Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 322

322

After successfully finishing the lecture, Hyun-sung and Park Young-jin returned to the real estate agency.

As soon as they entered, Park Young-jin asked loudly,

“Mr. Kim, what was that all about?”

“Pardon? What do you mean?”

“The lecture, I mean. At first, you seemed a bit nervous, but after a while, your words flowed like a clear stream. Throughout the lecture, I couldn’t think of anything else. You saw it too, didn’t you? Over 50 people were listening to your lecture as quiet as mice.”

Hyun-sung himself was also surprised. At first, he had trouble speaking in front of so many people.

But after a while, he started speaking naturally without even realizing it.

Perhaps his approach was effective from the start.

He had considered how to conduct the lecture while preparing for it. After much thought, he concluded that he shouldn’t do anything unnecessary.

Rather than trying to show off or use overly difficult words just because it was a lecture, he decided to leverage his experiences from his past life and explain things as simply as possible.

He mainly used examples of situations that could occur while running a business and supplemented any shortcomings with successful cases he had in mind.

As a result, the audience seemed to naturally empathize with him.

And above all, he paid attention to his intonation. No matter how interesting a story is, it becomes boring if told without any changes in the pitch of the voice.

Of course, the most important thing was to present ways to revitalize commercial districts.

Hyun-sung chuckled and said,

“It’s all thanks to everyone listening so attentively, thinking of me.”

“Haha, this fellow is so modest… Anyway, the content was excellent, and your speaking skills were truly outstanding. And this is just my opinion, but I have a feeling you might get requests for lectures from other places.”

“What? No, that won’t happen. What am I supposed to do…”

“Haha, my friend, do you think the world only works the way you want it to? As you live, things will flow regardless of your will. Anyway, it’s a waste to let such talent rot.”

“You’re saying too much, Mr. Park. Haha…”

Hyun-sung just laughed it off.

At that moment,

Choi Sung-pil entered as the real estate agency door opened.

Park Young-jin immediately asked,

“What brings Councilman Choi here?”

“What do you mean what brings me here? I came to escort a precious person.”

“A precious person? Ah, are you here to take Mr. Kim home?”

“Yes, he worked so hard for our neighborhood until so late, it wouldn’t be right to let him take the bus. Don’t you think so?”

“That’s right! Our Councilman Choi is always so polite. Of course, you should. I was feeling sorry about sending him by bus at this hour, so it’s a good thing you thought of it. Mr. Kim, it’s late. Get in Councilman Choi’s car and go home. Let’s see each other again soon.”

Park Young-jin nodded at Hyun-sung.

Hyun-sung smiled and continued,

“You really didn’t have to go this far…”

“No, it’s only natural considering the contributions you’ve made to our town. Anyway, thanks to Councilman Choi, I feel much lighter. Don’t refuse and get in the car.”

“Yes, I understand. Then, I’ll see you again next time.”

Hyun-sung said his goodbyes and left the real estate agency with Choi Sung-pil.

As soon as they left, Park Young-jin smirked.

“So, you still can’t give up, huh!”

Park Young-jin knew why Choi Sung-pil offered to take Hyun-sung home. Of course, he himself was also reluctant to give up.

No matter how he thought about it, when Hyun-sung said that a road would be built in front of the mountain ridge, his eyes were full of conviction.

It wasn’t just a hopeful look that it would be built someday. He was sure that this kid was hiding something.

Choi Sung-pil probably felt the same way.

“Sung-pil, I’m counting on you.”

Park Young-jin’s eyes sparkled as if he was not ready to give up yet.

***

After driving for about five minutes,

Choi Sung-pil glanced at the passenger seat where Hyun-sung was sitting, as if he had something to say.

Hyun-sung chuckled inwardly as he looked at Choi Sung-pil. If his prediction was correct, Choi Sung-pil would still be clinging to his lingering feelings.

Choi Sung-pil had already admitted to investigating him.

So, he would naturally know about the land he bought in Ilsan. It wasn’t just a small amount, but 500 million won worth, so his curiosity must have reached its peak.

