Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 551

“Ugh, I’m exhausted.”

After seeing Hyun-sung off, Yoo Young-seok returned to his studio apartment and immediately collapsed onto the floor. He hadn’t slept a wink, having spent the early morning making side dishes for Hyun-sung, his boss.

He hadn’t initially planned to do that.

He had arrived home from work at 3 a.m.

Feeling tired, he went straight to bed. But despite his exhaustion, he found himself unable to fall asleep.

Hyun-sung’s words kept echoing in his ears.

He had been told to have a meal with his parents since it was Parents’ Day.

And he had even received 100,000 won [approximately $75 USD].

The reason he couldn’t sleep was simple.

It was because he couldn’t have a meal with his parents.

There were several reasons, but the biggest one was that he didn’t want to see his parents just yet.

That meant the wounds in his heart were still raw.

However, he was also worried about his father, who was divorced and living alone.

Anyway, as he was pondering, he thought of Hyun-sung, his boss.

Hyun-sung was the only person he could confide in about his family situation.

And although there was only a nine-year age difference, Hyun-sung took care of him in every little way, which strangely made him feel like a father figure.

So, he decided he wanted to make breakfast side dishes for Hyun-sung, who was leaving for the countryside.

He had only known him for a little over a month, but Hyun-sung was currently the person who took the best care of him and whom he could trust and follow.

Up to this point, there were no problems.

The problem arose after he made the side dishes and went to see Hyun-sung.

Before breakfast, Hyun-sung suddenly made a request.

He asked him to at least see his parents’ faces, even if it was difficult.

This was said by someone who knew his situation better than anyone else.

Someone he trusted and respected the most at this moment.

So, the *gomin* [Korean word for ‘worry’ or ‘dilemma’] began.

Why?

Why would he say such a thing?

If someone else had said it, he wouldn’t have cared. He could just ignore it and pretend he didn’t hear it.

He could dismiss it as someone speaking without knowing the circumstances.

But because it was Hyun-sung who said it, he couldn’t ignore it.

So, he ended up saying he would think about it.

But the problem is that even now, when he thinks of his parents, he only feels resentment.

That’s why he’s suffering.

Considering Hyun-sung’s actions so far, he couldn’t shake the feeling that Hyun-sung wouldn’t have said that without a reason, knowing his situation.

“What do you want me to do?”

Yoo Young-seok repeatedly hit his pillow with his head. He was venting his frustration on the pillow, unable to decide what to do.

After agonizing for a while, he suddenly became quiet. He had fallen asleep without realizing it, due to staying up all night.

***

After driving for two hours, Hyun-sung arrived at Munmak Service Area.

“Pfft.”

Hyun-sung, who was drinking coffee, suddenly burst out laughing. It was because of the employees who had come to see him off early in the morning.

When Yoo Young-seok first came, he was surprised, but he thought nothing of it. Yoo Young-seok had his own family situation, after all.

But when the other employees came a little later, he couldn’t help but be amazed. He hadn’t expected it at all.

And what was even more surprising was the food and gifts they had prepared.

Pork bone stew and a Korean beef rib set.

While he could understand buying pork bone stew from a 24-hour place, the Korean beef rib set was another matter.

Curious, he couldn’t help but ask.

Where did they buy a Korean beef rib set so early in the morning?

The answer was Majang-dong.

They had ridden their motorcycles to Majang-dong Livestock Market in Seoul to buy it that early in the morning.

Slurp.

Hyun-sung took a sip of his coffee, and a smile unconsciously spread across his face.

He didn’t know how they came up with the idea, but what mattered was that he was working with such people.

He was endlessly grateful to them.

These were connections he didn’t have in his past life, so the gratitude felt even more special.

“Alright.”

Hyun-sung finished his coffee and got into the truck.

His gaze naturally went to the passenger seat. There, the Korean beef rib set, which Lee Myung-hoon and Park Cheol-ho had gone to Majang-dong Livestock Market to buy early in the morning, was placed like a painting.

Tuk tuk.

Hyun-sung lightly tapped the Korean beef rib set with his hand.

Their grateful hearts seemed to be conveyed directly to his fingertips.

“That’s right…….”

Since leaving Incheon, Hyun-sung had been concerned about one person in his mind.

It was Yoo Young-seok, the youngest employee.

Of course, he had told him to visit his parents since it was Parents’ Day, but he knew it wouldn’t be easy.

But he couldn’t help it. He felt that doing so would be better for him, even if only a little.

Whether he accepted it or not was up to him.

“Hmm…….”

After pondering for a moment, Hyun-sung picked up his phone. Then, he started making a call.

The other person answered after two rings.

-Hello.

“Young-seok, it’s me.”

The person Hyun-sung called was Yoo Young-seok. He couldn’t just leave after saying that, as he was too concerned.

-Oh? Boss, where are you right now?

“I’ve stopped at a service area for a bit. I was about to have a cup of coffee and leave, but I thought of you and called.”

-Ah, is that so? I think I fell asleep for a moment.

“You must be tired from staying up all night. I’m not sure if I woke you up while you were sleeping.”

-No, I actually just woke up a little while ago.

“Oh, is that so…….”

He had made the call, but he was unsure what to say. He couldn’t repeat what he had said in the morning, knowing Yoo Young-seok’s situation better than anyone else.

