Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 514

516

Returning and Building Owner

Movie Mind Headquarters.

As Chairman Min Hong-sik entered his office, he looked at Chief Secretary Park Sun-woo and asked,

“I heard there was a call from CEO Yoo in Bupyeong?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“What was it about?”

“Nothing much. Just about the construction schedule…”

Chief Secretary Park Sun-woo began to briefly explain what had happened with Yoo Seung-il. These kinds of things happened occasionally, so there was no need for a lengthy explanation.

When Chief Secretary Park Sun-woo finished his explanation, Chairman Min Hong-sik immediately asked,

“So?”

“I gave him a light warning. And I told him to avoid going to the site if possible. Since all he does is nag when he goes, it just tires out the workers.”

“And then?”

“He got a little angry at first, so I said a few words and he immediately backed down.”

“Good job. We’ll have to deal with him continuously anyway, so if you don’t set the tone right from the start, it’ll be unmanageable later. Always make sure he subconsciously feels that we are in a superior position.”

“Yes, don’t worry about that. Since terminating the contract would result in significant financial losses for him, he’ll have no choice but to endure it, no matter how unpleasant it is.”

A faint smile spread across Chief Secretary Park Sun-woo’s lips as he replied. Chairman Min Hong-sik, watching him, wore a similar expression.

Chairman Min Hong-sik continued,

“As I always say, don’t forget to keep it moderate. And remember that going too far can backfire.”

“Yes, I understand. I’m always mindful of maintaining that balance. I was planning to go down tomorrow afternoon to have a meal with CEO Yoo and appease him. And while I’m there, I’ll take a quick look at that kid’s store.”

“Ah! Come to think of it, that kid said tomorrow is the opening, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. He’s just an amateur, so it probably won’t be anything special, but still…”

“Wait a minute!”

Chairman Min Hong-sik quickly raised his hand, cutting off Chief Secretary Park Sun-woo’s words. Then, after pausing for a moment as if in thought, he immediately opened his mouth.

“Let’s go together.”

“Yes? You mean you too, Chairman?”

“Honestly, I’m curious. I want to see the face of the guy who’s so fearless that he’s asking for 300 hits.”

“But do you really need to go, Chairman?”

Chief Secretary Park Sun-woo tilted his head and asked. He thought it was enough for him to go alone since the guy was just an amateur.

Then, Chairman Min Hong-sik shook his head from side to side and continued,

“No, I want to see it with my own eyes. I want to see what kind of guy dares to start a fight with our Movie Mind.”

“Hmm… Yes, I understand. Then I’ll drive you in my car tomorrow.”

“Alright, I understand. Well then, shall we call it a day and head home to prepare for tomorrow?”

“Yes, Chairman.”

The two quietly disappeared from the office like that. Unaware of what might happen tomorrow.

***

“Alright, everyone gather around.”

As soon as Hyun-sung entered the store, he called the employees to the counter.

When the five employees gathered around the counter, Hyun-sung took something out of his bag and placed it on the table.

Lee Myung-hoon, after checking the object, suddenly shouted,

“Boss! This is?”

What was placed on the table was none other than a cell phone.

“Yes, as you can see, it’s a cell phone. I just got it activated and brought it here. I thought it would be necessary to have it to do business properly from tomorrow, so I prepared it.”

It wouldn’t be necessary if they were only inside the store, but since four employees would be outside doing deliveries and pickups, it was necessary to be able to contact them at any time, so he had prepared it.

Lee Myung-hoon continued,

“Wow, this is the StarTAC that Motorola first released last year, right? I saw it on the news a few days ago. They said that if you have this, you can automatically get hooked up at nightclubs?”

That was true. It was such a rare item at the time that such things were said on the news.

This time, Yoo Young-seok, who was next to Lee Myung-hoon, pointed at the cell phone with his hand and asked,

“Boss, are we really going to use this?”

“Yes, I prepared it because you’ll need to contact each other frequently when you’re out delivering and picking up. Here, Myung-hoon, you take it first.”

Hyun-sung began to hand out the cell phones one by one.

A little later.

“Boss, are we only allowed to use this for business purposes?”

Lee Myung-hoon cautiously asked, watching Hyun-sung’s expression.

Then, Hyun-sung smiled and continued his answer.

