Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 242

242

“Cirrhosis?”

“Yes, but fortunately, it’s still in the early stages.”

“Early stage means the liver has already started to harden, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct. There must have been early symptoms, but it seems you overlooked them while running your business. If it progresses further, the number of liver cells capable of normal function will become excessively low, leading to complications from liver dysfunction, such as protein synthesis and detoxification. Of course, if left untreated, the incidence of liver cancer will also increase significantly.”

Hyun-sung’s explanation prompted Park Hee-cheol to nod. “Anyway, you’ve done a great job again.”

“President Kwon was just lucky.”

“Indeed. By the way, it’s about time for them to arrive…”

Park Hee-cheol looked at his watch and then towards the door.

Hyun-sung asked, “Why have you been looking at your watch since earlier? Are you expecting someone?”

“Yes, someone you know well.”

“Me?”

Hyun-sung tilted his head, puzzled.

Park Hee-cheol smiled. “I wanted to formally introduce you.”

“I wonder who it is.”

Just then,

Creak.

The door opened, and someone entered.

“Huh? Mother?”

The person who entered was none other than Lee Jung-woo’s mother, Shin Myung-soon.

Shin Myung-soon looked at Park Hee-cheol and said, “Am I a bit late?”

“No, you’re right on time. Myung-soon, please sit here.”

Park Hee-cheol guided her to a seat, and Shin Myung-soon sat next to him. Hyun-sung looked at Park Hee-cheol and asked, “Was the person you were going to introduce me to my mother?”

“I felt I should formally introduce you to her, especially to you.”

“Does that mean…”

“We’ve decided to have our engagement ceremony this May.”

“Is that really true?”

“Yes, it’s all thanks to you. If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t have met, and we wouldn’t be together like this.”

As Park Hee-cheol finished speaking, Shin Myung-soon immediately added, “What the Chairman says is true. Thanks to you, President Kim, I was able to meet the Chairman. I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude.”

“You’re too kind. And please, in a casual setting like this, please speak comfortably. I feel very uncomfortable with honorifics.”

“It’s just that it’s become a habit without me realizing it, so it’s more comfortable…”

“Please don’t. I’m uncomfortable with that.”

“Alright, I understand.”

Shin Myung-soon smiled.

Hyun-sung spoke again. “Anyway, congratulations. If the engagement ceremony is in May, are you planning the wedding soon too?”

“Well, to be honest, I’m a bit embarrassed to have a wedding at my age…”

“So, you’re not going to have one?”

“I’m thinking about it. The Chairman feels similarly…”

Hyun-sung looked at Park Hee-cheol.

Park Hee-cheol scratched his head. “It’s just a bit…”

“Uncle, that doesn’t make sense. An engagement ceremony presupposes a wedding. Not having a wedding doesn’t make sense, does it?”

“That’s true, but… as you know, I’ll be sixty next year. It feels awkward to have a wedding at this age.”

Hyun-sung couldn’t understand at all. Did that make sense? What did age have to do with whether or not he had a wedding?

Hyun-sung looked at Park Hee-cheol. “Have you already forgotten what I told you last time?”

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

“I clearly told you last time that age is just a number. But now you’re saying you can’t have a wedding because of your age?”

“It’s easy to say, but no matter how I think about it, it’s a bit…”

Park Hee-cheol still seemed hesitant.

Looking at Park Hee-cheol, Hyun-sung spoke again. “Uncle, can I talk to you outside for a moment?”

“Outside?”

“Yes, it’s something I can’t say in front of your mother. Mother, I’m sorry. I’ll just talk to him outside for a moment and come back in.”

“Oh? Oh, okay, I understand.”

Shin Myung-soon seemed briefly surprised by Hyun-sung’s sudden attitude but quickly regained her composure.

The two went outside.

Hyun-sung spoke to Park Hee-cheol first. “First of all, I apologize for bringing you out here like this. If you feel offended, I apologize in advance.”

“Why would I be offended? You’re doing it all for me. So, tell me what you want to say.”

“I just don’t think this is right.”

“Of course, I understand what you mean, but it’s not as easy as you think for me.”

Park Hee-cheol still hadn’t changed his mind.

Looking at Park Hee-cheol, Hyun-sung spoke again. “Then let me ask you just one thing.”

“What is it?”

“Do you think your mother feels the same way?”

“Actually, that’s what I’m most concerned about. She says she doesn’t want one either, but I don’t think that’s really how she feels. I think it’s because of me…”

Park Hee-cheol trailed off.

Hyun-sung immediately continued, “Do you know how old your mother is?”

“Of course. She’s forty-eight this year.”

“I’m sorry for saying this, but isn’t forty-eight a prime age for a woman?”

“That’s true. That’s why I’m hesitating.”

Park Hee-cheol covered his head with both hands, looking troubled.

Hyun-sung spoke again. “I’m sorry to say this, but honestly, what woman wants to get married without a wedding? It doesn’t make sense.”

“Is that really how it is…”

“In my opinion, it’s the least you can do for her.”

