Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 68

Ugh.

Cola really does hit the spot with meat.

I was dying for a cold beer, but I had to remind myself I’m still a student, so I resisted the urge.

As Hyun-sung subtly shifted back from the table, Park Hee-cheol inquired,

“So, are you full?”

“Yes, I was really hungry, so I enjoyed the meal immensely.”

“That’s a relief.”

Park Hee-cheol finally seemed a bit more at ease.

He’d actually been a little worried coming to meet Hyun-sung. Every time he’d seen him recently, Hyun-sung seemed to avoid him.

But today felt different. Compared to last time, he could definitely sense that Hyun-sung was more comfortable around him.

Park Hee-cheol was itching to know why.

“Well, you see…”

Park Hee-cheol trailed off, unable to finish his sentence.

Even he felt a little awkward asking outright.

But his curiosity wouldn’t just vanish.

Park Hee-cheol tried again.

“You seem to be in a good mood today?”

Park Hee-cheol, after some deliberation, chose to be indirect.

Hyun-sung watched him carefully.

With all his experience, he could immediately tell that Park Hee-cheol had an ulterior motive.

“Why are you beating around the bush like that? Just say what’s on your mind.”

“Well, it’s just that… you seem different today.”

This was an unimaginable side of Park Hee-cheol from his past life. He was always the one to speak his mind without a second thought. The fact that he had changed so much was hard to believe, even seeing it with his own eyes.

Hyun-sung pressed him further.

“So, you’re saying you think I’m treating you differently than before, right?”

“That’s right.”

“I admit it too. My feelings have definitely shifted. How should I put it… I don’t dislike you anymore.”

It was an honest sentiment.

After hearing positive reports about Park Hee-cheol’s changed behavior from others, he couldn’t deny that his aversion to him had gradually faded.

Park Hee-cheol latched onto that.

“You don’t dislike me?”

Hyun-sung nodded slightly.

Park Hee-cheol’s face lit up.

“It’s a relief that you don’t dislike me. But, I’m a little embarrassed to ask, but can I know why your feelings changed?”

“The reason?”

“There has to be a reason, right? People don’t just change for no reason.”

“It’s simple.”

Park Hee-cheol stared intently at Hyun-sung, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Hyun-sung didn’t keep him waiting.

“Because you changed.”

“Changed? What do you mean?”

“You, Mr. Park.”

“Me…?”

Park Hee-cheol felt a strange sensation, a subtle resonance in his heart that he couldn’t quite put his finger on.

He had never experienced this feeling before.

He always felt like something was missing, which drove him to become even more obsessed with money in an attempt to fill that void.

As a result, he became blind to the pain of others. Perhaps he even validated his own existence by witnessing their suffering.

That’s how he had lived his life.

Then he met Hyun-sung.

One day, Hyun-sung completely altered the course of his life.

If Hyun-sung hadn’t pulled him off the bus that day they were supposed to go on the tour, he would have already met his end.

That was the turning point.

He realized he couldn’t continue down that path.

So, he started to implement changes, little by little.

First, he completely overhauled the interest rates. He went around and eliminated compound interest altogether and adjusted the rates to match those of banks.

To be honest, he initially felt like he was losing money.

But as he continued, something unexpected happened.

It was the way people looked at him. People who used to greet him formally now offered genuine smiles.

Their tone also changed, becoming warmer and more respectful. Some people even invited him to eat with them before he left.

Only then did he truly understand.

What it meant to truly live.

Park Hee-cheol pressed on.

“So, you’re saying your feelings changed because I changed?”

“Yes, and it’s not easy to do.”

[People change!]

Living life, I realized how incredibly difficult it is to change even the smallest habit.

That’s why there’s even a saying, ‘Don’t try to fix people, because they don’t change.’

That’s how challenging it is for people to transform.

Then Park Hee-cheol spoke again.

“Well, my situation is a bit different. I’m someone who has stared death in the face…”

“I know. But people also say that you change your mind easily.”

