Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 488

“Pardon? What does that mean…?”

Park Beom-soo was so taken aback that he was speechless.

Everyone around him knew that he was twenty-seven years old. Everyone knew he was running the biggest restaurant in Korea at such a young age.

But the problem was, why was Hyun-sung suddenly asking about his age?

What could be the reason…?

He couldn’t possibly tell him his real age if asked, so Park Beom-soo couldn’t help but feel embarrassed.

But then, absurd words came out of Hyun-sung’s mouth again.

“I’ve lived for over 50 years too.”

“……”

What could he say?

Park Beom-soo simply stared at him silently.

Then, Hyun-sung’s lips seemed to twist slightly before he opened his mouth.

“Why? You don’t believe me, do you?”

“President, why are you suddenly like this? Of course, I know I did something wrong, but to do it that way…”

“Haha, hahahaha…”

Hyun-sung started laughing loudly before Park Beom-soo could even finish his sentence. But his laughter seemed more like teasing.

It was only after some time that he opened his mouth again.

“I’m sorry. I just said some nonsense for a moment.”

Hyun-sung wiped his mouth with one hand.

Of course, it wasn’t nonsense. He had lived to be 51 years old in his previous life before returning to 18. But he couldn’t reveal that fact now.

He just said it to tease Park Beom-soo for a moment. It was a petty revenge to repay the teasing he had suffered from Park Beom-soo.

Hyun-sung continued.

“I was a little embarrassed by your actions earlier, Hyung-nim [older brother or respected male acquaintance]. So, don’t worry about it, as I was just trying to get back at you in a small way. So, Hyung-nim, please don’t play such pranks in the future. Honestly, I never expected the words ‘career break’ to come out in that situation.”

It was true.

He never expected those words to come out at that moment. He was dumbfounded at how such words could come out when he was giving him another chance for his sake, of all things.

Of course, he later found out that it was a deliberate act. But he was indeed dumbfounded at that moment.

Park Beom-soo nodded as if he understood, and then continued.

“I apologize for that as well. But I was genuinely impressed by your answer at that time. I wondered how you could give such an answer in that situation. If I were in your shoes, I wouldn’t have been able to answer that way. I would have told you to quit on the spot.”

“That was my honest answer.”

“That’s what I mean. That’s why I’m impressed. How could you say such things even in that situation? So, I’m asking you the reason. Why would you give me such a chance?”

Park Beom-soo’s expression was quite serious. He was genuinely curious about the reason at this moment. How could Hyun-sung maintain such a calm demeanor even in that situation?

Hyun-sung, knowing Park Beom-soo’s feelings, opened his mouth with a serious expression.

“I made a promise.”

“Did you say a promise just now?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“If it’s a promise, could it be my…?”

One person flashed through Park Beom-soo’s mind. It was his father.

Because there was no one else besides his father who would have made such a promise with Hyun-sung.

“Well, if you’re thinking of your father, you’re right. When you first came to Korea from Japan, I made a promise with your father.”

It was when Hyun-sung was in the military. Park Hee-cheol came to visit him one Sunday.

It was probably about three months after Park Beom-soo returned to Korea from Japan. At that time, Park Hee-cheol asked him to take care of Park Beom-soo in the future.

But Park Hee-cheol’s appearance when he said that was full of earnestness. It probably meant that he was very worried about Park Beom-soo.

So, Hyun-sung said that he understood at that time. He said that he would spare no effort to help him establish himself properly in Korea in any way.

Park Beom-soo nodded and continued.

“So, it was all because of my father?”

“To be honest, yes. Your father came to see me in the military at that time and asked me to take care of you. Of course, I said I would do it at your father’s request.”

“I see…”

Park Beom-soo nodded as if he finally understood.

He thought it was strange.

Of course, he had mentioned the Japanese language instructor position from the beginning when he started working at the restaurant. He said that he would discuss it again later if there was an opportunity.

