Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 400

401

“I overate today thanks to you, Chairman.”

“If you say it wasn’t bad, then I’m happy to hear that.”

“It wasn’t just not bad, it was the best. I didn’t realize Korean cuisine had so many side dishes. Anyway, I really enjoyed a luxurious meal today thanks to you, Chairman.”

“Haha, I always feel this way, but I can’t get used to your *mal-tu* [manner of speaking/speech pattern].”

“Ah, is that so? Haha…”

Hyun-sung just laughed it off. The way he spoke sometimes without realizing it was something he couldn’t help, so he just brushed it off with a laugh.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh also laughed lightly as if it didn’t matter and continued speaking.

“Anyway, how was the exam today?”

“Well, I solved everything, but I’ll have to wait and see the results.”

“Haha, so you’re saying you solved everything?”

“Yes.”

Hyun-sung nodded and smiled.

Then, Chairman Shin Chun-oh smiled broadly.

“Congratulations.”

“Yes? It’s not yet…”

“Looking at your face, I think I already know the results without even seeing them. With that much confidence, the conclusion is already made, isn’t it? Anyway, I’m amazed by your skills once again. But what’s the secret? No matter how much I think about it, I can’t understand. How can you master so many subjects in such a short period of time?”

“I just happened to…”

Honestly, if he hadn’t learned it in his past life, it would have been impossible.

Fortunately, he had learned all the subjects up to the fourth year in his previous life and had studied for three more years after graduation, so it was possible.

But he couldn’t explain that to Chairman Shin Chun-oh. Therefore, Hyun-sung had no choice but to explain it with the word ‘just’.

“Haha, this is something else…”

At Hyun-sung’s answer, Chairman Shin Chun-oh just shook his head a few times, foregoing the next question. He seemed to think that there would be no other answer even if he asked.

Then, Hyun-sung asked this time.

“By the way, what did you mean by what you said earlier?”

“What did I say earlier?”

“I’m talking about you saying that you’re stepping down from the front lines this year, Chairman. From my point of view, you still…”

Before Hyun-sung could finish speaking, Chairman Shin Chun-oh’s answer followed first.

“It’s because of you.”

“Yes?”

Hyun-sung momentarily doubted his ears. Until now, he had never said anything about Nongshim’s management to Chairman Shin Chun-oh. But suddenly, he was saying that he would step down from management because of him, so he couldn’t understand what he was saying.

“No, what do you mean? I’ve never said anything to you, Chairman, so why because of me?”

“Before that, can I ask you something first?”

“Yes, of course.”

“What are your plans for the future?”

“Yes? My plans?”

“Yes, Kim said you’re currently on leave from school, can you tell me your plans for the future?”

“Hmm…”

Hyun-sung thought for a moment and began to explain his plans for the future.

“I will…”

Hyun-sung’s explanation continued.

First, he started by dividing the things he would do before going to the military and the things he would do after being discharged.

As Hyun-sung’s explanation lengthened, Chairman Shin Chun-oh nodded repeatedly, showing that he understood.

And finally, when Hyun-sung’s explanation ended, he was silent for a while, wondering what he was thinking.

“…”

After a while.

Clack.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh put down the ceramic cup after drinking all the remaining *danho-bak sikhye* [sweet pumpkin rice beverage] and slowly opened his mouth.

“So, you’re saying you’re going to start a restaurant business in earnest after you’re discharged?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“What about school?”

“That’s what I’m still thinking about. Whether to hire someone to manage it, or just…”

Hyun-sung paused while speaking. That’s because that’s his biggest concern right now. He wasn’t sure whether to return to school after being discharged or just quit, so it was an unavoidable situation.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh continued.

“Just? Does that mean you might not go to school anymore?”

“Yes, that’s right. I haven’t decided on that part yet.”

“Well… that problem can be decided later since there’s still plenty of time, and anyway, the important thing is that you’re definitely going to start a restaurant business in earnest after you’re discharged, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. Before I go to the military, I’ll start construction on the surrounding landscaping and entrance roads. And the construction will continue even while I’m in the military.”

“That means there’s someone who will take care of the work?”

