Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 273

273

The next morning.

Hyun-sung arrived at the store to find a surprise.

“What’s going on here?”

Two police officers were standing in front of the ramen shop.

Hyun-sung hurried over.

“What’s the matter, officers?”

“We received a report of a robbery.”

“A report?”

Hyun-sung was puzzled.

Just then, Shin Myung-soon rushed to Hyun-sung’s side.

“You’re here, boss?”

“Yeah, what’s happening?”

“We were robbed.”

“Robbed?”

Hyun-sung frowned. A robbery at a ramen shop? It didn’t seem to add up.

The police officer turned to Shin Myung-soon.

“Have you determined what’s missing?”

“Some coins from the cash register and two packs of ramen.”

“Coins and ramen…”

The officer paused, likely taken aback by the petty nature of the crime.

Shin Myung-soon elaborated, “The door was broken when I arrived this morning, so I reported it. Honestly, I’m dumbfounded. It seems like some kids just came in looking for trouble.”

“I understand. Since a report was filed, we’ll follow procedure. Please contact us if you find any other clues. We will increase night patrols in the area.”

“Yes, I understand. Thank you for your help this morning.”

Shin Myung-soon bowed apologetically.

The officer reassured him, offered a few safety tips, and left.

As soon as they were gone, Hyun-sung turned to Shin Myung-soon.

“Is that all that’s missing?”

“I need to look around more thoroughly, but that’s all I’ve confirmed so far. And really, what else is there to steal from a ramen shop?”

“True. But you said coins are missing?”

“Yes, they took everything, even the 10-won coins [approximately one US cent]. It really seems like some kids were just messing around.”

Hyun-sung nodded. It seemed plausible.

Taking 100-won coins [approximately ten US cents] was one thing, but 10-won coins? If the culprit wasn’t a kid, they probably wouldn’t have bothered with the small change.

Hyun-sung pressed further, “How did they get in?”

“Looks like they used something sharp. You can see the marks here.”

Shin Myung-soon pointed to the damaged doorframe.

Hyun-sung examined the dents, a puzzled expression on his face.

He thought he recognized the tool that had been used.

“Isn’t that a crowbar mark?”

“A crowbar? Now that you mention it, it does look like one. That’s strange. Where would kids get a crowbar?”

“Exactly. If so…”

If a crowbar was indeed used, that changed things. The theft of the 10-won coins suggested a spontaneous act of youthful curiosity.

But forcing a door open with a crowbar was premeditated. A crowbar wasn’t something kids just happened to have.

Hyun-sung said, “If that’s the case, the culprit might not be a student.”

“If not a student…”

“I can’t be certain, but it could be an adult. It’s not easy for a student to get their hands on a crowbar.”

“That’s true. But what about the 10-won coins? An adult probably wouldn’t have bothered with those.”

“Also true. Either way, we shouldn’t assume it was just kids. We need to consider all possibilities. But one thing’s for sure.”

Shin Myung-soon looked at Hyun-sung expectantly.

“What is it?”

“This wasn’t spontaneous. Whether it was a student or an adult, they planned this.”

“Right, a crowbar isn’t something you just find lying around.”

“Exactly. Now I’m really curious about who this thief is. What would they want from a ramen shop…”

Hyun-sung frowned, unable to make sense of it.

Money couldn’t be the motive. That might make sense for a jewelry store, but not a ramen shop.

If not money, then what?

Hyun-sung pondered, but no answer came.

He walked into the kitchen, his gaze drawn to the shelf where the ramen was stocked. The culprit had taken two packs.

‘Could it really be a student…?’

The thought that an adult wouldn’t steal ramen resurfaced.

Then, Shin Myung-soon spoke up. “There’s something else strange.”

“Strange? What is it?”

“The ramen in the warehouse. As you know, boss, we have over 50 boxes of Shin ramen [a popular brand of instant noodles] in the warehouse. But strangely, it was untouched. Isn’t that odd?”

“That’s true. If they took ramen from the shelf…”

Shin Myung-soon was right.

There were plenty of ramen boxes in the warehouse.

If they were willing to pry open the front door, the warehouse door wouldn’t have been an obstacle.

But they hadn’t touched it.

Why?

