Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 483

A few days later.

Hyun-sung’s second-floor office.

Knock, knock.

The person who opened the office door and entered was Vice President Kim Il-soo.

“Did you call for me, Mr. President?”

“Oh, come on in. And let’s speak casually since it’s just the two of us. Anyway, thanks for your hard work over the past four months.”

“I just did what I always do. You’re the one who worked hard. By the way, is the hospital building finally completed?”

“Yeah, our work is done as of today. From tomorrow, the hospital will take over and start the interior construction.”

Fortunately, all the construction was completed in four months, two months ahead of schedule. From now on, the hospital will handle the interior construction, and the hospital will open no later than the end of October.

“So, a hospital is finally coming to our neighborhood?”

“That’s right. Unless it’s a very serious illness, we won’t have to go all the way to Wonju. Especially since a Korean medicine clinic [a clinic that practices traditional Korean medicine] is opening, it will be a great help to the elderly in the neighborhood.”

“Still, it’s really amazing. How did you think of attracting a hospital to this rural area?”

“Because it’s most needed.”

“Of course, I know that. But it’s something no one even dared to think about. No, it’s not something you can do just because you want to. Anyway, you’re really admirable, even though you’re my friend.”

When Hyun-sung first said he was going to build a hospital building, not many people believed it would become a reality.

Of course, building a building is possible with money, but the question was who would come down to this rural area to open a hospital.

However, that doubt was completely resolved in just two weeks.

A banner was hung right at the entrance of the village.

-Confirmed occupancy of 8 hospitals.

He attempted something no one had thought of and achieved the results in just two weeks.

But what was surprising was that it wasn’t all.

When the hospital building was first started, the completion date was the end of November.

However, a variable occurred in the middle. Department Head Yoo Min-chul and Hyun-sung were simultaneously dedicated to the construction.

As a result, the construction was shortened by two months, and from tomorrow, the hospital’s interior construction will begin in earnest.

So, how can you not say it’s amazing?

Hyun-sung’s answer followed.

“Actually, I didn’t do it alone. Everyone worked hard together. Department Head Yoo, of course, and you, the vice president, and Manager Han.”

“Anyway, I think you worked the hardest. Honestly, what president would jump into construction and carry bricks like that? And not just for a day or two, but for four months. So, I was wondering if there was any special reason for that?”

“Special reason?”

“Yeah, right. Honestly, otherwise, you didn’t have to be so enthusiastic. It’s not like anything big would happen if the hospital opened two months late.”

Honestly, it was a part that I couldn’t understand even while watching.

Anyway, it’s a village that hasn’t had a hospital until now. So, just the fact that a hospital is coming is a big deal.

But Hyun-sung wasn’t satisfied with that and jumped into the construction himself, shortening the construction period by two months.

I didn’t think there was any need to overdo it like that.

So, I’m asking the reason now.

Hyun-sung’s reply immediately followed.

“There’s only one reason.”

“One? What is it?”

“I wanted the townspeople to get medical treatment as soon as possible. There were other reasons, but that was the biggest reason.”

That’s the truth.

Of course, there was also the issue of the lease period for Minjung Korean Medicine Clinic, but more than that, I wanted the townspeople to get treatment as soon as possible.

When there wasn’t one at all, it couldn’t be helped, but once the hospital was decided to come in, I wanted to open the hospital as soon as possible.

I thought that was the best for the townspeople.

The most inconvenient thing in my past life was the hospital problem.

The only medical institution was the public health center. As a result, medical activities were limited. And that inconvenience was entirely the responsibility of the townspeople.

Hyun-sung knew too well that the reality of not being able to go to the hospital even when you’re sick is a pain that only sick people feel.

Kim Il-soo nodded and continued.

“Anyway, you’re really amazing. Oh! Grandma said thank you.”

“Why did Grandma say that?”

“She said she was able to go to the Korean medicine clinic and get acupuncture thanks to you. She said her back has been hurting a little again these days.”

Pfft.

Hyun-sung nodded slightly with a smile instead of answering.

This is exactly what I wanted. Because I know that the people who need the hospital the most are the elderly.

It’s not just Kim Il-soo’s grandmother. More than 50 or 60% of the townspeople will rush to the Korean medicine clinic as soon as it opens.