However, he wouldn’t be able to directly ask why he bought that land.

The reason was that Hyun-sung had scolded Choi Sung-pil for investigating him during the day. Moreover, he strongly expressed his displeasure at being openly told about the investigation, calling it disrespectful.

In the end, he made him formally apologize.

In that situation, no matter how curious Choi Sung-pil was about the land in Ilsan, he wouldn’t be able to ask directly again after being severely reprimanded.

In the process of confirming that the road would be built in front of the mountain ridge, his true intentions were already revealed. So, he deliberately teased him.

Even now, taking him home was just an excuse, and his sole purpose was to somehow obtain information about the land in Ilsan.

Well, if he knew in advance that a new city would be built, it would increase at least 100 times, and it would be impossible for anyone to ignore that.

Hyun-sung asked, pretending not to know,

“Why? Is there something you want to say?”

“Well, that is…”

“Feel free to speak comfortably. Since you’re giving me a ride home, I’ll answer as sincerely as possible, within my knowledge.”

“About the restaurant you mentioned building on the mountain ridge earlier…”

As expected, Choi Sung-pil was immediately revealing his true colors.

However, instead of throwing a fastball, he was trying to lure him with a curveball, approaching the mountain ridge restaurant again.

Of course, the ultimate goal would be the land in Ilsan.

“What about the restaurant?”

“Are you really planning to build a restaurant there?”

“Of course. As you admitted, the scenery there is the best in the neighborhood.”

“That’s beyond question. So, what size are you roughly thinking of?”

“About 200 *pyeong* [approximately 7,200 square feet].”

“What? 200 *pyeong*?”

Choi Sung-pil’s mouth dropped open. 200 *pyeong* was a lot, and building and maintaining such a building would require a lot of money. Of course, it was possible with the money the kid had now, but he couldn’t help but be surprised by his boldness.

Then, Hyun-sung said something else.

“I’m going to build a 5-story building.”

“5 stories?”

“Yes, and I’m not just going to build it with H-beams, but with a proper steel frame structure. Of course, I’ll install an elevator too.”

Hyun-sung deliberately mentioned specific plans.

Choi Sung-pil glanced at Hyun-sung and quietly looked ahead, as if he had nothing to say for a moment.

After a while,

Choi Sung-pil spoke again.

“Is that possible?”

“Of course. I’ll start preparing slowly from 2 years from now.”

“Did you just say 2 years?”

“Yes, I’ll start moving in 2 years. Because I have to start with the basic construction.”

The number ‘2’ stuck in Choi Sung-pil’s ear more than any other word. That’s because a 4-lane road would be built in that direction in 2 years.

If he could find out exactly why this kid was saying 2 years, he would achieve his goal to some extent.

Choi Sung-pil asked, trying to act nonchalant,

“Why 2 years in particular? Is there any special reason?”

“Just a feeling.”

“A feeling? What does that mean?”

Choi Sung-pil was going crazy with frustration. He had been hoping for something when he heard the word 2 years, but all he said was that it was just a feeling, which made him feel angry. But he couldn’t get angry, and he felt a heat on his face as he tried to suppress his emotions.

Then, Hyun-sung said,

“Why are you so sensitive about my business?”

“Me?”

“Yes, you were like that earlier in the day, and you’re like that now. Your face is even red. Don’t you have another purpose?”

Hyun-sung deliberately poked at Choi Sung-pil to see his reaction.

However, Choi Sung-pil was not easily fooled.

“Well, was I? I was just curious because you said you were going to build a restaurant on land I was interested in.”

“Oh, is that so? I thought you had another purpose…”

“What other purpose would I have? I was just curious because Mr. Kim was so confident. Then, while we’re on the subject, can I ask you one more thing?”

“Yes, of course.”

Hyun-sung nodded and said.

Then, Choi Sung-pil spoke again.

“You said 5 stories a little while ago, right?”

“Yes, 5 stories. I’m going to run a Chinese restaurant on the 1st floor, a Korean restaurant on the 2nd floor, and a Western restaurant on the 3rd floor.”

