Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 338

338

“What?”

Hyun-sung was taken aback by Lee Jung-woo’s sudden question.

To be honest, he felt a sense of guilt more than a need to apologize. In his past life, when Jung-woo needed 30 million won [approximately $25,000 USD], Hyun-sung couldn’t help because he couldn’t afford it.

Back then, he didn’t even know why Jung-woo needed the money. But after regressing, he realized the money was for surgery.

He couldn’t help it due to his circumstances, but he couldn’t deny feeling sorry.

That’s why he couldn’t easily answer Lee Jung-woo’s question.

However, Hyun-sung’s bewilderment didn’t last long. Lee Jung-woo immediately said something else.

“Hey, are you really thinking about it that hard?”

“Huh? Well…”

“Hey, what reason do you have to apologize to me? If anything, I should be apologizing to you…”

“To me?”

“Yeah, honestly, didn’t I give you a hard time? I bothered you with everything from A to Z. Studying, exercising, and even when Mom got married, didn’t I make things difficult for you?”

“I wasn’t having a hard time?”

“That’s what you think, but I feel differently. Looking back now, I wouldn’t be standing here so confidently if it weren’t for you. I want to take this opportunity to thank you, Hyun-sung.”

Lee Soo-hyuk chuckled at Lee Jung-woo’s words.

“Lee Jung-woo, you’ve grown up. Now you’re playing games with people.”

“What? When did I do that?”

“Just now. You asked Hyun-sung if he had anything to apologize for. Then you thanked him instead.”

“That was because of the visit, I had no choice.”

“Visit?”

“Yeah, I told you and Il-soo to come visit, but I didn’t have a good reason to ask Hyun-sung, so I was just messing around.”

“Haha…”

Lee Soo-hyuk laughed loudly at Lee Jung-woo’s words.

Kim Il-soo and Hyun-sung, who were next to him, joined in the laughter.

A moment later.

Hyun-sung, who had stopped laughing, spoke first.

“So, you were messing with me because of the visit?”

“I wanted you to come too if possible, but I didn’t have a good reason. So, I was just joking around for a bit. Hehe…”

“You rascal, you’re so predictable. Hey, did you think I wouldn’t visit if you didn’t say that?”

“What? Does that mean you’re going to visit? Am I right?”

“Isn’t it obvious? You think I wouldn’t visit you after your surgery? I’m a little disappointed. Did you think so little of me…”

Hyun-sung pretended to be upset.

Lee Jung-woo shook his head violently from side to side and immediately replied.

“No, no. That’s not it. I just… well…”

Lee Jung-woo couldn’t finish his sentence properly.

Hyun-sung chuckled as he looked at Lee Jung-woo.

“You rascal, why are you so nervous? It’s just a joke, so don’t worry about it. By the way, you’re going to Seoul the day after tomorrow?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah.”

“You must be very nervous?”

“Yeah, I’m honestly very nervous. Just in case.”

How could he not be? Of course, he’s been told that he will get better if he has surgery, but that’s only later. The problem is the hurdle he has to overcome before that.

A thorough examination.

The first thing to confirm is whether surgery is possible. There are no precedents in Korea yet, so the fear will be even greater.

Correcting bowed legs while lengthening the bones at the same time? He doesn’t know much about it, but the very existence of such a surgery is so strange that Hyun-sung is nervous as well.

However, knowing that he shouldn’t show any signs of anxiety in this situation, Hyun-sung continued to speak as if nothing was wrong.

“Hey, don’t worry too much. It’s Korea University Hospital, not some other hospital. I’m sure you’ll get good results.”

“…Do you think so?”

“Of course! Definitely. So, just think of it as sightseeing in Seoul and go with a relaxed mind.”

“Yeah, okay, I understand.”

Lee Jung-woo’s expression was more relaxed than before, but his eyes still looked uneasy. Hyun-sung couldn’t force him to feel better, so he patted Lee Jung-woo’s shoulder lightly to show his support.

Then, Lee Soo-hyuk looked at Hyun-sung and asked.

“Why did you ask us to meet today?”

“It’s the school vacation tomorrow, so I thought we could have a meal together. Since we’ll only see each other again when school reopens after the vacation.”

