Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 498

After saying goodbye to Kim Il-soo, Hyun-sung headed toward Chairman Shin Chun-oh’s residence.

“Welcome, Mr. Kim!”

“Welcome, we’ve been waiting for you.”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh greeted Hyun-sung first, followed by Chief Secretary Choi Jin-young, who also offered a warm welcome.

This dinner gathering had been arranged the previous day.

When Hyun-sung mentioned his trip to Incheon, Chairman Shin Chun-oh insisted on hosting a meal to personally send him off.

This gesture alone demonstrated the high regard Chairman Shin Chun-oh had for Hyun-sung.

Hyun-sung began by handing over the thermal underwear he had brought for them.

“This is thermal underwear. The weather here is quite different from Seoul, so you’ll need to wear it until early April.”

“You really didn’t have to bring anything… I’ll certainly make good use of it.”

“Thank you. I’ll wear it often.”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh and Chief Secretary Choi Jin-young expressed their gratitude.

It had been a year since they both moved here. Perhaps that’s why they accepted the thermal underwear so readily—they had firsthand experience of how cold it could get.

“Now, shall we eat? Mr. Kim, please take a seat at the table.”

Following Chairman Shin Chun-oh’s lead, Hyun-sung sat down. Chief Secretary Choi Jin-young moved the earthenware pot from the gas stove to the center of the table, announcing,

“The Chairman made this himself.”

Just from the aroma, Hyun-sung immediately recognized the dish.

“Chairman, did you ferment the *cheonggukjang* [a pungent fermented soybean stew] yourself?” Hyun-sung asked.

“Chief Secretary Choi and I fermented it ourselves using the beans you gave us last fall. Perhaps it’s because the beans were so good, but the taste is incredible. Here, try some.”

It was remarkable how much a person could change. Chairman Shin Chun-oh was truly embracing rural life.

Growing bean sprouts was one thing, but fermenting *cheonggukjang* himself? What more could you say?

His transformation began when he started learning to cook.

The initial plan was to hire a housekeeper. However, as Chairman Shin Chun-oh discovered his culinary talents, that idea was abandoned.

It was like the saying, ‘A late-blooming thief doesn’t know when dawn breaks,’ meaning someone who discovers a vice late in life goes all in.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh was just like that.

Why else would he be growing bean sprouts and fermenting *cheonggukjang*? That’s how quickly he adapted to his new rural existence.

Perhaps that’s why, after a year, his complexion was noticeably healthier than when he first arrived from Seoul, a clear sign of his improved well-being.

“Wow! Chairman, this is fantastic!”

Hyun-sung gave a thumbs-up after tasting the *cheonggukjang*.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh beamed with pleasure and continued, “That’s why I enjoy cooking. Now, try this *deodeok gui* [grilled codonopsis lanceolata, a type of root vegetable]. Chief Secretary Choi and I dug it up ourselves in the mountains behind us last fall. It’s wild, so the flavor is exceptional.”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh was taking care of Hyun-sung as if he were his own son.

However, there was a subtle hint of regret in his expression, likely because of Hyun-sung’s impending departure for Incheon.

About thirty minutes passed.

As they were finishing dinner, Chairman Shin Chun-oh looked at Hyun-sung and began to speak.

“Hyun-sung!”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh, who always addressed him as “Mr. Kim,” suddenly used his given name, very affectionately, as if he were addressing his own grandson.

Naturally, Hyun-sung’s response was different from usual.

“Yes… Chairman!”

“I’ve been thinking about calling you by your name from now on… What do you think?”

“I’m perfectly fine with it. No, I like it. Actually, I think it’s much better than being called ‘Mr. Kim’ all the time. So, please, call me by my name from now on, just like you did now.”

“Really? Is that true?”

It was a moment when Chairman Shin Chun-oh’s eyes sparkled with particular delight.

Perhaps that’s why Hyun-sung’s voice was filled with such enthusiasm as he replied.

“Yes! Chairman!”

It felt a little awkward, even as he said it.

It had been ten years since he met Chairman Shin Chun-oh. He had always been “Mr. Kim” until now, so it felt strange to suddenly be addressed by his first name.

But having lived as long as he had, wouldn’t he understand at a glance?

He seemed to understand why the Chairman was doing this, so he deliberately put emphasis into his answer.

“I understand. Then, from now on, I’ll call you by your name. And…”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh paused, looking at Hyun-sung for a moment before continuing.

“I have a favor to ask…”

“A favor? For me?”

