Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 577

579

Several days later.

“Hehe!”

Hyun-sung was passing by the bookstore during his morning exercise when he noticed someone lingering in front. It was none other than CEO Yoo Seung-il.

“Hey!”

As Hyun-sung approached, Yoo Seung-il raised his hand, greeting him with a smile. This showed how much closer the two had become.

“What brings you here so early?”

“I was waiting for you.”

“Me?”

Hyun-sung couldn’t help but be surprised.

The time was 5:30 AM. The sky was still dark. To think that he had been waiting specifically for him at this hour was quite astonishing.

Curious, Hyun-sung asked, “Is something the matter?”

“Nothing’s wrong, it’s just because of my wife.”

“Your wife? What about her?”

“My wife has been nagging me to bring you home. She wants to make you breakfast, so I had no choice but to wait for you here today.”

“Why does your wife want to see me?”

“She wants to make you breakfast, no matter what.”

“Breakfast?”

Hyun-sung tilted his head at the word ‘breakfast.’ Usually, people make plans for lunch or dinner, but rarely for breakfast.

However, the fact that she mentioned breakfast meant there must be a special reason.

As expected, Yoo Seung-il immediately began to explain.

“We’ve been so indebted to you that my wife feels she needs to express her gratitude in some way. Actually, she’s been talking about it since the day I was discharged from the hospital, but I kept putting it off.”

“Ah, I see…”

Hyun-sung finally understood why Han Mi-sook wanted to make him breakfast.

It was her way of showing gratitude for Hyun-sung’s help in curing Yoo Seung-il’s illness while he was in the hospital.

Yoo Seung-il continued, “So, would today be alright?”

“Today?”

Hyun-sung couldn’t help but feel taken aback. It wasn’t like they were giving him a day or two’s notice; they were asking him to have breakfast with them right after meeting him in the early morning.

“Why, is today not good?”

“No, it’s not that, it’s just so sudden.”

“Isn’t there a saying, ‘Strike while the iron is hot’? You’re going to have breakfast at home anyway, so just think of it as having breakfast at our place today.”

“Hmm… Okay, I understand.”

Hyun-sung thought for a moment and then nodded. Of course, it was sudden, but there was no particular reason to refuse.

As Yoo Seung-il said, he had to eat breakfast anyway.

As soon as Hyun-sung agreed, Yoo Seung-il’s face brightened.

“Thank you, CEO Kim!”

“If we’re talking about gratitude, I’m the one who should be more grateful. You’re inviting me over.”

“Don’t say that. I owe you my life. By the way, the more I get to know you, the more amazing you seem.”

“Me? What about me?”

“This bookstore, to be honest, I didn’t think anyone would borrow books, but it’s only been a week and it’s already making a basic 300,000 won [approximately $230 USD] a day. It’s so different from when I had the video store…”

Yoo Seung-il’s words grew longer. It meant that he was satisfied with the current bookstore. His expression was brighter than ever.

It was probably because of the sales.

It was another moment to confirm that sales determine a business person’s expression.

As Yoo Seung-il finished speaking, Hyun-sung immediately continued.

“If you wait another two or three months, you’ll be making a basic 500,000 won [approximately $380 USD]. Especially during winter vacation, you’ll make even more. So, from now on, don’t overdo it alone and hire a part-timer for a few hours during the day.”

“I’m thinking of doing that after this month.”

“Yes, you’ve made a good decision. Then… I’ll see you at your house later.”

Hyun-sung finished speaking and turned to leave. Or, at least, he tried to. But he couldn’t. The reason was that Yoo Seung-il suddenly grabbed his hand.

“CEO Kim, thank you so much. These days, thanks to you, I’m dreaming again of a dream I had given up on.”

“A dream you had given up on?”

“Yes, actually, my wife and my dream was to go down to the countryside in ten years, build a house, and live by cultivating a garden. But while running the video store, I had no choice but to give up on that dream. CEO Kim knows better than I do why.”

It was a statement that was easy enough to understand.

As Hyun-sung nodded slightly, Yoo Seung-il continued.

“But seeing how well the business is doing these days, I’m starting to think that I can dream that dream again.”