“Huh… So, whatever the reason, you changed because I changed.”

Hyun-sung nodded slightly.

Then Park Hee-cheol added.

“But do you know what?”

“What is it?”

“A man who has stared death in the face is still greedy.”

Hyun-sung tilted his head, puzzled.

He didn’t think it was the appropriate thing to say at this moment.

Then Park Hee-cheol smiled and continued.

“That’s also why I brought you here.”

“Yes?”

“Do you know what I was thinking when I saw Kim Tae-chon being arrested?”

What is he getting at?

What was he thinking…?

Hyun-sung was curious about the inner workings of Park Hee-cheol’s mind.

“You’re not asking how I knew, but you’re saying you had other thoughts?”

At Hyun-sung’s words, Park Hee-cheol nodded with a peculiar smile.

Then, after a moment of hesitation, he continued.

“Didn’t I mention a little while ago that I was greedy?”

He’s definitely not an ordinary person.

Hyun-sung thought he had Park Hee-cheol figured out, but Park Hee-cheol was piquing Hyun-sung’s curiosity, proving him wrong.

He immediately asked, driven by curiosity.

“Greedy?”

“That’s right. My concern isn’t how you knew about Kim Tae-chon’s arrest.”

Gulp.

Hyun-sung swallowed hard without realizing it.

He was becoming increasingly intrigued by what Park Hee-cheol would reveal next.

It was only natural for Hyun-sung to ask the next question.

“You’re saying it’s not about how I knew…?”

“It’s the result.”

“The result?”

“I don’t care about the process; the important thing is that you knew Kim Tae-chon was going to be arrested in advance, and you proved it. It doesn’t matter to me whether you saw it in a dream or not.”

“So, you care more about the result than the process?”

Hyun-sung’s voice rose slightly without him realizing it.

Then Park Hee-cheol made another strange expression and reiterated.

“That’s right. Because what I need is the result. And I’ll ask you one thing.”

“…?”

“Was it called a prophetic dream?”

“Yes.”

“Is it still valid in the future?”

Ha!

A sigh escaped from Hyun-sung’s lips. Now he had a general idea of what Park Hee-cheol was after.

He truly is a unique individual.

Ordinary people would be interested in the ‘how’ – how he knew. Because they’re naturally curious.

But not this guy. He’s not interested in the ritual, only in the outcome.

If his prediction is correct, Park Hee-cheol’s next move will involve money.

Park Hee-cheol!

He’s definitely a subject worthy of study.

Hyun-sung looked at Park Hee-cheol and smiled.

“Can I have a beer?”

“Huh! Beer at this hour…”

“I have a rough idea of what you’re getting at. Let’s take a break. It doesn’t seem like it’ll be a short conversation anyway…”

“You have a rough idea? Well… I don’t know what that idea is, but it sounds interesting. Okay, let’s have a drink.”

Park Hee-cheol gestured to an employee.

A moment later.

“Shall we have a drink?”

“Let’s do it.”

“You said you’re a sophomore in high school now?”

“Why do you ask?”

“No, it’s just that I’m full of thoughts. Go ahead and drink.”

Park Hee-cheol studied Hyun-sung for a moment.

That expression, those eyes, the way he speaks, and even that composure – how could that possibly be the demeanor of a sophomore in high school?

He had never been outmaneuvered in a conversation, no matter where he went in life.

But now, he felt like he couldn’t do that in front of this young man.

He thought he had set the tone, but at some point, he realized that it had shifted in the opposite direction. And Hyun-sung was subtly controlling the intensity.

Is that why?

He didn’t know if it was instinct, but he unconsciously felt a sense of tension awakening the cells in his body. But strangely, he didn’t dislike that feeling.

Park Hee-cheol’s competitive spirit was being ignited.

“Now, please tell me.”

Hyun-sung took the initiative.

Then Park Hee-cheol put down his beer glass and looked directly at Hyun-sung.

He then handed over a document envelope.

“Take this first.”

“What is this?”

