Chapter 95

Standing in front of the playground at the Shinchon branch, with an ice cream in his mouth, Kang Taejun was swinging on the swing.

[ Kang Taejun: So... tell me a bit next time we meet. ]

[ Kang Taejun: I'll ask you... ]

[ Shin Yuwon: Yes, hyung. ]

Thanks to Kang Taejun, his digestion was complete.

"Kekeke."

Now it was time to go back and back up Choi Pil-su.

He jumped off the swing and walked away.

Zzzzz─

Another message came in.

"Hyung, you're really dragging this out."

But this time, it wasn't from Kang Taejun.

[ Kim Gyu-tae: Christie, we've finalized the agreement with Sotheby's. I'll send you the conditions proposed by both sides. ]

Indeed, God Gyu-tae.

I immediately pressed the call button.

How many, how many floors?

At the Han Gang-hee real estate office.

The four of us sat on the sofa.

"Now, if you could transfer the remaining balance, that would be great."

"Sure."

After the final checks by Han Gang-hee and the lawyer,

I transferred the money I had previously distributed to various banks one by one.

"Ugh..."

I had already anticipated this and made the decision,

but seeing tens of billions of won disappear from my account made me feel very strange and bitter.

"Would you like to check it once more?"

But it seemed that the previous owner, Kim Jin-hee, also felt bitter.

Her face was a complex mix of emotions.

Sad yet happy, regretful yet relieved.

"Yes, I've received all 4.8 billion... Thank you..."

She couldn't just be happy about having to sell her beloved home. However, Kim Jin-hee soon smiled brightly.

"Ah! I feel so relieved."

"Yeah, yeah, Jin-hee. At least you still have the building. When you make a proper comeback, I'll find you another great place. You can always earn money again, and you can always find another home. Homes are plentiful."

Han Gang-hee held Kim Jin-hee's hand, and Kim Jin-hee bit her lip and nodded.

"You're right. And since I've already lived in Seoul Forest, next time I'll find an even better place. There are plenty of better places out there!"

Kim Jin-hee clenched her fists.

A show of determination.

But Han Gang-hee placed her hand over those fists and slowly pulled them down.

"Jin-hee."

"Yes?"

"I understand that you want to work hard, but you still need to know what to say and what not to say, right?"

"Ah... I see."

Han Gang-hee pointed at me with her eyes, and Kim Jin-hee lowered her head.

"Ah, I'm sorry. I just really loved that place..."

"No, it's okay."

I couldn't blame her.

If I had to sell such a place because of money, ugh, I wouldn't like it either.

But Kim Jin-hee seemed genuinely apologetic.

With downcast eyes, she spoke softly.

"I'm really sorry. But I'm sure the new owner will know how great the place is... It's really wonderful, and there are no inconveniences or issues. The neighbors are all great. So... I hope you have a happy life there. I really mean it."

As they exchanged well-wishes,

the final procedures for the sale were completed.

"Jin-hee, take care. Talk to you soon."

"Sure, see you later, unnie!"

Is this the Han Gang-hee effect?

From the moment I started looking for a home, through the contract and the sale, I had nothing to worry about or fuss over.

Flawless handling.

Moreover, as promised, she only took about 10 million won as the commission, adjusting it to the level of an 1.8 billion won property.

I was simply grateful.

'I'll put a nice congratulatory gift for your daughter, hehe.'

It was only natural to entrust the building sale to such a competent person. Han Gang-hee readily agreed to find the best possible property for me.

"So, customer, you're looking for a commercial building in the Seongsu area? You're not just any rich person. Really impressive, especially for someone so young."

Han Gang-hee refilled my cold green tea and asked.

"Should it be in the Seongsu area?"

"Yes, that would be ideal."

"Well, the commercial area there has grown quite a bit. It's so hot these days. Having a building nearby would be convenient for you, right?"

"Right."

"But that's the problem. Properties in Seongsu don't come up for sale often, and when they do, they disappear quickly. It's much harder to find a good commercial property than an apartment."

