Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 256

“What’s wrong?”

“Isn’t this Shin Ramyun [a popular brand of instant noodles in Korea]?”

“It’s not Shin Ramyun, it’s Samyoung Ramyun…”

“Samyoung Ramyun? Then you should have indicated that on the menu. Since there was no indication, we naturally assumed it was Shin Ramyun, didn’t we?”

“Well…”

Min Doo-shik had nothing to say. He had been in a hurry to create the new menu last night and hadn’t thought about that detail.

“What are you going to do about it?”

“What do you want?”

“I’m not going to eat the ramen anyway, so please give me a refund. It’s clearly your fault.”

“You really can’t eat it?”

“Yes, it’s so different from the ramen at that other place that I can’t eat it. I’ll just pay 100 won [Korean currency] more and go to the other place for Shin Ramyun.”

Han Myung-soo deliberately spoke loudly.

It was then.

The kids next to Han Myung-soo jumped up from their seats and demanded a refund.

“We want a refund too.”

“Me too.”

“Same here.”

Including Han Myung-soo, a total of 10 people demanded a refund. These people were none other than the Jandi Clan students [a group of students].

However, Min Doo-shik, unaware of this fact, was simply dumbfounded.

“Ah… okay.”

“And make sure to write ‘Samyoung Ramyun’ on the menu. Otherwise, this will happen again.”

“… Okay. I will.”

Min Doo-shik was upset, but he had no choice but to give them a refund.

That evening.

Hyun-sung, having finished 영업 [business hours/service], sat facing Kim Il-soo.

Kim Il-soo asked first.

“Is the difference significant?”

“50%. I expected this much, so it’s okay. The problem is from tomorrow. The key will be how quickly the students who left today will return.”

“That’s a relief. I honestly thought we wouldn’t have any customers today.”

“Me too. Fortunately, we had quite a few adult customers today. And people from the Senior Center also came.”

Kim Il-soo immediately responded to the mention of the Senior Center.

“Come to think of it, they’ve been coming often lately, haven’t they?”

“They said they’re deliberately having lunch here to help me out since a ramen shop opened at Samgeori [a neighborhood].”

“They’re grateful people, anyway.”

“Right. They come every other day without fail, so it’s a big help for us. It’s not just one or two people, but at least twenty people come at once, so I’m thankful.”

“That’s all because you volunteer at the Senior Center, so you’re helping each other out. You said it yourself, the world isn’t about living alone, but living together.”

“Anyway, I’m grateful for what they do.”

Hyun-sung smiled.

Kim Il-soo also smiled at Hyun-sung.

“I’m going to head out now, so get some rest.”

“Okay, you worked hard today too. Go home and rest.”

“Yeah, see you tomorrow.”

Kim Il-soo left the store after saying that.

About 30 minutes after Kim Il-soo left the store.

Clang.

Someone opened the store door and came in. It was Park Hee-chul.

“Oh? What brings you here at this hour, sir?”

“I had some business in Hongcheon [a city in South Korea] and I’m on my way back. By the way, today was the opening day for that other store, right?”

“Yes, it opened today. Did you come all the way here because of that?”

“It’s your business, of course I have to pay attention.”

Hyun-sung slightly bowed his head to Park Hee-chul.

Paying attention. It’s not an easy thing to do. You can’t do it unless your heart moves. But Park Hee-chul is doing it now.

It’s only natural for Hyun-sung to bow his head.

“Thank you. I’m grateful that you care so much about someone like me.”

“Don’t say such things. Have you already forgotten that you are my sky?”

“I’m embarrassed.”

“Haha, you’re something else… Anyway, how was business today?”

“It’s down by about half. It seems we’re being affected by that other store.”

Park Hee-chul asked again, slightly surprised.

“Down by half?”

“Yes, that’s right. They came in with a lower price.”

“Wait, did it go lower than 300 won?”

“Yes, it went down to 200 won. So, it seems the students moved.”

Park Hee-chul tilted his head and asked again.

“But is 200 won even possible?”

“Yes, it’s not possible with Shin Ramyun, but it’s definitely possible with Samyoung Ramyun.”

“So, that means they’re selling Samyoung Ramyun?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Hyun-sung nodded. It was something he had confirmed directly from Han Myung-soo during the day.

Park Hee-chul asked again.

“The important thing is what happens from now on, what do you think?”

“Of course, this is just my opinion, but I don’t think it will be too bad.”

“Why?”

“It’s because of the students’ taste. Although it’s the first day, so the students moved out of curiosity, I think they’ll come back over time.”

“So, you’re saying that the other store can’t match the taste of your ramen, you’re that confident?”

Park Hee-chul was a little doubtful.

He had heard that the person named Min Doo-shik had over 10 years of experience in the restaurant business. He thought that if such a person started selling ramen, they would be able to produce a taste that was at least above average.

Hyun-sung continued.

“Actually, something happened. So…”

Hyun-sung began to explain about the sauce incident that had happened the day before. When Hyun-sung finished explaining, Park Hee-chul showed interest and continued.

“So, you’re saying that they tried to steal your sauce?”

“Yes, that’s right. What does that mean? Doesn’t that mean that they’re not confident in their ramen taste right now?”

“So, in the end, they’re competing on price rather than taste?”

“Exactly. But that’s a mistake.”

Hyun-sung’s voice grew louder.

Then Park Hee-chul asked again.

“So, you’re saying that you can’t compete on price?”

