Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 253

“That’s right, you can’t hide it forever. Instead of trying to hide, it’s better to accept yourself as you are and confidently find your place in the world.”

“My place?”

“Yes, it’s crucial to become self-reliant. To achieve that, you need to invest more time and effort in yourself.”

“Okay, I understand. I’ve been hiding until now, but I won’t anymore. And like you said, I’ll study harder.”

Lee Jung-woo’s eyes shone brighter than ever.

Hyeonseong continued, looking at Lee Jung-woo.

“It’s the same with exercise. Since one leg is weaker, you need to strengthen the other.”

“I know, but it’s not easy.”

“Of course, it won’t be easy. But you must never give up. If your body collapses, your mind will follow.”

“Okay, I understand. I’ve been lazy because of the cold, but I’ll start exercising again today.”

Lee Jung-woo nodded, as if making a promise.

Then, Hyeonseong spoke again.

“And let’s make time to go to Wonju.”

“Wonju? Why Wonju?”

“To buy some books at the bookstore.”

“What kind of books require a trip all the way to Wonju?”

Lee Jung-woo looked at Hyeonseong with a curious expression.

Hyeonseong immediately continued.

“Now that you’re in your third year, you need to start seriously preparing for the civil service exam.”

“Ah, I see what you mean. You want to buy books for the civil service exam, right?”

“Yeah, we need to get past exam papers and other materials.”

“Hearing you say that makes it feel real, like I’m actually preparing for the civil service exam.”

Lee Jung-woo smiled, looking pleased.

Hyeonseong smiled back.

A moment later.

Hyeonseong said.

“Jung-woo, thanks for the Bacchus [a popular Korean energy drink] earlier.”

“If we’re talking about gratitude, I’m much more grateful. I heard a lot of good advice today. Thanks to you, even my gloomy mood has lifted.”

“I’m glad to hear that. By the way, where are you headed now?”

“Since it’s March and the weather isn’t too cold, I was thinking of going to the mountains. I’ve been neglecting exercise during the vacation. I’m going to start again now.”

“Okay, good idea. I need to get out too, so let’s go together.”

The two walked out of the store side by side.

At that moment.

Min Doo-shik looked at Choi Min-seong with anxious eyes.

“Hyung-nim [an honorific term for ‘older brother’ or ‘senior male friend’], how’s the ramen taste?”

“Well, it’s not quite there yet. You’ve been in the restaurant business for 10 years; how can you not find that taste?”

“It’s not as easy as I thought. Sang-cheol hyung-nim couldn’t replicate that kid’s ramen taste and eventually quit, right?”

“That’s right. That hyung-nim tried so hard, but he failed. If he had found that taste, he wouldn’t have given up so easily.”

Choi Min-seong looked disappointed.

Then, Min Doo-shik asked again.

“By the way, what happened to Sang-cheol hyung-nim’s building?”

“I can’t figure it out. How did that kid buy that building?”

“Is that kid’s family that rich?”

“As far as I know, they’re not, but it’s strange. I’m sure Hee-cheol hyung-nim helped him open that ramen shop, but I don’t understand how he made so much money so quickly.”

It doesn’t make logical sense.

Just a few months ago, he was a kid who opened a ramen shop with Park Hee-cheol’s help. But in just a few months, he made enough to buy a building. How is that possible?

Then Min Doo-shik asked again.

“Hyung-nim, have you heard the rumor?”

“What rumor?”

“Our landlord said the kid wants to buy this building too.”

“No way, that’s ridiculous! This building isn’t cheap. Where did he suddenly get that much money?”

Choi Min-seong looked at Min Doo-shik in disbelief.

Then Min Doo-shik continued.

“That’s what I’m saying. But I heard a strange story a few days ago.”

“Strange story? What is it?”

“But it’s so absurd, I can barely believe it.”

Min Doo-shik trailed off.

Choi Min-seong, frustrated, urged him on.

“Hey, what is it? Don’t stop there!”

“Well… Ms. Kwon, the owner of Miso Restaurant, said the kid can diagnose people’s illnesses.”

“What does that mean?”

“I don’t believe it either, but Ms. Kwon experienced it herself.”

“Is that true?”

“Yes, after hearing what the kid said, she went to the hospital and found out she really had cirrhosis of the liver.”

“No, how could that happen…”

Choi Min-seong looked at Min Doo-shik in disbelief.

Then Min Doo-shik continued.

“But what’s even more unbelievable is that the kid can also heal people.”

“Healing ability? That kid?”

“Yes, I didn’t believe it at first, but Ms. Kwon told me she experienced it herself. After receiving treatment from the kid for a week and going back to the hospital, her liver numbers were normal.”

“Does that even make sense?”

Choi Min-seong was utterly incredulous.

It was already hard to believe that a young kid could diagnose illnesses without being a doctor, but now he’s claiming he can heal them? Choi Min-seong couldn’t wrap his head around it.

