Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 292

292

“Welcome.”

As Lee Soo-hyuk arrived at his house, Hyun-sung was greeted by Lee Man-soo, Lee Soo-hyuk’s father, who was waiting outside.

“Did you wait for me outside on purpose?”

“Yes, I did. I had something I wanted to discuss with you, so I was waiting.”

“What is it you want to say?”

“Well, that is…”

Lee Man-soo hesitated.

Then Hyun-sung asked directly.

“What’s so important that you’re being so cautious about?”

“Well, you see… please, try to talk Soo-hyuk out of leaving home. I hope we can resolve this issue here. As you know, he’s an only child and doesn’t know how to do anything. I don’t know why he’s suddenly talking about living on his own.”

Lee Man-soo’s face was etched with concern for his son. Seeing Lee Man-soo’s overly anxious expression, Hyun-sung even wondered if this was the best approach.

Of course, he understood a parent’s perspective, but he couldn’t help but feel that this was too much.

Hyun-sung addressed Lee Man-soo.

“Father.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“Perhaps, Soo-hyuk living on his own might not be entirely a bad thing.”

“What are you talking about?”

Lee Man-soo stared at Hyun-sung, his eyes wide with disbelief.

It was the reaction he had fully expected. The reason Lee Man-soo had called him to his house was to prevent Lee Soo-hyuk’s sudden decision at all costs. But Hyun-sung was suggesting that living alone might not be so bad, making it a difficult idea for Lee Man-soo to accept.

However, Hyun-sung’s thoughts were different.

Perhaps this opportunity could be beneficial for both Lee Soo-hyuk and his parents.

Lee Soo-hyuk is already nineteen years old. Next year, he will be a legal adult. Of course, parents may still see him as a child, but they can’t keep him under their wing forever.

Hyun-sung said to Lee Man-soo.

“Father, Soo-hyuk will be a full adult next year.”

“That’s true, but…”

“Of course, I understand your feelings, but I think it’s time for Soo-hyuk to prepare to stand on his own two feet.”

“Stand on his own?”

“Yes, we can’t keep him sheltered forever, can we? It might not be good for Soo-hyuk in the long run.”

“That’s true, but…”

Lee Man-soo seemed to be contemplating the situation.

Hyun-sung seized the moment.

“Father, this is just a hypothetical, but if Soo-hyuk insists on leaving home, please don’t just dismiss it. Please consider it from Soo-hyuk’s perspective.”

“Soo-hyuk’s perspective?”

“Yes, of course, we need to talk more to know for sure, but I believe Soo-hyuk made that decision after a lot of thought.”

“Hmm…”

Lee Man-soo couldn’t easily make a decision.

It wouldn’t be easy. He fully understood Lee Man-soo’s position, so this time, he decided not to press for an answer and waited for his reply.

After a moment.

Lee Man-soo spoke with some difficulty.

“Um… Hyun-sung.”

“Yes, Father.”

“I understand what you’re saying. I won’t force anything. But I need to know exactly why Soo-hyuk wants to leave. If I hear his reasons and they’re reasonable, I’ll consider it positively.”

“Really?”

“But there’s a condition.”

Hyun-sung tilted his head. He hadn’t expected a condition in this situation. But from a parent’s perspective, it might be natural to want a safety net.

Hyun-sung looked at Lee Man-soo and asked.

“What is it?”

“You’re taking responsibility.”

Hyun-sung almost laughed. It was that absurd. He never expected those words to come out of Lee Man-soo’s mouth.

Perhaps Lee Man-soo’s plan from the beginning was this.

Hyun-sung smiled and asked.

“Were you thinking about this from the start?”

“To be honest, I can’t say I wasn’t.”

“What do you mean…”

“Consider it insurance. No parent can truly win against their child. If he keeps insisting, I thought I wouldn’t be able to do anything about it.”

“So, you…”

Lee Man-soo lowered his head slightly, as if apologizing, and then continued.

“I thought I could trust you with Soo-hyuk. And as I said earlier today, Soo-hyuk thinks of you not only as a friend but also as an older brother. So, who could be better than you?”

“…”

Hyun-sung had nothing to say.

When Hyun-sung remained silent, Lee Man-soo spoke again.

“But don’t feel too burdened. Just check in on him once in a while. Of course, it would be even better if you could keep an eye on him every day.”

“No, what…”

Hyun-sung was dumbfounded.

Because of Lee Man-soo’s words. How could he say not to feel burdened but then ask him to keep an eye on him every day? It was a contradiction.

Hyun-sung asked.

“What exactly do you want me to do?”

“Does it sound strange? Saying don’t feel burdened but asking you to keep an eye on him every day? That’s how I feel right now.”

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

Hyun-sung tilted his head.

Then Lee Man-soo continued.

“I can’t just put a burden on you, can I? Isn’t that right?”

“That’s right.”

“But he’s my son, so of course, I’m worried, right?”

“Of course.”

