Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 608

“How about setting up in front of my video store?”

“Excuse me? What are you talking about?”

Yoo Min-sang was so surprised that he couldn’t help but ask again.

Of course, if he were to set up shop in front of Hyun-sung’s video store, as Hyun-sung suggested, the restroom problem would be automatically solved. This is because the video store complex itself has a restroom.

However, the problem is that a ‘Bungeoppang’ [fish-shaped pastry filled with sweet red bean paste] cart would inevitably block the front of the video store.

Who in the world would like someone else doing business in front of their store?

And if that were to happen, it would naturally interfere with the video store’s business.

This isn’t right.

I can’t harm others to save myself.

“I mean exactly what I said. If you set up shop in front of the video store, the restroom problem will be automatically solved.”

“I can’t do that.”

“Huh? Why?”

Hyun-sung couldn’t understand at all.

There couldn’t be better conditions than this.

If he were to do business in front of the video store, it would be helpful in many ways, not just with the restroom issue.

Water and electricity are basic, and it would also greatly help with ‘Bungeoppang’ sales. Customers using the video store would naturally buy ‘Bungeoppang’.

But he’s refusing?

For what reason?

Hyun-sung, feeling urgent, asked again before Yoo Min-sang could answer.

“What’s the reason? I don’t think there’s a better place than this.”

“Of course, doing business in front of the video store would be the best condition for me, no question about it.”

“But?”

“It’s just fulfilling my own greed. I can’t cause trouble for the owner just to save myself. Who in the world likes someone doing business in front of their store? I don’t want to live that selfishly.”

Only then did Hyun-sung understand why Yoo Min-sang had rejected his offer. He didn’t want to cause trouble for others for his own benefit.

“That was the reason?”

“Yes, that’s right. Why wouldn’t I be greedy? But how can I burden the owner just to save myself? I’m just grateful that you even said that.”

Smile.

Hyun-sung couldn’t help but smile.

At first, when Yoo Min-sang refused his offer, he didn’t know the reason. But knowing that it was all Yoo Min-sang’s consideration for him, he couldn’t help but smile.

Hyun-sung called out to Yoo Min-sang in a low voice.

“Hyungnim [term used to address an older brother or male friend]!”

“Yes, Owner.”

“Do you know the fable of the Golden Axe and the Silver Axe?”

“Of course, but why are you suddenly talking about that?”

“I just thought of that story after hearing what you said. By the way, what happens to the woodcutter in that story?”

“He gets not only the iron axe he dropped but also the golden and silver axes… No, but why are you suddenly bringing this up?”

Yoo Min-sang tilted his head slightly. This was because he knew that Hyun-sung wasn’t asking because he didn’t know the Aesop’s fable.

Hyun-sung’s answer followed immediately.

“Didn’t I just say that? I said I thought of that story after hearing what you said.”

“That’s true, but…”

“You are the main character of that Aesop’s fable today.”

“Huh? The main character? What are you…”

Yoo Min-sang couldn’t understand what Hyun-sung was talking about.

Then Hyun-sung smiled and continued.

“Do business in front of the video store. That way, you’ll solve not only the restroom problem that you’re worried about but also the water and electricity issues. Besides, that space isn’t a public road but a private space, so no one will file a complaint. Street vending can be a headache if a complaint is filed.”

“What are you saying? I clearly said that I can’t do it in that spot.”

“Didn’t I just say that you are the main character of that Aesop’s fable today? Just like the woodcutter in the fable gave up his greed and got his iron axe as well as the golden and silver axes, you have obtained that spot today.”

“No, are you really saying that you’re giving me that spot?”

“Yes, that’s right. To be honest, there was a part that bothered me at first, but I was touched by your thoughtfulness, so I decided to give you the spot willingly.”

That’s the honest truth.

At first, he had mentioned the spot out of pity after hearing Yoo Min-sang’s restroom story.

But he wasn’t entirely happy about it.

This is because he would inevitably have to worry about many things if someone were doing business in front of the store.

However, after hearing Yoo Min-sang say that he couldn’t do that just for his own benefit, he couldn’t help but be touched by his thoughtfulness.

