Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 385

385

Nongshim Headquarters in Shindaebang-dong.

“August is almost over. By the way, is Kim still living in the study center these days?”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh asked as he sat down.

Chief of Staff Kim Young-woo immediately nodded slightly. “Yes, that’s right. He spends six days a week in the study center, except for Sundays. But what’s even more surprising is that he only sleeps three hours a day.”

“Three hours? Can he even manage that way?”

“He sleeps all day on Sundays to catch up.”

“So, he makes up for sleep on Sundays. Still, it’s amazing. How can a young man be so determined?” Chairman Shin Chun-oh shook his head. He’d received the report a few days after the vacation started, learning that Hyun-sung had essentially moved into the study center. Initially, he’d expected him to quit within a week, but he’s been at it for over a month and a half.

Hyun-sung is just a freshman. Shouldn’t he be enjoying himself at this age? It’s not like he’s short on money. Frankly, Chairman Shin couldn’t understand why he was pushing himself to sleep only three hours a day for a certified public accountant [CPA] license.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh asked again, “What do you think, Chief Kim?”

“Yes? About what?”

“About Kim’s studying. I can’t understand his motivation. People don’t push themselves that hard without a reason. But I don’t see any compelling reason for Kim to do this. He’s not lacking money, and frankly, a CPA license isn’t *that* valuable.”

“I was also curious, so I looked into it. The report came in a little while ago.”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh’s eyes lit up. “Did you find a reason?”

“I can’t guarantee it’s 100% accurate, but I believe this is the primary reason.”

“What is it?”

“Hope.”

“Hope?” Chairman Shin Chun-oh tilted his head, not immediately understanding.

Chief of Staff Kim Young-woo elaborated, “Do you remember me mentioning that Hyun-sung and the Dean met in Gyeongpo before the summer vacation?”

“Of course. The two of them drinking *makgeolli* [Korean rice wine] on a rainy day?”

He remembered it well. Upon receiving that report, he’d felt like heading to Gangneung immediately. Anyone who enjoys a drink knows what a rainy-day drink signifies. He himself used to skip lectures and go to bars when he was a student.

“Yes, that’s right. They apparently made a promise that day.”

“A promise? What kind of promise?”

“To create hope at Gangsang University.”

“Create hope?”

“Yes. Dean Lee Hak-sung is very dedicated to the school. He had high ambitions when he started running the study center five years ago, hoping to develop the school…”

Chief of Staff Kim Young-woo continued his explanation. The Dean had great expectations for the study center from the start. He believed that increasing the number of students passing the bar exam would enhance the school’s reputation, which was crucial for Gangsang University’s survival in the competitive academic landscape.

However, those expectations began to crumble after two years. The number of students remaining in the study center after one year decreased to two-thirds after two years.

Eventually, his hopes completely vanished in the fall of last year, the fifth year. He felt he could no longer operate the study center with only one student left.

His expectations and hopes had disappeared within five years.

He didn’t anticipate any further opportunities. Then, in January, the freshman entrance exam brought a miracle: the top score overall.

330 points.

The moment he saw the score, his heart began to race again. He started to hope that he could dream again. Then, he received a call from Professor Son Min-ho, suggesting they try again.

That’s how he restarted the study center. One day, he heard unbelievable news from Professor Son Min-ho: Hyun-sung had confidently declared he would pass the CPA exam next year.

Of course, it seemed absurd, so he dismissed it. Then, a week before the vacation, he met Hyun-sung at a bar in Gyeongpo on a rainy day.

He didn’t have high expectations, but he asked with a hopeful heart, needing to confirm it at least once.

He received an unexpected answer.

Hyun-sung had already finished two of the CPA first exam subjects and was about halfway through another. He intended to finish the remaining subjects during the vacation.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh, who had been listening intently, interrupted, “He said he’d finish the first subject by the end of this vacation?”

“Yes, that’s right. He said that definitively.”

“Is that even possible?” Chairman Shin Chun-oh was incredulous.

“It defies common sense. These are subjects typically completed by fourth-year students. But he’s going to finish them all in one semester, which is impossible…”

Chief of Staff Kim Young-woo added, “It is possible. He’s already proving it. He says he’ll finish tax law in a day or two. If that happens, he’ll have completed all the first subjects.”

“Is that really true?”

“Yes, I can’t understand it either. But Hyun-sung is doing it.”

“Heh heh… this is…” Chairman Shin Chun-oh laughed, speechless.

A moment later, he regained his composure and asked, “So, in the end, Kim’s intense focus on the CPA exam isn’t for personal gain, but to give hope to the students of Gangsang University?”

“Yes, that’s what I believe. As you said, a CPA license isn’t inherently valuable, but it could be for the students of Gangsang University right now.”

“Hmm…” Chairman Shin Chun-oh nodded slowly.

Value is relative. The same object holds different value depending on a person’s needs. A bowl of rice means different things to a hungry person and a full one.

“Because no one at Gangsang University has ever passed the exam.”

“Yes, I understand. Kim is paving the way, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. Anything is difficult at first. The professor and even the dean asked Hyun-sung to do just that: to start! Once it’s *뚫리면* [뚫리면 is a Korean word that means ‘pierced through’ or ‘broken through’. In this context, it refers to breaking through the initial barrier or difficulty], it’s easy after that, but the first start was difficult. Finally, the right person appeared: Hyun-sung.”

“That’s right! With that kind of justification, Kim wouldn’t stand idly by. That’s why he’s working so hard, even cutting down on sleep. Then…”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh paused, lost in thought.

Just a moment.

