Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 181

181

“The chairman’s son?”

“Yes, hyung [older brother/male friend]. He’s decided to work only in the mornings starting today.”

“Seriously, what’s a chairman’s son doing working there?”

Oh Sang-cheol tilted his head, seemingly unable to understand.

Choi Min-sung replied, “He said he doesn’t need the money, he just wants the experience. At first, he even said he wouldn’t take the part-time pay. But that kid insisted it wasn’t right and decided to pay him.”

“That kid is quite stubborn for his age. If it were me, I wouldn’t bother if the person didn’t want it.”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

Birds of a feather flock together; their actions were identical. Perhaps that’s why they were always together.

Oh Sang-cheol asked again, “By the way, is that kid staying up all night again tonight?”

“He said he couldn’t confirm. He doesn’t bring it up first, and he can’t ask first, so he just stayed put. He almost got caught this morning. So, he’s being extra careful.”

“Got caught? What do you mean?”

“Well, this morning…”

Choi Min-sung began to explain in detail what happened to Kim Ji-sook that morning. When Choi Min-sung finished his explanation, Oh Sang-cheol said with a dumbfounded expression,

“Seriously, isn’t that Kim Ji-sook woman a little slow? How could she make such a mistake?”

“She said the words just slipped out. But fortunately, the kid didn’t notice.”

“Anyway, what about the trash tonight?”

“Well, I don’t think it’s a bad idea to be careful…”

Choi Min-sung felt uneasy. The kid had stayed up for three nights straight. That meant he must be furious by now. He figured it would be best to be cautious for at least another day or two.

After staying up for three nights, he might stay up another day or two. Because he still hadn’t caught the culprit.

Choi Min-sung judged that Hyun-sung was determined.

But that was just Choi Min-sung’s opinion.

Oh Sang-cheol said something different.

“You’re too timid…”

“Pardon?”

“You’ve stayed up all night before, so you know how tiring it is to stay up for three nights.”

“Of course, it’s tiring.”

Choi Min-sung nodded lightly.

Then Oh Sang-cheol continued, “If you stayed up for three nights, would you want to stay up again tonight? Especially when you haven’t caught the culprit?”

“Well…”

“I wouldn’t. Besides, isn’t he at an age where he needs a lot of sleep?”

“I guess that’s true.”

Choi Min-sung nodded again.

Then Oh Sang-cheol said again with a bright expression, “Get rid of the trash you haven’t been able to throw away tomorrow morning. And if we stay quiet for a while, he’ll probably be dying of frustration. Don’t you think?”

“You really have a knack for this kind of thing, hyung. Then I’ll prepare accordingly.”

“There’s going to be a lot this time, so you’ll have to borrow a cart from somewhere.”

“Yes, I understand. Leave it to me.”

A sinister smile filled both of their faces.

At that moment.

Four people were gathered in Hyun-sung’s store.

Kim Il-soo, Lee Jung-woo, and Lee Soo-hyuk.

Kim Il-soo looked at Lee Soo-hyuk and asked, “I heard you’ve been working here since this morning?”

“Yeah, I asked Hyun-sung, and it worked out.”

“Honestly, I don’t understand. Why would you bother coming here in the morning?”

Kim Il-soo couldn’t understand Lee Soo-hyuk’s actions. To get to the store by 7 a.m., he would have to leave home by at least 6:30 a.m.

Who is Lee Soo-hyuk?

His father is the chairman of the neighborhood association. That meant he wasn’t working part-time because of money. So, why would he go through all that trouble in the morning?

Then Lee Soo-hyuk said, “I’m sorry to say this to you, but I need the experience.”

“Experience?”

“Yeah, I told Hyun-sung this morning, but I’ve been too…”

Lee Soo-hyuk began to tell Kim Il-soo what he had told Hyun-sung in the morning. By the time Lee Soo-hyuk finished, Kim Il-soo was nodding.