“That’s not true. I’m giving it to you as an opening gift. So feel free to use it for business as well as personal use. Of course, I’ll pay the bill, so don’t worry.”

“Wow! Our boss is the best.”

“Thank you, Boss.”

“I’ll deliver even more diligently in the future.”

“Me too.”

“I’ll really work hard.”

As soon as Hyun-sung finished speaking, all five employees bowed their heads and continued to speak. Their expressions were so excited that they didn’t know what to do.

That’s how precious cell phones were in that era.

A little later.

After exchanging numbers with each other, they scattered in all directions as if they had made a promise and began to make phone calls somewhere.

They seemed to be making their first calls to family or friends, excited by the novelty.

It was then.

Ring!

Hyun-sung’s cell phone suddenly rang.

“Hello.”

-Boss, this is Young-seok.

The person who called was Yoo Young-seok, one of the employees who had received a cell phone a little while ago.

Everyone else was talking to their families or friends, but he was calling Hyun-sung, the boss. Come to think of it, he wasn’t visible inside the store, unlike the other employees. He seemed to have gone outside the store.

“Oh? Yes, Young-seok.”

Hyun-sung was momentarily puzzled. He had been with him until just a moment ago, so it was natural to think it was strange that he was suddenly calling.

But then, he heard something unexpected over the receiver.

-I wanted to thank you, Boss, so I called you first.

“Oh? Oh, okay. But what’s wrong? Why are you suddenly saying that…”

-No, it’s just that I wanted to say it at least once, but I was too embarrassed to say it directly. But today, as soon as I received the cell phone, I mustered up the courage to do so.

“Geez, I don’t know what’s going on. I was surprised, thinking something might be wrong. By the way, what are you suddenly thanking me for?”

He had asked because he couldn’t think of anything he had done to deserve such words from him.

Yoo Young-seok’s reply followed.

-For not asking that day.

“Huh? That day? What are you talking about?”

-During the first interview. When I said I had circumstances, you didn’t ask any further about my family situation, did you? I really didn’t want to tell anyone about it at that time because I was ashamed of my family.”

It was during the first interview. It was basic, so he had asked about his family situation, but Yoo Young-seok’s answer was that he couldn’t say due to circumstances.

So he had said he understood and moved on.

Of course, he was curious, but he thought there must be a reason why the person himself was saying that, so he didn’t ask any further.

Yoo Young-seok was talking about that now.

Then, strange words came out of Yoo Young-seok’s mouth again.

-I think I can tell you now. Actually, my parents are divorced. Three months ago.

“…….”

-So I left home as soon as I graduated from high school.

“Left home?”

-Yes, so I’m living on my own now.

“Living on your own? Where?”

-Behind Buga Elementary School in Buga-dong….

Hyun-sung, listening to Yoo Young-seok’s explanation, had one question. Only ten days ago, he had refused to talk about his family, let alone anything else.

But suddenly, he was talking about himself without being asked, which was a little hard to understand.

After thinking for a moment, Hyun-sung called out to Yoo Young-seok.

“Young-seok.”

-Yes, Boss.

“Let’s confirm one thing first. What’s the reason for the change of heart? You were only ten days ago….”

As Hyun-sung’s question continued, Yoo Young-seok nodded as if he had expected it. Then, as soon as Hyun-sung’s question ended, he immediately opened his mouth.

-The reason for the change of heart is simple. It’s because of you, Boss.

“Me? Why me?”

-Because I have faith in you.

“Did you just say faith?”

-Yes, actually, I didn’t trust you either at first, Boss. I just applied because I needed a job right away. But after about ten days….

Yoo Young-seok’s words became longer as if he had made up his mind.

Although the words were long, what he ultimately wanted to say was one thing. That he had developed faith in Hyun-sung after about ten days, and that since he didn’t have an older brother, he now thought of him as a big brother. So, he was taking the opportunity to say what he wanted to say today when he received the cell phone.

When Yoo Young-seok finished speaking, Hyun-sung asked again.

“Did you just say I was like a big brother to you?”

-Yes, actually, I’m an only child without any siblings, so I’ve always envied people who have older brothers or sisters. But when I saw what you were doing for me, Boss, I thought that.”

“Hmm….”

Hyun-sung, who was only thinking about himself, called out to Yoo Young-seok again.

“Young-seok.”

-Yes, Boss.

“Can we talk a little more after work today?”

