Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 396

396

I hadn’t known that Mayor Yoon Seo-hyun was among the first graduates of Kang Sang University in my past life.

The questions I had when I first saw him in the dean’s office, and the feelings I had when I heard he even cried at the news of Hyun-sung’s acceptance, were immediately answered by the simple fact that he was one of Kang Sang University’s first graduates.

First graduate.

The significance of that single digit ‘1’ seemed enough to understand Mayor Yoon Seo-hyun’s feelings to some extent.

And I also learned something new.

Mayor Yoon Seo-hyun had been personally giving a lot of attention and support to the Kang Sang University Civil Service Exam Preparation Class.

It turned out that he had been quietly donating a certain amount of money every month since the first Civil Service Exam Preparation Class was created. Although the amount wasn’t huge, it was his way of showing affection for his alma mater.

Of course, this fact was a secret known only to the dean and the supervising professor.

And I also learned that Mayor Yoon Seo-hyun was the most heartbroken when the first Civil Service Exam Preparation Class was shut down two years prior.

That’s why he rushed over this time upon hearing the news of Hyun-sung’s passing the CPA [Certified Public Accountant] exam.

In any case, Hyun-sung’s success on the CPA exam became a major talking point within the school.

Was that the reason?

An unexpectedly large number of students flocked to the 1989 Civil Service Exam Preparation Class selection test.

Surprisingly, 150 people applied for only 7 spots. Compared to the previous year, that was almost an eightfold increase.

It was clear that this was an opportunity for students worried about their future careers to consider the civil service exam, something they had only vaguely thought about before.

Of course, the actual results remained to be seen, but the important thing was that the students’ perspectives had shifted because a glimmer of hope had emerged.

Was that why?

The sight of people drinking *makgeolli* [Korean rice wine] on the lawn at the beginning of the semester had definitely decreased.

***

April 27th.

From early morning, the Republic of Korea was buzzing. A broadcast announced that the government would be making a major announcement.

10 a.m.

The Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport appeared on the TV screen, standing in front of the microphone with a serious expression. Finally, he began to speak.

-The government announced large-scale housing site development in Sanbon, Jungdong, and Pyeongchon in the first round on September 13th of last year, but it wasn’t enough to control housing prices. Therefore, we have decided to additionally develop new housing sites in Ilsan and Bundang…….

“…….”

“…….”

The two people watching TV simply looked at each other without a word.

After a moment.

Chief Kim Young-woo spoke in an excited voice.

“Chairman…….”

“Yes, I’m watching too. In the end, it turned out exactly as Mr. Kim predicted. I didn’t think it would…….”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh couldn’t believe it, even though he was seeing it with his own eyes.

When he received a report about a month ago that a second new city announcement would be made within the month, he had his doubts.

He thought it didn’t make sense to announce another new city so soon after the first announcement just seven months prior.

He didn’t think the government would make such a hasty decision without careful consideration.

However, he couldn’t ignore Hyun-sung’s words, no matter who said them.

But he couldn’t blindly believe it either. So, to be honest, he had no choice but to watch with a half-doubtful attitude.

Then, that morning, he received a strange report: the government was going to make a major announcement that day.

Even then, he didn’t think it would be about announcing a second new city.

But a little while ago, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport came out and announced that new cities would be developed in Ilsan and Bundang, just as Hyun-sung had said.

Chief Kim Young-woo’s excited voice was heard again.

“Mr. Hyun-sung’s prediction was 100% correct, Chairman!”

“I know, right? I can’t believe it, no matter how much I think about it. What kind of talent does Mr. Kim have to know a month ago—no, if you think about it, Mr. Kim bought the land in Ilsan three years ago, so that means he already knew it then! He knew about the new city announcement three years in advance? Does that even make sense?”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh still shook his head in disbelief.

No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t wrap his head around it.

Chief Kim Young-woo couldn’t believe it either.

To be honest, he hadn’t believed it when he first heard the story a month ago.

So, he almost fainted when he saw the TV a little while ago.

The two people’s conversation continued in a similar vein, but they kept arriving at the same conclusion.

Unbelievable, incomprehensible.

Heh.

After some time, Chairman Shin Chun-oh chuckled and called Chief Kim Young-woo.

“Chief Kim.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“Anyway, the important thing is that Ilsan was announced as a new city, just as Mr. Kim said. Isn’t that right?”

“Of course, that’s right.”

“So, let’s stop talking about that and find something for us to do.”

“Something for us to do?”

