Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 184

184

It was just past 6 AM.

“Lalala…”

Hyun-sung hummed involuntarily.

It felt like a troublesome tooth had finally been pulled. He had been suffering a lot because of those troublemakers.

So much so that he had stayed up for four consecutive nights.

What was absurd was that the culprits were Oh Sang-cheol and Choi Min-sung. It’s always darkest under the lamp; he never dreamed that those people would be the ones responsible.

“If they were younger…”

Oh Sang-cheol is the same age as Park Hee-cheol, so he’ll be sixty next year. It was pathetic that he was doing that at that age, at that early hour.

“Anyway…”

The important thing is that it won’t happen again. That’s all that matters.

Slurp.

Hyun-sung took a sip of the coffee in front of him. Although it was just instant coffee, the aroma spreading in his mouth felt richer today, perhaps because of his mood.

Just then.

Clang.

The store door opened and someone came in. It was too early for anyone to come in yet. Hyun-sung’s gaze quickly turned towards the door.

“Oh, Father?”

The person who opened the door was none other than Lee Soo-hyuk’s father, Lee Man-soo, the union leader.

“Haha, did I come too early?”

“It doesn’t matter, but what brings you here at this hour?”

“I came early on purpose because I have something to talk to you about. I was worried the door might not be open, but I’m glad it is.”

“Oh, is that so? Please, have a seat over here. Would you like a cup of coffee?”

“Will you give me one?”

Lee Man-soo smiled kindly and sat down across from Hyun-sung. He always felt it, but unlike Lee Soo-hyuk’s mother, Yoo Soo-min, Lee Man-soo’s expression felt warm.

Hyun-sung handed Lee Man-soo the coffee.

“Father, here’s your coffee.”

“Oh, thank you. Whenever I see you, I always feel that your face is so bright. It makes me feel good to be around you.”

“Haha, Father…”

Hyun-sung laughed pleasantly.

Since when was it?

Hyun-sung himself felt it. He could feel that his expression had changed so much compared to his past life that there was no comparison.

Perhaps it was a natural result.

The situation was so different compared to before.

Back then, school life was no fun, the future was bleak, and the family situation was difficult, so there was no way his expression could have been good.

But what about now?

Whether it’s school or family, there’s nothing lacking. Besides, the ramen shop that opened is gradually establishing itself day by day.

In this situation, it would be stranger if he weren’t bright.

Well, wasn’t this his second life?

Lee Man-soo spoke again.

“And do you know that you’re being praised a lot?”

“Yes? What are you talking about? This is the first time I’ve heard of it.”

“The elders at the senior center praise you so much. They say that a young student is very polite and sociable. Isn’t it a small neighborhood? When I sit at the Nonghyup [agricultural cooperative], I hear rumors quickly.”

“Ah, yes…”

Hyun-sung just scratched his head.

It was nothing. He just gave them a bowl of ramen and a glass of makgeolli [Korean rice wine] on the opening day. But they were thanking him and praising him for it. That’s how much they were starved for affection.

This time, Hyun-sung asked first.

“By the way, didn’t you say you had something to tell me earlier?”

“I was just about to talk about that. It’s about our Soo-hyuk.”

“Soo-hyuk?”

Hyun-sung tilted his head. What reason would Lee Man-soo have to come here because of Lee Soo-hyuk?

If there were any changes in Lee Soo-hyuk, there are two things.

One is that he decided to work part-time here in the morning, and the other is that he decided to study together here after the business is over.

The reason Lee Man-soo came here is probably because of that.

Lee Man-soo looked at Hyun-sung and said.

“I heard that our Soo-hyuk decided to work here in the morning, is that true?”

“Yes, that’s right, but is there any problem with that…”

“No, there’s no problem, but it’s too sudden, and it’s not like he needs pocket money, so I’m worried about why he’s doing it, so I came to see you.”

“Ah, yes…”

Hyun-sung seemed to know why Lee Man-soo came here.

Lee Man-soo is anxious now. Is it just this time? Following the last runaway and even the suicide attempt, it’s natural to be anxious just by looking at Lee Soo-hyuk’s actions these days.

Lee Man-soo’s words continued.

“Can you tell me why our Soo-hyuk is trying to work here?”

“Have you asked Soo-hyuk?”

“No, I haven’t asked. Talking to my son is not as easy as I thought. Strangely, it’s hard to talk to my son.”

Hyun-sung nodded without realizing it.

He fully sympathized with what he was saying. Hyun-sung was the same in his past life.

He can talk to his father now, but in his past life, there was almost no conversation. Since there was no conversation from a young age, it was difficult to break that habit even when he got older.

It’s not just one person’s problem, but the problem of many fathers and sons in the world.

Hyun-sung said.

“He said he wanted to experience many things.”

“Our Soo-hyuk said that?”

“Yes, I think he’s in the process of finding his identity. He said he wanted to find out who he is. And…”

Hyun-sung couldn’t finish his sentence.

Then Lee Man-soo immediately asked.

“And what? Feel free to say anything.”

“I’m sorry to say this myself, but he said he wanted to get out of his mother’s arms. Of course, he used the analogy of a cage, but that was the conclusion.”

“A cage…”

Lee Man-soo was silent for a moment.

After a moment of silence, Lee Man-soo drank the remaining coffee and looked at Hyun-sung.

“Do you think our Soo-hyuk will be okay as he is?”

“Of course, you’re worried as a father, but I don’t think there’s any problem. I think he’s in a mentally healthy state.”

“You mean he’s okay?”

