Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 326

326

“Cohabitation.”

“Excuse me? Cohabitation? Are you saying you want to live together? Does that even make sense?”

Hyun-sung couldn’t understand it at all. He had heard that both sons had been sent abroad to study from a young age. Since they were both over 30, they had been living abroad for almost 20 years. Cohabitation with such sons, no matter how he thought about it, Hyun-sung felt that Park Hee-cheol’s desire was excessive.

“Of course, it won’t be easy.”

“Of course not. It’s not just a day or two, but they’ve been living abroad for almost 20 years. How could that be possible? This doesn’t make sense.”

“100 days.”

“Pardon? 100 days?”

“Yes, I’m not asking them to live for a year, just 100 days.”

Park Hee-cheol nodded as if he had made up his mind.

Then Hyun-sung immediately asked,

“Why, of all numbers, 100 days?”

“In my heart, I want to live with them for at least a year, but I know that’s just my greed. So, I reduced it to the minimum of 100 days. It also has a symbolic meaning.”

“Symbolic meaning?”

“Yes, the number 100 is special to us.”

Hyun-sung tilted his head. He didn’t know exactly what Park Hee-cheol was talking about.

“A special number? What do you mean by that?”

“There are many meanings. First of all, it appears in the Dangun myth [the founding myth of Korea].”

“Haha, the Dangun myth?”

Hyun-sung laughed without realizing it. Of course, the number 100 has several meanings in our society, but he never thought that Park Hee-cheol would bring up the Dangun myth.

“Yes, in that myth, the bear became a human by eating only garlic for 100 days.”

“Of course, that’s true, but… that’s just a myth, isn’t it?”

“That’s why it’s more important. The number 100 is so special to our people that it appears in myths.”

“I guess that could be true. I think it could be a symbolic number of patience.”

Hyun-sung nodded. After listening to Park Hee-cheol, he thought there was some truth to it.

Then Park Hee-cheol spoke again.

“That’s exactly it. A symbol of patience. And the number 100 somehow feels full.”

“A full feeling?”

“Don’t you feel that way? Somehow, the sound of 100 gives me a feeling of abundance or plenty. Of course, I don’t know if it’s just me who feels that way.”

“So, you’re saying that the number 100 gives you a feeling of abundance or plenty?”

“Yes, that’s exactly it. Strangely, I feel like I have everything. And there’s also the term ‘100 points’ [perfect score].”

Hyun-sung had no choice but to nod. He hadn’t thought about it before, but after listening to Park Hee-cheol, he felt like it was true.

“So, you’re saying you want to cohabitate with your children for 100 days?”

“That’s right. If I do that, I haven’t been able to live with them until now, but I think it will be somewhat comforting, even now.”

Hyun-sung nodded once more.

He knew that this wasn’t something to argue about. After all, this is a relative concept. Even if others don’t think so, if Park Hee-cheol, the person involved, is satisfied, that’s all that matters. There’s nothing more to discuss.

“I think you’re right, sir.”

“Really? You think so too?”

“I didn’t know at first, but after listening to you, I think it’s possible. It’s all about self-satisfaction anyway.”

“That’s right, it doesn’t matter what others think, as long as I’m satisfied.”

Park Hee-cheol was already wearing a happy expression as if he had achieved his goal.

But there was one thing he was curious about. Would the two sons really cohabitate for 100 days? But he couldn’t ask if that was possible. Park Hee-cheol’s expression, who seemed to have already achieved his wish, was too bright.

As if he knew Hyun-sung’s mind, Park Hee-cheol spoke first.

“But you know, the problem is the method.”

“The method?”

“Yes, I’m sure these guys won’t be easy to deal with.”

“No, didn’t you already have a method? Judging by your expression a little while ago, you looked like you had already achieved your wish.”

“That’s because it’s fun just to think about it. Do you have any good ideas?”

Park Hee-cheol’s face was clouded, unlike before.

