Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 234

“Would you like me to lower the monthly rent?”

“Mr. President… are you serious?”

Yun Ji-young doubted her ears.

In fact, she had been very anxious since she heard a month ago that Oh Sang-cheol had put the building up for sale.

It was all because of the monthly rent.

She was worried that if the landlord changed, she would have to rewrite the contract, and the new landlord might raise the deposit or the monthly rent again.

Even now, the monthly rent is quite a burden because the previous landlord, Oh Sang-cheol, raised the rent every time he renewed the contract every two years.

If the rent were to be raised again this time, she had been seriously considering it. She felt that she could no longer endure it here with this monthly rent.

Hyun-sung continued.

“Would that be of some help?”

“If you could do that, I wouldn’t ask for anything more. To be honest, I’ve been so anxious since I heard the news that the building was put up for sale. I was worried that the new landlord might ask for a higher rent.”

“Ah, yes…”

Hyun-sung nodded. He could fully understand what she meant. Usually, when a landlord changes, it’s common to see the monthly rent increased while rewriting the contract.

When Hyun-sung nodded, Yun Ji-young spoke again.

“I don’t know if you know, but the monthly rent here is quite high.”

“I was surprised when I first heard about it from the real estate agent. Of course, there are more people passing through near the terminal than elsewhere, but I didn’t think there was any reason for it to be so expensive.”

“Who doesn’t? It was all thanks to the tyranny of Oh, the former president. In fact, when Myeong-soon’s sister, who was next door, was kicked out after 10 years of business, I couldn’t say anything to comfort her, and I was so upset.”

“Ah, yes, that’s right.”

Hyun-sung nodded again.

Then Yun Ji-young’s words continued again.

“It’s a relief that Myeong-soon’s sister was lucky enough to meet you, Mr. President, and do business like that. What would have happened if that hadn’t happened?”

“I’m still dizzy when I think about that time.”

That’s true.

Hyun-sung was also in the dark at that moment. Fortunately, he was able to overcome the crisis because he thought of the current ramen shop.

Yun Ji-young said.

“Anyway, how much is the monthly rent…”

“How much of a reduction would you like, Ms. Yun?”

“Of course, I’d like you to lower it a lot, but I can’t ask for too much in good conscience. I’d be grateful if you could take off 50,000 to 100,000 won [approximately $40-$80 USD]. In fact, it would be good just not to raise it.”

Hyun-sung smiled at Yun Ji-young’s answer.

He was grateful for Yun Ji-young’s consideration. He thought that usually, people would ask for at least 100,000 won or more.

Hyun-sung said with a pleasant expression.

“I’ll reduce it by 200,000 won [approximately $160 USD].”

“As much as 200,000 won?”

“Yes, I think that’s appropriate in this commercial district.”

“No matter how much…”

Yun Ji-young couldn’t finish her words.

That’s because who in the world would be a landlord who would lower the monthly rent on his own? It’s not just a small amount, but 200,000 won.

Then Hyun-sung spoke again.

“But there are conditions.”

“Conditions?”

Yun Ji-young tilted her head.

Even if she thought about it, she didn’t think Hyun-sung would set any conditions.

“The condition is that you continue to do business here for more than 10 years.”

“Are you talking about now…”

“Yes, I want to be with you for a long time. I don’t like tenants changing often.”

“Hoho, I can agree to anything with such conditions. Besides, you’re such a good person, why would I leave?”

Yun Ji-young smiled and looked at Hyun-sung.

Then, as if she had thought of something, she immediately continued.

“I’ll make a promise to you, Mr. President.”

“Why a sudden promise?”

“Actually, I’ve only been thinking about it, but I’m going to put it into practice this time.”

“What is it?”

“I’m going to go to the senior citizen center once a month to volunteer for haircuts.”

“Are you serious?”

Hyun-sung’s expression shone particularly brightly.

The reason was simple. Hyun-sung was also thinking about something similar.

When Hyun-sung was unusually happy, Yun Ji-young asked.

“But why are you so happy, Mr. President?”

“Actually, I was thinking about something similar. I got a lot of help from the senior citizens at the senior citizen center when I first started selling ramen.”

“From them?”

“Yes, thanks to them advertising that the ramen was delicious, the number of elderly customers increased a lot. So I wanted to repay them in some way, but since you’re volunteering, I’m thinking of going with you. Of course, I’ll bring ramen. The seniors surprisingly like hangover ramen [a spicy ramen often eaten as a hangover cure].”

“That’s great. It would be perfect if you could give them a haircut in the morning and cook ramen for lunch.”

Yun Ji-young liked it as if it were her own business.

Hyun-sung nodded as he watched her.

It is said that you can know a person’s character by observing one action. Even a small act of service is never easy to do.

Looking at Yun Ji-young, Hyun-sung asked.

“But why did you suddenly think of that?”

“Because of you, Mr. President.”

“Yes? What do you mean?”

Hyun-sung tilted his head and asked.

Then Yun Ji-young smiled and continued.

“Actually, I made a promise with God while praying today.”

“Yes? What are you talking about?”

“If the new landlord doesn’t raise the monthly rent, I will do the volunteer work that I have been putting off.”