Min Doo-shik said again.

“Ms. Kwon wouldn’t lie about something like that, so the kid must be strange.”

“Now that I think about it, I heard a strange story too.”

“Strange story?”

“Yeah, I heard that the chairman of Nongshim [a major Korean food company], Shin, stayed at that kid’s store for ten days a while ago.”

Min Doo-shik tilted his head.

It doesn’t make sense. It’s hard to believe that a chairman would stay at a ramen shop for ten days, not just a day or two.

“Why would the chairman of Nongshim stay there for ten days?”

“That’s why it’s strange…”

“Could it be that he was also sick and received treatment?”

“I don’t know, but if the kid has abilities like you said, it doesn’t seem impossible.”

Min Doo-shik nodded slowly.

That’s right.

If the kid has the abilities Kwon described, it’s entirely possible.

Then Choi Min-seong said again.

“If that’s true, can’t we guess where the kid got the money to buy the building?”

“You mean…”

“I think it’s from the chairman. Where else would that much money come from?”

“That’s true, but would the chairman give that much money to the kid?”

“Isn’t it possible because he’s the chairman?”

“Ah, yes…”

Min Doo-shik nodded again.

That’s not wrong.

If the chairman was seriously ill and the kid cured him, it’s entirely possible.

Choi Min-seong looked at Min Doo-shik and asked.

“What do you think?”

“I think hyung-nim is right. If the chairman was seriously ill and he cured him, it’s entirely possible.”

“Exactly.”

“Huh, does this make sense?”

“I’m also dumbfounded, but what can we do? By the way, what about the ramen taste? Tomorrow is the opening day; are you going to sell it as is?”

Min Doo-shik continued, looking troubled.

“Is there a big difference in taste?”

“It’s not much, but the aftertaste is definitely different. That kid’s ramen has a refreshing and clean aftertaste.”

“In the end, it’s the difference in the seasoning, right?”

“That’s right. I couldn’t replicate that seasoning with Sang-cheol hyung-nim, so I eventually failed.”

“Hmm…”

Min Doo-shik was silent for a moment, lost in thought.

After a while.

Min Doo-shik spoke again.

“Hyung-nim, about that seasoning, isn’t there any way to get it?”

“It’s not as easy as you think…”

“You called me here, so you should at least do that much for me, right?”

“That’s because you said you were confident in the taste of ramen. Who knew you wouldn’t be able to find that taste? You said you had 10 years of experience, so I trusted you.”

Choi Min-seong said, sounding disappointed.

Then Min Doo-shik scratched his head and continued.

“I just thought the taste of ramen was all the same; who knew it would be so picky? And what’s the use of saying that now?”

“Well, it’s water under the bridge…”

“That’s why I hired hyung-nim to help me, right? How can I get the seasoning?”

“That’s…”

Choi Min-seong hesitated.

Then Min Doo-shik asked again.

“What’s the problem?”

“I don’t know if that woman, Kim Ji-sook, will still listen to me.”

“You mean the woman who gave hyung-nim the seasoning in the past?”

Choi Min-seong nodded.

Then Min Doo-shik continued.

“Isn’t all that woman wants money anyway?”

“That’s an old story; I don’t know how it will turn out now.”

“Isn’t there anything money can’t do? Let’s call her right now.”

“Right now?”

“Yes, why waste time?”

Min Doo-shik pointed to the phone.

Choi Min-seong hesitated, then picked up the receiver and dialed the number.

Beep beep beep.

After a few rings, the other party answered.

– Hello.

“Ji-sook ssi [a polite title], it’s me.”

– Oh? What’s wrong, President Choi?”

“Have you been well?”

– Hoho, you wouldn’t just ask how I’m doing. What’s going on?”

“That’s…”

Choi Min-sik hesitated.

Then Kim Ji-sook immediately asked.

– Why are you hesitating?”

“…It’s about the seasoning. Can I ask you one last time?”

– Seasoning?”

“That’s right. I need that seasoning.”

– President, did you get a job at a newly opened ramen shop?”

“It happened that way. I have to make a living. So please help me one more time.”

– That’s a little…”

Kim Ji-sook trailed off, sounding troubled.

Choi Min-seong immediately said.

“Kim Ji-sook ssi, I’m begging you.”

– I’m in a difficult position. My boss is very good to me.”

“Don’t you need money?”

– Yes?”

“I’ll give you money. So please help me one more time. How much will it be?”

Kim Ji-sook was dumbfounded.

It was pathetic that Choi Min-seong’s attitude hadn’t changed, even after Oh Sang-cheol left, saying he couldn’t change his ways.

What more could you expect from such a person?

Then…

Heeshik [a Korean onomatopoeia for a snicker or suppressed laugh].

A strange smile appeared on Kim Ji-sook’s lips.