Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 494

496

The Nongshim headquarters in Shindaebang-dong.

“So, it’s finally tomorrow?”

“Yes, Chairman. The first class starts tomorrow at 3 PM.”

“Who are the students?”

“They are elementary school students…”

“Wait!”

Chairman Shin Min-ki raised his hand to stop Director Yoo Seung-hyun. Then he immediately asked again.

“Elementary school students? What does that mean?”

“It’s a term that changed a few days ago. From now on, National Schools will be called Elementary Schools. The Ministry of Education decided to change the name of National Schools to Elementary Schools to cleanly eliminate the remnants of Japanese imperialism and establish the national spirit in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of liberation. They revised the Education Law on December 29th last year, 1995, and announced that they would change the name of National Schools to Elementary Schools from March 1st this year, 1996.”

“Oh, now that you mention it, I think I saw it in the newspaper. So, it’s from March this year. Anyway, what will Father be teaching at the academy?”

“He will be teaching Chinese characters and etiquette.”

Chairman Shin Min-ki nodded slightly.

He had received a call from his father about two weeks ago.

His father said he was going to move down to Gangwon-do and live there.

It was completely unexpected, so he was naturally surprised. When he asked why, his father said he had already promised to go down to Gangwon-do several years ago.

Chairman Shin Min-ki asked again.

“And what about that young man, Kim Hyun-sung? He said he would take care of Father, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. This morning, former Chairman Shin rode a bicycle with that friend.”

“Bicycle? Father said he couldn’t ride a bicycle, right?”

“That young man, Kim Hyun-sung, has been teaching him since a few days ago.”

“Oh, really? But Father, at his age…”

Chairman Shin Min-ki tilted his head.

Even with a brief thought, it was hard to understand. He never learned to ride a bicycle when he was young, and now he’s almost 70 and learning to ride a bicycle; it’s not easy to understand.

What if he falls?

“He learned to ride a bicycle in three days.”

“Three days? That fast?”

“Yes, I was surprised too. Usually, even young people take at least a week to learn to ride a bicycle.”

“Haha, I guess Father has good athletic sense. Anyway, are there any other special things?”

“Well, that’s…”

Director Yoo Seung-hyun hesitated for some reason.

Then Chairman Shin Min-ki immediately asked.

“Why? Is something wrong?”

“Well, I heard something hard to believe. Former Chairman Shin will be healthy until he is 92 years old…”

“What? 92 years old?”

“Yes, I don’t know where that story came from.”

“Who said that?”

“That young man. Kim Hyun-sung.”

“Huh…”

Chairman Shin Min-ki was speechless.

Does this make sense? Of course, he welcomes his father living a long and healthy life. But it’s not just a month or two; they’re talking about 25 years from now, so it’s absurd.

Chairman Shin Min-ki asked again.

“Is that friend a shaman?”

“A shaman?” [A shaman is a person who is believed to have the ability to contact spirits and heal people.]

“Yes, how else can he joke about someone’s life like that? Especially in front of the former Chairman of Nongshim?”

“But the strange thing is that the former Chairman Shin believes that.”

“Father?”

“Yes, that’s right. And there’s a good reason for that.”

“A good reason? What is it?”

“Well, that’s…”

Director Yoo Seung-hyun began to explain the relationship between Chairman Shin Chun-oh and Hyun-sung. As his explanation continued, Chairman Shin Min-ki’s expression was one of surprise, and he just stared at him without saying a word.

After a long time, Chairman Shin Min-ki slowly opened his mouth.

“Is that all true?”

“Yes, that’s right. So, the chairman can’t help but believe what that young man, Kim Hyun-sung, says.”

“No, but how does that friend have such abilities?”

“I don’t know about that. But the important thing is that he seems to have such abilities. It’s all been proven.”

“Haha, this is really…”

Chairman Shin Min-ki could only laugh in disbelief.

Of course, he had heard that some people have excellent precognitive dreams. But he never dreamed that such a person would be by his father’s side.

But the important thing is that the two are together now.

Director Yoon Seung-hyun continued.

“But it turns out that friend is really extraordinary.”

“In what sense?”

“His abilities. The restaurant he’s running is the largest in Korea.”

“The largest?”

“Yes, the restaurant can accommodate 2,000 people at once. If you include the outdoor cafe, it’s over 5,000 people.”