“That’s right. Food is a competition of taste, not price. Of course, if that Manager Min had improved the ramen taste and then competed on price, it wouldn’t have been easy for me either. But that person put taste aside and came in with price first. That’s why I say it’s a mistake.”

“I understand what you mean now. But what’s strange is that Manager Min person, didn’t you say he had 10 years of experience in the restaurant business? How can he be so sloppy? I’m curious about that.”

Park Hee-chul looked at Hyun-sung with a curious expression.

Then Hyun-sung immediately continued.

“I find that ironic too. But the funny thing is that even that 10 years came directly from his own mouth.”

“Haha, what does that mean?”

“It’s a matter of trust. Right now, no one knows what kind of person he is.”

As Hyun-sung finished speaking, Park Hee-chul’s expression changed subtly.

“So, you’re saying that everything he said might be a lie?”

“Right now, I can’t say anything for sure. But what is certain is that the person named Min Doo-shik hasn’t properly found the taste of Shin Ramyun.”

“Someone who’s going to run a ramen business can’t find the taste of ramen? I don’t know how to take this.”

“If we wait and see, the answer will naturally come out, won’t it?”

Park Hee-chul nodded as if he understood.

Then Hyun-sung immediately asked.

“By the way, what were you doing in Hongcheon?”

“I was booking a wedding hall.”

“Ah, is that so? So, you’ve set a date too?”

“I set it for the 10th, the second Sunday of the month. Actually, I have a favor to ask of you because of that.”

“To me?”

Hyun-sung tilted his head.

Even at first glance, he didn’t think there was anything Park Hee-chul would specifically ask him for regarding the wedding.

Then Park Hee-chul continued.

“I’d like to ask you to be the emcee [master of ceremonies], would that be possible?”

“You want me to be the emcee?”

“That’s right. I’d like you to be the emcee rather than someone else.”

“Wouldn’t I be too young to be the emcee?”

“Of course, it’s true that you’re young, but as you know, the reason I’m getting married like this is all thanks to you. In that sense, I’d like to ask someone meaningful to be the emcee rather than someone else.”

Hyun-sung could tell from Park Hee-chul’s eyes that he wasn’t just saying it.

It was difficult for Hyun-sung.

Of course, he could be the emcee if asked.

But no matter how he thought about it, he didn’t think it would be easy to be the emcee as a high school student.

“Well…”

“Please!”

Park Hee-chul spoke quickly before Hyun-sung could finish speaking. But he could feel sincerity in that word.

Hyun-sung slowly opened his mouth again.

“Would that be okay?”

“If you would do that for me, I wouldn’t ask for anything more. As I said a little while ago, if you hadn’t saved me back then, my life would have already been over. If that had happened, I wouldn’t have seen this good world and I wouldn’t have met Myung-soon. So, please stand there as a way of congratulating me.”

“Yes, I understand. Since you’re saying that much…”

Hyun-sung had no choice but to accept Park Hee-chul’s request.

When Hyun-sung accepted, Park Hee-chul took Hyun-sung’s hand and continued.

“Thank you. I was worried about what to do if you refused until the end.”

“How could I refuse when you’re saying that much? And I have one thing to ask, what will happen to your mother after the wedding?”

“What do you mean what will happen?”

“I mean the restaurant.”

Hyun-sung couldn’t help but be curious.

If Shin Myung-soon were to quit the restaurant, they would have to find someone else.

Park Hee-chul continued.

“I’ve already talked to Myung-soon about that issue, and she said she’ll continue to come to the restaurant just like now.”

“Really?”

“That’s right. So, you don’t have to worry about that issue anymore.”

“I thought she would definitely quit, so it’s a bit unexpected.”

“I was against it at first, but Myung-soon insisted on staying at the restaurant. Do you know who it’s because of?”

“Well, I don’t know about that…”

Park Hee-chul smiled and continued.

“She said she’s unconditionally going to the restaurant because of you.”

“What? What do you mean by that?”

“She said that you were the one who helped her when she was having the most difficult time after being kicked out by Oh Sang-cheol.”

“I didn’t do anything special for her.”

Park Hee-chul shook his head and continued.

“Don’t say that. Myung-soon said that you were the only one who reached out to her when she was kicked out by Oh Sang-cheol.”

“That was just the situation…”

“Situation? No matter what the situation is, there’s no one who would step up like that as if it were their own business.”

“I was just doing what I had to do.”

“That’s what I’m thankful for. You might not think it’s a big deal, but from the receiver’s point of view, that moment is the most grateful. And originally, goodwill is a feeling felt by the receiver rather than the giver.”

Hyun-sung nodded without realizing it.

He completely agreed with the statement that goodwill is originally a feeling felt by the receiver.

Then Park Hee-chul spoke again.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude again on behalf of Myung-soon. I was really grateful back then.”

“You’re welcome. Anyway, as a result, I’ve also done well thanks to your mother.”

“That’s all because you have a kind heart. By the way, you don’t have to worry about the Samgeori restaurant anymore, right?”

“Yes, I think I’ll just have to wait and see for a few more days.”

“Okay, I was worried just in case, but I don’t think I need to. I’ll trust you and be on my way.”

Park Hee-chul left the store after saying that.

Hyun-sung smiled without realizing it as he watched Park Hee-chul’s back.

In his previous life, Park Hee-chul was no different from an enemy. But in this life, he has become a more precious relationship than anyone else.

They have become a relationship where they worry about each other and care for each other. That’s why Hyun-sung is smiling.