Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 245

245

A moment later.

Hic.

Hyeonseong asked,

“Are you crying?”

“Huh? Oh, no, who’s crying…”

Kim Jiyeon tried to hide her tears and stepped out of Hyeonseong’s arms.

Hyeonseong asked again,

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, it just suddenly happened without me realizing…”

Tap, tap.

Hyeonseong patted Kim Jiyeon’s shoulder.

Kim Jiyeon looked at Hyeonseong and smiled shyly.

“I’ve never felt like this before. Thank you, Oppa [term of endearment used by a younger sister to an older brother or male friend].”

“You’re saying all sorts of things.”

“No, in my life, no one has ever spoken so entirely for me like this, so I just couldn’t help it… Anyway, are we really going to Chuncheon tomorrow?”

“If you want, anytime.”

Hyeonseong said confidently.

Then Kim Jiyeon asked again,

“What about the store?”

“Is the store the problem now? Our Jiyeon’s matter comes first.”

“Oppa, really… Are you sure it’s okay?”

“It’s okay. And these days, it’s vacation time, so even if I’m not there, Ilsu and Minwoo are enough.”

“That’s right, Ilsu Oppa was saying that. He said that during vacation, you don’t really need extra help, but you’re hiring them on purpose for their sake. Is that true?”

Kim Jiyeon looked at Hyeonseong with a curious expression.

Hyeonseong chuckled and continued,

“Ilsu said that?”

“Yeah, so he said he felt sorry and grateful to you.”

“Those two are in tough situations. And I can handle things outside comfortably thanks to them, so if you think about it, we’re helping each other out.”

“That’s just what Oppa thinks, Ilsu Oppa doesn’t think so. Anyway, it’s true that our Oppa is amazing. It’s amazing that you run a store at that age and even take responsibility for your friends.”

“Responsibility, what…”

Hyeonseong said as if it were nothing.

Then Kim Jiyeon continued,

“Please take good care of Ilsu Oppa in the future too.”

“What’s there to take care of? He does well on his own.”

“No, Oppa doesn’t know. That Oppa may be big, but his heart is so soft. He’s someone who needs someone to care about him.”

Hehehe.

Hyeonseong laughed without realizing it.

Then Kim Jiyeon asked immediately,

“What? What’s with that laugh?”

“It’s just because you said Ilsu is soft. In my eyes, he’s not that kind of guy. And what good is a guy if he’s soft? If he’s really soft like you said, that’s a problem too.”

“So, you don’t think he’s like that?”

“Of course. So, don’t worry about him and focus on your school life. Especially, make sure you eat. Oh, now that we’re talking about food, are you still not thinking about living in a boarding house?”

At Hyeonseong’s question, Kim Jiyeon shook her head from side to side and continued,

“That’s already been decided. You worked so hard to earn money and even get me a room, do I look like a spoiled brat who would comfortably eat food made by others?”

“I don’t mind…”

“No, I mind. So, don’t bring that up again.”

“Okay, I understand. Then let’s go tomorrow, find a room, and buy some household goods.”

“Household goods?”

Kim Jiyeon looked at Hyeonseong.

Then Hyeonseong immediately continued,

“Yeah, you’ll need this and that anyway.”

“I’ll buy those slowly later. I can’t keep owing you favors for that too. Just going together to get a room is already more than enough.”

“Are you sure you’ll be okay?”

“Of course. As you know, I’m not a princess. I can do most things on my own.”

“Okay, I understand. Then tomorrow, I’ll just help you find a room, and you can buy the rest yourself.”

“Yeah, don’t worry. Anyway, I’m so happy that you’re taking care of me like this. Thank you so much, Oppa.”

“What are you thanking me for? Then rest. I’ll be going now…”

Hyeonseong left Kim Jiyeon’s room.

Kim Jiyeon was left alone.

She took out a photo from an old album.

It was a photo taken with her brother on a picnic when she was very young. Her brother’s hand was on her shoulder.

Swish.

She stroked the photo with her hand.

Until a few months ago, she couldn’t have imagined this would happen. Her family was so poor that she had no choice but to go to a vocational high school in Namyangju. There was only one reason. The tuition was free, and accommodation was provided.

But a few days after the summer vacation ended, a change came.

It started with her brother. He handed her a bankbook with 1 million won [Korean currency] in it, telling her to find her dream. Later, she found out that the money was from selling wild ginseng. Of course, her brother had found that ginseng after wandering in the mountains for almost 20 days.

The change started then.

She took the first step towards going to the teachers’ college she had so desired. That meant she had the opportunity to go to Chuncheon Girls’ High School.

And now, to take that first step, she was looking for a room, and her brother was taking responsibility for getting it for her.

Not even a monthly rent, but a Jeonse [a Korean housing lease system where a tenant pays a large lump sum deposit instead of monthly rent].

Kim Jiyeon looked at the photo one more time.

In the photo, her playful brother was still putting his hand on her shoulder.

Because of that brother, she found hope and was able to dream.

Swish.

Kim Jiyeon stroked the photo one more time.

The next day.

“What?”

Her father looked at Hyeonseong and asked.

“I’m going to Chuncheon with Jiyeon today.”

“So, you’re saying you’re going to find a room today?”

“Yes, and I’m planning to get a Jeonse if possible.”

“If you can get it, a Jeonse is more convenient than a monthly rent. But why did you suddenly decide to go?”

“If we go later and there are no rooms, it’ll be a headache. So, I’m trying to find one in advance.”

