Chapter 125
Chapter 125
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 125
Chapter Title: My Daughter Is a Genius Painter 125
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The meaning of what I heard and what Daeun heard might have been different. But they were probably used in the same sense.
In case Daeun might change her mind, Representative Yoon hurriedly bought clothes for her.
Having bought so many outfits that our hands were full, we left the department store in high spirits.
"I had no idea there was a supermarket inside the department store. We got everything we needed without going anywhere else."
"Thank you so much for going to all this trouble."
As I expressed my gratitude, Daeun followed my lead.
"Tank woo."
Her little "Hee-" giggle as she said it was just too adorable and endearing.
Representative Yoon seemed to feel the same, struggling to force her facial muscles into a smile.
"It's nothing. If Miss Daeun wants, I could buy even more. I have way more money than you think, Miss Daeun."
At the mention of having lots of money, Daeun pursed her lips. Then she tilted her head and asked,
"But why doesn't the pretty auntie have money?"
"Yes?"
"If Daeun has lots of money like the pretty auntie, it'd be awesome."
"I wish I had lots of money."
"Yeah! Then Daeun could buy Daddy lots of yummy stuff!"
She wanted to have money so she could buy me treats.
It was such a quintessentially Daeun thought, but at the same time, I couldn't shake the pang of pity.
Because the memories etched in Daeun's mind were all tied to eating.
Of course, it was also because she loved food so much.
Swish.
At that moment, Representative Yoon crouched down slightly to look at Daeun and asked,
"Then, Miss Daeun."
"Yes?"
"Would you like to try earning some money?"
Daeun blinked at Representative Yoon's question about earning money.
"Daeun can earn money too."
In response, Representative Yoon explained to her in a serious tone.
"Money is like this really amazing friend."
"Fwiend?"
"Yes. It knows better than anyone else how it got here."
She was a mega tycoon living an extraordinary life.
And now she was sharing this story.
"So if you get a lot of money without any effort, it slips away easily."
With that, Representative Yoon made a proposal to Daeun.
"That's why. There's a way for Miss Daeun to earn money fairly. Something you're the best at, something only you can do."
Swish.
Daeun's eyes sparkled.
"What is it? Daeun wants to do it!"
At Daeun's eager words, Representative Yoon suddenly looked at me.
"To do that, we need Painter Kanghyeok Lee's opinion too."
"Me?"
What could it be that she needed my permission for?
Honestly, when Representative Yoon said that, I naturally assumed
it would be something like,
"Draw one picture."
And even if it was pocket money, Daeun would be thrilled.
Ah, or maybe since it involved money, she wanted my permission.
But her next words made me realize something.
I had been severely underestimating Representative Yoon.
"Would it be possible for you and Miss Daeun to come to America together?"
Gulp.
It felt like Daeun had touched on something major for Representative Yoon.
By afternoon, we naturally parted ways with Representative Yoon.
Officer Kim Sucheol had taken her place.
He'd begged us to let him stay, but he wasn't oblivious enough to crash a date between two people, so he gracefully bowed out with well-wishes.
Back at the studio with Daeun, I thought about Representative Yoon's proposal.
'I never expected her to suggest that.'
What she'd proposed was a design collaboration.
At first, I didn't quite get it, but as she explained further, I belatedly understood.
-Official proposal will have to wait until I return to America, but the clothing company I'm investing in has been trying to incorporate works from famous painters into their products. Right before coming to Korea, I heard I'd be meeting Painter Kanghyeok Lee and grabbed a proposal. If you're interested, let me know.
Along with the proposal, Representative Yoon added some extra details.
Originally meant just for me, but once she returned to America, she planned to change it to a joint project with Daeun too.
If we accepted, she'd cover all travel expenses to America and offer more than any other offer out there.
And her final words left me deeply conflicted.
-The works of the artist who made me feel emotions, and my hope that Miss Daeun sees a wider world—that's why I'm proposing this. Please think it over.
A stepping stone to a wider world.
Swish.
At those words, I turned to glance at Daeun.
Our five-year-old girl.
Separated from her mom, meeting me, living a very different life.
Looking at her, a thought suddenly struck me.
If it were Hyorin, how would she take Representative Yoon's proposal?
"Daeun, can Daddy run down to the first floor for a bit?"
"Yeah, where Daddy going?"
"No, just grabbing some drinks from downstairs."
"Oh, okay! Daeun wants little milk!"
"Got it. Daddy'll be right back, so hang tight."
"Mm! Daeun draw picture!"
Nod.
I smiled and left the studio, heading to the first floor.
Truth be told, I'd come down to sort out my tangled thoughts, even if just a little.
I figured some fresh air might ease the stuffiness.
Creak.
Opening the door to the darkened first floor and stepping out, the dimming sky greeted me.
"Hoo."
A night that made me miss the cigarettes I'd quit long ago.
Staring up at the black night sky invisible amid the glaring sign lights, I quietly asked,
"Hyorin, what would you do?"
