Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 724

727

Younghee Ahn wasn’t in the room.

He had clearly said he couldn’t move from the bed. But Younghee Ahn wasn’t in the bed.

Where did he go?

Hyunseong looked around the room.

Then, he heard a groan again.

“Ugh…”

Hyunseong’s gaze quickly turned towards the corner of the bed where the sound came from.

“Younghee!”

There was someone stuck in the corner of the bed. He knew who it was without having to ask.

Without hesitation, Hyunseong approached the corner of the bed. Then, he started pulling out Younghee Ahn, who was stuck in the corner.

After a moment.

With Hyunseong’s help, Younghee Ahn barely managed to get back onto the bed, gasping for breath.

“Haa, haa…”

“…”

Hyunseong couldn’t say anything as he looked at him.

They had talked on the phone several times, but today was the first time they were meeting in person.

Even though they had talked on the phone, it was still awkward since it was their first time meeting. To make matters worse, this abnormal first encounter left Hyunseong speechless.

Then, Younghee Ahn suddenly started laughing.

“Hehe…”

“Are you okay?”

Hyunseong was taken aback by his laughter, but he asked about his well-being since safety was the priority. However, instead of answering, Younghee Ahn looked at Hyunseong and chuckled before saying something unexpected.

“Ugh, so embarrassing.”

“Are you alright?”

“It happens sometimes. It’s nothing.”

Younghee Ahn was nonchalant, as if it was nothing.

On the other hand, Hyunseong was having a hard time adjusting to his reaction.

Just then.

Younghee Ahn reached out his hand while lying down.

“Let’s at least say hello. Nice to meet you.”

“Huh? Oh, yeah. Nice to meet you too.”

Hyunseong quickly bowed his head and shook his hand. Then, he immediately continued.

“You’re handsome, aren’t you?”

“Huh?”

“I said you’re handsome. I thought you were just kind, but you’re good-looking too. Isn’t the world too unfair?”

“…”

Hyunseong was speechless.

Hyunseong just looked at him and chuckled.

Even though it was their first meeting, it was a bit awkward to see him act as if nothing was wrong.

However, he was relieved that he wasn’t a recluse who avoided the world.

Then, Younghee Ahn called Hyunseong’s name.

“Hyunseong.”

The way he called Hyunseong was so natural, as if they were friends who met every day.

Hyunseong also replied as naturally as possible.

“Yeah, what is it?”

“Thank you.”

“Huh? For what?”

Hyunseong didn’t understand what he meant right away.

Younghee Ahn continued.

“Some days, I’ve been stuck in this gap for over ten hours.”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

“I sometimes fall into here. Then, I have to stay stuck there until my mom gets off work, but you came today, so I was able to get out of that gap quickly. That’s why I’m thanking you.”

Only then did Hyunseong realize why Younghee Ahn had thanked him a little while ago.

Hyunseong immediately turned his gaze to the side of the bed.

After checking the structure of the house, Hyunseong had no choice but to nod.

At first glance, he thought he could just push the bed against the wall, but after going closer to check, he saw that the wall was protruding in the middle.

“This protruding wall is the problem?”

“Yeah, that’s right. I sometimes put on a real show because of that thing. The day I was stuck there for ten hours, I thought I was going to die.”

“So, are you okay now?”

“I’m fine. Actually, I was organizing the bed when I got your call and slipped… Anyway, it’s embarrassing to have our first meeting like this, but I’m still happy. I actually missed you a lot.”

Younghee Ahn chuckled and then immediately opened his mouth again.

“What do you think?”

“Huh? About what?”

“What’s your first impression of me?”

“Huh? Well…”

Hyunseong was in an ambiguous situation where he didn’t know how to answer. Honestly, he didn’t have the luxury to have a first impression. How could he talk about first impressions when someone was stuck in the corner as soon as he came in?

Hyunseong said honestly.

“If you were me, would you have had the luxury to feel anything like a first impression in this situation?”

“I guess not…”

Younghee Ahn chuckled.

It didn’t make sense to ask about first impressions when the owner of the house was struggling in the corner as soon as he arrived.

“Yeah, I think you’re right. I’m the idiot for asking that in this situation. By the way, did you buy the cup noodles?”

