Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 384

384

Lee Hak-sung introduced them.

“This is our youngest, Mi-yeon. She’s a freshman in the English Language and Literature Department this year. She insisted on getting a part-time job for the experience, so she only works weekends. And this is…”

“Dad, I know. Kim Hyun-sung from the Business Administration Department, right? The one who got the top score in the whole school? I looked it up right before you came. Nice to meet you, Hyun-sung. I was curious about you after seeing your name in the newspaper. It’s nice to meet you like this.”

Before Lee Hak-sung could finish, Mi-yeon cut him off and greeted Hyun-sung.

Hyun-sung responded immediately.

“Nice to meet you too. Now I understand why the person who reserved this spot earlier said it was for someone special.”

“Haha, that’s right. I wouldn’t have taken the reservation if it weren’t for my dad. He called and said he had to meet someone today, so I couldn’t refuse. But who knew it would be you, Hyun-sung? Anyway, thanks for understanding earlier. If you had questioned it, I would have been in a tough spot.”

It was true. This place usually didn’t take reservations. Because the window tables were limited, they decided it would be unfair to customers who came in person.

However, Mi-yeon had made an exception for her father. If Hyun-sung had objected, Mi-yeon would have been in an awkward position. That’s what Mi-yeon was referring to.

Lee Hak-sung, who had been listening, turned to Mi-yeon.

“Reservations aren’t allowed here?”

“No, Dad. The owner’s policy is first come, first served. But you called so suddenly, and I just…”

“Haha, my mistake. It’s a relief it’s Hyun-sung. Anyone else, and our youngest would be in trouble today.”

“Exactly! That’s why I thanked Hyun-sung.”

Just then,

“Excuse me,” a voice called from another table. Mi-yeon responded and walked over.

Lee Hak-sung looked at Hyun-sung.

“Did you know?”

“Know what?”

“That reservations aren’t allowed here.”

Instead of answering, Hyun-sung glanced at the wall. Lee Hak-sung followed his gaze. There was a notice posted there:

[We do not accept reservations to ensure fairness for all our customers. We apologize for any inconvenience.]

After reading the notice, Lee Hak-sung looked at Hyun-sung with a faint smile.

“Why?”

“The reason?”

“Yes, why didn’t you say anything, knowing reservations weren’t allowed?”

“I figured there was a reason.”

“Reason?”

“Yes, a special reason they made an exception.”

“Haha…”

Lee Hak-sung chuckled. It was hard to understand. Who tries to understand someone else’s position these days, especially a college freshman?

“Would you like more to drink?” Hyun-sung asked, holding a small kettle. Lee Hak-sung smiled and held out his glass.

“Yes, please. It’s like a dream, drinking makgeolli [Korean rice wine] by the sea with you on a rainy day like this.”

“It’s an honor to be here with you, Dean. Thank you for coming today.”

“Haha… my friend, I should be saying that. Thank you for remembering and coming out like this. Now, let’s drink.”

Lee Hak-sung held out his glass. Hyun-sung matched his height and clinked glasses. They emptied their glasses, starting their drinking party in good spirits.

It was something Hyun-sung couldn’t have imagined in his past life, and his laughter was particularly loud.

About 30 minutes passed.

Lee Hak-sung’s expression changed, and he looked at Hyun-sung.

“I heard from your advisor you’re planning to take the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam next year. Is that true?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Hmm…”

Lee Hak-sung fell silent, lost in thought.

After a moment, he spoke again.

“Knowing you, you wouldn’t take it just to get a feel for it without any preparation, would you?”

“No, of course not.”

“You’re going to prepare properly and take it, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. I’m going to prepare perfectly and pass the exam for sure.”

“…”

When Hyun-sung finished, Lee Hak-sung fell silent again, deep in thought. But this time, his worries didn’t last long.

“Is that even possible?”

“I’ll make it possible.”

“So, you think it’s possible?”

Lee Hak-sung still looked doubtful.

There’s only one way to convince him. Hyun-sung thought for a moment and continued.

“By the end of this summer vacation, I’ll have finished all the first-year subjects. I’ve already finished Business Administration, Principles of Economics, and Financial Accounting. I’m going to perfect the remaining subjects during the summer vacation.”

Hyun-sung chose to reveal his detailed plans, including how far he had already studied. He figured that would build more trust than vague assurances.

When Hyun-sung finished, Lee Hak-sung remained silent.

“…”

After a while, Lee Hak-sung started emptying his glass.

Is this even possible? Even though Hyun-sung was the top student, he was going to finish all the first-year subjects in one semester, studying independently.

Lee Hak-sung, unaware that Hyun-sung had already learned everything in his past life and studied for three more years after graduation, naturally reacted this way.

Hyun-sung poured alcohol into Lee Hak-sung’s empty glass.

“Dean, you still don’t believe me, do you?”

“That’s a bit…”

Lee Hak-sung’s eyes still showed disbelief. It was a natural reaction. Who would believe he could finish the first-year CPA subjects in one semester?

However, Hyun-sung didn’t want to waste time on pointless talk. This was a problem that would resolve itself over time.

Hyun-sung’s expression turned serious.

“Dean!”

“Huh? Why the sudden change in atmosphere…”

“What did you say to me during our first interview at the beginning of the semester?”

