Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 239

239

Sunday, the last week of December.

Today was the day I had agreed to volunteer at the senior center with Yoon Ji-young, the owner of the hair salon, some time ago.

Ring, ring.

“Hello.”

– This is the hair salon, Mr. Kim.

“Yes, hello. I guess you haven’t left yet?”

– We’re just about to leave. What time will you be there, Mr. Kim?

“The rice cakes [Injeolmi, a type of Korean rice cake] and meat I ordered will be ready at 10, so after picking them up, I should be there around 11.”

– You prepared rice cakes and meat, not just ramen?

Yoon Ji-young hadn’t thought of that.

When they first talked, there was no mention of anything other than ramen.

Hyun-sung replied.

“I thought it might be insufficient to only serve ramen to the seniors, so I also prepared injeolmi and sliced pork. And of course, makgeolli [Korean rice wine].”

– Injeolmi, sliced pork, and makgeolli? Are you planning a feast?

“Not quite a feast, but since we’re doing this, I want to treat the seniors to a proper meal.”

– Ah… I see. Is there anything else I can help with?

“I’m bringing a few friends, so there’s nothing special you need to do. Just enjoy your meal after the hair styling service.”

– Okay, I understand. Then I’ll see you at lunchtime.

“Okay, thanks for your hard work.”

Click.

Hyun-sung headed back to the kitchen. He wanted to finish trimming the bean sprouts he had been working on earlier, as bean sprouts are essential for hangover ramen.

A little later.

Hyun-sung came out after finishing the bean sprouts.

Just then.

Ring, ring.

The phone rang again.

“Hello.”

– Mr. Kim, it’s me.

The caller was none other than Seo Min-gyu, the president of the senior citizens association.

“Yes, President. I was just about to call you. In a little while…”

Hyun-sung had to cut himself off.

Because Seo Min-gyu suddenly interrupted him.

– Mr. Kim, what should we do about this?

“What? What’s wrong?”

– Until yesterday, we only had 30 people, but this morning, suddenly 40 more have been added.

“What? What are you talking about? When I checked with you yesterday, you said there were about 30 people.”

– Of course, but this morning, it suddenly increased. It’s because of the food.

“Because of the food? What do you mean?”

Hyun-sung tilted his head. He couldn’t understand what he was saying, even at a glance.

Seo Min-gyu spoke again.

– When you said yesterday that you were preparing rice cakes, meat, and makgeolli, even people who weren’t coming contacted us to say they would come.

“So, that makes 70 people in total?”

– That’s the number we’ve received calls for so far. But honestly, I don’t know how many more will say they’re coming. What should we do about this?

It was Hyun-sung who was in trouble.

At this rate, almost a hundred people could gather. The problem was the amount of food prepared. Just in case, he had prepared enough for 40 people. And that was with plenty to spare.

But in this situation, the food would be woefully insufficient.

Hyun-sung checked the time.

It was 8 o’clock, and there were 4 hours until lunchtime. That meant he had to prepare food for 60 more people in 4 hours.

Hyun-sung said into the receiver.

“President, hang up for now. I’ll try to prepare the food somehow.”

– Do you think that’s possible?

“I have to try. Then, I’m busy, so I’ll hang up now.”

Click.

Hyun-sung hung up the phone.

Then he immediately called Miso Restaurant.

– Hello.

“사장님 [Sajangnim – restaurant owner], this is me.”

– Oh, Mr. Kim, what’s up?

“Can I order more sliced pork now?”

– By when?

“By lunchtime.”

– There’s not enough time for that.

“There’s no way?”

– Of course not. It takes at least 10 hours to prepare.

“Okay, I understand. I’m busy, so I’ll hang up now.”

Click.

Hyun-sung looked up at the ceiling with a troubled expression.

Just then.

Clang.

The store door opened, and someone came in.

It was Kim Il-soo.

“Il-soo!”

Hyun-sung was so happy that he called out Kim Il-soo’s name loudly.

Kim Il-soo said with a bewildered expression.

“What’s with the extreme reaction?”

“You’re my savior.”

“What’s wrong?”

“The thing is…”

Hyun-sung began to briefly explain the conversation he had with Seo Min-gyu, the president of the senior citizens association, earlier. As Hyun-sung’s explanation continued, Kim Il-soo’s expression changed to one of disbelief, as if to say, ‘Is that even possible?’

And finally, when Hyun-sung’s explanation ended, he immediately asked.

“So, what you’re saying is that the number of people could increase to as many as 100?”

“That’s right.”

“So, you have to make more food for the added people within 4 hours?”

“Yeah, that’s why I’m so glad you came in this situation.”

Kim Il-soo shook his head vigorously from side to side, as if he couldn’t understand, and continued.

“So, what are you going to do?”

“I’m thinking of boiling pork. It’s perfect in terms of time. You know how to boil pork, right?”

“Of course. Any guy who wants to be a chef knows that much.”

“That’s great. I’ll go out and buy pork, so you quickly put water in three large pots and prepare to boil the pork.”

“Is three pots enough?”

“That should be enough. Okay, let’s move quickly since we don’t have much time.”

As soon as Hyun-sung finished speaking, Kim Il-soo headed straight to the kitchen. Then Hyun-sung also left the store and headed to the butcher shop.

A little later.

Hyun-sung, who had returned after buying pork, looked at Kim Il-soo and asked.

“Is the water boiling?”

“Not yet, it’s taking a while because the pots are big.”

“You put in soybean paste and vegetables, right?”

“Of course. Just add the pork and soju [Korean distilled spirit] when it starts boiling. That way, the meat won’t smell and it’ll taste good.”