“Yes, I’ve already talked about it a few months ago, and I’m going to go down this time and finalize it.”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh nodded and was silent for a while, wondering what he was thinking.

He opened his mouth again about a minute later.

“How about funding?”

Of course, he already knew that his funds were sufficient as Ilsan was announced as a new city.

But that should only be known to Hyun-sung alone, so Chairman Shin Chun-oh asked to go over it at least once as a formality.

But then, an unexpected word came out of Hyun-sung’s mouth.

“I think you already know… Am I wrong?”

“Huh? That’s…”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh was momentarily speechless.

Of course, Hyun-sung shouldn’t know that he knew.

But instead, he was saying as if he already knew that he knew, so he had nothing to say for a moment.

If this happens, the story changes.

Until now, it was true that he had received reports on almost all of Hyun-sung’s daily life, although not 100%.

Of course, that was to protect Hyun-sung, but he shouldn’t know that fact.

But if he knows that fact, it means that he has to go over it in some way. Whether to apologize or make excuses.

Click.

As the situation became awkward, Chairman Shin Chun-oh unconsciously licked his lips.

Then, Hyun-sung opened his mouth first.

“It’s okay. I know it’s not a bad intention, but it’s all for me.”

“…”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh had no choice but to close his mouth again.

He thought maybe, but he knew everything. If this happens, the more time he wastes, the more awkward he will become.

In that case, it would be better to admit it coolly and apologize.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh, who had finished his decision, opened his mouth immediately.

“Whatever the reason, I’m sorry.”

“No. Don’t say that. As I said a little while ago, I know you did it for me. Rather, I want to thank you.”

“Thank you for saying that. But you know…”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh paused for a moment and then continued.

“It’s shameless, but let me ask you one thing. Since when did you know?”

“May of last year.”

“May of last year?”

“I’m talking about the graduation trip incident. The reason why there were no deaths despite the accident of falling into the sea was because of the ambulance that was following behind. But no matter how much I think about it…”

Hyun-sung’s explanation continued at length.

He had thought a lot after that accident.

It wasn’t just one or two, but 10 ambulances followed the bus.

Calling 10 ambulances without an accident, not to mention the cost, was impossible for ordinary people.

But the fact that it was possible meant that he was in a special social position, so the conclusion he came to was Chairman Shin Chun-oh.

In fact, he knew that there were people around him even before that, and after that day, he explained that he thought those people were Nongshim’s informants.

When Hyun-sung’s explanation was over, Chairman Shin Chun-oh smiled and said.

“Haha, that’s how it was. I didn’t even know that…”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh scratched the back of his head slightly.

He felt embarrassed that he had pretended not to know the funds needed for the restaurant business a little while ago, without knowing that Hyun-sung already knew.

Then, Hyun-sung bowed to Chairman Shin Chun-oh.

“Although it’s late, thank you now. If it weren’t for your help at that time, Chairman, there would have been a fatal accident.”

“I honestly had a lot of worries at that time. But it was possible because I trusted you, and anyway, I feel relieved that there is one less secret between you and me. And I’ll tell you in advance, I’ll continue to receive information about you in the future. So don’t feel bad about it. It’s all for you…”

“Yes, I understand. Rather, thank you.”

Hyun-sung bowed his head before Chairman Shin Chun-oh could finish speaking. That’s because he knows too well that he’s doing it for him.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh’s expression was definitely brighter than before. He opened his mouth again.

“Now that it’s like this, it’s easier to talk. Then I’ll ask you what I really wanted to ask.”

“Yes, please tell me.”

“I heard from our Kim that the restaurant you’re going to run is not for the purpose of money, is that true?”

“Hmm…”

Hyun-sung seemed to think for a moment and then slowly continued.

“Of course, as long as you’re doing business, money can’t *not* be a purpose. But it’s certain that money is not the top priority.”

“Not the top priority? Does that mean there’s a separate ultimate purpose?”

“Yes, that’s right. The purpose of operating a large restaurant there is…”

Hyun-sung began to explain in detail the business purpose he had been thinking about. That’s because he felt that Chairman Shin Chun-oh must have other thoughts since he was interested.

