Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 420

The next morning.

My father looked at Hyun-sung and asked,

“Are you sure you won’t regret this?”

“Yes, Father. I’ve been thinking a lot about it while I was in the military. But after much consideration, I’ve concluded that there’s no need for me to go back to school.”

Of course, he couldn’t help but worry.

At the heart of his concerns was the restaurant business. If he wasn’t going to run the restaurant, then there would be no question about going back to school. But if he was going to run the restaurant, then it was a different story.

The biggest concern was people. If he were to run the restaurant and go back to school, he would need someone to take responsibility for everything in his place. But no matter how much he thought about it, he came to the conclusion that it was impossible to find someone to do that.

So, the final conclusion he came to was that he would not go back to school. And anyway, he had already obtained the Certified Public Accountant [CPA] license that he had aimed for in college. Moreover, he had already achieved the most important goal he had when he originally chose Kang Sang University.

That was Oh Jung-soo’s car accident.

In his previous life, he had lost a leg in a car accident on his way home from the freshman year-end party. But he was able to prevent the accident by taking away his motorcycle keys from Mi-rae at the year-end party.

Not only that, but he also saved the life of Park Min-seok, the son of the boarding house owner, which he had never even thought about. Thanks to that, he was also able to prevent the pain of Han Soo-jin, his mother, who had been heartbroken by her son’s death in his previous life.

He had done everything he could do in college. So, he decided that the best option was to focus all his efforts on the next goal, running the restaurant.

Following his father, his mother spoke up this time.

“Are you sure you’ll be okay without a college degree?”

“Yes, Mother, I’m fine. This is enough for me. Anyway, it’s my choice, so I won’t regret it.”

“Alright, I understand. Since you’ve already decided to do that, go and come back soon.”

His father, who was next to her, nodded at Hyun-sung.

Hyun-sung left home with his parents seeing him off.

The reason Hyun-sung was going to Gangneung today was not because of school. Since the school would automatically take care of it if he didn’t apply for reinstatement for a certain period of time, there was no need to go. Nevertheless, there was a separate reason for going to Gangneung.

First of all, there was something he needed to check, and then there were people he needed to say goodbye to for the last time. Hyun-sung knew very well that it was important to have a good start, but it was also important to have a good finish.

Vroom!

Hyun-sung stepped on the accelerator towards Gangneung. At the same time, he turned on the radio.

-I know~~ As this night flows on, someone has to leave me, I know that fact, I know the reason

Now I know, I know~~~

Seo Taiji and Boys’ song began to fill the car.

Two hours later.

As soon as Hyun-sung arrived in Gangneung, the first place he rushed to was the Chodang Tofu Village. There was something he needed to check.

It was his future mother-in-law. He wanted to check if she had moved here.

Hyun-sung was just entering the parking lot of ‘Grandma Chodang Tofu’.

He saw someone opening the door and coming out of the restaurant. Hyun-sung shook his head from side to side as he confirmed the figure.

He was hoping, but as expected, the owner had not changed yet. It was the same owner he had last seen three years ago.

“Sigh!”

A sigh automatically came out of Hyun-sung’s mouth. This meant that it would take more time before he could meet his wife, Yoon Ji-soo.

With regret, Hyun-sung left the parking lot.

The next place Hyun-sung headed to was Han Soo-jin’s house, where he had lived while attending Kang Sang University. She was the only person he felt a strong connection to. He thought it was right to say goodbye for the last time, as he didn’t know when he would meet her again after they parted ways.

“Mother!”

Hyun-sung called out to Han Soo-jin in a loud voice as he entered the yard.

Then, the door opened and Han Soo-jin ran out barefoot.

“Who is this!”

“Have you been well?”

“What happened? Did you get discharged? No, don’t stay there, come into the room quickly.”

Han Soo-jin hurriedly tidied up the room and welcomed Hyun-sung.

“Please sit down. I’ll get you some tea.”

“What tea…”

Han Soo-jin insisted, so he sat down.

Then, Hyun-sung immediately gave a deep bow. Hyun-sung always thought that there was a clear difference in mindset between just saying hello and giving a deep bow.

“Did something happen?”

The moment he first saw Han Soo-jin a little while ago, he sensed a shadow in her appearance. She was smiling on the outside, but there was something dark about her. That’s why he asked that question.

As expected, Han Soo-jin hesitated for a moment and then opened her mouth with difficulty.

“That’s…”

“What’s wrong?”

“Because of Min-seok.”

“Min-seok hyung [older brother]? Why, what’s wrong with hyung?”

“It’s not that something’s wrong, it’s just that…”

Han Soo-jin began to explain what was going on. Han Soo-jin’s concern was that she had to move. The reason was that Park Min-seok had been assigned to Samcheok, so she would have to move there.

When Han Soo-jin finished explaining, Hyun-sung immediately said.

