Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 209

209

“Pardon? What do you mean by that…?”

“Haha, I don’t understand my own feelings either. As you know, I’ll be sixty next year. But when I think about meeting Ms. Shin privately, I feel strange here,” Park Hee-cheol said, still patting his chest.

Hyeon-seong smiled, watching him.

“Uncle, congratulations.”

“Congratulations? What congratulations…?”

“It seems like love is about to find you.”

“Hey, don’t tease me. What love are you talking about at this age?”

Park Hee-cheol shook his head from side to side.

Hyeon-seong watched Park Hee-cheol and said, “Why does your age matter?”

“Are you asking because you don’t know? I’ll be sixty next year. The ‘return to the beginning’ sixtieth birthday [a traditional Korean celebration marking the completion of a life cycle]. It means I’ve gone full circle.”

“Exactly, so what’s the problem with that?”

“Haha, this guy…”

Park Hee-cheol trailed off, seemingly dumbfounded.

Hyeon-seong continued, “Isn’t age just a number anyway? What does it matter if you’re 60 or 80? No one’s life is predetermined, and no one knows when or how things will happen.”

“That’s true, but…”

“Why are you being so unlike yourself, Uncle? No one knows what will happen tomorrow. Isn’t it important to live each day to the fullest?”

“So, you’re saying don’t be afraid in advance?”

Park Hee-cheol looked at Hyeon-seong and asked for confirmation.

Hyeon-seong nodded and continued, “That’s right. Besides, aren’t you healthy right now, Uncle? So what are you afraid of?”

“So, you’re saying ‘age doesn’t matter’?”

“It’s just a number, nothing more. Don’t be foolish and let that number hold you back from doing what you want to do.”

“Haha, foolishness…”

Park Hee-cheol was silent for a moment, as if deep in thought.

After a brief pause, Park Hee-cheol spoke again.

“Then, it’s okay to meet her with confidence, right?”

“Of course. At this point, I don’t think you should reject the meeting itself because of your age.”

“I see. Anyway, listening to you gives me courage.”

Park Hee-cheol nodded and smiled.

Hyeon-seong looked at Park Hee-cheol and asked, “So, where are you going tomorrow?”

“Well, we’re supposed to have lunch, so I have to go to a restaurant, but I don’t know where yet.”

“You’re not thinking of going to Miso Restaurant, are you?”

“Why can’t I go there?”

Park Hee-cheol asked as if it were nothing.

Hyeon-seong looked at Park Hee-cheol in disbelief.

“Uncle, that’s not a good idea. It’s your first date, after all. A regular restaurant is not the best choice.”

“I guess it’s not, huh?”

“Of course not, and you should also consider the lady’s position.”

“Position?”

Park Hee-cheol tilted his head, as if he didn’t understand.

Hyeon-seong said, “Think about it. Even if it’s just a meal, would she want to go to a place in the neighborhood where you often eat? Especially since everyone there knows you. That’s not a good idea.”

“Does it work that way?”

“Of course, it’s not polite.”

“Then what should I do?”

Park Hee-cheol looked at Hyeon-seong.

Hyeon-seong spoke again, “Uncle, is this your first date ever?”

“Of course. When would I have had the chance? I sent my wife to heaven [a euphemism for ‘my wife passed away’] and was betrayed by my children, so I’ve only lived looking at money. You know that better than anyone since I’ve already told you.”

“Ah, yes.”

Hyeon-seong nodded.

Then, Park Hee-cheol continued, “As you know, I wouldn’t be alive today if it weren’t for you. In fact, meeting Ms. Shin like this is all thanks to you.”

“Does it work that way too?”

“So, please teach me how to date.”

“No, why does the conclusion suddenly go that way?”

Hyeon-seong chuckled.

Park Hee-cheol’s behavior was just like the saying, ‘Help a drowning man, and he’ll ask for your belongings’ [a Korean proverb about people taking advantage of kindness].

Hyeon-seong laughed, and Park Hee-cheol smiled and continued, “I’m just saying, so what should I do?”

“First, leave this neighborhood.”

“Leave?”

“Yes, don’t think about having a stuffy date in the neighborhood on this beautiful autumn day. Go somewhere far away, whether it’s a mountain or the sea.”

“Go far away, you mean?”

“The lady is probably tired of her daily routine. Take this opportunity to get some fresh air, eat something delicious, and spend some time like that.”

Park Hee-cheol nodded as if he understood.

A moment later.

“Well, have a good date tomorrow and have a good time.”

“Anyway, thank you. I wouldn’t have been able to have a proper date without you. And thank you so much for this thermal underwear.”

“Yes, then I’ll be going now…”

Hyeon-seong said goodbye and left Park Hee-cheol’s house.

Park Hee-cheol was left alone after Hyeon-seong left.

“That guy…”

The more he thought about it, the more grateful he was. He never expected him to buy thermal underwear. It was completely unexpected. He was amazed at how such a young person could think of such a thing.

A smile spread across Park Hee-cheol’s face.

Hyeon-seong returned home.

He was about to lie down in his room when…

Knock, knock.

Kim Ji-yeon, his younger sister, was standing outside the door when he opened it.

“Why are you knocking all of a sudden…?”