“I see…”

Lee Soo-hyuk nodded and smiled brightly.

Then, Hyun-sung immediately said.

“Hey, let’s all go eat quickly. I’m hungry.”

“Okay, what are we going to eat?”

“How about pork belly [Samgyeopsal]? If you don’t like it, we can eat something else.”

“Don’t say such disappointing things… Let’s go. My mouth is already watering at the thought of meat.”

Before Lee Soo-hyuk could finish speaking, the four of them immediately left the store and headed to the restaurant.

10 minutes later.

“Welcome.”

As they entered the restaurant, the owner, Kwon Oh-young, greeted the four of them warmly.

Then, Hyun-sung immediately said.

“Boss, we’ll go into the room today. We have something to talk about.”

“Of course. So, what would you like to eat?”

“First, give us 10 servings of pork belly. And a few bottles of cola. We’ll tell you later if we need rice.”

“Okay, I understand. I’ll add soybean paste stew [Doenjang-jjigae] as a service.”

As soon as Kwon Oh-young finished speaking, Lee Jung-woo, who was next to him, greeted him brightly.

“Thank you, boss!”

“Oh, yeah. You’re Shin Yeo-sa’s son, right? I saw you at the wedding last time.”

“Huh? You remember that?”

“Didn’t you read the congratulatory speech? That’s why I remember. Anyway, that congratulatory speech was really the best. How did you come up with such an idea… Did you see it too? How much Hee-cheol hyungnim [term of endearment for an older brother or male friend] liked it that day.”

That’s right.

The highlight of the wedding that day was Lee Jung-woo’s congratulatory speech. Lee Jung-woo’s speech, expressed in a simple letter format, was touching in itself.

In particular, Park Hee-cheol even shed tears at the last words, where he called Park Hee-cheol ‘Father,’ expressed his gratitude, and sincerely wished him happiness with his mother in the future.

What is clear is that there is no doubt that Lee Jung-woo has definitely changed from the past.

Not just in words, but also in actions.

Just looking at his actions a little while ago, you could see that he had definitely changed. He used to be reluctant to even speak in front of others.

But a little while ago, he was confident enough to express his gratitude to the owner, Kwon Oh-young, on his own.

It was a small thing, but it was definitely a changed version of Lee Jung-woo.

Sizzle, sizzle.

The four of them sat facing each other with the grill in the middle.

Kim Il-soo was the first to speak.

“Hyun-sung, didn’t you say you had something to say when we came in?”

“Oh, yeah. It’s nothing special, but as I said before, I wanted to have a meal together before the vacation as we finish the semester. And I think this summer vacation will be important to us, so I wanted to talk about how we’re each going to spend it, so what are you going to do?”

“I’m sorry to you, but I think I’ll have to keep coming to the store.”

“What do you have to be sorry to me for? Don’t think like that. I’m more comfortable when you’re around. I can take care of my business without worrying about the store.”

“I’m grateful that you say that, but I’m still sorry. There aren’t many customers during the vacation.”

“Why do you keep saying that? I told you I’m okay.”

Of course, it is true that there are not many customers because it is vacation. But he didn’t want Kim Il-soo to feel burdened for that reason.

Rather, he was grateful. Because Kim Il-soo is at the store, Hyun-sung himself can take care of other business.

Kim Il-soo nodded and continued.

“Okay, I understand. I’ll work harder instead.”

“You’re already working hard enough. By the way, you said you were going to Seoul once?”

“Yeah, I just need to go for one day before the vacation ends. I’m going to check out some cooking schools. If things go well, I’m thinking of going to school starting in the winter vacation. Anyway, there aren’t many classes in February, so I’m thinking of talking to my homeroom teacher and not going to school.”

“Well, since you only go to school for about two weeks after school reopens and then have spring vacation again, that method might be good.”

“Yeah, I’m trying to save time no matter what. And if I get a chef’s license and go to the military, I think I can make use of my specialty…”

Hyun-sung smiled as he looked at Kim Il-soo.

It was so different from his past life, when he only bullied weak kids and did bad things until graduation.

“You thought well. If you’re going to the military anyway, it’s better to build up your experience. You rascal, you’ve been thinking a lot in your own way?”

“Who do you think it’s all because of…”

Then, Lee Soo-hyuk, who was busy grilling meat, said.

