Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 709

How much time had passed?

The burly men who had crowded the indoor food stall were gone.

Now, two people sat across from each other at a round plastic table, deep in conversation.

It was Oh Myung-hwan and Hyun-sung.

Mid-conversation, Hyun-sung suddenly addressed Oh Myung-hwan.

“Representative Oh.”

“Yes, Hyung-nim [older brother or respected elder].”

“This doesn’t seem like the youngest one’s doing… so whose idea was it?”

“Pardon? Whose idea all of a sudden? What are you talking about…?”

Oh Myung-hwan was bewildered, unable to grasp Hyun-sung’s meaning. Hyun-sung chuckled. “I’m talking about the *noodles*. I know it’s just a food stall, but what kind of place serves *janchi-guksu* [banquet noodles, traditionally served at celebrations] on its opening day? Don’t you think that’s a bit… unusual?”

Frankly, the *janchi-guksu* on the table was the first thing he’d noticed upon entering.

It was that unexpected.

Of course, *janchi-guksu* could be on the menu at a food stall. But that was for paying customers.

This was an opening day, after all.

He’d never anticipated being welcomed with *janchi-guksu*.

Oh Myung-hwan smiled. “I gave the instructions myself.”

“You did, personally?”

“Yes, that’s right. But… was the noodle soup not good?”

“No, it wasn’t that at all. Quite the opposite, actually.”

It was true. Hyun-sung had been surprised the moment he tasted the noodles. The flavor was exceptional. It wasn’t the generic taste you find just anywhere.

In a word, it was authentic.

This wasn’t just broth made with seasoning; it was a rich, deep broth made by properly boiling anchovies.

“So, you’re saying it tasted good?”

“Yeah, it wasn’t some haphazardly thrown-together broth; it was a proper anchovy broth. Do the other food stalls you run serve the same *janchi-guksu*?”

Since Oh Myung-hwan’s food stalls were all part of the same company, Hyun-sung assumed they’d maintain a consistent flavor profile.

As expected,

Oh Myung-hwan nodded. “You see one, and know ten, Hyung-nim. You’re right. The other food stalls also make *janchi-guksu* with the same taste as here. But how would you rate the taste of the noodles, Hyung-nim?”

“The best!”

Hyun-sung gave a thumbs up without hesitation.

There was no need to hold back. The *janchi-guksu* he’d just eaten was better than any he’d ever had.

“Really?”

Oh Myung-hwan’s eyes lit up.

Ultimately, the broth determines the taste of noodles, no matter what anyone says. The taste of *janchi-guksu* varies greatly depending on how the broth is extracted.

When he’d first started the food stall business a year ago, he’d focused most of his effort on the *janchi-guksu*.

He’d spent countless nights perfecting the broth.

After three months of relentless effort, he’d finally achieved the taste he wanted.

Perhaps that’s why customers who visited the food stalls had, since then, made it a point to order *janchi-guksu* as a must-have.

Some even came *solely* for the *janchi-guksu*.

“Of course, it’s real. What reason would I have to lie to you? But did you make this broth yourself?”

“Not entirely by myself, but with our guys over three months…”

Oh Myung-hwan recalled those memories from a year ago, explaining in detail how he’d created the *janchi-guksu* broth.

Hyun-sung smiled as he listened.

He knew how much sweat and time they’d invested to achieve that taste.

When Oh Myung-hwan finished his explanation, Hyun-sung spoke. “So, you’re saying this taste didn’t just appear out of thin air.”

“Yes, that’s right. I and our guys put in a lot of effort to find this taste. I still feel happy when I think about that time.”

A smile spread across Oh Myung-hwan’s face. Hyun-sung immediately asked, “Happy?”

“Yes, I was really happy. Not just me, but all of our guys must have felt that way back then. We didn’t even feel tired, even when we stayed up all night.”

Hyun-sung had a question.

It was just *janchi-guksu*. The fact that fifty people invested three months just for that, and that he was happy even while staying up all night, was a bit difficult to understand.

What was so special about *janchi-guksu*?

Driven by curiosity, Hyun-sung asked, “Was there some story behind the *janchi-guksu*? Otherwise, I don’t think you would have been so attached to it.”