“Yes, something for us to do. Wait a moment.”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh finished speaking and walked towards his desk. After a moment, he picked something up and approached Chief Kim Young-woo again.

He handed over the envelope he was holding.

“Do you know what this is?”

“This is…….”

Of course, he knew what the envelope was. It contained the land documents for the land in Ilsan that he had bought a year ago under Chairman Shin Chun-oh’s instructions. He recognized it immediately because the color of the envelope was different from ordinary document envelopes.

Chief Kim Young-woo immediately said,

“Chairman, isn’t this the land document for the land in Ilsan that we bought a year ago?”

“That’s right. From now on, you keep it.”

“Yes? What do you mean? Why would I…….”

“Have you already forgotten? I told you a month ago: 50% of this land is for Chief Kim. So, you keep it and dispose of it at the right time.”

“No, Chairman…….”

Shivers.

Chief Kim Young-woo’s hand, which held the envelope, was trembling.

Of course, he had said that a year ago, and he had repeated it a month ago.

But that was only *before* Ilsan was announced as a new city. The value of the land before and after the announcement was incomparable.

It’s not a lie; it’s basically 100 times different.

If an apartment building is built on that land, the value will far exceed 100 times.

If that happens, even after taxes, it will be at least 10 billion won [approximately $7.5 million USD], and 50% of that is 5 billion won. What Chairman Shin Chun-oh had said as a joke would become a reality.

5 billion won.

5 billion won is just a number, but it’s an amount he couldn’t even imagine in his dreams. How could his hand *not* tremble in this situation?

Chairman Shin Chun-oh’s words continued.

“Chief Kim, from now on…… it doesn’t matter to us how Mr. Kim knew that fact in advance. We can’t figure it out anyway. Isn’t that right?”

“Of course, that’s true, but…….”

“So, from now on, stop thinking about that past problem that has no answer and just think about the future that Chief Kim will live. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“…….”

Chief Kim Young-woo couldn’t say anything.

He knew what he meant, but he couldn’t bring himself to answer the question directly.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh continued.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“No, Chairman, why are you saying that…….”

“20 years is enough. From now on, Chief Kim should rest comfortably too. If you think about it, I was able to get here thanks to Chief Kim. Let’s just be friends for the rest of our lives. Can you do that?”

“Chairman, that’s impossible. How dare I……, and I still have 3 years left until retirement. Until then, I’ll be by your side…….”

Swish.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh raised his hand, cutting off Chief Kim Young-woo’s words. He immediately continued.

“I’ll take care of that problem. I’ll talk to the personnel department today, so please be aware of that. I’m telling you again: from now on, design Chief Kim’s future. It seems like it would be my greed to keep you any longer.”

“Chairman…….”

“And I’m thinking of stepping down from the front lines now. I can’t sit in this position forever. So, let’s go fishing together in the future and drink *makgeolli* on the beach on rainy days like Mr. Kim.”

“…….”

“Why aren’t you saying anything?”

“…… Yes, I understand. I will serve you.”

“No, no, not that. I mean let’s go together, as friends. Of course, I don’t know if I’m qualified to be your friend, but…….”

“…….”

Instead of answering, Chief Kim Young-woo bowed deeply. He was endlessly grateful to Chairman Shin Chun-oh for saying such things.

Twenty years was by no means a short time. The person he had served like a master for that long was now saying that they were friends. Of course, he knew that those words were sincere, so he bowed his head even further.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh asked again.

“Oh, and did you say that Mr. Kim is at his hometown today?”

“Yes, that’s right. He arrived at his hometown last night. It’s Mr. Hyun-sung’s father’s birthday today.”

“Hehe, is that so.”

“Yes, so I sent some gifts.”

“Hmm, good job. That’s why I like Chief Kim. Thank you.”

Toc toc.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh lightly tapped Chief Kim Young-woo’s shoulder.

Chief Kim Young-woo felt Chairman Shin Chun-oh’s touch on his shoulder was especially warm that day.

***

At that time.

Park Hee-cheol was watching TV.

“Ilsan New City?”

Park Hee-cheol’s mouth dropped open.

Of course, he had bought land in Ilsan three years ago because he trusted Hyun-sung, but he didn’t know that it would be developed into a new city so quickly.

Furthermore, since the first new city had been announced seven months ago, he thought he would have to wait at least five more years.

But about a month ago, Hyun-sung had said something strange during a phone call.

He said that Ilsan would be announced as a new city within the month, but he couldn’t believe it.

