Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 562

564

Regressing to be a Building Owner

“Did he leave? That guy?”

Yoo Seung-il asked as soon as Han Mi-sook entered the hospital room after seeing Park Sun-woo off.

“Yes, he just got on the elevator. But you said you were tired, are you okay?”

“I wasn’t tired, I just didn’t want to see that guy. Seriously, what kind of thief is that? What? 20 million? I was so dumbfounded… Ha!”

Yoo Seung-il let out a hollow laugh, as if he couldn’t believe it.

Then Han Mi-sook immediately asked.

“I think it’s too little. Of course, I know things are different when you buy and sell, but how can there be such a big difference?”

“That’s what I’m saying. I spent 110 million won on that stuff over four months. How can it only be worth 20 million won? Does that make any sense?”

“Exactly. What are we going to do now?”

Han Mi-sook lowered her head, looking as if she was about to cry. Seeing that, Yoo Seung-il also sighed deeply, looking just as pathetic.

The two of them were silent for a while.

A moment later.

Yoo Seung-il spoke first.

“The more I think about it, the more I don’t think this is right.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I think I should call another dealer.”

“Do you know anyone?”

“Someone came by before, and I think his business card is on the counter desk. I should contact him when I get discharged tomorrow.”

“Um, maybe…”

Han Mi-sook started to say something but couldn’t finish and just covered her mouth. Then Yoo Seung-il immediately asked.

“What is it? Why are you stopping in the middle of your sentence?”

“It’s a little hard to say…”

“What is it?”

“Maybe to Mr. Kim…”

“Mr. Kim? Who is that?”

Yoo Seung-il stared blankly at Han Mi-sook, as if he didn’t know who she was talking about. That’s because there was no one named Mr. Kim among the people he could ask about videos. Well, there was one person: Kim Hyun-sung of Cinema Paradise. But he never imagined that the person Han Mi-sook was talking about was him, so he asked.

Han Mi-sook’s answer followed.

“That kid I’m talking about.”
“What? Who?”

“I’m talking about the owner of Cinema Paradise, Mr. Kim. You mentioned it once before, when we first opened, he looked at our stuff and said it was worth 30 million won. Don’t you remember?”

“Of course, I…”

Of course, he remembered.

It was the opening day.

He went to the store at 5 a.m. with excitement. At that time, Hyun-sung, who was doing his morning exercise, came into the store.

He glanced around at the videos and suddenly said, ’80 million, right?’

At first, he didn’t know what that meant.

So he asked, and Hyun-sung said it was the price the headquarters had requested.

Of course, he was surprised. 80 million for 40,000 copies, exactly the amount requested by the headquarters.

Then he said again, ‘It’s 50 million.’

Of course, he had no idea what that meant. So he asked again what he was talking about, and Hyun-sung said it was the money the headquarters took.

In the end, it meant that the headquarters took 50 million from 80 million, and the actual value of the goods was 30 million.

It was ridiculous, and he didn’t want to believe it, but the situation was too unsettling.

Because a dealer had come the day before and said the same thing.

Han Mi-sook was talking about that time.

“Of course, it’s a matter of pride, but I don’t think we’re in a position to worry about that now.”

“So you’re saying we should get a quote from that kid too?”

“Yes, since this is the final stage anyway. That way, we can get a sense of whether the headquarters’ story is true or not.”

“Hmm…”

Yoo Seung-il was silent for a moment, as if he was thinking about something.

He opened his mouth less than a minute later.

“You make the call.”

“Yes? Me?”

“Yeah, tell him I want to see him. By now, rumors have probably spread to him that I collapsed and was taken to the hospital.”

“That’s true, but… do you think Mr. Kim will come if I call?”

“We’ll see, but I think he’ll come.”

“I don’t know…”

Han Mi-sook tilted her head slightly and pressed the call button on the phone Yoo Seung-il handed her.

Watching her, Yoo Seung-il began to smile strangely, as if he had something in mind.

***

Movie Heart Headquarters.

“How did it go?”

Chairman Min Hong-shik asked as soon as Manager Park Sun-woo entered the office.

Park Sun-woo, perhaps because of the heat, poured a cup of cold water from the water purifier before answering.

“I quoted 20 million won. And I left some room to give about 3 million more after talking to the chairman.”

“What was their reaction?”

