Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 612

“Can’t you tell by looking? I’m laughing at you.”

“Pardon?”

Hyun-sung was taken aback.

Of course, people *can* laugh. But in such cases, basic etiquette dictates laughing away from the other person. That’s the least you can do.

But to laugh openly like that?

There would be two reasons for this.

One is when you disregard the other person, and the other is when you just laugh because they’re not worth taking seriously.

It certainly wouldn’t be the former. Iseul wouldn’t be that kind of person.

So, the only remaining possibility is that Iseul doesn’t take this situation seriously enough to even bother hiding her laughter.

Having sorted out his thoughts, Hyun-sung chuckled. It was, as Iseul had said a moment ago, a laugh that mocked the other person.

This time, Iseul asked in return.

“Oh? What’s with *that* laugh?”

“I’m laughing too, just like you, Manager.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I’m laughing at how we’re making such a fuss over Soo-jung from this morning. It’s also childish.”

“Hehe… I know, right? But do you know how childish *you* were a moment ago, Director?”

Iseul said with a smile. Hyun-sung also smiled and immediately asked.

“What did I do?”

“You said a moment ago that it was a matter between *our* Soo-jung and you, Director. Honestly, I couldn’t believe how childish that sounded.”

“Well… let’s drop it. If we keep talking like this, it feels like it will never end. Anyway, I’m going to take this letter home and read it alone, as Soo-jung said. That’s the proper etiquette towards Soo-jung.”

“Of course, it’s *our* Soo-jung’s letter. Of course, I momentarily wanted to see what it was about, but even if you had shown it to me, I wouldn’t have looked. That’s the basic etiquette I need to maintain as a mother for our Soo-jung.”

Hyun-sung nodded and smiled slightly. Iseul immediately smiled and continued.

“Thank you.”

“Why are you thanking me all of a sudden…?”

“No, it’s because our Soo-jung bothers you a lot, but you always accept it and cherish her.”

“You’re welcome…”

Hyun-sung shook his head slightly. Then he immediately continued.

“By the way, how are sales these days?”

“Don’t be surprised. Yesterday, we made over three million won [approximately $2,250 USD].”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, as you said, Director, the delivery service is having a huge impact. It seems to be even more so because it’s cold.”

Iseul’s eyes sparkled as she spoke. It meant that she was satisfied with the current situation.

She continued.

“And the 500-won bread [about 38 cents USD] you mentioned is playing a big role.”

“Is it effective?”

“Of course. And thanks to the phrase ‘500 won’ written on the window here, sales seem to have increased by 20%. Honestly, I didn’t expect the reaction to be that good.”

Iseul continued.

“And do you know what’s funny?”

“What is it?”

“The tasting corner.”

“What about the tasting corner?”

“Groups of four or five children come together. They seem to come with friends because they’re shy to come alone. At first, I felt burdened because they came in droves, but these days, they’re actually helping the business a lot.”

Iseul’s eyes were still shining.

“How so?”

“They pester their mothers to buy bread. Of course, not all of them, but if they try the samples, they bring their mothers after a while. And it seems word has spread, because people have been coming from far away for the past few days. Then they take the flyers and pester their mothers to order delivery. If this continues for a few months, I might even be able to make 4 million won [about $3,000 USD] on good days.”

Hyun-sung smiled without realizing it.

In his past life, she would have been crying because of Paris Baguette [a large bakery franchise] by now. But now she was talking with a smile like this, so he couldn’t help but smile.

Hyun-sung continued.

“You’ll be able to make 5 million won [about $3,750 USD] too.”

“Do you think that day will really come?”

“Just keep doing what you’re doing. And the more you do, the more you need to focus on developing new products.”

“Yes, I’m constantly paying attention to that. So, I sometimes go to famous bakeries for benchmarking. I went to Jongno [a district in Seoul known for its traditional shops and food] a few days ago.”

“Good job. If you keep doing that, I think you’ll be able to hit 5 million won within the next two or three months.”

“Oh, really?”

Iseul’s expression suddenly changed subtly. She seemed to be in disbelief.

Hyun-sung continued.

