Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 485

“Don’t you see a vision?”

“What? A vision?”

“Yeah, a vision. No matter how hard you try…”

Lee Jung-woo’s words trailed off, but Hyun-sung no longer heard them. Or perhaps, he didn’t want to hear them.

That’s how meaningless the word ‘vision’ felt to him.

The first thing that comes to mind when you think of a civil servant is ‘iron rice bowl’ [guaranteed job security].

The biggest advantage of being a civil servant is stability.

As your years of service accumulate, your salary increases. Seniority is more important than ability.

In that environment, Lee Jung-woo suddenly talking about vision made it impossible for Hyun-sung to even consider the word.

When Lee Jung-woo finished speaking, Hyun-sung immediately asked.

“Hey, Lee Jung-woo. Aren’t you mistaken about something?”

“Mistaken?”

“Yeah, before that, let me ask you one thing. What comes to your mind when you think of a civil servant?”

“Well… service?”

The word that came out of Lee Jung-woo’s mouth after a moment of thought was ‘service’.

Hyun-sung momentarily covered his mouth, trying not to laugh.

Of course, it’s not a false statement. Perhaps there is no better word to describe a civil servant in a textbook.

But that’s only in textbooks, and very few people genuinely embrace the pure meaning of service.

But the important thing is that the word came out of Lee Jung-woo’s mouth.

He didn’t know what he meant by that word, though.

If so, the first thing to do is to find out what he means by the word ‘service’.

Hyun-sung immediately asked.

“What do you mean by service?”

“Low pay.”

“Low pay?”

“Yeah, honestly, civil servants’ salaries are the lowest compared to those in private companies, right?”

‘Phew!’

Hyun-sung breathed a sigh of relief inwardly.

When Lee Jung-woo first brought up the word service, he worried he might be thinking of the dictionary definition with a naive mindset. But after hearing his explanation, he was relieved that wasn’t the case.

If Lee Jung-woo was genuinely thinking of the dictionary definition of service at his age, Hyun-sung would have been at a loss for words.

“So, you’re saying you associate civil servants with service because the salary is low?”

Hyun-sung asked again, just in case.

Then Lee Jung-woo got annoyed and raised his voice.

“Of course! I may not have much social experience, but I’m not naive enough to think of civil servants as being all about selfless service.”

“Heh heh……”

Hyun-sung chuckled instead of answering.

Then Lee Jung-woo frowned and looked at Hyun-sung.

“You don’t think I’m…?”

“I’m sorry, honestly, it was fifty-fifty. I was wondering if you were. I’m glad you’re not.”

“You really… Huh!”

Lee Jung-woo started to say something, but he just let out a hollow laugh, dumbfounded.

Then Hyun-sung continued.

“Okay, let’s move on from that. As you said, it’s true that civil servants’ salaries are low compared to private companies. Of course, you knew that from the beginning, right?”

“Not from the beginning, but I found out while attending the academy [cram school for civil service exams]. That’s when I realized why they call civil servants a service job.”

Hyun-sung nodded lightly and continued.

“Okay, then there’s nothing more to discuss on that. So, what do you think is the best thing about being a civil servant?”

“The best thing? Well… I guess it’s the iron rice bowl? You won’t get fired.”

“That’s right, that’s what people usually say. That’s what stability is. That’s why so many young people prefer civil servant jobs despite the low pay, and you admit that, right?”

“Yeah, well……”

Lee Jung-woo answered, but he seemed hesitant, as if he was still not satisfied.

Looking at him, Hyun-sung asked again.

“Now, let’s get back to the main point. What do you mean when you say you don’t see a vision? Stability and vision, don’t you think that’s a contradiction?”

“Yeah, but I feel suffocated.”

“Suffocated? What are you talking about?”

“Well, what should I say… a sense of growth, or something like that.”

“Growth?”

“Yeah, I think it’s about the identity of being a civil servant. A feeling of staying in one place? Something like that.”

Hyun-sung nodded slowly.

He seemed to understand what Lee Jung-woo was talking about.

After thinking for a moment, Hyun-sung suddenly called Lee Jung-woo’s name, as if he had an idea.

