Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 206

206

Two days later.

The store was unusually lively. It was the one-month anniversary of the opening.

In other words, it was payday.

Shin Myung-soon, who had finished cleaning the kitchen, looked at Hyun-sung and said,

“Boss, it’s already been a month today.”

“I know, right? It feels like we just opened the other day, but it’s already been a month. And anyway, the fact that we were able to reach this milestone safely is all thanks to you, Mother, for keeping us grounded.”

“Oh, you’re too kind. All I did was diligently cook ramen in the kitchen.”

“No, it was only possible for me to run the store while attending school because you were here, Mother. It would have been absolutely impossible otherwise.”

“Oh, Boss… I’m just grateful that you say such nice things.”

Shin Myung-soon smiled as she looked at Hyun-sung.

He was hard to understand the more she saw him. No matter how she looked at him, his appearance was that of a high school student. Moreover, wasn’t he her son’s friend?

But judging from his thoughtfulness and actions, he didn’t seem young at all. No, rather, he seemed more mature than most adults.

Even in this situation.

No matter what anyone said, the person who actually maintained and grew the store was herself. Yet, he was passing the credit to someone else.

Shin Myung-soon smiled again.

Hyun-sung looked at Kim Il-soo and asked,

“What happened to Soo-hyuk?”

“He said he’d be here on time, so he’ll be here soon.”

Kim Il-soo replied in a polite tone.

Even though they had agreed to use polite language in the store, it was still awkward for Hyun-sung.

Just then.

*Clang.*

Lee Soo-hyuk opened the door and said,

“Am I late?”

Kim Il-soo smiled and greeted Lee Soo-hyuk.

“No, we just finished and sat down, so come and sit here quickly.”

Once Lee Soo-hyuk had taken a seat, Hyun-sung said,

“Now everyone’s here, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. Are we finally getting our first paycheck?”

Kim Ji-sook said with a smile.

Then Hyun-sung stood up and continued,

“First of all, I’d like to thank you all. Thanks to you, we were able to get through the first month safely, despite it being our first month. Moreover, business has been good.”

“It’s all thanks to you, Boss.”

Kim Ji-sook said.

Hyun-sung immediately continued,

“It’s not because of me, but because each and every one of you did your best in your respective positions.”

“Our boss is always so humble.”

Kim Ji-sook said again with a smile.

“Oh, Auntie… Anyway, here are your envelopes.”

Hyun-sung started handing out envelopes one by one, starting with Shin Myung-soon.

A moment later.

Kim Ji-sook, who was checking her envelope, said in surprise,

“Wow, why is there so much money?”

“I included a bonus in addition to your salary. Didn’t I tell you from the beginning? If business is good, I will definitely share it with you.”

“So you gave us an extra 50,000 won each?”

“Yes, if business is good next month, I’ll give you even more than this month. I want to reiterate that I have no intention of monopolizing the profits. The more we earn, the more your bonuses will increase.”

“Oh my, won’t the bonus be more than the salary?”

Kim Ji-sook was as happy as a child. Of course, it wasn’t just Kim Ji-sook. Shin Myung-soon was the same, and Kim Il-soo and Lee Soo-hyuk also had happy expressions on their faces.

Hyun-sung continued,

“I think that if we get on TV, sales will increase much more than they are now. If that happens, your bonuses will also increase much more than they are now.”

“By the way, when are we filming the show?”

“The exact schedule hasn’t been released yet, but the assistant director said he’d give me the details sometime next week.”

“But I’m curious, how did the broadcasting station know that we’re doing well?”

“Someone contacted them and told them.”

“Who was it?”

“The planning director at Nongshim headquarters.”

Kim Ji-sook nodded at Hyun-sung’s explanation.

Then Shin Myung-soon asked this time,

“Does that mean we’ll be on TV too?”

“Yes, of course. But don’t be too nervous. Just act the same as you always do.”

“Hehe, then maybe I should get a perm…”

Shin Myung-soon smiled shyly.

Then Kim Ji-sook, who was next to her, looked at Shin Myung-soon and said,

“Sister, since tomorrow is Sunday, shall we go get a perm together?”

“I can’t tomorrow. I have plans.”

“Plans? What plans? Ah… that’s right. You said you’re going on a date with the chairman tomorrow, right?”

“Date? It’s just having a meal together.”

As soon as Shin Myung-soon finished speaking, Hyun-sung asked,

“What is this I’m hearing?”

“The chairman keeps asking me to have a meal with him…”

“So you’re saying you’re having a meal with him tomorrow?”

“Oh, Boss, why are you doing this? It’s embarrassing…”

Shin Myung-soon scratched her head.

Then Hyun-sung asked again,

“When did you two get so close?”

“We’re not close, it’s just…”

“Why are you doing this? I have eyes, Mother wouldn’t have a meal with just anyone, would she?”

“He bought me nourishing cream last time, and he keeps coming…”

“He keeps coming?”

When Hyun-sung asked, Kim Ji-sook, who was next to him, said this time.

“You wouldn’t know, Boss. After you go to school in the morning, Chairman Park sometimes comes and eats ramen, chats, and hangs out.”

“Is that true?”

“Hehe, but do you know what’s funny?”

“What else is there?”

“It’s that Sister…”

“What about Mother?”

When Hyun-sung kept asking, Shin Myung-soon stepped in this time.

“Boss, why are you so curious?”

“Of course I’m curious. It’s not just anyone, it’s my mother going on a date, how can I not be curious?”

“It’s not a date, we’re just going to eat. Are you going to keep teasing me like that?”

“Haha, I understand. I hope you have a good time.”

As soon as Hyun-sung finished speaking, Shin Myung-soon glared at Kim Ji-sook.

