’s cautious. No, to be more honest, she’s scared. Sometimes she’s even afraid, especially when dealing with men, regardless of age.

She doesn’t remember exactly when it started, but she becomes more careful and keeps her distance from men she meets for the first time.

But today, she strangely doesn’t feel that way at all. Rather, she doesn’t feel unfamiliar, as if she’s known him for a long time.

Han Su-jin’s words continued again. “I don’t know why either. It’s just that Hyun-sung feels like someone I’ve known for a long time.”

“That’s really strange.”

“I know, right? Anyway, it’s the first time I’ve experienced this at the age of 50.”

“Anyway, it’s a good thing. Otherwise, you would have suffered from shyness for months again.”

At that moment, Hyun-sung moved the meat in front of Park Min-seok and continued, “Hyung [older brother], eat some meat here.”

“Yeah, thanks. Hyun-sung, right?”

“Yes, Kim Hyun-sung.”

Hyun-sung smiled slightly and looked at Park Min-seok.

Then Park Min-seok smiled and immediately said, “Are you usually this sociable?”

“Not really, but it’s strangely comfortable.”

“Maybe you also feel like you’ve known him for a long time, like my mom?”

“That’s right. That’s exactly how I feel. I don’t feel unfamiliar at all, and it feels like we’ve lived together. It’s really strange, right?”

Hyun-sung said, recalling his memories of his past life.

Then Park Min-seok suddenly started laughing. “Haha, hahaha…”

“Why are you laughing suddenly?” Han Su-jin asked, looking at Park Min-seok, who was suddenly laughing.

Then Park Min-seok took a sip of the water in front of him and immediately continued, “Actually, I was surprised when I first saw Hyun-sung during the day.”

“Why?”

“It was like looking in a mirror. Mom, look at his eyes. And his straight, dark eyebrows, he looks exactly like me.”

“That’s right. I was also surprised when I first saw Hyun-sung. Anyway, this must all be fate. Otherwise, how could this happen?”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

Park Min-seok nodded and looked at Hyun-sung. Then he immediately continued, “Kim Hyun-sung, thank you for coming to our house like this.”

“I’m also grateful for being by my mother’s side like this.”

“Huh? What do you mean?” Park Min-seok tilted his head and asked.

Then Hyun-sung smiled and continued, “There’s something like that. Anyway, thank you, Min-seok hyung!”

“What is it? Your words are a bit strange. Is there something I don’t know?”

“It’s nothing like that. What else could there be? I just like hyung.”

“This feels a bit strange…” Park Min-seok shook his head slightly, and Han Su-jin, who was next to him, picked up the glass in front of him and continued, “What’s so strange? Don’t be like that, let’s have a toast.”

“Well, what could there be when we just met today? Okay, let’s toast together to welcome Hyun-sung. Hyun-sung, you raise your glass too.”

Park Min-seok looked at Hyun-sung and raised his glass.

Then Hyun-sung also raised the glass in front of him.

“Thank you. Mother, please give us a wonderful toast.”

“Hoho, shall I? Well, let’s warmly welcome Hyun-sung to our house, cheers!”

“Hyun-sung, welcome!”

“Yes, thank you!”

Clink!

The three people’s glasses collided in the air with a cheerful sound.

Hyun-sung’s eyes caught the faces of the two people smiling brightly. Now, it is Hyun-sung’s job to protect those two people’s bright smiles.

He doesn’t know yet how to persuade Park Min-seok, but the clear fact is that he has been given the opportunity.

That’s enough.