Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 281

281

The lecture concluded successfully.

The number of attendees testified to that. 275 people listened to the lecture.

Among them, 180 were third-year students. All but 20 students came to listen to the lecture. It was an entirely unexpected number.

It was proof that, though unspoken, there were many concerns about the future.

And another thing that was completely unexpected.

That was the attendance of first and second-year students. While it made sense for third-year students, who had to enter society in a year, I never thought that even younger students with plenty of time would attend.

In particular, I couldn’t help but be surprised by the fact that as many as 40 first-year students attended.

After the lecture, the four headed to the cafeteria.

As soon as they sat down at a table in the cafeteria, Principal Park Sang-hyun looked at Hyun-sung and asked,

“What happened earlier?”

“Pardon? What are you talking about?”

“How did you know to prepare the calming medicine in advance? I still find it amazing.”

“Ah, that. Well, that’s because…”

Hyun-sung began to explain why he had prepared the calming medicine. As Hyun-sung’s explanation continued at length, Principal Park Sang-hyun nodded repeatedly, showing that he understood. And finally, when Hyun-sung’s explanation ended, he immediately asked,

“So, you knew in advance that Han Ji-eun had stage fright?”

“Rather than knowing in advance, I prepared it just in case while preparing the manuscript. My sister said she was afraid of standing in front of many people.”

“Haha, was that so? Anyway, I don’t know how fortunate it was that we were able to finish the lecture safely thanks to the calming medicine you prepared.”

“I feel the same way. I was really taken aback earlier.”

It was true.

When Han Ji-eun suddenly said she couldn’t stand on the stage, I couldn’t help but be taken aback.

Why wouldn’t I be?

The students were waiting in the auditorium, but the person who was supposed to give the lecture couldn’t stand on the stage due to stage fright.

Hyun-sung looked at Han Ji-eun and said,

“Noona, you worked hard.”

“No, you’re the one who worked hard. It was my first time in such a situation, so I was really flustered earlier. Anyway, I’m so glad we were able to finish safely thanks to you.”

Han Ji-eun looked at Principal Park Sang-hyun this time and bowed her head.

“Principal, I’m sorry. I surprised you a lot, didn’t I?”

“Not at all. Rather, Han Ji-eun must have been more surprised. Standing on the stage may seem like nothing, but it’s not an easy task. Anyway, it’s good that we finished safely like this. Thank you for your hard work.”

As soon as Principal Park Sang-hyun finished speaking, Kim Myung-shik immediately continued,

“Ji-eun, you worked hard.”

“Yes, Myung-shik, you worked hard too. But how can you speak so well? I was so surprised when I saw you lecturing earlier.”

“I just did as Hyun-sung told me.”

“Perhaps the manuscript…?”

“Yes, that’s right. He told me to write a manuscript in advance. So, I wrote a manuscript and memorized it for days.”

Han Ji-eun smiled and looked at Hyun-sung.

“In the end, everything is Hyun-sung’s work.”

“What are you talking about… It was all possible because Noona and Senior helped me actively. And since you’ve helped me, I’d like to ask for your continued support in the future.”

“In the future?”

Han Ji-eun tilted her head. If what Hyun-sung said was true, it meant that there would be lectures like today in the future, not just today.

Han Ji-eun looked at Hyun-sung and immediately asked,

“What does that mean? Are you saying that we have to give lectures again in the future?”

“That’s not it.”

“It’s not? Then what do you mean by asking for continued support in the future?”

Han Ji-eun stared intently at Hyun-sung’s face. When Hyun-sung said he would like to ask for continued support in the future, she naturally thought he was talking about lectures. But since Hyun-sung said no, she was curious about the reason.

Hyun-sung’s answer followed.

“Of course, this is just my opinion, but I think something fun will happen in the future.”

“Something fun? What is it?”

“Study groups will be formed. There will be as many as several dozen people, and as few as less than ten.”

“Are you saying that students will voluntarily form a group to prepare for the civil service exam?”

“Yes, that’s right. Noona saw it today too. You saw how much interest the kids have in the civil service exam.”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

Han Ji-eun’s thoughts were different.

Of course, the interest shown by the students today was surprising. She never thought that so many students would gather.

But that was only the result of curiosity.

Han Ji-eun thought that simple curiosity and actually preparing for the civil service exam were separate matters.

Hyun-sung said.

“Noona, you don’t think so?”

“I’m sorry to say this, but simple curiosity and actually preparing for the civil service exam are completely different issues.”

“Of course, that’s true. So, Noona, you think that the interest shown by the students today was simply out of curiosity?”

“I’m sorry, but that’s what I think.”

Han Ji-eun said with an apologetic expression.

Then Hyun-sung shook his head and immediately continued.

“No, there’s no need to be sorry. Noona’s thoughts may be right.”

That’s right.

There hasn’t been an opportunity like this until now. So, it would have been natural for the students to be curious.

That curiosity would have naturally led them to the lecture hall.

If so…

Was the interest they showed today really just out of curiosity?

Hyun-sung slowly shook his head.

