Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 628

631

“Who is it?”

Jang Jae-ho, who was sitting across from Lee Sang-ho, asked as soon as Lee Sang-ho hung up the phone. Lee Sang-ho smiled slyly and said,

“That kid.”

“Are you talking about that video store owner we met earlier?”

“Yeah, that’s right. I don’t know what got into him, but he’s already going back on his word in less than half a day.”

“What did he say?”

“Well, he’s saying…”

Lee Sang-ho began to explain the conversation he had with Hyun-sung. As his explanation continued, Jang Jae-ho’s expression began to change strangely. And finally, when his explanation was over, Jang Jae-ho immediately asked,

“So, in the end, you’re saying that no matter what business you do, it’s all about making a lot of profit by any means?”

“That’s what I’m saying. Earlier, he was talking about some nonsense about looking at the process, but now he’s saying that all that matters is making a lot of profit.”

“Isn’t that a good thing?”

“Of course, it’s good for me. That way, I don’t have to lie about what kind of business I did, and I can just give him the money in about a week, so it’s actually better for me.”

To be honest, he had been worried about the fact that Hyun-sung would be looking at not only the results but also the process.

Looking at the process means that he would have to explain everything from beginning to end. In that case, he couldn’t help but be concerned.

But now that he doesn’t have to do that, Lee Sang-ho couldn’t ask for better conditions.

“Things are working out. By the way, what’s this about 100 million [Korean currency, roughly equivalent to $75,000 USD]?”

“He said that if I make a lot of profit, he might increase the investment to 100 million.”

“Does that mean the money we get will suddenly increase from 40 million to 100 million?”

“Yeah, that’s right. But…”

Lee Sang-ho was talking, but for some reason, he tilted his head and stopped talking in the middle. Then Jang Jae-ho immediately asked,

“But what?”

“I feel uneasy.”

“What are you uneasy about?”

“The amount suddenly got too big. Don’t you think something’s a little strange?”

“Well…”

Jang Jae-ho tilted his head and seemed to be thinking about something. It was a while before he opened his mouth again.

“You said he has a lot of money, right?”

“I don’t know for sure, but judging from the fact that he’s giving out rice and groceries to people for free, he must have a lot of money. You can’t do that with just a little bit of money.”

“That’s it. 100 million is a lot of money for people like us, but that amount of money is nothing to him.”

“Do you really think that’s the reason?”

“What other reason could there be?”

“Hmm…”

Lee Sang-ho seemed to think for a moment and then immediately continued,

“Well, he’s giving away millions of won a day to people for free, so 100 million is nothing to him, right?”

“That’s right.”

“And he wouldn’t even dream that we would swindle that money from him, so he’s willing to lend it to us.”

“That’s right, I think he just wants to help you no matter what. In the end, your tearful acting worked.”

Smirk.

Lee Sang-ho smiled and immediately responded to Jang Jae-ho’s words.

“Do you really think so?”

“I’m sure of it. He can’t stand seeing someone in need. That’s why he’s running a free sharing store with his own money, isn’t he?”

“In the end, the family photo made with the composite [digitally altered] in the photo studio paid off properly.”

“You said both of your sons have disabilities, right?”

“I thought that would make the tearful acting more effective.”

“You son of a gun, you’re really good at that kind of thing.”

The two men looked at each other and began to chuckle with satisfaction. But there was something the two men didn’t know: that this whole situation is a trap set by Hyun-sung.

A moment later.

Lee Sang-ho opened his mouth again with a stiff face, unlike before.

“The problem is from now on.”

“Problem? What problem?”

“It’s about the money. That kid said that the more profit I make, the more his investment will be.”

“So, the problem is how much to set the profit.”

“Yeah, but we can’t make it too much. After all, the principal is only one million won.”

He felt like he wanted to put all five million won he had as profit. That way, he would be earning five times the principal, so Hyun-sung would have no choice but to rate his abilities highly.

