Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 714

A jeep, having departed from Gangneung, was steadily climbing the Daegwallyeong Pass.

Chewing on dried squid, Yoon Ji-soo looked at Hyun-sung and asked, “Hyun-sung, who made the broth for that *Janchi Guksu* [banquet noodles, a Korean noodle soup] earlier?”

“CEO Oh said he developed it with the staff.”

“Really? That’s amazing! It’s the most delicious *Janchi Guksu* I’ve ever had.”

“Me too. I was surprised the moment I tasted that noodle soup at the indoor food stall opening earlier today.”

“I know, right? How can they extract such a flavorful broth…”

Yoon Ji-soo smacked her lips again.

She had eaten a lot of *Janchi Guksu* in her life, but today’s broth was unique.

The savory and rich taste was exceptional.

But it was hard to believe that people who were doing loan sharking until a year ago made that broth.

“Are you sure those people made it?”

“Of course. CEO Oh said it took three months for him and his staff to develop that broth.”

“Three months?”

“Yes, three months. Apparently, 50 people were dedicated to perfecting that broth for three months.”

Hyun-sung was also surprised when he heard about the broth’s creation process from Oh Myung-hwan. That was a significant investment of time, and he couldn’t help but be amazed that they persistently endured and eventually achieved that taste.

“Those people are amazing, investing that much time.”

“You’re telling me.”

“So, they’re going to open a *Janchi Guksu* restaurant with that broth?”

“Yes, that’s right. Earlier, I secured a 200-pyeong [approximately 7,200 square feet] commercial space in front of Gangsang University.”

Hyun-sung briefly explained how he and Oh Myung-hwan obtained the commercial space earlier in the day. As soon as he finished, Yoon Ji-soo spoke up.

“So that’s why you were late.”

“Yes, I couldn’t help it. It’s obvious that this will be profitable, so I couldn’t just stand by. I was a little late because I was looking for a commercial space with CEO Oh.”

“But… 200 *pyeong* is a bit…”

Yoon Ji-soo said cautiously.

Her anxiety about the large commercial space was evident.

“Ji-soo, you’re worried because the space is so big, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. There’s a big difference between running a small store and a large one.”

“Of course, that’s true, but I’m going to trust CEO Oh. I think he’ll do well.”

Hyun-sung was also worried, but he decided to trust Oh Myung-hwan. If he had the will and passion to develop the broth over three months, Hyun-sung believed he would succeed.

“That’s right, he’ll do well. After all, the most important thing is the taste.”

Yoon Ji-soo nodded.

Her words were true. Even if he was a little clumsy in operating it at first, he would still be able to produce that crucial taste.

No matter what anyone said, the most important thing would be the taste of the noodles.

If you have the ability to make it yourself, wouldn’t other problems be solved over time?

At that moment, Yoon Ji-soo tore off a piece of squid and handed it to Hyun-sung.

“Eat this.”

“The squid is delicious. Where did you buy it?”

“Hyun-sung bought it when he went to the opening ceremony and visited Gyeongpo earlier. The owner said it wasn’t salty and was delicious, and it really is good. It’s for Sang-hyuk, so I’m glad.”

Munch munch.

The two began to chew on the dried squid.

Right then.

Ring ring.

Yoon Ji-soo’s cell phone rang.

“Hello.”

Yoon Ji-soo immediately answered the phone. Judging from her voice, she seemed to be talking to her mother-in-law.

A moment later.

Yoon Ji-soo smiled at Hyun-sung after finishing the call.

Then Hyun-sung immediately asked, “What was that about?”

“Did you put money in Mom’s wallet?”

“Just a little, so she can go to the beauty salon.”

“Do people bring a ten million won [approximately $7,500 USD] check to go to the beauty salon these days?”

Hyun-sung smiled instead of answering.

People’s hearts must be moved before material things move.

She was a mother-in-law who even closed her store when he came to visit. She would close the store during business hours and prepare food for her son-in-law.

Even if her son-in-law was visiting, he didn’t expect she would close the store.

It was touching.

In fact, her mother-in-law’s love for her son-in-law was extraordinary even in his previous life.

