Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 162

“What do you mean by that ‘one last chance’?”

“I’m talking about the chance to bring those guys to their knees one last time. We can’t do it with thousands [of won], but it’s a different story with hundreds of millions.”

Hyun-sung tilted his head, puzzled.

Park Hee-chul had clearly stated just moments ago that he was going to live his own life from now on. So, Hyun-sung couldn’t help but wonder why he was suddenly so fixated on his two sons again.

“That’s different from what you said earlier, isn’t it?”

“That’s why I said ‘a while ago,’ didn’t I? That ‘a while ago’ was before you mentioned the investment returns.”

Hyun-sung began to vaguely understand what Park Hee-chul was getting at.

To summarize Park Hee-chul’s thoughts, it was simple:

His perspective shifted after learning about the potential investment returns. Before knowing, he believed that even if he made some money, it wouldn’t be enough to bring his children to their knees, so he decided to focus on his own life instead.

But after Hyun-sung mentioned that the investment returns could be at least tenfold, his thinking changed. His perspective changed because the scale of money changed from thousands to hundreds of millions.

In other words, he figured that he might be able to influence his children with hundreds of millions, even if he couldn’t with thousands. He just couldn’t give up that easily. That was a parent’s heart, and Park Hee-chul’s driving force.

Hyun-sung looked at Park Hee-chul and asked, “Is it still about revenge?”

“Well… I don’t know if it’s revenge or a father’s last obsession, but I want to face them properly once while I’m still alive. To do that, I need a sure bait.”

“Bait?”

“It’s embarrassing to admit, but I honestly want to struggle like this, even if it’s just a desperate attempt.”

Hyun-sung lightly stroked his chin, a habit he had when deep in thought.

‘A desperate attempt….’

He pondered it carefully, but he still didn’t quite understand.

Then Park Hee-chul spoke again. “Please think of it as a father’s last obsession and duty.”

“You mean….”

“First of all, I know better than anyone that I bear the greatest responsibility. I don’t know if it will work, but shouldn’t I try one more time before I die? Aren’t they my children, whether I resent them or love them?”

“……”

Hyun-sung was momentarily speechless. He had nothing to say seeing Park Hee-chul, who was so different from when he first brought up the idea of revenge against his children.

It was a moment when he truly felt the weight of a father’s love and responsibility.

Park Hee-chul looked at Hyun-sung and continued, “You may see it as an old man’s obsession, but I want to have this last chance, even if it’s like this.”

“……Yes.”

“I’ll contact you as soon as the money is ready. Please be prepared.”

“It’s three years.”

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?” Park Hee-chul stared at Hyun-sung, questioning his statement.

Hyun-sung’s answer followed immediately. “I’m telling you the timeframe for getting the investment returns. It will take three years from now.”

To be exact, it’s April 1989. The moment the government announces the first new town development plan, everything will be set in motion.

“Is that really true?”

“Yes, you just have to wait three years.”

It was the moment when Park Hee-chul’s eyes shone brighter than ever.

“Ten times in three years… you’re saying that’s possible?”

“More than that is possible. So, don’t give up until the end and just wait.”

“Huh! More than that is possible?” Park Hee-chul looked at Hyun-sung with disbelief. Then Hyun-sung smiled and nodded.

After a moment, Park Hee-chul covered his mouth and asked quietly, “Where the hell is that?”

“Hehe, it’s still a secret. It’s a leak of heavenly secrets….”

“Huh, this guy… I see, I see.” Park Hee-chul smiled as if he was in a good mood and looked at Hyun-sung. Then Hyun-sung gestured to Shin Myung-soon.

He then looked at Park Hee-chul and said, “Now you should eat ramen, right?”

“I have to eat. I have to eat quickly and get back to work diligently. Because my job is to bring that date forward by even a day.” A smile was already spreading across Park Hee-chul’s face.

On the other hand, Hyun-sung had been glancing at his watch. Park Hee-chul, noticing this, looked at Hyun-sung and asked, “Are you waiting for someone?”

“Yes? That’s….”

“Who is it?”

“It’s about the time when the first bus arrives….”

The clock was pointing to 7:30. By now, the first bus would have arrived, and in a few minutes, students would be passing in front of this alley.

Hyun-sung’s concern was how many of those students would actually come into the store. That was the key. If it deviates from expectations, the conclusion is that the business hours will have to be adjusted again. That’s why Hyun-sung couldn’t help but be anxious.

Then Shin Myung-soon brought ramen to Park Hee-chul.

“Chairman, eat your ramen.”

“Thank you. But, um… Ms. Shin.”

“Yes? Is there anything else you need….”

“It’s not that, but I have a favor to ask.” Hyun-sung looked at Park Hee-chul with a strange expression. Even at a glance, he seemed different from his usual self.

Then Shin Myung-soon looked at Park Hee-chul and asked, “A favor?”

“Yes, it’s a bit hard to say….” Park Hee-chul was just moving his lips, unable to speak.

Then Shin Myung-soon said again, “What is it? You have to tell me….”

“Um, that title ‘Chairman’….”

“What’s wrong with it?”

“Could you replace it with another word? I’ve always felt this way, but it’s a bit uncomfortable for me to hear the word ‘Chairman’ from Ms. Shin.”

