Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 543

A few days later.

While Han Mi-sook was picking out groceries at the supermarket, she couldn’t help but eavesdrop on a conversation between the supermarket owner and a customer at the counter. The reason was that what she overheard was completely different from what she knew.

Han Mi-sook moved closer to the counter to hear the conversation more clearly. Soon, she could hear the voices of the two people more distinctly.

“Younghee’s mom, is that true?”

“Yes, it is. At first, I couldn’t believe the rumors, so I deliberately asked Minsu’s dad, who lives on the second floor of our building. You know, he’s the neighborhood representative.”

“So, what did he say?”

“It’s true. He said that ten days ago, the ‘Video Bachelor’ came to the community center and left 50 million won [approximately $40,000 USD] to help needy neighbors.”

“So, the rumor was true after all. But that ‘Video Bachelor’…”

Han Mi-sook stopped listening there and walked away.

‘Video Bachelor?’

There’s only one ‘Video Bachelor’ in this neighborhood. It’s Kim Hyun-sung, who runs Cinema Paradise, which is 100 meters [approximately 330 feet] away from my store, Movie Heart.

But suddenly, what’s with the 50 million won?

According to what she heard, that ‘Video Bachelor’ donated 50 million won to the community center. Of course, that ‘Video Bachelor’ refers to Hyun-sung.

This doesn’t make sense.

Not long ago, she heard directly from her husband that Hyun-sung was running a deficit. He said he heard it directly from a person named Manager Park from the head office.

But suddenly donating 50 million won? This doesn’t make sense.

Running a deficit and making a donation?

This is impossible from a common-sense perspective.

Something is wrong.

Han Mi-sook turned back towards the counter. It was to hear more of the story. Sure enough, she began to hear the voices of the two people again.

“And they say he gave each of his employees 10 million won [approximately $8,000 USD] in salary.”

“Ten million won?”

“Yeah, you know that handsome young man who works there? The one who’s good at making side dishes…”

“Ah, the side dish guy?”

“Yeah, that’s him. That guy came to our snack shop earlier and bragged that the boss gave him 10 million won as a bonus.”

Ugh!

Han Mi-sook quickly covered her mouth with one hand. Otherwise, she felt like she would hiccup from being so surprised.

After a moment.

Han Mi-sook covered her mouth again and perked up her ears. Then she began to listen to the conversation between the two again.

“No, how much does that guy make in a month to give his employees 10 million won each in salary?”

“Don’t be surprised.”

“How much is it?”

“He made over two units in his first month.”

“Two units? If it’s two units, does that mean… 200 million [approximately $160,000 USD]?”

“Yeah, that’s what I heard directly from the side dish guy.”

“Wow! I have no words. 200 million from videos…”

The supermarket owner began to shake her head in disbelief.

It was then.

Han Mi-sook, who couldn’t stand it any longer, went straight to the counter and asked.

“Is what you’re saying true right now?”

“Oh my? I was wondering who it was, but it’s the Movie Heart’s owner?”

“Ah, yes, hello. But is what you said a little while ago true?”

“Yes? About what?”

“About that video store guy making 200 million won.”

“Yes, it’s true. I confirmed it directly with the side dish guy. But why?”

“Yes? Ah, no, it’s nothing…”

Han Mi-sook quickly paid for the bean sprouts she was holding and left the supermarket. She felt like her heart would burst if she talked any longer there.

“Hoo…”

Once outside, Han Mi-sook took a breath first. Perhaps because her already weak heart had been shocked, a pain that was difficult to bear began to creep in.

But even with deep breaths, it was not enough to overcome the pain.

Han Mi-sook had no choice but to take out a small pill bottle from her pocket and quickly put a pill into her mouth.

About a minute passed.

Perhaps because the medicine was working, the pain that had been creeping in a little while ago began to subside little by little. Han Mi-sook couldn’t move from that spot for a long time.

After about five more minutes, she began to take steps toward home.

20 minutes later.

Han Mi-sook, who had returned home, collapsed onto the sofa as if she had fallen. Then, without even realizing it, she fell asleep as if she had fainted.

Once this happened, her physical strength was depleted, and it was a situation she couldn’t control with willpower.