The father nodded and continued,

“That’s not wrong. But shouldn’t this father go too?”

“No, Jiyeon and I can go together and get it. You said you were going to buy a cultivator today, right?”

“The cultivator isn’t urgent.”

“I’ll just go. You just go buy the cultivator.”

The father looked at Kim Jiyeon this time and said,

“Are you sure you’ll be okay?”

“Yes, Dad. Oppa said he’ll take care of it, so don’t worry too much.”

“Okay, then go and do well.”

The father nodded as if he understood.

The two left the house and headed to the terminal.

A few hours later.

Kim Jiyeon, who got off the bus, looked at Hyeonseong and asked,

“Oppa, where is this?”

“This is Hupyeong-dong. They say this is the closest to the school, so let’s find a room around here. By the way, where is a real estate agency…”

It was then.

Hyeonseong saw a real estate agency.

“Jiyeon, there’s a real estate agency over there. Let’s go ask there.”

The two walked into the real estate agency side by side.

As the two entered, the real estate agent Park Sangmin jumped up from his seat and greeted them.

“Welcome. This way…”

“Yes, we’re here to find a room.”

“A room?”

Park Sangmin looked at the two with strange eyes.

Then Hyeonseong immediately asked,

“Why, is something wrong?”

“It’s not that, but did only the students come without the adults?”

“Yes, I came instead of my parents because it’s a room for my sister. It’s not like you can’t sign a contract just because you’re a student, right?”

“Of course. But by any chance…”

Park Sangmin looked at Hyeonseong closely and tilted his head.

Then Hyeonseong asked,

“Why are you doing that?”

“Haven’t you been on TV recently?”

“TV?”

“Yes, that’s right. You were on a food tour program a while ago, right?”

Hyeonseong chuckled.

“I was on for a bit, and you remember that?”

“It was a special memory for me.”

“A special memory? Do you have any stories?”

“It’s my hometown. My hometown is Seomyeong-myeon, Hongcheon. To meet someone from my hometown here like this.”

Park Sangmin smiled and grabbed Hyeonseong’s hand.

Then Hyeonseong also shook hands with him happily and continued,

“Is that so? It’s even nicer to meet someone from my hometown here. And since we’re from the same hometown, you can speak comfortably now.”

“Haha, should I? By the way, how did you think of doing business at that age?”

“The story is a bit long. It’s hard to tell you everything here…”

“Haha, that’s right. I was just happy, so I asked without thinking. By the way, have you had lunch?”

“We were going to eat after getting a room.”

Park Sangmin smiled and continued,

“Don’t do that, eat with me here. I don’t have anything special to offer someone from my hometown, but I should at least treat you to lunch, right?”

“Then shall we have lunch bought by someone from our hometown?”

Hyeonseong immediately looked at Kim Jiyeon and asked,

“Jiyeon, what do you want to eat?”

“Huh? I want Jajangmyeon [Korean-Chinese noodle dish with black bean sauce].”

“Mr. President, two Jajangmyeon for us.”

“Okay, I’ll order sweet and sour pork too, so eat together.”

“Thank you.”

Hyeonseong smiled and bowed his head.

Soon after, Park Sangmin called a Chinese restaurant and talked about this and that until the food arrived.

A while later.

Hyeonseong, who had finished lunch, looked at Park Sangmin and said,

“Thanks to you, we ate well.”

“No, I was happy to have lunch with someone from my hometown after a long time. Now, shall we talk about the room now that we’ve had lunch?”

“Yes, it’s a room for my sister, is there a good place? Preferably a Jeonse.”

“Not a monthly rent, but a Jeonse?”

“Yes, she’ll be there for about 3 years, so I think a Jeonse would be better than a monthly rent.”

Park Sangmin nodded and continued,

“I guess so. How much are you expecting?”

“The amount doesn’t matter. It just needs to be a comfortable space for my sister to live in. It would be even better if it’s newly built.”

Then Kim Jiyeon, who was watching the scene, said,

“Oppa, too expensive is…”

“It’s okay, Jiyeon. Oppa has enough, so you don’t have to worry. It’s not like you’re going to be there for a day or two, you have to be there for 3 years, so you have to choose properly from the beginning.”

“Okay, I understand.”

Kim Jiyeon nodded as if she understood.

Then Park Sangmin, who was watching the scene, looked at Kim Jiyeon and said,

“The student must be happy?”

“Yes?”

“Because the brother’s heart for his sister is extraordinary.”

“Ah, yes. Of course. My brother is the best for me. If it weren’t for my brother, I wouldn’t have even come to Chuncheon.”

Kim Jiyeon smiled at Hyeonseong.

Then Hyeonseong also smiled at Kim Jiyeon.

Then Park Sangmin looked at Hyeonseong and said,

“You’re saying the amount doesn’t matter?”

“Yes, as long as the environment is good.”

“Follow me for now. It’s 10 minutes from here, so see and decide.”

Park Sangmin got up from his seat and left the store.

Hyeonseong and Kim Jiyeon also started following him.

10 minutes later.

Park Sangmin looked at Hyeonseong and said,

“Here it is.”

The place Park Sangmin led them to was a 10-story mixed-use building on a street corner.

Hyeonseong asked,

“It looks like it hasn’t been built for long.”

“It was completed 3 months ago, and it’s the best residential space around here. I brought you here because you said money doesn’t matter, but I don’t know what it will be like.”

“How much is the price?”

Park Sangmin hesitated for a moment and opened his mouth.

“That’s…”