Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 344

344

“Eight weeks?”

“Yes, I just received the final report, and it came back as eight weeks.”

“Heh heh…….”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh could only laugh. Of course, he had instructed them not to show any leniency to anyone who harmed Hyun-sung, but he didn’t expect them to go this far.

However, he didn’t want to say anything about it. Hyun-sung was far too precious to him.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh looked at Chief Kim Young-woo and asked,

“The bonus was paid immediately, right?”

“Yes, of course. As you instructed, we already transferred 100,000 won [approximately $75 USD] to each of the four people this morning. And, of course, I didn’t forget to convey your words of appreciation.”

“Good job. You did a really great thing. What if they hadn’t been stopped? It’s too terrible to even think about.”

“I agree. I don’t know what they were thinking, doing something like that.”

Chief Kim Young-woo shook his head.

The area around Hyun-sung’s store is full of wooden buildings. He knew all too well that if a fire had broken out there at that time, the damage would have been unimaginable.

“By the way, how badly were those guys hurt?”

“Both legs and both arms are fractured. All four limbs are broken. It seems your friends are experts in that area, so they really took care of them.”

“Of course, there won’t be any repercussions, right?”

“Don’t worry about that. The security team has already contacted the police chief in that district. And because what they did is such a serious matter, they will be arrested and investigated as soon as their treatment is finished.”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh nodded and continued,

“Alright. Kim, take care of that. And where is our Hyun-sung now?”

“He came out of Chodang Tofu Village after eating a bowl of tofu.”

“Tofu?”

“Yes, it seems like he went to look for someone, but we haven’t been able to find out who yet.”

“Hmm… I wonder, who is he looking for that he went all the way to Gangneung?”

“I’m sorry, but we haven’t gotten that far yet…….”

Chief Kim Young-woo lowered his head.

Then Chairman Shin Chun-oh gestured and continued,

“Alright, it’s fine as long as nothing happens. Keep taking good care of him. I’ll say it again, you know what will happen to you if anything happens to Hyun-sung, right?”

“Yes, Chairman. Don’t worry. I will make sure to provide 24-hour close protection. But it seems Hyun-sung has noticed.”

“Well, it won’t be easy to provide 24-hour security in that small neighborhood. Change the security team in a few days. This time, use a female security team.”

“Yes, I understand. I will replace them within a few days.”

“Alright. Keep a close watch on what Hyun-sung is doing in Gangneung from now on. And don’t forget to report after taking action first if anything happens.”

“Yes, Chairman!”

Swish.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh gestured, and Chief Kim Young-woo bowed and immediately left the chairman’s office.

***

Hyun-sung left the tofu restaurant and headed towards Gyeongpo Beach.

“Hoo!”

A short sigh escaped from Hyun-sung’s mouth as he walked.

In the end, it was confirmed that his mother-in-law had not yet moved to Gangneung. In fact, there was another reason why he came to find his mother-in-law.

It was to find out about his wife, Yoon Ji-soo, who is in Incheon. But since he couldn’t meet his mother-in-law, he had no choice but to postpone meeting his wife, Yoon Ji-soo.

This is also the reason why Hyun-sung sighed.

But that’s not the only reason he came to Gangneung.

Step by step.

Hyun-sung’s pace quickened. It was to go to the next destination.

After walking for about 30 minutes, he arrived at Gyeongpodae [Gyeongpo Pavilion, a famous landmark near Gyeongpo Beach].

The left side of the road was full of shops such as restaurants and cafes, and the opposite side, the right side, was full of pine trees forming a forest. Walking a little further, a container was placed on the sand.

Hyun-sung’s steps stopped in front of the container.

-Gyeongpodae Maritime Rescue Team

That’s right. This is a private maritime rescue team operated by Gangneung City itself. It is only operated for three months from July to September.

“How can I help you?”

A rescue team member who looked to be in his mid-20s looked at Hyun-sung and asked.

Then Hyun-sung bowed and continued,

“Actually, I…….”

Hyun-sung began to explain what he had experienced here a year ago. He recounted how he had accidentally entered the sea in a hurry and fallen into the water because he couldn’t overcome the waves, and that a maritime rescue team member had saved him in the process. The rescue team member immediately said.

“So you came all this way on purpose?”

“Yes, that’s right. He was a lifesaver to me.”

It was when Hyun-sung’s words had just ended.

A rescue team member who looked to be in his early 30s approached the container and asked another rescue team member.

“What’s going on?”

“Captain, this student was here a year ago…….”

The 20-year-old rescue team member began to explain again what he had heard from Hyun-sung a little while ago. Then, a smile began to spread across the face of the rescue team member who was called the captain. And finally, when the explanation was over, the rescue team member called the captain looked at Hyun-sung and immediately asked.

“Are you that student back then?”

“Do you remember me?”

“To be honest, I don’t remember your face, but I can’t forget that incident. I was the one who pulled you out of the water back then.”

“Is that really true?”

“That was probably in early August.”

“It was exactly August 4th. It was the market day in my neighborhood. So you’re really the one. Let me introduce myself. I’m alive thanks to you, Captain.”

The word ‘Captain’ came out of Hyun-sung’s mouth right away.

Then the rescue team member called the captain smiled and continued.

“So you came all this way on purpose?”

“Yes, I was so out of it back then that I left without even saying hello. Thank you so much.”

“Heh heh, I’ve never seen a friend like you in my life doing this. You’re really great, young man. Everyone else just takes it for granted and moves on.”

