Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 652

655

Returning as a Building Owner

***

As the Jeep pulled away from the department store, Hyun-sung turned to Yoon Ji-soo in the passenger seat and asked, “Who is she?”

“Are you talking about Ji-min?”

“So, that bold young lady’s name is Ji-min?”

“Yes, Han Ji-min. She’s like a younger sister to me, and one of my closest friends. But I never expected her to call you ‘brother-in-law’ so suddenly.”

“I liked it, though. It’s like I suddenly gained a sister-in-law…”

Hyun-sung chuckled, seemingly pleased. Seeing this, Yoon Ji-soo pouted and immediately said, “Sister-in-law, my foot…”

“Why? You said she’s your closest friend?”

“That’s just because she follows me around. Anyway, be careful of her in the future.”

“Huh? Careful?”

Hyun-sung stared at Yoon Ji-soo, as if he didn’t understand. Yoon Ji-soo smirked and continued, “That girl is a sly fox.”

“A sly fox?”

“Yes, many men have shed tears over her eye smile. She’s pretty, and her eye smile is something else.”

“Well, from what I saw earlier, she didn’t seem easy to deal with.”

It was when Yoon Ji-soo got into the Jeep a little while ago.

Just as they were about to leave, Han Ji-min suddenly approached the driver’s side and greeted him, calling him ‘brother-in-law’ out of the blue.

He received the greeting without thinking, but he could definitely tell that she was not ordinary.

Yoon Ji-soo continued, “She’ll be working with me from now on.”

“At the cafe?”

“Yes, the space is too big to run alone anyway, so I needed another person. Ji-min is pretty, so she’ll probably help attract customers.”

“Are you already worrying about the business?”

“Of course. Construction starts tomorrow, and I want to do it properly if I’m going to do it at all. But I’m worried.”

Yoon Ji-soo’s expression darkened. She looked genuinely worried.

Hyun-sung immediately asked, “What are you so worried about?”

“Whether I can run it well. To be honest, it’s my first time running a business…”

“You’ll do great, Ji-soo. You’re good at everything.”

In his past life, when Hyun-sung had urgent matters, she would take care of the video store for him. When she did, the sales were often better than when he, who ran the store every day, was there. She was basically gifted in business.

“That’s just what you think.”

“My thoughts are correct. Just watch.”

“I hope so… By the way, where are we going now?”

Yoon Ji-soo asked, noticing the car was heading in a different direction than Bupyeong.

“To a cafe.”

“A cafe?”

“Yes, it’s the most famous cafe in Incheon. It’s in Gyesan-dong, and famous celebrities sometimes go there.”

“Are we going there for me?”

“Yes, that’s right. I thought you should learn since you’ll be running a cafe soon.”

“You’re the best, Hyun-sung!”

With those words, Yoon Ji-soo grabbed Hyun-sung’s hand with her left hand. It was something Yoon Ji-soo did when she was in a good mood these days. It was proof that their relationship had developed that much.

Hyun-sung continued, “I always feel so good when I hold your hand, Ji-soo.”

“Why are you saying embarrassing things?”

“No, I’m not kidding. I really mean it. I wish I could hold your hand like this all day. And of course, your plump lips are beyond words.”

“Seriously…”

Yoon Ji-soo glanced at Hyun-sung and shook her head as if she couldn’t help it. But the funny thing was that she didn’t seem to want to let go of his hand, and at some point, she intertwined their fingers. Hyun-sung turned to look at her and smiled.

The Jeep had already passed the Bupyeong-gu Office and was heading towards Gyesan-dong.

***

A week later.

Beep!

The phone rang.

Yoon Ji-soo immediately answered the phone.

“Hello.”

“- 언니, 나야. (Unnie, it’s me.)” [Unnie is a Korean term used by younger women to address older women they are close to, like an older sister or close friend.]

“Oh, hey, Ji-min.”

“- 언니, 나 오늘 백화점 그만뒀어. (Unnie, I quit the department store today.)”

“Is today already the end of the month?”

She had said when they met recently that she would only work at the department store until the end of this month. After all, she would have to go to work at the cafe soon when it opened.

“- 언니는 요즘 연애하느라 날짜 가는 것도 모르지? (Unnie, you’re so busy dating these days that you don’t even know what day it is, do you?)”

“Don’t be silly. Anyway, where are you now?”

“- 백화점 앞이야. 그래서 말인데 형부 전화번호 좀 가르쳐 줄 수 있어? (I’m in front of the department store. So, can you give me your brother-in-law’s phone number?)”

“Hyun-sung’s phone number?”

Yoon Ji-soo tilted her head, puzzled. She couldn’t understand the situation, even after thinking about it.