How much time had passed?

The living room was dark, as if it was already dark.

Han Mi-sook seemed to be regaining her senses only then.

Click.

Barely getting up and turning on the light switch, the clock on the wall caught her eye. The clock was already pointing to 12 o’clock.

The time she came home during the day was 6 o’clock. In the end, she had fallen asleep for 6 hours as if she had fainted.

“Hoo…!”

Han Mi-sook took a long breath. Then she rubbed her face with both hands as if she was washing her face with dry hands. But that didn’t mean she could easily get back into shape.

It’s scary every time this happens.

What if I can’t wake up forever like this?

It was then.

Beep!

The cell phone rang.

Han Mi-sook habitually rummaged through her pockets, but there was nothing in her pockets.

Beep!

The cell phone started ringing again. Only then did she realize that the cell phone was on the living room floor.

“Hello.”

-Yeah, it’s me.

The person who called was her husband, Yoo Seung-il.

Come to think of it, she hadn’t called in the evening. She always used to call around 7 o’clock. But today, she was so out of it that she couldn’t call.

Maybe that’s why her husband called.

Her husband’s voice was heard again over the receiver.

-What’s wrong?

“Yes? Ah, no. Nothing’s wrong.”

Han Mi-sook had no choice but to lie. Anyway, if he knew, he would only worry again, and he wouldn’t be able to sleep at night these days.

But that didn’t mean she could do it as she pleased.

-What are you talking about? I called you several times earlier, but you didn’t answer?

“Ah, that’s…”

-Are you okay now?

Han Mi-sook thought, ‘Oops.’ In her haste, she didn’t even think that her husband would have called.

Han Mi-sook had no choice but to make another excuse.

“Yes, I’m fine. I think I was a little tired because I cleaned the house during the day. I fell asleep right after dinner.”

-What’s with cleaning when you’re not feeling well… Okay, it’s okay if you’re okay. I’ll see you after work.”

“Yes, I got it.”

Click.

Han Mi-sook closed her eyes quietly after hanging up the phone.

Fortunately, judging from her husband’s voice, he didn’t seem to know that Hyun-sung had made 200 million in sales yet. That was fortunate.

“What is it?”

Han Mi-sook had one question.

Clearly, not long ago, her husband said that a person named Manager Park from the head office said that Hyun-sung was in the red as a result of the first month’s settlement.

But she found out today that that wasn’t the case.

In the end, it means that a person named Manager Park lied.

Then, the important thing now is whether there was intentionality.

Did the person named Manager Park know and do it on purpose, or did that person really not know and do it?

If he didn’t know, there’s no problem.

But the problem is the opposite case.

If he knew and lied on purpose, it means that there is some intention hidden.

“It can’t be.”

Han Mi-sook shook her head from side to side after thinking for a while. Even if she thought about it briefly, she couldn’t find a reason why a person named Manager Park would intentionally lie.

But the question still remains.

Did he really not know?

Not someone else, but a person who manages thousands of chain stores across the country didn’t know the contents that would spread throughout the neighborhood in ten days?

This also doesn’t make sense.

Then, the first thing to do is to check whether he knew that fact first.

Swish.

Han Mi-sook looked at the clock on the wall. It was just past 12:20.

She hesitated for a moment, but the conclusion was that this was not the case.

No matter how urgent it is, calling the head office after 12 o’clock at night is something that should not be done even if it’s for her husband’s sake.

But the problem is the race against time.

Since the rumors have already started spreading in the neighborhood, it’s only a matter of time before they reach her husband’s ears.

Then, the first thing to do is to check the facts with the head office before her husband finds out. After that, discussing it will minimize the shock to her husband.

The reason for doing this is one.

It’s because of her husband’s blood pressure.

Since his blood pressure is already high and he’s always in an unstable situation, she knows that this is the best way to minimize the shock.

It was then.

Han Mi-sook’s gaze turned to the corner of the sofa. There was a black plastic bag there. It was the bean sprouts she would boil for breakfast tomorrow morning.

“Ouch!”

Han Mi-sook raised her heavy body with the thought that she had to cheer up in times like this. Then she picked up the bean sprouts and headed to the kitchen.

***

The next day.

