Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 713

716

An office in downtown Gangneung.

A sign reading ‘Pojangmacha Corporation’ hung at the office entrance.

Two people were talking inside.

How much time had passed?

“Hoo…….”

Oh Myung-hwan let out a long sigh, as if exhausted, then spoke to Hyun-sung.

“Hyung-nim [older brother or respected male figure], I’ll make it 15% annually as the final offer. I can’t concede any lower than that.”

“Hmm…….”

Hyun-sung seemed to think for a moment, then nodded as if he couldn’t help it, and said,

“Alright, good. Let’s wrap it up at that rate. But seriously, where do you get such stubbornness?”

“Hyung-nim, what are you doing? Who’s really the stubborn one here…….”

Oh Myung-hwan shook his head, looking at Hyun-sung.

He had no choice but to borrow money from Hyun-sung. So, he came to the office to write up a loan agreement.

But a problem arose.

The cause of the problem was the interest rate.

Oh Myung-hwan initially offered 40% annually.

Having worked in the private loan business, he knew more about private loan interest rates than anyone else.

40% was actually quite cheap for a private loan interest rate.

But Hyun-sung would absolutely not agree to that interest rate.

He said the interest rate was too high.

It was a very different reaction from the usual case.

Usually, the borrower tries to borrow at the lowest possible interest rate, but in this case, it was the opposite.

The lender was saying the interest rate was too high.

So, the next interest rate he suggested was 35%. Hyun-sung still wouldn’t agree to it.

After arguing, he suggested 30% again, but that was also rejected. Then Hyun-sung suggested an interest rate of 10%.

This was absolutely absurd. Even bank interest rates were around that level.

So, after much more persuasion, the final agreed-upon interest rate was 15%.

Scribble, scribble.

Oh Myung-hwan wrote the interest rate on the loan agreement. Everything else was already written, so the loan agreement was completed by writing the interest rate. He made two copies and handed one to Hyun-sung.

“Hyung-nim, here it is. Please read it over.”

“What’s there to read…….”

Hyun-sung took the loan agreement, simply placed it on the table, and took a sip of coffee.

In fact, from Hyun-sung’s perspective, the very act of writing a loan agreement was unnecessary, so there was no need to look at it.

But Oh Myung-hwan didn’t think so and said again.

“Hyung-nim, don’t do that, please read it one more time…….”

“I said it’s okay.”

“Hyung-nim, really…… Okay, fine. You don’t have to look at it. If there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s writing loan agreements. Just keep it safe.”

Oh Myung-hwan folded the loan agreement as if he couldn’t help it, put it in an envelope, placed it in front of Hyun-sung, and said again.

“I’ll pay it all back within two years at the latest.”

“There’s no need to rush. You can pay it back slowly, so don’t worry about that and just focus on running your business well.”

“Of course. And we’ll start construction within 2-3 days.”

“Hmm…… By the way, who’s going to manage it?”

Hyun-sung hesitated for a moment, wondering if he should ask this.

The reason for his hesitation was that he thought it might put pressure on Oh Myung-hwan.

But he couldn’t help but ask.

He knew all too well that running a 200-pyeong [approximately 7,200 square feet] store was not something anyone could do.

“As I said before, Seung-il, the second youngest, has the first priority, so I’m going to talk to him.”

“If Seung-il says he can’t do it?”

“Then I’ll have to discuss it with my siblings again.”

“Hmm…….”

Hyun-sung thought for a moment and then spoke again.

“I, well, you see…….”

Hyun-sung was about to say something but ended up closing his mouth again.

He thought it would be an overstep to say anything more here.

When Hyun-sung didn’t say anything properly, Oh Myung-hwan immediately asked.

“Hyung-nim, why did you stop talking?”

“No, it’s nothing. I was just being nosy…….”

“No, it’s okay. You’re worried about me, so please tell me.”

Oh Myung-hwan knew.

It was a store of a whopping 200-pyeong. He knew that running a store of that size would not be easy. That’s why Hyun-sung was worried and asking.

But Hyun-sung didn’t want to ask any more.

He knew that Oh Myung-hwan would take care of it from now on.

Hyun-sung knew that the best way to help him now was to just watch.