“You’ll know when you see it. It’s something I’ve been holding onto for a while.”

Hyun-sung opened the document envelope and examined its contents. Inside was the land deed that Park Hee-cheol had even completed the transfer of ownership for last time.

Hyun-sung paused for a moment and said to Park Hee-cheol,

“I’ll accept it now.”

“Haha, you’ll accept it now? You’re a truly interesting friend.”

“Because the justification is there.”

“Justification… Can I equate that to the reason you said ‘I don’t dislike you’ about me earlier?”

“Yes. And I’m human too; there’s no reason to refuse now.”

Hyun-sung said honestly.

Who would dislike someone giving them land? In fact, when you think about it, there’s ample justification to receive it. After all, wasn’t it the price of saving a life?

There’s no reason not to be confident.

The only reason he rejected Park Hee-cheol’s offer at first was because of his past. He couldn’t accept it because he believed it was money that had been cruelly accumulated at the expense of the villagers.

Of course, if it hadn’t been for the regressed Hyun-sung, he wouldn’t have even had such concerns.

But after regressing, he couldn’t tolerate it.

But from some point on, Park Hee-cheol began to change.

You can’t undo the past.

Therefore, there is only one way to atone for the past: repent and don’t repeat the mistakes of the past.

And Park Hee-cheol is demonstrating that now.

So, there’s no reason for Hyun-sung to refuse now.

Park Hee-cheol spoke again with a happy expression.

“Thank you. Thank you for allowing me to express my gratitude, even now.”

“Do you remember?”

“Remember what?”

“I’m receiving this even after getting slapped.”

“Slapped…? Ah, I remember. The day you forcibly pulled me off the bus, right?”

“That day was really…”

Hyun-sung is dumbfounded whenever he thinks about that day. He tried to save him, but all he got in return was a slap in the face. Of course, Park Hee-cheol may have been taken aback, but he didn’t think he would actually hit him.

That’s when Park Hee-cheol suddenly exclaimed.

“Ah, right!”

“What is it this time that’s so surprising?”

“10 billion won [roughly $7.5 million USD].”

“10 billion?”

“Didn’t you say that if you were my savior, you would ask for 10 billion won?”

That’s right.

Hyun-sung remembered it then. When Park Hee-cheol tried to leave after slapping him, he demanded an apology.

What Park Hee-cheol said instead of an apology was ridiculous.

– How much do you want?

Hyun-sung’s playful side was triggered when he heard those words, so he demanded 10 billion won. Of course, Park Hee-cheol thought that would never happen, so he naturally said he would give it to him.

Hyun-sung held out his hand with a serious expression.

“Give me 10 billion won! No, subtract the value of this land and give me the rest.”

“Haha, my friend, that’s just…”

Hyun-sung cut Park Hee-cheol off.

“I’m not kidding. You clearly said you would give me 10 billion won, didn’t you? Am I wrong?”

“No, but that’s…”

Park Hee-cheol was at a loss.

The atmosphere suddenly became tense. At first, he thought it was a joke, but Hyun-sung’s demeanor gradually turned serious.

His face also changed.

His tone also changed.

The relaxed expression from a moment ago was gone, replaced by a blank stare.

But the important thing is that Park Hee-cheol himself is responsible for this serious situation. The beginning, development, and end of all problems are directed at him.

Park Hee-cheol’s face suddenly darkened.

Hyun-sung, who was watching him, finally burst out laughing.

“Puhaha, Mr. Park, why are you making such a serious face? I’m getting embarrassed. I guess I was a little too playful. I’m sorry.”

“Really? You’re joking, right?”

Only then did Park Hee-cheol’s expression begin to ease a little.

Hyun-sung continued.

“Of course. And I’ve already received 10 billion won. Because I’m going to make this land worth 10 billion won.”

Hyun-sung shook the document envelope slightly.

Then Park Hee-cheol shook his head.

Hyun-sung, who couldn’t possibly misunderstand what that meant, spoke again.