Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 573

A week later.

The closure of Movie Heart was completed in just one week. Since it wasn’t a complete shutdown, and only required changing the rental items from videos to books, along with some sign and window tinting work, it didn’t take much time.

However, this was only possible because Hyun-sung, with his experience, took charge. Without that experience, it would have taken at least a month.

Knowing this, Yoo Seung-il bowed his head to Hyun-sung.

“Mr. Kim, I’m really grateful. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have been able to finish in a week what would have taken me months alone.”

“I just did what I could…”

Hyun-sung already knew this, so he couldn’t say anything more. Instead, he answered by talking about how to run the business in the future.

“Since book rental stores are still unfamiliar to the general public, you’ll need to do a lot of advertising. If you consistently advertise, your sales will increase more than when you were renting videos within six months. So, don’t be too impatient…”

Back then, book rental stores were rare. But in the next five or six years, they would gradually increase nationwide.

However, Yoo Seung-il, unaware of this, asked Hyun-sung with a slightly worried expression.

“Hey, do people really borrow books? Honestly, I’m doing it because you told me to, but I’m worried…”

Yoo Seung-il stopped mid-sentence. He realized that saying such things to Hyun-sung, who had been helping him like it was his own business, was impolite.

“I’m sorry, I was so worried that I unknowingly said something I shouldn’t have to someone who has been helping me.”

“It’s okay, I understand you’re worried.”

“I guess I’m just more scared because I failed with the video store.”

“That’s natural. People are always like that after a setback. But you can trust me this time. In just six months, you’ll be making at least 500,000 won a day. Moreover, since there are no other book rental stores within a 2-kilometer radius, you’ll be a huge success if you advertise well.”

“If only that were true…”

Yoo Seung-il’s eyes sparkled. It seemed his expectations were even greater because of his past failure with the video store.

He took something out of his pocket and handed it to Hyun-sung.

“Mr. Kim, please accept this.”

“What is this?”

“Of course, this amount of money might not mean much to you, but please accept it as a token of my gratitude.”

Hyun-sung reluctantly accepted the envelope Yoo Seung-il offered and checked the contents. Inside were five one million won bills.

After thinking for a moment, Hyun-sung handed the envelope back to Yoo Seung-il and continued.

“I can’t accept this. I helped you from the beginning not because of money, but for another reason. I already told you that before. So, please put this money back.”

“Of course, I know that. But people have a sense of decency. You probably know better than me, but I was only going to get 10 million won from this place. But thanks to you, I received over 100 million won. Of course, I was able to buy all these books with that money.”

Yoo Seung-il paused for a moment before continuing.

“And someone told me that an industry insider could have taken at least 30 million won for themselves from our stuff. But you didn’t take a single won. How could I just stand by in that situation? Please, just accept this small amount.”

“No, if I were going to take this money, I would have taken it when we first disposed of the videos, as you said. I did this for something more valuable than money, so I’m satisfied with that.”

That was true. If money had been the goal from the beginning, he wouldn’t have even started. He helped him to resolve the bad blood from his past life. And he had achieved that goal sufficiently. In that situation, taking money now was something Hyun-sung couldn’t accept.

“Oh dear, this is…”

Yoo Seung-il could only chuckle, holding the envelope.

“I’ll be going now…”

Hyun-sung bowed to Yoo Seung-il and left Movie Heart.

Yoo Seung-il was left alone.

Yoo Seung-il, who had been looking at the door Hyun-sung disappeared through, suddenly lowered his head deeply. In his 55 years, Hyun-sung was the first person to refuse money.

Hyun-sung came out and was passing by the bakery.

“Video Samchon [Uncle]!”

He turned around and saw Yoon Soo-jung, the bakery owner’s daughter. He saw her two or three times a week, so they had become quite close, and Yoon Soo-jung called out to Hyun-sung as he passed by.

Hyun-sung immediately opened his arms and called out to Yoon Soo-jung.