“Why, don’t you believe me?”

“No, it’s not that I don’t believe you, it’s just that I can’t imagine it.”

“Just keep working hard as you are now. And by the way, are you doing well with the barista training?”

“Of course, I think I’ll be able to get my barista license without any problems by April. Then there won’t be any problem expanding into a cafe in May. Then the person you mentioned a few days ago will be able to work too.”

A few days ago, he had asked her to take care of Han Soo-young’s mother, whom he had met at the hospital. Since they would need more people anyway when they expanded into a cafe.

“Yes, I understand. Anyway, it’s a relief that business is doing well even after Paris Baguette came in.”

“I was worried a lot at first, but it’s a great relief. Of course, it’s all thanks to you, Director.”

“There you go again…”

“It’s not just empty words, it’s the truth. If I were alone, I would have given up and closed the store already. I’m really grateful, I’ll say it again.”

“That’s enough. Now, give me the bread.”

As soon as Hyun-sung finished speaking, Iseul went inside and brought out the bread. But today, the amount of bread was more than usual.

“It seems like there’s more bread today?”

“Yes, from today, I’ve decided to increase the amount of bread a little more. And this too.”

Iseul handed Hyun-sung an envelope.

“What’s this again?”

“From now on, I’m going to donate not only bread but also a little cash. Thanks to you, Director, sales have increased like this, so I can’t just sit still. So, I prepared this. But the amount isn’t much. I’ll start with 100,000 won [about $75 USD] for now.”

There is no end to human greed.

If you have one, you want two, and if you have two, you want three.

No matter how well the business is doing, not many people share it with others.

But Iseul, unlike other people, is now saying that she will share it.

100,000 won.

Depending on the person, some may think this money is insignificant.

But Hyun-sung never felt that way.

Rather, it felt bigger than any other money.

Hyun-sung received the envelope with both hands and continued.

“The value of this 100,000 won cannot be expressed in words. I will use it gratefully and preciously.”

“Aren’t you exaggerating too much? It’s only 100,000 won…”

“*Only* 100,000 won? That’s absurd. I think this 100,000 won is more valuable than hundreds or thousands of dollars today. So, don’t say that.”

“Anyway, I can’t win with words. Anyway, I was embarrassed because the amount wasn’t much, but thank you for accepting it so gratefully.”

Iseul smiled and bowed slightly. Then Hyun-sung bowed even deeper than her.

Seeing that, Iseul said again.

“Don’t make me feel awkward like this.”

“I was just doing what came from my heart.”

“Anyway… yes, thank you.”

Iseul bowed once again. Then she immediately continued.

“Do you have any advice you want to give me?”

“Advice? What kind of advice? You’re already doing well anyway.”

“Like… advice. Something that would be helpful to me in running the store. I don’t know much because I don’t have any experience.”

“Hmm…”

Hyun-sung thought for a moment and then continued.

“Well, since you’re doing well, I don’t have anything special to say, but if I *had* to say something, I’d say just two things.”

“Yes, please.”

“The first thing I want to say is about managing your employees.”

“Employees?”

“Yes, that’s right. The most important thing in running a business is the employees. If they’re not working properly, no matter how hard the boss tries, the store will have a hard time.”

That’s true. The importance of employees in running a store cannot be overemphasized.

“How do I do that?”

“First, let me ask you one thing. How much more did your sales increase last month compared to the previous month?”

“Hmm… thanks to the bread delivery in the morning, it increased by about 10 million won [approximately $7,500 USD].”

“Then, did you give the employees anything more than their salary?”

“No, I didn’t. Just a company dinner on payday to thank them for their hard work…”

As soon as Iseul finished speaking, Hyun-sung shook his head and immediately continued.

“That’s what I want to talk about. If sales have increased that much, you should give the employees some kind of reward.”

“Reward?”

“Yes, of course. That’s how you motivate them. To put it bluntly, if they work their butts off and get nothing in return, why would they bother working hard? Don’t you think so?”

That’s obvious. If sales have increased, it means that the employees have done more work. If there is no reward in that situation, their actions will definitely change in the future.