He hesitated for a moment, but it didn’t seem like something that could be finished over the phone. He was twenty years old now. Moreover, he said he was living alone after leaving home, and it seemed like he needed to hear more of his story, so he asked for a conversation.

-Yes? Today?

“Yes, it doesn’t seem like something to be heard over the phone like this. Since you said you can talk about it now, I’d rather see your face and hear it in person if possible. What do you think? What are your thoughts?”

-That’s….

“Don’t think too hard about it, just speak comfortably like you are now.”

-…….

Yoo Young-seok was silent, as if he was hesitating.

Then, Hyun-sung immediately continued,

“Alright, then later, if your heart….”

-I’ll do it.

“Huh? What did you say?”

-I’ll do it today. I also have something else to tell you separately, Boss.”

“Oh, okay, I understand. Then hang up for now and come in. And let’s talk again later.”

-Yes, Boss.

Clap clap.

Hyun-sung, who had hung up the phone, clapped twice and continued to speak loudly.

“Alright, everyone gather around here!”

When the employees had all gathered, Hyun-sung opened his mouth again.

“Everyone, go home for today, and come out by 8 in the morning tomorrow to hand out rice cakes.”

“Yes, I understand. Is it finally starting?”

“Yes, it’s finally starting. Everyone has worked hard to prepare, and let’s start properly from tomorrow. That’s all!”

Tap tap.

As Hyun-sung tapped the table, Lee Myung-hoon asked again.

“Can we really take this cell phone home with us?”

“Why, don’t you want to?”

“Ah, no, it just doesn’t feel real.”

“From now on, it’s yours, so use it as you please. Alright, let’s go.”

“Yes, Boss. Then I’ll see you in the morning.”

The employees left the store all at once as if they had made a promise. Except for Yoo Young-seok, of course.

30 minutes later.

The two were sitting in an indoor food stall.

Redly seasoned pork was deliciously grilling on a grill over a charcoal fire.

Hyun-sung opened his mouth first.

“Alright, Young-seok, have a drink.”

“Yes, Boss.”

Yoo Young-seok quickly held out his glass with both hands. Then, as Hyun-sung filled the glass, he quickly took the soju [Korean distilled spirit] bottle and began to pour alcohol into Hyun-sung’s glass.

“Let’s drink.”

“Yes.”

Clink!

The cheerful sound of the two glasses clinking in the air echoed in the small space. The two naturally drank alcohol, ate snacks, and had everyday conversations.

About 10 minutes had passed.

Hyun-sung put down his glass and opened his mouth first.

“Alright, then shall we continue the story we were talking about earlier? First of all, I have something to ask. You said you had faith in me earlier, right? Was there any special reason for that?”

He had been curious since they were talking on the phone earlier. But Yoo Young-seok hadn’t said a word about that part, so he asked that first.

Yoo Young-seok nodded and continued.

“Actually, I felt that way on the first day I started working.”

“On the first day?”

“Yes, I don’t know if you remember, Boss, but do you know where you first took us?”

“Of course I remember. We went to a buffet, right?”

There was only one reason. They were going to be like family in the future, so he wanted to feed them well if possible. So, he chose a buffet because he wanted to feed them properly while they were eating.

At that time, buffets were considered the best among restaurants.

Yoo Young-seok asked again.

“What’s the reason?”

“Reason? What reason?”

“I’m talking about the reason why you went to a buffet. Even if we just went to a nearby barbecue restaurant, it would have been an honor for us, but you took us to a buffet, Boss. And that was the Sky Buffet, which is said to be the best in Incheon. I’m asking for that reason.”

He smiled.

Hyun-sung smiled instead of answering. The reason was because of Yoo Young-seok’s unexpectedly serious appearance. It wasn’t a long time, but it was the first time he had seen such an appearance in the past ten days, so he couldn’t answer right away.

As Hyun-sung smiled instead of answering, Yoo Young-seok opened his mouth again.

“Was there a separate reason for that?”

“Is that so important?”

“Yes, it’s important to me. So the reason….”

“I wanted to feed you well. Because you’re people who have to live like a family in the future anyway. That’s all.”

Hyun-sung told the truth honestly before Yoo Young-seok could finish speaking.

Then, after thinking for a moment, Yoo Young-seok stood up from his seat and bowed his head. Then he immediately continued.