“Okay, let’s stop talking here for now, the meat is cooked, so let’s eat now.”

“Okay, let’s eat. Eat a lot. If you don’t have enough, order more meat.”

The four of them started eating the meat cooked on the grill without anyone going first.

Just a year ago, they were completely different from what they are now. It was so strange that guys who didn’t seem like they would get along with each other were now together in one place with changed appearances.

How much time has passed?

“Burp.”

Hyun-sung and Lee Soo-hyuk burped and leaned back.

But Kim Il-soo and Lee Jung-woo were still grilling and eating meat. What was strange was Lee Jung-woo. Kim Il-soo usually eats a lot, so that’s okay, but Lee Jung-woo was an exception.

“Jung-woo, why are you eating so much today?”

Lee Soo-hyuk spoke up when he couldn’t stand it anymore.

Then, Lee Jung-woo smiled and continued.

“I don’t know either. I’m nervous about going to the hospital, so I keep eating.”

“Eat a lot. And get a good checkup at the hospital.”

“Yeah, okay.”

Lee Jung-woo started eating again.

Then, Lee Soo-hyuk looked at Hyun-sung and asked.

“Did you happen to meet my father?”

“Yeah, he came to the store two days ago. But he said something strange?”

“What did he say?”

“He asked me to tutor you.”

Hyun-sung was also surprised.

Lee Soo-hyuk used to get tutoring from a college student. But he stopped tutoring last fall.

The reason is simple. It wasn’t helpful.

In the end, Lee Soo-hyuk decided to study alone.

But his father came to him two days ago and asked him to tutor him from this summer vacation until the college entrance exam.

Of course, he hasn’t made any decisions yet.

Lee Soo-hyuk asked calmly.

“What are you going to do?”

What is it?

Hyun-sung couldn’t help but tilt his head.

He thought he didn’t know what it was about when he asked the question a little while ago. But listening to him ask in a calm voice now, he didn’t think that was the case. That means Lee Soo-hyuk knew the purpose of his father, Lee Man-soo, visiting Hyun-sung himself.

Hyun-sung asked immediately.

“What? Did you already know?”

“Of course.”

“Of course? What does that mean?”

“I told him first. To my father.”

What is this again?

If what Lee Soo-hyuk is saying now is true, then his father, Lee Man-soo, asked him to tutor him, not because of Lee Man-soo’s idea, but because of Lee Soo-hyuk’s idea from the beginning.

“Is that true?”

“Yeah, I told my father first.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s you!”

Lee Soo-hyuk said firmly without any hesitation.

Lee Soo-hyuk continued.

“As you know, the last mock exam I took ten days ago didn’t exceed 210 points. It was exactly 208 points. You know that, right?”

Hyun-sung nodded instead of answering. It was exactly 10 points higher than the first mock exam.

Lee Soo-hyuk said again.

“Tell me honestly. If I study like this, can I really go to the university I want?”

“…”

Of course, he can’t. Lee Soo-hyuk wants to go to Yonsei University. It is impossible to get in with that score. Hyun-sung had nothing to say.

Lee Soo-hyuk couldn’t know what Hyun-sung’s silence meant.

“I can’t even go to a local university, let alone Yonsei University. So, the conclusion I came to is that I can’t do it with my current method.”

“So?”

“My mom is telling me to get tutoring again. She says nothing will work if I keep going like this. But I don’t like anyone else.”

“Why?”

“I already got it last year, but it didn’t suit me. But my mom is talking about that person again.”

Lee Soo-hyuk’s expression was completely different from before. Fear was even felt in his expression.

Lee Soo-hyuk opened his mouth again.

“Of course, I said I didn’t like it. Then my father came to me quietly that night.”

“…”

“I told him about you then. I said you would do it.”

“How can I…”

“You’re the only one who can do it. Do you remember when we studied together last year?”

Hyun-sung nodded.

Then, Lee Soo-hyuk said again.

“That was the most fun. I got the best score then. You and I tied for first place.”

“That’s…”

Hyun-sung couldn’t say anything more. It was because of the look in Lee Soo-hyuk’s eyes looking at him.

Then, Lee Soo-hyuk opened his mouth again.

“Please save me!”