Hyun-sung deliberately changed the subject.

“By the way, how’s your GED [General Educational Development test] studying going?”

Oh Myung-hwan looked at Hyun-sung, who was deliberately changing the subject, smiled slightly, and answered.

“Yes, of course. I’m attending the academy diligently. I’ve recently become interested in English, so I’m studying English hard.”

“Is that really true?”

For Hyun-sung, it was welcome news more than anything else.

When he first heard that he had dropped out of high school, he almost forcibly took him to a GED academy, but he was always worried.

He knew very well that studying at an older age was never easy.

“Yes, Hyung-nim. I’m embarrassed to say, but I scored over 60 points yesterday.”

“It doesn’t seem that long ago that you said you scored over 50 points last time?”

“Hyung-nim, you even remembered that?”

“Of course. Representative Oh even called on purpose.”

Oh Myung-hwan is forty-six years old this year. He even called on purpose because he scored over 50 points on an English test. How happy must he have been to do that? So, how could he forget?

On the other hand, Oh Myung-hwan was just grateful that Hyun-sung remembered even that.

Of course, he had called because he scored over 50 points on the English test.

He didn’t know what others would think, but from his perspective, it was the result of studying hard, so he was very happy.

But how could he not be grateful that he remembered even that?

But that was only for a moment.

Oh Myung-hwan’s expression darkened, and he spoke again.

“Hyung-nim, but math is too difficult. Isn’t there any good way?”

“Why? Is math not going well?”

“Yes, math seems really difficult.”

“How many points are you getting?”

“That’s…….”

Oh Myung-hwan hesitated for a moment and then continued.

“I barely get over 20 points.”

“20 points?”

“Yes, Hyung-nim. I’ve never been good at math, even when I was in school. Is there any reason for that?”

From Oh Myung-hwan’s dark expression, he could tell how upset he was.

‘Hmm…….’

Hyun-sung couldn’t help but worry.

After thinking for a moment, Hyun-sung looked at Oh Myung-hwan and opened his mouth.

“Math is infinite repetition.”

“Infinite repetition?”

Oh Myung-hwan tilted his head, looking at Hyun-sung as if he didn’t understand what he was talking about. Then Hyun-sung continued.

“Yes, you have to solve problems repeatedly. You can’t just rely on theory, and if you keep solving similar problems, you’ll unknowingly develop a knack for it. So, solve the problem sets to the point of being ignorant. Then you’ll definitely grasp it naturally at some point.”

That was the conclusion Hyun-sung came to. He said that because he had learned from experience that there was no better way than solving problems, given the nature of mathematics.

Oh Myung-hwan’s eyes sparkled.

“Is that really true?”

“Yes, that’s what my experience was like when I was in school. So, trust me and try solving the problems hard.”

“Yes, I understand. I’ll start solving the problem sets hard from today.”

His expression, which had been dark a moment ago, quickly brightened.

That meant that he didn’t doubt what Hyun-sung said at all and accepted it as it was.

Hyun-sung was just grateful for that.

That’s why he felt more attached to him.

Hyun-sung nodded and smiled.

At that time, Oh Myung-hwan spoke again.

“Hyung-nim, and after I pass the GED, I’m thinking of going to college too.”

“College?”

It was unexpected. He hadn’t said anything like that when they talked on the phone a few days ago. If he had such thoughts, he would have told Hyun-sung himself before anyone else.

Then that meant that there had been a change of heart in the past few days.

Hyun-sung immediately asked.

“Did something happen in the last few days? Why suddenly college?”

“Not in the last few days, but today. My mind changed just today.”

“Today?”

Hyun-sung stared at Oh Myung-hwan at the word ‘today.’ Then Oh Myung-hwan continued as if he had been waiting for it.

“Didn’t you take me inside the university earlier, Hyung-nim?”

“I did. But why is that?”

“I saw the students studying in the library then. And I was so envious of those students. So, I thought, even though it’s late, what if I go in there and study too?”

Smirk.

It was the moment a smile spread across Hyun-sung’s face.

It was completely unexpected.

The reason he took him inside the school was to show him how the students lived, since they would be his customers in the future anyway.

But he didn’t know that he would want to study there himself after seeing them.

