Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 658

As Hyeon-seong and Yun Ji-su’s jeep descended the Daegwallyeong Pass, Hyeon-seong asked, “Ji-su, your father’s grave is in Seongsan-myeon [a small town], right?”

“Yes, about a ten-minute drive from the Seongsan-myeon office, on the left. Why do you ask?”

“I want to pay my respects to your father first.”

Yun Ji-su looked at him, paused thoughtfully, then smiled. “Thank you, Hyeon-seong.”

“What’s there to thank? It’s only natural.”, Hyeon-seong replied casually. Yun Ji-su took his hand with her left hand, saying, “I’m so glad.”

“About what?”

“That I met someone as wonderful as you.”

“Why are you suddenly making me feel shy?”

“No, thinking about the past year, it’s been amazing. From moving here and meeting you, to your proposal, it feels like a drama.”

Yun Ji-su continued, “But it feels orchestrated. At first, I didn’t think much of it, but the more I think about it, the stranger it seems. How did you know I was moving in and come to the villa? You said you came to sell videos, but that doesn’t make sense.”

Pfft.

Hyeon-seong laughed. He’d said it without thinking, but even he knew it was absurd.

What video store waits in front of a house on moving day to sell videos?

“Why are you laughing?”

“I’m laughing because it’s amazing. I don’t know what I was thinking. It doesn’t make sense. Who does that?”

“Exactly. Tell me honestly, what really happened that day?”

“Well…”

Hyeon-seong hesitated. He’d gone because of his past-life memories, wanting to see her. But he couldn’t tell her the truth.

After a moment, he lied. “I had a dream.”

It felt unavoidable, the best answer he could give.

“A dream?”

“Yes, I have dreams that tend to come true.”

“So, you dreamed that day too?”

“Yes. The night before, I dreamed a beautiful young woman was moving into that villa. So, I went there…”

“A beautiful young woman?”

“Yes, her face was radiant.”

“Radiant? Hehe…” Yun Ji-su laughed, dumbfounded. “Are you saying that person was me?”

“Yes. The moment you got off the moving truck, I thought an angel had descended.”

“Now it’s an angel…”

“I’m not lying. I made a decision that day.”

“A decision?”

“To make you my wife.”

Slap!

Yun Ji-su playfully slapped his hand. “Are we supposed to be a fairy and a woodcutter [a Korean folktale]?”

“No, a modern-day fairy and a video store owner. Don’t you think?”

“Oh, really… Hehe.”

Yun Ji-su laughed, then said, “Hyeon-seong!”

“Yes?”

“Did you really have a dream?”

“I’m telling you, I did. How else would I have known you were moving in? We’re a match made in heaven.”

“Oh, my…” Yun Ji-su smiled, seemingly believing him. His dream story was working.

Hyeon-seong saw a sign: ‘Seongsan-myeon’.

“Do I turn right up ahead?”

“Yes, towards the Yongbong Driving School.”

Hyeon-seong turned. After five minutes, they passed a supermarket.

“Let’s stop here.”

“Why?”

“I want to buy alcohol and dried squid for your father’s grave. It’s chilly, so stay in the car. I’ll be right back.”

“I can’t. I’m seeing my dad, so I’ll get out too.”

“Then, would you like to?” Hyeon-seong opened the passenger door.

A little later, they returned to the car.

Yun Ji-su said, “My dad must be very happy today.”

“I hope so.”

“He will be. He’d be so happy to have you, so handsome and capable, as his son-in-law. If he were alive…”

Yun Ji-su’s eyes welled up. Hyeon-seong said, “Did you forget your promise? No more crying. I’ll fill your father’s void, so trust me.”

“Okay, I will.” Yun Ji-su nodded.

The car started again.

After ten minutes, Yun Ji-su pointed. “Go that way.”

They drove to a grave on the sunny side.

They got out and walked towards it. Hyeon-seong tidied the surroundings.

Since it was March, the grass hadn’t grown. He placed his hand on the mound and stroked it.

Then, he laid out paper and placed the alcohol, squid, and fruit, and stood up straight.

Yun Ji-su said, “Dad! I’m here. I didn’t come alone, I came with this person.”

She took Hyeon-seong’s hand. “Dad, this is the person I’ll trust and live with. He’s handsome, right? He’s also capable. Thanks to him, I became a building owner. He’s a good person, so please welcome him.”