The reason was that it had only been seven months since the first new city was announced, and he thought it didn’t make sense to announce another one so soon.

“Hehe, geez…….”

Park Hee-cheol could only let out a hollow laugh.

What he thought was just a dream had actually happened, and so quickly.

“This is no time to be doing this.”

Park Hee-cheol jumped up from his seat and opened the door to go outside.

That’s when it happened.

Ring ring.

“Who is it?”

Park Hee-cheol tilted his head and answered the phone.

“Hello?”

-Father, it’s me. It’s your second son, Beom-soo.

The person who called was his second son, Park Beom-soo, who lived in Japan.

The moment Park Hee-cheol heard his voice, he couldn’t help but laugh. Perhaps by this time, Japan had also heard the news from Korea.

If so, the reason for the call was obvious.

Park Hee-cheol asked calmly.

“What’s going on at this hour?”

-I just called to check on you.

“Check on me?”

Park Hee-cheol was dumbfounded and speechless.

‘Check on me?’

Since when did he call to check on him, and at this hour?

He must have seen the news on TV and already knew that Ilsan was being developed into a new city.

He also knew that his father had bought land in Ilsan three years ago. If so, the reason for the call was 100% because of that.

But he couldn’t mention it explicitly, so he was probably turning it around by saying ‘check on me’.

Smirk.

A strange smile spread across Park Hee-cheol’s lips.

He hadn’t even thought about that. He was so excited that he was going to find Hyun-sung first. Anyway, he was going to handle a large sum of money that he had never even touched in his old age.

But a call came first from his son, whom he had forgotten for a while.

If this happens, a different situation will unfold. It means the situation is changing.

Until now, he was the one who always contacted them first. He tried not to think about it because he was resentful, but as time went by, he couldn’t help but miss them because they were his blood.

But now…….

It’s petty, but it can’t be helped.

‘You rascal! From now on, it’s this father’s turn.’

Park Hee-cheol happily answered the phone again.

“Beom-soo…….”

Click!

A smile spread across Park Hee-cheol’s lips as he hung up the phone.

In the end, the second guy couldn’t even bring up the story of the land in Ilsan and just kept talking in circles. And he didn’t forget to say that he would come home soon.

Compared to the fact that he could barely talk for a few minutes after begging until recently, the current situation is too different.

I don’t want to admit it, but this is reality.

The power of money.

No matter how much they are parents and children, the logic of money cannot be helped.

What is clear is that this is not normal.

But in reality, it doesn’t work as well as you think.

They were sons who acted like tongues in the mouth until they received the inheritance.

But when they found out that there was no more inheritance to receive, they turned their backs and cut off contact as coldly as possible.

The younger one contacted me first.

The pretext was a welfare call. Not only that, but he also said he’d be home soon.

But I won’t make that mistake again.

Once is enough. There won’t be a second.

If I spoiled them with money before, now I’ll retrain them with it.

Park Hee-cheol was about to rise from his seat when:

Ring!

The phone rang particularly loudly today.

Smirk.

Park Hee-cheol couldn’t help but smile.

If his prediction was correct, this time it would be his eldest son, Park Min-soo, calling from the United States.

He let it ring a few more times before answering.

“Hello…”

He deliberately drawled the word out, trying to sound as relaxed as possible.

The voice on the other end was, as expected, his eldest son. But what was amusing was the tone. It wasn’t the usual brusque [abrupt] tone he used on the phone, but a friendly one.

“Father! It’s me! I was worried something might have happened since you took so long to answer.”

“Heh heh…”

He was speechless.

How could a person change so much, even if he was his own son?

Worried because he took so long to answer.

He felt like he was living to see this day.

“Yes, what brings you calling at this hour?”

“Did Beom-soo call again?”

“Yes, he called a little while ago.”

“Did Beom-soo say anything?”

“What do you mean, ‘say anything’?”

Park Hee-cheol asked, pretending not to know. After all, he figured the question would be the same as the second son’s.

Both of them would only be interested in one thing right now.

But the words that came over the line were unexpected.

“Didn’t he say he wanted to come back to Korea?”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

Park Hee-cheol’s voice rose without him realizing it. The words were that unexpected.

The relaxed demeanor from a moment ago was gone.

“Come back to Korea? Who? The second one?”

“He mentioned it last time we spoke. I thought Beom-soo had told you, Father.”

“Hmm… really? But what’s wrong with the second one?”

When they spoke earlier, there was no hint of that. He’d just assumed he’d called after seeing the news, but it seemed there was more to it.