“…”

Chairman Shin Min-ki was speechless. He had been to many restaurants, but he had never seen a restaurant that could accommodate so many people.

Even in the countryside of Gangwon-do.

“Is that big restaurant maintained in that countryside?”

“Of course. It’s been four years this year, and it’s being maintained well.”

“Is there any special secret?”

“There are two main things.”

“Two things?”

Chairman Shin Min-ki stared at Director Yoon Seung-hyun with curiosity.

Then Director Yoon Seung-hyun’s explanation immediately followed.

“Yes, one of them is the flowers spread over 500,000 pyeong [approximately 413 acres].”

“Flowers?”

“Yes, people from all over the country gather there from spring to autumn to see the flowers. At most, 100,000 people come every day.”

“Wow, 100,000 people?”

“Yes, that’s right. And the other is the taste of the food there. The food is so good that it’s comparable to any hotel in Korea.”

Director Yoon Seung-hyun’s words continued immediately.

“And there are 2,500 employees. But what’s even more surprising is his profit. I’m talking about net profit per year.”

“Net profit? How much is it?”

“It’s 130 billion won [approximately 100 million USD]. 100 billion won from the restaurant and 30 billion won from the wild vegetable factory. Does that make sense?”

“…”

Chairman Shin Min-ki had no choice but to close his mouth again. 13 billion won is enormous, but 130 billion won, which is ten times that amount, does that make sense?

“But what’s even more surprising is how he spends his money.”

“How?”

“Yes, at the end of the year, he gives each employee a bonus of 2 million won [approximately 1,500 USD]. He gives a bonus that is twice the salary of a 9th-grade public official [entry-level government employee]. Not only that, but he donates to the village and gives scholarships to elementary, middle, and high schools in the township.”

“Hmm…”

Chairman Shin Min-ki was silent, wondering what he was thinking.

Then Director Yoon Seung-hyun’s words continued again.

“People usually have a basic desire to have more as they have more, but that young friend seems to be the opposite. Especially at that young age.”

“I’m thinking the same thing now. Like Director Yoon said, I wonder how that young friend thinks like that. Usually, at that age, he would drive a fancy car or live a luxurious life.”

“That’s what I’m saying. But there’s something else amazing besides that.”

“Again?”

Chairman Shin Min-ki exclaimed, surprised that there was more.

“He’s attracting hospitals and running academy businesses for free.”

“Attracting hospitals and academy businesses?”

“Yes, he has attracted 18 hospitals, including the oriental medicine complex this time. He provided all the hospital buildings for free. Of course, there is a condition of 5 years. And he doesn’t charge academy students and opens it to everyone for free. Of course, he pays the instructors’ salaries. In other words, he’s pouring money into the village.”

Yoon Seung-hyun took a breath and continued.

“There are not only one academy class, but four subjects: English, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese characters, which the chairman is in charge of. He will gradually increase the number of subjects. Of course, he pays all the costs incurred in this academy.”

“Haha, that’s really amazing.”

“That’s what I’m saying. I don’t understand how he thinks like that at that age.”

“There was a reason.”

“A reason? What reason are you talking about?”

“Why Father went to that friend’s side. To be honest, when I first heard that he was going down to Gangwon-do, I couldn’t understand it. But now I think I know why. Father already knew about that friend’s appearance.”

‘I thought it was strange.’

‘I was curious about the reason why he suddenly went down to Gangwon-do, where he had no ties. So, I asked him the reason, but there was no special answer.’

‘He just said that he would go to a place with good air and teach children Chinese characters and spend his old age.’

But it turned out that there was a good reason.

Chairman Shin Min-ki’s words continued.

“I’m relieved.”

“That’s right. I’m glad he didn’t go to a strange place.”

“That’s what I’m saying. I should take some time to meet that friend.”

“Are you talking about meeting that friend?”

“Yes, he’s taking care of Father, so I can’t just stay still as a son, can I? Let’s go down there sometime.”

“Yes. I understand. If you tell me in advance, I’ll make a schedule.”

Chairman Shin Min-ki nodded.

A comfortable smile was spreading across his face. It was because he confirmed that his father was living in a good place.

‘What kind of friend is he?’

Chairman Shin Min-ki began to wonder about Hyun-sung.