Shin Myung-soon was taken aback by Park Hee-chul’s sudden request. It was a title that she had been using naturally without any problems until now. But suddenly, he says it’s uncomfortable….

In the end, he wants a different title… Shin Myung-soon, who has lived a long life, couldn’t possibly misunderstand what that meant, so she was just embarrassed.

Then Park Hee-chul’s words continued again. “I guess I asked too suddenly. I’ve always thought about it, but I guess I was only thinking about my position too much.”

“…….”

“If you’re embarrassed, I’ll apologize.”

“……Yes.” Shin Myung-soon answered briefly and disappeared into the kitchen.

Hyun-sung, who was watching the scene, quietly approached Park Hee-chul and said, “The atmosphere is strange, or is it just me?”

“Hum, this guy… what atmosphere? I’m just….”

“What’s wrong with you? Well, you have 30 years left….” At Hyun-sung’s words, Park Hee-chul smiled strangely and asked back, “Is it real?”

“I don’t lie.”

“Hehe, I must be getting senile. Even though I know it’s a lie, I can’t help but be happy to hear it.” Park Hee-chul finished his words and started eating ramen.

He seemed much more confident in his appearance.

A smile crept onto Hyun-sung’s face as he watched the scene. He couldn’t help but laugh at himself for wondering what his next move would be.

Hyun-sung’s eyes were still on the clock.

Then Shin Myung-soon looked at Hyun-sung and asked, “Will they come?”

“They will come. No, they have to come. They must come.”

Was it because his earnestness worked?

Clang.

The store door opened and students began to enter. It was the moment when Hyun-sung’s voice echoed loudly in the store. “Welcome!”

Hyun-sung’s prediction was correct. Since the first bus in the morning was too early, students who hadn’t had breakfast mainly came into the store.

And then there were quite a few students who came in out of curiosity about Shin Ramyun [a popular brand of instant noodles]. It seemed that the TV commercial effect was paying off handsomely.

And what’s even funnier is that even students who had breakfast were eating ramen again because of the atmosphere. Considering their age, it was a situation that could easily happen.

“Hoo.”

Forty minutes passed in a daze.

The students who had been coming in from 7:40 disappeared like a tide after 8:20. The store became quiet again.

Shin Myung-soon looked at Hyun-sung and asked, “As expected, the boss’s prediction was correct?”

“That’s right. I was actually very anxious, but I’m really glad. I realized once again that the atmosphere is important to students.”

“And it seems that the TV commercial is also helping a lot.”

“That’s right. TV commercials can’t be ignored. We’re advertising for free without spending any money, so it’s even better. Haha….”

Hyun-sung couldn’t help but laugh. Of course, he had expected it to some extent from the beginning when he made the signboard, but when he actually saw the effect, he even felt grateful to Nongshim [the company that produces Shin Ramyun].

Then Kim Ji-sook, who had finished washing the dishes, looked at Hyun-sung and asked, “Boss, how many ramen did you sell this morning?”

“That’s… just a moment.” Hyun-sung checked the ledger at the counter and opened his mouth. “Exactly 55 were sold.”

“Did you sell that many?”

“I didn’t know it was that much, but that’s how much was sold. It was a bit hectic all at once, but it’s still rewarding. If it continues to sell this much in the future, the morning business will be 괜찮을 것 같습니다 [looking good].”

This time, Shin Myung-soon said with a regretful voice, “I guess adult customers won’t come after all?”

“Well, it’s still too early, so let’s wait a little longer. I’m going to prepare to go to school now, so please take care of the rest of the time.”

“By the way, will you be okay with school 수업 [classes] after working so hard since morning?”

“I’ll be fine. I’m 끝내주거든요 [amazing] when it comes to stamina.” Hyun-sung answered with a smile.

It’s 말이 안 되는 소리다 [nonsense] if it was like before. But it has already been confirmed several times that his stamina is not the same as before. In particular, he verified it once more a few days ago while 옮기면서 [helping] Kim Il-soo’s grandmother to the hospital.

Whatever the reason, Hyun-sung was confident in his stamina.

It was when Hyun-sung, who had finished preparing to go to school in the inner room, had just come out to the hall.

Clang.

Several people came into the store as the store door opened. It was the moment when Hyun-sung’s eyes shone particularly.

“Elder!”

“사장 Kim [Mr. Kim], we came.”

“Welcome. Did you come to eat ramen?”

“Of course. We received such 극진한 대우 [royal treatment] yesterday, so how could we 가만히 있을 수 있나 [stay put]? We came to eat ramen as 해장국 [hangover cure]. I ate it yesterday and it was 아주 안성맞춤이겠더구먼 [perfect] as 해장국 [hangover cure].”

The people who came to the store were none other than Seo Min-gyu, the president of the senior citizens association, and his friends. Hyun-sung’s 반가움 [delight] was even greater because they were 손님들 [customers] he had not expected at all.

Was that why?

Hyun-sung’s voice was 유난이 [unusually] bright.

“Elder! I’ll take you to 안채 [the inner room]!”

“허허 [Hehe], this friend… are you so 반가운 [happy] to see us? You 반겨주니 [welcome] these 늙은이들 [old folks] so much that we’re 오히려 무안할 정도네 [almost embarrassed].”

“What are you talking about? Of course, I’m 반갑고 감사할 뿐이죠 [just happy and grateful].”