Could they have been unaware of the warehouse?

Unlikely. Anyone breaking into a ramen shop would assume there was a stockroom.

The fact that they ignored the warehouse suggested that ramen wasn’t their primary target.

Then what were they after?

Hyun-sung looked at Shin Myung-soon. “Why do you think they came here?”

“Well, it wasn’t for money, and if they didn’t touch the warehouse, it wasn’t for ramen either…”

Shin Myung-soon scratched his head.

Hyun-sung remained deep in thought.

A moment of silence fell between them.

Then, Hyun-sung’s eyes locked onto something on the floor, specifically under the refrigerator.

Hyun-sung prided himself on the kitchen’s cleanliness. But something was amiss.

He turned to Shin Myung-soon. “Didn’t you clean the kitchen before leaving yesterday?”

Hyun-sung had gone straight home from Hongcheon [likely a nearby town], so he was relying on Shin Myung-soon’s account.

Shin Myung-soon looked surprised. “Of course! I even washed it down with water. Why, is there a problem?”

“Well, look here…”

Hyun-sung pointed under the refrigerator.

Shin Myung-soon followed his gaze.

“Oh, that…?”

He was taken aback.

There was a small spill of seasoning sauce on the floor.

He distinctly remembered cleaning and washing the floor before closing up. There shouldn’t have been anything there.

Shin Myung-soon was incredulous. “How did that happen?”

“That’s what I’m asking.”

“No, Jisook’s younger sibling [likely another employee] and I cleaned up and washed everything before leaving. We do this every day; we wouldn’t forget.”

“Right. Then…”

Hyun-sung paused.

Shin Myung-soon and Kim Jisook were reliable; they wouldn’t skip cleaning.

The seasoning sauce meant someone had been there after they cleaned.

Who could it be?

Not Shin Myung-soon or Kim Jisook. They had no reason to touch the sauce after closing.

That left only one possibility.

Having pieced things together, Hyun-sung quickly opened the refrigerator and pulled out the seasoning container.

“Check this carefully.”

“What are you talking about?”

Shin Myung-soon was confused.

Hyun-sung explained, “Someone touched the seasoning sauce after cleaning.”

Shin Myung-soon nodded, finally understanding. “So, you’re saying someone messed with the seasoning sauce after we left?”

“Exactly. There’s no other explanation.”

“And that culprit…”

Shin Myung-soon looked at Hyun-sung.

Hyun-sung finished the thought. “…is the thief.”

“That’s right.”

Shin Myung-soon nodded and opened the seasoning container, examining it closely.

After a careful inspection, he spoke. “…I think you’re right, boss.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, but they only took a very small amount, trying not to leave any traces.”

Shin Myung-soon wouldn’t have noticed the missing sauce if he hadn’t been looking closely. The amount was so small it was barely perceptible.

Hyun-sung asked, “How did you know it was gone?”

“I didn’t at first. But I could tell when I looked closely. I have a habit of pressing down on the seasoning sauce with my hand at the end to smooth it out.”

“I see. So, someone definitely touched it?”

“Yes, definitely. But who would touch the seasoning sauce?”

Shin Myung-soon looked at Hyun-sung, curious.

Hyun-sung chuckled. “It’s probably CEO Min from Samgeori [likely a rival business owner].”

“CEO Min?”

“He’s been complaining about his business lately, so he’s acting out. I didn’t think he’d resort to stealing.”

“Should we report it to the police again?”

Hyun-sung shook his head.

Shin Myung-soon protested, “The police said to contact them if we found more clues…”

“No, it’s pointless. We don’t have any real evidence. Reporting it without proof will just cause more trouble if he accuses us of making false accusations.”

“Still…”

Shin Myung-soon looked disappointed.

Hyun-sung reiterated, “We have no choice, even if it’s frustrating.”

“It’s outrageous! How can they do something like that?”

“It’s probably a sign of how tough business is for him. And the important thing is…”

Hyun-sung smiled.

Shin Myung-soon asked, “What’s with that smile?”

“CEO Min probably feels like he’s eating dirt right now.”

“What does that mean?”

Shin Myung-soon tilted his head, confused.

A bitter smile crossed Hyun-sung’s face.