“Jung-woo!”

“Yeah, why?”

“You said you were happy a little while ago, right? While preparing for the exam in Noryangjin [area in Seoul known for its exam prep academies].”

“Yeah, I was. But why?”

“Do you happen to……”

Hyun-sung stopped talking for a moment, considering his words carefully.

Hyun-sung carefully opened his mouth again.

“Do you happen to want to study again?”

“Study?”

“Yeah, I don’t think you can stay like this. You clearly said that you were happy back then.”

“So, you’re telling me to study again?”

“Yeah, why not? Isn’t it best to be happy? If you’re now…”

“Wait a minute!”

Lee Jung-woo raised his hand to stop Hyun-sung’s words. Then he picked up the soju [Korean distilled rice liquor] glass in front of him and downed it.

After a moment.

Lee Jung-woo slowly opened his mouth, as if he had sorted out his thoughts.

“What about my job?”

“Job? Of course, you keep it. I don’t think you need to quit. Wait, let’s check one more thing first. Are you having a hard time at work these days?”

“No, nothing like that. Honestly, I just have to do the work I’m given, so I’m not that busy.”

“Is there anyone who harasses you?”

“Harasses me?”

“Yeah, I mean a boss who harasses you. You know, there are always people like that at work, right?”

“No, there isn’t. I just have to do my job, so there’s not much interference.”

Snap!

Hyun-sung snapped his thumb and middle finger and immediately continued.

“Okay, that’s it. Let’s study for the 7th grade exam from now on.”

“7th grade?”

“Yeah, you said you felt suffocated a little while ago, right? I think it’s a disease. But fortunately, it seems that the disease isn’t always bad. I think you’re just cut out for studying.”

“Cut out for it? Could it be…?”

“What do you mean, could it be? You’re the type of guy who gets scary when you get hooked on something. So, you’re going to study after work from now on. How about it?”

“Huh? Well……”

Lee Jung-woo was silent again, as if he was thinking about something.

It was after a minute that he opened his mouth.

“What if I quit my job and focus on studying? If I’m going to do it anyway.”

“That’s not going to happen.”

“It’s not going to happen?”

“Yeah, you have to think about your mother. Don’t you remember how happy your mother was when you passed the exam? It doesn’t make sense to quit after two years.”

“Is that how it works…?”

“Of course. But for the next two years…”

Hyun-sung held up two fingers.

Then Lee Jung-woo immediately asked.

“Two years? What does that mean?”

“I’m saying let’s study for the next two years and then decide.”

“Does that mean…?”

“Yeah, honestly, the 7th grade exam is incomparably more difficult than the 9th grade exam. You have to study constitutional law and administrative law, as well as economics. There are many cases where people who graduate from a 4-year university and study for several more years still can’t pass.”

“So, you’re saying let’s see if it’s even possible first?”

“That’s right, it’s not that I’m underestimating you…”

“That’s enough, you.”

Lee Jung-woo raised his hand to stop Hyun-sung’s words. Then he immediately continued.

“If you were underestimating me, would you have even brought up the 7th grade in the first place? Right?”

“You know it. Actually, I didn’t bring up the 7th grade without thinking. Of course, it’s true that the 7th grade is difficult, but it’s not impossible to challenge. That’s only possible because it’s you.”

“Huh? Because it’s me? What are you talking about?”

Lee Jung-woo looked at Hyun-sung as if he didn’t understand what he was saying.

Then Hyun-sung’s answer immediately followed.

“You said you were happy, right? That’s why I told you to challenge the 7th grade exam. They say that those who enjoy what they do can’t be beaten by those who just work hard. I think you’re one of those people.”

In fact, when he first said that he didn’t see a vision, Hyun-sung thought it was just because he was young and immature.

Others are clamoring to get in, but he’s complaining.

But after talking to him, he realized that it wasn’t just that.

So, he thought about the 7th grade exam.

Of course, the exam is not easy at all. Moreover, it may be more difficult for Lee Jung-woo, who only graduated from high school. No, maybe it’s not just difficult, but even more than that.

But Hyun-sung judged that it wouldn’t be impossible to challenge, no matter how difficult it was.