“A story?”

“Yeah, otherwise, I don’t think you would have put so much time and effort into *janchi-guksu*.”

At Hyun-sung’s words, Oh Myung-hwan paused, seemingly lost in thought. He emptied his *soju* [Korean distilled rice liquor] glass and slowly began to speak. “Would it be right to say it’s a symbol?”

“A symbol?”

Hyun-sung tilted his head, confused by Oh Myung-hwan’s word. He didn’t immediately understand what the symbol meant.

Hyun-sung asked again. “*Janchi-guksu* was a symbol?”

“Yes, it was back then. Of course, I still feel the same way now.”

“Representative Oh, I’m sorry, but I don’t know what that means. What does *janchi-guksu* symbolize?”

No matter how much Hyun-sung pondered, he couldn’t figure it out.

Oh Myung-hwan answered, “It’s a symbol of transforming from the shadows to the light.”

“From the shadows to the light?”

“Yes, as you know, until a year ago, we were, frankly, guys who were in the shadows of this society, weren’t we?”

Oh Myung-hwan glanced at Hyun-sung before continuing. “After receiving 100 million won in support from you back then, I thought a lot about it. What kind of business should I do with this money? After much deliberation, I decided on a food stall. I thought that a food stall was the only thing that uneducated guys like us could do.”

Oh Myung-hwan smiled slightly. “What do you think is the foundation of a food stall, Hyung-nim?”

“Hmm, I wonder…”

“In my judgment, it was *janchi-guksu*.”

Hyun-sung didn’t quite understand the statement at first.

Of course, food stalls sell *janchi-guksu*. But he’d never considered it the *foundation* of a food stall.

Oh Myung-hwan continued, “I personally really like food stalls. And when I go to a new food stall, I always make sure to eat *janchi-guksu* before ordering anything else. Do you know why I do that?”

“Well, isn’t it because you like *janchi-guksu*?”

“Half right and half wrong. Of course, it’s true that I like *janchi-guksu*. But that’s not the only reason.”

“So, you’re saying there’s another reason?”

When Hyun-sung stared intently, Oh Myung-hwan nodded. “Yes, that’s right. I decide whether to order other menu items at that food stall based on the taste of the *janchi-guksu*.”

“So, you’re saying that if the *janchi-guksu* tastes good, you order other menu items, and if it doesn’t, you don’t order anything else?”

“Yes, that’s exactly it. If the *janchi-guksu* doesn’t taste good, I turn around and leave right away.”

“So, you’re ultimately evaluating the taste of the other menu items at the food stall based on the *janchi-guksu*?”

“Yes, that’s exactly it.”

Hyun-sung now understood why Oh Myung-hwan had said that the foundation of a food stall was *janchi-guksu*.

He used the taste of *janchi-guksu* as a benchmark for evaluating the food stall’s overall quality.

That’s why he considered it the foundation.

Hyun-sung nodded. “Now I understand why you said that the foundation of a food stall was *janchi-guksu*.”

“Of course, it may be just my personal judgment, but in my experience, my judgment is almost always correct. If the *janchi-guksu* is delicious, the other menu items are also good. But there were times when I had no choice but to order even if the *janchi-guksu* wasn’t good, and the other menu items were also not good.”

Hyun-sung nodded.

He fully understood what he was trying to convey. He believed that the quality of a food stall could be accurately assessed by its *janchi-guksu*.

Oh Myung-hwan continued, “So, when I decided to run a food stall, I invested time and passion in *janchi-guksu* above all else. Because I thought that was the most basic thing.”

“So, that’s why you said earlier that *janchi-guksu* was a symbol of transforming from the shadows to the light?”

“Yes, that’s right. The foundation of the food stall was *janchi-guksu*, and it was the moment we transformed from the shadows to the light.”

Hyun-sung nodded again and smiled.

There’s a saying that the interpretation is better than the dream. Regardless of the reason, Hyun-sung was impressed that Oh Myung-hwan had elevated the meaning of *janchi-guksu* to such a level.