“So, you’re saying you want to come out of your cage and live? That’s why you need the experience?”

“Yeah, you might think it’s funny, but it’s a serious problem for me.”

“You’re something else.”

Kim Il-soo chuckled.

In fact, Lee Soo-hyuk was the most enviable guy in the class. He was perfect in every way: academics, family, everything.

But he never imagined that Lee Soo-hyuk would have such concerns.

Then Lee Soo-hyuk said again, “I’m sorry to you.”

“What do you mean?” “Some people say that my actions might be a luxury to someone.”

“A luxury?”

Kim Il-soo looked at Lee Soo-hyuk.

Lee Soo-hyuk was showing a different side of himself, so much so that he wondered if this was the Lee Soo-hyuk he knew.

He was always a guy who only knew himself. But Lee Soo-hyuk changed after his appendicitis surgery last time.

But that was only temporary. He soon returned to his old self.

But today’s appearance was like seeing another Lee Soo-hyuk.

Then Lee Jung-woo, who had been quietly listening, looked at Lee Soo-hyuk and asked, “Soo-hyuk, did something happen to you?”

“Why, is it weird?”

“Honestly, you’re so different from the old you.”

“Actually, I’ve been thinking a lot since the day I put on a show on the rooftop a few days ago. I realized how lucky I am, and as I said before, I’ve been reflecting on how I’ve lived my life.”

Lee Soo-hyuk looked at Hyun-sung for a moment and then continued, “After that, it’s hard to say, but Il-soo and even you, who I felt uncomfortable with, came into my view.”

“Wow…”

Lee Jung-woo was speechless at Lee Soo-hyuk’s unexpected words.

Lee Soo-hyuk said again, “The past can’t be helped, so let’s put it behind us, and please take care of me in the future.”

“What do you mean, take care of you…”

“You might think I’m shameless, but let’s be close friends from now on, okay?”

Lee Soo-hyuk looked at Kim Il-soo and Lee Jung-woo alternately and smiled awkwardly.

Then Kim Il-soo, who had been watching, looked at Lee Soo-hyuk and asked, “Who is it?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Who is the guy who changed you so quickly?”

“Hehe, I thought you were talking about something else. But do I have to say it? You already know.”

With those words, Lee Soo-hyuk looked at Hyun-sung.

Then Kim Il-soo and Lee Jung-woo’s gazes naturally turned to Hyun-sung.

Chuckling.

What more needs to be said in this situation? Hyun-sung replaced his answer with a smile.

Then Lee Jung-woo looked at Hyun-sung and said, “Hey, Kim Hyun-sung. Thanks.”

“Me too.”

“Me three.”

Following Lee Jung-woo, Kim Il-soo and Lee Soo-hyuk said to Hyun-sung at the same time. But the atmosphere was strange. It seemed like something was missing from just replacing the answer with a smile.

Hyun-sung had no choice but to open his mouth.

“Okay, since you’re all thankful, I’m honestly happy. That means you’re satisfied with the current situation. What I want to ask is that you don’t forget this feeling today and work hard in the future. And if possible, I hope you’ll look back at the people next to you and take care of them sometimes.”

“You’re good with words now.”

Lee Jung-woo laughed and responded to Hyun-sung’s words.

Then Kim Il-soo and Lee Soo-hyuk also smiled. A smile began to spread across Hyun-sung’s face as he watched them.

After a while, Lee Jung-woo looked at Hyun-sung as if he had remembered something and asked, “By the way, why did you call us here today?”

“As you know, the midterm exams are in three days. That’s why I called you.”

“Are you going to give us some predicted questions?”

“I’m not that good. I just thought it would be nice if we could all study together. It might be more helpful than studying alone. What do you guys think?”

The first to answer Hyun-sung’s question was Kim Il-soo.

“I’m all for it. Honestly, it’s too hard for me to study alone. I didn’t care about exams before, so it didn’t matter, but now that I’m trying to study, it’s too hard. I don’t even know what’s important.”

