Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 545

547

Returning as a Building Owner

“Did you say it’s in the red right now?”

Han Mi-sook’s voice was sharp. She couldn’t help but react seriously to the word ‘deficit’ at the moment.

This was because the analysis was completely opposite to the current situation.

She had said that the donation alone was 5,000. In such a situation, she couldn’t help but be sensitive when the person in charge at headquarters judged it to be ‘in the red’.

However, contrary to her reaction, Chief Park Sun-woo’s voice on the other end of the receiver showed no signs of tension.

-Yes, I clearly said that to CEO Yoo myself. Is there a problem with that?

“Excuse me?”

Han Mi-sook tilted her head at Park Sun-woo’s words.

It didn’t make sense, even at first glance.

Judging from his voice alone, she concluded that he wasn’t lying.

This was because his voice was too natural.

Generally, when a person lies, there’s a tell in their voice in some way.

But his voice didn’t have any of that right now. That meant he wasn’t lying right now.

The reason she called him in the first place was to find out the truth.

She was suspicious of whether he had deliberately lied, even though he knew the management status of Cinema Paradise.

If that were true, a serious problem would arise.

That was a distrust of the headquarters.

Not being able to trust the headquarters meant there was no reason to belong to the Movie Heart chain anymore.

But judging from the voice she was talking to right now, that wasn’t the case.

It meant that he knew that from the beginning, and still does now.

Han Mi-sook asked again to confirm one more time.

“Do you still know that now?”

-What do you mean? Does that mean there’s something I don’t know?

“You really don’t know?”

-You may or may not know, but I’ve been going on a lot of business trips to the provinces these days. There are two open cases. So it’s not easy to get news from that side. So, is there something going on?

Park Sun-woo deliberately used the provinces as an excuse. That way, there would be a loophole to escape afterward.

If he just didn’t know anything, he would be incompetent, but if he said he was too busy traveling around the provinces to know, there was no better excuse.

As expected, Han Mi-sook, who had no way of knowing Park Sun-woo’s shallow trick, reacted immediately.

“You’ve been busy going to the provinces. So, are you still in the provinces now?”

Her voice had already changed. That meant she already had a lot less suspicion about Park Sun-woo.

Park Sun-woo, who couldn’t possibly not know that, had a slight smile on his lips.

He opened his mouth right away.

-Yes, I’ve been down in Daegu for two days now. But can you explain what’s going on?

“That’s a bit….”

Han Mi-sook couldn’t continue right away. The difference between what Park Sun-woo knew and what she knew through rumors was too great.

Then Park Sun-woo’s voice was heard right away.

-If it’s difficult for you to say, you don’t have to. I’m just….

“I heard a rumor….”

People want to do more of what they’re told not to do, and Han Mi-sook was just such a case. She began to explain what had happened.

“That’s….”

As Han Mi-sook’s explanation continued, Park Sun-woo seemed to listen for a moment, then moved the phone away from his ear. After all, after hearing the first word, he already knew what the content was without having to listen to the rest.

In the end, it was about Hyun-sung’s sales.

Anyway, it was content that he had already grasped in the past.

But that didn’t mean he could just stay still.

Park Sun-woo knew too well that he had to show an appropriate reaction.

When Han Mi-sook’s words were finished, Park Sun-woo immediately asked in a loud voice as if he didn’t know at all.

-Is that really true?

“Yes, it’s true. I heard it from the supermarket yesterday. But it seems certain because it’s a story I confirmed directly from an employee there.”

-No, how can….

Park Sun-woo was faithful to his acting, pretending to be surprised.

Then, Han Mi-sook started talking in a tone that was rather apologetic.

“I almost misunderstood without knowing that.”

-Misunderstanding? What misunderstanding?

“I was wondering if you knew and deliberately lied.”

-…….

Park Sun-woo deliberately didn’t say anything. The reason was to convey to the other person that he was upset by doing so.

It was a conversation technique he had naturally learned from dealing with many people.

As expected, the effect appeared immediately.

“Hello, Chief. Are you upset?”

-…….

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t even know the Chief was on a business trip to the provinces….”

Han Mi-sook’s words grew longer. The fact that there were many words meant that her feelings of apology were sincere.

But push and pull only works if it’s done appropriately.

Park Sun-woo cut off her words at an appropriate level.

-Excuse me, Madam.

“Yes? Yes, Chief, please speak.”

