Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 503

After finalizing the contract, Hyun-sung headed to the equipment office.

It was to expand the video store.

The current video store is just over 10 pyeong [approximately 33 square meters]. Even if the living room and kitchen inside are combined, it doesn’t even reach 20 pyeong [approximately 66 square meters].

Of course, if he were running the business alone, that would be enough.

But the problem is a month from now.

In a month, the franchise Movie Heart will be opening 100 meters away. And it will be a large 50 pyeong [approximately 165 square meters] store.

If they knew business ethics, they wouldn’t do that as a basic principle.

But who are they?

They are a franchise, after all.

From the start, they had no consideration for the surrounding businesses.

They believe that they have to kill others to survive, so their characteristic is to move into areas where there are already successful stores.

And they say that competition is natural in a capitalist market.

Back then, most rental stores were small and independently owned, except for some large franchises.

So, most neighborhoods had at least 10 rental stores. On average, there was one every 200 meters.

Some were even facing each other.

It was so common that the saying ‘If you have nothing else to do, start a video store’ was popular back then.

That’s how prosperous the video market was.

That’s when franchises appeared.

Their spectacular run began across the country.

Existing small rental stores couldn’t withstand their aggressive marketing.

They set up stores in the most central commercial districts and attacked with volume and price, making it like throwing an egg against a rock to compete with them.

As a result, countless rental stores across the country closed down or had to relocate within 2 or 3 years, shedding tears of blood.

Hyun-sung was one of those people.

That’s why Hyun-sung bought the video store building outright.

He was defeated back then, but he won’t be defeated like that again.

In his previous life, he had nothing, so he had to fight the franchise with his bare hands. How could he have survived?

All he could do was try to save on labor costs.

He had to keep the store open alone from 9 AM to 2 AM, 17 hours a day, no matter what.

But that also had its limits.

In the end, he gave up after 4 years. He couldn’t hold on any longer.

Of course, the landlord Park Sang-jin’s rent increase also played a part in why he couldn’t hold on any longer.

Anyway, he had to leave this place and relocate elsewhere because of Movie Heart.

But it’s different now.

In his previous life, he had nothing, but now he has everything.

The building is his, and the space will be enough for 40 pyeong [approximately 132 square meters] if he combines it with the store next door. Fortunately, the store next door is currently vacant.

From now on, he will return the humiliation he suffered back then.

They were so confident when they said that competition in a capitalist market is natural, and that those who lose in the competition disappear. They even sneered at others.

Now, he will make them feel how painful that pain is.

One of the reasons Hyun-sung came up to Incheon was for that.

He also wanted to meet his wife, but he also wanted to repay the humiliation he suffered back then.

“Hehe! Look forward to it, Movie Heart.”

A smile spread across Hyun-sung’s face.

Clang.

Hyun-sung opened the door to the equipment office and went inside.

“Welcome.”

A man in his 40s greeted Hyun-sung.

His name was Kim Dong-ho.

Of course, Hyun-sung knew him well. He was someone he had been close to in his previous life.

The reason he was close to him was because of his loyalty.

Even though the large franchise Movie Heart had opened, he had never used their store even once.

That’s how loyal he was.

Perhaps that’s why Hyun-sung’s voice was full of joy when he greeted him.

“Hello, boss!”

“Yes? Oh, yes. Welcome.”

Kim Dong-ho looked slightly surprised at Hyun-sung’s joyful voice, as if he was a little awkward.

But Hyun-sung looked at Kim Dong-ho and continued.

“First, let me introduce myself. I’m the one who took over the rental store called ‘Video World’ down there…….”

First, introductions were in order. He wanted to call him ‘hyung’ [older brother or respected male figure] right away out of joy, but that was only Hyun-sung’s feeling, so he had to suppress his emotions.

“Ah, I use that video store. So the owner has changed?”

“Yes, I just finished the contract. So I’m going to do some construction.”

“Construction?”

“Yes, I’m thinking of expanding. The store next door is also vacant, so I’m going to combine it…….”

Hyun-sung started explaining how he was going to do the construction. As Hyun-sung’s explanation continued, Kim Dong-ho began to listen quietly.

And finally, when Hyun-sung’s explanation was over, Kim Dong-ho just scratched his head instead of speaking.

Seeing that, Hyun-sung immediately asked.

