Chapter 109
Chapter 109
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 109
Chapter Title: The Email and Daeun's Birthday
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The next day, I called Jungeun right after waking up.
"So you've made up your mind, huh?"
"Yeah, meeting Producer Kim in person, she seemed like a nice person. She was great with Daeun, too."
Actually, doing the show wasn't a big deal. There was just one issue: Daeun.
Since Daeun didn't go to daycare or kindergarten, I'd have no choice but to bring her along and take care of her during filming.
Producer Kim Chanmi seemed to understand our situation fully.
We'd even talked about it that way yesterday.
"Then it's settled. Painter Kanghyeok Lee on TV..."
I laughed at Jungeun's comment.
"You'll write the article, right?"
A sigh came softly through the receiver at the mention of the article.
"Yeah, of course. I'm your dedicated reporter. This could even be considered an exclusive. Hmm, now how to package this to make it look like a sweet rice cake."
I grinned and replied.
"As expected from Reporter Park Jungeun, the best."
"Ugh, at least you can talk. Oh, right. I'll write the article, but make sure to contact that person yourself. Or go visit in person if you have to."
I knew exactly who "that person" meant.
"Representative Yoon."
"Yeah. After all, she's the one who's bought the most of Painter Kanghyeok Lee's works. Don't you think she deserves to know?"
The person who'd bought the most of my paintings.
On the flip side, she might be the one most affected by my TV appearance.
Of course, whether it'd be a gain or a loss was anyone's guess.
Either way, it was a high-risk gamble, so Representative Yoon needed to know.
Then Jungeun asked curiously.
"But you still don't know who Representative Yoon is, do you?"
"Yeah, I still don't."
"It's crazy, right? Someone with that much money should be famous, but how does she keep her identity so hidden?"
It was only natural for Jungeun to react that way.
I'd only seen Representative Yoon's face a few times. Her name, job, age—even how she made her fortune—were all shrouded in mystery.
The problem was that she swept up my paintings at every exhibition for huge sums.
At first, I thought she might be a chaebol heir, but Jungeun would have known.
Then maybe a famous foreign tycoon? But no matter how much I searched, nothing.
In the end, my curiosity about Representative Yoon remained just that—curiosity.
"Contact info?"
"Well, I don't have a phone number, obviously. Just this one email address, that's it."
Thinking about it now, it was ridiculous. No phone number at all?
All communication was strictly by email.
I'd send a heartfelt email before an exhibition, and on opening day, she'd show up at the gallery, view the paintings in person, select, and buy.
"Email, huh... That's tricky. If there was a phone number, I could explain the whole situation in detail."
"Well, email it is. Representative Yoon probably has a rough idea already."
"True. She seems more interested in you than anyone."
I nodded.
Jungeun was right about her interest in me. I just nodded slightly.
"Speaking of which, I should send that email today."
"Yeah. I can't say for sure since I'm not her, but she's probably waiting for your call."
My top buyer, identity veiled in mystery.
She might suffer the biggest loss from my TV appearance.
So, I had to reach out.
"I'll contact her later."
"Got it. I'll let you know once the article draft is done."
"Yeah."
Click.
After hanging up with Jungeun, I paused for a moment.
'I wonder if there's a laptop.'
I started rummaging through the house for the laptop Hyorin had used.
Rustle rustle.
Daeun, half-asleep while painting, looked up at me.
"Daddy, whatcha doing?"
"Yeah, Daddy's looking for Mommy's laptop."
"Mommy's notebook?"
"Yeah, it's a computer. Need it for a bit."
At my words, Daeun stood up with her messy hair and toddled off somewhere.
It was the shelf full of spices. She opened the drawer right next to it.
Slide.
'No way.'
It was the last place I'd expect a laptop, but ironically...
"Here!"
"Uh... y-yeah, that's it."
In Daeun's hands was an old-looking laptop.
I couldn't help but feel a surge of confusion.
'Why the hell was that in there?'
* * *
Tap tap tap.
'Phew, this should do.'
I wrote the email as politely as possible.
How had she been? What I'd been up to, why I hadn't painted, and the real reason for contacting her now.
I laid out everything step by step, keeping it from getting boring.
After finishing and revising a few times...
Click.
[Email transmission completed.]
Finally, I sent the email to Representative Yoon.
Swoosh!
'Whew, writing that seriously after so long made my head throb.'
It had been ages since I'd focused like that. No wonder Jungeun seemed impressive, cranking out articles daily.
'I guess a day or so wait.'
