Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 739

742

“Is that true?”

Shin Chun-oh, hearing from his son Shin Min-gi that he wouldn’t be returning to Seoul that day, asked again with an expression of disbelief, seeking confirmation. Shin Min-gi nodded and replied,

“Yes, Father. I plan to stay here tonight and head back leisurely after breakfast tomorrow.”

“What about your schedule for tomorrow?”

Shin Chun-oh, having led a company for over 20 years, knew Sundays were often busier than weekdays.

Shin Min-gi said nonchalantly,

“I canceled it.”

“Canceled?”

“Yes, I’ve decided to avoid doing things I’ll regret from now on. I can always do business entertainment later, but this time with you is irreplaceable. I’ve realized what’s more important now.”

Shin Chun-oh looked into his son’s eyes.

He definitely seemed different.

The last time they had spoken was when Shin Min-gi reluctantly agreed to Hyun-sung’s request to transport Lee Soo-hyuk from Wonju to Seoul.

He had been obligated to talk to him then. But even then, Shin Min-gi was very businesslike.

That was only two weeks ago.

His demeanor today was completely different. He seemed almost like a stranger.

‘People change?’

Shin Chun-oh knew it wasn’t easy.

“Haha, I appreciate what you’re saying, but what on earth happened to change you so much?”

“I learned it from CEO Kim.”

“CEO Kim?”

“Yes, didn’t I tell you I met CEO Kim before coming here? I learned it from him.”

“Haha, really….”

Shin Chun-oh chuckled in disbelief.

He knew his son had visited him after Hyun-sung’s advice, but he hadn’t realized the influence would be so profound.

Shin Chun-oh was curious.

“What exactly did CEO Kim say to change you this much?”

“He said it’s never too early to regret, and it’s best to avoid doing things that you’ll regret in the first place.”

It was before he parted ways with Hyun-sung in Incheon.

-It’s never too early to regret. So, it’s best to avoid doing things that you’ll regret in the first place.

Those were Hyun-sung’s parting words as they shook hands.

At the time, he just thought, ‘Okay, I guess.’

But a moment ago, when deciding whether to return to Seoul, those words suddenly resonated.

He had an appointment with Chairman Min Kwang-gi a week prior.

But Hyun-sung’s words allowed him to choose his father over work.

“CEO Kim said that?”

“Yes, that’s right. I didn’t think much of it initially, but then it suddenly came to mind. And he was right. If I had gone to Seoul today, I would have regretted it. So, I decided to stay to avoid that regret.”

“Haha, is that so….”

A smile spread across Shin Chun-oh’s face.

Ultimately, Hyun-sung was responsible for Shin Min-gi’s visit and his decision to stay overnight.

“So, I’m able to be with you today thanks to CEO Kim.”

“Yes, that’s right. It’s embarrassing, but without meeting CEO Kim, I wouldn’t have had this time with you, Father. The more I think about it, the more I think I did the right thing by seeing CEO Kim today.”

Shin Min-gi smiled, slightly embarrassed.

If he hadn’t seen Hyun-sung, there would have been no reconciliation with his father, leaving a lasting burden on his heart.

‘Hmm….’

After a moment, Shin Min-gi called out to his father affectionately, having made a decision.

“Father!”

“Oh, yes.”

“Would you like a drink of soju [Korean distilled rice liquor]?”

“Soju?”

Shin Chun-oh tilted his head at the word ‘soju.’

He had never had a drink with his son before, making the word feel unfamiliar.

Shin Min-gi continued,

“I had soju with CEO Kim for the first time today, and it tasted pretty good.”

“You drank soju?”

It was surprising. Shin Chun-oh knew his son had primarily lived abroad and had little exposure to soju.

“Yes, that’s right. And that’s not all. Do you know what I ate with soju today?”

“Haha, I have no idea.”

“I ate gopchang [grilled small intestines] and pork rinds. They were new foods for me, so I was hesitant at first, but they tasted amazing. Oh, and I also ate something called yeomtong [grilled heart] at the end….”

