Chapter 150
Chapter 150
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 151
Chapter Title: Blue Bottle
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To Yeonwoo, America was a whole new world, different from Japan.
Japan had some similarities to Korea, even if not exactly the same, and the streets were filled with people who had black hair and similar skin tones that weren’t all that different in appearance.
But America was completely different.
People of all races roamed the streets.
It was the first time in his life Yeonwoo had seen so many white and Black people.
Countless people bustled along the streets, living their busy lives.
“[Yeonwoo, your family should be arriving soon.]”
Yeonwoo, who had been sitting in a café blankly watching the people go by, turned to Jessie at her words.
Jessie was usually busy taking care of Olivia Snow, but today she was looking after Yeonwoo.
Yeonwoo wanted to sightsee the streets of New York, but Olivia Snow was someone who couldn’t freely walk the streets of America.
So, to let Yeonwoo enjoy himself as comfortably as possible, Olivia Snow was staying home.
Of course, with Jessie and three burly bodyguards trailing behind, it was clear this little kid wasn’t ordinary—but hardly anyone knew he was Yuin, who had conquered the Melboard charts.
They probably just thought he was some rich kid from a wealthy family.
Of course, not everyone.
“[Hey, aren’t you Yuin……?]”
There were the occasional passersby who recognized him.
Yeonwoo didn’t hesitate to sign autographs or take photos with them.
Jessie cautioned him.
“[Too much exposure isn’t good.]”
“[Because the security isn’t great?]”
“[Sure, that’s part of it. But if word gets out that you’re in New York, all sorts of nuisances might follow.]”
“[Nuisances?]”
“[Paparazzi.]”
America’s paparazzi had a reputation like nowhere else—not Korea or Japan could compare.
They chased people relentlessly, as if trying to suck them dry.
In fact, that was a big reason Olivia Snow didn’t go out.
Olivia Snow in New York?
The moment that got out, paparazzi would swarm like mad.
“[Alright, let’s head back now.]”
“[Okay.]”
Jessie took Yeonwoo back to Olivia Snow’s penthouse.
“[Oh, you’re back? They just arrived.]”
Olivia Snow greeted them with a bright smile.
“[Huh? Where are they—Grandma, Dad, and Aunt?]”
“[No, the piano arrived.]”
At those words, Yeonwoo’s gaze shifted to where the glass piano had been.
In its place stood a magnificent grand piano.
“Wow……!!”
It was the most beautiful piano Yeonwoo had ever seen.
Sure enough, the blue fairies swarmed toward it with eyes dripping honey.
Yeonwoo approached it as if entranced.
Seeing him, the fairies wildly pointed at the keys.
What are you waiting for? Play it already! Come on?
That’s what it felt like they were saying.
Yeonwoo looked at Olivia Snow.
She nodded as if she knew exactly what he wanted, pointing at the piano.
Yeonwoo excitedly sat down and began playing the keys.
Swing poured from his fingertips.
Jessie, who had been blankly admiring the sight, let out a gasp of admiration.
“[How does he play swing like that with those little hands?]”
“[That’s why he’s a genius.]”
After falling head over heels for Yeonwoo’s guitar playing, Olivia Snow had wanted to hear him on piano, so she’d brought in a proper one—the most expensive, the absolute best grand piano.
Yeonwoo didn’t disappoint her expectations, rewarding her with playing that enraptured everyone.
In the meantime, Heo Ok and Jihoon arrived at Olivia Snow’s place.
“[Oh, Jade! Jihoon! Jiyeong! You’re here?]”
“[My goodness, I had no idea there was a place like this in New York. What an amazing house.]”
“[Hehe.]”
Olivia Snow puffed up proudly at Heo Ok’s admiration.
Heo Ok smiled at her, then heard the piano playing and looked for Yeonwoo.
“[Still playing piano even here.]”
Even as she said it, Heo Ok walked over to him.
Yeonwoo, absorbed in the piano, noticed the fairies going wild and turned—spotting his grandmother, he beamed and jumped up from his seat.
“Grandma!!”
“Oh, my grandson!”
Heo Ok hugged Yeonwoo tight, as if they hadn’t seen each other in ages, then grabbed his cheeks and looked him in the eyes.
She gasped right away.
“No, Yeonwoo. Why are you so skinny?”
“Huh?”
Yeonwoo tilted his head.
A week in Japan, then three days in America.
In just ten days, he was already gaining weight again.
Not that it was surprising—wanting to try American food, he’d gone out of his way for the highest-calorie stuff.
The calories were so high that one meal felt like it packed on a kilo, and by the third day, he didn’t even want to touch American food anymore.
Too salty, greasy, sweet, and overstimulating—it got old fast.
Anyway, still……
“I gained weight, though?”