Yoo Seung-il, who was about to go to work, turned around and looked at his wife, Han Mi-sook, and said.

“Don’t bother cleaning and exerting yourself. I’d rather come early and…”

Yoo Seung-il’s words grew longer.

Then, Han Mi-sook, who was looking at him, nodded as if she knew and continued.

“Okay, I’ll be careful. By the way, haven’t you heard any other stories?”

“Yes? Other stories? What are you talking about?”

“No, it’s nothing. Just in case there are any rumors or anything…”

“Rumors?”

“No, it’s not special, but is there anything going on in the neighborhood…”

“Oh, you’re so naive… What am I, a neighborhood woman? Spreading rumors? Okay, I’m leaving now, so get some sleep. I saw you couldn’t sleep well last night, is there something wrong?”

“No, there’s nothing like that. I’m just a little tired…”

“Okay, then I’m leaving…”

Thump.

As soon as Yoo Seung-il closed the door and left, Han Mi-sook immediately returned to the living room and began to look for something.

After a while.

She was holding a business card in her hand.

It was a business card she received from Manager Park Sun-woo after visiting the Movie Heart headquarters three months ago. At that time, she thought it would be unnecessary, but she never knew she would use it like this again.

Swish.

Han Mi-sook looked at the clock on the wall. It was just past 8:30.

Thud.

She put down the business card she was holding. No matter how urgent it is, she thought it wouldn’t be right to call someone who hasn’t even gone to work yet.

She had no choice but to wait a little longer.

“Hoo…!”

A faint breath escaped from Han Mi-sook’s mouth. It was a sigh of relief. Just in case, she checked with her husband again.

But fortunately, her husband still didn’t know anything. That’s why she unknowingly let out a sigh of relief.

At that time.

“Hoo…!”

Yoo Seung-il, who had left the house, let out a long sigh as soon as he got out of the alley.

Fortunately, his wife didn’t seem to know yet. If she had known, she would have already said something last night.

Yesterday evening, a civil servant working at the community center came to the store to rent a video. Then he suddenly asked.

-The video store seems to be doing well these days?

Naturally, he couldn’t help but ask why he was asking that question out of curiosity. But the civil servant’s answer was absurd itself.

He said that Hyun-sung had recently donated 50 million won to the community center.

At first, he naturally didn’t believe it. No, he couldn’t believe it.

Clearly, he had heard from Manager Park from the head office that he was in the red. It doesn’t make sense to donate when you’re in the red.

So he asked the civil servant again if there was some kind of mistake.

His answer was simple.

-I’m in charge of the welfare department.

At the end of that sentence, there was nothing more to say. The civil servant was the person in charge.

The problem is from now on.

It’s about to become a rumor. The rumor will naturally reach his wife’s ears.

That’s why he has a headache now.

He has to tell his wife himself before she hears the rumor. That’s the best way to protect his wife.

But the strange thing was when he was leaving the house a little while ago.

Suddenly, his wife said something strange.

She was asking if he had heard any rumors.

He asked what rumors, but he couldn’t get any other answers. She just brushed it off with the word ‘just’.

‘Maybe?’

Yoo Seung-il shook his head from side to side after thinking for a while. Even if he thought about it briefly, Yoo Seung-il’s judgment was that she probably wouldn’t know yet, judging from his wife’s expression.

But the problem is that there’s not much time left.

He has to come up with a plan for the future before his wife finds out. After that, he has to inform her of this fact along with the plan so that his wife will receive the least amount of shock.

Headquarters?

I don’t believe it anymore. He came to the conclusion that he couldn’t trust them anymore because of this incident. He can’t tolerate lying about such a thing.

At first, he thought that the head office might not know, but if that were the case, he thought it would be a bigger problem.

He couldn’t understand what he was doing with such information.

“Is it real?”

Yoo Seung-il, who had arrived at the store, suddenly had a question. Of course, he heard the words from the person in charge, but he couldn’t understand the fact that he had donated 50 million won, not just a penny or two.

“Okay, let’s check it ourselves.”

Instead of opening the store, Yoo Seung-il headed to another place. That place was where Hyun-sung’s Cinema Paradise was located.

Since it has come to this, he thought it was right to check it himself.