***

Hyun-sung headed to the senior center after finishing the lunch business.

The reason for visiting this place was to finalize the number of people and inform them of the detailed class schedule, as he would be running a Korean class starting tomorrow.

“Welcome, Mr. Kim!”

When Hyun-sung opened the door of the senior center, Seo Min-gyu, the president of the senior citizens association, greeted him first.

Then Hyun-sung immediately greeted him.

“Have you been comfortable?”

“What do you mean, ‘have you been comfortable’? You came here three days ago. Anyway, what brings you here today?”

“First of all, this…”

Hyun-sung handed Seo Min-gyu, the president of the senior citizens association, three boxes of soy milk and a plastic bag.

“What’s in the bag is rice cake. I thought you might be hungry at this time, so I bought some on the way.”

“Oh, you shouldn’t have brought this… Hey, come here…”

Before Seo Min-gyu could finish speaking, three elderly people came and disappeared with the soy milk and the bag.

Then Hyun-sung looked at Seo Min-gyu and asked.

“Have you finished writing the list?”

“List? What list?”

“The list of people who will learn Korean that I asked you for three days ago.”

“Oh, look at my mind. That list? Wait a minute. I’m like this these days. I keep losing my mind…”

Seo Min-gyu patted his head and disappeared into the office.

It was then.

Thud.

Someone tapped Hyun-sung lightly from behind.

When he turned around, it was Grandpa Lee Seok-man. He was a grandfather who was known for being particularly quiet in the senior center.

Hyun-sung bowed his head with joy and said.

“What’s wrong? Grandpa?”

“This…”

In his hand was a piece of sliced rice cake that Hyun-sung had bought a little while ago.

Hyun-sung knew what that meant.

“Is this for me to eat?”

“Yeah.”

“Yes, I will enjoy it.”

Hyun-sung quickly took the rice cake and put it in his mouth.

But then something strange happened. The grandfathers and grandmothers who were about to eat rice cake suddenly started to get up. Then, as if they had made a promise, they were walking towards Hyun-sung.

Of course, they each had a rice cake in their hands.

After a while.

“Mr. Kim, you’re working hard.”

Seo Min-gyu, the president of the senior citizens association, said, looking at Hyun-sung holding rice cakes in both hands.

“Uuuu…”

Hyun-sung couldn’t say anything because he was eating rice cake.

“Everyone is grateful to Mr. Kim, so don’t leave anything behind and eat it all. If you don’t eat even one, those friends will be sad, so you must eat it all.”

“Uuu…”

Hyun-sung nodded and started eating rice cake diligently.

In fact, this is not the first time. He always buys something to eat when he comes to the senior center. But since when, when one person starts giving something, the other elders follow the same action as if they are jealous.

The problem was Hyun-sung.

He can’t refuse.

He can’t eat someone’s and not eat someone else’s. It’s okay when there aren’t many elders like today, but when the room is full, it’s also very serious.

Anyway, he was able to overcome the crisis (?) by eating hard today.

“Have you eaten everything?”

“Yes, cough, cough…”

Hyun-sung covered his mouth and laughed while answering.

Seo Min-gyu knew what that meant. He opened his mouth again.

“Shall I tell you one way?”

“Yes? What…?”

“I’m talking about how to escape the crisis.”

“Is there a way? I don’t think there is no matter how much I think about it. I can only eat hard…”

“Come empty-handed. That’s the way.”

“…”

Hyun-sung was speechless.

On the other hand, Seo Min-gyu was laughing while looking at Hyun-sung.

Hyun-sung realized that Seo Min-gyu was teasing him.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know either.”

“Mr. President…”

“Don’t look at me like that. Anyway, all of this is your fault. Here’s the list, and go quickly. Before those friends bring more rice cakes.”

Smirk.

Hyun-sung smiled and came out with the list.

Hyun-sung, who came out, headed straight to the parking lot where the truck was parked.

“Oh, Grandpa?”

Someone was waiting for Hyun-sung in front of the truck. It was Grandpa Lee Seok-man, who gave him the rice cake first a little while ago.

He waved his hand at Hyun-sung.

He was telling him to bow his head. It seemed like he had something to say.

When Hyun-sung bowed his head, Lee Seok-man immediately opened his mouth.

“Let’s go to my house together.”