Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 603

“I’m laughing at myself.”

“Pardon? What do you mean by that…?”

Hyun-sung couldn’t quite grasp what she meant.

She had been talking about Hyun-sung’s eyes just moments ago. Now, she was suddenly smiling and saying she was laughing at herself. What could that possibly mean…?

Hyun-sung tilted his head slightly and asked again.

“Am I missing something? I don’t quite understand what you’re saying, Ms. Lee.”

“It’s exactly as I said. I told you I saw something in your eyes earlier, right?”

“Yes, you did.”

“In your eyes, I saw your sincerity.”

“Sincerity?”

Hyun-sung tilted his head again, unable to fully understand what Lee Se-i was trying to convey.

Lee Se-i continued,

“Yes, sincerity. I realized you genuinely appreciated me bringing the bread.”

“Of course, I do.”

“That’s why I smiled without realizing it. But actually, it wasn’t a smile, but self-mockery.”

“Self-mockery?”

“Yes, mocking myself.”

“Mocking yourself?”

Mocking herself?

What was she talking about now?

Hyun-sung still couldn’t quite understand Lee Se-i’s words.

Lee Se-i continued,

“Yes, that’s right. It was self-mockery. Seeing how genuinely happy you were, I mocked myself.”

“Why?”

“Because of what I did, as I mentioned before. I was pathetic for not keeping the promise I made to myself just a month ago. That’s why I couldn’t help but laugh at myself earlier.”

“Ah, I see….”

Hyun-sung finally understood why Lee Se-i had smiled earlier. Her smile wasn’t a genuine one, but a self-deprecating laugh.

“I was ashamed when I saw your eyes that day. I didn’t want to make that mistake again. That’s why I was waiting for you here today.”

“There was really no need to go that far….”

“No, I shouldn’t have done that. My thinking was wrong from the start. How could I even think of donating leftover bread? Looking back now, I’m so ashamed.”

Hyun-sung could clearly see the remorse in Lee Se-i’s expression.

She was blaming herself for donating day-old bread, even though it was perfectly fine to eat.

She continued to express her distress about the issue for quite some time before finally stopping.

As Hyun-sung was about to leave, she called out to him again.

“Mr. Hyun-sung.”

“Yes? Is there anything else you’d like to say…?”

“People’s minds are strange.”

“Yes? What do you mean…?”

“I feel so good after changing my mind. Even when I donated the bread yesterday, I didn’t feel this good. But today, it’s a completely different feeling. It’s like… I’ve become a different person.”

Hyun-sung could sense how psychologically pleased she was.

She continued,

“It’s all thanks to you, Mr. Hyun-sung.”

“You’re too kind. I’m the one who’s grateful for you donating such delicious bread.”

“Actually, this is my first time doing something like this. I’ve been running this business for over seven years, but I’ve never given away a single loaf of bread. But after doing this donation, I feel something filling up in my heart.”

“That might be the happiness of sharing.”

“Yes, I think so too. Actually, when I saw the phrase ‘happiness of sharing’ on TV, I didn’t know what it meant, but now I think I understand a little. So, what I mean is….”

Lee Se-i continued,

“Please help me experience that joy, Mr. Hyun-sung.”

“Me?”

“Yes.”

“How?”

“It’s simple. Just come to my bakery at this time every day and take the bread. Can you do that?”

“That’s not difficult, but….”

Hyun-sung smiled slightly as he answered. Lee Se-i immediately asked,

“Why? Is there a problem?”

“No, it’s just that your expression is so much better. I’m just wondering how your expression can change so much from one day to the next.”

Indeed, she was different. Her expression was definitely different from what he had seen yesterday.

“It’s simple. As I said earlier, I feel good knowing that I’ll be donating the bread I make every day from now on. To be more precise, it’s the difference between donating day-old bread and donating bread made early in the morning.”

“So, the bread was the issue after all?”

“In a way, yes. But the important thing is that it’s not just about the bread, but about the difference in mindset. That’s why I’m smiling like this now.”

Hyun-sung nodded slightly. Seeing this, Lee Se-i spoke again.

“I’ve realized once again how important thoughts are. The world looks different when your thoughts change.”

“Is it that much of a difference?”

“Yes, you might think I’m exaggerating, but that’s how I feel. Do I look strange to you now?”

“No, you look good, actually.”

Hyun-sung shook his head slightly.

It felt like he was looking at a teenage girl.

The time for donating the bread had changed, as she said. From day-old bread to bread made that morning.

What changed was the time, just a day.

But her expression was as if she had gained the whole world.

“Really?”

“Yes, really.”

“Then that’s enough. I’m going to run my business with this feeling from now on. Every single day. I don’t know for sure, but I feel like my business will do well since I’m in a good mood.”

Hyun-sung simply nodded in response. Lee Se-i smiled and continued,

“Did I take up too much of your time this morning?”

“You’re too kind. I actually liked seeing you like that. Well, then, I’ll be going now….”