“Yes, I think it’s definitely possible.”

“It’s amazing that I’m dreaming that dream again. Of course, it’s all thanks to you, CEO Kim.”

“No, I just…”

“Thank you so much.”

Yoo Seung-il bowed his head once again. After that, Yoo Seung-il repeated similar words several times before he could part with Hyun-sung.

Thirty minutes later.

After parting with Yoo Seung-il, Hyun-sung arrived home after taking a walk around the neighborhood.

Someone called out to Hyun-sung from behind.

“Boss!”

Turning around, it was none other than the youngest, Yoo Young-seok.

Hyun-sung couldn’t help but be surprised. Because today was the day Yoo Young-seok was supposed to go down to Nonsan to enlist in the army.

“Hey, I thought you were going down to Nonsan today? What are you doing here?”

“I came to say goodbye.”

“Goodbye?”

“Yes, I wanted to say goodbye to you before I went to the army.”

“So, you came all the way here at this early hour?”

“Hehe, yes. And this…”

Yoo Young-seok held out a container of side dishes to Hyun-sung. Hyun-sung, who knew what it was, immediately asked.

“What’s this side dish for?”

“I wanted to give it to you one last time before I went to the army.”

“Hey, what do you mean last time? We’ll see each other again when you get leave [time off]. And you shouldn’t use the word ‘last’ so carelessly.”

Hyun-sung felt that the word ‘last’ felt ominous today. Especially since it was being used by a guy going to the army.

“Yes, I understand. Anyway, please enjoy it. Well, I don’t have much time, so I’ll be going now. Loyalty!”

Yoo Young-seok gave a salute. It seemed he wanted to greet that way since he was going to the army. But since he hadn’t learned it properly, his salute didn’t come out right.

Hyun-sung approached and corrected the shape of his fingers, saying, “Hey, this finger should be like this…”

After correcting Yoo Young-seok’s finger shape, Hyun-sung said again, “Okay, now try again.”

“Loyalty!”

“Hey, not like that, put this finger here…”

Hyun-sung corrected Yoo Young-seok’s posture again. Only after correcting him several times did he get the right angle.

“Then I’m really going now. Loyalty~!”

“Loyalty! Okay, take care. Go and do well in the military, and let’s meet again when you get leave. And I’ll enjoy this side dish.”

“Yes, goodbye.”

As Yoo Young-seok started walking, Hyun-sung watched him for a long time until he disappeared from sight.

“Hmm… What is this feeling?”

Hyun-sung tilted his head as he watched Yoo Young-seok getting further away. The reason was that he felt uneasy in his heart for some reason.

One hour later.

Hyun-sung left his house and headed to Yoo Seung-il’s house.

“Welcome!”

As Hyun-sung entered the house, Yoo Seung-il greeted him as if he were a precious guest. His wife, Han Mi-sook, was the same.

Receiving the warm welcome from the two, Hyun-sung entered the living room and handed the soy milk he was holding to Han Mi-sook, saying, “Thank you for inviting me.”

“Oh, you shouldn’t have brought anything… And we should be the ones thanking you. Thank you for coming so willingly even though we invited you so suddenly.”

“Auntie, I wish you would speak comfortably [less formally]. It makes me uncomfortable.”

“No, I know too well what kind of person CEO Kim is, so I can’t do that. I’m fine, so you don’t have to worry about it.”

“No, still…”

“It’s okay, I’m fine…”

“Alright, alright, let’s talk about that later and eat first.”

Yoo Seung-il intervened in their conversation. It seemed he thought Han Mi-sook’s words would continue otherwise.

“Yes, that’s right. Come this way.”

As Han Mi-sook led the two to the kitchen, Hyun-sung and Yoo Seung-il followed her to the dining table side by side.

“Wow! What is all this?”

Hyun-sung couldn’t help but be surprised because of the food on the table. The side dishes that filled the table seemed to be almost fifteen kinds at a glance.

Moreover, there were three kinds of stews and a separate soup.

“Is today a special day?”

“No, I just tried to show off my poor skills. Actually, I should have invited you sooner, but a lot of time has passed. Although it’s late, thank you so much for helping our husband be healthy again.”