“I feel the same way. I was worried about it, but this is good.”

Lee Jung-woo immediately followed Kim Il-soo’s words.

Now the only one left was Lee Soo-hyuk.

Hyun-sung looked at Lee Soo-hyuk and asked, “What about you? Would it be a hindrance to your studies?”

“Well, honestly, I’ve never studied with anyone before…”

“Don’t feel pressured, and think about it comfortably. I don’t want it to be a hindrance to your studies, even a little bit.”

“Um…”

Lee Soo-hyuk was deep in thought.

It was natural for Lee Soo-hyuk to be worried. There’s nothing scarier than habit. It’s not just anything, it’s an exam. Moreover, there are only three days left until the exam.

It was natural for Lee Soo-hyuk’s worries to deepen.

After a while.

Lee Soo-hyuk, who had been pondering, looked at Hyun-sung.

“Hyun-sung, I’m sorry. I’ve thought a lot about it, but I don’t think I can do it. I’m fine with other things, but it’s an exam, so…”

“What are you sorry for? I understand how you feel, so don’t think about it.”

“I promised my mom this time, so…”

Lee Soo-hyuk’s voice was full of apology as he answered.

Hyun-sung looked at Lee Soo-hyuk and said again, “That’s right. You said you promised your mom that you would maintain your grades even if you stopped tutoring this time, right?”

“Yeah, if I don’t keep that promise, I have to go back to the way I was.”

“Okay. It’s probably not easy to suddenly change the way you study. We’ll do our best, so you do your best and show your mother that you can do well on your own.”

“Okay, I got it! I’ll definitely do that!”

The moment his firm will was felt in Lee Soo-hyuk’s voice as he answered.

Lee Soo-hyuk left the store, leaving the three of them behind.

Hyun-sung looked at Kim Il-soo and said, “We’re going to do it until 2 a.m. Can you go home after that? Or you can sleep here.”

“No, I have to go home because of my grandmother. I have to take care of her meals.”

“It must be hard. Are you okay?”

“I’m just enduring it with grit. Thanks to you, I’m losing some weight this time. I never dreamed that I would have a day like this because of exams. But strangely, I feel good.”

Kim Il-soo’s eyes were shining brighter than ever.

Hyun-sung looked at Lee Jung-woo this time and asked, “What about you?”

“I’m the same as Il-soo. It’s amazing that I’m studying, and like Il-soo said, I feel good. But you know what’s even funnier?”

“What is it?”

“I’m excited, here.”

Lee Jung-woo pounded his chest with his fist a few times.

Hyun-sung smiled as he looked at Lee Jung-woo. It was something he couldn’t have imagined in his past life. He was the guy who used to be happy that exams ended early. But now he’s saying that his heart is fluttering.

Hyun-sung looked at Kim Il-soo and Lee Jung-woo alternately this time and said, “Let’s try our best on this exam without any regrets. And from today, I’ll check the parts that I think are important separately. So, you have to study those parts thoroughly.”

“Okay, I’ll memorize them no matter what.”

“If you do that for us, we’ll be thankful.”

The moment the two people’s eyes shone once again.

Hyun-sung continued, “Okay, shall we start? Let’s start with Korean first.”

As soon as Hyun-sung finished speaking, Kim Il-soo and Lee Jung-woo pulled out their Korean textbooks at the speed of light. Hyun-sung smiled as he watched them and opened his Korean textbook.

How much time had passed?

Grumble.

A rumbling sound was heard from someone’s stomach. Then Hyun-sung chuckled and said, “Shall we eat ramen [instant noodles]?”

“Hehe, should we?”

Kim Il-soo chuckled as he patted his stomach.

Then Lee Jung-woo said, “Hey, Kim Il-soo, aren’t you trying to lose weight?”

“Man, weight is not the problem.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

“I can’t function if I’m hungry.”

Kim Il-soo tapped his head with his finger.

It was then.

Ding-dong.