Even back then, Hyun-sung was a poor son-in-law.

But her mother-in-law never showed it.

She always greeted him warmly, saying, ‘Our son-in-law Kim is here.’

That was her mother-in-law. How could Hyun-sung’s heart not be moved?

“Mom says thank you.”

Yoon Ji-soo smiled and took Hyun-sung’s hand. Hyun-sung glanced at her and smiled, holding her hand tightly.

Vroom!

The jeep carrying the two people crossed the Daegwallyeong Pass and headed towards Incheon.

How much time had passed?

The two arrived in Incheon.

They didn’t go straight home but headed to Lee Sang-hyuk’s office.

“Ji-soo, stay in the car.”

Hyun-sung said after arriving in front of the office. Yoon Ji-soo immediately replied, “No, I’m going to get out and stop by the office for a while to see Sang-hyuk. I brought apple juice, so I can’t just stay put.”

“Then, let’s get out together.”

Hyun-sung and Yoon Ji-soo got out of the car and went up to the second-floor office.

“Oh? President! Madam!”

Lee Sang-hyuk greeted them as Hyun-sung and Yoon Ji-soo opened the office door and entered.

“What’s going on?”

“We’re coming up from Gangneung now.”

“At this hour?”

Lee Sang-hyuk looked at his watch. It was just past 11 p.m.

He didn’t quite understand. It would be very tiring to come from Gangneung to Incheon at this hour. And there was no need to come all the way to the office unless there was something special.

“Do you have any business at the office?”

“No, we just wanted to see your face for a while.”

Yoon Ji-soo handed the dried squid she was holding to Lee Sang-hyuk.

“Sang-hyuk, eat this.”

“Oh? This is dried squid?”

“I bought it for you to eat. And thank you for the apple juice. Thanks to you, I wasn’t bored on the way to Gangneung.”

Lee Sang-hyuk was touched. He had only prepared some coffee and apple juice in a tumbler and given it to them, but he didn’t expect them to buy him a gift like this.

“So you deliberately stopped by the office at this late hour?”

“We’re going home anyway. Well, we’ll be going now, so keep doing what you’re doing.”

Hyun-sung glanced at the seat where Lee Sang-hyuk was sitting. As expected, he was preparing for the civil service exam.

“Is your studying going well?”

“Yes? Ah, yes. It’s going well.”

“Okay, then work hard.”

“Sang-hyuk, take care.”

As Hyun-sung and Yoon Ji-soo were about to leave, Lee Sang-hyuk hurriedly called out to them.

“President, Madam!”

“Oh? Why?”

Hyun-sung turned his head and looked at Lee Sang-hyuk, who immediately bowed his head 90 degrees.

“Thank you. For doing this for a guy like me…”

Lee Sang-hyuk couldn’t say any more.

They were the ones who gave him a job when he had nowhere to go and even provided him with a house. And now, they even gave him dried squid.

It wasn’t just about the dried squid.

They must have deliberately bought it in Gangneung for him. They must have thought of him while buying it.

For him, who was nothing special.

Lee Sang-hyuk looked at the entrance where they had disappeared, then at the dried squid in his hand. It was bigger than any he had ever seen.

He looked at it for a long time, knowing that their kindness was as great as the size of the squid.

The two people came down from the office.

“Now, let’s go home.”

“Okay, go and get some rest soon.”

“Are our twins okay? Are you very tired?”

“Dad, I’m okay. It was a fun trip.”

The two looked at each other and smiled.

Vroom!

The car carrying them started towards home.

***

The next day.

Sturdy men began to gather in a building in Gangneung.

The time was just past 10 a.m.

A man entering the building asked Hwang Seung-il, who was standing at the entrance, “Hey, what’s going on?”

“I don’t know either. Suddenly, the boss told everyone to gather without exception.”

“What the hell is going on…”

The man tilted his head and entered the building. He was Han Sang-tae, the executive director of the food stall company.

The title of executive director was one he obtained when they incorporated. Before that, he was naturally the second-in-command of this organization.

“Did the boss come?”

When Han Sang-tae arrived in front of the elevator, several men who had gathered bowed their heads.

