Chapter 22

The Bear's Country is Now Mine Chapter 22

Chapter 22: Busan Station/Seafood and Land in 1993

The Busan Station that Nikolai remembered was a modernized building with a glass exterior.

However, it was now in its pre-expansion state, evoking memories of his childhood.

"Shasha, how does it feel here?"

"Sniff, sniff... It smells a bit fishy?"

"That building behind Busan Station is by the sea. People who live here might not notice, but outsiders might catch the smell."

Nikolai closed his eyes for a moment.

The salty smell in the breeze was incredibly pleasant.

This smell held so many of his memories.

"The people's clothing is a bit more rustic compared to Seoul."

"Look at what you're wearing and talk. Where did you get that yellow sheepskin jacket and those golden pants?"

"I matched them from top to bottom at the Chinese market in Moscow. Is it that strange?"

"Tsk, tsk. Does this look cool to you?"

"Ah, the staff there said it was really cool."

"I should have kept my mouth shut."

"But you didn't say anything on the train, why are you so talkative now?"

"I was hungry."

"They were selling food on the train. You could have bought something."

If you eat that, your stomach will be full, and you won't be able to enjoy the local delicacies here.

"Let's fill our stomachs first."

After crossing the intersection, the Shanghai Street came into view.

It's commonly known as Texas Street, and it also has a Russian street.

This area, where Chinese and Russians who moved to Korea opened shops, was a special place in Busan.

Regularly, American aircraft carriers dock here, and when training takes place, many U.S. soldiers take a break in this area.

Thanks to this, the area has continued to be a famous spot in Busan.

"Once we go inside, there are Russian foods. Do you want to try them?"

"When you're in a foreign country, you should try the local food. You can eat as much as you want when you go back."

"I agree. Let's go there."

Passing by Lotteria and turning left, a sign for pig bone soup appeared.

A place he always visited when coming to Busan Station.

It was winter, and steam billowed out of the windows like clouds, filling the air with a savory smell that made his mouth water.

They entered the shop and sat down inside.

"One serving of boiled pork and two bowls of pig bone soup, please."

After placing the order almost automatically, people started to come in for lunch.

"Compare the taste of the pig bone soup here to what you had in Moscow. Busan is the birthplace of pig bone soup, so it will be different."

"Wow, I'm really looking forward to it."

A moment later, the ordered food was placed on the table.

Nikolai slowly sipped the hot broth to fully experience the first impression.

"Wow. This is the taste. Pig bone soup should have this deep flavor. I feel sorry for the pigs, but I wish I could enjoy this for a long time. How about you?"

"It's definitely different from what we had in Moscow. The deep flavor is different. Taste it, doesn't it make your tongue tingle?"

"It doesn't tingle."

After filling his stomach with pig bone soup, Nikolai took out a large amount of money to start his mission in Busan.

"Why are you taking out so much money?"

"I have some use for it."

"Even though I told you to use it freely, can you really withdraw this much from your card? How much are you planning to withdraw from both cards?"

"As I said, use it freely. This amount is fine. Usually, when a deal is made, there's a custom of giving a backhander."

Nikolai, who withdrew a considerable amount of money, added more from the money he originally had.

Then, he left Shasha at a motel and walked up a steep hill.

Watching Nikolai, Shasha was lost in thought.

'He knows too much. Even though this is his first time in Korea, like me.'

It's as if he's been here before, so naturally.

How should I understand this?

He felt many unfamiliar things in Russia, but this is a bit extreme.

However, he couldn't explain it.

Nikolai, who knew Shasha better than anyone, felt a lot had changed, but he couldn't explain it either.

Shaking her head, Shasha watched Nikolai disappear up the hill.

'Well, it doesn't matter. Let's focus on reality. No one cares for me as much as Nikolai does.'

Nikolai's home was in Choryang-dong.

It was a place formed by people who fled during the war and settled there, located a long way up from Busan Station.

Now, the shantytown has changed to slate roofs, but the atmosphere remains the same.

While wandering around, a familiar house caught his eye.

It had a blue slate roof and a light gray cement block wall.

The wall, without any plaster, revealed the owner's financial situation.

The green gate, rusted, was half-open, and as Nikolai peeked inside, a voice reached his ears.

"Who's loitering around here?"

Ah!

Instantly, his body froze like a statue.

He wanted to turn around...

He wanted to see his father, whom he had longed to see...

After taking a deep breath to calm himself, Nikolai slowly turned around.

His father in his younger days.

Next to him was his mother, without the wrinkles on her forehead.

"Dear, it seems he doesn't understand Korean."

"There's no reason for a foreigner to come to our house..."

Oh, right. I forgot.

His appearance was that of a Caucasian.

But does that matter?

Nikolai spoke fluent Korean as usual.

"Hello, I'm from Russia."

"Huh? A Russian?"

"Yes."

"Wow, you speak Korean really well. What brings you to our house?"

"Ah, is there someone named Kang Jin-ho here?"

Calculating the time he came here, he was about to start elementary school.

Despite Nikolai's tension, his parents were puzzled.

"You must have the wrong house. There's no one by that name here. It's just my wife, me, and our first-grade son."

"Is that so."

If these are his parents, then his appearance must be that of a first-grader.

Nikolai needed to confirm this, so he was about to wait outside.

"Mom!"

A child timidly approached.

Seeing the child, his mother called out with a bright smile.

"Hyung-joon, didn't you go to your friend's house today?"

