Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 686

That afternoon.

As lunchtime passed, a flurry of young customers began to pour in.

Their curiosity centered on one thing and one thing only.

Whether they could really borrow videos for free.

Despite the ‘Free Rental’ banner displayed prominently in front of the store, they still seemed to find the notion hard to believe.

Perhaps it was understandable.

Free rental!

Even on Children’s Day, it was an event that no video store had ever attempted before.

A boy who looked about ten years old approached the counter with three videos in hand and presented them to Hyun-sung.

“Sir, these.”

“Oh, okay. Just a moment. Your name is Jin-ho, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. Kim Jin-ho. But you remember my name? I haven’t been here in a year…”

Kim Jin-ho tilted his head, looking at Hyun-sung with a puzzled expression.

He seemed surprised that Hyun-sung remembered his name even after such a long time.

“Of course, I remember. This older brother has a good memory, you know.” [Hyung is a Korean honorific used by younger males to address older males.]

Hyun-sung scanned the three videos, put them in a bag, and then spoke again.

“But what happened during that time? Why has it been so long?”

“I was a bit sick.”

“Sick? Where?”

“Here, my heart. So, I had surgery.”

Kim Jin-ho lightly tapped his chest with his palm.

Hyun-sung’s expression turned somber.

The fact that he had heart surgery, of all things, was concerning.

With a worried look, Hyun-sung immediately asked.

“So, are you okay now?”

“Yes, now I can run around without it hurting. The doctor said the surgery went well, so I don’t have to come to the hospital anymore.”

Hyun-sung’s face brightened instantly.

“Really? That’s great. I’m relieved. That’s really good. And thank you for coming back in good health like this.”

“Yes, hehe.”

Kim Jin-ho scratched his head, looking a bit shy, and then continued.

“But is it really free to rent videos today? I don’t have to pay?”

Kim Jin-ho’s expression was quite serious.

Since this kind of event was new to him, he wanted to confirm it again.

Hyun-sung nodded and said.

“Of course. It’s a gift from this older brother for Children’s Day. So, just enjoy watching them today.”

As soon as Hyun-sung finished speaking, Kim Jin-ho’s face lit up.

“Wow! Thank you. Of course, I saw the banner outside, but I was still a little unsure. I’ll definitely return them tomorrow, though.”

“No, you don’t have to bring them back tomorrow. You can take your time watching them.”

“No, since I’m watching the videos for free, I’ll definitely return them tomorrow. And…”

Kim Jin-ho paused, glancing at Hyun-sung as if wondering something. Seeing this, Hyun-sung leaned forward and asked in a low voice.

“Why? Is there something you want to say to me?”

“…Thank you!”

Kim Jin-ho hesitated for a moment, then answered shyly in a small voice. He then continued.

“For remembering my name. I thought you definitely wouldn’t remember.”

Kim Jin-ho seemed genuinely touched that Hyun-sung remembered his name even after a year.

Hyun-sung smiled and immediately replied.

“Jin-ho was special, you know.”

“I was?”

“Yes, you greet people better than the other kids, and you have a handsome face. Plus, you’re good at studying. That’s why this older brother remembered you especially.”

“Oh? I don’t know about the other things, but I don’t think I have a good-looking face…”

“No, in this older brother’s eyes, Jin-ho’s face is handsome. You’ll become more and more handsome as you grow up. So, you can have plenty of confidence. Got it?”

“…Yes, I understand.”

After hesitating for a moment, Kim Jin-ho nodded in response. His expression definitely seemed more confident than before.

Hyun-sung smiled as he watched him bow and leave the store.

Just then.

Ring ring.

The store phone rang.

Hyun-sung answered it immediately.

“Hello, this is Cinema Paradise.”

-Is this the video store?

“Yes, it is.”

-I’m Mijin’s mom. You know Han Mijin, right?

“Yes, of course.”

Even as Hyun-sung answered, he felt a sense of apprehension.

This was because phone calls from the mothers of children who borrowed videos usually involved complaints.

-The reason I’m calling is about the video.

As expected, the video seemed to be the problem.

Hyun-sung asked cautiously.

“Is there something wrong with the video…?”

-No, it’s not that, but our Mijin borrowed a video a little while ago. And she’s saying something strange.

“Something strange? What did Mijin say?”

-She said the owner didn’t charge her for the video rental. So, I wanted to check. I was wondering if she just took the video without paying.

Sigh…!

Hyun-sung unknowingly let out a sigh of relief.

When he first answered the phone, he was worried that something might have gone wrong, but after talking, he immediately realized that wasn’t the case.

“Mijin is right. Today is Children’s Day, so…”

Hyun-sung immediately explained the event. As soon as he finished explaining, Han Mijin’s mother reacted.

-Oh my! Is that true?

“Yes, it’s true. So, you don’t have to worry about anything.”

-I didn’t know that, and I was worried that our Mijin might have done something bad. But how can you do such an event when there are so many kids…

She talked a bit more and then hung up.

After ending the call, Hyun-sung turned his gaze to one spot. There, he saw Kang Man-soo, who had entered the store two hours ago.

Probably, his bag was full of videos by now.

It was such a contrasting situation.

While some people were calling to check if their child had taken a video without paying, someone else was diligently stealing videos at that age.

Heh.

Hyun-sung couldn’t help but laugh as he watched Kang Man-soo, who was quite busy in one corner.

He just wanted to ask if he really wanted to do that at his age.

Swoosh.

Hyun-sung turned his gaze away from Kang Man-soo. He was planning to let him steal as much as he wanted anyway.

Ring ring!

Just then, the store phone rang again.

“Hello, this is Cinema Paradise.”

