Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 683

A few days later.

“Hehe!”

Hyun-sung, exiting a building in Mapo, Seoul, took a light, refreshing breath. His face was brighter than ever, filled with satisfaction.

The reason was simple.

He had just finalized the building purchase agreements with Park Yoon-sung and Na Sang-jun a few days prior.

Moreover, the process was expedited because they accommodated Hyun-sung by arranging to complete everything in one location.

With this, the first phase of preparations for Hyun-sung’s planned commercial district redevelopment was perfectly set.

Naturally, Hyun-sung’s expression couldn’t help but be brighter than ever.

“Congratulations, Mr. Kim,” said Yoo Young-chul, the real estate agent, following behind Hyun-sung. A broad smile was plastered on his face.

It was understandable.

Five buildings were sold, and the total transaction amount was nearly 10 billion won [approximately $7.5 million USD]. The commission he earned was substantial, so he couldn’t help but grin.

Not parasitic, but symbiotic.

Hyun-sung received his help, and he, in turn, earned a hefty commission thanks to Hyun-sung. Both men couldn’t help but be satisfied as they left the building.

Hyun-sung replied with a smile.

“Thank you. I was able to complete all the transactions smoothly thanks to you, Mr. Yoo.”

“That’s not true. To be frank, even if I’m being humble, I’ve handled a total of 65 commercial building transactions, including today’s. The commissions from those alone are enormous, to be honest. Thanks to that, these days, even when I go to the bank, I’m greeted in the bank manager’s office with tea, not at the regular counter. I know it’s all thanks to you, Mr. Kim. Thank you so much, Mr. Kim!”

Hyun-sung could immediately sense the sincerity in Yoo Young-chul’s heartfelt voice.

Hyun-sung was grateful to him.

Some people don’t appreciate the help they receive.

They take it for granted.

But Yoo Young-chul wasn’t like that from the start.

When Hyun-sung first said he was buying commercial buildings, he offered to take only 50% of the commission. His reasoning was that since it wasn’t just one or two buildings but dozens, he would voluntarily lower his fee.

No one dislikes money. But he made that difficult decision. Naturally, Hyun-sung entrusted all the transactions to him.

“I am also grateful. I know that no one else would be able to curb their greed like you, Mr. Yoo. In that sense, I look forward to working with you in the future.”

It didn’t end there. After the commercial buildings, they would move on to residential redevelopment, which is what he was referring to.

Of course, Yoo Young-chul was already well aware of this. He had revealed the entire plan from the beginning.

Therefore, he couldn’t help but say something similar to Hyun-sung.

“I’m the one who should be saying that. In that sense, shall we go somewhere nice and grab a bite? I’ll buy you anything you want to eat today, Mr. Kim.”

“Shall we?”

Hyun-sung didn’t want to refuse. He had just resolved a major issue and was feeling a bit hungry.

Hyun-sung said immediately, “How about Gongdeok Market?”

“Gongdeok Market?”

“Yes, it’s not far from here, and there’s a famous jokbal (pig’s feet) place there.”

“Hey, just jokbal?”

Yoo Young-chul’s expression clearly showed disappointment.

But Hyun-sung had a good reason, so he confidently repeated himself.

“What’s wrong with jokbal?”

“There are many famous Japanese restaurants in Mapo, why specifically…”

Yoo Young-chul still looked displeased. He seemed to be thinking of going to a famous Japanese restaurant since they were in Mapo.

But Hyun-sung was different. He had a definite reason to go to Gongdeok Market.

Hyun-sung had no choice but to be honest.

“There’s a reason why I need to go to Gongdeok Market.”

“Reason? What reason?”

“Actually, it’s not just for me. I spoke with Ji-soo before going into the building.”

“Ji-soo, the one you’re going to marry?”

“Yes, that’s right. She suddenly said she wanted to eat jokbal…”

“Let’s go!”

Yoo Young-chul spoke before Hyun-sung could finish. He immediately walked towards the parking lot, continuing, “It’s not just anyone, but a pregnant woman who wants it. What more needs to be said? You should have mentioned it earlier. Let’s go.”

He had mentioned Yoon Ji-soo’s pregnancy when he accepted the position of chairman of the commercial district association last time. It was necessary to explain that he wanted to change the neighborhood with a father’s heart.

