Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 414

415

Chairman Shin Chun-oh chuckled lightly as he received the report from Chief Kim Young-woo.

“Heh heh, did he already pull off another one?”

“Yes, that’s right. That old practice, which no one even knew when it started, was abolished the day after Hyun-sung arrived.”

“And the cause is Kim Gun?”

“Yes, that’s correct. But the question remains: how did Hyun-sung know in advance and use the Gold Card to stop the farewell party? I don’t know how he can know everything in advance like a ghost.”

Chief Kim Young-woo shook his head as he spoke. No matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t understand Hyun-sung’s actions.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh immediately responded.

“Have you forgotten again so soon?”

“Yes? What do you mean by that…?”

“I’m sure I told you last time, let’s not try to understand what Kim Gun is doing from now on. I think I said that trying to understand will only cause stress.”

“Ah, yes.”

Chief Kim Young-woo nodded immediately. Indeed, Chairman Shin Chun-oh had said that himself last time. He said that even if we try to understand what Hyun-sung is doing, we won’t be able to. The more we do, the more stressed we’ll get.

So, the conclusion was that we should not try to understand what Hyun-sung is doing from now on.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh continued.

“So, is Kim Gun doing well in his basic training?”

“Yes, he is. He’s a smart guy, and the top two in the company are definitely protecting Hyun-sung.”

“Protecting?”

“Yes, they are the friends who avoided military discipline camp thanks to Hyun-sung last time. They are taking care of Hyun-sung, so no one can touch him.”

“Heh heh, that’s a good thing, whatever the reason.”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh nodded and then spoke again.

“By the way, have you heard from the person in charge of the battalion? Last time, he said he would think about it and then contact us.”

“Yes, I received a call.”

“What did he say? Did he make any unreasonable demands?”

“Fortunately, he wasn’t that kind of person. I did some more research just in case, and he wasn’t bad. He’s quite decent. And this time, what he asked for wasn’t personal gain, but the soldiers’ cafeteria issue.”

“Cafeteria issue?”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh looked at Chief Kim Young-woo as if he was surprised.

Chief Kim Young-woo immediately explained.

“Yes, that’s right. The soldiers’ cafeteria is very old because the unit has been around for a long time. So, when it rains a lot, the roof leaks.”

“So?”

“He contacted us saying that he would like the roof to be completely repaired next spring because it can’t be done now in the winter.”

“You mean he’s not asking to rebuild it, but just repair the roof?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Smirk.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh smiled without realizing it at Chief Kim Young-woo’s answer. In fact, when he first contacted them, he was even thinking of giving them cash within reason. But he felt good that they thought about it and answered that they would repair the soldiers’ cafeteria.

“Chief Kim.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“Build a completely new cafeteria.”

“Yes? A new one? All they want is just the roof…”

“That’s why I’m saying to build a new one. I want to do more because they’re not greedy. Do you understand what I mean?”

“Yes, Chairman, I understand. Then I will handle that matter that way.”

“Of course, don’t forget to take the cost from my personal account. Don’t handle it with company money, even if it’s just in case. This is strictly my personal matter.”

“Yes, I understand. I will do that.”

Chief Kim Young-woo nodded. A pleased smile spread across his face. The reason was Chairman Shin Chun-oh.

Usually, people’s personalities become eccentric as they get older. But Chairman Shin Chun-oh is the opposite.

As time goes by, his heart becomes warmer, and his spending becomes bolder. In addition, he is clear about public and private matters. Others become mean and greedy, but Chairman Shin Chun-oh goes the opposite way, so Chief Kim Young-woo smiled without realizing it.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh asked again.

“And what about Chief Kim’s travel plans that we talked about last time?”

“I’m thinking of starting next spring. I’ve already signed a contract for a camper van. And by the way, my wife said to be sure to thank you, Chairman.”

“What is there to thank me for? It’s the reward for Chief Kim’s hard work. By the way, if you leave in the spring, when will it be over?”

“I’m thinking about three years for now. I’m planning to travel all over Korea, which I haven’t been able to visit so far.”

“I hope you have a pleasant trip. And I ask you again, please be with me after three years. Kim Gun will be discharged by then, so let’s do what we’ve wanted to do together.”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh said, looking at Chief Kim Young-woo.

Then Chief Kim Young-woo nodded and immediately continued.