Usually, she'd reply within a day if quick, two at most.
She'd delayed longer sometimes, but never over a week.
Probably a response in two or three days.
Click.
Putting thoughts of Representative Yoon aside, I packed up the laptop and stood.
Then Daeun asked.
"Daddy all done?"
"Yeah, all done. Were you waiting for Daddy, Daeun?"
"Yeah! Daeun wait till Daddy finish!"
I rolled up my sleeves with a grin.
"Then let's eat breakfast quick and head to the studio. You said you had a painting you wanted to do today, right?"
"Yeah! Daeun gonna paint as soon as we get to studio!"
Last night, right before bed, she'd gotten an idea for a painting and fallen asleep wishing tomorrow would come soon.
That's why I'd called Jungeun early this morning.
Swoosh.
'Hmm, leftovers from yesterday, warm up some egg roll and soup—that'll work.'
I opened the fridge familiarly and started preparing breakfast with pre-made side dishes.
Clatter.
I pulled out bowls, portioned sides, and steamed the fluffy rice I'd made before bed last night.
Warmed the soup and served it into bowls.
As I did, I tilted my head at the somewhat sparse sides.
'Hmm, looking a bit meager.'
I'd have to stop by the supermarket for more ingredients before heading home.
I'd promised to cook proper meals for Daeun every time, but it wasn't as easy as planned.
Not just the menu—the real issue was my lack of skill.
No matter how hard I tried, untrained dishes were tough.
I'd even looked up YouTube for side dish ideas... but if I got the chance, I should ask others for advice.
Click.
"Daeun, let's eat!"
"Yeah! Daddy!"
Pushing aside my regrets about the modest table, I started a cheerful breakfast with Daeun.
Nom nom! Chomp chomp!
I'd thought it was lacking, but fortunately, Daeun ate it all up happily.
Smiling at her, I asked.
"Anything Daeun wants to eat?"
"Something yummy!"
"Yeah, if there's something you like, I'll practice and make it."
Daeun pondered for a moment, then shot her hand up.
"Ah! Daeun wants this yummy thing!"
"What?"
"Kelp stems!"
"Huh?"
Kelp stems—totally out of left field. I tilted my head.
"But Daeun hates kelp stems."
When I first moved in, the first thing I noticed was Daeun's tastes on the fridge.
Hyorin had handwritten what Daeun liked and disliked.
Kelp stems proudly topped the dislikes.
No way it'd suddenly become a favorite...
But Daeun beamed back.
"No, Daeun likes kelp stems now!"
Maybe I'd misread? I glanced at the still-posted list.
Then I understood why she'd said it.
-Kelp stems! (Doesn't eat raw well, but eats if boiled in seaweed soup and chopped small!)
'So what Daeun wants is...'
Not kelp stems, but Hyorin's seaweed soup made with fresh kelp.
Who knew she'd crave seaweed soup.
Wait, when was Daeun's birthday again?
Suddenly curious, I asked.
"Hey, Daeun, when's your birthday? I think I saw it, but I can't remember."
I'd checked before, but it wasn't sticking.
Daeun had better memory than anyone.
She grinned.
"Mommy said! Daeun's birthday lunar calendar!"
"Lunar?"
"Yeah! October 4th!"
Wait, so the house password was Daeun's lunar birthday?
I'd thought it had some meaning, but her birthday...
That meant...
"Hold on."
I whipped out my phone and checked the calendar.
The date hit me like a shock.
Lunar October 4th.
'Oh my god...'
Daeun's birthday was in two days.
On the bus to the studio.
I asked Daeun curiously.
"Did you know it was your birthday?"
"Yeah! Mommy told me!"
Looks like Hyorin had told her before passing.
Given Hyorin's personality, she'd chatted a lot with Daeun, and her birthday came up.
"Then Mommy said she'd make Daeun's favorite kelp stems!"
Ah, that explained the kelp stems mention.
She remembered her promise with Mommy.
Still, what a relief.
I'd learned about the birthday before it passed.
It was our first birthday together as father and daughter. At least, we had to have cake and blow out candles.
I glanced at Daeun, engrossed in the window view, then pulled out my phone to search for cakes.
Maybe one she'd like—something big and pretty to make her happy.
As I searched diligently...
Bzzz—
My phone vibrated suddenly.
'Hm?'
A text? But no.
Wondering where it came from, I spotted it.
'Oh, email.'
A number glowed on the mail app.
Representative Yoon? I dove in to check.
I couldn't believe my eyes.
[Let's meet.]