“They seemed very disappointed, of course.”

“I guess so. They bought it for 80 million and filled it with videos for over four months, but it’s only worth 20 million. By the way, does President Yoo have any used dealers around him?”

“Well, I don’t know about that, but I don’t think we can rule it out. There are quite a few dealers, after all.”

Park Sun-woo drank another cup of water, as if he was thirsty, and then continued.

“The important thing is the rumor. The key is to hurry up and sign the contract before the rumor spreads. Once the rumor spreads, they’ll flock like a swarm of flies.”

“So hurry up.”

“Yes, I understand. He said he’s being discharged tomorrow afternoon, so I’ll go back to Bupyeong tomorrow.”

“Okay, do that. By the way, how are the goods there?”

“Almost top-notch. I received about 6 to 7 million won a month for purchase costs, so the assortment is almost perfect.”

“With that kind of stuff, you can get at least 100 million won.”

“Yes, that’s right. That’s the lowest, and if you meet the right person, you can get up to 120 million won.”

“Hmm…”

Chairman Min Hong-shik nodded and seemed to be thinking about something before opening his mouth.

“Go back to Incheon.”

“Yes? Now?”

“Yes, from now on, Manager Park should commute to Bupyeong until he gets that stuff. Go ahead and guard it so that no dung beetles get involved. And pay the deposit as soon as possible.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Park Sun-woo turned around to leave and then turned back and continued.

“About that kid.”

“That kid? Ah, Cinema Paradise? But why that kid?”

“I was wondering if that kid might interfere.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I was coming out of the hospital earlier and I was worried, so I went back and eavesdropped for a moment. I didn’t hear it clearly, but I thought I heard them talking about that kid.”

“Really?”

Chairman Min Hong-shik shook his head slightly.

After all, Yoo Seung-il and that kid were enemies, or as good as. In that situation, it didn’t make sense that the two of them would meet and do something together.

“I guess not?”

“Well, anyway, the conclusion is that they’re closing down because of that kid, so there’s no way the two of them would meet.”

“I guess so…”

Park Sun-woo nodded and left the office as if he understood.

But there was something the two of them didn’t know. Yoo Seung-il and Hyun-sung were already connected.

***

Hyun-sung tilted his head after hanging up the phone. Then Lee Myung-hoon, who was next to him, immediately asked.

“Boss, what’s wrong?”

“He wants to see me.”

“Yes? Who?”

“Movie Heart’s President Yoo.”

“Huh? Why?”

Lee Myung-hoon shook his head violently, as if it didn’t make sense.

Perhaps it was natural from Lee Myung-hoon’s point of view. After all, they were at war with Movie Heart.

The same was true for Hyun-sung.

When he first received the call and heard that it was from the wife of Movie Heart’s President Yoo, he couldn’t help but be surprised.

He never expected to receive a call from her.

But the problem was the reason.

Why did Yoo Seung-il want to see him?

“I don’t know, that’s what I’m wondering. Why would that man want to see me?”

“Are you going to go?”

“Well, I don’t know…”

After thinking for a moment, Hyun-sung immediately opened his mouth.

“I have to go. It’s not like it’s someone else; it’s someone lying in the hospital calling me.”

“But why did the Movie Heart president call you?”

“Well… I don’t know for sure, but I think he’s going to wrap things up.”

“Wrap things up?”

“Yeah, he can’t hold on any longer. I don’t think there’s any other reason he would call me.”

He had thought that way when he heard that he had collapsed today. He had already been in a difficult situation, and now that he had collapsed, he thought it was time.

And to make matters worse, he had lost more than 30 million won, which would have further dampened his motivation.

“So, is Movie Heart finally coming to an end?”

“I think so… but you never know what will happen, so we’ll have to wait and see. Anyway, I’m going to the hospital for a while, so take care of the store with the kids.”

“Yes, boss.”

Lee Myung-hoon smiled and answered with a salute. He seemed to be in a good mood, thinking that the war with Movie Heart might be over.

30 minutes later.

Hyun-sung arrived at Bupyeong St. Mary’s Hospital, bought a box of Bacchus [Korean energy drink] at the store on the first floor, and headed straight to the hospital room.

“Welcome!”

Yoo Seung-il greeted Hyun-sung as soon as he entered. But the strange thing was his expression. It was completely different from what he had seen so far. It was like looking at a friendly neighborhood uncle.