I had expected some difficulty,

but for even Han Gang-hee to show hesitation...

"Still, Han Gang-hee, you're the best real estate agent in the country!"

"Hehe, you flatter me. I can't just build a building out of thin air. But do you have a specific purpose in mind? Are you just looking to rent it out?"

"Purpose? Many, actually."

Everyone had dreams, but I had mine since childhood.

To buy a great building and...

put a karaoke room in the basement, a convenience store on the first floor, a PC room on the second floor, a DVD room on the third floor, a manga cafe on the fourth floor, a screen golf practice room on the fifth floor, and a kids' cafe on the sixth floor.

Imagining spending the whole day going up and down the floors with friends,

but not paying any money because I owned the building.

Sitting in any seat in the PC room to play games, picking up any manga book to read in the manga cafe.

"Kekeke."

But now, at thirty,

my adult imagination was a bit different.

"First, I plan to operate a cafe on the first and second floors."

Han Gang-hee asked, as if hearing it for the first time.

"Oh, you've operated a cafe before?"

Ah, Han Gang-hee didn't know this yet.

"Yes, I currently run two small branches."

"Really? Where? You should have told me, I would have visited."

"I thought I did! When the Seongsu branch opens, I'll invite you first."

"Sure. But I'm really surprised. When you talked about Christie, New York... and your amazing appraisal skills, I thought you worked in that field. Anyway, let me check something."

Han Gang-hee pulled out something from a drawer and laid it on the table. It was a strange map often seen in real estate offices.

Han Gang-hee traced the map with her index finger and said,

"The land area should be quite large, and the location needs to be considered."

"Ah, location..."

"Why? Do you have a place in mind?"

No, not really.

"From my experience, our cafe doesn't rely too much on location."

"Ooh... a famous cafe?"

"Hehe, not really. A decent location should be fine."

In response, Han Gang-hee playfully rolled her eyes.

"Still, the better the location, the better, right? But from what you're saying, the prices in that area might be a bit of a burden..."

Indeed, she was sharp in her field.

"Right... I did some research on the way here. Why is that area so expensive? Even 100 billion won seems like a joke..."

Just from a quick internet search,

buildings over five floors were all priced at 150 billion, 200 billion, 250 billion...

'Where does all that money come from?'

It was almost surreal to think of such sums changing hands.

"Hehe, customer. Of course. It's Seongsu, Seongsu."

"Right..."

"Hmm, let's keep talking. You said you're looking for a five-story building, right? What do you plan to use the upper floors for?"

"I'll put my office there and rent out some spaces."

I needed an office for my investment company.

With the Seongsu branch, Amuse Cafe would have three locations. I thought it would be necessary to have a headquarters to manage all the branches.

"Is there anything else you want?"

"Um... ideally, I'd like a new building with a decent exterior."

I planned to make the Seongsu branch the main location for Amuse Cafe. I wanted a building that looked impressive, as it would house both the headquarters and the main branch.

But Han Gang-hee rested her chin and frowned.

"Hmm... a decent new building..."

It seemed my conditions were a bit too high. I explained further.

"But, Manager, it doesn't have to be five floors. A building with just the cafe and office, even in a bad location, would be fine. Our current location in a back alley is doing really well."

But then,

"I have one."

An unexpected answer came back.

"Really?"

"It's not on the market yet."

You know about a building that isn't even on the market yet?

Indeed, Manager Han Gang-hee, I love you...

"The owner is a bit indecisive. Sometimes they come and say they want to sell, then suddenly change their mind. With the prices rising, they might be hesitant. So I've been keeping an eye on it."

So, there's a possibility!

"What kind of building is it?"

Han Gang-hee recalled and answered.

"It's about 55 pyeong in land area, and it's said to be designed by a famous architect. It's really stylish, the kind people these days like. You might have seen it."

"Where is it?"

"Between Seoul Forest Station and Ttukseom Station, it's an 8-story building with a basement floor."