Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 330

330

“My uncle?”

“Yes, as you know, the wedding is only 10 days away. So, your uncle wanted to have a meal with you beforehand.”

“That’s a bit much…”

Lee Jung-woo looked troubled and scratched his head slightly.

Of course, he understood. No matter how much he was going to marry his mother, he was still a stranger. It would be strange if he wasn’t uncomfortable having a meal alone with him in that situation.

“Why, are you uncomfortable?”

“Honestly, it would be weird if I wasn’t. I just think time is the best healer. Trying to force things might make it even more awkward.”

“Of course, you’re not wrong, but it seems like your uncle has something he wants to discuss. That’s why he asked me.”

“Something to say?”

“Yeah, you’re becoming a family. Of course, he’ll have something to say.”

“I guess that’s true. But honestly, I’m not comfortable being alone with him… Can you come with me?”

“Me too?”

“Yeah, I think I’ll feel more comfortable if you’re there. And I think your uncle will feel the same way.”

Hyun-sung nodded. It might be awkward if it was just the two of them, but if he was there to mediate, the awkwardness would be less. And depending on the situation, he could excuse himself for a moment to give them a chance to talk.

“Okay, I understand. If it helps you feel better, I’m happy to do it.”

“Thanks.”

“What are you saying? We’re friends…”

Hyun-sung lightly tapped Lee Jung-woo on the shoulder.

Then Lee Jung-woo smiled and continued.

“No, I’m not kidding, I’m really grateful!”

“What’s with you? You sound so serious?”

“It’s about my mom.”

“Ah, your mother? Judging by the way you’re talking, it seems like you’ve completely changed your mind?”

Until two days ago, Lee Jung-woo had said that while he didn’t oppose his mother’s remarriage, it was still difficult to completely accept it. He said the reason was because of his deceased father. He felt like he was abandoning his father’s memory.

“Yeah, I’ve decided to accept it positively now. Actually, I went to see my father after class yesterday.”

“At his gravesite?”

“Yeah, I felt like I had to tell him.”

“Um… I see.”

“And I decided to change my mind as you said. Instead of abandoning my father, I’ll have one more new father.”

“Really?”

Hyun-sung’s voice suddenly grew louder. He had been worried about that issue.

Of course, he didn’t oppose it outright, but he couldn’t fully celebrate his mother’s remarriage because he felt it was a betrayal of his father.

He had told him several times that it wasn’t the case, but it wasn’t easy for Jung-woo to accept. Hyun-sung felt sorry for him, thinking that he might feel that way because he was still young.

He knew very well that he couldn’t force him to change his mind, so his regret was even greater. But now that he said he had changed his mind, Hyun-sung’s voice grew louder with joy.

“Yeah, after changing my mind, my head felt heavy, but now it’s clear.”

“That’s great. I was worried about that. But how did you suddenly change your mind? It couldn’t have been easy.”

“You told me.”

“Me? What did I say?”

“To only think about my mom. That it’s my mom’s life. That it’s for my mom and ultimately for me.”

Lee Jung-woo’s mother, Shin Myung-soon, is now in her mid-40s. He thought it was too harsh for her to live alone.

So, what he said to Lee Jung-woo was to think about his mother’s life. If his mother’s life became difficult because of his feelings, it would not be right of him as a son.

Fortunately, it seemed that Lee Jung-woo’s heart was moved by those words.

Thump.

Hyun-sung lightly tapped Lee Jung-woo on the shoulder again.

“Good job!”

“I did well, right?”

“Of course. Does your mother know about this?”

“Yeah, I told her early this morning. My mom didn’t show it, but I think she was subtly worried.”

“I thought so…”

“What do you mean? What did my mom say today?”

“No, she didn’t say anything, but she went to work this morning and she was more energetic and her face was brighter than usual. So, there was a reason.”

“Really?”

“Of course. I even asked her if something was wrong. But she kept smiling, saying nothing was wrong.”

Lee Jung-woo scratched his head and continued.

“I think I’ve been acting like a fool.”

“Acting like a fool? No, that’s not true. It was a situation where you could have worried a lot. Still, I’m glad you came to a conclusion where we can all be happy. Good job, and you’re still Lee Jung-woo.”

“I’m the one who’s grateful. If I were alone, it wouldn’t have been easy to make this decision. Oh! And something strange happened.”

“Something strange? What is it?”

Hyun-sung tilted his head and asked.

Then Lee Jung-woo said immediately.

“Someone must have visited my father’s gravesite. I went to the gravesite yesterday and there was alcohol and fruit.”

“Who? Maybe your mother?”

“So I asked her, but it wasn’t her. And as you know, our father’s gravesite isn’t a place where anyone can just pass by and stop.”

“Of course. It’s on the mountainside, so you can’t go there unless you make up your mind to go.”

“That’s what I’m saying. There’s no one else who would go there except my mom and me…”

It’s a place you can’t go to unless you make up your mind to go. That means someone went there on purpose…

Wait a minute!

A person flashed through Hyun-sung’s mind.

“Maybe…”

“Why? Do you have anyone in mind?”

“I think it might be your uncle…”

“My uncle? No way, even if that’s the case, would that uncle go to our father’s gravesite? I don’t think so.”

“I don’t know, who else would go up there on purpose?”

“That’s why it’s strange. By the way, when are we supposed to meet that uncle?”

“Today.”

“Today?”

Hyun-sung smiled and continued.

“Yeah, actually, he’s waiting for you at the restaurant right now.”

“Hey, Kim Hyun-sung. Come to think of it, was the reason you called me today because of that uncle?”

“That’s right. Your uncle said he really wanted to see you.”

“What if I had refused? You made an appointment in advance?”

