Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 208

208

Mom looked at Hyun-sung and said,

“So, today’s the day you settled accounts for the month, right?”

“Yes, Mother.”

“And that’s why you bought these thermal underwear?”

“Yes, I heard that it’s customary to buy thermal underwear for your parents when you get your first paycheck. So, I bought thermal underwear for Father and Mother to celebrate my first earnings.”

Hyun-sung held out the thermal underwear to his parents.

Then, Mom smiled and continued,

“Hoho, thanks to my son, I’ll be able to stay warm this winter. By the way, how did you even think of buying thermal underwear?”

“Everyone does it on TV.”

Hyun-sung scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed.

Now that he thought about it, he had never bought thermal underwear for his parents in his previous life. He couldn’t find a stable job for years after graduating because he was studying for the bar exam, so he never had the chance.

Mom looked at Dad this time and said,

“Honey, look at this. The thermal underwear has lace on it.”

“Where?”

“Look here. The lace is so pretty around the neck.”

“I know, this is the first time I’ve seen thermal underwear with lace.”

Dad was looking closely at Mom’s thermal underwear as if it was the most fascinating thing in the world.

Then, Mom continued,

“This must be expensive.”

“I guess so. It even has lace on it…”

Hyun-sung, who was watching them, said,

“Mom, it’s a new product that came out this year. So, please wear it and enjoy it.”

“No wonder it’s so pretty. But isn’t this too much?”

“No, it’s not much different from the others. So, wear it comfortably.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

Of course, it was a lie. It was three times more expensive than the others.

But the price didn’t matter. Hyun-sung just wanted to give them the best in this life.

Hyun-sung handed over another black bag this time.

“Mother, this is for you.”

“What’s this now?”

“Meat. It’s a monthly settlement, so we should at least have some meat.”

Mom, who was checking the meat, said in a loud voice,

“Hyun-sung, isn’t this beef?”

“Yes, it’s sirloin.”

“No, how can we eat this expensive stuff…? Is it okay to spend this much money?”

Mom asked with a worried look.

Then, Hyun-sung smiled and said,

“Mother, isn’t money meant to be spent anyway? And it’s not like I’m wasting it; I’m spending it on my family, so it’s okay.”

What is money?

Isn’t it meant to be earned in order to be spent? Moreover, it’s food that the family eats. What could be a waste?

Of course, it was something he could never have imagined in his previous life.

Then, Kim Ji-yeon, who was next to him, looked at Hyun-sung and asked,

“Oppa [older brother, used by females], don’t you have anything for me?”

“Do you think I would leave out my only sister?”

“As expected, you’re my oppa. So, what’s mine?”

“This.”

Hyun-sung pulled out an envelope from his pocket.

“What’s this?”

“Buy yourself some clothes. You’re going to be a high school student after this winter, so you should have at least one decent outfit.”

“Really?”

Kim Ji-yeon started checking the envelope as if she couldn’t believe it.

The moment Kim Ji-yeon checked the envelope, her mouth dropped open.

“Oppa, this is 100,000 won [Korean currency, approximately $80 USD]. Why are you giving me so much money?”

“Buy something nice since you’re buying it anyway. And if you have any left over, buy some cosmetics too.”

“Oppa…”

Kim Ji-yeon couldn’t close her mouth as she looked at Hyun-sung.

Then, Mom, who was next to her, looked at Hyun-sung and said,

“No, why are you giving so much money to a child?”

“It’s okay. Ji-yeon will be a high school student soon. She’ll need a decent outfit. And the same goes for cosmetics.”

“Even so…”

Mom still had a worried expression.

Then, Kim Ji-yeon looked at Hyun-sung and said,

“Oppa, no, Mom is right. I don’t need this much money. Just give me 20,000 won. I can buy clothes and cosmetics with that.”

“No, Ji-yeon, just take it. This oppa wants to do this for his only sister. Don’t just buy anything for clothes, pick out something pretty, and don’t buy cheap cosmetics, buy something good if possible.”

She was the one who gave up her future for Hyun-sung in her previous life. Of course, he didn’t even know that fact at the time.

He only found out later when he got older.

That’s his sister.

What wouldn’t he do for her?

Kim Ji-yeon looked at her mother and asked,

“Mom, what should I do?”

“Take it since your oppa is saying that much. But don’t waste it.”

“Of course, I know what kind of money this is… Oppa, then I’ll take it.”

Hyun-sung smiled and nodded.

A little later.

Dad looked at Hyun-sung and asked,

“So, how was the settlement?”

“Fortunately, the new menu is getting a good response, so sales are good. And as I initially aimed for, the number of adult customers has increased more than before. These days, older customers often come in even after the students have gone to school.”

It was the effect of the hangover ramen.

Moreover, since a bowl of rice was free, the number of adult customers trying to solve their breakfast was quite high.

Dad said again,

“Anyway, it’s a relief that it’s getting better day by day.”

“That’s what I’m saying. Above all, I think it’s a relief that the number of adult customers is increasing. Otherwise, it would be really difficult during the vacation.”

“I guess so. Because the students won’t come out then.”

As expected, Dad was accurately pointing out the part that Hyun-sung was worried about.

Hyun-sung continued,

“Oh, and the broadcasting station came by.”

“What are you talking about?”

“There’s a program called ‘National Gourmet Tour’ that airs every Thursday at 8 p.m., right?”

“You mean KBC broadcasting?”

“Yes, the assistant director came by.”

It was Kim Ji-yeon who showed quick interest in the word broadcasting.

“Oppa, are you going to be on TV?”

“I think so.”