Yoon Ji-soo immediately asked, “Why do you need Hyun-sung’s phone number?”

“- 내가 짐이 좀 많아서 말이야. 웬만하면 택시를 타려고 했는데 아무리 생각해도 그건 좀 어려울 거 같아서. (I have a lot of luggage. I was going to take a taxi if possible, but no matter how I think about it, it seems difficult.)”

“So?”

“- 형부 도움 좀 받으려고. 괜찮지? (I’m going to get help from my brother-in-law. Is that okay?)”

“Uh? Uh… Yeah, it’s okay.”

Yoon Ji-soo was in a difficult situation. She didn’t feel comfortable with it, but she couldn’t say no. It wasn’t anything major, but her close younger sister said she had too much luggage to take a taxi.

“- 고마워, 언니. (Thank you, Unnie.)”

“You’re welcome…”

“- 형부 전화번호 좀 지금 바로 문자로 보내줄 수 있지? (Can you text me your brother-in-law’s phone number right now?)”

“Uh? Uh, sure… But can’t I go with you? I don’t have anything special to do right now…”

It was an unavoidable measure for Yoon Ji-soo. It was annoying, but this approach felt safer than sending Hyun-sung alone.

But she heard different words from the other side of the phone.

“- 언니, 미안해서 어떡하지? (Unnie, I’m so sorry, what should I do?)”

“Huh? Why?”

“- 내가 좀 전에도 얘기했지만, 짐이 많아서 말이야. 나도 언니 오면 좋은데 그렇게 되면 사람 탈 공간이 부족할 거 같은데……. (As I said before, I have a lot of luggage. I’d love for you to come, but if you do, there won’t be enough space for people to ride…)”

“Uh? Uh, really? Then I guess there’s no choice.”

“- 미안하지만 바로 문자 좀 부탁해. 그리고 며칠 있다가 부평으로 놀러 갈게. (I’m sorry, but please text me right away. And I’ll come to Bupyeong to hang out in a few days.)”

“Uh, okay…”

Click.

Yoon Ji-soo couldn’t shake off the uneasy feeling even after hanging up. But what was even more absurd was that she had to send a text message to Han Ji-min even in this situation.

“Sigh…”

Yoon Ji-soo sighed deeply and started sending a text message.

About five minutes passed.

Beep!

The phone rang again.

“Hello.”

“- 지수 씨, 접니다. (Ji-soo, it’s me.)” [씨 (ssi) is a Korean honorific used to address someone politely.]

The person who called was none other than Hyun-sung.

“- 그런데 어떻게 된 겁니까? (But what’s going on?)”

“Did Ji-min call you?”

“- 네, 지금 막 통화를 끝내자마자 지수 씨한테 전화한 겁니다. 근데 이게 무슨 일이랍니까? 그 친구가 왜 저한테……. (Yes, I just finished talking to her and then she called me. But what’s going on? Why is that friend contacting me…)”

“She must have a lot of luggage.”

“- 그래서요? (So?)”

“It seems like Hyun-sung has to help her. She called me a little while ago. So I had no choice but to give her your phone number.”

“- 그 친구 좀 어이가 없네요. 언제 봤다고……. (That friend is a bit absurd. When did we even meet…)”

Yoon Ji-soo was just as dumbfounded. But what could she do? That’s how the situation turned out.

“I’m sorry, it’s all because of me…”

“- 지수 씨가 미안할 거야 없지요. 어차피 먼저 연락을 한 것도 그 친군데. 그나저나 저 진짜 그 친구한테 가야 하는 겁니까? (You don’t have to be sorry. She’s the one who contacted me first anyway. By the way, do I really have to go to that friend?)”

“What else can we do? Just turn a blind eye this once…”

Yoon Ji-soo was dumbfounded even as she spoke. How could this even happen? No matter how much luggage she had, how could she ask someone she had just met for such a favor?

“- 다시 전화해서 안 된다고 할까요? (Should I call her back and say I can’t do it?)”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea either. She’s my closest younger sister, and she’s going to be working with me in the future.”

“- 하여간 처음 볼 때부터 보통이 아닌 거 같더니 바로 사고를 치는군요. (Anyway, she didn’t seem ordinary from the first time I saw her, and she’s already causing trouble.)”

“I don’t understand it either, but I don’t think there’s anything we can do this time. Just this once…”

“- 알았어요, 지수 씨가 그렇게까지 얘기하는데 안 갈 수는 없지요. 갔다 와서 다시 전화할게요. (Okay, I can’t not go if you say so. I’ll call you again when I get back.)”

Click.

As soon as the phone call ended, Yoon Ji-soo couldn’t help but let out a long sigh. No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t understand the situation.

Meanwhile, Hyun-sung, who had hung up the phone, left the store and headed to the parking lot.