Of course, they will keep the basic working hours, but they will not easily respond to requests beyond that.

“I see what you mean. Then how…?”

“You have to show them that if they work hard, this much will come back to them.”

“Are you saying that I should give them money as an allowance in addition to their salary?”

“Well, rather than just an allowance, the word ‘incentive’ would be more appropriate. When sales increase, you give them a certain amount in proportion to the increase in sales.”

“Hmm…”

After thinking for a moment, Iseul immediately continued.

“So, you’re saying that we should share the profits with the employees in proportion to the increased sales?”

“Yes, that’s right. That’s the method I’m using now. When I do that, the employees’ mindset changes.”

“I guess so. If sales increase, the amount of money they take home will also increase.”

“Yes, that’s exactly it. That way, all the employees will have a strong sense of ownership, and no one will complain even if the work is hard. Because that money will eventually come back to them.”

As soon as Hyun-sung finished speaking, Iseul nodded in agreement and then continued.

“It sounds like what you’re saying is a hundred times right. Then how much of the increased sales should I give them?”

“Well, I think 2% would be appropriate.”

“2%?”

“Yes, at least that much is needed to make it worthwhile to work, don’t you think?”

“Since we have five employees, including the delivery staff, does that mean we should divide 10% among them?”

“Yes, that’s right. And the important thing is to tell the employees this in advance. Then their eyes will change.”

“Hmm…”

Iseul seemed to be thinking for a moment this time, and then continued.

“Okay, I’ll tell the employees that tonight after work. Of course, I’ll also give them the share they didn’t get last month.”

“You’ve made a good decision. If you experience it, you’ll know that it’s ultimately for you, Director, after just one month.”

“Yes, I understand. Let’s settle that issue and what’s the second thing?”

“That’s simple. You, Director, have to keep your original intention.”

“Original intention?”

At the word ‘original intention,’ Iseul tilted her head and looked at Hyun-sung. Then Hyun-sung immediately opened his mouth.

“Yes, I don’t know if you remember what you said to me a few months ago.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you definitely told me… think carefully.”

“Hmm… are you talking about the phrase ‘promise to customers’?”

“Yes, that’s right. You definitely said that at the time. You said that no matter how well the business does, you will definitely keep your promise to the customers. From the opening time to the taste of the bread, you said you wouldn’t neglect anything.”

“Yes, I definitely remember. And I still feel the same way now.”

“Then that’s enough. If you, Director, don’t change your mind, your bakery will get better and better in the future.”

Original intention (初心) [the original heart or initial aspiration].

The most difficult thing when running a business is keeping the original intention. Maybe that’s why everyone talks about original intention. It means that keeping the original intention is that difficult.

Hyun-sung also knew how difficult it was to keep that original intention, having run a business for over 20 years in his past life, so he told Iseul that today.

Hyun-sung, who had received the bread and the envelope, said to Iseul.

“Well, then I’ll be on my way.”

“Yes, thank you for your kind words today. I’ll work hard to donate more next month. Then, goodbye.”

After exchanging greetings, Hyun-sung said loudly towards the room behind the counter.

“Soo-jung, Uncle…”

That’s when it happened.

Before Hyun-sung could finish speaking, Yoon Soo-jung ran out immediately. Then she immediately continued.

“Uncle, hello.”

“Yes, hello. Soo-jung, listen to your mom and go to daycare well…”

After exchanging greetings, Hyun-sung left the bakery, leaving the two behind, and headed to the free sharing store he ran.

About five minutes passed.

Stopping, Hyun-sung took out the letter that Yoon Soo-jung had given him from his pocket. Then he carefully opened the envelope and began to read the letter.

After a while.

A smile began to spread across Hyun-sung’s face.

The letter was simple.

[Uncle, my mom smiles a lot these days because the business is doing well. I know it’s all thanks to you. Thank you!]

Hyun-sung started walking again.

It was just then.

*Ting-a-ling!*

His phone rang.

‘Who is it at this hour?’

Hyun-sung tilted his head and immediately answered the phone.

“Hello?”

-Hyun-sung!