Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 262

262

A few days later.

Hyun-sung headed to the township office.

Arriving there, Hyun-sung asked an employee,

“Is the township head available?”

“He is, but what’s this about?”

“I’d like to discuss something with him.”

The employee eyed Hyun-sung at the word ‘discuss.’ With a hint of annoyance, she asked,

“You look like a student. What could you possibly want…?”

“I’ll discuss that with the township head.”

“You need to give me a general idea so I can tell him. What’s it regarding?”

The employee scrutinized Hyun-sung again.

Hyun-sung relented. “It’s about the streetlights.”

“Streetlights?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Wait a moment.”

The employee rose and headed toward the township head’s office.

After a short wait, she returned.

The employee looked at Hyun-sung and said curtly, “He says you can come in.”

“Yes, thank you. Is your expression always so…dark?”

“Pardon? What do you mean?”

“I’m just asking because you’ve seemed upset since I arrived. It’s a shame because you’re quite pretty. I don’t know what happened, but I hope things get better.”

At Hyun-sung’s words, the township office employee seemed flustered and blushed slightly. Perhaps embarrassed, she lowered her head and avoided eye contact.

Hyun-sung glanced at the female employee and headed to the township head’s office.

“Oh? You are?”

Township head Park Yoon-shik looked surprised as soon as he saw Hyun-sung.

Hyun-sung smiled. “Do you remember me?”

“Of course, I remember. Aren’t you Kim Hyun-sung, the ramen shop owner who volunteered at the senior center last time?”

“I didn’t think you’d remember my name.”

“Who wouldn’t know you in this neighborhood? Are you a spy [a playful joke]? So, is business still going well?”

Township head Park Yoon-shik asked with a friendly expression, a stark contrast to their last meeting. Perhaps that’s why Hyun-sung’s expression also relaxed.

“Yes, thanks to you, it’s going well.”

“By the way, I received a lot of help from you last time. I even received praise from the county governor because the article was properly published in the newspaper.”

“Is that so? That’s good.”

“Although it’s late, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you. Anyway, I heard you came because of the streetlights. What’s the matter?”

“Yes, that’s…”

Hyun-sung began to explain in detail the story he had heard from Choi Mi-yeon, the math teacher, a few days ago. As Hyun-sung’s explanation continued at length, Township head Park Yoon-shik nodded and expressed his agreement. And finally, when Hyun-sung’s explanation ended, Township head Park Yoon-shik immediately said,

“So, the bottom line is that you need streetlights in the alley, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. The streets are too dark at night, making it scary to walk through the alleys, especially for women.”

“I’ve been hearing about that problem for a while. But the problem is the budget. There’s no budget, so there’s nothing I can do.”

Township head Park Yoon-shik sighed briefly.

Then Hyun-sung continued, “How much of a budget are we talking about?”

“Of course, the more the better, but to even start the streetlight project, we’d need at least 10 million won [approximately $7,500 USD]. That’s what it would take to complete a significant portion of the construction.”

“That’s more than I thought.”

“It’s not a small amount. That’s why the township can’t do anything about it right now. But this isn’t just our area; all the towns in the county are in the same situation, so I can’t prioritize it. Some areas even receive donations from individuals and install streetlights only in some crime-prone areas as a matter of urgency.”

Township head Park Yoon-shik’s voice was filled with regret.

Watching him, Hyun-sung opened his mouth. “Are you saying that there are places where streetlights are installed with individual donations?”

“That’s right. There’s only one such place, though.”

“I see. So, you’re saying that if someone donates to our town, it’s possible, right?”

“That’s right, but the amount is too much to expect that…”

Tsk.

Township head Park Yoon-shik clicked his tongue as if he was sorry.

Hyun-sung looked at him, seemingly deep in thought.

After a moment, Hyun-sung, who had organized his thoughts, looked at Township head Park Yoon-shik and slowly opened his mouth. “About that donation, can I get the ball rolling?”

“Start? What do you mean?”

“I’ll donate 5 million won [approximately $3,750 USD] first. I think you can ask the village leaders for help with the remaining 5 million won. What do you think?”

“Are you serious?”

Township head Park Yoon-shik looked at Hyun-sung with a surprised expression.

Then Hyun-sung immediately continued, “But there’s a condition.”

“A condition? What is it?”

“Please handle it anonymously. That’s my condition.”

“No, does that make sense? You’re donating 5 million won, but you’re asking me to handle it anonymously?”

Township head Park Yoon-shik couldn’t understand it. Usually, even if you donate 100,000 won [approximately $75 USD], you want to make your name known.

But you’re donating 5 million won and asking me to keep it anonymous? Does that make sense?

Township head Park Yoon-shik looked at Hyun-sung and asked again, “What’s the reason?”

“It’s for the village. As you know, I’m a high school student. What will the villagers think if I donate?”

“What does it matter what they think?”

“It’s not that simple. I’m sorry to say this, but I could donate all 10 million won myself. But I decided that it’s not the best approach for the village, so I’m only donating half of it, for the sake of village unity.”

Township head Park Yoon-shik nodded. “You had such a deep meaning behind it?”

“I thought that was the right thing to do. I wanted several people to donate and solve the village’s long-standing problem, rather than relying on a single donor.”

“Hmm, I see.”