“That’s not right. I mean, you have your privacy… I’ll come in for a bit.”

“Yeah, sure, come in quickly.”

Kim Ji-yeon came into the room and said to Hyeon-seong, “Where have you been?”

“To Mr. Park’s. I had something to deliver.”

“Was it thermal underwear?”

“Yeah, to be honest, I was able to start my business thanks to that uncle. So, I went to say hello.”

Kim Ji-yeon smiled and continued, “Come to think of it, my brother is very polite. It’s not easy to have such thoughts at that age.”

“What? At that age?”

“Well, you’re a sophomore in high school anyway, right?”

Of course, it wasn’t wrong. But for Hyeon-seong, who had regressed, Kim Ji-yeon’s words didn’t sound so good. But Hyeon-seong wasn’t one to say anything about it.

“Anyway, is there something you want to say to me?”

“It’s about In-hye…”

“Why, what’s wrong with In-hye?”

Hyeon-seong tilted his head. He hadn’t seen her for a few days because he was busy, but there were no problems when he last saw her.

Kim Ji-yeon continued, “It seems like something’s going on with her these days, but she won’t answer me even when I ask.”

“She won’t even tell you?”

“Yeah, so, if you have time tomorrow, please meet In-hye and find out what’s going on.”

“She won’t tell you, so will she tell me?”

“I don’t know for sure, but In-hye likes you a lot, so you never know. I’m just worried about passing it over.”

Kim Ji-yeon’s face darkened.

Seeing her like that, Hyeon-seong nodded and said, “Okay, I’ll meet her once before going to the store tomorrow afternoon.”

“Thank you. You’re the only one I can count on.”

“Anyway, how are you doing these days?”

“Well… actually, I have a concern these days.”

“A concern?”

Hyeon-seong tilted his head.

She hadn’t said anything like this until last week. She was just happy that she could go to the school she wanted. But what concern could have arisen in just a week?

Hyeon-seong looked at her, and Kim Ji-yeon opened her mouth. “It seems like I don’t have much time left at home.”

“So, you’re talking about next year?”

“Yeah, I feel strange thinking that I have to leave home after this winter.”

Hyeon-seong glanced at Kim Ji-yeon.

It was a bit unexpected. He thought she would be happy to be independent at that age. But on the contrary, she seemed to have regrets about leaving home.

“Is it because of our parents?”

“Yeah, I’m worried that Mom and Dad will be too lonely if you’re not home and I leave too.”

“Does that bother you that much?”

Kim Ji-yeon nodded instead of answering.

It was because of her parents. He already knew that she was mature for her age, but he didn’t know that she was this concerned.

Hyeon-seong called Kim Ji-yeon softly.

“Ji-yeon!”

“Yeah, Oppa [a Korean term for ‘older brother’ used by females].”

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“I’m so grateful that you have such thoughts. To be honest, I didn’t think our Ji-yeon would be thinking like that.”

“I didn’t have these thoughts at first either. But when I looked at the calendar a few days ago, I realized that there were only two months left this year. And then I started to feel a sense of regret in one corner of my heart.”

Kim Ji-yeon’s eyes were already red.

Seeing her like that, Hyeon-seong took Kim Ji-yeon’s hand.

“Ji-yeon, don’t worry too much. This Oppa will try to come home often.”

“Of course, I know you’ll do well. But I’m just being like this for no reason. It’s not like I’m being particularly good to Mom and Dad either.”

“No, you’re doing well now. And there’s still time until January next year, so pay a little more attention to Mom and Dad during that time.”

“Yeah, I know.”

Kim Ji-yeon nodded slowly.

A moment later.

Hyeon-seong said, “And by the way, don’t think about living alone when you go to Chuncheon.”

“What do you mean?”

“Oppa will find you a boarding house.”

“That won’t work.”

“Why?”

“It’s too expensive. Besides, I can’t comfortably live in a boarding house knowing that Oppa is working hard from early in the morning.”

Kim Ji-yeon shook her head from side to side, refusing firmly.

Then, Hyeon-seong said again, “Ji-yeon, that’s not right. It’s okay because this Oppa is doing it because I want to. So, listen to me.”

“No! Oppa, that’s not right. I know that much even if I’m immature. Instead, I’ll gratefully accept your heart. I’m not a princess, and I can do enough with my own hands when it comes to what I eat.”

“Is it impossible?”

“Yeah, I know how you feel about me, Oppa, but I can’t receive that much. I’m already able to go to Chuncheon thanks to you, so I can’t get any more help from you here.”

Kim Ji-yeon was still adamant.

Hyeon-seong smiled, watching Kim Ji-yeon.

Hyeon-seong’s own thoughts were short-sighted.

He thought she would naturally be happy if he told her he would get her a boarding house. But that was just his delusion.

But the strange thing is that he feels good instead.

What kind of feeling is this…? [Hyeon-seong is feeling proud and touched by his sister’s maturity and consideration.]

A moment later.

Kim Ji-yeon took something out of her pocket.

“Oppa, this.”

“What is this?”

“Read it after I leave. I wrote a few words simply earlier. I thought it would be too cheesy to say it in words.”

“Oh, I’m curious. Can I see it?”