Shin Min-gi’s words continued.

He had much to say about these new culinary experiences.

Meanwhile, Shin Chun-oh listened with a smile, clearly pleased.

Spending this time with his son felt like a dream.

After a while.

When Shin Min-gi finished speaking, Shin Chun-oh stood up. Shin Min-gi asked,

“Why, Father?”

“You wanted soju, right? We need something to eat with it.”

“I’ll make something.”

Shin Min-gi stood up and headed to the kitchen, followed by Shin Chun-oh.

Arriving in the kitchen, Shin Min-gi asked,

“Father, do you have any pork?”

“Probably in the refrigerator. What are you going to do with it?”

“Kimchi stew.”

“Kimchi stew? You know how to make that?”

Shin Chun-oh was doubtful. His son had always been served food, so he found it hard to believe he could make kimchi stew.

On the other hand, Shin Min-gi looked confident.

“Of course, I know how. Actually, kimchi stew is my specialty. Even when I was abroad, I made sure to cook it once or twice a month.”

“You made it yourself?”

“Well, the housekeeper usually cooked it, but sometimes I cooked it myself.”

Shin Min-gi was already putting kimchi and pork in a pot and starting the stew, adding seasoning.

But the amount was excessive.

Too much for two people.

Shin Chun-oh asked,

“Isn’t that too much?”

“Someone told me, ‘Who’s a mouth and who’s a snout?’”

“Huh? What does that mean?”

“Haha, that’s what CEO Kim told me today.”

“CEO Kim again?”

Shin Chun-oh chuckled. Every word his son said was related to Hyun-sung.

“What was the situation? Secretary Yoon and Driver Kim….”

Shin Min-gi recounted the day’s events with Hyun-sung. When he finished, Shin Chun-oh burst out laughing.

“Haha, hahaha….”

Shin Chun-oh, after stopping his laughter, said,

“So, you went out and brought Secretary Yoon and Driver Kim in yourself?”

“Yes, that’s right. I had always thought it was natural, but after listening to CEO Kim, I realized it was wrong.”

“Listening to you, I think CEO Kim is right. It may not seem like much, but ‘if you see one thing, you know ten,’ so you can tell a person’s character from that.”

Shin Chun-oh nodded and smiled.

It was an easily overlooked problem, especially in front of a chairman.

But Hyun-sung pointed it out.

“I learned a lot from meeting CEO Kim today.”

“Hmm….”

Shin Chun-oh paused and then continued,

“It’s not just CEO Kim’s credit. Your kind nature also played a part. You’ve always had a unique way of thinking about others since you were young.”

“Father, come on, haha….”

Shin Min-gi laughed, embarrassed.

It was the first time he had heard such a thing from his father, making him feel both embarrassed and pleased.

After a while.

Shin Min-gi scooped up the kimchi stew broth and offered it to Shin Chun-oh.

“Father, please taste it.”

“Huh? Taste? Oh, okay.”

Shin Chun-oh was momentarily taken aback. The situation felt surreal.

Kimchi stew cooked by his son was unimaginable even 30 minutes ago.

But it was happening.

His son was cooking kimchi stew, and his father was tasting it.

Slurp.

Shin Chun-oh’s expression brightened. He laughed instead of speaking.

“Haha….”

“How is it?”

“You could quit being chairman and open a restaurant.”

“Haha, really?”

“Yes, the seasoning is perfect, and it tastes amazing. I didn’t know you had this talent, Min-gi… haha.”

Shin Chun-oh was smiling, satisfied. Shin Min-gi smiled back.

Then, Shin Chun-oh called Shin Min-gi’s name softly.

“Min-gi!”

“Yes, Father.”

“Thank you. I feel like I’m dreaming today.”

“I’m sorry. I think I’ve been too indifferent. I shouldn’t have been….”

Shin Min-gi paused and then continued,

“That won’t happen again in the future.”