But the problem is whether there would be any disadvantages if he did that. He was worried that it might be too much, as the saying goes, “Too much is as bad as too little.”

Jang Jae-ho’s words continued.

“This problem still has a week left, so why don’t we think about it slowly?”

“Yeah, that would be good. Maybe that kid will contact us again in the meantime.”

“Anyway, I feel good that the money we’re going to get is increasing.”

“Hehe… Me too. In that sense, shall we go have a drink this afternoon?”

“That’s a good idea. Let’s go right away.”

The two men smiled and got up from their seats.

***

A few days later.

Hyun-sung called Lee Sang-ho again.

“Hello, this is Kim Hyun-sung.”

-Yes, Mr. President!

Lee Sang-ho’s voice was full of joy. That meant that Hyun-sung’s existence was important to him right now.

Why wouldn’t it be? If he does well, he can get 100 million won at once.

Hyun-sung spoke first.

“Today is the third day, so I’m calling for a mid-term check.”

-Ah, yes, I’m working hard to not disappoint you, Mr. President.

“As I said again, I won’t ask about the process of whatever business you do. I will only determine the investment amount based on the results. Do you know what this means?”

-Yes, of course. You’re saying you’re going to look at my abilities, right? And you’re going to invest according to those abilities.

“That’s right. I will decide the size of the investment based on Lee Sang-ho’s abilities. So, please show me the results by any means. For reference, five times, no, even ten times is fine. Again, the more profit you make, the higher the investment will be.”

In fact, it doesn’t make sense. How can you make five or ten times the profit? But the reason Hyun-sung is saying this is because he wants Lee Sang-ho to make as much profit as possible.

And that profit will be Hyun-sung’s.

After all, he approached him with the intention of scamming him from the beginning.

By now, he must be in 고민 [Korean word for ‘agony’ or ‘worry’]. He must be 고민 about how much to set the profit. That’s why Hyun-sung called. To set the standard.

Lee Sang-ho, who had no idea of that fact, immediately reacted.

-Did you just say ten times?

“Shouldn’t it be that much for me to believe in Lee Sang-ho’s abilities and invest?”

-Even so, ten times is…

“Why, are you not confident?”

-It’s not that I’m not confident, but it’s not easy to make ten times the profit with ordinary methods.

“Have you already forgotten? I think I clearly said not to worry about the means and methods.”

From the beginning, Lee Sang-ho probably had no intention of doing business. He would just spend time roughly and then add the money he had to give to Hyun-sung when the time came.

After all, his purpose from the beginning was not business but the amount Hyun-sung invested.

But now he will be 고민. He will be 고민 because the investment will increase to 100 million depending on the profit.

That’s what Hyun-sung is aiming for.

To increase the profit he will make by using the investment as bait.

He said he had 5 million won at first.

Maybe he would just say he did business with that money and put it out as profit. After all, he said he wouldn’t ask how he did business.

But now that Hyun-sung has directly mentioned ten times, he will be more greedy.

Guideline, Hyun-sung is now presenting that standard.

Ten times!

In terms of money, ten times one million won is ten million won [approximately $7,500 USD].

Of course, this amount of money is meaningless to Hyun-sung. But in Lee Sang-ho’s case, it will be different. To make ten million won, he will have to borrow that money from somewhere.

That is the price he will pay for the scam.

That was the reason why Hyun-sung presented the guideline so far.

Lee Sang-ho wouldn’t know why he was talking so much.

-So, you’re saying that I need to make at least ten times the profit for you to invest about 100 million in me?

“If I have to say it, shouldn’t it be that much for me to have the value to invest? After all, the purpose from the beginning was to see Lee Sang-ho’s abilities.”

-Yes, I understand what you’re saying.

“Then I’ll see you again in a few days. Good luck and fighting [a Korean expression of encouragement, like ‘go for it!’].”

Click.

A smile began to spread on Hyun-sung’s face as he hung up the phone.

On the other hand, Lee Sang-ho’s face was dark with worry as he hung up the phone. Then Jang Jae-ho, who was watching the scene, immediately asked.

