Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 645

648

As the traffic light turned green, Hyun-sung immediately stepped on the accelerator. The Jeep sped forward through the rain.

Hyun-sung’s heart felt like it would burst.

Since regressing to his high school sophomore year, one person had always been on his mind.

It was his wife, Yoon Ji-soo, sitting right beside him. He had met her last April, and now, they were together in the same space. Just moments ago, he had held her hand.

In his past life, he had been married to her for over 15 years.

Yet, from the moment he held her hand, his heart started racing.

Just like when he first held her hand in his past life.

Hyun-sung called her name, his voice slightly trembling.

“Ji-soo-ssi!”

“…… Yes.”

Her reply was a beat late. He wondered if she felt the same way.

Hyun-sung turned slightly to look at her before continuing. “Ji-soo-ssi, I’m nervous right now.”

“…….”

Yoon Ji-soo didn’t answer, instead turning her head towards the rain-streaked window, deliberately avoiding his gaze. It seemed like it was because it was their first time meeting after his regression.

Her hand, which he was holding, trembled slightly.

Instead of saying anything, Hyun-sung gently squeezed her hand, expressing his feelings.

He felt no other words were necessary.

And so, they drove through the rain, hand in hand.

How long had they driven?

Yoon Ji-soo turned her head and called his name. “Hyun-sung-ssi.”

“Yes.”

Hyun-sung replied briefly, making eye contact with her for a moment before smiling slightly. Yoon Ji-soo continued immediately. “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course, ask me anything.”

“Well…….”

Yoon Ji-soo hesitated before continuing. “What year were you born?”

Hyun-sung paused, lost in thought. He knew why she was asking.

She was curious about his age.

It was the same in his past life.

After learning his age, she had a lot of 고민 [gomin – worries, troubles].

It took a long time to overcome the seven-year age difference.

The reason was simple: she felt too old.

In the end, it took him a year to persuade her.

‘What should I do?’

If he lied about his age, he could avoid those difficult times. There would be no immediate conflict, and they could smoothly transition into a relationship.

On the other hand, if he told the truth, it would take a lot of time to persuade her, just like before.

‘Hmm…….’

Hyun-sung’s 고민 lasted longer than he thought. Overcoming the age difference had been very difficult.

He turned to look at Yoon Ji-soo, thought for another moment, and then opened his mouth. “I was born in ’69.”

That was his conclusion. No matter how difficult it was to persuade her, he couldn’t lie.

He couldn’t start with a lie. That was the final conclusion he had reached after 고민.

Rather than having a hard time later, Hyun-sung wanted to maintain his integrity.

That, he thought, was the basis of a marriage.

Now, the ball was in her court.

Yoon Ji-soo seemed to think for a moment, then tilted her head and asked again. “’69?”

“Yes, ’69, the year of the Rooster.”

Then, Yoon Ji-soo pulled her hand away and chuckled, a hint of bitterness in her expression.

She said briefly, “I see.”

“Yes?”

“I said, I see.”

Her tone was different, creating a sense of distance.

As expected, Yoon Ji-soo was no different from her past self. He understood her thoughts from her tone.

She must have decided to push him away because of the age difference, just like before.

Hyun-sung pretended not to notice and asked, “What do you think about younger men?”

Since it was unavoidable, he brought up the age issue, thinking it better to address it directly.

“It depends on the younger man.”

“What do you mean by that…….”

“I think there’s a limit. But we…….”

Yoon Ji-soo couldn’t finish her sentence and shook her head slightly. He could tell she was thinking negatively, just like in her past life.

After learning his age, she had looked similar to how she looked now.

He smiled.

Seeing that, Yoon Ji-soo asked immediately, “Why are you smiling?”

“Because I don’t think it’s going to be easy this time either.”

He had prepared for this when he honestly told her his age. She was the same person, so her thoughts wouldn’t suddenly change.

Yoon Ji-soo asked, “Yes? What do you mean by that? What do you mean it’s not going to be easy this time either……?”

“There’s something like that.”

“What kind of answer is that?”

“I can’t explain it any further, but I’ll tell you one thing for sure: I will never give up on Ji-soo-ssi, no matter what.”

He smiled as he answered.

After all, he had been to the army twice. Compared to that, persuading Yoon Ji-soo was a happy 고민.

But that was only from his perspective. For her, who didn’t know anything, his actions were frustrating.

“Hyun-sung-ssi, are you really going to do this?”

“Yes, I will. So, Ji-soo-ssi, be prepared. No matter how much you run away, I will follow you to the end of the earth.”

“What kind of…….”

Yoon Ji-soo was dumbfounded.

A seven-year age difference – did that make sense? Even though younger men and older women couples were popular these days, this was too much.

There was a limit to everything. Two or three years was okay, but this was impossible…….

Yoon Ji-soo shook her head, finding the situation unacceptable.

Then, Hyun-sung’s words continued. “Have you ever heard the saying that age is just a number?”

“…….”

“What’s so important about that?”

“…….”

“To be honest…….”

“Stop it.”

Yoon Ji-soo cut him off. “I’m not that shameless a woman. Even if the world has changed, I live with at least a minimum of conscience…….”

