Chapter 153
Chapter 153
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 153
Chapter Title: The David Beard Challenge
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Daeun's story left me flustered.
She wanted to touch David's beard over there?
Of course, it looked so thick and lush that anyone would want to give it a feel at least once.
But I couldn't let her say that to a complete stranger, especially a foreigner.
Daeun seemed to understand that, though.
"But no touchy. Gotta ask first."
Asking itself would be rude, but she at least knew she couldn't just grab it without permission.
I smiled and explained to her.
"Right. He might not like it. We'll ask if we get a chance later."
I had no intention of actually asking, but I had to say it like this or Daeun might make a mistake.
"Got it!"
She was still young, so it was understandable.
But she responded so sweetly.
"Our Daeun is so patient and amazing."
"Yeah! Daeun's a big girl!"
"Shall we go then?"
"Yeah!"
With Daeun's beard-touching wish gently set aside for now, I followed behind the two of them.
We arrived at a spacious area with a massive table.
The large TV up front made it clear this was a meeting room.
'Must be the cultural difference.'
Unlike the sealed-off conference rooms in Korea, this place was wide open on all sides.
Anyone could peek in on the meeting—or even join, it seemed.
A few people were gathered there, projecting materials onto the TV as they held their discussion.
That's when David, who'd brought us here, spoke up.
It was in English, of course, so I couldn't follow, but Representative Yoon provided real-time translation, making it easy to understand.
"Everyone, focus up! Let me introduce the two artists who came all the way from Korea for our collaboration. First is the renowned Painter Kanghyeok Lee from Korea, and second is his daughter, Painter Daeun Lee."
At the introduction, people turned to us and clapped.
Daeun and I bowed our heads in response, and David continued.
"Now, let's jump right into the production meeting."
He glanced at us.
"I heard you brought some preliminary designs for the products. Could we take a look now?"
I turned to Daeun.
"Daeun, you remember the one you drew on the plane yesterday?"
"Yeah!"
"Can we show it to everyone?"
"Yay! Daeun's gonna show her drawing!"
I smiled and told David.
"Well, we sketched it casually on the way here. It's from inside the plane, so please keep in mind it might have some rough spots."
As I said that, I opened the sketchbook to find the picture Daeun had drawn on the plane.
'Wait a sec... Have I actually seen Daeun's cat drawing yet?'
I'd been sidetracked by meeting Jessica midway and hadn't checked it properly.
No time yesterday either.
Of course, Daeun wouldn't have drawn anything weird, so no big worries.
Still, just to be safe, I slowly flipped to the cat picture she'd done yesterday.
Rustle.
When I saw Daeun's cat drawing...
'Huh?'
My eyes went wide.
David noticed my reaction and asked curiously.
"Looks intriguing. Show us quick."
Everyone else seemed just as eager, watching me expectantly.
Realizing they were waiting, I hurriedly turned the page with the cat to show them.
They took a moment to admire it, then the reactions came.
"Whoa!"
"Is this really by Painter Daeun Lee?"
"Wow, this cat is something else."
I totally got it. Even I was shocked the moment I saw it.
'Where on earth did she get this style from?'
Daeun's cat looked just like the ones from famous Joseon-era cat paintings.
Not identical, but the fur texture and pose were eerily similar.
Of course, blended with Daeun's unique style, it became something entirely her own.
"It feels like it incorporates Orientalist forms. A really unique interpretation."
That phrasing nailed it.
Oriental style.
Daeun's cat evoked the Joseon Dynasty vibe perfectly.
'Joseon era... No way.'
That's when it clicked how Daeun had drawn such a cat.
She'd said on the plane that she'd drawn cats before.
Meaning, back when Hyorin was alive.
'Hyorin's influence.'
Daeun could draw like that thanks to Hyorin.
Hyorin had gone through a phase where she adored Joseon-era works.
She'd been amazed that people back then loved cats just like we do now.
David approached, taking the sketchbook from me.
Then they started discussing.
"How about using it for the new bags we're launching?"
"Sounds good. Better on bags or wallets than clothes, I think. What do you all say?"