-It’s okay now. I know very well that you didn’t do it out of malice, so you can stop now. And I want you to know just one thing. I’m not such a bad guy. I’m not the kind of guy who deliberately lies even though I know.

“Of course, I know that very well. That’s why I didn’t even tell my husband and called the Chief first. I don’t want any misunderstandings to build up.”

Park Sun-woo briefly took the phone away from his ear and covered his mouth with one hand. Otherwise, it seemed like laughter would be heard over the receiver.

He had only met her a few times before signing the contract three months ago. He had met her with Yoo Seung-il because he had to show her the store.

But judging from what she said a little while ago, it seemed like she knew him well, so he almost laughed without realizing it.

-Yes, I understand. So, CEO Yoo doesn’t know about this fact right now?

“Yes, not yet.”

-The fact that it’s not yet means that he will know soon, but….

“Since rumors have started spreading in the neighborhood, he’ll probably find out soon.”

-Then should I call him right now and….

“No, you can’t do that.”

Han Mi-sook cut off Park Sun-woo’s words before he could finish. Then she immediately continued.

“His blood pressure is high, so something terrible might happen. That’s why I called the Chief first to confirm.”

-Oh, is that so? Then what should I do?

“Just stay still. I’m thinking of telling my husband tonight. I think it’ll be less of a shock than hearing it from rumors or from the Chief.”

-Oh, that might be the case. You’re very thoughtful, Madam. Then I’ll know that and won’t contact CEO Yoo separately.

“Yes, I understand. But….”

Han Mi-sook stopped in the middle of saying something.

Then Park Sun-woo immediately asked.

-Why? Why are you stopping in the middle of your words?

“It’s a bit of a cautious story….”

-So you have to tell me. Aren’t we all in the same boat? I don’t know what you’re talking about, but feel free to tell me. If there’s anything I can do to help, I’ll do my best.

“Since you say so, then… actually, I’m anxious.”

It was an honest feeling.

Ever since she heard the story of 200 million in sales at the supermarket yesterday, her heart had been pounding continuously.

There was only one reason.

She wondered if she could hold out.

Until she heard that the kid was in the red, she had hope that she could beat him.

Moreover, since the headquarters said they would actively help, that hope was bound to be great.

But the moment she heard yesterday that the kid had made 200 million in sales, all that hope was shattered.

Then, the thought that came to her was whether she could hold out against that kid, let alone win.

Meanwhile, a slight smile was spreading across Park Sun-woo’s lips.

The moment Han Mi-sook said she was anxious, he immediately understood what the situation was.

Perhaps it was a natural reaction.

It would be abnormal if she wasn’t anxious when the sales of a competitor were 200 million.

But that didn’t mean he could show it right away.

Park Sun-woo immediately asked as if he didn’t know anything.

-Madam, what are you anxious about?

“Holding out, I don’t have any thoughts of beating that kid anymore. Instead, I’m wondering how I should hold out, and whether that’s even possible.”

-Hmm….

Park Sun-woo didn’t answer right away and was quietly as if he was thinking about something. But this was also his own show. He knew very well that doing this would make the other person think that he was worrying together, and the more that happened, the more trust they would have in the headquarters.

After a while.

Park Sun-woo slowly opened his mouth.

-Until I didn’t know that the kid was making that much in sales, I thought I had to beat him no matter what, but now I think I need to change my response method.

Of course, it’s a lie. He already knew about the kid’s sales from the beginning, and after discussing it with Chairman Min Hong-shik, they had already decided to hold out as much as possible.

But Han Mi-sook’s reaction, who had no way of knowing that, was bound to be sensitive.

“Change? How?”

-Like you said a little while ago, to hold out as much as possible.

“Is that possible?”

-We have to make it possible. That’s why our headquarters exists. So don’t worry too much.

“If only that were the case….”

Han Mi-sook felt like she wanted to cry right away.

When she signed a contract with Movie Heart three months ago, she thought she wouldn’t have to worry about her retirement.

At least 5 million won was falling every month.

It wasn’t difficult, and it was a fully possible figure.

But in just three months, the situation had completely changed strangely.

The cause of all this was just one person, that kid named Kim Hyun-sung.

Suddenly, a curse word popped out of Han Mi-sook’s mouth.

“Where the hell did that son of a bitch come from?”

-Yes? What suddenly…?

“That guy, that kid from Cinema Paradise!”

-Ah, yes….

