Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 341

341

“Alright. Have a seat first.”

Lee Man-soo stopped Hyun-sung, who was about to leave. He was the one who had produced tremendous results in just 20 days. His abilities were beyond imagination. He couldn’t help but be curious about the future of his son that Hyun-sung spoke of.

Hyun-sung sat down and continued.

“Are you promising to agree to my condition?”

“To be honest, I can’t say I’ll agree 100%. But at least I won’t ignore it. So…”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t share my thoughts under those conditions. After all, nothing will change even if I talk about it.”

Hyun-sung got up again before Lee Man-soo could finish speaking.

Then, Lee Man-soo took a short, deep breath and immediately continued.

“Hah! Alright. Would 50% be enough?”

“50%?”

“Yes, I can’t go any further. I think this is pretty good…”

Hyun-sung sat back down.

50% meant that at least Lee Soo-hyuk’s thoughts wouldn’t be ignored and a decision wouldn’t be made unilaterally.

From the beginning, he didn’t expect 100%, of course. It was about the future of his only child. The parents’ opinions were naturally important.

“Yes, that’s good. That means you’ll sufficiently consider Soo-hyuk’s thoughts, so I’m satisfied with that much.”

“Haha, this fellow…”

Lee Man-soo chuckled lightly, seemingly a bit taken aback.

Then he immediately asked.

“Alright, tell me now. Which department do you think our Soo-hyuk should go to?”

“Korean Literature.”

“Korean Literature? Are you saying Korean Literature right now?”

Lee Man-soo was dumbfounded.

He only had one child. It was natural for a parent to want their child to succeed. After discussing their son’s future with his wife for a long time, they had concluded that law school was the best option.

The reason was simple.

Social status and economic power.

After living life for a while, he realized what was important.

Superficially, everyone is equal before the law, but there is another invisible social hierarchy behind it. And no less important is economic power. He concluded that a lawyer could satisfy both of these. So, he always thought that he would make his son a lawyer.

But Korean Literature…

Hyun-sung continued.

“Yes, that’s right. As I said before, Soo-hyuk definitely showed interest in history and Korean language. For other subjects, he could only focus for two hours, but when studying history or Korean, he would concentrate without realizing how much time had passed.”

“So, in your opinion, Korean Literature is right for our Soo-hyuk?”

“People are happiest when they do what they love most.”

“Happiness?”

“Yes, isn’t the most important goal in our lives happiness?”

Pfft.

Lee Man-soo couldn’t help but laugh.

Of course, he had thought about that before. He had thought that way when he was a student. But he realized how meaningless that thought was as he lived his life.

“Have you ever heard of a department where you starve?”

“A department where you starve?”

“Yes, a department where you starve. I don’t know if they still use that term these days, but in my day, the Korean Literature department was called the ‘starving department.’ Why else would that term have come about? And you’re telling my son to go to that kind of department?”

Hyun-sung had also heard that term in his past life. It probably meant that it was difficult to make use of that major in society.

But Hyun-sung’s thoughts were different.

He thought it would be too sad to make Lee Soo-hyuk give up his dream for that reason.

Hyun-sung said in a confident voice.

“That’s not everything, is it?”

“Not everything? What do you mean? Explain it so I can understand.”

“Of course, I understand what you mean. But I think it would be too sad to give up on a dream without even starting because of that reason.”

“Sad?”

“Yes, Soo-hyuk will only be twenty next year. If Soo-hyuk has to give up on his dream without even starting because of the reasons you’re worried about, I can’t help but think it’s too sad.”

“Why?”

Lee Man-soo pulled his chair closer and showed interest.

Then, Hyun-sung looked straight at Lee Man-soo and opened his mouth.

“Because it’s only once.”

“Once?”

“Yes, life is only one chance, isn’t it?”

“That’s right. That’s why it’s even more important.”

“That’s what I’m saying. But you and your wife are trying to prevent Soo-hyuk from even starting his dream because the future is uncertain, aren’t you? Am I wrong?”