"Agreed. Bags seem perfect."
"If we could get more cat designs in different poses, accessories would work too."
Representative Yoon, translating live, smiled and said.
"Seems like everyone loves Daeun's picture."
"What a relief. I was worried we'd disappoint after being invited all this way."
"No way that would've happened. Daeun's talent is the real deal—I saw it myself."
Her words gave me a boost.
"Her picture's great, in my opinion too. I've heard Asian markets are buzzing about stuff like this lately."
"Really?"
"It's unique but approachable, and cats are universally loved. Bet it'll be a hit. Look at their faces—beaming."
I glanced around as she suggested.
The people discussing product ideas had hope lighting up their faces.
Like they were genuinely enjoying this.
"They're thrilled."
"Means they really like Daeun's art."
Seemed so.
Then Representative Yoon smiled and asked Daeun.
"But Daeun."
"Yes!"
"How'd you think to draw a cat? I figured it'd be a bunny or puppy."
Since we'd been asked for animals.
Kids usually go for fluffier, cuter ones like puppies or bunnies.
Daeun grinned and replied.
"Mommy likes 'em!"
"Your mom?"
"Yeah! Mommy likes cats, so I drew one!"
Simple reason, but the warmth behind it was unmatched.
Once the meeting wrapped, Representative Yoon chatted with the group.
When she returned, she brought up something unexpected.
"They asked if you could draw pictures in more varied poses. There's a workspace you can use—could you do it right now?"
"Right now? More drawings?"
"Yeah, they want to try them on various products. Naturally, that'll need cats in different angles and such."
I looked at Daeun.
"Daeun, honey, could you draw more cat pictures like the one from the plane yesterday?"
"Cat pictures?"
"Yeah."
She answered without hesitation.
"Yeah! Daeun will draw! Right now!"
Thank goodness she was up for it.
I glanced at Representative Yoon.
"Any chance you have a sketchbook and colored pencils?"
"Oh, one sec."
She went to David, spoke in English, then came back with what looked like her own bag.
With her help, David handed them over directly to Daeun.
"This is my sketchbook and pencils. Hope they're okay—might be different from what you're used to."
"These are great!"
Daeun took the sketchbook and pencils from David.
But.
Zing—
Her eyes locked straight onto David's chin beard.
'No way, is she gonna ask?'
Kids could get away with it, but still...
The situation felt awkward.
She knew blurting out "I wanna touch your beard" would be rude.
Even if it did look so fluffy and tempting.
David noticed her stare.
"Something wrong? My beard weird?"
She'd been staring so intensely, impossible to miss.
Daeun looked him in the eyes and said.
"It's cool!"
"Yeah? Cool, huh?"
"Yeah! Your beard's like Teddy Bear!"
She held out the bear doll she was hugging.
'No way... She wants to touch it 'cause it looks like her teddy bear?'
Rude as the thought was, David's beard did kinda resemble it.
"T-Teddy bear?"
"Yeah!"
I tried to intervene with a laugh.
"Ah, sorry..."
"Pffthahahaha! How'd you know?"
David's sudden burst of laughter left me and Daeun baffled.
"My company nickname's Teddy Bear."
It suited him perfectly... Wait, not the point.
He stepped forward and explained.
"And not just Daeun—everyone here wants to touch my beard. I'm used to it."
"Ahaha..."
Must be the free-spirited company vibe, but what a relief.
He took her comment in stride, like a joke.
That's when David grinned at Daeun.
"Daeun, wanna touch my beard?"
Sparkle!
Her eyes lit up brighter than ever at the question.
"Yeah!"
"Hmm, how about this? Like the deal I have with company folks—I'll make it a challenge for you too."
"Challenge?"
"Yeah, we have this 'David Beard Touch' thing here. It's a reward for proposals approved by half the staff or delivering results. Wanna give it a shot?"
"How do you do it?"
David pointed at her sketchbook with a smile.
"Your drawings you're about to do—get everyone's approval with those."
Daeun's face hardened with determination.
"Daeun's in!"
And so began Daeun's challenge for "David Beard Touch."