Park Sun-woo was slowly reaching the limit of his patience. At this rate, it seemed like there would be no end to the complaints. At first, he had no choice but to accept it because there were some lies he had no choice but to tell, but now he was starting to think it was a waste of time.

In this case, it seemed better to just make an excuse and cut it off appropriately.

But then Han Mi-sook’s urgent voice was heard again.

“Chief!”

-Yes, please speak.

“Can I know what kind of guy he is?”

-Yes? What do you mean?

“I’m curious, and I’m also angry. I want to know what kind of guy he is to trample on our retirement like this!”

There was desperation in Han Mi-sook’s voice. That meant that Hyun-sung was a thorn in her side right now.

‘What is this again?’

Meanwhile, Park Sun-woo, who heard that story, instinctively felt a tingling sensation.

The thought that he could make enough pocket money if he did well immediately flashed through his mind.

Park Sun-woo, who couldn’t miss that, was there.

-What do you want?

“I told you, I want to know what kind of guy he is.”

-How far?

“If possible, everything, starting with where that young kid got the money, and his parents….”

Han Mi-sook’s unnecessary curiosity was the moment she was asking for trouble. Of course, the price would be money like blood.

When Han Mi-sook’s words were finished, Park Sun-woo immediately threw the bait as if he had been waiting.

-Shall I help you a little?

“Really?”

-You’re not just anyone, you’re the Madam of our chain store, so that much… but this is a bit….

“Why? What’s the problem?”

-As you know, Madam, this kind of thing isn’t very healthy, so it costs a bit of money.

“Of course, I know that much too. I’m not such a naive woman. Is 3 million won enough?”

-3 million won?

Park Sun-woo’s voice grew louder without him realizing it. The reason was that Han Mi-sook had presented an amount that he had never expected.

This is why you shouldn’t watch too many dramas.

It’s not about digging up affairs or finding out about dangerous people. It’s just about finding out about an ordinary kid.

Park Sun-woo felt like he wanted to shout for joy right away.

But Han Mi-sook’s position, who didn’t know anything, was different.

“Why? Is it too little? Then how much….”

-Ah, no. Usually, 5 million won is the basic amount, but I’ll do it for that amount because you’re not just anyone. Instead, please keep just one thing!

Park Sun-woo deliberately put strength at the end of his words.

Tension is essential when doing this kind of work. That way, Han Mi-sook, who made the request, can imitate the drama.

As expected, Han Mi-sook’s voice trembled slightly at the end.

“One thing? What is it…?”

-Keep it a secret. This is illegal, so you can’t tell anyone.

“Chief, really… I’m not such a naive person….”

Park Sun-woo took the phone away from his ear before Han Mi-sook could finish speaking, then started laughing to himself.

After a while.

As soon as Park Sun-woo hung up the phone, Chairman Min Hong-shik immediately asked as if he was curious.

“Who is it?”

“It’s the Madam of the Bupyeong branch in Incheon.”

“Why is that woman?”

“That’s… well….”

Park Sun-woo began to explain the contents of the call so far.

The longer his explanation continued, the brighter Chairman Min Hong-shik’s expression became. And finally, when his explanation was finished, Chairman Min Hong-shik burst into laughter as if he couldn’t hold back any longer.

“Haha, hahahaha….”

“It seems like she’s watched too many dramas. Puhahaha….”

Park Sun-woo also burst into laughter, which he had been holding back.

That’s how the two of them started talking about an innocent woman for a long time.

After a while, Min Hong-shik asked again.

“By the way, what’s the story about Daegu? I heard you say that Chief Park is in Daegu?”

“What can I do? I was about to get scolded by that woman, so I had no choice but to say that I came to Daegu on a business trip.”

“Hehe, now your lies are very natural.”

“I have no choice but to do it to make a living. By the way, Chairman, I suddenly got 3 million won in pocket money.”

“That’s right. And you’re already investigating that kid, aren’t you?”

“Yes, that’s right. I’ll be getting a call by the end of today anyway. So this money is completely free money. Puhahaha….”

It was then.

Ddiring!

Park Sun-woo’s phone rang.

“Hello.”

-Chief Park, it’s me.

The person who called was the headquarters employee who had gone down to Gangwon-do to investigate Hyun-sung.

His voice was heard again.

-Chief, don’t be surprised. Well….

The more the employee’s explanation continued, the more Park Sun-woo’s face began to turn pale.