Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 490

The two men sat facing each other.

“What are you going to do?”

Han Seok-ho, the office manager, was the first to speak.

Kim Min-joong, the director, shook his head slightly and replied,

“Well, I’m still thinking about it. Honestly, I don’t know what choice would be better right now.”

A few days ago, he received a proposal from Hyunseong.

It was to create a Korean medicine clinic complex here. He said he was seeking prior consent.

He said that if he didn’t agree, he would drop the idea. That’s how much he would respect his decision.

The problem is that the pressure is enormous.

If he were forced to do it, the pressure would be less. But instead, he’s leaving all the decisions up to him, so the pressure feels even greater.

‘What decision should I make?’

After a moment of thought, Kim Min-joong turned to Han Seok-ho and spoke again.

“What do you think about this medical complex project, Manager Han?”

“Fifty-fifty.”

“Fifty-fifty?”

“Yes, I have expectations, but I’m also worried. If there are several Korean medicine clinics gathered together, there will be healthy competition, which will improve the quality of medical care. But on the other hand, I’m worried about excessive competition leading to losses.”

Han Seok-ho took a breath and continued.

“Like in Gyeongdong Market. But the good thing is that there were 100 clinics in Gyeongdong Market, but here there will only be ten at most, so it won’t be that bad. Anyway, I think there are pros and cons.”

“There are pros and cons? Hmm… I see. Then, do you think there will be enough patients?”

“As CEO Kim said, I think medical tourism will be enough. We can target people all over the country. I’m confident in that area. And a significant number of people came to our clinic when we were in Seoul. You don’t have to worry too much about the number of patients.”

“Did you bring all the lists of those people?”

“Of course. It’s the lifeline of our clinic.”

Han Seok-ho nodded in response.

The first thing he secured when he moved here from Seoul was the list of patients, from Seoul and the metropolitan area to patients in the provinces.

It was a preparation for the worst.

But he hasn’t contacted them yet. The patients here are enough for now. Han Seok-ho judged that if he contacted them, at least 1/3 of them would come.

Kim Min-joong tilted his head and asked slyly.

“Do you think those people will come all the way here?”

“Yes, they will.”

“No, how can you be so sure?”

“It’s because of your excellent acupuncture skills, Director. Wasn’t it thanks to your acupuncture skills that we were able to persevere among so many Korean medicine clinics in Gyeongdong Market? So, of course, those people will come if we contact them. Of course, not all of them, but I think 1/3 will come.”

A smile spread across Kim Min-joong’s face. More than anything, he was grateful that the person next to him believed in him so much.

“Thank you. I’m glad you believe in me that much, Manager.”

“Thank you? Honestly, it’s an honor for me to serve such a director.”

“Haha, don’t mention honor…”

Kim Min-joong smiled lightly and continued.

“So, in the end, our clinic doesn’t have to worry about patients, right?”

“Yes, there’s no need to worry about that. We persevered among 100 clinics, so 10 clinics won’t be a problem. So, don’t worry about that.”

“Yes, I understand. Then, the only problem is to prevent excessive competition, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. We can’t have a situation like in Seoul where we can’t even rest on Sundays.”

“So, if that problem is solved, you’re in favor of additional hospitals coming in, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Han Seok-ho nodded.

There would be positive effects if several hospitals were gathered together rather than just one. And if medical tourism starts, there will be enough patients.

Han Seok-ho judged that there would be more advantages than disadvantages.

*Thump.*

Kim Min-joong slammed the table as if he had made up his mind and stood up abruptly from his seat.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes? Where are we going?”

“To CEO Kim. Let’s go and tell him our intentions. Now that things have come to this, we should start as soon as possible.”

“Please go alone. I have things to take care of [정리할 to do]. And I don’t think I belong in that meeting [자리].”

“No, what are you talking about? We’re a team, aren’t we?”