“I’m not sure, but it sounded like his business is struggling. He said that when we last talked. And then he said he wanted to return to Korea to live.”

“…”

“And…”

“What? Is there something else?”

“Oh, no. Anyway, are you okay, Father?”

“I’m fine. But what did you call for?”

“Just because.”

“Just because?”

“Yes, just because I’m getting older now…”

“Didn’t you call after seeing the news?”

Park Hee-cheol asked directly, unable to contain his curiosity. He’d find out later anyway, and he felt stifled pretending otherwise.

“News? Why? Is something going on in Korea?”

“Huh? Oh, no. I thought…”

He thought he’d called after seeing the news. But it turned out that wasn’t the case at all. At least, he wouldn’t be the type to lie about that and call.

Park Min-soo was right. They talked for a few more minutes, and then he hung up, but there was no mention of Ilsan [a district in Goyang, South Korea]. In the end, it seemed he’d just called to check on him, as he said.

If so…

‘This second guy…’

The voice of his second son, Park Beom-soo, whom he had spoken to a little while ago, kept ringing in Park Hee-cheol’s head.

He’d thought he’d called after seeing the news, but after talking to the eldest son, he realized that might not be the case.

And when he thought about it, his voice had sounded strange. At first, he’d thought he was just pretending to hide that he had seen the news, but if he hadn’t seen the news, as the eldest son said, then things were different.

It meant something might have really happened.

‘What could it be?’

After pondering for a while, Park Hee-cheol opened the drawer as if he had made up his mind, took out a notepad, and started making a phone call.

“Hello?”

“Beom-soo, it’s your father.”

“Huh? Father. What’s wrong? We just talked a little while ago?”

“I won’t talk long. Is something wrong?”

“Yes? Why are you suddenly saying that?”

“I talked to your brother a little while ago.”

“My brother? Why? What did my brother say?”

“No, it’s not that, but he said it seems like something’s wrong with you.”

“No. Nothing’s wrong.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Didn’t my brother say anything else?”

“Anything else?”

Park Hee-cheol tilted his head. Wasn’t the younger one asking the same question that the older one had asked a little while ago?

The older one about the younger one, and the younger one about the older one…

Come to think of it, he felt like the older one was hesitating to say something when they talked earlier.

‘There’s something going on.’

Park Hee-cheol, having finished his thoughts, asked directly.

“Is something wrong with your brother?”

“That’s…”

“Hmm…”

Park Hee-cheol closed his eyes tightly. No matter how long they’d been apart, they were his children, born from his womb. If he said that much, there was no way they wouldn’t understand.

“Beom-soo!”

“Yes? Yes, Father.”

“Don’t worry about anything and come home.”

“Yes?”

“Tell that to your brother as well. Don’t bother being stressed in another country and come whenever you want.”

“…”

“And remember this one thing. You are both my precious children. And your father is still healthy enough…”

Park Hee-cheol’s words grew longer.

When he first talked on the phone, his honest feeling was that he wanted to get back at them in some way because he had been feeling resentful.

But the moment he realized that both of them were having a hard time, all the resentment disappeared, and he returned to his original self as a father.

“…Make sure to eat well no matter what happens, and as I said again, don’t bother staying in another country…”

Park Hee-cheol’s words continued for a long time after that.

But there was something Park Hee-cheol didn’t know: Park Beom-soo, on the other end of the line, was covering the receiver with one hand and crying endlessly.

***

At that time.

Hyeon-seong said, looking at his father and mother,

“Father, Mother, I’ll be on my way.”

“Okay, I understand. Always drive carefully. And be sure to thank Chairman Nongshim [a major South Korean food and beverage company] for the gift.”

“Yes, Father.”

Hyeon-seong was about to turn around when his father asked again.

“By the way, when did you say the second exam was?”

“It’s on June 27th and 28th, two days. So I won’t be able to come home before then.”

“Today is April 27th, so it’s exactly two months away. Anyway, studying is good, but health is the most important thing, so always take good care of what you eat, exercise moderately, and you know what I mean, right?”

“Yes, Father, don’t worry. I’m really leaving now. Oh, and Happy Birthday again, Father. Let’s go fishing once the exam is over.”

“I’m always happy. Okay, go ahead.”

It was then that his mother suddenly raised her hand and said,

“Ah! Wait a minute, Ji-yeon brought something for you a few days ago…”

With those words, his mother ran back into the house.

After a while, she returned.