That wouldn’t be the case. Their eyes were too bright for that.

I have lived long enough to know. You can tell by looking at a person’s eyes. The eyes they showed today were not just simple curiosity.

Hyun-sung looked at Han Ji-eun and said again.

“Noona, I have one favor to ask of you.”

“Huh? Oh, okay.”

“Like Noona said, the interest they showed today may be simple curiosity, but if that’s not the case, please help them.”

“How can I…?”

Han Ji-eun looked at Hyun-sung with a burdensome expression.

Then Hyun-sung continued.

“That doesn’t mean you have to feel so burdened. If the kids form a study group, just show them some interest from time to time.”

“Interest?”

“Yes, that’s enough. What they need right now is a compass. Just point them in the right direction.”

“A compass, huh…”

Han Ji-eun was silent for a moment, as if lost in thought.

After a while.

Han Ji-eun opened her mouth again.

“Okay. If the kids form a study group, let me know. I don’t know if it will be helpful, but I’ll try to attend the meeting at least once a month.”

“You don’t have to go that far. Once a month would be too much of a burden for Noona.”

“No, if we’re going to start, we have to do it right. I actually had a hard time studying alone. And since this is the countryside, there are no academies [private tutoring schools], so it will be even more difficult.”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

Unlike before, Hyun-sung was surprised by Han Ji-eun’s proactive attitude.

Then Han Ji-eun opened her mouth again.

“And you shouldn’t be too greedy right now.”

“That means…?”

“Yeah, we have to admit what we have to admit. Right now, it’s important to set a goal, and we have to make a move within two years of graduation. Actually, that’s fast too…”

That’s right.

We have to admit what we have to admit. There’s nothing we can do in the short term just because we’re preparing for the civil service exam now.

The civil service exam is not that easy.

Moreover, it is true that they are far behind in terms of skills.

For now, it is just a matter of setting the direction, as Han Ji-eun said. We will have to make a long-term plan for at least the next two or three years.

That’s why Han Ji-eun’s help is needed at times like this.

Hyun-sung nodded and said,

“That’s what Noona said is right. That’s why I need Noona’s help now. It’s a crucial time to set that direction.”

“Okay. I don’t know how many people will be interested, but let me know once they gather.”

“Yes, I will.”

At that time, Principal Park Sang-hyun, who had been listening to the conversation between the two, looked at Han Ji-eun with a pleased expression and said,

“I don’t know how to thank you enough.”

“Not at all. Rather, I am grateful that there is something I can do, even though I am lacking.”

“Anyway, thank you for your help in the future.”

“Yes, Principal. I will do my best, even though I am lacking.”

Han Ji-eun slightly bowed her head towards Principal Park Sang-hyun.

Then Principal Park Sang-hyun nodded and smiled brightly.

Then Hyun-sung looked at Kim Myung-shik and said,

“Senior, thank you for your help in the future.”

“Yeah, okay. If you need my help, contact me anytime. And if there are any students who are interested in baking, tell them they can come to the store during summer vacation.”

“Is that really true?”

“Of course. Our junior is so enthusiastic, so I have to help him that much. Thanks to Hyun-sung, I had a good experience this time.”

It was then.

Clatter.

The door opened and the ordered food came in.

***

The next day.

Hyun-sung’s prediction was correct.

Ding-dong.

The store door opened and Lee Jung-woo came in.

“What brings you here at this hour?”

“I have something to discuss with you.”

At the word “discuss,” Hyun-sung smiled inwardly. Actually, he had been waiting since last night. He thought he would come after the lecture.

The reason is simple.

It’s because of what Han Ji-eun said in the lecture yesterday.

– Studying together with others is more efficient than studying alone.

When Hyun-sung told Han Ji-eun yesterday that a study group might be formed, it was also with Lee Jung-woo in mind.

Because that’s what Lee Jung-woo needs more than anyone else right now.

But Hyun-sung couldn’t take the lead first. The reason is that Lee Jung-woo himself must realize the necessity of the meeting.

Hyun-sung asked Lee Jung-woo, pretending not to know.

“What is it?”

“What do you think?”

“About what?”

“What Ji-eun Noona said yesterday, ‘Studying together with others is more efficient than studying alone.'”

Lee Jung-woo’s expression was more serious than ever. It must have been because he had been thinking a lot since yesterday.

Hyun-sung looked at Lee Jung-woo and asked back instead of answering.

“What do you think?”

“Actually, I’ve been studying for the civil service exam alone, and I’ve been thinking that it would be nice to have someone to study with.”

“Reason?”

“Reason?”

“Yeah, there must be a reason why you thought that way, right?”

“Um… I don’t know if this is the right word, but it’s not fun to do it alone.”

Hyun-sung chuckled as he looked at Lee Jung-woo.

Then Lee Jung-woo immediately asked.

“Why are you laughing?”

“The answer is out.”

“Huh?”

“Have you ever heard of this saying?”

“What saying?”

Lee Jung-woo tilted his head and asked.

Then Hyun-sung looked at Lee Jung-woo and opened his mouth.