Therefore, Yoo Young-chul already knew about Yoon Ji-soo’s pregnancy, which is why he reacted the way he did.

“Which jokbal place is it?”

Yoo Young-chul asked as soon as he got into the car. Hyun-sung answered without hesitation.

“Younghee’s Jokbal.”

“Younghee’s Jokbal? Is that place famous?”

“Yes, no one in Gongdeok Market can match their jokbal. Those who know, know.”

Hyun-sung also learned about it in his past life.

After graduating from university, he stayed in a goshiwon (a small, inexpensive room, often used by students preparing for exams) in Gongdeok-dong for about six months to prepare for the Certified Public Accountant exam.

He accidentally discovered it when he went to Gongdeok Market then.

After that, he made sure to go there at least twice a month to eat jokbal.

It wasn’t just the taste, but also the owner that made him visit often.

She was a woman in her mid-50s who treated him like her own child.

She only charged him 70% of the price compared to others.

At first, he couldn’t understand why.

He was always short on food because he was staying in the cheapest goshiwon.

Meat was served once a week, and it was just imported frozen pork belly. Even that would run out if you were late.

That’s why he often went to Gongdeok Market. It was the only way to supplement his nutrition.

And he only found out later.

Why she treated him like her own son, even giving him jokbal at 70% of the price.

She had a child about Hyun-sung’s age.

But unfortunately, that child was ill and always bedridden.

To make matters worse, it was a rare disease, and the medical bills were enormous every time they went to the hospital.

That’s why she couldn’t rest for a single day and had to come to the market.

He learned all of this the day before he left the goshiwon.

He promised to visit again if he passed the exam, but he failed, and his connection with her ended there.

“Let’s get out,” Hyun-sung said to Yoo Young-chul after parking in a public parking lot near Gongdeok Market. Yoo Young-chul tilted his head and asked,

“Mr. Kim, have you lived in Gongdeok-dong before?”

From his perspective, it seemed strange that Hyun-sung knew the area so well.

But Hyun-sung couldn’t talk about his past life, so he had no choice but to lie.

“I came here once with a friend a while ago. That friend lives in Mapo. He told me about the jokbal place we’re going to.”

“Oh, I see…”

Yoo Young-chul nodded as if he understood, then got out of the car.

The two of them started walking into the market. Of course, Hyun-sung, who knew the area well, led the way, followed by Yoo Young-chul.

After walking for about five minutes,

Hyun-sung saw the sign for ‘Younghee’s Jokbal.’

He never thought he would come here again, so Hyun-sung couldn’t help but feel strange.

After staring at the sign for a moment, Hyun-sung immediately entered the store.

“Welcome!”

The jokbal owner greeted them warmly. It was indeed the same owner he had seen in his past life. Considering the time difference of about five years, she looked older than he remembered.

But he couldn’t help but feel good just seeing her again.

Therefore, his voice was filled with joy as he greeted her.

“Hello! Owner!”

“Yes? Oh, yes. Have you been to our store before? I’m getting old these days, so I keep forgetting…”

She seemed a little flustered by Hyun-sung’s excessive greeting.

Hyun-sung had no choice but to lie again.

“I came here once with a friend a while ago.”

“Oh, is that so? I guess I’m really getting old. I wasn’t like this before…”

She bowed her head slightly as if she felt sorry. Hyun-sung immediately continued,

“You probably don’t remember because we just came to get takeout. And there were a lot of customers that day. So it’s natural that you don’t remember.”

It was the best Hyun-sung could do to answer for her.

Did it work?

Her expression changed instantly.

She smiled and immediately continued,

“That’s right, I still have a good memory. Anyway, what can I get for you?”

“First, give us a large front foot [referring to a specific cut of the jokbal], and please pack one to go. A large one, of course.”

“Yes, I’ll prepare it soon!”

Her voice was full of energy as she answered. Her expression was also bright with a smile.

She seemed happy that two people came and ordered two large portions.

But that wasn’t all.

“Are you thirty? Or thirty-one?”

She looked at Hyun-sung and asked with a slight smile.

That’s right. She was reminded of her bedridden child when she saw Hyun-sung, just like in his past life.

“I’m thirty-one. Perhaps your child is about my age…”

“Yes, that’s right. Our son is also thirty-one this year. Our son is also very handsome like you.”

A smile spread across her face.