“You can just go. What’s the problem?”

“It’s because of you.”

“Yes? Because of me?”

“Yes, if I move, you still have to go to school for three more years, and of course, you’ll be fine even without me, but the problem is that I won’t feel comfortable. As you know, I…”

“Mother!”

Hyun-sung cut off Han Soo-jin’s words and called her.

Then, Han Soo-jin stared at Hyun-sung and asked.

“Huh? Uh. Why?”

“That’s great.”

“Huh? Great? What do you mean?”

“Actually, I came to say goodbye to you for the last time today.”

“Last? What do you mean by last…?”

“Actually…”

Hyun-sung began to explain that he was going to quit school and why he had made that decision. As Hyun-sung’s explanation continued, Han Soo-jin’s expression gradually brightened, unlike at first. And finally, when Hyun-sung’s explanation was over, Han Soo-jin immediately asked.

“Is that true?”

“Yes, so you can move with peace of mind. That’s why I said it was great a little while ago.”

“You’re not lying, are you? You’re not trying to make me feel better, are you?”

“Have I ever lied to you, Mother? And why would I lie about something like this? And a little while ago, I just said I was going to run a restaurant, but actually, it’s quite big.”

A little while ago, he had explained that he could no longer go to school simply because he was going to run a restaurant. But when Han Soo-jin still had doubts, Hyun-sung had no choice but to say that the restaurant was large.

Of course, Han Soo-jin couldn’t help but wonder how big it was.

“How big is it? Is it much bigger than the ramen shop?”

“Yes, actually…”

Hyun-sung had no choice but to explain in more detail. As Hyun-sung’s explanation continued, Han Soo-jin’s mouth began to open wider and wider. And finally, when Hyun-sung’s explanation was over, she immediately opened her mouth.

“Seven floors? And each floor is 200 pyeong [approximately 7,200 square feet]…”

“Yes, of course, the basement floors 1 and 2 are parking lots. Do you believe me now?”

“Honestly…”

Han Soo-jin shook her head from side to side. She meant that she couldn’t believe it. Perhaps it was a natural reaction.

But Hyun-sung had no way to explain it any further.

Then Han Soo-jin got up from her seat.

“Where are you going?”

“I can’t honestly believe it… but I don’t think Hyun-sung would lie to me. And I can check it myself later. Wait a minute, it’s the last time, so I have to feed you before you go.”

“No, I…”

Hyun-sung hesitated to say something.

Actually, he had a lunch appointment. He had called President Lee Hak-sung in the morning before leaving home. At that time, Lee Hak-sung had said he would buy him lunch.

But in this situation, he couldn’t possibly stop Han Soo-jin from setting the table because he had a lunch appointment with the president.

Clatter.

Han Soo-jin’s hands became busy in the kitchen. Hyun-sung’s gaze naturally turned to the kitchen. But then, Hyun-sung saw Han Soo-jin scooping rice from the rice cooker and putting more rice in. It was a moment that clearly showed how much Han Soo-jin cared about Hyun-sung.

Hyun-sung quietly got up and went to the phone. Then, he called President Lee Hak-sung, who was waiting for him.

Hyun-sung left Han Soo-jin’s house an hour and a half later.

“Mother, thank you for the meal.”

“If you had contacted me in advance, I would have made some meat…”

Han Soo-jin’s words trailed off as if she was disappointed. Hyun-sung took Han Soo-jin’s hand and continued.

“Mother, I thought the kimchi soup you made was more refreshing and delicious than meat. And as I said before, the restaurant will open around June next year, so please come with Min-seok hyung if you have time.”

“Okay, I’ll talk to Min-seok and make sure to go.”

“Yes, okay. Then I’ll see you next year. Always be healthy…”

The two of them said goodbye for another 10 minutes before parting ways.

In his previous life, Han Soo-jin had lived here for the rest of her life with that resentment because Park Min-seok had died on a graduation trip.

But that would never happen now. Fortunately, Park Min-seok was working in the management department at a cement factory in Samcheok, so the two of them would live happily ever after.

That was the reason why Hyun-sung was able to leave Gangneung in a good mood.

Hyun-sung, who came out of Han Soo-jin’s house, headed straight to school.

Son Min-ho, who used to be his supervising professor, had not yet come down from Seoul, so he had no choice but to say hello over the phone.

The place Hyun-sung arrived at was the president’s office.

Kang Sang University had been promoted from a college to a comprehensive university a year ago, so there was a sign that said president’s office instead of dean’s office.

Knock knock.

When Hyun-sung entered, President Lee Hak-sung greeted him with open arms.

“Hehe, who is this, if it isn’t our hero Hyun-sung!”

“Have you been well? Oh, and congratulations on becoming president!”

“Thank you, anyway, did you apply for reinstatement?”

“I’m sorry, but that’s why I came here. Actually…”

He could have said it over the phone, but he couldn’t. He thought it was right to visit and explain in person, so he came like this.