Yun Ji-su looked at Hyeon-seong. “Say hello to my dad.”

“Yes, I understand.” Hyeon-seong nodded. “Father, I’m Kim Hyeon-seong. From now on, Ji-su and…”

Hyeon-seong spoke at length.

He’d been here many times in his past life, but today felt different. More thoughts came to mind. It was a new feeling, having lived so many years.

About twenty minutes passed.

Yun Ji-su said, “Dad, I’ll come again next time. Goodbye…”

She couldn’t continue. Hyeon-seong put his arm around her shoulder. “Ji-su, I’ll do my best.”

“Thank you. How can you do better? Thank you so much. Let’s go.”

They bowed to the grave and left.

Back in the car, Yun Ji-su said, “Hyeon-seong, I think my dad really likes you. Whenever I came with my mom, I always felt heavy-hearted on the way back, but not today.”

“I feel good too. It feels like your father hugged me.”

Yun Ji-su smiled.

Beep!

Hyeon-seong’s phone rang. “Hello.”

“Hyung [term for older brother or respected male], it’s me.”

“Who is it? Oh, President Oh of Shilla?”

The caller was Oh Myeong-hwan, president of Shilla Savings Bank.

“Yes.”

“What’s going on, President Oh?”

“Where are you?”

“I’m returning from my father-in-law’s grave in Seongsan. Why?”

“Just wondering how far you’ve come. I’ll see you later.”

“See me later? I was planning to stop by the office tonight…”

“There’s something. I’ll hang up now.”

Click.

Oh Myeong-hwan said to Han Sang-tae, “Hyung will be here in thirty minutes. Are the flowers and the kids ready?”

“Yes, everything’s prepared. We’re waiting in the Soon Tofu restaurant parking lot.”

“Okay, let’s go.”

“Yes, Hyung!” Han Sang-tae bowed. Oh Myeong-hwan followed him out.

Hyeon-seong tilted his head. “What are these guys doing?”

“Was that the loan shark you talked to?”

“Yes, but they don’t do that anymore.”

“Then what do they do?”

“Street stalls.”

“Yes? Street stalls?” Yun Ji-su looked disbelieving.

Loan sharks running street stalls?

Pfft.

Hyeon-seong smiled. “They started a month ago.”

“A month ago? How do you know? Are you involved with those street stalls?”

“…Yes, a little.” Hyeon-seong hesitated, wondering if he should be honest.

He worried about her reaction.

But he knew that trust was important, and that small deceptions could lead to bigger ones.

“A little? How?”

“Actually, that’s…” Hyeon-seong explained.

After his explanation, Yun Ji-su asked, “So, you’re investing 100 million won to help fifty people become self-sufficient?”

“I thought it was the best I could do.”

“Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why help those people? Why bother!” Yun Ji-su emphasized her last words, showing her disapproval.

Hyeon-seong continued calmly, “Have you forgotten?”

“Forgotten what?”

“Your mother.”

“My mom?”

“Yes, she was taken to the hospital because of those guys, wasn’t she? If we leave them alone, can we guarantee it won’t happen again?”

“That’s…” Yun Ji-su was speechless. Hyeon-seong was right. If the loan sharks continued, there was a high chance of similar cases.

“I didn’t want to create more victims, even if it was just for your mother’s sake.”

“…”

“Fortunately, the response seems good.”

“The street stalls?”

“Yes, they’re operating ten stalls now, and plan to increase that to twenty by the end of the year.”

“Hyeon-seong, really…” Yun Ji-su smiled. Hyeon-seong said, “Are you finally acknowledging me?”

“Now that I hear it, it sounds 괜찮은 [okay/not bad]. But what happens to that 100 million won? Do you get it back?”

“No.”

“No?”

“I never intended to recover it. It’s enough if they come out of the shadows. But they made a promise.”

“A promise?” Yun Ji-su tilted her head, curious.

“They said they’d do the same as me later.”

“The same?”

“They said that after they become self-sufficient, they’ll help people in need, without any conditions.”

“Oh my! Really?”

“How is it? Don’t you think you made a good choice as a husband?”

Pfft.

Yun Ji-su smiled instead of answering.

The car was passing the entrance to Chodang, heading towards her mother’s Soon Tofu restaurant.

Yun Ji-su said, surprised, “Oh my! Hyeon-seong, look over there.”

She pointed to men in black suits standing in two rows, waiting.