“Yes, I understand. I don’t know if I’ll be of any help, but I’ll be by your side, Chairman. And my wife said that she wouldn’t mind getting old and living in the countryside.”

“Heh heh, that’s great. If that happens, I’ll be able to eat your wife’s *sujeonggwa* [Korean traditional cinnamon punch]. I hope that day comes soon.”

“She said she’s making *sujeonggwa* today. I’ll bring it with me on my way to work tomorrow.”

“Is that really true?”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh’s expression suddenly brightened.

Then Chief Kim Young-woo smiled and immediately continued.

“Are you that happy?”

“Of course, how can you even say that? These days, I keep thinking about homemade food rather than food from outside.”

“Come to think of it, you’ve changed a lot too, Chairman. This may sound strange to say, but I really like you these days.”

“Heh heh, does that mean I was terrible before?”

“Yes? Ah, no, that’s not what I meant…”

Chief Kim Young-woo suddenly couldn’t continue speaking as if he was embarrassed.

Then Chairman Shin Chun-oh smiled and immediately continued.

“Heh heh, why are you so surprised? Even if your mouth is crooked, you should speak straight. I know too. I know I was terrible before. So, you don’t have to be so surprised. But I’ll promise you one thing.”

“…?”

“I’m not going to be a nasty old man in the future. I know that I just need to let go of my greed, so that won’t happen. I’ve realized that I always have to work hard as I get older. So, please stay by my side like a friend for a long time.”

Chief Kim Young-woo bowed his head instead of answering. Then Chairman Shin Chun-oh smiled and spoke again.

“Thank you. And by the way, did Kim Gun say he’s starting driving practice today?”

“Yes, that’s right. They don’t make you do anything for a week after being assigned to the unit. But now that a week has passed, he’s starting driving practice today.”

“Kim Gun must be excited now. How bored he must have been all this time. It’s like they made a perfectly fine person do nothing.”

“That’s right. They took a perfectly fine person and even took him to the bathroom. Anyway, he’s going to the bathroom alone from today. Hehe.”

Chief Kim Young-woo couldn’t help but laugh. He couldn’t help but laugh when he thought that the great Hyun-sung was finally going to the bathroom alone.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh was also laughing.

So, the two began to laugh, thinking about Hyun-sung.

***

“Private Kim Hyun-sung, I’m going to the bathroom.”

“Bathroom? Ah, it’s been a week now. You can go alone, right?”

“Private Kim Hyun-sung, yes, that’s right.”

Hyun-sung was dumbfounded even as he answered. It would be understandable if it was the first time, but this was the second time. So, every time this happened, he couldn’t help but be dumbfounded, no matter how much it was the military.

But what could he do? If they told him to do it, he had to do it. He had no choice but to do it, even if it was ten times, not just twice.

It was then.

“Private Kim Dong-soo, me too…”

“You’re going to the bathroom too?”

“Private Kim Dong-soo, yes, that’s right.”

“Go ahead. Don’t get lost.”

“Private…”

Swish!

Before Kim Dong-soo could finish saying his rank and name, the senior soldier waved his hand. He was telling him to go quickly because he was being noisy. It was the iron rule of being a new recruit. No matter what you say, your rank and name must come first.

But after about a month, you start to skip it once or twice, watching the mood, and then after a little more time, it disappears naturally one day as if it never happened. That’s how you naturally accumulate military experience.

But he was still just a green recruit.

Swish! Swish!

Hyun-sung and Kim Dong-soo headed to the bathroom, waving their arms high. What could they do? This was also a symbol of military discipline.

The two arrived at the bathroom.

Swoosh.

Hyun-sung quickly scanned the inside of the bathroom. It was to check if anyone was there.

Military bathrooms don’t have completely closed doors, but only about 60-70% closed. This was to prevent any unfortunate events in advance. Of course, this may vary slightly from unit to unit, but that was the case in the unit where Hyun-sung served.

“Ah, damn it…”

A complaint burst out of Hyun-sung’s mouth after confirming that no one was there. No matter how prepared he was for re-enlistment, he couldn’t help but complain when he had to get permission every time he went to the bathroom, even after graduating from civil defense training.

“Hehe.”

Kim Dong-soo laughed at Hyun-sung’s complaint.

Then Hyun-sung immediately spoke.

“Are you laughing in this situation?”

