Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 249

249

Ring, ring.

“Hello?”

– “It’s me, Mr. Kim.”

“Oh? Mr. Park, what brings you here so late?”

The caller was Mr. Park In-soo from the real estate agency.

– “Did a man named Min Doo-shik happen to visit you earlier?”

“Yes, he left about 30 minutes ago. Why do you ask?”

– “Did he say anything to you?”

“He told me to hand over the store. So, I quoted him an absurd price, and he left, saying I would regret it. Did he happen to visit your real estate agency too?”

– “He just left here. I have a feeling you’re going to have some trouble.”

“Trouble?”

– “That’s right. It seems Min Doo-shik is going to sign a contract for that store at the three-way intersection.”

“So, it’s finally happening?”

I had somewhat expected it since Min Doo-shik left the store earlier.

But no matter how much I think about it, I can’t understand Min Doo-shik’s actions.

What kind of mindset makes someone tell you to hand over a store that’s only been open for four months? It’s something a normal person just wouldn’t do.

– “He said he’s coming to sign the contract tomorrow. When I asked him what he was going to do, he said it was a secret.”

“A secret? Why would he keep it a secret? We’ll find out soon enough once construction starts.”

– “That’s what I’m saying.”

“Anyway, he’s definitely a strange person. I guess I’ll be tired for a while.”

– “Probably. But Mr. Kim, you’re so well-liked in the neighborhood, so I don’t think you have much to worry about.”

“Well, we’ll see about that. Anyway, thank you for calling me in advance.”

– “Is there anything else I can do for you? I’ll contact you again after the contract is done tomorrow. Goodbye then…”

“Yes, I understand. Thank you.”

Click.

Huh….

Hyun-sung, who hung up the phone, could only let out a hollow laugh.

The next day, in the afternoon.

Hyun-sung left the store and headed to the real estate agency. He had received a call from Mr. Park In-soo a little while ago.

Creak.

As he opened the door and entered the store, Mr. Park In-soo greeted Hyun-sung.

“Welcome.”

“Did that man, Min Doo-shik, end up signing the contract for the store?”

“He finished the contract an hour ago. But the strange thing is, Min Doo-shik is just… strange.”

“Why? What happened?”

“Well, he didn’t haggle over the key money [a large, often non-refundable, upfront payment to secure a lease] at all. Who pays all that key money in the middle of winter these days?”

Mr. Park In-soo said with a puzzled expression.

Then Hyun-sung said.

“Since the business type is different anyway, he paid all that key money, which is about a million won?”

“That’s what I’m saying. He could have cut it in half if he had just negotiated properly.”

“Is he not a first-time business owner?”

“Yesterday, he told me he had been running a restaurant for 10 years. But I don’t know why he agreed to such a contract.”

“Wait a minute, did you just say 10 years?”

Hyun-sung asked with a surprised expression.

Then Mr. Park In-soo nodded and said.

“Yesterday, he clearly told me he had 10 years of restaurant experience.”

“Someone who has been running a restaurant for 10 years is getting such an expensive store in this rural area?”

“I find that strange too. But what’s even more unbelievable is that he’s going to open a ramen shop there. Yesterday, he said it was a secret, but he told me today while signing the contract.”

“What? Does that make sense?”

Hyun-sung couldn’t understand it at all.

A ramen shop in a 40-pyeong [approximately 1,422 square feet] store, and the monthly rent is 150,000 won [approximately $115 USD].

Moreover, to maintain 40-pyeong, you would need at least 6 employees. The labor costs alone would be considerable.

And the important thing is the consumer base of a ramen shop.

Inevitably, it would have to be young people. But the problem is that this is a rural area. There aren’t many young people, and even if there are, they are busy farming. There’s almost no chance that those people would come all the way here to eat ramen.

So, in the end, all that’s left are the students.

There are only three schools: elementary, middle, and high school. Maintaining a 40-pyeong store with only those students would not be easy.

Mr. Park In-soo said.

“I can’t understand it either. How can he maintain such a large store with just ramen? Moreover, you’re running a business nearby.”

“So, he’s trying to shut me down.”

“That’s what he was saying yesterday. He said that when he opens his store, you won’t stand a chance.”

“He said that?”

“Yes. But that’s because he doesn’t know you. Your ramen taste has already been verified in this neighborhood, hasn’t it? I think Min Doo-shik will regret it soon enough.”

“Well, we’ll have to wait and see.”

Hyun-sung couldn’t be sure. Anyway, in his past life, Min Doo-shik had definitely hit the jackpot. And he just found out that he has 10 years of restaurant experience.

That means Min Doo-shik has his own management know-how.

He’s not an easy opponent to deal with.

Mr. Park In-soo said.

“You’ve even been on TV, aren’t you being too humble?”

“I’m not being humble, I’m telling the truth. If Min Doo-shik really has 10 years of experience, he won’t be so easy to deal with.”

“Well, do you really think so?”

“That’s what I think. The fact that he’s opening knowing that I’m here means he’s confident.”

That’s right.

If he wasn’t confident, he wouldn’t open in this way with the same type of business only 5 minutes away.

In this case, there are two possibilities.

Real or fake.

A real expert with 10 years of restaurant experience. In that case, Hyun-sung would have no choice but to fight a war.