“Oh! Soo-jung!”

As soon as Hyun-sung finished speaking, Yoon Soo-jung ran into his arms. It was just like she used to do in his past life.

Lee Se-i, who was watching, pouted and said,

“Yoon Soo-jung, don’t you like Video Samchon more than your mom now?”

“Hehe… Mom?”

Yoon Soo-jung stuck out her tongue and smiled at Lee Se-i. Hyun-sung couldn’t help but smile at the sight.

Then Lee Se-i continued,

“Okay, that’s enough. Come down so Samchon can work.”

“Just a little more…”

Hyun-sung entered the bakery with Yoon Soo-jung in his arms. Lee Se-i followed and said again,

“Yoon Soo-jung, come down now!”

“Hing, Mom?”

Yoon Soo-jung reluctantly got out of Hyun-sung’s arms. Then Hyun-sung said to Lee Se-i,

“How are you doing these days?”

“Business has been slow lately because the country’s atmosphere is unsettled. Sales started to decline in July, and it’s been pretty bad this September.”

Lee Se-i’s expression darkened compared to before. It meant that business had been bad lately.

Perhaps it was only natural. Starting in July, rumors of a foreign exchange crisis spread from Southeast Asia, and the domestic economy began to shake.

The final blow would come in November, with South Korea’s foreign exchange crisis and the IMF [International Monetary Fund] bailout.

But for Lee Se-i, that wasn’t the problem.

Next month, construction would begin right across the street. It was the construction for the Paris Baguette store. In six months, Lee Se-i would be forced to close down, unable to compete with the large chain store.

“Sigh!”

A sigh escaped Hyun-sung’s lips. As he delved into his memories of his past life, he unknowingly sighed.

Lee Se-i immediately reacted.

“Why are you sighing like that all of a sudden? You shouldn’t have any worries these days. After all, Movie Heart has changed from a video store to a bookstore.”

“It’s not because of me, but there’s a reason.”

Hyun-sung couldn’t bring himself to talk about Paris Baguette. Of course, Lee Se-i would find out soon enough.

Lee Se-i, unaware of this, asked again.

“Why? Is someone around you upset about something?”

Instead of answering, Hyun-sung started putting bread in a basket. But because his mind was elsewhere, the amount of bread was considerable.

Lee Se-i immediately asked,

“Why are you buying so much bread?”

“Huh? Oh, yes. I have a lot of employees.”

Hyun-sung had no choice but to make excuses about his employees.

“Oh, I see…”

Lee Se-i nodded as if she understood.

But only for a moment, she tilted her head again. The reason was that Hyun-sung’s way of choosing bread seemed different from other days.

But she thought it would be an overreaction to ask about that, so she just closed her mouth. Unaware that it was because of her.

Hyun-sung, carrying bread in both hands, glanced across the street as he left the bakery. That was the building where Paris Baguette construction would begin in two weeks.

After a moment.

“Okay, let’s find a way forward.”

Hyun-sung started walking again.

In his past life, he had no ability and could only watch young Yoon Soo-jung leave crying. But now, he was definitely different from then, so Hyun-sung thought there would be a way.

***

A few days later.

After closing, Hyun-sung said to his employees,

“Okay, everyone, gather around here.”

As soon as Hyun-sung finished speaking, all the employees gathered around the counter. Then Hyun-sung spoke again.

“As you all know, today is the last day. Of course, Myung-hoon has decided to work with me longer…”

Hyun-sung’s words became longer than he thought. It seemed he had a lot to say because it was the last day. Hyun-sung finally called the youngest, Yoo Young-seok.

“Young-seok!”

“Yes, boss.”

“You said you’re going to the army next week, right?”

“Yes, I’m reporting to the Nonsan Training Center next Wednesday. So, I’m going to Nonsan with my mom and dad on Tuesday.”

That’s right. Yoo Young-seok’s family became whole again 20 days ago. The family, which had been separated due to his father and mother’s divorce, had reunited.