“That kid?”

“Yeah, that’s right. But I have a 고민.”

“What did the kid say?”

“Well, that kid wants ten times the profit.”

“Ten times?”

Jang Jae-ho’s eyes widened at the word ten times. Why wouldn’t he be surprised? Ten times is ten million won in terms of money.

Jang Jae-ho’s voice grew louder.

“Is that bastard crazy?”

“Isn’t that normal, not crazy?”

“What do you mean normal?”

“Yeah, if you were me, what would you believe and invest in someone you’ve never met before? Right?”

“That’s true, but…”

Jang Jae-ho had no choice but to admit it. Who would try to invest 100 million won in someone they’ve never met before?

Jang Jae-ho opened his mouth again.

“So what are you going to do?”

“That’s why I’m 고민. If I ignore it, I’ll lose 100 million won, and if I want to fill ten times, I don’t have enough money.”

Lee Sang-ho shook his head left and right as if he was in pain.

Of course, he would feel 갈등 [Korean word for ‘conflict’ or ‘dilemma’].

It’s a matter of 100 million won.

If he doesn’t fill ten times the profit as Hyun-sung demanded here, 100 million won will disappear before his eyes.

But the problem is that he doesn’t have enough money.

Lee Sang-ho’s gaze turned to Jang Jae-ho next to him.

“Hey, don’t you have any money?”

“Money?”

“Yeah, I don’t think I have enough, and I think I need your help.”

“How much?”

“I have 5 million won now, and I can withdraw about 2 million won from the card, so please get about 3 million won somehow.”

“3 million…”

Jang Jae-ho seemed to think for a moment and then immediately continued.

“You can return it right away when this work is done, right?”

“Of course, I’ll transfer it to you as soon as it comes into my account, so don’t worry and invest.”

“Invest?”

“Yeah, you idiot. We decided to use this money together when it comes, right? So it’s the same as investing.”

“Okay, I got it. I can withdraw that much if I take it out of the card. But you have to give me the interest and principal right away.”

“You son of a gun, I told you not to worry. What are you worried about? 100 million won will be deposited into this account in a few days.”

Lee Sang-ho shook his account and smiled. Then Jang Jae-ho, who saw the scene, also began to smile.

That way, the two men were taking their own steps into the trap set by Hyun-sung.

***

Again, a few days passed and it was the day promised with Hyun-sung.

Lee Sang-ho and Jang Jae-ho met again at the coffee shop they had met a few days ago with 설레는 마음 [Korean phrase for ‘excited heart’ or ‘fluttering heart’].

Lee Sang-ho was the first to speak.

“Did you bring the money?”

“Of course, here you go.”

Jang Jae-ho took out an envelope from his arms and handed it to Lee Sang-ho. Then Lee Sang-ho received the envelope and immediately began to check the amount.

A moment later.

Lee Sang-ho nodded and said after checking the amount.

“It’s exactly 3 million won. I’ll send this money to you as soon as 100 million won is deposited into my account today, so don’t worry.”

“What are you worried about? 100 million won will be deposited in a few hours anyway.”

Jang Jae-ho looked comfortable as if he had no worries.

It is said that people originally do not know what will happen an inch ahead. He was just 평안한 [Korean word for ‘peaceful’ or ‘calm’] and pitiful in his appearance, not knowing where his money was flowing now.

Lee Sang-ho, who received the money, said.

“Wait here for about an hour. I’ll go quickly, meet that kid, give him this money, get an investment of 100 million won, and come back.”

“Do well without making mistakes.”

“Don’t worry, I’m confident in my acting.”

Lee Sang-ho got up from his seat with a confident expression, left the coffee shop, and headed to another coffee shop across the street.

Of course, Hyun-sung will be waiting there.

Lee Sang-ho’s steps were lighter than ever.

But there was something Lee Sang-ho didn’t know: that the place he is going to now is the tiger’s den.