“Haha, no way…”

Hyun-sung just laughed because he was dumbfounded.

Then Yun Ji-young smiled slightly, as if she thought it was a bit absurd, and continued.

“I was really desperate at that moment. To be honest, I was even thinking of moving the store if you raised the monthly rent. It was a really desperate moment for me.”

Hyun-sung nodded.

Why wouldn’t he know that feeling? Hyun-sung, who had been living on monthly rent for over 20 years.

The pressure of monthly rent.

Those who haven’t experienced it won’t know.

The day to pay the monthly rent comes back so quickly.

It’s okay if the monthly rent is prepared.

There is no greater anxiety than on the day when you can’t prepare the monthly rent because something happened. In the end, the cold voice you hear when you ask for understanding over the phone.

And the most feared thing is the expiration date of the contract.

If it just passes quietly, it will automatically renew, but on that day, you remember so well that you bring two copies of the contract.

In the end, the last thing that comes back is the monthly rent increase.

Even up to that point, I can’t help but endure it even though it’s unfair.

There is one last thing I can’t handle.

That is the inability to extend the contract.

That was the case with Hyun-sung in his previous life. After investing and growing the store, the last thing that comes back is the landlord’s tyranny.

No matter how much the law protects you, the tenant is the one who suffers in the end.

Hyun-sung said.

“So you made that kind of prayer?”

“Yes, I don’t go to church regularly, but I couldn’t help but pray like that because I was desperate.”

Hyun-sung nodded once again.

How could you have done that?

When people are in a hurry, they first look for God regardless of religion. However, most people usually forget about it as if nothing happened once they get through that crisis.

But Yun Ji-young is different from other ordinary people in that she is going to keep her promise at that moment.

Hyun-sung looked at Yun Ji-young and said.

“So you’re going to keep that promise from now on, right?”

“Yes, I’ve been doing business for over 10 years, and now I thought I should do something for the neighborhood.”

Hyun-sung nodded and asked again.

“Then when would be a good date?”

“How about the last Sunday of every month?”

“Yes, I understand. Then let’s visit the senior citizen center on the last Sunday of every month.”

“That’s great. I’m so glad to be volunteering with you like this.”

“I feel the same way. Then shall we write the contract now?”

The two began to write the contract.

After a while.

Hyun-sung handed over a copy of the contract and said.

“Okay, it’s all done. Check it out.”

“But Mr. President, have you written a lot of contracts?”

“Yes?”

“You’re so good at it. It’s not like you’ve written it once or twice?”

“Haha, is that so? That’s how it happened…”

Hyun-sung just laughed because he had nothing special to say.

The experience from his previous life came out without him knowing while writing the contract.

Yun Ji-young looked at the contract and said.

“Mr. President, what’s the special thing here?”

“Ah, that? It’s my promise not to raise the monthly rent for the next 10 years.”

“No, is that really true?”

“You’ve had a hard time with the monthly rent so far. I want you to do business comfortably from now on.”

These are the words Hyun-sung wanted to hear so much in his previous life. But it’s something I’ve never heard from any landlord.

My wish was to be able to do business without worrying about the monthly rent even if the contract expired while living on monthly rent. Although I couldn’t fulfill that wish in my previous life, it’s different this time.

Since the position has changed, Hyun-sung wanted to extend that much kindness to the tenant.

Yun Ji-young looked at Hyun-sung and said.

“Hoho, I can’t believe this day is coming to me.”

“Are you that happy?”

“Of course I’m happy. I’ve had so much trouble in the meantime. But I’m so glad to have met someone like you, Mr. President.”

Yun Ji-young was so happy.

Hyun-sung nodded and smiled as he watched her.

It seemed like he could understand that feeling.

Hyun-sung said again.

“And by the way, it will be a bit noisy from tomorrow due to the construction on the second floor. I’d like to ask for your understanding in advance.”

“Ah, that’s definitely okay. And thank you for telling me about such things in advance. The previous President Oh didn’t have any consideration like that.”

“Ah, yes…”

Hyun-sung had nothing special to say.

It was one aspect of how much Oh Sang-cheol had been abusing his power as a landlord.

After a brief greeting, Hyun-sung left the beauty salon and headed to the ramen shop.

Kim Il-soo was waiting when Hyun-sung arrived at the ramen shop.

“Aren’t you off work yet?”

“Yeah, I wanted to see your face.”

“Do you have anything to say?”

“That’s…”

Kim Il-soo couldn’t open his mouth easily.

Then Hyun-sung said immediately.

“Hey, what can’t we talk about now between us? Don’t feel pressured and tell me.”

“It’s not that, but the vacation is in two weeks, right?”

“So?”

“Business will be less here during the vacation, right?”

“Of course. Anyway, there won’t be any students until the spring vacation, so I can’t help it.”

“So, I’m saying…”

Kim Il-soo still couldn’t say it right away.

Then Hyun-sung asked again.

“What’s the problem?”

“If that’s the case, you won’t need anyone here during the vacation, right?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Since business is slow, I think two ladies will be enough.”

“You mean?”

Only then did Hyun-sung think he knew what Kim Il-soo was worried about.

Hyun-sung looked at Kim Il-soo and asked immediately.

“Hey, are you…”