“Thank you for your kind words. But I think it’s overstepping my authority [월권] for me to go to that meeting [자리] today.”

Han Seok-ho bowed his head lightly. It was a sign of gratitude.

He was just grateful that he listened to his opinion.

But he politely declined [정중히 거절했다] because he thought it was overstepping his authority [월권] to go there himself.

Kim Min-joong asked again.

“Are you really not going?”

“I’m sorry, but I know my position well. Please go alone today. And also, my wife asked me to thank you for giving us a nice house.”

“Oh, really? I’m glad she likes the house. I hope you’ll be happy there.”

“My wife is counting down the days until spring.”

“Spring? Why?”

“Because of the garden. My wife’s dream was to have a garden.”

“Oh, really? Then I’m very glad.”

“Then please go. I’ll be organizing some lists [명부] in my office. I’ll make sure to be fully prepared.”

After exchanging a few more words, Kim Min-joong left the office and headed to Hyunseong’s house.

At that time.

Hyunseong was on the phone with Chairman Shin Chun-oh in Seoul.

“So, you’re saying that Chairman will be in charge of Chinese characters and Director Choi Jin-young will be in charge of Korean?”

“That’s right. I couldn’t help it. I’m too old to be in charge of both subjects.”

Hyunseong nodded as he listened to Chairman Shin Chun-oh’s story.

In fact, it was a problem he had expected to some extent. He thought it would be difficult for him to lecture on two subjects at that age.

But Chairman Shin Chun-oh hadn’t said anything, so he had just been there until now.

He was relieved that Director Choi Jin-young would be replacing him now.

Hyunseong continued.

“Yes, I understand. Anyway, you must have had a hard time because of that problem.”

“Honestly, I did. But I couldn’t do anything because it was something I had promised. So I had no choice but to ask Director Choi. But fortunately, Director Choi’s childhood dream was to be a teacher. So it’s actually a good thing.”

“Oh, really? Then I’m very glad.”

“I think so too. I’m glad that Director Choi got to fulfill his dream that way.”

“So when are you planning to come down?”

“I’m planning to start in March, so I’m planning to come down in mid-February. I’m going to go and get used to it in advance. But I have one worry.”

Hyunseong tilted his head at the word worry. It was something that had been planned for several years. But why is he suddenly worried now?

“Chairman, what are you worried about?”

“It’s because of you.”

“Yes? Me? What’s wrong with me…?”

“I’m worried that I might be a nuisance to you in my old age. If I’m by your side, I’ll keep bothering you.”

“No, why do you think that? And it’s not like you’re the type to bother anyone. So don’t even think about it…”

“CEO Kim!”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh suddenly called out to Hyunseong.

Hyunseong stopped talking and immediately replied.

“Yes, Chairman. What is it?”

“I have something to tell you in advance.”

“Yes? Ah, yes. Please tell me.”

Hyunseong was slightly surprised by Chairman Shin Chun-oh’s sudden attitude, but he quickly gathered his wits [정신을 차린 다음] and replied.

But then he heard a strange sound over the receiver.

“I’ll only be there for three years.”

“Yes? What do you mean?”

It was the first time Hyunseong had heard of this. He had never heard of it before.

Hyunseong asked again out of curiosity.

“Chairman, what are you suddenly talking about?”

“It’s not sudden, it’s a decision I’ve made after careful consideration [고민]. So please know that.”

“Is there any reason?”

“I’ll be 70 in three years. By then, I’ll be slowly preparing…”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh’s words ended there.

But Hyunseong immediately understood what Chairman Shin Chun-oh was saying. He was preparing for the end of his life.

People never know what the future holds.

That’s why Chairman Shin Chun-oh is thinking about the end now.

But who is Hyunseong? Isn’t he a person who has already lived in the future?

In the end, Hyunseong knows Chairman Shin Chun-oh’s future.

Was that why?

At some point, a smile was spreading across Hyunseong’s face.