“What are you talking about? Your cheeks are all sunken in.”
Olivia Snow, overhearing their exchange, asked Jiyeong.
“[Jiyeong, what’s Jade saying? She seems worried about Yeonwoo.]”
“[Yeah, she says he looks thinner.]”
“[Huh……? He looks like he’s just before turning into the cutest little piggy.]”
Jiyeong snickered at that.
“[Grandmas are always like that.]”
Even as she said it, she thought to herself, ‘I thought my mom wouldn’t be like that.’
But look at her.
Doting on her grandson like he was gold or jade.
Who could’ve imagined Heo Ok like this?
“Bro, you didn’t expect Mom to be like that either, right?”
“Huh? Yeah, pretty much. But you know, you’re the same.”
“What? Why me?”
“You used to hate kids. But look at you now.”
“Yeonwoo’s family! That’s why!”
“That’s not the point. I didn’t know your mental age would drop below Yeonwoo’s.”
“……Damn it!”
Jihoon chuckled and walked over to Yeonwoo.
Just then, Yeonwoo stood up and said to his grandma.
“Grandma, you play too!”
“Hmm, should I?”
Heo Ok sat at the piano.
From the perfect angle, the view centered on Central Park unfolded before her eyes.
She was someone more familiar with Central Park at night than by day.
Back then, the nighttime park was a dangerous place prowled by drunks.
Well, America’s nights were risky anywhere.
But she wasn’t scared.
She had Shunji and others just as tough on her team.
They’d drink beers together while gazing at the high-rises around Central Park.
Places just like this house.
They’d said something like, “Someday we’ll make it and live in a place like this.”
It felt strangely nostalgic.
She began playing the jazz she used to love back then.
During her active years, jazz was shifting from fusion to avant-garde.
But she stuck to tradition.
She carried on the bebop lineage, swinging freely.
Just like now.
Watching Heo Ok play, Olivia Snow understood Yeonwoo’s roots.
She’d only known she played jazz piano in America, but no.
Yeonwoo’s scent emanated from her. Or rather, Yeonwoo’s scent resembled hers.
No flashy techniques like Yeonwoo’s, but she had depth.
Her piano, lived alongside jazz for so long—it evoked New York.
As her playing ended, Olivia Snow clapped and said.
“[Jade! It’s just like hearing piano at Blue Bottle!]”
Heo Ok froze at her words.
“[Blue Bottle?]”
“[Yes. Oh, you know it? One of New York’s most famous jazz bars.]”
Heo Ok’s eyes widened.
“[It’s famous? That place?]”
“[Yeah, I even went because I was curious. Why? You know it?]”
“[It has the same name as the place where me and my band used to play.]”
Olivia Snow pulled up Google Maps on her phone and showed her a photo of the shop.
“[Is this it?]”
“[No…….]”
“[So just the name’s the same?]”
“[……But the sign design’s identical.]”
“[Oh! Then it must be the same place! Wanna go check it out?]”
Heo Ok shook her head.
“[Nah, no point. The owner back then is probably long dead.]”
She couldn’t recall his exact age, but if he were still alive, he’d be well over ninety.
Sure, he might’ve lived that long, but he was a classic old-school American.
Loved cigarettes and booze, smoked weed now and then, and fueled up on junk food—unhealthy to the core.
She remembered his beer gut more than his face; no way he was still kicking.
“[Uh…… The reviews say the owner’s dad, almost a hundred, sits in one corner every day guarding the place.]”
“[……What?]”
Heo Ok’s eyes shook.
“[Why so shocked? People can live long.]”
“[If you’d seen him young, you wouldn’t believe he’d make it. Guy loved booze, smokes, junk food, and…… yeah, 420.]”
Unable to say marijuana in front of Yeonwoo, Heo Ok used the 420 slang.
Back when hippie culture boomed, kids smoking weed after school was common—most places, they’d gather around 4:20 p.m., hence the term.
“[Could be? Some folks live forever no matter what. Anyway, really not gonna check it out?]”
“[If that guy’s still alive, I’m curious. Might be worth a visit.]”
Yeonwoo, who’d been quietly listening, asked his grandma.
“[Going to a jazz bar? What about me? Can I come too?]”
“[Don’t kids get turned away?]”
It didn’t matter back then, but who knows now.
“[Oh, looks like you can sit at tables.]”
“[Tables…… It wasn’t that big a place.]”
“[The focus has shifted since then. More emphasis on shows now, I guess?]”
Heo Ok nodded. In a way, positive progress.
Back then, hardly any tables—packed with people, tiny stage.
Performing on that little stage, drunks would hassle you, or fights would break out outside, and the show became an afterthought.
Having to play there toughened her up.
And the skill she picked up—smashing beer bottles over heads—would stay secret from Yeonwoo.