That’s because it’s Lee Jung-woo, not someone else.

Anyway, it’s true that he passed the 9th grade exam after 5 years.

The important thing here is the process.

Lee Jung-woo clearly said that he was happy.

How many of the countless civil service aspirants are happy with the process? Maybe only a handful.

Lee Jung-woo is one of them.

The reason why Hyun-sung dared to tell him to challenge the 7th grade is because he enjoys the process.

Lee Jung-woo tilted his head and continued.

“Can I really do it?”

“You said you felt suffocated? And you said you didn’t see a vision? You said you didn’t like the stagnant feeling?”

“Yeah, but……”

“So, let’s do it. If you don’t see a vision, you can create one. Right?”

“……”

Lee Jung-woo was silent, as if he was thinking about something.

Then Hyun-sung immediately continued.

“It’s possible because it’s you. Honestly, it won’t be easy. But what’s clear is that you’ll be happy in the process, just like you were happy studying for the 9th grade for the past 5 years.”

“……”

“You may be scared, but don’t be afraid. I won’t leave you alone.”

“……”

Lee Jung-woo was still silent.

Pour, pour.

Hyun-sung placed two glasses side by side and filled them with soju.

Then Lee Jung-woo slowly picked up the soju glass and opened his mouth.

“I’ve been worrying about it so much that I’ve lost 5 kilograms [approximately 11 pounds], but I haven’t thought about creating a vision. But after listening to you, I think I might be able to create that vision. So…”

Lee Jung-woo stopped talking and seemed to think for a moment, then continued.

“I’m going to try it. Honestly, this is ridiculous, but I’m going to challenge it again.”

“Yeah, you thought it through. You can do it well enough, even if someone else couldn’t.”

“Hyun-sung, let’s toast.”

“Okay. To Lee Jung-woo’s wonderful challenge!”

Clink.

The two people’s glasses collided powerfully in the air.

How much time has passed?

Lee Jung-woo suddenly called Hyun-sung’s name.

“Hey, Kim Hyun-sung~~”

Lee Jung-woo’s words trailed off, as if he was drunk. Then he continued.

“Seriously, where else would you find a guy who comes running at the speed of light with just one phone call in the middle of the night?”

“Because it’s you.”

“That again?”

“I’m not kidding, I’m running because it’s you. It’ll be the same in the future. So, call me right away if anything happens in the future. Don’t worry alone like this time, losing 5 kilograms.”

It’s Lee Jung-woo, not someone else.

He’s the guy who willingly gave me the money he earned from running the supermarket with difficulty in his previous life, even emptying his savings account. What can’t I do for such a friend?

The two fell asleep only after drinking two more bottles of soju.

The next morning.

The two headed to a hangover soup restaurant next to the Hwacheon Terminal.

“Two pork hangover soups!”

Lee Jung-woo’s voice was full of energy.

Hyun-sung smiled at the sight and continued.

“You’re alive again?”

“Of course. My friend came all the way from afar for a consolation performance. By the way, don’t you have to go to the restaurant early?”

“I called and said I’d be a little late. I’ll eat hangover soup, take you to the county office, stop by somewhere for a while, and then leave.”

“Stop by somewhere?”

“Yeah, it’ll be a quick stop. Hey, the hangover soup is here, let’s eat.”

The two began to eat hangover soup as if they had promised.

After a while.

The two stood facing each other in front of the Hwacheon County Office.

Lee Jung-woo gestured and said.

“Hey, you’re going to be too late, go quickly.”

“Okay, I got it. I’ll watch you go in and leave right away, so go in quickly.”

“Okay, then I’m going in. And thank you. Thanks to you, I’m alive again.”

“Don’t say useless things and go in quickly.”

Hyun-sung smiled and gestured.

Then Lee Jung-woo nodded that he understood and disappeared into the county office.

After a while.

As soon as Lee Jung-woo completely disappeared from sight, Hyun-sung got into the truck. Then he immediately turned the car around and headed towards the city.

After driving for about 10 minutes.

Hyun-sung stopped the truck and entered a shopping district. It was none other than a bookstore.