Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 477

Minjung Korean Medicine Clinic, located at the Kyungdong Market intersection.

“Hoo!”

Kim Min-jung, a gray-haired Korean medicine doctor, took a deep breath. In front of him lay a daily newspaper he had just finished reading.

Just then,

Knock knock.

Han Seok-ho, the clinic’s manager, entered the director’s office.

“Did you call for me, Director?”

“Yes, please have a seat.”

As Han Seok-ho settled into the chair, Kim Min-jung handed him a cup of coffee, as if he had been anticipating this moment.

Han Seok-ho took a sip of the coffee and immediately complimented, “The coffee you make is truly the best, Director.”

“Haha, you’re saying all sorts of nice things.”

“No, I’m serious. No matter where I go, nothing beats the coffee you make.”

Han Seok-ho continued, his expression earnest, as if he wasn’t joking.

Kim Min-jung smiled slightly, acknowledging the compliment with a nod. “Alright, alright. You don’t have to look so serious. By the way, when does the lease on this building expire?”

“It’s in September, so there are only five months left. Why do you ask?”

“Oh, just wondering.”

“Just wondering…?”

Han Seok-ho tilted his head, puzzled.

This is the 20th year they’ve been running the clinic here. In those 20 years, Kim Min-jung had never shown any interest in the building’s lease.

So, it was only natural for Han Seok-ho to find it strange that he was being called in specifically to be asked about the lease term.

Just then, Kim Min-jung called out to Han Seok-ho in a low voice. “Manager!”

“Yes, Director.”

“How many years have we been rooted here?”

“This is our 20th year. But why all of a sudden…?”

“No, just wondering…”

Han Seok-ho tilted his head again. A moment ago, he had asked about the lease expiration date, and now he was asking how many years they had been here. It was very different from his usual self.

Of course, it’s hard to know someone 100%. But after spending a certain amount of time with someone, you can usually sense their feelings when they say certain things, especially after 20 years.

That’s the case with Kim Min-jung right now.

Doing something he’s never done in 20 years?

And twice in a row.

‘What’s going on…?’

After a moment of contemplation, Han Seok-ho looked at Kim Min-jung and asked directly, “Director, please tell me what’s going on.”

“Oh? Did you notice?”

“How could I not? I’ve been with you for so long…”

“Haha, is that so?” Kim Min-jung smiled lightly, as if it were nothing, and continued, “I’ll be sixty next year.”

“Yes? Ah, yes. I know that.”

Of course, he knew. But he couldn’t help but be momentarily surprised by the sudden mention of his age.

But only for a moment. Han Seok-ho quickly regained his composure and looked at Kim Min-jung, signaling him to continue.

After a moment of silence, Kim Min-jung cautiously began, “So, about that… I actually have a concern.”

“A concern? About what…?”

“Whether or not to renew the lease.”

“Yes?”

Han Seok-ho couldn’t help but raise his voice when he heard Kim Min-jung’s words. He was naturally curious about what kind of concern he had, but he never imagined that such words would come out of his mouth.

Han Seok-ho immediately asked, “Are you saying you’re considering not renewing? I didn’t hear you wrong, did I?”

“Actually, it’s been on my mind for a while.”

“Yes? Is that true?”

“Yes, it is. I’m sorry to say this, but I’ve been worrying about it alone for a year. But don’t misunderstand, it’s not because I’m ignoring you.”

“…”

Han Seok-ho was speechless.

It was something he had no idea about. They had been together for 20 years, but there had never been a day like this.

‘Was that why?’

Perhaps because he was so surprised, he couldn’t say anything.

A moment later.

When Han Seok-ho remained silent, Kim Min-jung straightened his posture and called out his name. “Seok-ho!”

“Yes? Ah, yes.”

Han Seok-ho was momentarily flustered by the sudden use of his first name, but he quickly regained his composure. It was rare for Kim Min-jung to call him by his first name.