It was right then.

“Who ordered the chicken?”

A young man shouted loudly, holding a large bag in both hands.

Swish.

Hyun-sung raised his hand and said immediately.

“It’s here.”

The young man who looked at Hyun-sung smiled brightly and came over and said.

“You ordered 10 chickens, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. You can put them inside this container.”

The young man put the chicken and cola inside the container and then came back to Hyun-sung.

“It’s 30,000 won [approximately $22 USD].”

“Here you go. Thank you for your hard work.”

After Hyun-sung finished paying, the young man bowed and disappeared.

The rescue team member called the captain, who was watching the scene, looked at Hyun-sung and asked.

“What is all this?”

“I ordered it for you to have as a snack. I didn’t know how many people there would be, so I only ordered 10 for now. You can order more if you need it.”

“So you’re saying this student ordered this for us to eat?”

“Yes, if it’s not enough…….”

The rescue team captain’s words were faster than Hyun-sung’s could finish.

“Student, what’s your name?”

“Yes? Ah, yes. It’s Kim Hyun-sung.”

“Hyun-sung? Okay, what grade are you in now?”

“I’m a senior in high school.”

Clap!

As soon as Hyun-sung finished speaking, the rescue team captain suddenly reached out his hand. He was asking for a handshake.

“I’m Park Tae-joon, the captain of this rescue team.”

“Ah, yes…….”

Hyun-sung lightly grabbed Park Tae-joon’s outstretched hand.

Then Park Tae-joon smiled pleasantly and continued.

“I’ve never felt so rewarded in my 8 years of rescue team life. I’m grateful that you came all this way, and even brought chicken…….”

Park Tae-joon trailed off and shook his head from side to side. He couldn’t believe the situation even as he saw it.

Then he opened his mouth again.

“I just thought it was a natural thing to do because it’s our mission, but I’m a little embarrassed to receive chicken like this, but I feel great.”

“I don’t think it’s natural.”

“Huh? What does that mean?”

“I don’t know what others think, but I don’t think so. As far as I know, the waves were very strong that day. But you didn’t give up and found me, did you?”

“That’s what we’re here to do.”

“Of course, that’s true, but I don’t think doing your best even in such a dangerous situation is just because of a sense of duty.”

“A simple sense of duty……?”

Park Tae-joon tilted his head slightly.

Then Hyun-sung nodded and continued immediately.

“Yes, I don’t think it can come from a simple sense of duty. I don’t think such an action can come without the action of emotions beyond that. ”

“Emotions beyond that?”

“Yes, personally, I think that’s a sense of mission and calling. A special personal feeling. Of course, not everyone can easily have such feelings. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be easy to save people while fighting in those high waves.”

“…….”

Park Tae-joon was silent for a moment.

Of course, due to the nature of the job, you have no choice but to face dangerous moments when saving people in extreme situations. In fact, it would be a lie if you weren’t afraid of death at such times, as a human being.

But what allowed him to overcome that fear and be brave every time was a special feeling he felt in his heart.

Perhaps that was the special feeling, like the sense of mission or calling that this young friend is talking about, he thought.

Ae-ae-aeng!

Suddenly, the siren started to sound.

Swish!

Tada-dak.

Park Tae-joon turned his head towards the sea and at the same time his body moved immediately. It was a moment that happened in an instant.

Hyun-sung nodded as he watched Park Tae-joon, who had already disappeared far away.

It was a moment when he couldn’t help but think that not just anyone could be the captain of the rescue team.

Hyun-sung left the maritime rescue team container 10 minutes later.

He moved his steps only after confirming that Park Tae-joon had safely rescued the person who had fallen into the water.

Hyun-sung came out of Gyeongpodae.

He took a light breath.

“Hoo-hoo!”

Although it had been a year since he had visited, he felt much lighter because he was able to express his gratitude in this way.

After living in the world for a while, he realized that nothing is taken for granted. No matter how much of a rescue worker he is, that person can’t help but be a person too. It’s natural to take care of your own body first when you’re in a dangerous situation. It’s possible to just pretend to rescue to some extent. It’s a problem that can be handled as an accident at any time.

But that wasn’t the case with Park Tae-joon. He didn’t give up until the end and rescued him even in those high waves.

That moment is still vivid. The moment he was sinking deeper and deeper into the water, the surroundings were all darkness. After some time, a ray of light appeared.

The moment someone’s hand touched his body, it was the warmest touch he had ever felt in his life.

Step.

Hyun-sung moved his steps to the main street.

At that time, a taxi was approaching. The roof of the taxi had the two letters ‘Myungshin’ engraved on it.

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

Swish!

He raised his hand and stopped the taxi.

“Where can I take you?”

“Please take me to the Myungshin Transport office.”

“Did you say Myungshin just now?”

The taxi driver looked at Hyun-sung and asked.

Then Hyun-sung nodded and said.

“Yes, Myungshin.”

“That’s our company, but if you don’t mind, can I ask why you’re going there?”

The taxi driver asked cautiously as he started.

Then Hyun-sung smiled and continued immediately.

“There’s someone I’m looking for.”

“Someone you’re looking for? Who is it?”

“It’s driver Han Gwang-hyun.”

He was the taxi driver who took Hyun-sung from Gyeongpodae to Seomyeong-myeon [a rural village] a year ago. Thanks to that driver, he was able to safely prevent his mother’s accident.

It was Hyun-sung’s third purpose for coming to Gangneung today.