Looking at Park Hee-cheol, Hyun-sung said,

“Isn’t this a story from two years from now? I don’t think you need to frown like that already.”

“That’s true, but wouldn’t it be good to think about it while we’re talking about it? Don’t just stand there, tell me if you have any good ideas.”

“Well…”

“Hmm…”

The two were silent for a while as if they were contemplating.

After a while,

Hyun-sung spoke first.

“How about this method?”

“Do you have a good method?”

“Raise it by another 100 million won [approximately $75,000 USD]. After all, it seems that the best way to move your children is money.”

“Of course. So, you’re saying to raise it by another 100 million won?”

“After all, isn’t the story that you’re going to give 200 million won [approximately $150,000 USD] in two years a lie? In that situation, if you ask them to live with you for 100 days without giving them money, I think your children will be too resistant.”

“I guess so?”

That’s obvious. If you ask them to live with you for 100 days without giving them the money you promised to give them in two years, the backlash will be natural.

But if you raise the amount by another 100 million won, that’s a different story. The amount of 100 million won for 100 days is an amount that can never be ignored.

Of course, it’s absurd to even think about this, but we’re thinking under the premise that Park Hee-cheol’s last wish is to be with his children, no matter what method he uses.

“Of course. I’m worried that even the basic trust might be broken.”

“Basic trust?”

“Yes, after all, the reason for doing this is to get along better with your children, but wouldn’t it be bad if it backfires?”

“Of course, that’s true.”

“There are two ways.”

“Two ways?”

Hyun-sung nodded and immediately continued.

“Yes, one is to give the 200 million won that you promised to give in two years first.”

“You’re saying to give 200 million won first and then propose a 100-day cohabitation with 100 million won as a condition?”

“Yes, that’s right. That way, your children won’t be able to help but worry about it because of their desire for money.”

“Well, 100 million won for 100 days is definitely not a small amount.”

“Of course. 100 million won for 100 days is 1 million won [approximately $750 USD] per day, which is an enormous amount. If others hear about it, it’s an absurd situation.”

“Of course, that’s right. Isn’t this all the price I have to pay for raising my children wrong? Anyway, I have to make these guys human this time.”

Park Hee-cheol bit his lower lip slightly as if he was making a pledge.

“The second method is to offer 300 million won [approximately $225,000 USD] at once.”

“You’re saying don’t give 200 million won in two years, but give 300 million won all at once after filling 100 days?”

“That’s right. This method will be more certain. Of course, the risk will increase that much.”

“I guess so. They might resist.”

“But 300 million won is too much to resist.”

“Hehe… you’re right. Then there seems to be no choice. I’m sorry to my children, but I have no choice but to use the second method.”

Park Hee-cheol smiled strangely and wore a satisfied expression.

Then Hyun-sung asked again.

“But sir, what do you want to do with your children for 100 days while going that far?”

“Memories.”

“Memories?”

“Yes, I want to make memories. Although I couldn’t do it when they were young, I’m going to make small, memorable memories before I die, even now. As much as possible.”

“What kind of memories…”

At Hyun-sung’s question, Park Hee-cheol smiled and continued.

“First of all, I want to go to the bathhouse [public bathhouse].”

“The bathhouse?”

“Yes, you’re still young, so you don’t know, but as I get older, I’m so envious of people who come to the bathhouse with their sons. So, the first thing I want to do is go to the bathhouse with my sons. I don’t even know why I didn’t know that was so precious in the past.”

There was a lot of regret in Park Hee-cheol’s expression. That means he has a lot of regrets about the past.

Even if Hyun-sung didn’t agree 100%, he nodded without realizing it because he could relate to it to some extent.

Hyun-sung asked again.

“And then?”

“I want to go fishing, drink alcohol together, and spend time with my grandchildren. In the past, I just wanted these guys to learn a lot, but as time goes by, I don’t think that’s of any use. I realized that even if they learn a little less, the time we spend together is precious.”