He slowly spoke, “Chief Kim, tomorrow is Sunday, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Do you have any plans for tomorrow?”

Chief of Staff Kim Young-woo smiled. “I understand. I’ll prepare.”

“Huh? Prepare…?”

“Yes, if you leave Seoul around 12 a.m., it’ll be fine. Hyun-sung usually goes to his room at 5 a.m. on Sundays, so if you arrive before then, you can see him. Shouldn’t we treat him to a bowl of hangover soup?”

“…”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh looked at Chief of Staff Kim Young-woo, then burst into laughter.

“Haha, hahahaha…”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh, after laughing for a while, took out two checks from his wallet and handed them to Chief of Staff Kim Young-woo.

“Chief Kim, this is Sunday overtime pay. Give one to driver Choi.”

“No, Chairman…”

“That’s why it’s good to have old people around. If you just eat hangover soup and come right up, you’ll be able to rest in the afternoon. So, I’m sorry, but I’ll ask you to do this.”

Chief of Staff Kim Young-woo bowed politely.

It was a sight unimaginable even two years ago. But since meeting Hyun-sung, Chairman Shin had begun to change, now even using the word ‘please.’ It seems the saying that people don’t change doesn’t apply to everyone.

***

The two were heading to the library after dinner.

Jo Young-min scratched his head. “Hyun-sung, I enjoyed the meal again today.”

“Again with that? We agreed not to talk about it.”

“It’s not that. I’m grateful, and I need to express it to feel comfortable. By the way, is it true?”

“What?”

“You’re mastering tax law by today.”

Jo Young-min looked at Hyun-sung with disbelief. Hyun-sung smiled and nodded.

“It just happened that way.”

“I didn’t think so… hey, how is that possible? I can’t understand it. How can you finish all the first subjects in one semester?”

“It just happened that way…” Hyun-sung couldn’t explain it any other way. He was able to do it because he had already learned it in his previous life. Otherwise, it would have been impossible.

This wasn’t the first time Jo Young-min had asked this question. It was the same with business administration and commercial law. He asked every time Hyun-sung finished a subject, so he was prepared today.

Jo Young-min continued, “Then are you going to prepare for the second subject from tomorrow?”

“No. The exam subjects aren’t separate. They’re almost the same. Only the problem types are different. The first is multiple choice, and the second is subjective.”

“Really? Then what are you going to do?”

“I have to review past questions. From now on, I’m focusing on the questions that have been asked so far.”

The two, having arrived at the Haeramji [a pond] next to the library, each held a can of vending machine coffee.

“Can you really pass next year?” Jo Young-min asked after taking a sip. His voice was full of doubt.

Hyun-sung smiled slightly. It was a natural reaction, so he just laughed.

Hyun-sung said calmly, “I’m going to do my best. Who knows? Maybe I’ll pass if I act crazy. You never know.”

Hyun-sung answered passively, unlike when he confidently spoke to the professor or the dean. He was going to prove everything with results.

He thought it was funny to pretend in front of a friend full of doubts.

Then, Jo Young-min said something unexpected: “You can do it.”

“Huh? Me?”

“Yeah, you’re the most determined guy I’ve ever seen. How can you last on three hours of sleep a day?”

To be honest, at first, he thought Hyun-sung would do it for a few days and then stop. But even after a week and a month, his sleep schedule hadn’t changed. It seemed ridiculous at first, but as time went on, he had to admit it. He concluded that Hyun-sung was different from ordinary people.

Jo Young-min continued, “I knew you were different. Well, that’s why you came to our school with that score. Now that I think about it, I thought you were crazy when I first saw you.”

“What, crazy?”

“Yeah, if you’re not crazy, why would a guy who got 330 points come here? Anyway, you’re definitely a subject of study.”

“Hmm, a subject of study…” Hyun-sung had nothing to say. He knew it was best to stay silent.

Then, Jo Young-min said something else strange: “Hey, let me ask you a favor.”

“A favor?”

“Yeah, now that it’s come to this, please pass. No one else can do it. But I think you might be able to.”

“Me? Why?”

“I told you, you’re crazy. Ordinary people can’t do it even if they die and wake up. But you’re different. For the sake of our juniors, please do something properly crazy. If the first person to pass from the study center has to come out, I hope it’s you.”

“…”

Hyun-sung looked at Jo Young-min with a strange smile. It was a sight he had never seen in his previous life. A smile naturally spread across his face at the sincerity in his rough words.

***

It was just past 2 a.m.

Tap tap.

Jo Young-min quietly tapped the desk. “Are you going to be here until 5 a.m. again today?”

“Yeah, I have to finish this today.”

Hyun-sung’s desk had an ‘Introduction to Tax Law’ book open.

“In the end, you’re finishing it. Good job. And you’re going to go to your room and sleep well today, right?”

“Yeah, I have to sleep well because it’s Sunday. Come to my room for dinner later, let’s eat pork belly.”

“Okay, see you later for dinner.”

The two smiled and nodded. Jo Young-min left, and Hyun-sung started to concentrate again.

Sharrack!

Only the sound of turning pages could be heard.

How much time had passed?

Tak!

With the sound of closing the book, Hyun-sung sighed. He had finally finished all the first subjects.

“It’s already time…”

Before he knew it, it was past 5:10 a.m.

Uduk uduk [sound of cracking knuckles].

Hyun-sung got up, stretched his neck, and left the study center.

As he came out of the library building, the refreshing morning air rushed in.

It was then.

“Are you done now?”

A friendly voice came from behind.

‘Huh? That voice…’