“Huh? Me?”

“Yes, I remember clearly. Didn’t you tell me to bring hope to this school?”

“Ah, right. I definitely said that at the end.”

Lee Hak-sung nodded. He had definitely said that. The most unfortunate thing about working at Kang Sang University was the students’ lack of hope. Even when he started the Goshi Class [preparatory class for civil service exams] five years ago, his expectations were high. But in five years, those expectations were shattered.

However, seeing this year’s top student’s score, his expectations began to sprout again. He thought he was crazy when he first saw the score. He couldn’t understand why someone with that score would come to this school. But after the interview, he felt he could have expectations again. So he conveyed those words at the end.

Hyun-sung continued.

“Dean, can’t you just trust me? Unconditionally.”

“Unconditionally?”

“Yes, I don’t think trust needs conditions. I think that’s true trust.”

Words get longer if you keep talking. Instead, I wanted to conclude with ‘trust’. After all, the key is trust in the other person.

“True trust…”

When Hyun-sung finished, Lee Hak-sung paused, thinking.

‘That’s right. You shouldn’t put conditions on trust. Absolute trust, like Hyun-sung said, is true trust. And there’s no alternative. Now that it’s come to this, I’m going to leave everything to him.’

Lee Hak-sung organized his thoughts, raised his head, looked at Hyun-sung, and nodded.

“Hyun-sung!”

“Yes, Dean!”

“I’ll trust you. I won’t say anything more. Show me that there is hope in this school.”

“Yes, I understand. I will definitely do that.”

“Good! In that case, shall we toast?”

Lee Hak-sung held out his glass. The two glasses collided again.

Clang.

Lee Hak-sung put down his glass, ate some kimchi pancake, and spoke again.

“Oh, I have good news.”

“Good news?”

“Yes, I heard from that person a few days ago.”

“That person?”

Hyun-sung tilted his head. Lee Hak-sung continued.

“The person who sponsors the Goshi Class.”

“Ah, what about them?”

“They asked on the phone yesterday what the Goshi Class needed most right now.”

“So?”

“Did you tell your advisor you were going to live in the Goshi Class during the summer vacation?”

“Yes, that’s the only way to finish the first-year subjects this summer.”

I had that conversation with my advisor a few days ago. I had to reduce travel time, so I decided to live in the Goshi Class this summer. But the problem was the heat. There was no air conditioning in the Goshi Class yet. Installing air conditioning wasn’t a big problem, but I couldn’t do it. There was no air conditioning in the library used by general students. I couldn’t install it only in the Goshi Class.

Lee Hak-sung continued.

“So, that person decided to install air conditioning in the Goshi Class.”

“That’s not allowed.”

“Not allowed?”

“Yes, I’m already receiving considerable convenience compared to other students. I can’t install air conditioning only in the Goshi Class. I feel too bad for the other students.”

That’s natural. The other students wouldn’t accept that discrimination while paying the same tuition.

“Anyway, your advisor told that person that. Do you know what they said?”

“Could it be…”

“That’s right. They told them to install air conditioners throughout the library. Thanks to that, we’ll be able to study in cool comfort this summer.”

“That cost will be enormous. Is that person going to bear it?”

Lee Hak-sung nodded with a smile.

“Of course. Not only that, but they also said they would pay the electricity bills in the form of donations.”

“They’re a really great person. But who are they? My advisor said it was a secret too.”

“Haha, that’s what I’m saying. They told me it was a secret too. They said it was their wish.”

Of course, it’s a lie. He can’t forget the secret, even as the university chief. But the person begged him not to tell Hyun-sung, so he had no choice.

Hyun-sung said,

“I don’t know who that person is, but I’ll have to study harder to thank them.”

“Don’t overdo it. From now on, you’re not alone. You’re the hope of our school, so take care of yourself.”

“No, not that much…”

Hyun-sung chuckled.

Just then, Mi-yeon arrived with something on a tray.

“Here you go.”

Mi-yeon placed acorn jelly and spicy raw fish soup on the table.

Lee Hak-sung asked,

“Huh? We didn’t order this…”

“It’s the chef’s service. The chef made it especially because I said you were my dad.”

“Haha, I’m so grateful… Tell them thank you.”

“Yes, Dad.”

Mi-yeon smiled and walked to another table.

Lee Hak-sung looked at Hyun-sung with a strange smile.

“Why?”

“What do you think of our Mi-yeon?”

“Yes? What about her?”

“Anyway, she’s so coy…”

“Coy?”

Hyun-sung was dumbfounded. He had nothing to say.

Then, strange words came out of Lee Hak-sung’s mouth.

“If you have any thoughts, just tell me. If it’s you, I can put in a good word…”

“Dean, I already have a wife.”

“What?”

“Her name is Yoon Ji-soo, her eyes are so clear, and she loves freesias. And she’s the kind of woman who always prepares kimchi pancakes and makgeolli on rainy days.”

“…”

Hyun-sung held out his glass to Lee Hak-sung, who was speechless. Lee Hak-sung smiled, dumbfounded, and clinked glasses.

It was a moment when I especially missed my wife, Yoon Ji-soo. I wonder where she is living now…

Hyun-sung’s gaze was on the sea where the rain was falling endlessly.

‘Ji-soo…!’