Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 602

604

Early the next morning.

“Hehe!”

I was just turning the corner in front of Yoo Seung-il’s book cafe during my morning exercise.

“Mr. Kim!”

Yoo Seung-il blocked Hyun-sung’s path. Knowing that he often waited at this time when he had something to say, Hyun-sung asked as if it was nothing new.

“What brings you here today?”

“Come in for a cup of coffee.”

Hyun-sung knew that coffee was just an excuse. So, he naturally followed Yoo Seung-il into the cafe.

“Hmm, the coffee smells great.”

The environment had changed since he brought in a coffee machine while turning the bookstore into a book cafe.

“I’ve become addicted to the taste of coffee thanks to you, Mr. Kim.”

“Just don’t drink too much.”

“Of course. I only drink three cups a day for my health. Here, have a cup. It’s lightly brewed, so it’s okay to drink on an empty stomach.”

The two sat facing each other and began to drink coffee.

After a while.

Hyun-sung knew that there must be a reason why he was waiting for him at this hour, so he asked Yoo Seung-il directly.

“What made you wait for me today?”

“Hehe, what’s the rush? At least drink your coffee first…”

“I’m just curious. What’s so important that you waited for me so early in the morning?”

“I was waiting because of Soon-cheol.”

“Ah, you mean Lee Soon-cheol, who came to see me yesterday?”

“Yes, you saved him again. So, I was waiting to thank you.”

“You didn’t have to go to such lengths…”

Hyun-sung needed people anyway. If he was stuck at the free sharing shop, he wouldn’t be able to handle other tasks.

But that was just Hyun-sung’s thought.

Yoo Seung-il didn’t seem to think so, as he continued to speak.

“It’s not. Introducing people is usually a difficult task. Although I didn’t call you directly, I was very worried when I sent Soon-cheol to you.”

Yoo Seung-il continued.

“As you already know, he was the one who tried to stop me from calling you.”

“Yes, I heard about that.”

“That’s the kind of friend he is. Even though he’s desperate, he didn’t want to burden me. It’s not easy to do that.”

Yoo Seung-il was right. Usually, when people are desperate, they can’t think of others’ situations. Yet, Lee Soon-cheol had prevented Yoo Seung-il from calling Hyun-sung directly.

He didn’t want to burden Yoo Seung-il.

“At first, I thought it was strange, but soon I realized that it was Lee Soon-cheol’s true nature. So, I became more interested in him.”

That was true.

At first, he only thought it was odd. He was introduced to someone, but the person who introduced him didn’t receive any contact.

But that was why he liked him even more. It wasn’t a typical situation.

Of course, the decisive reason for hiring him was different.

It was because of his character.

His concern for his family and his desperation to get a job, even if it meant going to Gangwon-do, moved his heart.

And the decisive factor was his last action.

Seeing him thinking of the elderly grandmother and carrying her luggage without being asked, he made his final decision.

“Anyway, you saved him. So, I was waiting at this hour to thank you.”

“Although we were only together for half a day, I could tell he was genuine.”

“Of course. Would I have sent him to you if he wasn’t that kind of person?”

“Anyway, I needed someone, and thanks to you, I met a good person. I should be the one thanking you.”

That was also true.

Hyun-sung couldn’t be tied to one place forever. Besides the video store, he had to rush to the Gangwon-do restaurant if something urgent happened.

“Hehe, I feel good that you say that. I always feel that you have a talent for making people feel good, even with just a few words.”

“A talent?”

“Yes, it’s not something you can achieve by trying. Anyway, even though I’m old, I’m learning a lot from you.”

“Haha, you’re too kind. By the way, how are the sales these days?”

Yoo Seung-il’s eyes sparkled at the mention of sales. He immediately opened his mouth.

“You were exactly right.”

“What do you mean?”

“I feel sorry for others [referring to those struggling during the economic crisis], but we’re doing great. We’re making an average of one million won these days. As you said, the sales from the cafe are no joke since we switched to a book cafe. Especially during lunch and dinner, we’re busy making ramen. My wife even comes out to help cook ramen.”

It was a special situation due to the IMF crisis [International Monetary Fund crisis, a severe economic downturn in South Korea in the late 1990s]. People who used to go to work suddenly couldn’t, so they temporarily flocked to comic book stores and book cafes.

Moreover, they could get a cheaper meal than at a regular restaurant, so they naturally gathered there.

“Just in case, I’ll say it again, don’t be greedy just because there are many customers.”

“Don’t worry, I’ve already lowered the rental fee and the price of ramen as you said.”

“Yes, you did well. Why else would those people come to see comics? It would be a sin to take advantage of them in this situation. Of course, you wouldn’t do that, but some stores are doing that now, which is pathetic.”

Space was limited, and people were gathering, so some comic book stores were doing that.

That shouldn’t be the case. No matter how much of a business it is, raising prices on those people in this situation was unacceptable.

“No, which guys are doing that?”

“That’s what I’m saying. But the clear thing is that there are definitely such people.”

“Those who will be punished by heaven!”

“So, let’s not do that, at least. Of course, that won’t happen…”

“As I said a little while ago, don’t worry. I won’t fill my greed at the expense of those in need.”

“Yes, I understand. Then, I’ll be on my way…”

Hyun-sung was about to leave the store after saying that, but he couldn’t because Yoo Seung-il called him again.

“Wait a minute!”

“Yes? Is there anything else you want to say…?”

“Take this with you.”

Yoo Seung-il handed a small box to Hyun-sung.

“What is this?”

“My wife went to the market and bought it for you. Open it.”

Thud.

Hyun-sung immediately opened the box. Inside the box was a black hat.