That day, Yoo Young-seok was so happy that he even called Hyun-sung and cried.

“By the way, how are your parents these days?”

“You wouldn’t believe it. They’re like newlyweds these days. Sometimes I wonder if they’re really my mom and dad.”

The happiness was palpable in Yoo Young-seok’s expression.

Then Lee Myung-hoon spoke up.

“Boss, shouldn’t we have a farewell party for our youngest before he goes to the army?”

“Of course, we should. I was planning to do that today anyway. Let’s have a drink for the first round and go to a club for the second.”

“Ooh yeah!”

“Awesome, I’ll finally get to let loose.”

The employees all looked happy. But one person was unusually quiet. It was Park Cheol-ho.

Hyun-sung asked Park Cheol-ho.

“Hey, Park Cheol-ho. What’s wrong with you today? Your face hasn’t looked good since earlier. Is something wrong?”

“No, sir.”

“What do you mean no? Your face clearly says otherwise. Tell me what’s wrong.”

“Well…”

Park Cheol-ho couldn’t continue for some reason. Then Yoo Young-seok, who was next to him, spoke up instead.

“It’s probably because of the boss.”

“What, because of me? What are you talking about?”

Hyun-sung looked at Yoo Young-seok in an instant. It meant he should explain what he was talking about.

Yoo Young-seok, knowing this, immediately continued.

“Cheol-ho hyung [older brother] probably doesn’t want to part ways with the boss. Cheol-ho hyung, am I wrong?”

Yoo Young-seok asked Park Cheol-ho at the end. Then Park Cheol-ho blushed as if he was embarrassed.

Seeing this, Hyun-sung asked Park Cheol-ho again.

“Is that true?”

“… Yes.”

“Why?”

“Is there a reason why someone doesn’t want to part ways?”

“Oh? Oh, okay.”

Hyun-sung was also momentarily embarrassed. Of course, it wasn’t that he didn’t feel sad about parting ways, but it wasn’t to the point of being serious, so he couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed.

Then Lee Myung-hoon asked Park Cheol-ho again.

“Is it because of what you said last time?”

“…”

“You’re not saying anything, so I guess I’m right?”

“It’s not all of it.”

“So, what you’re saying is that it’s partly true?”

Park Cheol-ho nodded this time instead of answering. Then Hyun-sung, looking at the scene, asked Lee Myung-hoon.

“Is it something I shouldn’t know?”

“It’s not that. Actually, it’s something the boss should know.”

“Really? Then tell me what it is.”

“This guy said he wanted to learn how to run a business properly under the boss. He said that he’s only been doing deliveries so far, so he doesn’t know much about running a store.”

“Hmm…”

After thinking for a moment, Hyun-sung looked at Park Cheol-ho and asked.

“Is what Myung-hoon said true?”

“… Yes.”

“Then why didn’t you tell me directly?”

“I thought it would be a burden.”

“A burden?”

“Yes, that’s how I felt. I wasn’t going to say anything that day either, but I ended up telling Myung-hoon hyung because I was drunk.”

It was understandable to some extent. Park Cheol-ho was twenty-four years old. Of course, it wasn’t a lot of age, but it wasn’t a small age either. So, he probably felt that asking to stay after the contract period was over would be a burden to Hyun-sung.

Smirk.

It was the moment a smile spread across Hyun-sung’s face. He was just grateful that he had such a considerate heart at that age.

Tap tap.

Hyun-sung lightly tapped Park Cheol-ho’s shoulder and continued.

“Okay! Come back to work starting tomorrow.”

“Yes? Is that really true?”

“But be prepared, running a business isn’t easy.”

“Yes, I understand. I’ll even pretend to die if you tell me to, boss. Just tell me what to do.”

It was right then.

Two employees who hadn’t said anything until now approached Hyun-sung. Then they immediately opened their mouths.

“What about us?”

“…”