Perhaps this was also a step forward for him.

That was the reason Hyun-sung was smiling.

“Is it possible?”

“Absolutely!”

Hyun-sung’s voice was full of energy.

Of course, it wouldn’t be easy. But if he set his mind to it and worked hard, it was definitely possible, so his voice was full of energy.

And perhaps the reason he wanted to support him was also because he had such a mindset.

“Will 5 years be enough?”

“No, I think 3 years will be enough. If you pass the GED in 2 years and study for about 1 more year, it’ll be possible.”

“3 years?”

“Yes, if you work hard like you are now, it’s definitely possible. So…….”

“Hyung-nim!”

Oh Myung-hwan suddenly interrupted Hyun-sung.

“Oh, Representative Oh. What is it?”

“It’s amazing.”

“Huh? What is?”

“A guy who was doing gangster stuff just a year ago is now saying he’s going to college. Don’t you think so?”

Smirk.

Hyun-sung couldn’t help but smile as well. Like he said, it was amazing that he had changed so much in just one year.

After that, the two talked about college for a long time.

Time passed.

Hyun-sung got up from his seat.

“Representative Oh, let’s see each other again next time.”

“Yes, Hyung-nim.”

“I’m telling you in advance, I can’t come down for the opening of the Janchi Guksu [banquet noodles] restaurant. Please open it well and make sure it’s a big hit.”

“Yes, Hyung-nim. I’ll do my best!”

Oh Myung-hwan’s voice was full of energy. It was a part where you could feel his determination.

“Representative Oh.”

Hyun-sung looked at Oh Myung-hwan one more time before leaving the office.

“Yes, Hyung-nim.”

“Just one last thing.”

“Yes, please tell me.”

“I don’t know who will be running the noodle shop, but whoever it is, don’t mess with the amount of noodles. That’s their life for the students. Of course, the taste is basic.”

Hyun-sung’s words continued.

“And if you have time, getting close to the students will also help a lot with business.”

“Yes, I understand. I’ll keep your words in mind, Hyung-nim.”

“Sorry, I couldn’t help but nag you until the end.”

“You’re saying too much. Why is that nagging? You’re saying everything for me.”

“I’m grateful if you think so, I’m leaving. Let’s see each other again next time.”

Hyun-sung held out his hand. Then Oh Myung-hwan quickly grabbed Hyun-sung’s hand.

The two shook hands, promising to see each other next time.

***

“Mom, what is this?”

Yoon Ji-soo asked her mother, Ahn Young-soon.

“It’s dried radish; I dried it because Kim Seo-bang [term of endearment for son-in-law] likes it. By the way, when is Kim Seo-bang coming?”

“He called a little while ago and said he’d be here soon.”

“Really? Then I need to start preparing dinner quickly.”

Ahn Young-soon quickly got up to leave. Then Yoon Ji-soo grabbed her mother and said.

“Mom, just stay still. Hyun-sung said he’d prepare dinner.”

“Kim Seo-bang?”

“Yes, I don’t know what it is, but he told me to just wait. I think he’s going to buy something.”

It was right then.

Hyun-sung’s voice was heard.

“Ji-soo ssi!”

“Yes, are you done now?”

“Am I a little late?”

“No, it’s okay. We’re leaving after dinner anyway. But what is that?”

Yoon Ji-soo saw the plastic bottles Hyun-sung was holding.

“It’s a secret.”

“Yes? A secret?”

“Yes, just wait a moment. I’ll bring out delicious food in a little while. Mother, may I use the kitchen for a moment?”

Hyun-sung finished those words and went into the kitchen.

After a while, Hyun-sung came out with a tray. There were three bowls of noodles on the tray.

“Mother, please try this. Ji-soo ssi too.”

“Kim Seo-bang, isn’t this Janchi Guksu?”

Disappointment was evident in the eyes of Ahn Young-soon and Yoon Ji-soo. That was understandable, since the person who had made a big fuss and went into the kitchen had only brought out Janchi Guksu.

Slurp.

Ahn Young-soon and Yoon Ji-soo first took a sip of the broth.

It was then.

“Kim Seo-bang!”

“Hyun-sung ssi!”

The two women looked at Hyun-sung as if they had made a promise.