Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 143

143

It was just as Hyeonseong arrived at the store.

Someone was lingering in front.

It was Lee Woo-jin, the previous owner’s son, whom he’d met before.

“What are you doing here?”

“Oh, hyung [older brother or male friend]. You just getting here?”

“Yeah, but what have you been doing since this morning?”

“Just…”

Lee Woo-jin’s voice wavered.

Hyeonseong pressed him.

“Is something wrong?”

“It’s just, Mom…”

Hyeonseong was slightly taken aback by the word ‘Mom,’ knowing Lee Woo-jin’s mother had passed away years ago.

Seeing Hyeonseong’s hesitation, Lee Woo-jin continued, as if reading his mind.

“Hyung, don’t get the wrong idea. It’s my birthday today. I was just thinking about my mom, so I came to the store where she used to work, that’s all.”

“Today is your birthday?”

“Yeah, it’s on Armed Forces Day. Mom always told me to grow up strong every birthday.”

“That makes sense. Explains why you’re so strong, Woo-jin.”

Hyeonseong ruffled Lee Woo-jin’s hair. Lee Woo-jin looked up at Hyeonseong.

“I’m glad you’re here, hyung. At least I can talk to you like this.”

“Really? Then I’m glad too. Hey, did you have seaweed soup [traditional Korean birthday soup]?”

“Yeah, my grandma made it this morning.”

“That’s good. How about this hyung buys you jajangmyeon [black bean noodles] for lunch?”

“Really?”

Lee Woo-jin’s eyes lit up at the mention of jajangmyeon, but only for a moment. His expression darkened.

“No, I can’t.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Grandma told me not to accept food from strangers.”

Hyeonseong nodded.

He understood. His grandmother, raising him alone after the loss of his parents, was naturally strict.

Hyeonseong tried again.

“Then, what if I get permission from your grandma?”

“Would you really do that for me?”

“It’s your birthday, Woo-jin. I can do at least that much.”

“Wow! You’re the best, hyung!”

Lee Woo-jin gave him a thumbs-up, cheering.

Hyeonseong felt a pang of pity looking at him.

As soon as Lee Woo-jin headed home, Hyeonseong finally unlocked the store and went inside.

Click.

Flipping the power switch, the store was brighter than ever.

“Should I start cleaning first?”

He was about to grab a broom when someone walked in.

“You gonna clean?”

“Oh? Kim Il-soo, what brings you here so early?”

“What do you mean, what brings me here? I heard the delivery’s coming today. Of course, I have to help.”

“You son of a gun, you still have some loyalty.”

“Man, what else do I have besides loyalty? I’m not good at studying, and I’m definitely not handsome like someone else.”

Smirk.

Hyeonseong smiled, looking at Kim Il-soo.

He couldn’t help but laugh at how different Kim Il-soo seemed.

“Hey, you know you’ve changed a lot?”

“If I’m gonna change, I gotta do it right. I hate half-assing things.”

“You son of a gun, I don’t know why you only did bad things like that in the past.”

“Hey, why are you bringing up the old days…”

Kim Il-soo glared playfully.

“Anyway, you look good these days.”

“Do I look like that?”

“Yeah, seeing you now, your eyes are different.”

“Man, it’s all thanks to you.”

Hyeonseong tilted his head, confused.

Kim Il-soo elaborated.

“You gave me a clear goal.”

“You talking about becoming a chef?”

“Yeah, and that changed my whole mindset. I’m even studying hard at home these days. My grandma keeps asking if something’s wrong.”

“Finally, you’ve found the right path. Good job. Keep at it, and you’ll definitely achieve your dream.”

Thump.

Hyeonseong clapped Kim Il-soo on the shoulder.

It was a relief. A goal was the most important thing. Without it, you wander aimlessly.

But with a clear goal, you just need to look in that direction, and you won’t be swayed.

That was Kim Il-soo now.

“Thank you.”

“Man, I should be the one saying that. It makes me feel even better knowing you’re studying so hard. And I’ll say it again, don’t forget to build up your stamina.”

“I’ve already started morning exercises.”

“Good job. You’re living up to your size.”

The two grinned at each other.

Then Kim Il-soo said to Hyeonseong.

“Hey, give me the broom. What’s the boss doing holding this?”

“You son of a gun, don’t tease me. I’ll do the hall; you go clean the kitchen.”

“Hehe, should I?”

Kim Il-soo, already heading into the kitchen, asked,

“How clean is the kitchen?”

“Probably clean since Jung-woo’s mother used it until yesterday. Just dust it. The Ssin ramen [spicy Korean ramen] is coming this afternoon, so we have to test it.”

“Test?”

Kim Il-soo looked puzzled.

“I’m going to test how many minutes it takes to boil it in a pot to make it the most delicious.”

“Hey, even if you boil ramen roughly, it’ll taste the same. Why test it?”

“Man, it’s a ramen restaurant; you can’t say that. Finding the exact time to get the best noodles is basic. We’re selling it for money, so it has to be worth it, right?”

“I guess that makes sense. Well, we’re selling it for money, so…”

Kim Il-soo nodded.

Hyeonseong continued.

“Be prepared today.”

“Why me?”