As Hyun-sung’s explanation lengthened, Chairman Shin Chun-oh’s expression changed several times as if he had many thoughts.

And finally, when Hyun-sung’s explanation was over, he closed his eyes tightly and was silent for a while.

“…”

After a while.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh nodded and opened his mouth.

“So, in the end, the biggest purpose is to protect the village, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. It’s okay so far, but the rural population will start to decline from 10 years from now. Then, the aging of the rural areas will gradually worsen, and at some point, it will lead to the collapse of the rural areas.”

“Hmm, so the conclusion is that you want to protect your hometown.”

“Yes, that’s right. That’s the biggest purpose. Furthermore, I’m thinking of developing my hometown so that many people can protect their hometown and live well. If that happens, I’ll naturally make money.”

In fact, in his previous life, young people started to leave in the 2000s, and from 2015, there were often only parents left.

That’s why people in their 50s and 60s were called young farmers.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh continued.

“If you protect the village, money will eventually follow naturally, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. And I’m going to start with the concept of creating another village. If that happens, I guarantee that it will be the best village in the country in about 15 years, according to my expectations.”

“Guarantee…”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh nodded and looked at Hyun-sung. Then, he was silent for a while as if he was making a decision, and slowly began to open his mouth.

“I said earlier that I would only participate in management until this year because of you, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. Now, please tell me the reason. Why did you make such a decision because of me?”

“As you know, the purpose of a businessman is inevitably to pursue profit. To be more precise, it’s money.”

“I guess so.”

“I’ve been living like that all my life, so I thought I should live a different life now.”

Hyun-sung nodded for now. Honestly, he didn’t nod because he understood. That’s because it’s not a direction that ordinary businessmen can think of.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh continued again.

“I heard about you from Kim.”

“Ah, yes…”

“Honestly, I didn’t understand it at first. Because the person who was going to do business said that money was not the purpose. So I wanted to hear that answer directly from you.”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh took a sip of water because he was thirsty and continued.

“I wanted to live a second life before it was too late.”

“A second life?”

“Yes, I didn’t want to just disappear after making money all my life like this.”

“Yes…”

“But now that I’ve heard your story, I think I can now grasp that direction. You are still…”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh stopped talking, wondering what he was going to say, and smiled at Hyun-sung.

Then, Hyun-sung asked immediately.

“Why did you stop talking?”

“I stopped because I didn’t think there was a need for a long talk. Then I’ll stop beating around the bush and say it straight.”

“Yes, please tell me.”

“I want to live with you.”

“…”

Honestly, he had been feeling it to some extent since earlier. But the moment he heard those words directly from Chairman Shin Chun-oh’s mouth, he couldn’t speak for a moment.

In fact, if it weren’t for Chairman Shin Chun-oh, he wouldn’t have been able to start the business so leisurely now. Everything was possible thanks to the 1 billion won he gave him.

Then, he shouldn’t treat him like this.

Hyun-sung jumped up from his seat and bowed to Chairman Shin Chun-oh.

“Chairman, I will serve you. I will do my best, although I may be lacking.”

“Haha, I’m the one who should be asking for a favor, but you’re going this far…”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh was a little embarrassed by Hyun-sung’s sudden appearance.

Then, Hyun-sung continued again.

“I won’t say much either. I hope we can live together while breathing good air.”

“Thank you. Then I can’t just stand still. Would one factory be enough?”

“Yes?”

Hyun-sung looked at Chairman Shin Chun-oh in surprise.

Then, Chairman Shin Chun-oh continued again.

“If you want, I’m thinking of building a Shin Ramyun factory in that village. I have to do that much since you’re accepting an old man.”

“…”

Hyun-sung just smiled at Chairman Shin Chun-oh.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh, who couldn’t know the meaning, reached out his hand and said.

“Let’s make a proper village.”

“Yes, Chairman!”

Hyun-sung grabbed Chairman Shin Chun-oh’s hand.

This was not planned.

If this happens, the picture he was drawing will inevitably change. It means he has to draw a tiger instead of a cat.

‘Okay! Since it’s come to this, let’s go as far as we can.’

Hyun-sung smiled and nodded.