The reason was his character, which put others first even in a desperate situation.

So, he thought that he should now sincerely give him the spot.

Hyun-sung continued.

“Hyungnim, that’s how it’s going to be.”

“That’s…”

Yoo Min-sang couldn’t answer easily.

To be honest, he wanted to say okay right away. As he said, if he could just get into that spot, he would solve the restroom issue as well as the water and electricity problems.

And that’s not all.

As he said, it would be quite helpful in terms of sales. Customers using the video store would become customers who buy ‘Bungeoppang’.

There couldn’t be a more perfect spot than this.

But the problem is conscience.

His conscience wouldn’t allow it.

No matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t help but think that this was too much of a benefit for one side.

After finishing his 고민 [worry/deliberation], Yoo Min-sang continued.

“Owner, no matter how I think about it, I don’t think this is right. A fable is just a fable, and reality is just reality. I don’t think I can do that in good conscience.”

“You mean…?”

“I’ll just gratefully accept your caring heart.”

Hyun-sung was really surprised.

If the atmosphere had come this far, no one would have said anything even if he had just pretended not to know and moved on. But he was still refusing to the end.

‘Hmm…’

After 고민 [worry/deliberation] for a moment, Hyun-sung opened his mouth again.

“What if I ask you a favor?”

“Excuse me? What are you talking about?”

“I mean exactly what I said. Please don’t refuse anymore and do ‘Bungeoppang’ business in front of my store.”

“No, what…”

It was Yoo Min-sang who was 난감 [awkward/difficult]. This is because it was obvious that he was deliberately asking him a favor out of consideration for him. But the problem is that refusing any further after talking this much could also be rude.

‘What to do?’

After 고민 [worry/deliberation] for a moment, Yoo Min-sang looked at Hyun-sung once as if he had no choice, and then continued as if he had made up his mind.

“Yes, okay. Since you’ve said that much, I don’t think it’s polite for me to refuse any further. I’ll follow your words.”

“You’ve made a good decision.”

“But there’s a condition.”

“Huh? A condition?”

Hyun-sung was momentarily 당혹스러워 [flustered/taken aback] at the word ‘condition’. This is because he had never thought that Yoo Min-sang would set a condition in this situation.

Yoo Min-sang’s words continued.

“I’ll pay a usage fee.”

“Did you just say a usage fee?”

“Yes, that’s my condition. Otherwise, I can’t use that space.”

절레절레 [shaking head from side to side].

Hyun-sung shook his head from side to side. This is because he didn’t know that Yoo Min-sang would be so stubborn.

But the strange thing is that he felt good about it.

Somehow, he trusted Yoo Min-sang even more.

Yoo Min-sang’s words continued again.

“I’ll settle accounts monthly and pay 10% of the net income as a usage fee.”

“Do you really have to do that?”

“Yes, that’s my last 양심 [conscience]. Although I’m living such a humble life due to the IMF crisis, I’ve never caused trouble for others in my 50 years of living. You may think that I’m setting up unnecessary 자존심 [pride/self-esteem], but it’s the 양심 [conscience] I want to protect until the end.”

“Unnecessary 자존심 [pride/self-esteem]? I never think that way. And after hearing the word 양심 [conscience], I feel so good right now.”

It was true.

Until a little while ago, his thought about Yoo Min-sang was mostly ‘an ordinary man in his 50s’. But as he talked more and more, his favor for him grew more and more.

And when he heard him say that he would pay a usage fee a little while ago, his thought about him completely changed.

What should I say, it was a completely different feeling from the person he had known until now.

“I’m so grateful that you understand me that way. Usually, in this case, I’d only be a laughingstock. Saying that I have nothing and only set up 자존심 [pride/self-esteem].”

“Well, I don’t know what others think, but I liked your 모습 [appearance/attitude] even more.”

“To be honest, I’m 부끄럽습니다 [ashamed].”

“부끄럽다니요 [ashamed]? Why are you saying that? And what did you do wrong? Aren’t you also a victim of the IMF crisis?”

Yoo Min-sang’s impression changed in an instant. That means he also has a lot of dissatisfaction with the current IMF crisis.