It was a moment where you could naturally feel a mother’s heart.

A little later.

A large plate filled with jokbal was placed in front of them. Hyun-sung immediately said to Yoo Young-chul,

“Mr. Yoo, try it first. Don’t just eat the jokbal, but put some of this dried radish on it. The taste is amazing.”

Hyun-sung already knew that the secret to this jokbal place’s taste was the dried radish, so he could say it with confidence.

“Oh, is that so? Then…”

Yoo Young-chul put the jokbal on his plate as Hyun-sung instructed, then put the dried radish on top and brought it to his mouth.

Crunch, crunch.

Yoo Young-chul’s eyes widened as he ate the jokbal.

And a moment later.

Gulp.

Yoo Young-chul quickly chewed the jokbal and swallowed it in one bite, then suddenly called out to the owner.

“Owner, one more takeout. A large one. I should buy some for my wife at home. Wow, this is really delicious. Hehe…”

Hyun-sung smiled slightly as he watched him, then started eating the jokbal.

The two of them began to eat the jokbal like crazy.

About 30 minutes passed.

The large amount of jokbal was almost gone.

That’s when it happened.

Hyun-sung suddenly grabbed his stomach. He must have eaten too quickly, because his stomach started to ache.

Hyun-sung had no choice but to go to the bathroom.

He was almost done when he heard the owner’s voice from the kitchen.

It was unavoidable since the bathroom was right next to the kitchen.

Hyun-sung couldn’t help but pay attention to the conversation. It was because her voice was too serious, unlike before.

He didn’t know the exact details, but it seemed that her bedridden child had suddenly had a seizure and was taken to the hospital. Then she mentioned the hospital bill, and he even heard the amount of ten million won [approximately $7,500 USD].

Hyun-sung returned to the hall.

“Why? Are you not feeling well?”

Yoo Young-chul immediately asked when he saw that Hyun-sung’s face was a little dark.

“Yes? Oh, yes. I must have eaten too quickly.”

“Young people these days can’t even handle that much… tsk.”

Yoo Young-chul clicked his tongue lightly. But Hyun-sung didn’t even notice him.

He just kept thinking about her voice he had heard in the bathroom earlier.

Then Yoo Young-chul stood up and asked,

“How much is everything here?”

“Three large takeouts, so it’s 60,000 won [approximately $45 USD], but just give me 55,000 won [approximately $41 USD]. This young man looks just like my son.”

Her worried voice from earlier was gone, and she was talking about her son. He couldn’t help but feel a little sad looking at her eyes.

“Mr. Kim, let’s go home now.”

Yoo Young-chul urged him after paying.

Hyun-sung was about to turn around when he asked the jokbal owner,

“Owner, do you deliver?”

“Deliver?”

“Yes, I’m in Incheon, can you deliver it by quick service [a type of expedited delivery]? This jokbal is so delicious. My wife is pregnant, so I can’t come here every time. Of course, I’ll pay for the delivery.”

“Well…”

The jokbal owner looked troubled. She seemed to think that delivering jokbal from Mapo to Incheon was logically impossible.

“Please. My wife loves jokbal so much, so I’m asking you this favor.”

“If you really want me to, I can’t say no, but delivering from here to Incheon…”

“I’m asking you a favor. As I said before, my wife is pregnant. I would be very grateful if you could send it by quick service, even if it’s a bit of a hassle.”

“… Okay, I understand. It’s because she’s pregnant…”

The jokbal owner nodded as if she had no choice. Hyun-sung immediately took out a check from his wallet and handed it over.

“I’ll pay with this.”

The jokbal owner looked bewildered after checking the check.

“Excuse me, this is a ten million won [approximately $7,500 USD] check? I don’t have any change right now…”

“That’s for pre-payment. So I don’t need any change.”

“Yes? All of it?”

“Yes, we both love jokbal so much. Then I’ll call you often in the future.”

With those words, Hyun-sung bowed and immediately left the jokbal store. The jokbal owner followed him out and said something else, but Hyun-sung pretended not to hear and hurried away.

The two arrived at the parking lot.

Yoo Young-chul asked with a dumbfounded expression,

“Mr. Kim, what are you doing now?”

“I’m going to have three more kids in the future. I think I need to eat that much to do that.”

Hyun-sung got into the car as if nothing had happened.