That means the proportion of elderly people is high.

And the important thing is that Kim Min-jung, the director of the Korean medicine clinic, has excellent acupuncture skills. There couldn’t be anything better for the elderly in the countryside.

Kim Il-soo asked again.

“Oh, the reason you called me……?”

“I called you because of the employee issues we talked about last time. I was wondering if there were any problems or difficulties among the employees.”

“There wasn’t anything special. I did a survey of all employees a month ago, and there wasn’t anything special. Honestly, it wouldn’t make sense if there were any complaints. Don’t you think?”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

“Honestly, what company is as devoted to employee welfare as our restaurant? The president takes care of things before the employees even say anything.”

“Well, I don’t know. Maybe we’re missing something. Anyway, I, as the vice president, am responsible for employee issues and always pay attention.”

“Oh, okay. I understand. I’m always paying attention through the anonymous employee voice box. If there are any requests or anything happens, I’ll report it right away, so don’t worry.”

Now there are 2,300 employees. That’s why I couldn’t help but worry. So, I called Kim Il-soo to confirm.

Hyun-sung brought up another topic.

“Have you talked to Jung-woo lately?”

“Huh? Why? Is something wrong with Jung-woo?”

“No, it’s not that. I’ve been busy with the hospital building lately, so I haven’t been able to talk to him for about four months. So, I was just wondering.”

“Well, it’s been over a month since I talked to Jung-woo. No news is good news, so I’m sure everything is fine.”

“I guess so…….”

Hyun-sung nodded slowly. Even so, the fact that he felt uneasy was true.

It was because of the dream he had last night.

It was the first time.

He had seen him in his dreams before, but not like that.

He was crying alone in a dark room. That’s why he was 신경 쓰였던 [bothered] all day.

An hour later.

Hyun-sung left Kim Il-soo and 퇴근 [left work] home.

He had been working all day, so he should have been tired, but he couldn’t rest comfortably and was pacing around the living room.

After a while.

Hyun-sung, who had been pacing around, couldn’t help but sit down in front of the phone.

Then he immediately made a call.

-…… Hello.

Lee Jung-woo’s voice was heard from the other side of the receiver, a beat late.

Was it just his imagination? He thought his voice sounded weak today. But he pretended not to notice, judging that it was too early to show it, and continued to speak as usual.

“It’s me. What are you doing?”

-Huh? Who is this? It’s my friend, President Kim Hyun-sung?

Hyun-sung immediately tilted his head. Even at first glance, the reaction was too different from usual.

“What’s wrong? Did you drink?”

-You son of a b*tch, you’re a ghost. I can’t fool you. I just drank a little. Haa…….

A sound of exhaling was heard at the end of the sentence. But he could immediately tell that it wasn’t just a long breath.

“Hey, Lee Jung-woo. Since when have you been smoking?”

-Huh? You son of a b*tch, you’re really a ghost. Anyway…… that’s how it happened living alone.

Of course, smoking is not a big deal. But the problem is that he didn’t smoke until the last time I saw him 6 months ago.

That means he must have had a lot on his mind during that time. But that doesn’t mean I’m in a position to tell a grown man not to smoke.

“Stop smoking so much. Your bones will rot.”

-Huh? What’s going on? I thought you were going to give me a lecture?

“Hey, I’m not your mother-in-law, why would I lecture you? You’re a grown man, so you can smoke if you want.”

He said that, but it would be a lie if he said he wasn’t worried.

And the important thing is that this guy didn’t smoke in his past life.

If there’s anything different from his past life, it’s that he became a civil servant. So, I thought there might be a problem with his civil servant life.

That’s when it happened.

A strange sound was heard from the other side of the receiver.

-Thank you!

“Huh? …….”

For a moment, he was speechless. But Hyun-sung immediately 정신을 차린 [collected himself] and asked as if nothing was wrong.

“Why are you suddenly saying that? What are you thankful for?”

-Just everything…….

He was definitely different from usual.

In the end, the reason must be alcohol.

“Did you drink a lot?”

-I drank a little by accident. But Hyun-sung…… Ah, it’s nothing.

Lee Jung-woo stopped talking.

Hyun-sung couldn’t have known that.

“Hey, what’s wrong? Why are you stopping in the middle of your sentence?”