“Yes…”

Hyun-sung had nothing special to say.

Then Park Hee-cheol spoke again.

“And this time, I’m not going to give it all at once.”

“You mean…”

“Last time, after giving the inheritance in advance, I was like a black sheep. I will never make that mistake again. I felt deeply that I have to keep it in my hands until the day I die, so that my children will not ignore me and show interest.”

“Ah, yes…”

It was a story that he could fully relate to.

In his previous life, he had seen many scenes where he was ignored and relegated to a cold rice dish [treated poorly] after giving his inheritance to his children in advance while he was alive. It was too late to regret it then.

Park Hee-cheol’s words continued.

“And the reason I asked you to see me today was because I had a favor to ask.”

“A favor?”

“Yes, it’s because of Myung-soon’s son.”

“You mean Jung-woo?”

“Yes, that’s right. Of course, I already have two sons, but isn’t it like I’m getting one more new son?”

“That’s true.”

“So, I think it would be good to meet Jung-woo before the ceremony. I have something to say.”

Hyun-sung smiled slightly at Park Hee-cheol’s words. The friend Hyun-sung cherishes the most is Lee Jung-woo. Just a few days ago, Lee Jung-woo confided his concerns. That was because of the title.

He was worried about what to call Park Hee-cheol.

It’s probably a natural concern.

He may be young, but Lee Jung-woo is 19 years old. It won’t be easy to call Park Hee-cheol ‘father’ without any hesitation. It was a story that he could fully relate to, so he shared his concerns about the issue.

Hyun-sung’s words continued.

“Jung-woo also has concerns.”

“Why, what did he say?”

“He came to me a few days ago because of the title issue. It’s an issue that Jung-woo can fully worry about.”

“I guess so. It won’t be easy to suddenly call someone you don’t know well ‘father’.”

“That’s right. The good thing is that he doesn’t have any aversion to you. If he was very shy or uncomfortable, you would be in trouble, but your mother would be in a lot of trouble.”

That’s right. The people involved may not have any problems, but if other family members refuse or don’t like it, that can also be a problem.

Park Hee-cheol nodded and continued.

“I heard that you put in a lot of effort, is that right?”

“I just said the most basic things.”

“Basic things?”

“Yes, I told him not to think about anything else and to think about his mother first.”

At Hyun-sung’s words, Park Hee-cheol tilted his head and asked.

“His mother?”

“Yes, after all, if Jung-woo has an aversion to you, the person who will have the hardest time is his mother.”

“Hmm… I know what you mean. It’s a problem that can fully happen. What did Jung-woo say?”

“He thought about it for a while and then nodded.”

“He nodded? What does that mean…?”

“He said he understood. Honestly, it’s still unfamiliar to him, but he said he would try. He said he couldn’t see his mother being uncomfortable because of him. He’s very special to his mother.”

“Hehe, thank you. I have nothing more to ask for if he thinks that way. In fact, the most difficult person for me was Jung-woo. I was worried about what to do if Jung-woo said he didn’t like it. Now that I’ve heard your story, I don’t have to worry about it, so I feel comfortable.”

A smile began to spread across Park Hee-cheol’s face.

After a while,

Park Hee-cheol asked again.

“Did he decide on the title?”

“I don’t think he’s decided yet. It’s not easy because it has to come out of his mouth.”

“I’m kind of looking forward to this. I wonder what Jung-woo will call me.”

Park Hee-cheol’s eyes began to sparkle as if he was excited.

A faint smile began to spread across Hyun-sung’s face as he looked at the scene.

They are two people who had no connection in their previous life. Lee Jung-woo and Park Hee-cheol, although they have different surnames, are two people who met again in this life as father and son. It’s true that I’m curious about how their relationship will continue in the future. And if there is a wish, Hyun-sung has nothing more to ask for if they continue to have a good relationship.