-Hello, Mr. Owner. I’m Kim Jin-ho’s mother.

Hyun-sung felt apprehensive again, just like before.

He wondered if there was something wrong with the video.

Hyun-sung immediately asked.

“Yes, ma’am. What’s the matter? Jin-ho just borrowed a video a little while ago.”

-I’m calling to thank you. I don’t know if you know, but our Jin-ho has been having a hard time after undergoing major surgery recently. But after visiting the video store a little while ago, he’s in such a good mood. So, I asked him why, and he said the video store owner praised him. Said he has a handsome face.

“Ah, yes…”

A smile immediately spread across Hyun-sung’s face as he answered.

When he first answered the phone, he was worried that something might be wrong. But after listening, he was relieved that there was nothing to worry about, and a smile naturally appeared.

-Actually, our Jin-ho has had a complex about his face. But it seems that your compliment has solved that problem.

“I was just telling the truth. I wasn’t just saying it to be nice.”

It was true. Of course, Kim Jin-ho didn’t have a strikingly handsome face, but as a man, he had enough individuality, so he said those things.

And he had already confirmed it in his past life.

In Kim Jin-ho’s case, he gradually became more masculine as he got older.

-You don’t have to say empty words to me…

“Empty words? I’m not saying empty words. I’m telling you honestly. Just watch. Jin-ho’s face will bloom as he gets older.”

-Really?

“Of course. By any chance, what was Jin-ho’s father like when he was young?”

-He was handsome. That’s why I liked him, but honestly, our Jin-ho…”

“He’s still young. Men tend to resemble their fathers as they grow up. There’s even a saying that you can’t hide the seed of a thief.” [A Korean proverb meaning that inherent traits or tendencies will eventually reveal themselves.]

If he had been saying empty words from the beginning, he wouldn’t have been so persistent.

He could have just glossed over it, and no one would have said anything.

But Hyun-sung couldn’t do that.

Why?

Because he thought that this might determine a person’s life.

Especially at a young age.

-Do you think so?

“Yes, definitely. So, from now on, you, as his mother, need to believe in Jin-ho. Sincerely. That way, Jin-ho will gain confidence and strength. If that happens, Jin-ho’s life will definitely change.”

Hyun-sung spoke with sincerity.

Was it effective?

-After listening to you, it seems like that might be the case.

“It’s not just that it might be the case, it is the case. Especially during sensitive times like Jin-ho’s.”

-Yes, I understand. I think I’ve been making mistakes until now. I don’t know why I didn’t think of that.

“It’s not too late now. Give Jin-ho confidence. Then, Jin-ho will definitely be able to succeed wonderfully.”

-Yes, I understand. I will. By the way, I’m taking up too much of your time when you’re busy. Thank you so much. I’ll come by to say hello when I have time. Goodbye…”

Click.

As the call ended, Hyun-sung smiled.

It wasn’t intentional from the beginning, but it would ultimately be helpful to Kim Jin-ho. That was why Hyun-sung was smiling.

“Boss, what is that guy doing?”

Kim Min-ki, the employee, asked, looking at Kang Man-soo, who had been wandering around the store for two hours. Hyun-sung chuckled and said.

“Just wait and see.”

“Yes? What are you talking about?”

“Something interesting will happen soon.”

“Something interesting?”

Kim Min-ki tilted his head, as if he didn’t understand what Hyun-sung was saying.

That was natural for him. He couldn’t imagine that Kang Man-soo was stealing videos.

“Yeah, you’ll know if you wait. Just wait a little.”

At that moment.

Hyun-sung’s eyes sparkled.

Kang Man-soo had finally started moving, pulling his carrier.

‘Okay, the time has finally come.’

Hyun-sung nodded, came out from behind the counter, and headed towards the entrance. His face was filled with a sneer.

A little later.

Clatter.

Kang Man-soo pulled his carrier towards the counter. He was holding a video in his hand. His expression was full of confidence.

“I’ll borrow this one.”

Kang Man-soo put a video on the counter and said. Kim Min-ki’s expression stiffened slightly.

This was because someone who had been there for more than two hours had only picked out one video.

But he couldn’t say anything else.

After all, the choice was the customer’s right.

“Is this your first time here? Please fill out this customer card. And I’ll need to see your ID for a moment.”

“ID?”

“Yes, we need to verify it for new members.”

It was a basic procedure for new members. Since it was a rental, not a sale, it was necessary to confirm their identity.

Kang Man-soo suddenly looked embarrassed and said.

“Oh dear, what should I do? I didn’t bring my ID…”

“Or you can leave a deposit. We’ll check it when you bring your ID later, and then we’ll return the deposit.”

“How much is the deposit?”

“It’s 20,000 won [approximately $15 USD].”

Heh.

The corner of Hyun-sung’s mouth twitched as he looked at the counter.

He had already experienced this once in his past life.

In the end, Kang Man-soo wouldn’t borrow the video. He would say he didn’t have an ID or money for the deposit. Then, he would say he would come back next time and try to leave the store.

After all, his purpose was different.

Sure enough.

The same words from his past life came out of Kang Man-soo’s mouth.

“I don’t have an ID or money for the deposit, so I can’t help it. I’ll just go today and come back next time.”

“Yes, I’m sorry.”

“Well, see you next time…”

Clatter!

Kang Man-soo pulled his carrier towards the entrance with a confident expression. He had no idea that the Grim Reaper was waiting for him at the entrance.

Kang Man-soo had just arrived at the entrance.

Thud!

Hyun-sung blocked his path and snatched the carrier from him. Kang Man-soo frowned as he looked at Hyun-sung.

“What are you doing?”

“We’ll have a brief inspection.”