It would be difficult to coexist in this small neighborhood.

But on the other hand, if he’s a fake with nothing, he can just be left alone. It would be too much to bear the fixed costs, and it would be difficult to last a year.

Natural selection.

The result of the choice will be miserable.

Anyway, the important thing is that one of the two must disappear.

Hyun-sung looked at Mr. Park In-soo and said.

“Either way, one of us will have to close down.”

“I guess so, since the neighborhood is small. Are you worried?”

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t. But since it’s a fight that’s been started, I won’t avoid it. And this issue is not just my problem, it’s a matter of livelihood for all of our employees, so I’ll do my best.”

“I believe in you. And I support you.”

Mr. Park In-soo lightly patted Hyun-sung’s shoulder.

Then Hyun-sung said.

“And there’s one thing I need you to do for me.”

“What is it? Just tell me.”

“Please check with the landlord if he’s willing to sell the building. If necessary, I’ll buy the building this time.”

“You mean the building at the three-way intersection?”

“Yes, of course.”

At Hyun-sung’s answer, Mr. Park In-soo smiled and said.

“Haha, I understand. You’re not an ordinary person either.”

“Who would be nice if they were touched?”

“I understand. But of course, I’ll check, but don’t expect too much. Landlord Choi is very fond of that building. Last year, someone wanted to buy the building, but he said he wouldn’t sell it.”

“Yes, I understand. Don’t push it too hard, just check in case. Actually, I’ve been wanting that spot because the commercial district is good.”

That’s true.

In the future, after the 88 Olympics, the roads will be improved, and it will become the center of the commercial district. In that case, the building price alone will be at least three times the current price.

“How much are you expecting to pay?”

“What’s the current market price?”

“It’s a three-story building, so it’ll be about 350 million won [approximately $268,000 USD].”

“It’s cheaper than the one I bought near the terminal last time. I can invest ten million won [approximately $7,600 USD] more than the current market price.”

“Ten million won? Are you talking about adding ten million won?”

Mr. Park In-soo tilted his head and asked.

Because he thought it was too expensive.

Hyun-sung smiled and continued.

“Yes, that’s about what it would take to change Mr. Choi’s mind, isn’t it?”

“It seems too expensive….”

“I’m telling you this based on the future value. In a few years, that place will be the center of the commercial district in this neighborhood.”

“Really?”

“That’s my prediction.”

It’s not a prediction, it’s a fact.

But it didn’t seem that way to Mr. Park In-soo, who couldn’t know the future, and he tilted his head and continued.

“Well, I think a little differently….”

“You’ll see. After the Olympics, there will be many changes here from the following year. So, if you have the means, you should invest near the three-way intersection rather than elsewhere.”

“Haha, really….”

Mr. Park In-soo just laughed as if he was dumbfounded.

Then Hyun-sung smiled and said.

“I clearly told you. Don’t say anything different later.”

“Haha, I understand. I’ll think about it carefully. By the way, are you confident in winning the competition with Min Doo-shik?”

“If I were completely confident, it would be reckless. I’ll do my best with the same mindset I had when I first started my business.”

“That’s right, it’s important for a person not to lose their initial intention. Anyway, I hope you’ll protect that place as if you’re showing it off.”

“Yes, I understand. You’re cheering me on like this, so I have to protect it. Then I’ll go prepare for war now.”

“I understand, take care.”

Hyun-sung greeted Mr. Park In-soo and left the real estate agency.

Hyun-sung arrived at the store.

“Everyone, gather over here for a moment.”

Hyun-sung said loudly.

Then Shin Myung-soon, Kim Ji-sook, Kim Il-soo, and Lee Min-woo gathered in the hall.

The first person to speak was Shin Myung-soon.

“What’s going on?”

“Listen carefully to everything I’m about to say. So….”

Hyun-sung began to explain about Min Doo-shik. As Hyun-sung’s explanation lengthened, everyone’s expressions were of disbelief and surprise.

And finally, when Hyun-sung’s explanation ended, Shin Myung-soon was the first to speak as if she had been waiting.

“So, you’re saying that a ramen shop is coming to the clothing store at the three-way intersection?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I know that place is quite large?”

“It’s 40-pyeong.”

Shin Myung-soon couldn’t close her mouth at the word 40-pyeong.

Then Kim Ji-sook, who was next to her, said.

“You’re saying he’s selling ramen in such a large place?”

“Yes, that’s right. He said he only sells ramen professionally.”

“Is the person who’s running the ramen shop an amateur?”

“I don’t know exactly, but he said he’s been in the restaurant business for 10 years.”

Kim Ji-sook frowned as if she was incredulous and continued.

“Someone who’s been doing it for 10 years is selling ramen in such a large store in this rural area? Moreover, we’re selling ramen right next to him.”

“I don’t understand either, but that’s what he’s doing.”

“In the end, he’s trying to compete with us. This is completely a war.”

“That’s why I called you all here today. As Kim Ji-sook said, this is war. Anyway, the opponent came in to kill us. If we don’t defend properly, we’ll all be done for.”

It was when Hyun-sung’s words had just ended.

Clang.

Someone came in as the store door opened.

“No, it’s you….”

Hyun-sung couldn’t say any more.