“Hey, at least you can go to the bathroom alone from today. That’s something. I honestly only heard about it, but I never thought that a senior soldier would actually take you to the bathroom. It’s like I’m a baby.”

Kim Dong-soo, who was relieving himself, looked at Hyun-sung and asked.

“Hey, aren’t you going to relieve yourself?”

“Relieve myself? Oh, I’m okay. Actually, I came to the bathroom because I have something to tell you.”

“Is that true?”

“Yeah, so listen carefully to what I’m going to say from now on. From today, we also…”

Driving training will begin today, a week later. Hyun-sung is worried about Kim Dong-soo. Hyun-sung himself has nothing to worry about anyway. He already has more than 30 years of driving experience, so there will be no problem with any driving training.

But Kim Dong-soo is different. So, he started explaining how to avoid beatings disguised as driving training.

After Hyun-sung’s explanation, Kim Dong-soo tilted his head and asked.

“Do they really hit you like that?”

“Why, don’t you believe me? Then try getting hit first.”

“Hey, why are you saying such harsh things? So, all I have to do is do what you tell me?”

“Of course. But you can’t show that you’re lying. If you get caught, you and I are dead. So, don’t be scared and do well.”

Hyun-sung’s chosen method was impersonating the Defense Security Command. The name has now been changed to the Defense Security Support Command, but until then it was the Defense Security Command. Anyway, the most feared place for soldiers is the Defense Security Command [intelligence and security branch of the South Korean military].

It’s always best to avoid the shower.

They won’t check anyway, and they just need to get through 5 months. Kim Min-hyuk will be discharged then.

Kim Dong-soo asked again, looking worried.

“Maybe…”

“There’s no maybe. Otherwise, you won’t be able to eat with your right arm from today. It’s not a lie, so pay attention.”

It’s true. In his past life, not only Kim Dong-soo but also Hyun-sung couldn’t eat with his right arm while receiving driving training.

Hyun-sung continued.

“And the most important thing is driving ability. It’s most important for you to learn to drive as soon as possible. So, concentrate as much as possible when you receive driving training, got it?”

“Oh, yeah. I’ve already memorized the half-clutch method you taught me, so I’m somewhat confident.”

“Yeah, but again, the key to the half-clutch is the feeling in your left foot. Once you get that feeling, it’s nothing. So, try to get that feeling as much as possible today. Let’s go quickly.”

The two left the bathroom and headed to the transportation unit.

***

“New recruits!”

As in his past life, Kim Min-hyuk was in charge of driving training. He later learned that the reason Kim Min-hyuk was in charge of driving training was that he taught driving at a driving school.

“Private Kim Hyun-sung!”

“Private Kim Dong-soo!”

The two answered loudly enough to shake the transportation unit and approached Kim Min-hyuk.

Then Kim Min-hyuk moved his finger towards the two. He was telling them to follow him.

Kim Min-hyuk took the two to a garage where a deuce-and-a-half truck [a 2.5-ton military truck] was parked.

“Do you know what this is?”

“Private…”

“Wait!”

Before Hyun-sung could say his rank and name, Kim Min-hyuk raised his hand and cut off Hyun-sung’s words.

This is where it starts.

Kim Min-hyuk will tell them to leave out their rank and name while receiving driving training because it’s noisy. But he didn’t know that it was a trap in his past life.

The price will be physical training from the start for the reason that military discipline is lacking even before driving training. When you think about it, it’s a really petty and childish method, but the important thing is that it’s Kim Min-hyuk’s training method.

As expected, the same words as in his past life came out of Kim Min-hyuk’s mouth as Hyun-sung expected.

“It’s noisy, so leave out your rank and name while receiving driving training with me. Do you understand?”

“Private Kim Hyun-sung, yes, I understand.”

“Private Kim Dong-soo, yes, I understand.”

He’s not a fool, so he won’t be fooled twice. Hyun-sung answered loudly with his rank and name as if to show off. Kim Dong-soo was the same. Kim Dong-soo also heard about it from Hyun-sung in advance, so he answered immediately.

“I clearly told you to leave out your rank and name. Does my word not sound like a word?”

Kim Min-hyuk was playing the role of an assistant instructor alone, even using honorifics.

But Hyun-sung already knew that even this was a line in the script. So, he immediately said the prepared answer loudly.