But Hyun-sung’s attitude a little while ago was surprising. All the conditions were for his benefit. He even said that he wouldn’t let his career be interrupted. So, he thought it was strange and asked the reason.

Hyun-sung continued.

“That’s not all.”

“Pardon? You mean that’s not all?”

“Yes, of course, I made a promise with your father, but that doesn’t mean I was going to give you all those opportunities because of that.”

“Pardon? Then there’s another reason?”

Park Beom-soo tilted his head and looked at Hyun-sung.

Of course, he thought it was all because of his father. He knew about the special relationship between his father and Hyun-sung.

But suddenly he said that wasn’t all, so Park Beom-soo couldn’t help but wonder about the reason.

Park Beom-soo asked out of curiosity.

“Could you please tell me what that other reason is?”

“It’s because of you, Hyung-nim.”

“Pardon? Me? What did I…?”

Park Beom-soo couldn’t help but be surprised. He never thought that the other reason would be himself.

Hyun-sung’s answer followed immediately.

“I know how you’ve been working all this time. In just a few months, it will be three years since you started working at the restaurant.”

“That’s true, but…”

“During that time, you’ve never been absent or even late once.”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

As a working person, he thought that was obvious, so he tried to keep it thoroughly. He even came to work without resting when he was sick.

“How many restaurant employees do you think have never been absent or late?”

“Pardon? I don’t know that well…”

“Only ten people. Ten out of 500 people. You’re one of them.”

“Oh, is that so? There were only that many. But what does that have to do with it?”

“Of course, it does. How can that be ignored in a workplace?”

“But isn’t that already compensated with a special bonus at the end of the year? That’s what the president said in front of all the employees.”

That’s right. That part had already been compensated with a special bonus at the end of the year. It was because he thought it was natural to reward those who were so diligent.

“But you were special among them.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you may or may not remember, but you came in to work during last year’s summer vacation because another colleague was sick.”

“That’s…”

Park Beom-soo nodded.

He suddenly received a call during his summer vacation. One of his colleagues had suddenly gotten sick and was absent.

In a restaurant, if one person is missing, someone else has to fill that spot.

But that day, there were many lunch reservations, so the absence of that one person was bound to be significant. So, knowing the situation, he went out as soon as he received the call.

“The person who called that day was a total of five people. Of course, the other people had circumstances, but anyway, you were the only one who came out immediately after receiving the call that day. You showed that much passion for the restaurant work. I was impressed by that again.”

Last year, he received that report from Vice President Kim Il-soo and looked at Park Beom-soo again. He couldn’t help but be surprised by the sight of him working in place of someone else when he was sick, as well as when others were sick.

In fact, he wasn’t completely free of anxiety when he first started working at the restaurant.

He had left Korea at a young age and lived in Japan for so long, so he was honestly worried about whether he would properly adapt to life in Korea.

But he realized that all of that was Hyun-sung’s own wrong prejudice. He was working at the restaurant more diligently and passionately than anyone else.

In fact, that was the reason why he recommended the instructor position this time. And even if he were to give lectures, he was planning to calculate the experience he had worked so far into his salary.

Hyun-sung continued.

“Is that enough of a reason now?”

“I’m ashamed to hear you say that. I was just doing what I had to do.”

“Now I can honestly tell you everything. To be honest, my father’s influence was there at first. But it’s different now. Now, it’s not my father’s influence, but you yourself have created your own place.”

“My place?”

“Yes, the head chef said so. He said that he doesn’t know if other people are missing, but if you’re missing, the vacancy is quickly noticeable.”

Park Beom-soo just scratched his head and said nothing.

Then Hyun-sung’s words continued immediately.

“Now you can have pride.”

“Pride?”

“Yes, you’re not the same as before. You’re a completely different person from when you first came over from Japan.”

“It’s all thanks to you, President. To be honest, when I first came to Korea 6 years ago, I was in the dark. You’ve been by my side from then until now. Thanks to you, I was able to come this far.”

Indeed, it was a situation where he couldn’t see ahead at that time.