Hyun-sung began to explain his future plans. As Hyun-sung’s explanation continued, President Lee Hak-sung’s expression began to harden. And when Hyun-sung’s explanation was over, President Lee Hak-sung didn’t say anything.

“…”

After a while.

President Lee Hak-sung slowly opened his mouth.

“You’re going to run a restaurant?”

“Yes, that’s right. I’ve been planning it for a while. I’ve been thinking a lot while I was in the military, but my conclusion is that my school life ends here.”

“Hmm…”

President Lee Hak-sung didn’t say anything for a while, wondering what he was thinking. It was about 5 minutes later that he opened his mouth again.

“Congratulations. I’m honestly a little surprised. But if it’s you, I believe you. I hope you succeed.”

“Thank you.”

“If we’re talking about being thankful, I’m more thankful. You even came all the way here today. You could have done it over the phone. No, if we’re talking about principles, you didn’t even have to come.”

“That’s not true. I can’t do that to the president.”

“So you’re saying thank you.”

President Lee Hak-sung nodded and reached out his hand to Hyun-sung. Then Hyun-sung quickly grabbed his hand. The two of them talked for a long time.

In his previous life, he couldn’t even go near the president. Come to think of it, even though it’s a regressed life, there have been many changes.

Hyun-sung, who came out of the president’s office, headed to the last place he would visit.

The last place Hyun-sung visited was the security office at the school gate.

“Ahjussi [term for older man]!”

“Huh? Who is this!”

“Have you been well?”

“Of course I’ve been well. Anyway, are you going back to school?”

“That’s not it, actually…”

Hyun-sung continued to explain one more time. As Hyun-sung’s explanation lengthened, Lee Kwang-soo’s expression seemed to darken at first, but at some point it began to brighten again. And when Hyun-sung’s words were over, he immediately opened his mouth.

“I’m unconditionally on the student’s side. If the student says so, then that’s it. And the student will do well.”

“Thank you.”

Hyun-sung bowed his head sincerely. Hyun-sung knew very well how difficult it was to believe the other person’s words without asking any questions.

Everyone usually makes all judgments based on their own standards. But Lee Kwang-soo was saying that he would believe him unconditionally without saying a word. That’s why Hyun-sung was more grateful.

Then Lee Kwang-soo took something out of his old wallet. It was a crisp 10,000 won bill folded four times. He seemed to know what it was without saying anything.

“Take this.”

“No, isn’t this ahjussi’s emergency fund? What are you going to do if you give this to me?”

“Emergency funds are originally for times like this. If I say I gave the student pocket money, my wife at home will like it too. So take it quickly.”

“No, how can I… Yes, thank you. I’ll use it well.”

Hyun-sung quickly accepted it with a happy heart because he knew what to do to make Lee Kwang-soo happy.

Then Lee Kwang-soo’s expression brightened even more.

This time, Hyun-sung took something out of his pocket and handed it to Lee Kwang-soo.

“What is this?”

“It’s my contact information. And there’s also an address.”

Three years later, Lee Kwang-soo will no longer be able to work here. It’s because of the age limit. Of course, Lee Kwang-soo doesn’t know that now.

“Come visit me later. It’s not a lie, ahjussi has a lot of work to do, so don’t worry about anything and come. Got it?”

“… Is that true?”

Lee Kwang-soo hesitated for a moment and then opened his mouth with difficulty.

Hyun-sung took Lee Kwang-soo’s hand and continued.

“Yes, so please work comfortably for the rest of the time. Don’t feel any pressure at all.”

“Huh? Yeah… okay.”

Lee Kwang-soo nodded his head while answering. Hyun-sung left the security office with Lee Kwang-soo behind him. Then Lee Kwang-soo followed him and immediately asked.

“Hey… is that true?”

“Yes, ahjussi.”

Hyun-sung nodded and smiled. Only then did a faint smile begin to appear on Lee Kwang-soo’s face.

That was the last reason Hyun-sung came to Gangneung in person.

“We were born in this land with the historical mission of national revival. Let us revive the brilliant spirit of our ancestors today, establish an attitude of independent independence internally, and… gather the wisdom of the nation and create a new history with persistent effort. That’s all. Father.”

Park Beom-soo recited the National Education Charter from beginning to end without any hesitation. He had memorized it so well that it didn’t even take 2 minutes.

Park Hee-cheol, who saw the sight, nodded and made a satisfied expression. Then he immediately opened his mouth again.

“Now, let’s sing the national anthem from the 1st verse to the 4th verse.”

“Yes, Father. Donghaemul and Baekdusan~~~.”

Park Beom-soo began to sing the national anthem in a loud voice this time. As the 2nd verse, 3rd verse, and 4th verse began after the 1st verse, Park Hee-cheol also began to sing along.