“You’re going to do Korean, Chinese, and Western all together?”

“Yes, of course. I’m going to do it big, like you said.”

“Haha, this is…”

Choi Sung-pil was speechless. But it was too detailed to be a bluff.

Choi Sung-pil asked again.

“Then what about the 4th and 5th floors?”

“I’m only going to sell meat on the 4th floor. And I’m going to make the 5th floor and the rooftop into a cafe. Wouldn’t it be amazing to have a cup of coffee at a cafe that overlooks the entire town?”

“A meat restaurant and a cafe! Sigh…”

Choi Sung-pil sighed deeply. He was planning to open a 150 *pyeong* [approximately 5,400 square feet] garden restaurant there. He thought that alone was something amazing that others couldn’t imagine, but now this kid was going beyond that and selling all kinds of food like a comprehensive gift set. The scale itself was different. It was no wonder he sighed.

Then, there was only one thing left.

Money.

To really achieve all those plans, it would end up as just a dream if it wasn’t backed up by capital. Did he really have a plan for this too?

All this kid had was the land in Ilsan, the building in the countryside, and 330 million won in his bank account. It was impossible with that amount. There was only one way. The land in Ilsan had to go up, not just a little, but at least 10 times.

Choi Sung-pil quietly asked,

“It would cost a tremendous amount of money to set up that perfectly, would that be possible?”

“My estimate is that about 5 billion won would be enough for the basic setup. Of course, I’m talking about the full setup, including the environmental *joseong* [creation/establishment] of the area.”

“5 billion? But is that possible now? As far as I know…”

He couldn’t bring himself to mention the land in Ilsan. Because he didn’t know what this kid would say again if he did.

Then, Hyun-sung smiled and opened his mouth.

“Don’t you know, Mr. Choi? You investigated me anyway.”

“Maybe that land…”

“Yes, that’s right. It’s the land in Ilsan. That’s my source of money. And my future.”

Sparkle.

Choi Sung-pil’s eyes sparkled for a moment. The ultimate goal, the land in Ilsan, came out of the kid’s mouth. Now all he had to do was verify the source of that information. It was a subtly tense moment.

Choi Sung-pil carefully asked,

“Does that mean that land will definitely go up? Maybe it’s a new… city?”

Gulp.

Choi Sung-pil even swallowed hard, probably because he was nervous.

Hyun-sung smiled at Choi Sung-pil and nodded.

Then, Choi Sung-pil immediately asked,

“When?”

“2 years.”

“2 years? Are you really saying that Ilsan will be confirmed as a new city within 2 years?”

Choi Sung-pil’s hands, which were holding the steering wheel, were clenched tightly.

“You can drop me off in front of here.”

As they were talking, they had already arrived at Hyun-sung’s store.

Screech.

Click.

As soon as he stopped the car, Hyun-sung opened the passenger seat door.

Now it was Choi Sung-pil who was in a hurry. He couldn’t just let him go like this. Even if he invested just 100 million won, it would become 10 billion won. Face? He didn’t need face in this situation.

“Mr., Mr., Mr., Mr. Kim! Just a moment!”

“Yes? What is it?”

“That new city, is it certain?”

“Yes, in my opinion.”

“What? Opinion? What do you mean by opinion? This isn’t right…”

Choi Sung-pil felt like crying. This didn’t make sense. It was a whopping 10 billion won. But it was just his vague opinion, it didn’t make sense. This was not the answer he wanted.

Then, Hyun-sung spoke again.

“Mr. Choi, do you know what?”

“Huh? What?”

“People see as much as they believe. Think carefully about what that means.”

Bang!

With those words, Hyun-sung closed the passenger seat door. Then, he waved at Choi Sung-pil.

He had already said everything. Now the choice was up to Choi Sung-pil.

Whatever his purpose, he got home comfortably thanks to Choi Sung-pil. Fare? He already gave it. A lot of it. Now the choice was up to Choi Sung-pil.

Hyun-sung started walking towards his house.