“What did I say a little while ago?”

“You said you’re going to test the ramen.”
Hyeonseong smiled at Kim Il-soo.

“Who are you going to test it on?”

“What? Are you saying… you want me to eat the ramen you tested?”

“It’s food, so we can’t throw it away, can we? Right?”

Hyeonseong smiled, and Kim Il-soo, trying to appear unfazed, answered.

“Okay. Don’t worry about me eating. Can’t I eat that much ramen?”

Kim Il-soo didn’t know yet that the testing wouldn’t end after just one or two tries.

The two started cleaning their respective areas with renewed vigor.

After a while.

Hyeonseong looked at Kim Il-soo.

“Are you done?”

“Yeah, just need to wipe this a little more.”
Hyeonseong waited, and Kim Il-soo finished cleaning the kitchen, emerging into the hall, sweat beading on his forehead.

Hyeonseong commented,

“How did you clean so hard that you’re covered in sweat?”

“I told you, I don’t do anything halfway.”

“You son of a gun, good job. I’m glad to have you working with me.”

“I won’t let you down, so watch.”
Hyeonseong smiled at Kim Il-soo.

When you’re running a business, all sorts of things happen. Having someone you can trust makes all the difference.

That’s why Hyeonseong was smiling.

Hyeonseong took two bottles of cider from the refrigerator, handing one to Kim Il-soo.

“Drink it cold.”

“Good. Should we have a toast?”

“Give me a great toast.”

Hyeonseong held out his cider bottle.

Kim Il-soo raised his bottle.

“To our friendship and the success of this store!”

“Cheers!”

Clink.

The cider bottles made a cheerful sound as they collided.

The two emptied their bottles in one go, smiling at each other.

Hyeonseong spoke first.

“I’m glad you’re here with me.”

“Me too.”

“By the way, did you bring the book?”

“Of course. Can’t a student be without books? I brought a few to study after cleaning.”

“You son of a gun, you’re a complete model student now.”

“Hehe, it’s amazing even to me.”

Kim Il-soo smiled, pulling a reference book from his bag and placing it on the table. Hyeonseong asked,

“I haven’t seen that book before. It looks old; I don’t think you bought it. Where did you get it?”

“Oh, a neighborhood hyung gave it to me a few days ago. I needed it to study at home.”

“Wow! Our Il-soo has really changed. He even gets books.”

“Hehe, that hyung said the same thing. What’s wrong?”

The two laughed, looking at the reference book.

Just then.

Bang.

The door shook violently.

“Hey, what’s wrong?”

“Hye, hyung…”

It was Lee Woo-jin, the previous owner’s son.

His face was covered in sweat, and he was breathless.

Hyeonseong quickly poured water into a cup and handed it to Lee Woo-jin.

“Woo-jin, drink this first and talk slowly.”

Gulp.

Lee Woo-jin took a sip of water and blurted out,

“Ha, Grandma, Grandma is acting weird.”

“Grandma? How?”

“I don’t know. Quickly, hyung…”

Lee Woo-jin, pale, grabbed Hyeonseong’s hand and shook it.

Hyeonseong looked at Lee Woo-jin and shouted,

“Lead the way!”

As soon as Hyeonseong spoke, Lee Woo-jin ran.

Thump, thump.

Hyeonseong ran out of the store, judging that something must have happened to Lee Woo-jin’s grandmother.

Fortunately, Lee Woo-jin’s house was only five minutes away.

“It’s here, hyung.”

Lee Woo-jin pointed to a house, his voice urgent.

Hyeonseong ran inside.

Fortunately, Kim Soon-deok’s consciousness was normal.

Hyeonseong realized Lee Woo-jin had overreacted in his surprise.

Kim Soon-deok looked at Hyeonseong and asked weakly,

“Excuse me… who are you?”

“Ah, yes. I’m Kim Hyeonseong, the student opening a ramen restaurant in this alley. Woo-jin said his grandmother was very ill, so I rushed over.”

“Ah, you’re that student. I’ve heard a lot about you from Woo-jin.”

“But are you okay now?”

“I just ate breakfast…”

Hyeonseong quickly took Kim Soon-deok’s hand.

It was cold.

Hyeonseong realized she had indigestion. His past life experience helped.

There are several symptoms of indigestion.

Usually, the area around the solar plexus is blocked, the hands and feet become cold, and the stomach is stuffy, with burping and nausea.

In severe cases, symptoms like abdominal pain, headache, dizziness, and nausea may occur.

Fortunately, Kim Soon-deok’s symptoms didn’t seem severe.

Hyeonseong began pricking Kim Soon-deok’s fingertips with a needle.

It was a method his father always used when Hyeonseong had indigestion. It usually helped his stomach feel better.

Dark red blood flowed out.

After a while, Kim Soon-deok’s hands started to warm up, and her complexion improved.

Hyeonseong looked at Kim Soon-deok.

“Grandma, how are you now?”

“Oh, I feel like I can live now. Thank you, student.”

“It’s nothing, but I’m glad it’s just this…”

As Kim Soon-deok improved, Lee Woo-jin seemed to regain his composure.

The pale, frightened expression was gone. Hyeonseong held out his hand.

“Woo-jin, come here.”