Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 293

293

“What did you say?”

Hyeonseong doubted his ears. Of course, he expected that Lee Su-hyeok would have a hard time, but he never thought such extreme words would come out.

That meant Lee Su-hyeok’s shock was that great.

Lee Su-hyeok continued.

“You know, right? What my score was this time?”

“That’s…”

“It’s 198 points. Does that make sense?”

“……”

Hyeonseong had nothing to say. In fact, Hyeonseong himself was more surprised than anyone else after checking Lee Su-hyeok’s score. With Lee Su-hyeok’s usual skills, he should have scored at least 220 points.

Of course, even if he got 220 points, it would be impossible for Lee Su-hyeok to go to Yonsei University. However, the difference between 220 points and 198 points is like heaven and earth.

Looking at it simply as a number, it’s a difference of 22 points, but the important thing is whether or not you have the possibility to challenge.

With 220 points, it’s difficult, but at least the possibility of challenging Yonsei University is open. But on the other hand, with 198 points, there is no possibility at all.

That’s why Lee Su-hyeok is in despair now.

Lee Su-hyeok said again.

“What went wrong?”

“That’s…”

It was Hyeonseong who was in trouble.

*I have to say something. But there’s nothing to say.*

Hyeonseong, who was worried for a moment, had no choice but to open his mouth.

“It’s the first exam.”

He thought it was the best answer for now. He thought he had to say words of comfort no matter what. But he soon realized that it was only Hyeonseong’s own thought.

“That’s why I’m even more angry. You know how important the first exam is. 90% of which university you can go to is determined by the first exam.”

That’s right.

The reason why the first mock exam is important is because of this. Usually, 20 to 30 points are added to the first mock exam score. Of course, this score is the score that you can finally get on the scholastic ability test [the South Korean college entrance exam] when you work hard.

That score is the standard for deciding which university to apply to.

Lee Su-hyeok is talking about this now.

But there is an exception to everything. In other words, a special case.

Lee Su-hyeok said 90% with his own mouth a little while ago. Then the remaining 10% refers to special cases, not general cases.

This is what Hyeonseong is trying to say now.

“That’s a general case.”

“A general case? What do you mean?”

“What did you say with your own mouth a little while ago?”

“What? What did I…”

Lee Su-hyeok tilted his head as if he didn’t understand what Hyeonseong was saying.

Then Hyeonseong continued.

“You clearly said that 90% of which university you will go to is determined by the first exam, right?”

“That’s right, isn’t it?”

“That’s right. Then what about the remaining 10%?”

“That’s because there are exceptions to everything.”

“That’s it.”

This is what Hyeonseong thought.

According to Lee Su-hyeok’s logic, Hyeonseong has nothing to say for Lee Su-hyeok. No, there is only one thing. That is to recommend retaking the exam.

Maybe that’s the most correct judgment in reality. But Hyeonseong couldn’t do that. He thought it was too cruel to do that.

Even if he retakes the exam, that’s a matter for later, and he didn’t think it was something to discuss at this point.

So, he came up with the remaining 10%, the exception that Lee Su-hyeok said, that is, finding a special case.

For now, Hyeonseong thought that was the best way for Lee Su-hyeok.

But Lee Su-hyeok didn’t seem to understand Hyeonseong’s intention yet and asked again.

“What do you mean by that?”

“You said it with your own mouth a little while ago. There are exceptions to everything.”

“So?”

“There’s no reason why you can’t be the main character [the one who defies the odds]. Isn’t that right?”

“Are you saying…”

Lee Su-hyeok was dumbfounded.

Most test takers usually set their target score on the scholastic ability test by increasing their first mock exam score by about 20 to 30 points. That means it’s difficult to raise the score on the mock exam. In fact, there are many cases where the score is lower or similar to the first mock exam score.

But as with everything, there are exceptions here.

In very rare cases, the score is 50 points higher than the first mock exam, or even higher. It’s a really special case.

But what Hyeonseong is talking about now is this special case.

Of course, it’s not entirely impossible. But he never dreamed that he would be the main character.

Hyeonseong said again.

“How about it? Don’t you want to be the main character?”

“Hey, does that make sense?”

“What can’t be done?”

Hyeonseong asked confidently. But on the other hand, he knew very well how absurd this was.

The memories of his past life were telling him that.

In his previous life, Lee Su-hyeok finished with a terrible score that he couldn’t even go to a local national university.

But the only reason he’s doing this even though he knows that is because…

He thinks this is the best he can do for Lee Su-hyeok right now.

Courage.

For now, he needs the courage in his heart to start again without giving up.

And there’s another important thing.

That’s the possibility.

Although it ended that way in his previous life, there is still an opportunity open.

Who knows? If he does well, that exceptional special case may apply to Lee Su-hyeok.

That’s one of the reasons why Hyeonseong spoke confidently.

Lee Su-hyeok shook his head as if he was dumbfounded and continued.

“This is not it.”

“What’s not it? You clearly said it with your own mouth. There are exceptions to everything. There’s no reason why you can’t raise 50 points, right?”

“Still, that’s…”

“You’re a first-grade student, right?”

Hyeonseong asked on purpose even though he knew. It was to give Lee Su-hyeok a little confidence.

Was that why?