“Yeah, I bought them. I bought them, but why cup noodles of all things?”

Hyunseong was curious.

Before leaving Severance Hospital, he had called to ask if there was anything he wanted to eat.

At that time, Younghee Ahn’s answer was immediately cup noodles. So, he stopped by the supermarket before coming home and bought cup noodles.

“Because I want to eat them.”

“That’s all?”

“Yeah, actually, I’ve been wanting to eat them for a few days, but my mom won’t let me. But then you called at the perfect time.”

“Why won’t your mother let you? Is it because you can’t eat ramen [a type of instant noodle]?”

Hyunseong suddenly realized. If his mother wouldn’t let him eat it, there must be a reason.

But Younghee Ahn gave an unexpected answer.

“Because it makes me fat.”

“What?”

“This belly.”

Tuk tuk.

Younghee Ahn tapped his belly. Sure enough, his belly was quite bulging. It seemed inevitable since he couldn’t exercise and just lay down.

Younghee Ahn said again.

“Since I’m just lying down every day, she says I can’t eat flour and only buys it for me once a month. But I want to eat it. Don’t you think I’m pathetic?”

“Pfft.”

Hyunseong laughed instead of answering.

He understood him, but he couldn’t help but laugh.

Maybe that’s just human nature. No matter how old you are, it’s not easy to resist the temptation when it comes to food.

“Why are you laughing?”

“Honestly, it is pathetic, but isn’t that just human nature? I can’t resist when it comes to food either.”

“Oh, look at this. I think we have a lot in common.”

“Wait a minute.”

With those words, Hyunseong left Younghee Ahn’s room and headed to the kitchen.

After a while, Hyunseong came back with two cups of ramen filled with hot water.

“Wait three minutes.”

“Huh? What? Are you really giving me ramen?”

“Of course. Your mother isn’t here anyway. It’s still a long time before your mother gets off work. It’s always more delicious when you eat it secretly. Don’t you think so?”

Hyunseong looked at Younghee Ahn and chuckled. Then, Younghee Ahn’s expression changed subtly.

“Hey, Kim Hyunseong.”

“Yeah, what is it?”

“I really like you.”

“It’s not like you have to be so touched by a single ramen…”

“What, touched? Hahaha…”

Younghee Ahn started laughing loudly. Hyunseong couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of him. So, the two of them looked at each other and laughed for a long time.

After a while.

“Okay, let’s eat now.”

Hyunseong raised the back of the bed to help Younghee Ahn sit up, then placed the cup noodles on the table. Fortunately, Younghee Ahn could sit up and eat by himself if someone helped him up.

Hyunseong also sat opposite him. Then, they started eating ramen together.

Slurp!

Younghee Ahn’s eyes sparkled as he brought the noodles to his mouth.

“Oh! This is the taste!”

“Is it good?”

“It’s the best. I don’t care about getting fat, it’s just good. But it’s a bit awkward.”

“Huh? What is?”

Hyunseong tilted his head and stared at Younghee Ahn. Then, Younghee Ahn chuckled and continued.

“Mom.”

“Your mother?”

“Yeah, I’m worried about Mom. Mom is also worried about me, so she tells me not to eat ramen, but here I am eating it…”

Younghee Ahn looked at the ramen and chuckled as if he was pathetic. Hyunseong smiled at the sight and said.

“I’ll take care of it.”

“Huh? Take care of what?”

“That belly.”

“Belly? Are you talking about my belly?”

Younghee Ahn pointed to his belly and asked. Then, Hyunseong nodded.

“Yeah, let’s eat quickly and go exercise.”

“Exercise?”

“Yeah, let’s eat quickly, get in the wheelchair, and take a walk around the neighborhood. Then, the ramen we ate today will be zero calories. So, you don’t have to worry about your mother.”

Younghee Ahn’s eyes sparkled.

Then, Hyunseong said again.

“Let’s get a haircut while we’re out.”

In fact, the most annoying thing when he pulled him out of the corner of the bed was his long hair.

“Hair?”

“Yeah, let’s get a haircut while we’re out today. How about it?”

“I’m all for it. I was feeling stuffy with this hair anyway.”