“So, that’s what I’m saying. I can’t do either. I know I can’t just put a burden on you. At the same time, I want you to keep an eye on my son every day. In a way, it’s my greed. Do you understand what I mean now?”

Hyun-sung slowly nodded.

Now he seemed to understand what Lee Man-soo was trying to say.

“So, Father, you ultimately want me to keep an eye on Soo-hyuk every day, right?”

“I’m sorry, but that’s right. If he insists on leaving home, it’s because he wants to be alone, but if we visit him every day, who knows what he’ll say? But if it’s you, that won’t happen, so I’m asking you. Of course, I know it’s a father’s greed. But I hope you can understand this feeling a little bit.”

Lee Man-soo’s words grew longer.

The words were lengthy, but the conclusion was simple.

He was asking him to take care of Lee Soo-hyuk and to understand a father’s heart.

Hyun-sung had no choice but to nod again.

Because he knew that feeling all too well.

Hyun-sung responded.

“First, I’ll listen to Soo-hyuk’s side of the story. And I’ll try to talk him out of leaving home if possible.”

“I couldn’t ask for more if you do that.”

Lee Man-soo’s expression brightened, unlike before. But that didn’t last long.

He knew it wouldn’t be easy to change Lee Soo-hyuk’s mind.

Hyun-sung looked at Lee Man-soo and spoke again.

“Father.”

“Oh, yes. Go ahead.”

“The important thing is that Soo-hyuk will grow from this experience. So, I want to tell you not to be too anxious or worried.”

“Do I seem that anxious to you?”

“Honestly, yes. I hope you can watch over Soo-hyuk with a more relaxed attitude. I think that would be good for Soo-hyuk and better for you too.”

“Hmm…”

Lee Man-soo was silent, contemplating for a moment.

After a while.

Lee Man-soo spoke again.

“I admit it. Since he’s my only son, I think I’m being a bit excessive. He’s never been like this before.”

“That’s why I’m saying this.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Please think of it as growing pains. I think the results of this mock exam are the cause.”

Lee Man-soo nodded, agreeing with that point, and continued.

“I expected that to some extent too. But the problem is that I don’t know why he wants to leave home.”

“Because he’s a man.”

“A man?”

Lee Man-soo looked at Hyun-sung, questioning his meaning.

Then Hyun-sung quickly elaborated.

“Isn’t it a man’s instinct? He needs his own space. It seems he feels he doesn’t have his own space at home.”

“Haha, a space…”

Lee Man-soo smiled, understanding the meaning.

A space.

Men often need their own space, a personal sanctuary. Lee Man-soo now realized that Lee Soo-hyuk was feeling that way.

Hyun-sung turned away from Lee Man-soo and entered Lee Soo-hyuk’s room.

“Hyun-sung!”

Lee Soo-hyuk greeted Hyun-sung with a cheerful voice.

“You rascal, you sound alright.”

“What do you mean? Did…”

“Did what?”

“Did my father talk to you?”

“Not exactly, but earlier today…”

Hyun-sung explained about meeting Lee Man-soo at the Nonghyup [National Agricultural Cooperative Federation]. He explained everything they talked about without holding back. He didn’t think there was any need to hide it. After all, it was natural to explain his purpose in coming here.

When Hyun-sung finished his explanation, Lee Soo-hyuk spoke.

“My father is being unnecessary…”

“Hey, what are you talking about? Your father is worried about you. Anyway, what’s the problem?”

“…”

Lee Soo-hyuk didn’t speak easily.

It seemed that confiding his worries wasn’t easy, even between friends.

It was a situation where he couldn’t rush him.

At that moment, Hyun-sung noticed something. It was the letters written on the A4 paper attached to the wall.

– 延世大 [Yonsei University]

Three letters written in Chinese characters.

The school that Lee Soo-hyuk always mentioned almost habitually.

Hyun-sung pointed to the wall with his chin and asked.

“Is it because of that?”

“…”

“Is that right?”

“Sigh!”

Lee Soo-hyuk let out a deep sigh instead of answering.

As expected, Hyun-sung’s guess was correct. It was revealed that the reason Lee Soo-hyuk was struggling was the result of this mock exam.

Lee Soo-hyuk was someone who couldn’t go to college even in his past life.

‘What should I do?’

Even though Hyun-sung has regressed [time-traveled], this problem is an unsolvable dilemma for now.

It’s impossible to get into that university with this score anyway. And it’s impossible to recommend him to retake the exam at this point. The emotional wound that Lee Soo-hyuk has to bear is too significant.

Then…

Courage.

What he needs now is courage. The strength to guide Lee Soo-hyuk so that he can do his best until he takes the scholastic ability test [the South Korean equivalent of the SAT] without giving up. Even if he retakes the exam later, that’s a problem for later.

The important thing is now.

It was then.

Strange words came out of Lee Soo-hyuk’s mouth.

“Hyun-sung, I’m going to give up.”