“The least I can do?”

“Yes, that’s right. If you just let it pass like this, you’ll be doing something she’ll never forget for the rest of her life.”

“Haha… is it that serious?”

Park Hee-cheol chuckled in disbelief.

Hyun-sung spoke again. “That’s how it is in my understanding. If you had thought about it from her perspective first, you wouldn’t have thought that way.”

“Hmm…”

Park Hee-cheol was silent, deep in thought.

After a moment,

Park Hee-cheol opened his mouth. “Is formality that important?”

“Have you ever heard the saying that form governs content?”

“I think I’ve heard of it before…”

“Of course, people don’t need to be too bound by formality, but sometimes that formality is more important than anything else. I think that’s the case with you right now.”

“Hmm…”

Park Hee-cheol nodded slowly.

Then he slowly opened his mouth again. “Now that I hear it, it seems that way…”

“It’s not just that it seems that way, it is that way. It’s not too late now. Make a decision.”

“Then what should I do?”

“What’s there to 고민 [to worry about]? Have a wedding for all to see. And remember, your age has nothing to do with it.”

“…Alright, I’ll discuss that issue with Myung-soon again seriously.”

Hyun-sung shook his head. He didn’t think it was a matter of discussion.

Hyun-sung looked at Park Hee-cheol. “What’s there to discuss? That’s just making your mother suffer twice.”

“Still, shouldn’t we discuss it first?”

“Of course, discussion is important in everything, but I don’t think that applies to this. I think it’s time for you to show some decisive leadership as a man.”

“That’s the way to care for Myung-soon, you mean?”

Park Hee-cheol looked at Hyun-sung and asked.

Hyun-sung nodded. “Of course. There’s no bride in the world who doesn’t want a wedding.”

“Then how about a wedding instead of an engagement ceremony?”

“Personally, I’m in favor.”

“Hmm… then if we’re going to do it, it’s better to do it lavishly, right?”

Park Hee-cheol’s expression was definitely different from before.

Looking at Park Hee-cheol, Hyun-sung continued, “Of course, being lavish is good, but what’s more important is your heart, I think.”

“Heart?”

“Yes, what your mother wants is your heart, your belief. The conviction that ‘this person really considers me a lifelong partner.'”

“You mean that was lacking?”

Hyun-sung nodded. “Even just looking at this wedding issue, there must have been some 불안한 면 [uneasiness] in your mother’s eyes, even if she didn’t say it.”

“Hmm… come to think of it, she was a bit sensitive whenever the wedding came up.”

“You need to show her a firm 모습 [image] now so that she doesn’t feel 불안한 면 [uneasiness] about that issue.”

“Alright. I’ll settle that issue today.”

“Then that’s settled. Let’s go in now. Your mother must be waiting.”

“Anyway, thank you. I’ve received help from you again today.”

The two went back into the store.

The two opened the door and entered.

Park Hee-cheol looked at Shin Myung-soon. “Myung-soon, I’m sorry. I got a bit late while talking.”

“It’s okay. So, did you have a good talk?”

“Yes, thanks to President Kim, I’ve changed my mind a lot.”

“Changed your mind?”

Shin Myung-soon tilted her head and looked at Park Hee-cheol.

Park Hee-cheol immediately continued, “First, I have something to tell Myung-soon.”

“To me?”

“Yes, let’s call off our engagement ceremony.”

“Yes? What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

Shin Myung-soon looked at Park Hee-cheol with a bewildered expression.

Park Hee-cheol said again, “Instead, how about we have the wedding right away?”

“Yes? What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

Shin Myung-soon looked at Park Hee-cheol with a bewildered expression.

Until just a moment ago, he was only talking about having an engagement ceremony. But suddenly, he’s canceling the engagement ceremony and suggesting a wedding, so Shin Myung-soon couldn’t help but be bewildered.

Park Hee-cheol’s words continued. “Thinking about it, I think I was only thinking about myself too much. I should have thought about Myung-soon first, but I made a big mistake.”

“No, what did you talk about outside that made you change so suddenly?”

“I got scolded a lot by President Kim for only thinking about myself.”

“Yes?”

Shin Myung-soon looked at Hyun-sung.

Hyun-sung smiled. “What do you think, Mother?”

“It’s all so sudden…”

“You’re so beautiful, Mother. You’ll look really pretty in a wedding dress.”

“Wedding dress?”

“Yes, of course, you should wear one. You’ll be a bride in May.”

“Oh my…”

Shin Myung-soon blushed as if she were shy.

Park Hee-cheol, who was watching the scene from the side, opened his mouth. “Myung-soon, I’m sorry. You like it so much, and I almost made a big mistake without knowing it.”

“…….”

Shin Myung-soon was silent.

Park Hee-cheol grabbed Shin Myung-soon’s hand. “Myung-soon, I promise I will never make this mistake again.”

“Excuse me, Chairman…”

“Yes, Myung-soon, what is it?”

“Actually…….”

Plop.

Tears suddenly fell from Shin Myung-soon’s eyes.