He switched the receiver and opened his mouth.

“Chairman, it’s still a long way off.”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh was clearly alive when he regressed. That means that Chairman Shin Chun-oh has at least 25 years left.

But that’s just Hyunseong’s judgment, who knows the future.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh didn’t know what he was talking about when he heard those words.

“Still a long way off? Are you talking to me right now?”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“What’s a long way off?”

“The final destination. Didn’t you say earlier that you were preparing in advance? I’m talking about that final destination.”

“…”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh had nothing to say.

He knows the meaning of the final destination that Hyunseong is talking about now. But what he can’t understand is the time. He clearly said it was still a long way off.

‘A long way off?’

Doesn’t that mean that he still has a long way to go before he dies?

Chairman Shin Chun-oh regained his composure [정신을 차린] and again opened his mouth.

“Hey, CEO Kim. About that word… what does that long way off mean?”

“It means that you still have a long way to go, Chairman.”

“Huh, I’ll be… [허, 이거야 원…]”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh was at a loss for words.

No matter how he thought about it, he just couldn’t understand the situation. What is the basis for saying such a thing?

At that time, Hyunseong’s voice was heard again.

“You have at least 25 years left.”

“25 years?”

“Yes, Chairman. So you shouldn’t say things like ‘wrapping things up’ [정리] anymore.”

“Maybe…”

Suddenly, Chairman Shin Chun-oh’s mind flashed back to a memory from the past. It was a prophetic dream [예지몽].

It was what he had said when he first met him. He said he had the ability to have prophetic dreams [예지몽]. That’s why he knew about the launch of Shin Ramyun in advance.

“Did you have a prophetic dream [예지몽]?”

“A prophetic dream [예지몽]?”

“Yes, didn’t you say that you have the ability to have prophetic dreams [예지몽]? That’s why you’re telling me that I have at least 25 years left.”

“Ah, that.”

Hyunseong finally understood what Chairman Shin Chun-oh was talking about.

“Yes, that’s right. I had a dream a while ago. But you, Chairman…”

Hyunseong started to tell a ridiculous lie.

Of course, it doesn’t make sense, but one thing was certain. That was that he would have nothing to do with death for at least the next 25 years.

As soon as Hyunseong finished speaking, Chairman Shin Chun-oh asked immediately.

“Is that true?”

“Yes, Chairman. It’s 100% true. You already know about my prophetic dream [예지몽] ability, don’t you? So don’t worry about anything…”

“CEO Kim!”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh cut off Hyunseong’s words. Then he asked again.

“I’ll ask again. Is that all true?”

“Yes, Chairman, it’s true. It’s 100% true without a single lie.”

“Huh… [허…]”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh was speechless and remained silent for a long time.

It was a long time before he picked up the receiver again.

“25 years?”

“25 years is not the end. What I saw in my dream was that you were healthy even after 25 years.”

“That means?”

“That means you can live well over 100 years. So don’t worry about anything and teach our children Chinese characters and etiquette.”

“Let’s decide on this after I go down there. Honestly, I’m a little out of it [정신이 좀 없네] right now.”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh was honestly in a situation where it was difficult to collect his thoughts [정신을 차리기가 힘든].

Of course, he knows that Hyunseong has a special ability. But even so, it was still strange to hear such a story and believe it as it is.

But if he doesn’t believe it, he can’t because of the ability he has shown so far. Anyway, he can’t do anything about it right now.

“Yes, I understand. Then I’ll listen to the details when you come down.”

“Okay, I understand.”

“Yes, then I’ll see you then.”

A smile spread across Hyunseong’s face after he hung up the phone.

It was then.

*Knock knock.*

The person who opened the office door and came in was Director Kim Min-joong of Minjoong Korean Medicine Clinic.

Now, the only thing left is the medical complex issue.

Hyunseong greeted Kim Min-joong happily.

493

Returning, Building Owner [회귀해서 건물주]