-It’s nothing.

“Don’t lie. Do I not know you? What’s wrong? Don’t worry me and tell me.”

-I told you it’s nothing.

“You son of a b*tch, are you really going to do this?”

Hyun-sung couldn’t help but raise his voice. He could tell that something was wrong, but he said that nothing was wrong, so he couldn’t help but worry.

That’s when it happened.

Lee Jung-woo’s voice was heard softly from the other side of the receiver.

-…… It hurts a little…….

“What? Where? A lot?”

-No. It’s not that bad. So…….

“Hey, should I go now?”

-You crazy bastard. Do you know where this is and you’re saying you’re going to come? Don’t do that…….

Lee Jung-woo’s voice continued to be heard, but Hyun-sung kept thinking about the image of him he saw in his dream last night.

Then, at some point, Hyun-sung urgently called Lee Jung-woo.

“Jung-woo, wait. I’m leaving right now.”

-What? Hey, are you crazy? You’re saying you’re coming to a place like this? Hey, hey, hello. Hello…….

Lee Jung-woo shouted loudly, but no more sound was heard from the other side of the receiver.

The phone had already been hung up.

Lee Jung-woo was just dumbfounded.

This place is Hwacheon, Gangwon-do. It’s more than 100 kilometers away from where Hyun-sung is. Even if he comes as soon as possible, it will take at least two and a half hours. That means the road conditions are not good. Moreover, it’s late at night.

Lee Jung-woo slowly put down the empty receiver and looked at the clock on the wall.

Meanwhile, Hyun-sung, who had hung up the phone, immediately left the house and got into the truck. Then he stepped on the accelerator towards Hwacheon.

Vroom!

The truck carrying Hyun-sung disappeared into the darkness in an instant.

Two hours later.

Hyun-sung, who arrived at a residential area near the Hwacheon County Office, parked the truck and headed to a studio apartment.

Ding-dong, ding-dong.

Bang.

The front door opened as soon as Hyun-sung rang the bell. Of course, Lee Jung-woo was standing at the entrance.

Lee Jung-woo was the first to speak.

“Hey, you crazy bastard.”

“You son of a b*tch, how have you been?”

“Hey, why did you come running here at this hour?”

“Hey, be quiet. You’ll wake up the neighbors. Let’s go in first. Let’s go in and eat this.”

Hyun-sung had 족발 [jokbal, pig’s feet] in one hand.

As soon as Hyun-sung sat down, Lee Jung-woo glared at Hyun-sung with angry eyes and continued to speak.

“Are you really going to do this? Why did you come running here at this hour?”

“Hey, stop it. It’s over anyway.”

“You son of a b*tch, if you do that, 사…… [사고, an accident] .”

Lee Jung-woo stopped talking and covered his mouth. He couldn’t bring himself to say that an accident could happen.

In fact, the two hours after hanging up the phone felt like waiting 20 years. That’s how long that time felt.

“Hey, let’s have a drink.”

Hyun-sung poured soju [Korean distilled spirit] into two glasses and then lifted the glass.

Then Lee Jung-woo, who was watching the scene, picked up the soju glass in front of him as if he couldn’t help it. Then he 피식 [smiled wryly] laughed and continued to speak.

“Okay, let’s drink. Let’s drink. I won’t be able to live to my full potential because of you. Cheers.”

Clink.

The two people’s glasses met in the air and made a cheerful sound.

Hyun-sung, who emptied his glass, asked first.

“Hey, why are you so skinny?”

Hyun-sung was so surprised by the appearance that was so different from 6 months ago. It wasn’t this bad back then. He seemed to have lost at least 5 kilos.

“I’m dieting these days.”

“You crazy…… What diet are you on with that body? Is something wrong with you?”

“What’s wrong…….”

“You know I’m a ghost, right? I don’t know about other things, but about you…….”

“Hyun-sung!”

Before Hyun-sung could finish speaking, Lee Jung-woo called his name. But Lee Jung-woo’s expression was unusual.

Hyun-sung could tell right away when he saw that.

That something had happened during that time.

Squeak.

Hyun-sung poured soju into his empty glass instead of speaking.

He judged that it would be better to wait for his words for a while rather than urge him now.

That’s when it happened.