“Yes, I was wondering if you could call me something other than ‘Chairman’.”

It was said that if you’re quick-witted, you can even get salted shrimp at a Buddhist temple [meaning a clever person can get what they want even in an unlikely situation].

Actually, when the Chairman said he would call him by his name instead of “Mr. Kim” a little while ago, a fleeting thought had crossed his mind: that the title used to refer to Chairman Shin Chun-oh himself might also change.

Sure enough, it was the moment when Hyun-sung’s prediction came true.

There was no reason not to grant Chairman Shin Chun-oh’s wish, knowing what he wanted. Moreover, it wasn’t a difficult request.

Hyun-sung immediately responded.

“Grandfather!”

“Huh? You?”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh pointed at Hyun-sung with a surprised expression, his mouth agape.

Then, Hyun-sung immediately spoke again.

“Isn’t this what you want, Grandfather?”

“Haha, you really are quick-witted. From now on, we’ll call each other like this. I’ll call you by your name, and you’ll call me Grandfather.”

“Yes, Grandfather!”

Hyun-sung replied even more affectionately.

Then, a smile bloomed on Chairman Shin Chun-oh’s face, brighter than ever before.

***

Hyun-sung carried a shopping bag as he left Chairman Shin Chun-oh’s house.

It was a gift he had received from Chairman Shin Chun-oh a little while ago.

The gift was a pair of shoes, meant to encourage him to run around diligently even when he went to Incheon.

Next, Hyun-sung headed to Park Hee-chul’s house.

Regardless of the reason, Park Hee-chul was the one who had provided the current restaurant location. Moreover, his help was essential when he first started the ramen shop.

It was only right to say goodbye to him before leaving.

After leaving Park Hee-chul’s house, Hyun-sung went to the house of Lee Soon-ok, the neighborhood association president.

“Welcome, Mr. President. I was expecting you, knowing you were coming.”

Having contacted her a day in advance, Lee Soon-ok was waiting for Hyun-sung.

As Hyun-sung took a seat, Lee Soon-ok immediately asked, “By the way, when will you be back after you go to Incheon?”

“I don’t know yet. It seems difficult for the time being. That’s why I came to see you today, Neighborhood President.”

“I heard you’re expanding your business again…”

“Yes, it just happened that way.”

Except for a few people, no one knew the real reason why Hyun-sung was going to Incheon. He couldn’t reveal the ridiculous truth that he was going to meet his wife, so he had no choice but to say he was starting another business.

“Anyway, you’re amazing, Mr. President. I don’t know what kind of business it is, but I hope it’s a big success.”

“Yes, thank you. Now, let’s get down to business and talk about the operation of the wholesale market…”

This was the reason why Hyun-sung visited Lee Soon-ok today.

Since the village’s joint income was generated from the operating profit of the wholesale market, discussions about it were necessary.

The two began to discuss the operation of the wholesale market and the allocation of the profits.

How much time had passed?

The two exchanged farewells as they concluded their conversation.

“Then, I’ll keep that in mind. If there are any other changes, please contact me anytime.”

“Yes, Mr. President. I will.”

“Then, I’ll be going…”

“Wait a minute, I need to load these into the car…”

Boxes were piled up on the floor. There seemed to be more than twenty.

Hyun-sung immediately asked, “What are all these?”

“The neighborhood association members brought them a few days ago for you, Mr. President.”

“For me?”

“Yes, I was actually surprised too. I didn’t expect them to bring so much. All of this is because of what you’ve done…”

Lee Soon-ok continued to explain, but Hyun-sung’s attention was fixed on the stacked boxes.

***

Vroom.

After loading all the boxes, Hyun-sung set off for home.

Normally, he would have gone to his house next to the restaurant, but today, being his last night in the countryside, he headed to his parents’ house.

“What’s all this?” his father asked, looking at the boxes loaded in the back of the truck.

“I don’t know either. It looks like I’ll have to stay up all night to check them one by one.”

“Where did you get them?”

“The neighborhood association members gave them to me, because I’m going to Incheon…”

“Those ladies have peculiar tastes. It’s like giving something to a little kid…”

“Father!” Hyun-sung retorted.

He had been making jokes like that for a while now, but it was still a type of joke he couldn’t quite get used to. But he didn’t dislike it either.

In his past life, his father wouldn’t even say such things.

“Then, good luck.”

“Are you just going to leave?”