At Hyun-sung’s question, Lee Man-soo glanced at Yoo Soo-min and immediately continued.

“That’s only for Soo-hyuk’s future.”

“Soo-hyuk’s future? Or is it your greed?”

“Our greed?”

“Yes, that’s right. I’m sorry to say this, but that’s my judgment.”

Hyun-sung lowered his head slightly.

Then, Yoo Soo-min looked at Hyun-sung and asked.

“What’s the reason for your judgment?”

“Before that, let me ask you just one thing.”

“Huh? Y-yes. What is it?”

“Do you know what Soo-hyuk’s dream is?”

At Hyun-sung’s question, Yoo Soo-min seemed to think for a moment and then shook her head slightly.

“Well, Soo-hyuk hasn’t talked about his dream yet, so…”

“Ah, so you’re saying you didn’t know because Soo-hyuk didn’t tell you?”

“Yes, now that I think about it, I don’t think I’ve ever heard it properly.”

“Why do you think that is?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Why hasn’t Soo-hyuk ever seriously told you or your husband about his dream until now?”

“Well…”

Lee Man-soo and Yoo Soo-min looked at each other and tilted their heads simultaneously, as if they had made a promise. Then, Hyun-sung immediately continued.

“Wasn’t there an opportunity? An opportunity to speak.”

“An opportunity to speak?”

“Yes, do you remember when you first told Soo-hyuk to go to law school?”

“Hmm… maybe it was when he graduated middle school…”

“To be exact, it was when Soo-hyuk finished his final exams in the third grade of middle school. That’s when Soo-hyuk was first in his class.”

He had heard about it directly from Lee Soo-hyuk a few days ago. From then on, Yoo Soo-min had said that he had to go to law school.

Yoo Soo-min nodded and continued.

“Now that I think about it, I remember now. I was so happy at that time. That’s right! I told Soo-hyuk to go to law school then. And Soo-hyuk said he would, of course.”

“Yes, that’s right. Soo-hyuk said that too. But do you know why Soo-hyuk said he would go to law school then?”

“Wouldn’t it be because Soo-hyuk liked law school?”

“No.”

Hyun-sung shook his head as soon as Yoo Soo-min finished speaking.

Then, Yoo Soo-min immediately asked.

“Huh? It’s not? Then why?”

“Because of you.”

“Because of me?”

“Yes, because you were so happy. He just liked that. Because you were so happy, that was it. It didn’t matter what law school was.”

When Hyun-sung finished speaking, Yoo Soo-min looked at Lee Soo-hyuk.

After a moment.

Yoo Soo-min turned her head and looked at Hyun-sung, opening her mouth again.

“What’s the meaning of that?”

“I’m just saying that’s how it is. It’s not that it’s bad. It’s natural for a child to do what their mother likes. But…”

“But?”

“Isn’t it time to ask Soo-hyuk what he wants? Don’t you think so? Mother, Father.”

Hyun-sung looked at Lee Man-soo and Yoo Soo-min alternately.

Then, the two of them seemed to have forgotten their words and remained silent.

After a moment.

Slowly.

Lee Man-soo slowly opened his mouth.

“Did our Soo-hyuk ask you for a favor?”

“No. It’s actually the opposite.”

“The opposite?”

Lee Man-soo’s voice grew louder as he looked at Lee Soo-hyuk.

Then, Hyun-sung immediately continued.

“Of course, Soo-hyuk has his own dream. But he just said he would go to law school.”

“Really?”

“Yes, that’s right. You can guess the reason without me explaining it. Soo-hyuk is that kind of guy. He’s willing to take the path his parents want rather than his own dream. But do you know why?”

“……”

Lee Man-soo shook his head slightly instead of answering.

Then, Hyun-sung’s words immediately followed.

“Because he’s alone.”

“Alone?”

“Yes, he said if he had a younger sibling or an older sibling, he would have gone a different way. But because he’s an only child, he couldn’t disappoint his parents.”