Oh Myung-hwan continued, “The reason why we all ate *janchi-guksu* together today is also because of that reason. Just like we first came out of the shadows into the light, today is the day we grow one step further into an indoor food stall.”

“Today’s *janchi-guksu* had that kind of meaning?”

Hyun-sung hadn’t even realized it.

When he’d first arrived at the store and saw the *janchi-guksu*, he’d simply thought it was a little strange.

He never knew Oh Myung-hwan would imbue it with such significance.

To him, no, to *them*, *janchi-guksu* wasn’t just a simple noodle dish.

To them, it held a special meaning.

Just as it had been the opportunity to emerge from the shadows for the first time, it now represented the process of growing from an outdoor food stall to an indoor one.

They were celebrating today in their own way by eating *janchi-guksu*.

Oh Myung-hwan scratched his head, seemingly embarrassed. “Yes, that’s right. We celebrated in our own way by eating *janchi-guksu* today.”

“That was a great idea. If people give meaning to anything, it becomes special. In that sense, today’s *janchi-guksu* is not just a simple noodle dish, but a noodle dish that symbolizes hope.”

“Hope?”

“Yes, the hope of everyone who ate noodles together here today. They ate these noodles today and had the hope that they too could have such an indoor food stall in a few years. Don’t you think?”

“So, that’s how it turns out. Hope… As expected, Hyung-nim is one step ahead. Haha…”

“One step ahead, my foot…”

The two men exchanged a pleasant laugh, as if they’d made an unspoken promise.

It was at that moment.

A thought flashed through Hyun-sung’s mind.

“Representative Oh!”

Hyun-sung urgently called out to Oh Myung-hwan, who immediately responded. “Yes, Hyung-nim.”

“Hey, do you have any plans to expand the business?”

“Expand the business?”

“Yeah, I think there’s enough potential.”

“Perhaps…?”

Oh Myung-hwan’s eyes sparkled. He immediately asked, “Hyung-nim, are you talking about *janchi-guksu*?”

“Yes, that’s exactly it. I think that with this level of *janchi-guksu*, you could confidently present yourself as a dedicated noodle restaurant. What do you think?”

“Hmm…”

Oh Myung-hwan couldn’t answer immediately. Hyun-sung pressed, “Why? What are you worried about?”

“Well…”

Oh Myung-hwan couldn’t help but be concerned.

He was confident in the taste of his *janchi-guksu*. The problem was the business aspect. Would a restaurant specializing *only* in *janchi-guksu* really be viable?

Moreover, his decision could affect the future of not only himself but also many others.

That was why he hesitated.

Hyun-sung simply watched Oh Myung-hwan, understanding that this wasn’t a decision to be rushed.

Oh Myung-hwan’s worries likely stemmed from his responsibilities to his dependents.

He wasn’t alone. He had forty-nine people relying on him. His decision would impact their futures, hence his apprehension.

How much time had passed?

Oh Myung-hwan slowly opened his mouth, as if he’d reached a decision. “Hyung-nim.”

“Yeah, tell me.”

“Do you really think it’s possible with just *janchi-guksu*?”

“I think there’s enough potential. And that’s because of the *janchi-guksu* I ate earlier. It was the best I’ve ever had. I think it’s worth taking a gamble with that level of quality.”

Hyun-sung was sincere. Even considering his past life, he’d never tasted *janchi-guksu* this good. He believed that focusing on a single, exceptional dish was a better bet than offering a variety of mediocre options.

“Hmm…”

Oh Myung-hwan fell silent again, but this time, his hesitation was brief.

“Hyung-nim, I’ll give it a try.”

“You’ve made up your mind?”

“Yes, if I think about it, I owe my current position to you. I’ll trust your judgment once again.”

“This is subtly burdensome…”

Hyun-sung said with a smile. Oh Myung-hwan replied, “Don’t feel burdened. I made this choice myself. I think it’s time for me to trust myself now.”

“Hmm, is that so…”

This was welcome news. It showed his proactive spirit.

Hyun-sung took out a check from his wallet and handed it to him. “Start a noodle restaurant with this.”

“No, this is…”

Oh Myung-hwan was startled. The check was for 100 million won.