Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 93

“You prepared all this by yourself?”

“I looked up old data, and it still took me several days.”

“Didn’t you work with the class representatives?”

“I prefer doing things alone……”

*Tsk.*

Hyun-sung had nothing more to say. No matter what he said, it wouldn’t get through, and it would only make the atmosphere awkward, so he didn’t press the issue.

Hyun-sung asked again.

“But where are you going so early in the morning?”

“I’m going to Wonju to book a band. A party needs a band, don’t you think?”

“Ah, yes.”

That was true.

Back then, before karaoke became popular, bands of three or four members were common at events.

In a few years, even these bands would be replaced by karaoke machines.

As Hyun-sung bowed and turned to leave, Choi Min-seok spoke again.

“The chairman told me to make sure to consider your opinion, so please give it some thought.”

“Ah, that? Well, I think the opinions of the class representatives and the village elders are more important than mine. I hope we can gather opinions from many people on that matter after the Chuseok [Korean Thanksgiving] holiday.”

“Alright. I won’t make a decision on that matter alone. Especially since it involves money, it needs to be transparent.”

It was a relief that he wasn’t being stubborn.

If he were stubborn on top of his personality, Hyun-sung wouldn’t know what to do.

Moreover, as Choi Min-seok said, it was a matter involving money. And no matter how it was decided, there would be at least four million won [approximately $3,000 USD] left over after the festival. That was not a small amount. If used well, it could be a great asset for the village.

This was also something that hadn’t happened in his past life.

It was a problem that arose because Park Hee-cheol didn’t die and survived. Whether this problem would become a poison or a benefit to the village remained to be seen.

After seeing Choi Min-seok off, Hyun-sung returned home.

As soon as he arrived, his mother, who was in the kitchen, called him.

“Come here.”

When Hyun-sung went in, his mother handed him a bowl of rice.

Hyun-sung knew what it was.

There would be a raw egg in that bowl. Of course, the egg would be seasoned with a little sesame oil and salt.

What was in that bowl was not just a simple egg, but the best treat his mother could give her family at that time.

It was a special dish from his mother that he had only eaten a few times in his past life.

Hyun-sung took the bowl and asked his mother.

“What about you, Mom?”

“Me? I……, I ate earlier.”

That was a lie.

She wouldn’t do that. But in the past, he was too busy eating to ask his mother. He only cared about what went into his own mouth.

Hyun-sung handed the bowl back.

“You eat first, Mom.”

“I told you, I ate a little while ago.”

“I won’t believe those lies anymore. So please, eat.”

His mother held the bowl, seemingly struggling to eat. It was a time when they couldn’t even eat an egg freely.

It was another reason why Hyun-sung had to earn more money.

Hyun-sung said again.

“Please eat, and then give it to me quickly.”

“This precious thing…….”

“It’s precious, so you should eat it first, Mom. And from now on, don’t sell the eggs at the market, eat them at home. I’ll give you some living expenses from next month, even if it’s not much.”

“Don’t say such things. Business isn’t that easy. Don’t worry about the house, just focus on your business. I can’t even sleep when I think about it…….”

That’s when it happened.

His father came into the kitchen and said.

“Your mother is right. Don’t worry about the house, just focus on your business. And if you need any help, tell us anytime.”

His parents were still anxious.

Thinking from their perspective, it was only natural, so Hyun-sung didn’t say anything more about it.

He knew very well that the only way to put his parents’ minds at ease was for him to stand on his own two feet.

Then his father spoke again.

“Your dad has already prepared everything for fishing, so there’s nothing more to prepare.”

“Already?”

“Don’t even mention it. He’s been rushing since morning. Going fishing just twice will kill a person.”

His mother interjected.

Then his father made a grumpy face and responded to his mother.

“If you’re so upset, you can come with me.”

“Am I crazy? To go with you to that boring thing. I’m just going to stay home and watch the singing contest later.”

“You don’t know the charm of fishing, if you cast a fishing rod and wait…….”

That was his father’s opinion, who liked fishing.

In fact, Hyun-sung didn’t have much of an interest in fishing either. It was the same in his past life. He had gone fishing with acquaintances a few times, but he had never deliberately sought it out.

This time, Hyun-sung looked at his father and asked.

“Did you pack ramen?”

“Ramen? Why?”

“Ramen is essential for fishing. If you’re going to make spicy fish stew, ramen has to be added to make it taste better, right?”

Hyun-sung said with a playful tone, and his father smiled.

“Ramen is essential for fishing?”

“Yes, that’s what I know.”

It didn’t make sense, but that was the case for Hyun-sung. He hadn’t gone many times, but every time, he had more fun and made more memories cooking ramen in the middle of it than fishing.

And when you cook ramen outdoors, it tastes so much better.

Of course, when it comes to ramen, it’s the military.

The ramen you cook and eat in a mess kit after standing guard in the middle of a winter dawn is the best ramen in the world.