The person who appeared in front of him at that time was Hyun-sung, who was in front of him now. Of course, he only found out later that he also had his father’s request.

But what was important was that he was able to start cooking thanks to that, and he was able to come to this position thanks to that.

Park Beom-soo bowed his head and continued.

“Although it’s late, I’d like to say thank you now. I was really grateful. Thanks to you, President, I was able to stand up straight.”

“I’m the one who’s grateful. That you’ve found your place so confidently.”

Hyun-sung also felt sincerely grateful.

It wasn’t that there weren’t any twists and turns during that time, but he was finding his place so confidently.

Park Beom-soo’s words continued.

“I will follow your will, President. Of course, it won’t be easy, but I’ll try again. I will teach Japanese to the students.”

“You’ve thought well. Of course, it won’t be easy, but that work will be as valuable as cooking. I hope this opportunity will be a good experience in your life.”

“Yes, I understand. I don’t know what the results will be later, but I’ll do my best for now. Anyway, thank you for giving me a good opportunity.”

Park Beom-soo bowed his head to Hyun-sung once again.

“Hyung-nim, the academy will start in March next year. I hope it will be a good time for the children in the village and for you as well. In that sense, let’s shake hands.”

Hyun-sung reached out his hand to Park Beom-soo.

Then Park Beom-soo quickly grabbed Hyun-sung’s hand and continued.

“Yes, President. I will never disappoint you.”

“Please, fighting!” [A Korean expression of encouragement, like ‘Good luck!’ or ‘Do your best!’]

The two shook their hands vigorously.

***

About two hours after Park Beom-soo left.

Ring!

Hyun-sung quickly answered the phone.

“Hello.”

-Kim President, it’s me.

The person who called was Park Hee-cheol.

“Oh? Father, what brings you here at this late hour?”

-I heard about it from Beom-soo a little while ago.

“About? What…”

-The academy instructor story. The story that he will be running the academy from next spring. But our Beom-soo there…

Park Hee-cheol’s words became longer.

The words were long, but the core was one: Thank you for giving me a new opportunity.

But that new opportunity may be an opportunity to heal his son’s difficult memories.

Hyun-sung asked immediately.

“Did you say heal just now?”

-Yes, as you know, Beom-soo didn’t have many good memories while living in Japan for 20 years. But this opportunity may be able to heal that pain. Because the Japanese life he learned for 20 years will help him teach the children.

“Ah, that could be true. I didn’t even think about that.”

Hyun-sung also didn’t think that far.

Perhaps Park Hee-cheol’s words were correct. In fact, Park Beom-soo said that he didn’t have good memories while living in Japan for 20 years. Moreover, he had even gone bankrupt, so how could he not have been?

But even now, if he teaches students based on his life there, the life he spent there may not be a waste, so he thought that could be the case.

But!

Hyun-sung momentarily had another thought. It was the opposite case. He was thinking that he might be digging up painful memories again.

Hyun-sung asked immediately.

“Father, by any chance, did Hyung-nim have anything else to say?”

-Anything else?

“Yes, this is just my opinion, but by any chance…”

Hyun-sung began to explain the opposite case that might happen. When Hyun-sung’s explanation was over, Park Hee-cheol’s voice was heard from the other side of the receiver.

-Don’t worry about that.

“What do you mean?”

-Our Beom-soo had already told me about that part. He said that he would be able to get rid of all those painful memories this time.

“Is that really true?”

-That’s right. So don’t worry about that issue.

“If that’s the case, that’s a relief. Anyway, it’s really good that Hyung-nim has changed so much that he can’t be compared to the past.”

-Isn’t that all thanks to Kim President? Anyway, thank you always. And…

Park Hee-cheol continued to talk for a long time before hanging up the phone.

“Hoo!”

Hyun-sung, who hung up the phone, sighed in relief. Anyway, it was a relief that Park Beom-soo, the person involved, thought so.

It was the moment when another person’s life was properly settled.