“When?”

“The exact schedule hasn’t been set yet, and the assistant director is supposed to contact me sometime next week.”

“Wow! Amazing. My oppa is going to be on TV…”

Kim Ji-yeon showed a surprised reaction with her mouth open.

Then, Mom asked,

“How did those people know and come all the way to this countryside?”

“There’s a person named Director Lee at the Nongshim headquarters, and he’s apparently friends with the PD [Program Director] in charge of that program.”

“So, he contacted them?”

“Yes, that’s right. But now that they’re actually going to film, I’m getting nervous.”

“Hoho, of course.”

Mom looked at Hyun-sung with an amused expression.

Then, Dad, who was next to her, smiled at Hyun-sung.

In the past, he wouldn’t have even talked about these trivial things. But after returning, he felt that sharing these small daily moments with his family was more precious.

Then, Kim Ji-yeon said,

“Oppa, when are we going to eat the meat?”

“Huh? We should eat it.”

“Oppa, what does sirloin taste like?”

“Meat flavor.”

“Are you kidding me right now?”

“Why, isn’t it funny?”

“Hmph! Not funny at all.”

Kim Ji-yeon turned away.

Hyun-sung chuckled as he looked at Kim Ji-yeon.

In his previous life, they were two people who couldn’t even make a proper joke. But now, the more he looked at her, the cuter his younger sister was.

A little later.

Sizzle.

The sirloin was showing off its picturesque figure on the brazier.

Hyun-sung looked at his mother and said,

“Mother, the side dishes are amazing.”

“I was just thinking that…”

Mom smiled and held up a bottle of soju [Korean distilled rice liquor].

Hyun-sung looked at his father this time and said,

“Father, shouldn’t you have a drink?”

“Of course, how can I miss out on alcohol when my son worked hard to buy the meat?”

“Here, have a drink.”

Hyun-sung filled his father’s glass with alcohol.

Then, Mom smiled and held out her glass to Hyun-sung.

“Thanks to our son, we’re having beef as a side dish today.”

“Yes, I bought a lot, so eat a lot. Here, have a drink.”

Pour.

As Hyun-sung filled his mother’s glass with alcohol, Kim Ji-yeon took the bottle this time.

“Oppa, I’ll pour it for you.”

“Why, aren’t you drinking?”

“Don’t be like this, brother. I’m not old enough yet.”

“You had a drink last time, right?”

“Don’t even mention it. I thought I was going to die after eating that that day. I guess I’m not the type to handle alcohol.”

Hyun-sung chuckled.

It’s a lie.

Later on, Kim Ji-yeon likes alcohol more than Hyun-sung.

“Now, for the happiness of our family and the success of Hyun-sung’s store!”

Dad said, raising his glass.

Then, Mom and Hyun-sung raised their glasses at the same time as if they had promised.

“Cheers!”

“Cheers!”

Clink.

It was the moment when the three people’s glasses collided in the air.

After finishing dinner, Hyun-sung left the house and headed to Park Hee-cheol’s house.

Hyun-sung arrived at Park Hee-cheol’s house.

“Uncle.”

“Who is it?”

“It’s me. I’ll come in for a moment.”

Hyun-sung went into the room. Then, Park Hee-cheol said with a surprised expression.

“What brings you here at this hour?”

“I have something to tell you.”

“To me?”

“Yes, first, please take this.”

Hyun-sung handed a paper bag to Park Hee-cheol.

Then, Park Hee-cheol asked,

“What is this?”

“Thermal underwear.”

“Thermal underwear?”

“Today was the day I settled the accounts for the month.”

“Has it already been that long?”

Park Hee-cheol looked at the calendar hanging on the wall.

“So, I came to report to you and also to visit.”

“So, you bought thermal underwear too?”

“Yes, that’s right. I can’t just skip over Uncle, no matter what others say.”

When you think about it, he was able to run the store because of Park Hee-cheol. If Park Hee-cheol hadn’t readily given him 3 million won, he wouldn’t have been able to start the store from the beginning.

Park Hee-cheol continued,

“Hehe, this friend always has a talent for moving people.”

“I’m more embarrassed that you say that.”

“Anyway, you always have something to say… By the way, how was the monthly settlement?”

“Fortunately, the new menu is doing its part as a 효자 [hyoja – filial son, doing a great job].”

Park Hee-cheol nodded as if he had expected it.

“I guess people’s tastes are similar, right?”

“That’s right. That’s why older customers are coming in during the day.”

“That’s good. I was worried about what would happen when the vacation came…”

“I feel the same way. That’s why I made hangover ramen.”

“Anyway, this hangover ramen was a 신의 한 수 [sin-ui han su – a divine move, a stroke of genius].”

Park Hee-cheol raised his thumb.

Then, Hyun-sung nodded and continued,

“I think so too.”

“And by the way, I heard that the broadcasting station came by?”

“How did you know?”

“I went to the store during the day today. And Ms. Shin was saying that.”

“Yes, that’s right. I think I’ll be on TV once.”

Hyun-sung smiled brightly.

Then, Park Hee-cheol asked right away,

“What’s the meaning of that smile?””I’m a little excited that they’re actually going to film, and I feel strange.”

“I guess so.”

“Oh, and by the way, I heard you’re going on a date tomorrow?”

“Huh? Who said that?”

Park Hee-cheol looked at Hyun-sung with a surprised expression.

“I heard it from Kim Ji-sook ajumma [auntie, a respectful term for older women] today.”

“Hehe, that’s how it happened. But the funny thing is, it’s shaking here.”

Park Hee-cheol tapped his chest.