“Take this with you. Ji-yeon said she couldn’t make it to your father’s birthday, so she came last week in advance and told me to give it to you.”

“What is this?”

“Well, I’m curious too, but it’s wrapped.”

Thud.

Hyeon-seong immediately tore open the wrapping paper.

A paper box appeared, and inside was a round glass bottle.

“Isn’t this a paper crane?”

“Yes, that’s right. It looks like Ji-yeon folded it for you. It must have taken a lot of time…”

It was a popular gift among students at the time because it was said that if you folded 1,000 paper cranes, your wish would come true.

Hyeon-seong took out a memo and started reading it.

-Oppa [Korean term for older brother used by females].

I folded 10 cranes every day for 100 days thinking of you.

Other people fold them for their boyfriends, but I like you more than my boyfriend (you have to believe this because it’s the truth…hehe).

They say that if you make a wish with all your heart while folding 1,000 cranes, it will come true. So you will definitely pass the exam.

Actually, I started folding this before you passed the first exam, so by the time you receive these paper cranes, you will have already passed the first exam.

Now all that’s left is the second exam, so don’t get sick in the future and take good care of yourself until the exam and pass it.

I believe in you. And these paper cranes will protect you. So don’t worry about anything and just keep doing what you’re doing.

Oppa, always cheer up, and thank you. Fighting!

-Your sister Ji-yeon.

A smile spread across Hyeon-seong’s face as he finished reading the memo.

“Are you going to take it with you?”

His mother asked, pointing to the glass bottle. She seemed worried it would break during the move.

“Yes, I’ll take it with me.”

“Are you sure? It’s a glass bottle, so maybe…”

“Yes, it’s okay. I’ll take good care of it. It’s not just a day or two, but 100 days…”

It was an unexpected gift. Moreover, since it was a gift from his younger sister, who had no choice but to go to vocational high school because of him in his previous life, its value felt even more precious.

Hyeon-seong, who got into the car, safely secured his sister’s gift in the back seat of the driver’s seat. He perfectly secured it with other boxes so it wouldn’t move, and then started the car.

“I’ll be back in two months.”

Hyeon-seong waved his hand and left home. His father and mother stood there waving their hands until the truck was out of sight.

Hyeon-seong, after leaving his house, headed straight to Park Hee-cheol’s house.

He had something to say to Park Hee-cheol because he wouldn’t be back for two months, since he was going to Gangneung [city in the province of Gangwon-do, South Korea].

“Welcome. I was just about to head over to your place.”

Park Hee-cheol, who had just hung up the phone with his youngest son in Japan, greeted Hyeon-seong happily.

“Did you see the news?”

“News? Oh, that.”

Only then did Hyeon-seong realize what Park Hee-cheol was asking. He must be talking about the announcement of the new city in Ilsan.

As expected, the story of the new city in Ilsan came up right away.

“To be honest, when you said a month ago that Ilsan would be announced as a new city within this month…”

Park Hee-cheol began to explain why he couldn’t believe Hyeon-seong’s words.

It was something he had expected to some extent anyway.

That’s because hardly anyone thought a new city would be announced in a new place again, even though only 7 months had passed since the first new city was announced.

As soon as Park Hee-cheol’s story ended, Hyeon-seong spoke.

“I will monetize the land in two months.”

“In two months?”

“Yes, by that time, the land price will have risen as much as it can, so there’s no need to hold it for a long time. There are about 3 months from two months later until I go to the army. At that time, I will also liquidate the land in Ilsan and start the basic construction of the restaurant site in the middle of the mountain.”

“You’ve already made all the plans?”

“Yes, so you should think in advance about how you will use the money when you liquidate the land in Ilsan. After deducting taxes, it will be roughly 5 billion won [approximately $3.7 million USD as of October 2024].”

“Heh heh…”

Park Hee-cheol was speechless. He couldn’t even imagine how much money 5 billion won was. But at that moment, two faces came to mind: his eldest and youngest sons, whom he had just finished talking to.

“I have a favor to ask you…”

“Yes? Of me?”

“Yes, I’m afraid you’ll have to take responsibility for these two lumps of dung…”

Park Hee-cheol’s explanation continued for a long time. The explanation was long, but the conclusion was simple: he wanted to entrust Park Min-soo and Park Beom-soo to him in the future.

As soon as Park Hee-cheol’s explanation ended, Hyeon-seong seemed to think for a moment and then opened his mouth.

“However, there is a condition.”

“Condition?”