“You had to say unnecessary things…”

“Sister, if you like it, just say you like it. Don’t blame me.”

“You can’t say anything right. Who said I like it?”

“Sister, why are you doing this? It’s all over your face.”

“Still…”

Hyun-sung smiled as he watched them.

A moment later.

Shin Myung-soon looked at Hyun-sung and said,

“Boss, is everything done? I have to go somewhere today.”

“Yes, it’s done. I have to go home today too, so we can’t have a company dinner today. You can go if you’re busy.”

“Yes, then I’ll be going. Ji-sook, are you going to stay longer?”

“No, Sister. I’m going too.”

The two greeted each other and left the store.

The remaining three people.

Kim Il-soo looked at Hyun-sung and said,

“I didn’t say anything earlier because the aunties were here, but why did you give the part-timers a bonus of 30,000 won each?”

“I have to give them at least that much.”

“You’re already giving them 100,000 won for working only a few hours in the afternoon, isn’t that too much?”

“No, I gave it to them based on my own calculations, so don’t feel too burdened. And considering that I can run the store comfortably because of you, it’s not that much.”

“Anyway, thank you. If I save up like this until graduation, I’ll have enough for cooking school.”

Kim Il-soo’s face was full of smiles.

Then Lee Soo-hyuk, who was next to him, asked,

“Are you going to cooking school?”

“Yeah, I’m going to Seoul as soon as I graduate. I don’t know how long it will take, but I’m going to get a chef’s license before I go to the army.”

“A chef?”

“Yeah, my dream is to be a chef.”

Lee Soo-hyuk tilted his head, as it was the first time he had heard about it.

“When did you start thinking about that?”

“Actually, it wasn’t my idea, Hyun-sung told me to do it. But when I thought about it, since I can’t go to college anyway, that’s much better. So I’m working part-time here to earn money for school.”

“So Hyun-sung taught you everything.”

“You could say that. That’s why I sometimes call Hyun-sung ‘hyungnim,’ haha…” [Hyungnim is a Korean term used by younger males to address older brothers or close male friends as a sign of respect.]

Kim Il-soo smiled and looked at Hyun-sung.

Then Hyun-sung said,

“I only gave my opinion, the choice was ultimately yours. So don’t waver in the future and just go down that path.”

“Yes, hyungnim. Is there any doubt?”

“You’re such a gentle lamb when I see you like this. How could a guy like you do such bad things?”

“Hey, why are you bringing that up here?”

“I’m just saying it because it’s amazing no matter how I look at it, you idiot.”

“Hehe, well, it’s amazing even when I look at it.”

Kim Il-soo scratched his head, looking embarrassed.

Then Lee Soo-hyuk looked at Hyun-sung and said,

“Hyun-sung, let me ask you one thing.”

“What is it?”

“What exactly happened during last summer vacation?”

“Hey, I’ve heard that question so many times that it’s boring now. Can’t we just skip that?”

“No, I just can’t help but wonder. What exactly happened that could change a person so much?”

Lee Soo-hyuk stared intently at Hyun-sung, looking genuinely curious.

Then Hyun-sung was in trouble.

If he said he had regressed, he would only be called crazy, and no matter how he thought about it, he had no answer.

When Hyun-sung couldn’t speak, Lee Soo-hyuk asked again,

“Did you perhaps gain some kind of enlightenment?”

“Enlightenment?”

“You know, like in movies, sometimes people suddenly gain enlightenment and change. Aren’t you perhaps like that?”

“You son of a… am I Buddha?”

“No, I can’t explain it otherwise.”

Lee Soo-hyuk still had a curious expression on his face.

Then Kim Il-soo looked at Lee Soo-hyuk and said,

“Hey, what’s so important about that? Anyway, if Hyun-sung changed the lives of a few people, that’s all that matters. Right?”

“Hmm… well, that’s true. I’m included in that, too.”

“You, me, and Lee Jung-woo, at least the three of us have definitely had our lives changed because of Hyun-sung.”

Lee Soo-hyuk nodded.

Kim Il-soo looked at Hyun-sung and asked,

“Are you going straight home now?”

“Why, are you sad?”

“To be honest, I am a little…”

Kim Il-soo’s expression was clearly regretful.

Seeing that, Hyun-sung looked at Kim Il-soo and Lee Soo-hyuk and said,

“Hey, both of you come with me. There’s somewhere I need to go.”

“Where?”

It was the moment Kim Il-soo’s eyes widened more than ever.

Then Hyun-sung smiled and said,

“A clothing store.”

“A clothing store? Why there?”

“You guys got your first paycheck today, right?”

“Of course.”

The two nodded at the same time as if they had promised.

Hyun-sung said,

“You got your first paycheck, don’t you have anything in mind?”

“…I don’t know.”

“Really? Nothing?”

“What’s the connection between the first paycheck and a clothing store?”

Lee Soo-hyuk and Kim Il-soo tilted their heads, looking clueless.

Then Hyun-sung said,

“Don’t you guys watch TV dramas?”

“Does that come out in dramas?”

“You guys are really… you still don’t know even after I’ve said this much?”

“Hey, don’t do that and just tell us clearly.”

“Okay, here’s the last hint. Something red.”

“Something red?”

The two were still silent.

*Sigh.*

A sigh came out of Hyun-sung’s mouth involuntarily.

Just then.

Kim Il-soo opened his mouth, looking at Hyun-sung.

“Hey, is it perhaps underwear? You know, when you watch TV, they buy their parents underwear with their first paycheck.”

“That’s right. That was it. Red underwear.”

Lee Soo-hyuk chimed in.

Then Hyun-sung smiled at the two of them.

The three left the store and headed to the clothing store.