He would only occasionally call him by his first name, usually when he was somewhat drunk or when he was sharing his honest feelings.

But he had never called him by his first name in a situation like this. So, it was only natural that he was surprised.

Kim Min-jung asked again, “Are you upset?”

“Yes? Ah, no. I’m not upset, I’m just surprised. And on the other hand, I feel sorry.”

“Sorry? Why?”

“I feel like I haven’t fulfilled my duty because I didn’t know you were so worried.”

“No, that’s not it. Don’t think like that. I’ll feel really bad if you say that. I just had something going on this time. Actually…”

Kim Min-jung began to explain why he had been so worried. As his explanation continued, Han Seok-ho listened quietly.

After some time, Kim Min-jung’s explanation came to an end, and Han Seok-ho was silent, as if he was contemplating something.

About a minute after he finished speaking, Han Seok-ho opened his mouth again. “Are you saying you’re thinking of retiring?”

“Yes, Manager.”

Kim Min-jung had already switched back to using honorifics.

Looking at him, Han Seok-ho asked again, “But you’ve changed your mind?”

“Yes, I was going to retire, but I changed my mind today. Well, I haven’t completely changed my mind yet, I’ve decided to think about it some more.”

“Then something happened to you today, Director?”

He said he had been worrying about it for a year, but he changed his mind today. That means something special must have happened to him today.

He didn’t know what that was, though.

As expected, Kim Min-jung nodded and continued, “Yes, that’s right.”

“Would you mind telling me what that is?”

“Of course. That’s why I asked you to come.”

With those words, Kim Min-jung handed Han Seok-ho the newspaper and said, “Would you take a look at this?”

“What is this?”

“Just take a look.”

What Kim Min-jung handed him was the back page of the newspaper, which was entirely filled with advertisements.

-We are looking for a doctor to join us!

That was the advertisement at the top of the page. Han Seok-ho began to read the advertisement.

After a while,

“Are you perhaps thinking of this place?” Han Seok-ho put down the newspaper he was reading and asked.

Kim Min-jung shook his head. “Not yet.”

“When you say ‘not yet,’ does that mean there’s a possibility?”

“Yes, that’s right. I was thinking of retiring, but I changed my mind after seeing that advertisement today. I thought maybe living in the countryside for the last time wouldn’t be so bad. To be honest, Seoul is getting a bit too much for me now.”

‘Too much?’

Han Seok-ho pondered for a moment about what Kim Min-jung meant by ‘too much.’

‘Too much’ probably meant overwhelming.

He was forty years old when he first opened the clinic here. And now he’ll be sixty next year.

He’s been running non-stop for 20 years.

Due to the regional characteristics of Kyungdong Market, there are about 100 Korean medicine clinics within a 1-kilometer radius. Literally, there’s a clinic every 10 meters.

There are even places where there are three clinics in one building.

You have to survive among them.

A day off?

Unthinkable. The only day he rested was when he was hospitalized. Weekends are even busier because customers come up from the provinces.

He’s been running like that for 20 years, so…

As Han Seok-ho pondered silently, Kim Min-jung, who was watching him, spoke first. “To be honest, I’m not confident anymore. And the important thing is…”

Kim Min-jung paused for a moment before continuing. “I don’t want to live in Seoul anymore. To be honest, I don’t want money, and my health isn’t what it used to be. And most of all, I feel sorry for myself when I think that I have to live like this for the rest of my life.”

“…”

“I’m thinking of changing the direction I’ve been living in.”

“So you chose the countryside?”

“Not just that. I’ve become curious.”

“Curious?”

Han Seok-ho tilted his head. He had clearly said just a moment ago that he didn’t like Seoul and was tired of living here. But now he was suddenly saying that he was curious, so Han Seok-ho couldn’t help but tilt his head because he didn’t understand what he meant.

Han Seok-ho asked again out of curiosity. “You said you were curious, but what kind of curiosity are you talking about?”