“Originally, gifts are carried alone. That way, you’ll understand the giver’s heart…”

“Yes, yes, I understand. I’ll give you some if there’s anything good. So, please help me move these boxes to my room quickly.”

“Hehe, you definitely promised.”

Just then…

Slap!

His mother’s hand struck his father’s back as she watched the scene from behind.

“Does this old man have any sense? Is there nothing else to covet but the gifts your son received…”

“No, I didn’t mean it that way…”

“What do you mean you didn’t? I saw everything from behind. What are you doing? Move the boxes quickly!”

“Huh? Uh…”

A father rendered speechless.

And a mother watching the scene.

“Pfft!”

Hyun-sung finally burst into laughter.

Thirty minutes later.

Hyun-sung began to check the boxes. There were a total of twenty-two boxes.

There were twenty-two neighborhood association members in total, including the neighborhood president, Lee Soon-ok. In the end, each member had filled one box.

“Huh? What’s this?”

While checking the boxes, Hyun-sung picked up an envelope.

There were no markings on the outside.

Hyun-sung immediately looked inside the envelope.

Flutter.

The moment he took out the letter paper from the envelope and unfolded it, a ten-thousand-won bill fell to the floor. Someone had included a ten-thousand-won bill along with the letter.

Hyun-sung’s gaze went to the bottom of the letter.

-Written by Grandma Lee Boon-nyeo.

Of course, he knew the name. She was the oldest grandmother among the neighborhood association members. She was sixty-nine years old this year and would be turning seventy next year.

Hyun-sung began to read the letter.

Although the handwriting was shaky, it was still easy to understand.

The first part expressed her gratitude and happiness for having learned Korean in the Korean language class and being able to write letters like this.

Next, she wrote about how much she looked forward to meal times these days thanks to the side dishes he delivered every morning, and how her knees felt lighter after getting acupuncture at the Korean medicine clinic.

And that she didn’t have to worry about pocket money because she could pick wild greens and sell them at the wholesale market.

Hyun-sung couldn’t help but pause at the last line while reading the letter.

-It’s not much, but please buy yourself a bowl of *gukbap* [soup and rice] on your way to Incheon with this money.

Before he knew it, Hyun-sung was holding the ten-thousand-won bill in his hand. It was enough to buy more than five bowls of *gukbap*.

The grandmother would have picked wild greens for more than half a day to earn this money.

Hyun-sung folded the money and put it deep inside his wallet before continuing to check the boxes.

How much time had passed?

Knock knock.

The person who opened the door and came in was his father.

“Are you still not done yet?”

“I just need to check one last one.”

Looking at the clock, it had just passed midnight.

“Here, drink this and continue.”

His father handed him a bowl of honey water. In the past, whenever he studied late, his father always brought him honey water at midnight.

Gulp gulp.

Hyun-sung emptied the bowl in one gulp and smiled at his father.

“As expected, Dad’s honey water is the best.”

“Okay, then I’ll be going…”

“Father!” Hyun-sung called out to his father, who was about to leave. Then, he immediately continued, “Thank you. I’ll contact you often. You have to stay healthy.”

“Okay, you too. Go to bed early if you’re going on a long journey tomorrow. And… thank you always.”

His father, struggling to express his gratitude, lightly patted Hyun-sung’s shoulder and then left the room.

Hyun-sung looked at the door where his father had disappeared for a moment before resuming his task.

The next day.

Hyun-sung said, holding his mother’s hand, “Mother, I’ll be going now. Please eat well and stay healthy.”

“Okay, you take care of your meals too. Please…”

Before his mother could finish her sentence, she slightly turned her head away, fighting back tears.

Then, Hyun-sung looked at his father and continued, “Father, please take good care of Mother. If anything happens, please contact me immediately.”

“Okay, don’t worry about anything and drive carefully. And… bring our daughter-in-law down with you as soon as you meet her.”

“Yes, Father. I will. Then, I’ll be going…”

In his past life, his father never met his wife. Until the moment he passed away in the hospital, his father said that not seeing his daughter-in-law was his biggest regret.

The reason why Hyun-sung had to go to Incheon was precisely that.

Hyun-sung got into the truck, lowered the window, and waved his hand.

“Father, Mother, stay healthy.”

“Okay, you too…”

The two began to wave their hands as if they had promised each other.

Leaving them behind, Hyun-sung stepped on the accelerator. The mother, visible in the rearview mirror, was wiping her eyes with one hand. Even so, she continued to wave until the truck was far away.

The truck carrying Hyun-sung began its journey toward Incheon.