“Why? Is there a problem?”

“No, it’s not a problem, but did you get permission from the landlord? The construction is too big.”

Perhaps it was a natural reaction. It was impossible to completely renovate the entire first floor of the building without the landlord’s permission.

Hyun-sung had no choice but to be honest.

“I just bought it.”

“Yes? Buy it? You mean…….”

“Yes, I ended up buying the building altogether. So I’m doing the construction.”

“Ah, is that so? That’s a relief then. I was just wondering…… Haha, I was just worrying unnecessarily. I envy you.”

“Yes?”

“The landlord, I mean. Isn’t the dream of people like us who live in rented spaces to be a landlord? But you’ve already become a landlord at a young age.”

It was something he 100% agreed with.

Hyun-sung was also most envious of landlords in his previous life.

In fact, when you think about it, how could that be just one or two people’s stories? Anyone who pays monthly rent would have a longing for landlords.

Kim Dong-ho’s words continued.

“When should we start the construction?”

“I’d like to start as soon as possible. I’d like to start tomorrow, but I don’t know what your schedule is like.”

“Just a moment.”

Kim Dong-ho took out a notebook and started checking something. He seemed to be checking his schedule.

After a while.

Kim Dong-ho closed the notebook and said.

“Fortunately, I think I can ask someone else to do tomorrow’s work, so I can start right away from tomorrow morning.”

“Are you saying that you’re changing your schedule because of me?”

“Not exactly. To be honest, it’s because of me.”

“Yes? What does that mean……?”

It was hard for Hyun-sung to understand at first.

He was definitely changing his schedule. So he thought it was because he asked him to change his schedule, but he couldn’t understand why it was because of Kim Dong-ho himself.

Kim Dong-ho’s words continued.

“To be more honest, it’s because of the money.”

“Money?”

“Yes, your construction is profitable. I have no choice but to do the construction because of the money…….”

Kim Dong-ho’s explanation continued.

What he was trying to say was simple. The scale of the construction was large, so it was profitable. So he changed his schedule for tomorrow.

After listening to his story, Hyun-sung had one question.

Of course, it’s true. It’s natural to look for profitable work while working.

But why would he honestly say that? He could have easily taken credit for it.

He could have said that he changed his schedule because of him.

If he had, Hyun-sung would have believed it.

But Kim Dong-ho didn’t do that and honestly said it was because of the money.

Why?

What’s the reason?

“Can I ask you why? Why would you be so honest with me…….”

Hyun-sung asked what he was curious about.

Then Kim Dong-ho smiled slightly and immediately answered.

“It’s because of you.”

“Because of me? Why me?”

“I have a feeling we’ll become close in the future.”

“Yes?”

Hyun-sung couldn’t help but put strength into his voice. That’s how surprising what he said was.

Why wouldn’t it be? It was the first time they met today, and he suddenly confessed, not even between a man and a woman.

Kim Dong-ho’s words continued.

“Why are you so surprised? And don’t misunderstand. I’m not into men.”

“Haha, your taste?”

“Actually, I had a feeling when you first came in. I thought I would get along with you. So I told you honestly. I was afraid it would be awkward later if we became close.”

Smirk.

Hyun-sung couldn’t help but laugh.

In fact, Hyun-sung and Kim Dong-ho had many similar thoughts in their previous life. Their political views were similar, and so were the things they considered important in life.

So, they used to drink together until dawn after closing the store. They shared a lot of stories.

Then…….

After thinking for a while, Hyun-sung nodded as if he had made a decision and opened his mouth.

“I’ll call you hyung [older brother or respected male figure] from now on.”

“Yes? Hyung? We just met for the first time, and suddenly?”

“You started it first. Didn’t you confess to me a little while ago?”

“Haha, a confession…….”

“Yes, you clearly said that we’ll become close in the future. So I’m saying that I’ll treat you as my hyung [older brother or respected male figure] from now on.”

It was something Hyun-sung wanted anyway.

He wanted to call him ‘hyung’ [older brother or respected male figure] from the beginning. He was someone who helped him a lot when he was having a hard time in his previous life, so his feelings were even greater.

But it was their first time meeting today, so he held back.

But Kim Dong-ho said that they would become close in the future, so he was happy and said that he would call him hyung [older brother or respected male figure].