“Wait a minute.”

Hyun-sung turned to look at her. “Does that mean you don’t dislike me?”

“That’s…….”

“Well, if you didn’t like me, you wouldn’t have met me like this. So, Ji-soo-ssi, you’re only reluctant because I’m too young, right?”

“People will 욕해요 [yokhaeyo – curse, criticize]. They’ll call me a thief.”

“Yes? Haha…….”

Hyun-sung laughed loudly. Yoon Ji-soo’s expression seemed to twist. “Don’t laugh.”

“Okay, I won’t let you get 욕먹게 [yokmeokge – cursed at], so don’t worry and just trust me.”

“…….”

Yoon Ji-soo turned her gaze out the window, conflicted.

Then, the Jeep entered the restaurant’s parking lot.

“Wait a minute.”

As soon as Hyun-sung parked, he got out, took an umbrella, and opened the passenger door. He held the umbrella over her head so she could get out.

“Ji-soo-ssi, get out.”

“Don’t keep doing this. If you keep doing this…….”

“No, I will do this for the rest of my life. So, don’t even think about pushing me away.”

“…….”

Yoon Ji-soo seemed to think for a moment, then quietly got out of the car. As if to show off, she walked past him into the restaurant.

Hyun-sung sighed.

But only for a moment. He immediately followed her, holding the umbrella over her.

“Is there really a need to do this?”

“…….”

“Didn’t I tell you? I will never give up. So, from now on…….”

“What’s the reason?”

Yoon Ji-soo suddenly stopped walking and asked.

“What reason?”

“The reason you’re doing this to me. To me, who is not just one or two years older, but seven years older.”

“I told you, I just like Ji-soo-ssi. Age doesn’t matter.”

“No, it matters to me.”

Then, the rain started to fall harder.

“Let’s go inside; it’s raining too much.”

“No, I’ll say it clearly: I don’t like younger men.”

She had said the same thing before, but later confessed it was a lie and regretted it.

“Stop it and go in.”

“I clearly said it. I don’t like younger men.”

“Yes, I know, so let’s go in. You’ll catch a cold.”

“Hyun-sung-ssi, let’s go somewhere else instead.”

Yoon Ji-soo turned around. Hyun-sung asked, “Where else?”

“A bar. I want to drink more than eat today.”

“Are you going to be okay on an empty stomach?”

“Alcohol tastes best on an empty stomach. Let’s go; this ‘noona’ [older sister/female friend] will treat you today.”

Yoon Ji-soo emphasized the word ‘noona,’ wanting to highlight that she was older. She had done the same before, but he only found out later that it wasn’t her true feelings.

“Not today.”

“Why?”

“We can drink enough here. And if we’re going to drink, let’s have proper 안주 [anju – food eaten with alcohol].”

“You always have to have the last word…….”

Yoon Ji-soo glanced at him and chuckled. Hyun-sung asked, “What’s that smile again?”

“Because you’re cute.”

“Yes? Suddenly?”

“Yes, most guys would be excited to go out for a drink. But Hyun-sung-ssi always takes care of my body.”

“I have a strong sense of respect for the elderly.”

“Yes? Hoho…….”

Yoon Ji-soo laughed. “Okay, I lost to Hyun-sung-ssi today. Let’s go in.”

“Let’s do that.”

“You’re like an 오빠 [oppa – older brother/male friend] when I see you like this.”

“Then call me 오빠 today…….”

She had called him 오빠 sometimes. She was an only child and envious of friends who had 오빠, so she would call him that when she felt like it, but only after a lot of time had passed.

Yoon Ji-soo shook her head and walked into the restaurant ahead of him.

After a while, Hyun-sung, who had taken a seat by the window, ordered, “Give us two servings of the best 꽃등심 [kkotdeungsim – marbled sirloin], no 식사 [siksa – meal], and two bottles of soju.”

As the waiter left, Yoon Ji-soo looked at Hyun-sung. “Aren’t you having 식사 either, Hyun-sung-ssi?”

“I’m going to have some alcohol today for a change. It’s raining, and with such a pretty Ji-soo-ssi in front of me, the alcohol will go down by itself.”

“Are you really going to keep teasing me?”

“I’m not teasing you; I’m serious. I’ve never seen anyone as pretty as Ji-soo-ssi yet.”

“Another lie…….”

Yoon Ji-soo chuckled.

Then, the meat came out. Hyun-sung put the meat on the charcoal fire and picked up the soju bottle.

“Here, Ji-soo-ssi, have a drink.”

“Okay, let’s drink since it’s raining.”

Pour, pour.

As Hyun-sung filled her glass, Yoon Ji-soo poured alcohol into his glass.

Sizzle.

When the meat was cooked, Hyun-sung cut it and put it on her plate, saying, “Shall we have a drink now?”

“Yes, good.”

“For our happy future!”

“Again…….”

“Let’s just pretend we don’t know today.”

“Anyway…….”

Yoon Ji-soo shook her head and held out her soju glass.

Clink!

The glasses collided with a cheerful sound.

About an hour had passed.

There were five soju bottles piled up on the table.

Yoon Ji-soo looked at Hyun-sung and opened her mouth. “Oppa~~~.”