Han Mi-sook’s eyes seemed to be on the verge of tears as she spoke. It meant that she had suffered a lot of mental anguish during that time.

Well, it was only natural. Her husband, of all people, had gotten cancer.

Han Mi-sook continued, “And thank you so much for the bookstore. We thought everything was over, but you opened a new path for us to live again. Thanks to CEO Kim, we’ve been dreaming of our old dreams again these days. Anyway, I’ll never forget this grace.”

“Oh, it’s impolite to talk too much in front of the table. Let’s stop and eat.”

Yoo Seung-il stepped in to change the atmosphere. It seemed he thought Han Mi-sook’s words would continue otherwise.

“Yes, that’s right. I talked too much. Anyway, thank you so much, CEO Kim. Now, please eat quickly. I don’t know if the seasoning will suit your taste.”

“Well, I’ll enjoy the meal!”

Hyun-sung answered in a loud voice and began to eat breakfast.

To prepare this much food, she would have had to start preparing at least from 4 AM.

For a person to prepare food for someone, it’s something that can’t be done without putting their heart into it.

Perhaps that’s why Hyun-sung felt Han Mi-sook’s heart in each and every side dish.

Thirty minutes later.

Coffee cups were placed in front of the three people who had finished their meal.

Yoo Seung-il opened his mouth first.

“How was it? Was it edible?”

“It wasn’t just edible, it was excellent. I don’t know how each and every side dish was so delicious. I overate too much today from breakfast.”

“Hehe, I’m so glad to hear that.”

“It’s not just empty words, it was really delicious. I don’t usually eat a lot of breakfast, but I ate a lot today for the first time in a while.”

“Hehe, I’m so grateful that you ate so much.”

Han Mi-sook smiled and continued. It was only natural. She had prepared it since dawn, and he said it was delicious. The greatest reward for the person who prepared the food would depend on how the person who ate the food ate it.

The three people’s conversation continued a little longer.

After a while.

“I’ll be going now…”

“Wait a minute.”

As Hyun-sung was about to get up from his seat, Han Mi-sook got up first and brought something from the living room. Then she held it out to Hyun-sung.

“Please accept this. It’s nothing special, but I prepared it for you.”

“Oh? What is this?”

“Open it.”

Hyun-sung tore the wrapping paper and opened the small box. Inside were socks and leather gloves.

“I was wondering what to buy, but I heard that this winter will be cold, so I bought socks and gloves.”

“Isn’t this the glove that was advertised on TV? I heard it’s very expensive…”

“No matter how expensive it is, can it compare to the grace that CEO Kim has shown us? As I said before, thank you so much for allowing us to see our husband healthy again.”

“You’re welcome.”

“No, really, just thinking about it makes me dizzy. Anyway, these days, thanks to you, we’re feeling like we’re living a new life.”

Hyun-sung could fully understand what she was feeling from Han Mi-sook’s expression.

“Yes, then I’ll gratefully accept it. Thanks to you, Auntie, I don’t think I’ll be cold this winter no matter how cold it is.”

“Yes, I hope so.”

“Well then, I’ve eaten well and even received a precious gift, so I’ll be leaving now. Thank you so much for today.”

“Okay, I’ll invite you again next time.”

“This…”

This time, Yoo Seung-il held out an envelope to Hyun-sung, who was about to leave.

“What is this again?”

“I’ll say in advance, don’t worry, it’s not money. I just felt like my mouth was itching to say it, so I wrote a few words. Read it when you get home.”

“Why are you going to such lengths…”

Hyun-sung received the envelope that Yoo Seung-il handed him, put it in his pocket, greeted him, and left his house.

The two people had changed so much that it couldn’t even be compared to his past life.

Was that why? Hyun-sung was wearing a subtle smile before he knew it.

Ten minutes later.

He was just passing by the bakery.

“Video Uncle!”

Someone called out to Hyun-sung from behind. He could recognize that voice without even looking.

“Oh? Soo-jung!”

“Uncle, my mom…”

“Yeah? What about your mom?”

“Mom has been crying since earlier.”