“Is that okay?”

“Of course. I’m unconditionally happy. Your impression was so good when you first came in.”

Of course, it was a lie. To be honest, Kim Dong-ho’s impression wasn’t good. Hyun-sung became close to Kim Dong-ho later in his previous life.

But he thought it was better to say something nice since it didn’t cost him anything to say it.

But Kim Dong-ho knew himself very well.

“You’re good at lying too?”

“Lying?”

“Yes, do you think I don’t know myself? When I look in the mirror, I can clearly see that my impression is bad, so it doesn’t make sense for you to say that my impression is good.”

“Oh? I didn’t think so. I clearly…….”

He was trying to lie, but it took longer than he thought. But he had no choice. He had already lied from the beginning, so he had to do it until the end.

No one hates being praised, no matter who they are. Hyun-sung’s lie worked.

“Haha, that’s good. I know it’s a lie, but I feel good. That’s enough now.”

A smile began to spread across Kim Dong-ho’s face.

Seeing that, Hyun-sung continued.

“Now, you can talk to me comfortably from now on.”

“It’s a bit awkward since it’s the first time…… but I understand.”

“Haha, that’s good. Then I’ll treat you as my hyung [older brother or respected male figure] from now on.”

It was the moment when they found their relationship from their previous life again.

So, Hyun-sung couldn’t help but smile.

Looking at Hyun-sung, Kim Dong-ho immediately opened his mouth.

“Did you say your name was Hyun-sung a little while ago?”

“Yes, hyung [older brother or respected male figure], that’s right. Kim Hyun-sung.”

“Are you always so nice?”

“Yes? Me?”

“Yes, it’s the first time I’ve met you today, but you have a rare personality. Anyway, it’s nice to meet you, to meet such a handsome and nice younger brother. In that sense, shall we shake hands? I’m Kim Dong-ho.”

Kim Dong-ho held out his hand.

Hyun-sung grabbed Kim Dong-ho’s hand with both hands.

That’s how the two people’s relationship started again.

After a while.

Hyun-sung asked first.

“Hyung [older brother or respected male figure], how long will the construction take?”

“Well, this is a big construction, so it will take at least a month, no matter how fast we do it…….”

“A month?”

“Yeah, that building is old, so the walls are reinforced concrete. Breaking those walls won’t be easy.”

It was expected.

But the problem is that it shouldn’t take a month. The reason is that Movie Heart will already be open in a month.

‘Hmm, what should I do?’

After thinking for a while, Hyun-sung asked again.

“Hyung [older brother or respected male figure], how much is the estimated construction cost now?”

“Even if it’s the minimum for my younger brother, it will cost 20 million won [approximately $15,000 USD].”

20 million won [approximately $15,000 USD] is a cheap price. If it were someone else, they would have asked for at least 25 million won [approximately $18,750 USD]. As in his previous life, his conscientious personality was revealed.

After thinking for a while, Hyun-sung opened his mouth again.

“Hyung [older brother or respected male figure], I’ll give you 30 million won [approximately $22,500 USD]. Please shorten the construction period as much as possible.”

“30 million [approximately $22,500 USD]?”

“Yes, please shorten the construction period even if you have to use more people.”

“Hoo!”

Kim Dong-ho took a long breath instead of answering. He seemed to be very worried.

After thinking for a while, Kim Dong-ho looked at Hyun-sung and asked.

“Is there a reason? Why do you have to shorten the construction period so much?”

“Yes, do you know the corner store up there?”

“Yeah, I know it. But why?”

“Movie Heart is coming in there in a month.”

“Movie Heart? Isn’t that a large franchise? I heard that the neighborhood commercial district will be devastated if it comes in?”

“So I’m preparing in advance.”

“So you’re going to have a war?”

Hyun-sung nodded.

Then Kim Dong-ho, who had been silent as if he was worried again, opened his mouth after a while.

“I don’t need 30 million won [approximately $22,500 USD], just give me 5 million won [approximately $3,750 USD] more. I can’t just stand by and watch my younger brother go to war.”

“Is it possible?”

“I have to make it possible!”

Kim Dong-ho’s words were full of strength. That’s how strong his will was.

Hyun-sung didn’t know how much the construction period would be shortened. He had no choice but to trust Kim Dong-ho.