Of course, it was right to call him ‘Executive Director’, but these people still had old habits, so they were just calling him ‘Boss’.

But no one corrected them.

“Aren’t you going up?”

“You go up first, boss. But what’s going on that you’re doing an emergency call at this time?”

At this time, they would all be sleeping because they stayed up all night running the food stall until dawn.

“I don’t know yet. I’ll find out when I go up. See you later.”

The elevator door closed, and Han Sang-tae pressed the 3rd-floor button.

It was then.

Ring ring!

Han Sang-tae’s cell phone rang.

“Hello.”

“Executive Director Han, it’s me.”

The person who called was Oh Myung-hwan, the CEO of the food stall company.

“Yes, boss. No, CEO.”

Oh Myung-hwan habitually said ‘Boss’ but immediately corrected himself. Everyone was still calling him the same way because they weren’t used to it yet, but he thought that at least he should use the proper title.

“Where are you now?”

“I just got on the elevator.”

“Come to my office first.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Click.

Ding!

As the phone call ended, the elevator door opened.

Han Sang-tae headed to Oh Myung-hwan’s office instead of the general office.

Knock knock.

“Come in.”

When Han Sang-tae opened the office door and entered, Oh Myung-hwan greeted him happily.

“Oh! You’re here? Sit over here.”

“Yes, CEO.”

Han Sang-tae asked as soon as he sat on the sofa, “CEO, what’s going on that you’re calling an emergency meeting at this early hour?”

“Early hour?”

“Yes, I don’t know about others, but it’s early morning for us because it’s time for us to sleep.”

“Well…”

Oh Myung-hwan nodded.

That’s right. They stayed up all night doing business, so it was time for them to sleep.

Thump.

Oh Myung-hwan handed an envelope to Han Sang-tae.

“What is this?”

“Check it out.”

Han Sang-tae took out a piece of paper from the envelope and began to read it.

His eyes widened as he checked the contents.

“CEO, what is this?”

“It’s a contract, as you can see.”

“So, what is this contract?”

Han Sang-tae couldn’t believe it, even though he was seeing it with his own eyes. It was definitely a commercial building lease contract.

The problem was the size of the building. It was beyond imagination.

“Isn’t it 200 *pyeong*?”

“That’s right, it’s 200 *pyeong*. It’s a commercial building in front of Gangsang University.”

“Gangsang University?”

Han Sang-tae was surprised once again at the location. What kind of business can you do in front of a university?

A 200-*pyeong* commercial building in front of a university.

From his point of view, he couldn’t understand the situation no matter how much he thought about it.

Oh Myung-hwan smiled and said, “I’m going to sell *Janchi Guksu*.”

“Yes? *Janchi Guksu*?”

“Yes, from now on, I’m going to do a *Janchi Guksu* restaurant business as well as the indoor food stall.”

“So, you’re saying you’re going to sell *Janchi Guksu* in a 200-*pyeong* commercial building in front of Gangsang University?”

“Yes, yesterday, Hyun-sung and I spent a lot of time…”

Oh Myung-hwan explained in detail, from the story of deciding to open the restaurant with Hyun-sung to signing the contract and the plans for the future.

When he was finished, Han Sang-tae immediately asked, “In the end, the boss and the CEO discussed and decided, right?”

“Yes, Hyun-sung spent a lot of time yesterday.”

“Then, that’s it. I will unconditionally trust and follow your decisions.”

Han Sang-tae was honestly not completely without anxiety, but he thought that if the two of them had made the decision, it was right for him to follow it.

“Thank you, Executive Director Han. Thank you for trusting and following me.”

“No, CEO. Rather, I’m grateful that you told me this in advance.”

Han Sang-tae was just grateful to Oh Myung-hwan. He knew that the fact that he was telling him this in advance, more than other employees, meant that he was treating him that much better.

Right then.

Knock knock.

A man opened the office door and came in.

“CEO, everyone has gathered.”

“Oh, okay. Executive Director Han, let’s go.”

Oh Myung-hwan and Han Sang-tae got up from their seats, left the CEO’s office, and headed to the general office.