“……”

Lee Man-soo couldn’t say anything.

He had never thought that Lee Soo-hyuk would be thinking that way. He just thought that because he was silent, he was agreeing to go to law school.

But he really didn’t know that he was thinking that way because he was an only child.

Hyun-sung continued.

“Isn’t that Soo-hyuk’s fault?”

“Of course not.”

“And it’s not your fault either, Father, Mother.”

“It’s not a matter of whose fault it is. It must be the will of heaven.”

“That’s why I’m telling you this. I want to take off the burden that Soo-hyuk is carrying now. Now that I know, I think I should. But that’s something only you, Father and Mother, can do. As Soo-hyuk’s friend, I’m asking you.”

Hyun-sung bowed his head and finished speaking.

“……”

Lee Man-soo stared at the air as if he was thinking about something without saying anything. And Yoo Soo-min next to him was also silent.

After a while.

Swish.

Hyun-sung got up from his seat. There was nothing more he could say anyway. From now on, Lee Soo-hyuk, Lee Man-soo, and Yoo Soo-min would need time together.

Whatever department they choose, it’s their choice. If he had a wish, it would be that Lee Man-soo and Yoo Soo-min would create an atmosphere where the young Lee Soo-hyuk could put down the burden he was carrying and talk about himself. That’s all.

Step.

It was when Hyun-sung had just taken a step.

“Wait!”

Lee Man-soo called out to Hyun-sung. Then he got up from his seat and continued.

“Let me ask you one thing.”

“Yes…”

“Perhaps, what do you think is a parent’s duty?”

“A parent’s duty?”

“Yes, of course, it’s embarrassing to ask a young man like you this question, but today, for the sake of our Soo-hyuk, I want to hear your thoughts.”

It was an unexpected sight. It wasn’t the image of Lee Man-soo who had initially insisted on law school unconditionally. His voice felt more sincere than ever.

Hyun-sung opened his mouth while standing.

“Just be there for him.”

“Be there?”

“Yes, I hope you don’t pave all the roads too far ahead. But I don’t think it’s right to stand too far away and be indifferent. Just watch from a reasonable distance. Then, if he reaches out his hand, just take it. I hope you don’t forcibly pull that hand. I think that’s a parent’s duty and obligation.”

“Hmm… I understand what you mean. First, I’ll listen to what Soo-hyuk’s dream is.”

“Thank you. And maybe Soo-hyuk will fulfill your dream.”

“My dream?”

Lee Man-soo stared at Hyun-sung in surprise.

Then, Hyun-sung chuckled and continued.

“You majored in Korean Literature, right?”

“Huh? How did you know that…”

“I’m Lee Man…”

Hyun-sung bowed his head and greeted him before turning around. Lee Man-soo was so surprised that he couldn’t close his mouth. Yoo Soo-min was smiling slightly, and Lee Soo-hyuk was looking at his father, Lee Man-soo, as if he didn’t know anything.

It was when Hyun-sung left Lee Soo-hyuk’s house and was walking for a moment.

Tap tap.

He heard someone running.

“Hyun-sung.”

It was Lee Soo-hyuk.

“Why?”

“Thank you.”

“Now, take off that burden. And do what you really want to do. Don’t regret it later.”

“Yeah, I will. I’m going to speak confidently now. I’m going to fulfill my father’s dream too.”

“Okay, let me know when your book comes out. I’ll be the first to buy it.”

“What are you talking about? I’ll bring it to you first.”

Hyun-sung smiled and turned back.

After taking a few steps, he heard Lee Soo-hyuk’s voice again.

“How did you know? That my father majored in Korean Literature.”

“I knew when he was dissing Korean Literature earlier.”

“……”

Lee Soo-hyuk’s voice was no longer heard.

Chuck.

As he walked, Hyun-sung couldn’t help but smile. People don’t make such realistic expressions when they speak unless they’ve experienced it themselves.