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine now. I’m taking a break while I’m down, and I’m getting some nutrients while I’m here at the hospital, and I’m going to rest until tomorrow. Um… would you mind holding my hand?”

“Yes? Ah, yes…”

Hyun-sung reached out his hand in a daze. Then Yoo Seung-il immediately took Hyun-sung’s hand.

He felt warmth.

But at that moment.

Hyun-sung immediately tilted his head. The reason was the bad energy he felt behind the warmth.

It was the same feeling he had when he first met Chairman Shin Chun-ho of Nongshim [a major Korean food company] a long time ago.

“What’s wrong?”

Yoo Seung-il asked as soon as Hyun-sung showed a strange reaction.

“Have you had any other tests done?”

“Other tests? No, I didn’t do it because there was no need to. I collapsed because I had high blood pressure, but I took some medicine and rested, so I’m fine. But why are you asking?”

“Just a moment.”

Hyun-sung took Yoo Seung-il’s hand again and closed his eyes tightly. Then he concentrated and began to scan his entire body.

He felt bad energy in the liver, separate from the blood pressure.

It was almost the same energy he had felt from Chairman Shin Chun-ho of Nongshim before. At that time, Chairman Shin Chun-ho had early-stage liver cancer.

‘If so…’

After thinking for a moment, Hyun-sung carefully opened his mouth.

“I’m sorry, but I recommend a liver ultrasound today…”

“What? A liver ultrasound?”

Before Hyun-sung could finish speaking, Yoo Seung-il immediately reacted. Then Han Mi-sook, who was next to him, looked at Hyun-sung with a surprised expression and immediately asked.

“Why suddenly an ultrasound?”

“It’s hard to explain, but I hope you’ll get a test while you’re here at the hospital.”

“But why?”

“You’ll see later.”

Hyun-sung felt almost certain. He thought it was probably at a similar level to Chairman Shin Chun-ho.

But the strange thing was that he hadn’t felt this feeling in a long time. He couldn’t feel it at all last time with Yoo Young-seok’s father, the youngest [likely referring to a previous encounter with another character].

Of course, he already knew that he couldn’t feel everyone, but he was a little embarrassed as Hyun-sung because he felt it again like this.

Yoo Seung-il couldn’t contain his curiosity and asked again.

“Do you have any strange talents?”

“I can’t tell you any more details, but please get a test today as I said. It’s good if the test comes back normal, but if not…”

That was all Hyun-sung could say.

But Yoo Seung-il and Han Mi-sook couldn’t accept it and kept asking and asking.

Each time, Hyun-sung’s answer was the same. He said to get a test first.

10 minutes later.

After thinking for a moment, Yoo Seung-il nodded and said.

“Okay, the fact that you keep repeating the same thing makes me think there must be a special reason. I’ll get the test.”

“Yes, you made a good decision.”

“By the way, the reason I called you was because of the store’s goods.”

“The store’s goods?”

“Yes, I’ve given up in front of you. So, I was wondering if you could give me a quote for our goods?”

His prediction was correct. The reason Yoo Seung-il called him was that he was no longer going to do business. In other words, he was going to close down.

But what he didn’t understand was why he was calling him to ask for a quote.

“Why me? I’m not a dealer, and I don’t have any experience.”

“Have you already forgotten? You said our stuff was worth 30 million won when you saw it on the day I opened.”

“That’s…”

Hyun-sung had nothing to say. That’s because what Yoo Seung-il said was true. He had definitely said that early in the morning on the day Yoo Seung-il opened.

He regretted why he had said that at the time, but it was already water under the bridge.

Hyun-sung had no choice but to open his mouth.

“How much was the monthly purchase cost?”

“Why?”

“The quote depends on that.”

“Um, really? You can say it’s between 6 and 7 million won.”

After Yoo Seung-il spoke, Hyun-sung seemed to think for a moment before opening his mouth.

“It’s between 35 and 40 million won. Of course, this is the price a dealer would take. If you can connect directly with the opening, you can get 50 million, or even 60 million.”

“…”

Yoo Seung-il couldn’t say anything and just looked at each other with his wife, Han Mi-sook. He opened his mouth a moment later. But a strange word came out of his mouth.

“You son of a bitch!”