"Pan-su and Min-seok and I planned to play at Jagalchi, but I left my backpack. Hey? Mom, who's this uncle? He's a foreigner?"

No, it's different.

Completely different from his childhood appearance.

An indescribable emotion swept through his body.

'I'm not here...'

Nikolai, or rather, Kang Jin-ho, was not here.

Then, who am I?

His head became a mess, and his face contorted.

But fortunately, his parents were the same.

He had a new life and was alive.

His parents were also alive and well.

'Well, this is enough.'

If this is the will of heaven, he had to accept it.

Letting go of everything, his heart felt so light.

Nikolai smiled with mixed emotions, deeply imprinting his parents in his mind.

He greeted them, hoping to meet again.

"I must have the wrong house. Someone in Texas told me there's a blue-roofed house around here."

"As you can see, there are many blue roofs here. It might take some effort to find it. Good luck."

With those words, he watched them go inside, imprinting the scene in his mind.

His parents lived here all their lives.

They might have wanted to leave, but poverty held them back.

'They will struggle for decades here...'

But now, things will change.

Nikolai took out the prepared plastic bag and threw it into the room.

"Our father, who was a sailor, said he received a lot of help from you. I couldn't greet you in person due to some reasons. This money is a token of gratitude. I'll greet you again if I get the chance."

If used wisely, it should last for about two years without worrying about money.

After that, he planned to create a foundation for a comfortable life.

Back at the motel, Nikolai woke up the sleeping Shasha.

"Hey, wake up."

"Ah, why are you waking me up with your smelly feet?"

"Get up quickly. Did you come here to sleep?"

"Did you finish your business?"

"Finished. Get dressed quickly. Clean your eyes too."

"Where are we going again?"

"To a place that will fill my pockets in the future."

* * *

"As you can see, the new town development in Haeundae is in full swing, and the apartments are in high demand. We get calls from Seoul almost every day."

Ding-dong-♬

"See, the calls keep coming. Hold on a moment. Hello? Yes, Mrs. Kim? Ah, yes. Sure. 2,000 pyeong in the Suyeong area is a bit difficult. How about the Jodong area? You'd have to go further back for 2,000 pyeong. I'm sorry, but I have a customer right now. I'll call you back shortly. Yes, yes."

The real estate agent sat back down after hanging up.

"The new town development will start in 1996, so now is the perfect time. Real estate is all about apartments."

"How much do you think the price will rise?"

"At the time of occupancy, the price of a 32-pyeong apartment will rise by at least 30%. So, if the current price is around 100 million won, it will be at least 130 million won."

"Will it rise that much?"

"Goodness, don't even ask. Inquiries are pouring in. Soon, these properties will be gone. Your ancestors must have guided you here. Yes, buy it today."

The agent showed great enthusiasm, but Nikolai stood up.

"I understand. I'll look around and contact you."

"But you should buy it now. If you wait, there won't be any left. There are only a few left. Timing is everything."

"Are you sure it will rise by 30%?"

"I've been in real estate for over 20 years. It's certain!"

"If it's that certain, why don't you buy them all?"

"..."

Trying to scam him.

No, it's not a scam. The apartment prices will indeed skyrocket.

The problem is that it will take some time.

Watching Nikolai and Shasha leave, the agent spat.

"Ha, I thought I had a naive Russian kid. Ah, why are there so few customers these days? If this continues, I might have to close the shop. I just need one clueless customer."

Ding-dong-♬

The agent answered the phone calmly, unlike his previous urgency.

"Stop calling. I'm gone!"

-What about the contract?

"What contract? It's a complete failure. The Russian kid spoke Korean so well, I tried to trick him. I'll give you a signal later. Hang up."

Now was not the time to buy apartments.

* * *

The next day, Nikolai and Shasha visited another real estate agency and looked at land with the agent.

"When the new town is developed, the surrounding land prices will fluctuate. Foreigners occasionally come to look around these days."

"Which country are they from?"

"Mostly Chinese and Japanese. You're the first Russian customer."

The land prices in Haeundae will rise to match those in Seoul.

Although they will plummet during the IMF crisis, they will steadily rise afterward.

Of course, they will go through cycles of rise and fall nationwide, but Haeundae land is a suitable investment.

"Since you're young, why not buy and hold it? Land never betrays you, unlike people. A 3,500-pyeong plot is a rare find in Haeundae."

"I need to do more research before deciding on real estate."

"Apartment prices are stable, but land is different. When you find a good deal, you should act quickly. Once you turn away, it might be sold. Let's do it. I'll take half the commission."

Taking half the commission means the landowner has already agreed on the price. The current price is not the original.

The agent probably asked for a bit more than the original price.

"The price is high, so I need to do more research."

As Nikolai turned to leave, the agent called out urgently.

"I can give you a discount."

"How much?"

"Tell me your desired price, and I'll try my best to match it."

"You should tell me first."

"Maybe 15 million won..."

He turned back.

"Maybe 20 million won..."

"Since the area is large, I need more time to look around."

"Sir, with the money released during the presidential campaign last year, land prices will soon be affected. Buy while it's still cheap. If you're really interested, I can talk to the landowner and try to get the best deal."

"I'll definitely come back if the opportunity arises."

This is not just a polite farewell.

He planned to come back when the time was right and sweep up all the good deals.

After parting ways with the agent, Nikolai chose Nampo-dong and Seomyeon, known as the real estate hubs of Busan, as his next destination.