If you could hear me, tell me the right answer.
Ah, or maybe not.
Swish.
I pulled out my phone and opened the photo album from before, finding a picture of Hyorin.
An album frozen in time just before my accident.
Looking at it, her voice seemed to echo naturally.
As if she were still alive, talking to me.
-Dummy.
Swish.
'Dummy.'
-Yeah, dummy. You always overthink everything when making choices.
'What should I...'
-Look at you now. I told you before. Regretting after doing something is better than regretting not doing it.
'What are you talking about? If it's regret either way, isn't not doing it better?'
-You don't get it. Regret from not doing leaves lingering what-ifs, but regret after doing leaves memories. Lingering what-ifs or memories—which do you choose?
Pfft.
The answer to this question was probably set from the start.
The Hyorin I knew, and Daeun's mom, was always.
-Let's do it.
Straightforward.
Smile.
'Yeah, let's do it.'
-Yeah, for my share too.
'Yeah, for your share too.'
With Hyorin's clear answer bringing clarity, I smiled and pulled out my phone.
I called Representative Yoon and gave my response to her proposal.
"Representative Yoon, we'll do it."
A day had passed since parting with Representative Yoon.
Now, I was having a light tea time with Officer Kim Sucheol, who had purposely come to our studio, and Daeun.
"You didn't need to bring all this, but shall we chat while we eat?"
As I said that, I unpacked the bread he'd brought as a gift and set it on the table.
Daeun's eyes went wide with delight at the sight.
"Daddy! All this is Daeun's favorite bread! Choco bread, choco bread, choco bread!"
I don't know if he'd asked Representative Yoon or people around about Daeun's tastes, but he'd brought a ton of her absolute favorites.
Even I was shocked by the sheer amount as I unpacked it.
"No, why'd you buy so much bread?"
"Oh, I just kept adding this and that, and it piled up."
This looked deliberate.
"I heard the gist from Hee-won. Apparently, Daeun wanted to go see the mural together that day."
"Hee... won?"
Who was that?
Just then, Representative Yoon gave an awkward smile as she spoke.
"Ah, didn't she tell you?"
I shook my head.
"I haven't heard."
"Oh, I thought you'd met yesterday. Guess you heard it from her mom afterward. She has a Korean name originally."
"So her Korean name is..."
"Yes, Yoon Hee-won. That's Representative Yoon's real name."
This trip of Representative Yoon's to Korea was turning out to be quite meaningful, revealing so many things I hadn't known.
"Ah, right. Speaking of, Representative Yoon went back to America?"
"Oh, yes. She said she'd been away too long, so she took a morning flight."
At that, I asked with a playful expression.
"Did you see her off?"
"S-see her off? She, she said I absolutely couldn't come because of work... I wanted to, but it probably would've been too much."
Honestly, I really liked these meetings between Representative Yoon and Officer Kim.
They were both people I cared for, and their fresh vibe reminded me of my past self.
But there were some worries and concerns too.
Namely, their realistic differences.
Having worked in the art scene, I despised class divides drawn by money.
Ironically, hating it so much made me more aware of it than most.
'It won't be easy to overcome, but they'll make it.'
Still, it wasn't something I could help with.
I could only cheer them on from afar.
"But we did talk before she left."
Officer Kim's expression darkened a bit as he said that.
Was something bothering him?
I had a feeling what it was, but I pretended not to know and asked.
"What did Representative Yoon say?"
"Yes?"
"You said you talked before she left."
At my question, Officer Kim gave a wry smile and replied.
"Well, we didn't really talk about much."
"Yes?"
"Just to take care."
"No talk of when she'd come back or when we could meet?"
Nod.
His stiff nod suggested he was realistically assessing his own situation.
That he was someone who didn't match with Representative Yoon at all.
And that's probably why he'd come to see me today.
Swish.
"Um... P-Painter Kanghyeok Lee."
"Yes?"
"Could I ask you one question?"
"A question?"
"Yes. I don't have anyone else around to ask. And you know my situation better than anyone."
Was it about Representative Yoon?
Nod.
I nodded and said,
"Yes, if it's something I can answer..."
"Like, hypothetically."
Officer Kim asked me earnestly.
"What should I do now?"
Maybe because it was such an unexpected question.
"Yes?"
I didn't know how to answer.
What should he do now?
If he'd asked something more specific, I could've responded, but this was too vague.
Just as I was at a loss for words.
An answer came from the most unexpected place.
And it was perfect for Officer Kim's situation.
"Daddy!"
Daeun beamed at me, her face covered in chocolate.
"Mommy said if Daeun does this, the ground gets mad! But Daeun's okay! Daeun loooves choco bread so much!"
"Did Mommy say that?"
"Yeah! And she said something else too!"
"What?"
"If you love it that much, regret it after doing it!"
So very Hyorin.
But her words seemed to hold huge meaning for someone.
Officer Kim, who'd been staring blankly at Daeun for a while, suddenly seemed to know what to do and shouted,
"Thank you!"