“That friend.”

“That friend…?”

“The advertiser.”

With those words, Kim Min-jung pointed to the newspaper with his chin.

Han Seok-ho’s gaze naturally turned to the newspaper as well.

-Kim Hyun-sung.

That was the name written at the bottom of the advertisement along with a photo. It was a part he had casually passed over when he looked at it earlier.

“Huh?”

Han Seok-ho couldn’t help but make a sound. It was because of the advertiser’s age.

“Director, did you happen to see this friend’s age?”

“Yes, I saw it. Isn’t it interesting? Isn’t he audacious for a 27-year-old?”

“No, does this make sense?”

Han Seok-ho was utterly dumbfounded. Of course, you can’t judge the world by age, but there is still some common sense.

But this was destroying that common sense itself.

Kim Min-jung continued. “What do you think? Aren’t you curious too, Manager?”

“I’m so dumbfounded that I can’t even speak. How is this possible at this age? He’s going to attract eight hospitals, not just one. And he’s going to provide them free of charge for five years and guarantee a certain profit. Does that make sense?”

“That’s what I’m saying. But it can’t be a lie, can it?”

“Of course not. I’m really dumbfounded and speechless. How can something like this happen?”

Han Seok-ho couldn’t understand the situation no matter how hard he thought about it.

At first, he thought that some benefactor had donated a building for the village after seeing the advertisement. But when he found out that the main character was a 27-year-old young man, he was just dumbfounded.

Kim Min-jung continued. “Don’t you want to check it out yourself?”

“Check it out?”

“Yes, we have some experience living in the world, so we can’t just believe the advertisement, can we?”

“Are you saying…?”

“Yes, I’m thinking of going down there myself. I can’t stand not knowing what kind of friend this is. I’m thinking of going and seeing it with my own eyes before making a decision. Besides, he said it’s free for five years, and he’ll guarantee the profits.”

A smile was spreading across Kim Min-jung’s face as he spoke. That meant his heart was already set on it.

Han Seok-ho, who was watching him, asked, “Are you that happy?”

“Of course I’m happy. I even think this is fate.”

“Did you just say fate?”

“Yes, I think so. I think it might be a turning point in my last chapter of life. It’s an opportunity that came at the most difficult moment.”

Kim Min-jung immediately continued, “I won’t force you.”

“Yes? What do you mean?”

“You’ve suffered because of me for 20 years, and I can’t hold you back any longer…”

“Director!” Han Seok-ho called out to him in a loud voice before Kim Min-jung could finish speaking. Then he immediately continued, “I’m really disappointed.”

“Yes? Disappointed?”

“Yes, we’ve been together for 20 years. But now you’re abandoning me?”

“Abandoning you? Who?”

“You clearly said it a moment ago, that you wouldn’t hold me back any longer. Isn’t that abandoning me?”

Disappointment was evident in Han Seok-ho’s expression.

Kim Min-jung immediately opened his mouth. “Haha, I think there was some misunderstanding. I was just saying that because I felt sorry for you. How could I dare to…?”

“Is that true?”

“Yes? What?”

“You’re not abandoning me?”

“Of course not. We’ve been together in this industry for so long, how could I do that?”

“Then that’s good. I was worried that you might…”

Han Seok-ho couldn’t say any more. It was because Kim Min-jung was looking at him and smiling.

“Director, what’s with that smile?”

“I’m happy. I was worried that you might not want to go down to the countryside. But after confirming that that’s not the case, I couldn’t help but smile. Well, then let’s go to Seomyung tomorrow!”

“Tomorrow?”

“Yes, I’m going to take a day off for the first time on Sunday. Let’s go see the cherry blossoms for the first time in 20 years tomorrow. Let’s go meet that friend and see what kind of friend he is.”

Perhaps because it was the first day off in 20 years, Kim Min-jung’s expression was brighter than ever.