Lee Su-hyeok’s voice seemed to have a little strength in it.

“That’s right!”

“Look. If you’re a first-grade student, you’re at an advantage. If you get 50 more points, you can easily get into Yonsei University, which you were aiming for.”

“But the problem is that those 50 points are no joke.”

“Of course. If it were easy, every dog and cow would go to Yonsei University. But the important thing is that you also have that opportunity.”

“Me too…?”

Lee Su-hyeok’s reaction was slightly different from before. He seemed to have a glimmer of possibility.

Hyeonseong didn’t miss that moment.

“Hey, Lee Su-hyeok!”

“Huh?”

“Let me ask you one thing.”

“Okay, what is it?”

Lee Su-hyeok’s eyes sparkled. At least, he didn’t show the desperate look he had when he said he would give up at first.

Hyeonseong continued.

“Do you remember what you said while studying together last year?”

“Me?”

“Yeah, you said it in front of Jeongwoo and Ilsu. Studying is about doing it stupidly [diligently]. You shouldn’t be lazy.”

“Ah, that word…”

Lee Su-hyeok nodded as if he remembered.

Then Hyeonseong said again.

“How many hours do you sleep now?”

“Six hours.”

“Let’s reduce it by two hours.”

“Two hours?”

“Yeah, let’s sleep as much as we want later and endure it for 7 months. Then your life will change. What are you going to do?”

“……”

Lee Su-hyeok didn’t say anything to Hyeonseong’s question.

It’s about changing your mind. It’s not just a matter of sleep, but an important moment to decide in your heart whether you can do it or not.

Lee Su-hyeok was about to give up just a little while ago. His worries must be that deep.

Hyeonseong quietly waited for Lee Su-hyeok’s mouth to open.

After a while.

Lee Su-hyeok slowly opened his mouth.

“Hyeonseong!”

Lee Su-hyeok’s voice had strength in it. That means he had a lot of worries. Now the result of that worry will come out soon.

Hyeonseong answered right away as if he had been waiting.

“Yeah! Have you decided?”

“Can I really raise 50 points?”

*That’s it.*

Hyeonseong could instantly tell what decision Lee Su-hyeok had made. But he also knew that he hadn’t completely sorted out his thoughts yet.

Lee Su-hyeok is still anxious.

Hyeonseong knew too well that he needed a shot to give him confidence in times like this.

“Believe in yourself.”

“Me?”

“Yeah, it all depends on you. From now on, get rid of your doubts about yourself. Have the belief that ‘I can do it’ instead of ‘Can I do it?’ And I think you can do it enough.”

Hyeonseong did his best.

The result is a matter for later. What Lee Su-hyeok needs most right now is to get out of this swamp of defeat.

Was it effective?

Lee Su-hyeok’s expression changed.

“Really?”

“Yeah, so from now on, keep your mind sharp and run only forward until the day of the exam. Then at some point, you’ll be standing at the main gate of Yonsei University. If that happens, you’ll be writing a new history for our school.”

“New history?”

“Yeah, it’s the first time. Isn’t it good just to think about it? You’re enjoying that glory. So from now on, don’t think about anything else and only think about Yonsei University.”

“Yonsei University…”

A faint smile began to spread on Lee Su-hyeok’s lips.

Hyeonseong, who had been watching him for a while, opened his mouth again.

“And what’s with saying you’re going to leave home?”

“I’m suffocating.”

“Suffocating?”

“Yeah, I’ve been in this room since I was young, and now I’m tired of it. Moreover, since I failed the first exam, I feel sorry for my mom. I can’t stand it because I’m so conscious of it.”

“Crazy…”

Hyeonseong was dumbfounded.

When he heard from Lee Mansoo that Lee Su-hyeok was going to leave home, he thought there would be some grand reason. But listening to what he’s saying now, he realized that it’s nothing like that, and it’s just a child acting out.

Of course, good words couldn’t come out of Hyeonseong’s mouth.

But Lee Su-hyeok’s thoughts seemed to be different from Hyeonseong’s.

“Hey, I’m serious.”

“You son of a b*tch, you’re tired of your house? How can you say that now? Even if you don’t have any sense, how can you say such a thing? What would your parents think if they heard this?”

“That’s…”

“Don’t say such a thing in front of Ilsu or Jeongwoo. You’ll really get hit then.”

Hyeonseong couldn’t accept it. No matter how immature he is, there are things he can say and things he can’t say. He couldn’t understand how he could say he was tired of his house.

Lee Su-hyeok couldn’t say anything more when harsh words came out of Hyeonseong’s mouth.

Then Hyeonseong opened his mouth again.

“Do you know how to cook rice… no, ramen [instant noodles]?”

“Huh? That’s…”

“Are you talking about living alone when you can’t even cook ramen properly?”

Hyeonseong’s voice grew louder.

If there were no expectations, there would be no disappointment. Also, he wouldn’t be angry.

But Lee Su-hyeok is different. The image he had shown so far was not just the image of a rich man’s only son. Last year, he worked hard at a ramen shop early in the morning to gain social experience. Seeing that, he thought that this guy was different from the other guys.

But a little while ago, he got angry without realizing it at the word *tired*.

As Hyeonseong looked at him, unexpected words flowed out of Lee Su-hyeok’s mouth.