“Talking about it makes my blood boil.”

“You must be. Because most people trusted the government until the end.”

“They’re really bad guys. How could they do that…”

Yoo Min-sang shook his head violently. Then he opened his mouth again.

“Since it’s already like this, I won’t think about it anymore. Instead, I’ll only think about the next year.”

“A year?”

“Yes, I’ll definitely get up in a year. Although I’m starting with ‘Bungeoppang’ now, I’ll work hard for a year and start even a small store.”

Hyun-sung nodded as he looked at him. Then Yoo Min-sang continued.

“The next goal is a snack bar.”

“Are you talking about the store you mentioned earlier?”

“Yes, that’s right. My goal now is to work hard for a year and open even a small snack bar. You helped me with that start. I’ll never forget this favor.”

“I hope you achieve that goal. I’ll cheer you on too.”

Hyun-sung said, clenching his fist. Then Yoo Min-sang nodded and immediately continued.

“I’ll start the day after tomorrow.”

“But do you have any experience with ‘Bungeoppang’?”

“That’s why I’m saying I’ll do it the day after tomorrow. Because I have to practice all day tomorrow.”

“Ah, so that’s why you said you’ll do it the day after tomorrow?”

“Yes, that’s right. If you have time tomorrow, come and eat ‘Bungeoppang’. I think it’ll be too much to eat alone.”

Yoo Min-sang said with a smile. Then Hyun-sung also smiled and immediately said.

“Haha, yes, I will. I’ll stop by for lunch during the day. By the way, what are you going to do with the batter?”

“There’s no need to worry about that. I’ve already found a place that specializes in delivering ingredients. They’ll deliver it right away if I call.”

“Ah, there was such a method. Come to think of it, you’ve already prepared everything?”

“I’ve been looking into it for a week. No matter how much I go to the manpower office, there’s no work in the middle of winter, so.”

“Ah, yes, that’s what you did. Then, what time are you starting?”

“That’s…”

Yoo Min-sang didn’t say it all at once and seemed to be thinking for a moment, then looked at Hyun-sung and asked.

“I want to get help from you on that part.”

“From me?”

“Yes, since it’s in front of your store, I think you know the 상권 [commercial district] better than anyone else.”

“That’s true, but just a moment…”

Hyun-sung was silent as if he was thinking for a moment.

After a while.

Hyun-sung opened his mouth again.

“How about 8 o’clock?”

“Huh? Isn’t that too early? Everyone’s going to work at that time?”

“That’s exactly it.”

“That’s exactly it?”

Yoo Min-sang stared at Hyun-sung as if he didn’t know what he was talking about. Then Hyun-sung immediately opened his mouth.

“Let’s do business with those people. Of course, I don’t know if it’ll work, but I think it’s worth trying. At that time, the traffic is usually congested due to the signal, so it takes about 10 minutes to pass in front of the store.”

“Ah, so you’re saying that we should do business with the congested vehicles?”

“Yes, that’s right. When the traffic light turns red, we approach the vehicles with ‘Bungeoppang’ in a basket and do business. How is it? I think it’s 괜찮을 거 같은데요 [it will be alright/good].”

“That’s a good idea. Anyway, we’re going to charge 1,000 won per bag, so there’s no burden. And there’s almost no one who doesn’t like ‘Bungeoppang’.”

Yoo Min-sang’s expression brightened in an instant. Then he opened his mouth again.

“I have a good feeling about it.”

“Me too. I don’t think it’ll be difficult for Hyungnim to open a snack bar within a year.”

“If only that could happen…”

Yoo Min-sang clenched both fists. Then Hyun-sung said to him forcefully.

“Let’s go!”

“Huh? Where are we going?”

“Now that we’ve started, let’s go buy a ‘Bungeoppang’ machine right now.”

“Haha, good. Somehow, I can already smell ‘Bungeoppang’.”

The two got up from their seats and left the coffee shop.

That was the moment Yoo Min-sang escaped from the pit of the IMF [International Monetary Fund crisis, a major economic downturn in South Korea].

Even at this time, Hyun-sung didn’t know. That today’s start will continue to produce the second and third Yoo Min-sang in the future.