Then, Yoo Young-seok’s voice was heard.

-Boss, I had a dream.

“A dream? What kind of dream?”

-About my dad.

“Dad? …….”

Hyun-sung was momentarily speechless at the word ‘dad.’ He couldn’t help but think about how much his words in the morning must have weighed on him, causing him to have a dream.

Then, Yoo Young-seok continued.

-My dad was crying.

“It’s just a dream, so don’t…….”

-Boss!

Yoo Young-seok called out to Hyun-sung before he could finish his sentence. Then, he immediately continued.

-What should I do?

“Why? Is there a problem?”

-Actually, I’ve been thinking a lot about what you said this morning, and honestly, my heart isn’t open yet. But on the other hand, I can’t stop thinking about it.”

“Yeah, I know it won’t be easy. That’s why I called you. I was worried. Don’t push yourself too hard if it’s too difficult.”

What had been bothering him while driving was Yoo Young-seok’s age.

Of course, age wasn’t an absolute standard, but it was important to some extent in decision-making, so he couldn’t help but be concerned.

Twenty years old, Yoo Young-seok’s age, was exactly that.

Not too young, but not too old either.

-Boss, can I ask you something?

“Of course, what is it?”

-I want to ask you the reason.

“Reason? What reason?”

-You know my situation and my parents’ situation so well, so why did you say that…….”

Yoo Young-seok’s voice trembled slightly at the end. That meant he was going through a lot internally.

Hyun-sung paused for a moment, wondering how to speak in a way that would help him.

But the *gomin* [Korean word for ‘worry’ or ‘dilemma’] didn’t last long. He decided it would be better to be honest for his sake.

Hyun-sung said firmly.

“Because they’re your parents!”

-Pardon?

“No matter what anyone says, they’re the parents who gave birth to you and raised you.”

-But…….

“Yeah, I know you have special circumstances. But I still thought you should at least give them a chance.”

-A chance?

“Yeah, everyone makes mistakes.”

This was what Hyun-sung wanted to say.

Everyone makes mistakes. Of course, it would be better not to, but that’s just how people are.

The problem is what comes next.

It’s whether they acknowledge and realize their mistakes. And then, the most important thing is to reflect.

Commonly known as repentance.

He wanted to give them that chance.

It wasn’t just anyone, but parents and children.

If they were strangers, he could just not see them. But the relationship between parents and children wasn’t that simple.

Of course, he didn’t know how Yoo Young-seok’s father would react.

But he made the suggestion, believing that giving him at least a chance would be better for Yoo Young-seok.

-Are you saying it’s a mistake?

“Yeah, I make mistakes too. I think we need a chance to realize and reflect on them.”

-A chance to realize and reflect?

“That’s right, I want you to give them that chance.”

-Do you think my dad is capable of that?

“I can’t guarantee that. But I hope you give him that chance. Not seeing your mom and dad like this doesn’t seem right for you or your parents.”

-…….

Yoo Young-seok was silent, unsure of what he was thinking.

Then, Hyun-sung continued.

“I won’t force you. You can go another time if it’s too difficult.”

-…….

“I don’t think there’s a more precious and valuable relationship than that between parents and children. And if something happens, you should try to resolve it, not cut it off.”

-Resolve it?

“Yeah, I learned that you should resolve relationships, not cut them off. That means you have to try hard, both of you.”

-Boss!

Yoo Young-seok suddenly called out to Hyun-sung. Then, he immediately continued.

-Can I do it?

“You’re the only one who can solve this problem.”

-Only me?

“Yeah, I heard you ran away from home. Don’t do that anymore, talk to them.”

-Talk to them?

“Yeah, you were too scared to avoid them before, but don’t do that anymore. Say what you want to say and point out what’s wrong, one by one…….”

Hyun-sung’s words grew longer. It seemed he had a lot to say.

After a while.

Yoo Young-seok quietly called out to Hyun-sung.

-Um, Boss!

“Yeah.”

-I’ll think about it a little more and decide.

“Okay, like I said before, don’t push yourself if it’s too difficult. Today isn’t the only day.”

-Yes, I understand.

“Okay, I’ll see you when I get back.”

-Yes.

Hyun-sung nodded and hung up the phone. Or, he was about to. But suddenly, Yoo Young-seok’s voice boomed from the phone.

-Boss!

“Huh? What is it?”

-Have a safe trip, and thank you!

Yoo Young-seok’s voice was thicker than ever.

Hyun-sung hung up the phone, nodded, and smiled.

From now on, Yoo Young-seok would take care of it himself. Of course, he would respect whatever choice he made.

Vroom!

Hyun-sung stepped on the accelerator again. Then, the one-ton truck he was in started moving forward towards Hongcheon.

***

After ending the call with Hyun-sung, Yoo Young-seok sat still for a while.

About ten minutes passed.

“Alright!”

Yoo Young-seok stood up from his seat as if he had made a decision and headed to the kitchen. Then, he started taking out tofu and food ingredients from the refrigerator.

His expression was full of motivation, unlike before.

How much time had passed?

Yoo Young-seok, who had changed into his going-out clothes, was holding a container of side dishes. He was heading to Bupyeong Station.

He had to take the subway from Bupyeong Station to go to Dongincheon.

Step by step.

Yoo Young-seok’s steps towards Bupyeong Station began to quicken.