“Isn’t this a hat?”

“My wife said you’d be cold exercising every morning, so she got you one…”

“I was already having a warm winter thanks to the gloves you gave me last time, and now you’re giving me a hat… Anyway, please thank your wife for me.”

“Don’t say that. My wife thinks of you as her savior.”

“That’s a bit too much…”

“No, it’s not an empty compliment, isn’t it true? You cured me of cancer and made my business successful, so you are our savior.”

“No, why are you even saying that?”

“Okay, let’s stop talking about that here, or it will never end, and continue your exercise.”

Yoo Seung-il lightly patted Hyun-sung’s shoulder after saying that. It was his way of expressing gratitude.

Smirk.

Hyun-sung smiled without realizing it as he left Yoo Seung-il’s store.

In his past life, he was practically an enemy. But now, he was drinking coffee with him early in the morning and even received a gift from his wife. Moreover, he even hired the person he introduced as an employee.

The change was too great. So, he smiled without realizing it.

***

Hyun-sung was just passing Lee Se-yi’s bakery after leaving Yoo Seung-il’s book cafe.

“사장님 [Sajangnim – a Korean term of address for a business owner or boss]!”

This time, Lee Se-yi, the owner of the bakery, greeted Hyun-sung as if she had been waiting for him.

Then, Hyun-sung also greeted her happily.

“Good morning!”

“I’m cold, though?”

“Haha, is that so? By the way, were you waiting for me?”

“Yes, I was. I have something to give you. Wait a moment.”

Lee Se-yi disappeared into the bakery after saying that.

After a while.

“This is it.”

She came out of the bakery with her hands full of bread.

“What’s with all the bread?”

“It’s donation bread.”

“Donation bread? So, you’re going to donate this bread now?”

“Yes, that’s right. It’s freshly baked bread. From now on, I’m going to give the first bread I donate to you first and then start my business.”

It was hard for Hyun-sung to understand.

Of course, Lee Se-yi had brought bread yesterday as well. But yesterday, she said that the bread she brought was not made that day but left over from the previous day.

But that didn’t mean there was anything wrong with the bread. After all, it was perfectly fine to eat the next day.

There was nothing wrong with it.

But today?

She was saying that she would donate the bread made today. Even the bread that was just baked this morning.

That meant that there was a change in her heart.

Hyun-sung asked out of curiosity.

“Is there any reason? Why are you going to put out the bread that was baked first thing in the morning, instead of the bread that was left over?”

“I can’t do it with a clear conscience.”

“With a clear conscience?”

“Yes, actually, after donating the bread from the previous day yesterday, I felt bad all day. I wondered why I was being so greedy.”

“But there’s nothing wrong with that bread, is there? It’s not like the bread is spoiled just because it’s a day old.”

“That’s true, but I still didn’t feel comfortable. I felt like something was stuck in my chest all day.”

Lee Se-yi continued, hitting her chest. It seemed that she was very uncomfortable with the fact that she had donated the bread from the previous day.

She continued.

“I think I was too greedy again.”

“Well, I don’t think that’s the case.”

“No, when I think about it, I forgot what you told me at first. I don’t know if you remember, but you said you wanted to create a world where we live together, right?”

Of course, he remembered. He had said that when he first helped her. He said that he wanted to live together with his neighbors while he was living.

“Yes, of course, I said that, but…”

“But I had forgotten. Thanks to you, I’m holding up well even though a famous chain store has moved in. Sales are also steadily good. But I realized once again that people’s greed is endless.”

Lee Se-yi took a moment to catch her breath and then continued.

“When I first received help from you, I made a decision.”

“What…?”

“That’s because I’ve had a hard life so far, so I decided to live with my neighbors in need as soon as I got a little better. But as soon as I got a little better, I became greedy again. So, even though you opened a free sharing shop, I brought the bread that was left over from the previous day.”

“……”

“Does that make sense? It hasn’t even been a month since I made that decision myself.”

“……”

Hyun-sung didn’t have anything special to say because of her serious expression.

“That shouldn’t have happened. I now know that donating leftover bread is my greed. So, I prepared the first bread that came out today. But it’s nothing compared to what you’re doing.”

It’s not easy for a person to change overnight. That would be the same for Lee Se-yi. If her thoughts had changed this much, there must have been a reason.

After thinking for a moment, Hyun-sung carefully opened his mouth.

“Did something happen in the last day…?”

“That’s…”

Lee Se-yi didn’t continue right away for some reason. Then Hyun-sung continued.

“If you feel uncomfortable talking about it, you don’t have to.”

“It’s not that… It’s actually because of you.”

“Yes? Me? I didn’t say anything.”

Hyun-sung was taken aback. He hadn’t said anything when Lee Se-yi brought the bread yesterday. He just gladly received the bread.

“That’s right. You didn’t say anything yesterday. Instead, you received the bread so happily. I clearly told you that it was the bread that was left over from yesterday, but you did.”

“Well, there’s nothing wrong with the bread, so I naturally received it happily. And I was so grateful that you were participating in that way.”

“That’s exactly it.”

“That?”

Hyun-sung looked at Lee Se-yi head-on because he didn’t quite understand what she was saying. Then, Lee Se-yi turned her head slightly as if she was a little embarrassed and continued.

“I saw your eyes at that time.”

“Yes? Eyes? Why suddenly eyes?”

Hyun-sung couldn’t help but tilt his head. He couldn’t understand the meaning of the word ‘eyes’ that Lee Se-yi was talking about now.

At that moment.

Smile.

Suddenly, Lee Se-yi smiled. Then, Hyun-sung, who saw her appearance, couldn’t help but ask.

“What does that smile mean?”