“In that situation, if I, a student, donated, I think it would only create a sense of alienation rather than unity. That’s why I asked for anonymity.”

When Hyun-sung finished speaking, Township head Park Yoon-shik nodded once again.

Then he immediately continued, “Listening to you, I think that makes sense. If a high school student donates 5 million won, which is not a small amount, the villagers may feel relatively deprived.”

“Yes, that’s right. So I’m saying it’s better to stay out of the spotlight.”

“Now I know why you asked me to handle it anonymously. You’re a smart young man.”

“You’re flattering me.”

Hyun-sung looked at Township head Park Yoon-shik as if nothing was wrong.

Then Township head Park Yoon-shik looked at Hyun-sung and said, “Anyway, are you really going to donate that money?”

“I don’t think I’m in a position to joke about that with you.”

“What, a ‘position’? Haha… is that how it works?”

Township head Park Yoon-shik laughed loudly as if he was in a good mood and looked at Hyun-sung.

Then Hyun-sung smiled.

He took something out of his pocket and handed it to Township head Park Yoon-shik.

“Here it is.”

“What is this?”

“It’s the amount I mentioned.”

Township head Park Yoon-shik, who received the check, was speechless for a moment, as if he was embarrassed.

After a while, Township head Park Yoon-shik opened his mouth again. “I can’t just accept this money like this.”

“Pardon? What do you mean?”

“As much as I like money, there’s a procedure. As you know, you’re still a minor. I can’t receive that money without your parents’ consent.”

“Of course.”

With those words, Hyun-sung took an envelope out of his pocket and handed it to Township head Park Yoon-shik.

Then Township head Park Yoon-shik immediately asked, “What is this again?”

“It’s a consent form. I already got a consent form from my father before I came here. My father also gladly agreed to donate for the village.”

Township head Park Yoon-shik, who received the consent form that Hyun-sung handed over, began to examine it carefully.

And after a while, “You’ve prepared everything in advance?”

“Yes, that’s right. Otherwise, why would I have come to see you in person?”

“You’re a young man who leaves no loose ends.”

Township head Park Yoon-shik smiled as he looked at Hyun-sung.

Looking at Township head Park Yoon-shik, Hyun-sung asked, “Then, when will the streetlight construction begin?”

“It’s better to start as soon as possible, right?”

“Of course. I wish it would start tomorrow.”

“Of course, I know what you mean, but I can’t do that, so I’ll hurry as much as possible. We have to select a company and go through various procedures.”

“Ah, procedures?”

“Isn’t that the hallmark of public officials? I’m sometimes frustrated by the procedure, but I can’t help it. But I’ll hurry up this time and make sure the construction starts by next week at the latest.”

Township head Park Yoon-shik said as if he was determined.

Then Hyun-sung continued, “Of course, construction is important, but it’s also important to strengthen patrols in crime-prone areas.”

“That’s right. I’ve already talked to the police chief about that, but he said it’s not easy because they don’t have enough manpower.”

“Does our town have a volunteer patrol team?”

“I’ve seen a few places in the city that are operated by the residents themselves, but I don’t think they’re doing that here because it’s a rural area.”

Hyun-sung nodded.

He thought that was too much to ask.

Then Township head Park Yoon-shik looked at Hyun-sung and asked, “Actually, I’ve been wondering about something since earlier. Can I ask you?”

“Are you talking to me?”

“That’s right.”

“What is it?”

“That’s…”

Township head Park Yoon-shik hesitated without saying anything.

Then Hyun-sung immediately asked, “What’s so difficult about it?”

“Actually, it’s a bit of a rude question, so I’m a little hesitant to ask.”

“It’s okay, please feel free to ask.”

“Then I’ll ask comfortably.”

Township head Park Yoon-shik cleared his throat two or three times and immediately asked. “That money. Where did you get it?”

“Ah, that money…”

Hyun-sung finally knew what Township head Park Yoon-shik was wondering about.

As a student, he said he would donate 5 million won, which is not a small amount, so it’s natural to be curious.

Township head Park Yoon-shik opened his mouth again. “Of course, I know it’s rude, but I can’t help but ask. Where did you get such a large amount of money?”

“I received it from someone, but I can’t tell you who it is.”

“Hehe, you received it from someone?”

“Yes, that’s right. But don’t worry, I didn’t receive it unfairly. And the person who gave me the money will be happy if I donate it for the village.”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh said one last thing while giving the money: that the world is not just about living alone, but living together.

Township head Park Yoon-shik opened his mouth again. “You said that, so I have nothing to say. Anyway, I’ll use this money well for this village. And I’ll gather the village leaders soon and talk to them to make up the remaining 5 million won. Thanks to you, the streetlight project seems to have been solved smoothly. Thank you so much.”

“Yes, I understand. Then I’ll trust you and leave now.”

Hyun-sung left the township head’s office after saying that.

Hyun-sung had taken a few steps out of the township office when…

“Excuse me, just a moment.”

Someone called from behind. When he turned around, it was the female employee from earlier.

“Do you have anything to say to me?”

“I’m sorry about earlier. I was in a bad mood because I’d only been assigned here for a few days and was having a rough time adjusting.”

“Are you doing better now?”

The female employee lowered her head slightly as if she was embarrassed and nodded.

Then Hyun-sung smiled and said, “Do you like ramen?”