“Yes, that’s my judgment. And although it’s difficult at first, I hope you’ll reach out to Soo-hyuk first.”

“Reach out…?”

Lee Man-soo flinched without realizing it. Come to think of it, he couldn’t even remember when he had a proper conversation with Lee Soo-hyuk.

Then Hyun-sung’s words continued.

“Don’t feel too pressured and treat him like a friend. Soo-hyuk is sensitive these days, so I think he needs your attention.”

“Of course, I know what you mean, but it’s not as easy as it sounds. Besides, he doesn’t talk much to me…”

“Ah, I see. Have you ever done any sports with Soo-hyuk when he was young?”

“Well…, it was a long time ago, but I used to go to the mountains with him sometimes until he entered middle school, but he stopped doing that because of studying after he entered middle school.”

“Did Soo-hyuk like the mountains?”

Lee Man-soo nodded and replied.

“Of course, he liked it. He liked it from the day before when he went to the mountains on the weekend. He must have liked it a lot, so much so that he even prepared kimbap [Korean seaweed rice rolls] himself some days.”

“Then the answer is out.”

“You mean go to the mountains again?”

Hyun-sung nodded. There is no better guide than the memories of a person’s childhood. Moreover, if he liked it so much, the story will be different.

Study?

Of course, it’s important. But as the saying goes, ‘too much is worse than too little’. This is the case with Lee Soo-hyuk now. Wasn’t he the guy who even tried to run away because he felt suffocated?

Hyun-sung said again.

“It’s not too late now.”

“He’s going to be a senior in high school soon, will it be okay?”

“Trust Soo-hyuk. I think Soo-hyuk will definitely do well if you help him a little.”

“Hmm…”

Lee Man-soo fell into 고민 [agony/worry].

Why wouldn’t he 고민 [worry]? Hyun-sung understood his position well, so he respected his thoughts by waiting without saying anything more.

After a while.

Lee Man-soo looked at Hyun-sung and said.

“I’ll trust your words. To be honest, after that incident on the roof last time, I’m honestly scared of how to treat Soo-hyuk. But for now, you seem to know Soo-hyuk the best, so I decided to trust your words.”

“Yes, you won’t be disappointed. I will also help as much as I can from the side and try to make sure he goes on the right path.”

“Thank you. The last time with the appendicitis surgery, the other day on the roof, and this time, I’m getting help from you in many ways.”

“You’re welcome. We’re friends, what.”

Hyun-sung said as if it was nothing. But that seemed to be Hyun-sung’s thought.

Thump.

Lee Man-soo suddenly grabbed Hyun-sung’s hand and said.

“No. I didn’t say it last time because I was 경황 [in a flurry/state of panic], but I’m really thankful. What if our Soo-hyuk had been hurt on the roof that day?”

Quiver.

Lee Man-soo’s lips were trembling slightly as he spoke.

That means that Lee Man-soo’s position was shocking.

Why wouldn’t it be?

His son even 벌였 suicide 소동 [caused a suicide commotion], so the surprise will be indescribable.

Looking at Lee Man-soo, Hyun-sung said again.

“After this midterm exam, go to the mountains with Soo-hyuk. It’s not too late now, so find your old memories again, have some conversations, and then Soo-hyuk will quickly regain stability.”

“How good would it be if that were the case.”

“I saw this time that what Soo-hyuk had a hard time with was excessive pressure.”

“I know. His mother is a little greedy…”

Lee Man-soo stopped talking in the middle. It was not in a position to blame anyone anyway.

Hyun-sung’s words continued.

“And I don’t know if you know, but Soo-hyuk is preparing for this midterm exam with us.”

“I heard about it from Soo-hyuk’s mother last night.”

“So, I’m saying, the results may be worse than before.”

“Hmm…”

Lee Man-soo’s expression changed slightly darkly.

Hyun-sung, who could not know the meaning.

Hyun-sung, who was 고민 [pondering] for a while, said.

“After all, is the result important to Father?”

“Of course, I can’t ignore it. But I don’t think that’s all. Sometimes I think the process is also precious. But the problem is Soo-hyuk’s mother…”

After all, the 난관 [obstacle] is Yoo Soo-min, is that it?

Hyun-sung asked again.

“Are you saying that your mother can’t 용납 [tolerate] that at all?”

“I guess…”

“Is there any way Father can 설득 [persuade] your mother?”

“Of course, if you look for a way, it’s not that there isn’t one, but is that so important at this point?”

Lee Man-soo couldn’t help but 의구심 [doubt]. He thought that he was too 연연 [attached] to the result even though the exam result had not yet come out.

Then Hyun-sung said.

“Soo-hyuk is having a hard time with that problem now. The pressure of what to do if the result is not as good as expected.”

“Pressure?”

“Yes, I’m worried because it’s 불안 [anxious] to watch from the side. Last time, because of the pressure…”

What Hyun-sung is worried about is one thing. Of course, the last suicide 소동 [commotion] ended without any problems, but Hyun-sung clearly remembered it.

Lee Soo-hyuk’s eyes.

He said it was an unavoidable choice because he was 떠밀려 [pushed] by the situation, but he could never forget the 섬뜩한 [chilling] eyes of that day.

Was Hyun-sung’s heart 전달 [delivered/conveyed]?.

Lee Man-soo nodded and said.

“I know what you mean. I’ll have a serious conversation with Soo-hyuk’s mother about that part.”

The two did not know until this time. The fact that Lee Soo-hyuk’s future has changed once again due to today’s conversation.