“I won’t be stubborn in the future either. Actually, when you think about it, I’m more….”

“No, Father. I was very lacking. No matter the reason, it’s my fault. I’ll say it again, this will never happen again in the future.”

Shin Min-gi nodded firmly, promising.

Even before meeting his father, he had hesitated, clinging to his pride.

But the moment he saw his father, he realized how futile and embarrassing it was.

It was because of his father’s bare feet.

His father, running out barefoot to see his son after 5 years, without even putting on shoes.

What pride was needed in front of such a father?

It was embarrassing to even consider it.

Hyun-sung took out his cell phone and called the three people who had left to give them space.

After a while.

The three people opened the front door and came in.

Secretary Yoon Seung-hyun asked Shin Min-gi, who was wearing an apron,

“What happened, Chairman?”

“I’m showing off my skills. Don’t just stand there, come over here and sit down.”

“…….”

Secretary Yoon Seung-hyun was confused.

He had been with him for 10 years.

This was a completely different person.

“What are you doing? Come over here and sit down. Hey, Driver Kim, come over here too, and Director Choi, please come over here too.”

At Shin Min-gi’s urging, the three people exchanged glances, tilted their heads, and sat down at the dining table. Then, Shin Min-gi picked up a soju bottle and said to Shin Chun-oh.

“Father, have a drink.”

“Oh, yes. I have to drink. Pour it full.”

Shin Chun-oh held out his soju glass happily. Shin Min-gi poured alcohol into Shin Chun-oh’s glass and then said to Director Choi Jin-young.

“Director, have a drink too.”

“No. Please receive it from the Chairman first.”

When Choi Jin-young tried to take the soju bottle, Shin Min-gi shook his head.

“No. Please drink first today, Director. You have worked hard by my father’s side.”

“I’m just….”

“No, Director Choi has worked hard by the side of a grumpy old man. Please have a drink.”

Shin Chun-oh said to Director Choi Jin-young. Only then did Director Choi Jin-young reluctantly accept the alcohol that Shin Min-gi poured.

After a while.

After filling everyone’s glasses, Shin Min-gi said to Shin Chun-oh.

“Father, you have to give a toast.”

“Haha, shall I? Well, for the health of all of us!”

“Cheers!”

Clink!

The five people’s glasses collided with a cheerful sound.

The drinking party continued past midnight.

***

The next day.

Shin Min-gi, having finished breakfast, came out to the yard to return to Seoul.

He approached his father, Shin Chun-oh.

“Father, I’ll go now.”

“Yes, go carefully. And buy lunch on the way with this.”

Shin Chun-oh put something in Shin Min-gi’s pocket.

“I don’t have much cash on me… it’s not much.”

Shin Min-gi felt the paper money in his pocket, though he didn’t know the amount.

After hesitating, Shin Min-gi bowed to Shin Chun-oh.

“Yes, thank you, Father. I’ll stop by the rest area and buy a delicious lunch.”

Shin Min-gi was the chairman of Nongshim [Korean food and beverage company].

He had plenty of money.

But this money was different.

It was money from a father to his son.

The first money he had received since New Year’s money as a child, over 40 years ago.

Perhaps that’s why he felt strange.

Shin Min-gi approached Director Choi Jin-young.

“Director, please take good care of my father.”

“Yes, Chairman. Don’t worry.”

Shin Min-gi nodded and headed to the car. Secretary Yoon Seung-hyun opened the car door.

Shin Min-gi, about to get into the car, turned back and approached Shin Chun-oh, hugging him tightly.

“Father, I’ll come again.”

“…….”

Thump, thump.

Shin Chun-oh patted Shin Min-gi’s back silently.

After a while.

Shin Min-gi got out of his father’s arms and into the car.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

As the car started, Shin Chun-oh waved. Shin Min-gi waved back from the window.

The estranged relationship between Shin Chun-oh and Shin Min-gi was completely resolved.