The story of cooking ramen in the military is as endless as the story of playing soccer in the military.

His father chuckled at Hyun-sung’s nonsense.

“Alright, then I’ll leave that essential to you.”

“Yes, sir.”

The thought of cooking ramen outdoors made Hyun-sung’s voice naturally energetic.

His father’s expression was bright throughout breakfast.

Hyun-sung was the same.

But his mother and sister didn’t seem to be, with grumbling written all over their faces.

His sister, Kim Ji-yeon, opened her mouth.

“Oppa [term used by younger women to address older brothers or male friends], is fishing that fun?”

“No.”

“If it’s not, why does your face look like you’re about to die of happiness?”

Sometimes he felt that his sister’s language skills were excellent. He was often surprised at how she only chose words that hit the nail on the head.

“Not to the point of dying, just being polite.”

It was Hyun-sung’s characteristic to say strange things sometimes.

Of course, no good words could come out of his sister Kim Ji-yeon’s mouth.

“Ugh! I’m about to get annoyed again. Explain it.”

“I’m going fishing with Dad after a long time, would it be okay to frown in front of him?”

“Whatever…….”

Kim Ji-yeon closed her mouth.

Then his mother looked at his father and asked.

“Then you’re going to eat lunch there and come back, right?”

“Hyun-sung said he’d make spicy fish stew, so I guess so. Don’t worry about me today and rest with Ji-yeon.”

“It’s supposed to rain in the afternoon, so don’t overdo it and come back.”

“Did you say it’s going to rain?”

Hyun-sung asked, and his mother replied again.

“It’s supposed to come in the afternoon. So eat lunch and come back after a while.”

“Then we should.”

Then Kim Ji-yeon, who had been quiet, opened her mouth.

“Oppa!”

Somehow, there was a sense of cheesiness in her voice. It meant she wanted something…….

“What is it? Not like you?”

“If it rains later…….”

“Hurry up and say it? It doesn’t suit you.”

“Can you make zucchini pancakes?”

Pfft.

He was curious about what she was going to say. But at the words zucchini pancakes, Hyun-sung burst out laughing.

“Why, suddenly thinking about zucchini pancakes?”

“Not now, but I think I’ll think about it if it rains later, hehe….”

“That’s right. There’s nothing better than pancakes when it rains. And if there’s makgeolli [Korean rice wine], it’s perfect.”

“Why does a student like alcohol so much?”

“Let’s get the facts straight. This oppa doesn’t like alcohol, he likes the atmosphere.”

Ha ha, ha ha ha…….

At Hyun-sung’s words, his father laughed as if he was dumbfounded and went outside. Then Kim Ji-yeon spoke again.

“How bad is it that Dad is like that?”

“Ji-yeon, why do you think Dad avoided the situation while laughing just now?”

“Of course, it’s because Oppa is saying strange things.”

“What if it’s not?”

Kim Ji-yeon pouted as if it didn’t make sense.

“What do you mean it’s not?”

“Who do you think I take after?”

“That’s…….”

“A little while ago, I wasn’t talking about myself, I was talking about Dad. Honestly, how much would I know about the atmosphere?”

Of course, it was a lie.

There was no way he wouldn’t know that atmosphere.

Strangely, the older he got, the more he resembled his father.

Not to mention his appearance, his favorite foods were basic, his drinking habits were the same, and even his way of speaking was almost identical.

His father used to say that.

Simple pancakes and a glass of makgeolli when it rains. That was enough.

That was the way his father enjoyed rainy days, and later it was Hyun-sung’s way.

Kim Ji-yeon said again.

“So what’s the conclusion?”

“What else, I’m going to make zucchini pancakes later. So you should prepare the makgeolli yourself.”

“I shouldn’t have said anything.”

Kim Ji-yeon, who still had a regretful expression, immediately opened her mouth again.

“Should I call In-hye?”

“Suit yourself. I have someone to call too.”

“Who?”

“Bear. That bear that everyone says is cute.”

“Oppa!”

Kim Ji-yeon started glaring at Hyun-sung as if she was about to do something to him.

Only for a moment.

Hehe!

The two burst out laughing almost simultaneously, without knowing who started first. His sister had been laughing more often lately. Hyun-sung, who was watching her, felt the same way.

The two arrived at the reservoir.

Hyun-sung opened his mouth first, looking at his father.

“The weather is so nice.”

“I know, right? It’s a relief that it’s cloudy even though it’s supposed to rain in the afternoon. If we’re lucky, we might catch some fish today.”

“Do fish get caught better when it’s cloudy?”

“Of course. They know the atmosphere too.”

Pfft.

Hyun-sung laughed as he looked at his father.

Then his father smiled awkwardly.

His father’s appearance was very different from usual, both when eating breakfast and now. It was a sight he had rarely seen before.

*Swoosh!*

He cast the fishing line with the bait on it.