“Ha…”

Hyun-sung, who got into the Jeep, could only laugh in disbelief. No matter how bold she was, how could she do this?

Hyun-sung pulled out of the parking lot and headed to the Mirae Department Store in Guwol-dong.

20 minutes later.

Hyun-sung arrived at the department store.

A woman was standing in front of the main entrance. The woman was none other than Han Ji-min, whom he had briefly met a few days ago.

“Brother-in-law!”

Han Ji-min approached and greeted him happily as Hyun-sung got out of the car. Hyun-sung also immediately greeted her.

“Yes, hello.”

“Brother-in-law, why are you being so formal? Just speak comfortably.”

“Huh? Yes, I understand.”

“Hehe, you’re still doing it.”

“Yeah, okay, but where’s the luggage?”

She had clearly said that she had too much luggage to take a taxi when they were on the phone. But now she only had two bags next to her.

“I threw it away.”

“You threw it away?”

“Yes, I didn’t think I would be able to use it even if I took it home, so I just threw it away.”

“No, that’s…”

Hyun-sung stopped trying to say something. Since the situation had already turned out like this, he didn’t think there was any point.

Hyun-sung reluctantly put the two bags in the back seat and said with the door open, “Okay, get in quickly.”

“I don’t like the back seat. Can I ride in the front seat?”

“Huh? Yeah, sure.”

Hyun-sung reluctantly closed the back door and opened the front door. Han Ji-min immediately got in and said, “Thank you, Brother-in-law!”

At that moment, a strong perfume scent filled the car. Not only that, but it was still the last day of February, and the weather was quite cold, but she was wearing a miniskirt, so her knees were clearly visible.

Hyun-sung quickly closed the door and got into the driver’s seat.

“Where is your house?”

“Juan. If you go towards Juan Station, I’ll tell you.”

Vroom.

Hyun-sung immediately started the Jeep.

It was right then.

Han Ji-min called Hyun-sung again.

“Brother-in-law!”

“Huh? Yeah, okay.”

“Am I uncomfortable?”

“Huh? No, it’s just… It’s not that I’m uncomfortable, it’s just the first time…”

“Can’t you just think of me as a younger sister? I like you because you’re like an older brother…”

Han Ji-min turned to look at Hyun-sung and smiled slightly. Seeing that, Hyun-sung suddenly remembered what Yoon Ji-soo had said a while ago.

“- 걔 눈웃음에 많은 남자들이 눈물 흘렸답니다. 인물도 반반한 데다 고년 눈웃음이 장난이 아니거든요. (Many men have shed tears over her eye smile. She’s pretty, and her eye smile is something else.)”

Yoon Ji-soo’s words were not a lie. When he actually saw that eye smile, he felt like he was momentarily possessed.

“Ahem…”

Hyun-sung deliberately cleared his throat instead of answering. He didn’t have anything else to say in that situation.

“What kind of answer is that? It’s either yes or no.”

“Well…”

“Tsk!”

Han Ji-min turned her head away. Then, the strong scent stimulated his nose again. It seemed several times stronger than the scent he had felt outside a little while ago.

Swoosh.

Hyun-sung lowered the driver’s side window halfway. Otherwise, he thought he would get drunk on the scent.

“Why are you opening the window when it’s cold?”

“Huh? I’m hot.”

“You’re hot?”

“Yeah, a little hot.”

“Don’t lie. How can you say it’s hot on a day like today?”

With those words, Han Ji-min turned off the heater. Then Hyun-sung had no choice but to raise the window again.

About five minutes passed again.

“Turn right at the intersection ahead.”

Han Ji-min raised her hand and pointed to the right. Then, a strange scent spread in the car again.

Swoosh!

Hyun-sung lowered the window again. Then, Han Ji-min started looking at Hyun-sung without saying anything. And at some point, she smirked.

“Why are you smiling?”

“Because you’re cute, Brother-in-law.”

“…”

Hyun-sung had nothing to say. She definitely had an expression that she knew why Hyun-sung kept lowering the window.

She opened her mouth again.

“Do you know that your face is red right now, Brother-in-law?”

“Me?”

“Yes, it’s been like that since we left the department store.”

“It’s because I’m hot.”

It was the best answer Hyun-sung could give. But the answer that came back was something he never expected.

“Liar!”

“…”

Hyun-sung could only drive quietly while looking ahead.

About five more minutes passed.

“Please drop me off in front of that utility pole.”

“Oh, okay.”

Screech.

Hyun-sung stopped the car and quickly got out to take the bag out of the back seat.

It was right then.

Han Ji-min immediately opened her mouth.

“Brother-in-law, do you want to come in and eat ramen before you go?”