Hyun-sung left the bakery with the bread he had received from Lee Se-i in both hands. A smile had spread across his face.

It was incomparable to his past life.

Back then, Lee Se-i had been forced to leave this neighborhood in tears after only six months due to the arrival of the franchise bakery, Paris Baguette. Her daughter, Yoon Soo-jung, had also suffered the same fate.

Hyun-sung had no choice but to tearfully see them off.

But!

This time, it was definitely different.

She, who had left in tears back then, was now making bread every morning to donate.

Donating meant that she had found peace of mind, which meant that she wouldn’t have to leave with her young daughter in tears like in her past life.

That was all that mattered.

Hyun-sung left Lee Se-i’s bakery and walked with a spring in his step.

***

The next day.

It was the third day of running the free sharing shop.

As he did yesterday, Hyun-sung stopped by Lee Se-i’s bakery, picked up the bread, and headed straight to the free sharing shop.

He was going to put the donated bread inside the shop.

“Huh? Who is it?”

Hyun-sung tilted his head as he approached the shop. Someone was lingering in front of the shop.

It was 7 a.m. The shop wouldn’t open for another two hours.

Hyun-sung cautiously moved closer to the shop.

“Oh? Grandma!”

When Hyun-sung reached the shop, he realized that the person lingering in front of the shop was someone he knew.

It was Lee Soon-nyeo, the grandmother who had taken rice, bean sprouts, and potatoes the previous evening.

“Grandma, what are you doing here?”

“I was waiting for our young Mr. Shopkeeper.”

“Why me?”

“To give you this.”

Lee Soon-nyeo held out a small bag to Hyun-sung.

Hyun-sung took the bag and immediately asked,

“Grandma, what is this?”

“Side dishes.”

“Side dishes? What kind of side dishes?”

“Bean sprout salad and stir-fried potatoes. I made them with the ingredients I took yesterday evening. It’s not much, but I brought a little for you to try.”

Hyun-sung finally understood what Lee Soon-nyeo had given him.

She had been waiting for him since morning in this cold weather to give him these side dishes.

“Let’s go inside the shop first since it’s cold.”

“No, I’ll just go home soon.”

“Don’t do that, please warm up for a bit.”

Hyun-sung quickly opened the shop door. Lee Soon-nyeo reluctantly entered the shop. The December cold was no joke.

Once inside, Hyun-sung turned on the heater and plugged in the electric kettle. Then he immediately asked,

“Grandma, how long have you been waiting?”

“About 20 minutes.”

“20 minutes? No, why at that time….”

Hyun-sung stopped himself from saying anything more. He knew it was pointless to dwell on the past.

“Please have some warm water first.”

Hyun-sung poured water from the kettle and handed it to Lee Soon-nyeo. Lee Soon-nyeo wrapped her hands around the cup and said,

“It’s good to have something warm.”

“Grandma, are you okay now?”

“Yes, I’m fine. My body feels better after drinking the warm water.”

“Grandma, I have a favor to ask.”

“A favor? What favor?”

Lee Soon-nyeo looked at Hyun-sung with a confident expression, as if telling him to ask anything. Seeing this, Hyun-sung continued,

“Please don’t wait for me at this time in the future.”

“That’s your favor?”

“Yes, Grandma.”

Hyun-sung took Lee Soon-nyeo’s hand. It was still cold. After thinking for a moment, Hyun-sung continued,

“Grandma, please make a promise with me.”

“A promise?”

“Yes, a promise. Please don’t come here before the shop opens in the future. If you really need to come, please come after 9 a.m. Okay?”

Hyun-sung spoke loudly on purpose. Lee Soon-nyeo nodded as if she understood and replied,

“Yes, I understand. I won’t come early in the morning in the future.”

“Promise?”

Hyun-sung held out his pinky finger. He felt that if he didn’t do that, the same thing would happen again.

“Okay, promise.”

Lee Soon-nyeo held out her finger, and Hyun-sung quickly hooked his finger around hers. Then he immediately continued,

“Grandma, you promised. You must not wait for me early in the morning from now on.”

“Okay, I understand.”

Lee Soon-nyeo nodded as if she understood.

At that moment.

*Ding-dong!*

The shop door opened, and another person entered. Of course, it was someone Hyun-sung knew.

“Oh? What brings you here at this hour, ma’am?”

That wasn’t the end of it.

After that, three more people entered the shop. Including Lee Soon-nyeo, who had entered first, there were a total of five people inside the shop.

Their common trait.

Each of them was holding side dishes in their hands.

Hyun-sung checked the time again. It was only 7:30 a.m.

At this rate, he wondered how many more people would come before the official opening time of 9 a.m.

After thinking for a moment, Hyun-sung spoke as if he had made up his mind.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t accept these side dishes. So, I would appreciate it if you could take the side dishes you brought today back home.”

“……”

No one answered Hyun-sung.

After a while.

Hyun-sung was left alone.

“When am I going to finish all this….”

The counter was piled high with side dishes. Seeing this, Hyun-sung simply chuckled in disbelief.