“Really? Then that’s great. Okay, let’s eat ramen now.”

“Okay!”

Younghee Ahn started eating ramen again as if he was in a good mood.

Hyunseong also smiled as he looked at him and started eating ramen again.

After a while, the two of them finished eating ramen.

Hyunseong asked.

“Are you satisfied now?”

“I’m happy.”

Hyunseong couldn’t help but look at Younghee Ahn at his words that he was happy.

He’s happy with just a cup of ramen.

It was a moment when a bitter smile appeared on Hyunseong’s face.

Then, Younghee Ahn called Hyunseong.

“Hyunseong.”

“Yeah, what is it?”

“Isn’t it funny?”

“Huh? What is?”

Hyunseong looked at Younghee Ahn. Then, Younghee Ahn smiled lightly and said.

“Someone like me.”

“What’s wrong with you?”

“I’m so happy with just one ramen.”

“I actually like it?”

Hyunseong glanced at Younghee Ahn and continued.

“To be honest, I was a little surprised by your optimistic personality at first, but now I like that side of you even more. Of course, it must have taken a long time to find your current self.”

Of course. It’s not just a day or two, but he has to live in bed for the rest of his life. How can he express that pain in words?

But his face didn’t show any of that pain.

It’s not like he wasn’t having a hard time.

How much time and effort did it take for him to become who he is now?

Hyunseong said again.

“Anyway, I’m glad you’re cheerful. And thank you.”

“Don’t mention it…”

“To be honest, I was worried a lot before I met you. Maybe…”

Hyunseong stopped talking and smiled at Younghee Ahn. Then, Younghee Ahn immediately asked.

“Maybe what?”

“There’s something.”

“Maybe you thought I was a weirdo?”

“…”

Hyunseong was speechless. In fact, he was right. Before he met him, he couldn’t deny that he thought he might have a strange personality.

Living in bed for the rest of his life can’t be easy.

But after talking to him for a few words, he realized that it was just his own delusion.

“Am I right?”

“Honestly, a little.”

Hyunseong had no choice but to answer honestly. Then, Younghee Ahn immediately continued.

“Maybe you thought I was crazy?”

“Not that much. Just a little…”

“It doesn’t seem like a little?”

“Stop it and let’s go exercise now.”

“You’re avoiding it, so I think I’m right… Right, right?”

“Yeah, you’re right. Are you happy now?”

Hyunseong smiled at Younghee Ahn. Then, Younghee Ahn also chuckled. Then he immediately said.

“I’m the same.”

“What? What are you talking about?”

“I thought you were crazy too.”

“So, what are you talking about?”

Hyunseong was just dumbfounded.

Even if he thought about it, he couldn’t figure out why he thought that.

Hyunseong asked again out of curiosity.

“Why did you think that?”

“Ten million won.”

“What? Ten million won? What are you talking about?”

“Even if you like pig’s feet [a Korean dish made from pigs’ feet], how can you deposit ten million won at once to order pig’s feet? The first thing I said to my mom when I heard that was, ‘Isn’t that guy crazy?’ Haha…”

Younghee Ahn suddenly started laughing. Hyunseong couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of him.

Maybe he was right.

Whatever the reason, it was true that he had deposited ten million won for the pig’s feet.

“But you know…”

Younghee Ahn’s expression changed as he laughed. Then, he immediately continued.

“Thanks to that crazy guy, I had surgery with that money. So, let me ask you one thing.”

“What?”

“Did you know?”

“Know what?”

“That I needed surgery urgently.”

“How would I know that?”

Hyunseong pretended not to know. He happened to hear his mother talking on the phone in the bathroom, but he didn’t think it was necessary to talk about it now.

“Then the answer is out.”

“How?”

“Crazy. I thought you did it on purpose, but if that’s not the case, then you must be crazy.”

“Pfft!”

Hyunseong couldn’t help but laugh. Then, Younghee Ahn immediately asked.

“Why are you laughing?”

“What does it matter if I’m crazy or not? The important thing is that you had surgery safely, right?”

“Still…”

“Okay, let’s stop and go exercise now.”

With those words, Hyunseong put Younghee Ahn in the wheelchair and went outside.