“I didn’t make it, the uncle said he would wait first. He said he would wait today or tomorrow.”

“No, I’m not Zhuge Liang [a famous strategist from the Three Kingdoms period], but even so…”

Lee Jung-woo felt a mix of sorry and grateful. He was going to be his stepfather. He felt more sorry than grateful that such a person was trying so hard to see him.

Lee Jung-woo asked with a slightly apologetic heart.

“Where is the restaurant?”

“Seomyeong Garden.”

“Seomyeong Garden? He’s waiting for me there?”

Lee Jung-woo couldn’t help but be surprised again. Seomyeong Garden is the most famous restaurant in this neighborhood. To be honest, it’s such a luxurious restaurant that he’d only heard about it and never been there. The fact that he’s waiting for him at such a restaurant meant that he valued him that much, so it was natural for Lee Jung-woo to be surprised.

“Maybe your uncle has been waiting there for two hours.”

“Hey, you should have told me that sooner. Now… Okay, let’s go.”

Lee Jung-woo hurriedly started walking.

Then Hyun-sung smiled and followed Lee Jung-woo.

30 minutes later.

When they arrived at Seomyeong Garden, an employee greeted them.

“Welcome. Chairman Park is waiting for you.”

The employee, who recognized Hyun-sung, immediately led the two to a private room. Park Hee-cheol was already waiting there, showing how much respect he had for Lee Jung-woo.

“Welcome.”

“Hello…”

As Lee Jung-woo greeted him cautiously, Park Hee-cheol looked at Lee Jung-woo with a happy smile.

“Thank you for coming. Please sit down.”

“Yes…”

As Lee Jung-woo took a seat, Park Hee-cheol finally looked at Hyun-sung and expressed his gratitude.

“I’m in your debt again.”

“What debt? I’m actually enjoying a fancy dinner thanks to Jung-woo. By the way, haven’t you been waiting too long?”

“No, it’s okay. I can wait with a happy heart.”

Hyun-sung smiled at Park Hee-cheol. It wasn’t a lie; Park Hee-cheol’s expression didn’t show any signs of fatigue at all. Rather, his face was full of smiles as if he was in a good mood.

That’s how much Park Hee-cheol’s sincerity was felt at this moment.

“Give me plenty of the meat I talked about earlier, and two bottles of beer. I’m going to have a drink with these friends today.”

“Yes, Chairman, I’ll prepare it right away.”

As the employee stepped back, Park Hee-cheol looked at Lee Jung-woo and said.

“You haven’t had dinner yet, have you?”

“Yes, Hyun-sung told me not to eat dinner and come out, so I haven’t eaten yet.”

“Good job. And thank you for coming like this.”

“No, I’m the one who’s grateful. You don’t have to worry about me this much…”

Lee Jung-woo bowed his head slightly. It was a sign of gratitude.

To be honest, he didn’t expect this much.

Just a moment ago, when Hyun-sung told him that his uncle was waiting at Seomyeong Garden, he was surprised. That’s because Seomyeong Garden has a special significance in this neighborhood.

But it’s something that anyone with money can do, so he thought it could be possible.

But Park Hee-cheol’s appearance when he entered the room a while ago was really surprising.

It would have been enough to sit down and greet him happily. It wasn’t strange or unpleasant, and maybe it was natural.

But Park Hee-cheol wasn’t on that level; he got up from his seat and greeted him as if he was welcoming a really precious guest.

You can know ten things if you see one thing. Lee Jung-woo was grateful to Park Hee-cheol, who sincerely welcomed him.

Park Hee-cheol continued.

“That’s not true. This is also a precious relationship, so I have to do my best.”

“Thank you.”

Lee Jung-woo bowed his head once more.

Then the food he ordered arrived. It was when the setting was finished and the beef was being placed on the charcoal grill.

Usually, at this kind of restaurant, the employee grills the meat and serves it until the end of the meal. But suddenly Park Hee-cheol opened his mouth.

“You can leave now.”

“Yes? We’ll grill the meat…”

“No. I’ll grill it myself. I want to grill it myself for these friends.”

“Ah, yes. I understand.”

The employee immediately understood what Park Hee-cheol was saying, so he bowed his head and left the room.

Then Hyun-sung smiled at Park Hee-cheol.

“Aren’t you overdoing it today?”

“Haha, you. Don’t tease me. I used to be a meat grilling expert in my younger days. Shall I show off my skills for the first time in a while?”

“Anyway, it looks good. I’m seeing a new side of you today.”

“Hehe, you…, haha…”

Park Hee-cheol laughed loudly as if he was in a good mood.

At that time, Hyun-sung winked at Lee Jung-woo. Then Lee Jung-woo, who understood the meaning, got up from his seat and picked up a bottle of beer.

“I’ll pour you a drink.”

“Oh? Okay. I have to accept the first drink from our Jung-woo. Come on, fill it up.”

Pouring.

As the beer filled the glass, Park Hee-cheol picked up the bottle and started pouring beer for Lee Jung-woo and Hyun-sung in reverse [a sign of respect in Korean culture]. Then he immediately raised his glass high.

“Shall we toast?”

The three glasses clinked in the air with a cheerful sound.

About 30 minutes later, Hyun-sung got up from his seat.

“I’m going to the bathroom for a while…”

Hyun-sung, who left the room on the pretext of going to the bathroom, left Seomyeong Garden altogether. It was because he knew that it was time for a conversation between the two of them.

The two people were left after Hyun-sung left.

After a moment of silence, Park Hee-cheol spoke first.

“Jung-woo!”

It was Park Hee-cheol’s voice, which was more serious than ever.

Lee Jung-woo, who hesitated for a moment, opened his mouth with difficulty.

“……Yes, Fa…ther.”