Hyun-sung nodded and continued.

“I’m so glad you came early. I was really feeling hopeless a little while ago.”

“Hopeless about what… you would have done well on your own anyway.”

“I guess I would have. But how much would I have suffered?”

“Well, it wouldn’t have been easy to do all this alone. By the way, why did so many people suddenly increase?”

“That’s…”

Hyun-sung began to explain why the number of people had suddenly increased. When Hyun-sung’s explanation ended, Kim Il-soo chuckled and continued.

“So, in the end, the rice cakes and meat seduced the seniors?”

“I guess so. When I first said I was only making ramen, there were only 30 people. But yesterday, when I talked to the president and said I was preparing rice cakes, meat, and even makgeolli, the rumor suddenly spread among the seniors.”

“Anyway, it’s a good thing. It’s good to have a lot of people gathering.”

“I agree. Next time, we can prepare a lot in advance, so just suffer today.”

“What suffering?”

Kim Il-soo smiled slightly as if it was nothing and looked at Hyun-sung. Then Hyun-sung lightly tapped Kim Il-soo’s shoulder as if to say thank you.

How much time had passed?

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

“I think the meat is almost done now?”

“Shall we check?”

Kim Il-soo went into the kitchen and began to check the condition of the meat.

Kim Il-soo, who was checking the condition of the meat, looked at Hyun-sung and said.

“It’s cooked very well.”

“Really? Then let’s take it out for now. Be careful because it’s hot. We still have time, so let’s take it out and cut it after it cools down a bit.”

“We should. If we cut it when it’s hot, the meat might fall apart, so it’s better to cut it after it cools down a bit.”

The two carefully began to take out the meat.

A little later.

Clang.

The store door opened, and three people came in.

It was Lee Soo-hyuk, Lee Min-woo, and Lee Jung-woo.

Lee Jung-woo looked at Hyun-sung and asked.

“What’s this smell? It smells delicious?”

“I boiled meat. Does it smell good?”

“Yeah, it smells great. But why are you boiling meat? Didn’t you say you ordered sliced pork?”

“That’s…”

Hyun-sung had no choice but to explain one more time. When Hyun-sung’s explanation ended, Lee Jung-woo asked in surprise.

“Not 30 people, but 100 people?”

“Only 70 people have been confirmed so far, and we’re expecting up to 100 people.”

“Then aren’t the five of us not enough?”

“The food is already made, so it’ll be enough to just go and set it up.”

Lee Jung-woo nodded as if he understood Hyun-sung’s explanation.

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

“Is there anything we can help with?”

“I need to go to the mill and the restaurant to pick up the rice cakes and sliced pork, so go with Min-woo and pick them up. The payment has already been made, so you just need to pick them up.”

“Okay, we’ll go and pick them up.”

As soon as Lee Soo-hyuk and Lee Min-woo opened the store door and left, Lee Jung-woo asked.

“What should I do?”

“Go to the warehouse and bring 3 boxes of ramen. And take out the kimchi from the refrigerator. Il-soo and I will cut the meat from now on.”

“Okay, I got it.”

Lee Jung-woo nodded and headed to the warehouse.

An hour later.

When all the preparations were finished, Hyun-sung said.

“Thank you all for your hard work today, and especially be careful when carrying the ramen because it’s hot. And don’t forget to gather here again for the after-party when it’s over.”

“Gather again?”

Lee Jung-woo asked again.

Then Hyun-sung smiled and continued.

“You’ve all worked hard, so we should at least eat some pork belly.”

“What hard work? We’re having this experience thanks to you, so it’s good.”

“I’m grateful that you think so, but I’d be sad to just break up like this, so let’s all gather again without anyone missing.”

“Okay, I understand. Anyway, thank you for creating this opportunity.”

It was when Lee Jung-woo’s words had just ended.

A group of students was passing through the alley and approaching Hyun-sung’s store.

“Who are those guys?”

Lee Jung-woo asked.

Then Hyun-sung’s gaze naturally turned to that side as well.

A little later.

“Sunbae-nim [Senior in school]!”

Han Myung-soo of the Jandi Faction ran up and bowed his head in front of Hyun-sung.

Then Hyun-sung asked.

“Hey, what are you guys doing here?”

“Sunbae-nim, I’m disappointed.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I heard you’re going to volunteer at the senior center today?”

Han Myung-soo looked at Hyun-sung and asked.

Then Hyun-sung chuckled and asked.

“How did you know?”

“That’s not important right now, is it? How could you try to go like this with only the sunbae-nims without saying a word to me?”

“That’s…”

Hyun-sung had nothing special to say.

Then Kim Tae-jin, who was next to him, opened his mouth.

“Actually, I heard it from my grandfather.”

“Grandfather?”

“Yes, my grandfather said they were giving out ramen at the senior center today. So, when I asked him in detail, he mentioned sunbae-nim.”

“So, that’s how you found out?”

“Yes, but after hearing that a lot of seniors were coming, I was worried, so I hurriedly brought these guys with me.”

Hyun-sung smiled slightly as he looked back and forth between Han Myung-soo and Kim Tae-jin.

Then Han Myung-soo spoke again.

“If you leave us out again next time, we’ll be really disappointed. Got it?”

“You brat, thank you. Let’s go together next time.”

“You definitely promised.”

“Okay, I understand, so quickly load these things onto the cart. Let’s go quickly. The seniors will be waiting.”

“Yes, sunbae-nim.”

A little later.

Hyun-sung, including the 15 people, headed to the senior center pulling the cart.