Chapter 156
Chapter 156
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 156
Chapter Title: CEO Yun's Home
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Hehe-
Daeun was swinging her legs, floating in the air, with a very, very satisfied look on her face.
I smiled at her and asked.
"That good, huh?"
"Yeah! Super good!"
Her goal had been to touch David's beard, so achieving it had put her in the happiest situation imaginable.
'I feel good right along with her.'
It was truly amazing.
Before meeting Daeun, I'd had a hard time understanding what so many parents meant when they said just watching their kids made them feel full.
Sure, a child eating well would be a happy thing, but was it really that joyful?
I figured they just said it because it was their own kid.
But raising Daeun for real, I'd felt it many times—no, almost every day.
When Daeun was happy, it chased away any bad mood I had, and when she was having fun, so was I.
My mood rose and fell with hers, you could say.
Of course, even when she wailed "pueeng," it was so cute it made me laugh, but this emotional sync felt incredibly special to me.
"Daeun super happy right now!"
It was like half of me was Daeun. Like she'd become the meaning of my life.
I grinned.
"Daeun happy means Daddy super happy too."
"Really!"
"Yeah, really."
"Hehe!"
We were sharing that happiness when...
Swish.
CEO Yun approached us.
"You two were here."
"Ah, you came. Daeun's painting and the dress I designed seemed to have you busy, so we stepped aside for a bit."
"The star of the day is right here, though."
"Haha, no star here."
As I said that, I glanced toward the back and added.
"So, we're done with everything we need to do today?"
"Ah, that's actually what I came to talk about."
She pulled out a tablet and continued.
"That dress you designed earlier? They're jumping straight into production."
"Oh, that one."
"Right now."
"Really?"
Daeun piped up curiously.
"Daddy, what's a dress?"
"Ah, the dress—remember when you were painting earlier and the uncles asked? So Daddy designed one."
"What's de-sign de-si?"
"Well, design means Daddy made the dress."
"Wow! Daddy really made a dress?"
Well, I designed it, but I didn't actually make it myself.
As I pondered how to explain, Daeun asked.
"Daeun curious! Wanna see Daddy's dress!"
"You wanna see it?"
"Yeah yeah! See it!"
At that, CEO Yun turned on her tablet screen, clearly about to show it.
I watched quietly, then smiled and said.
"Hold on a sec."
"Yes?"
Daeun's eyes went wide at me stopping her so suddenly.
"Why stop it?"
"It's a secret."
At "secret," Daeun pouted.
"Why! Daeun curious! Show me!"
"Hmm, nope."
"Ah, but Daeun curious!"
"The uncles and aunts said they'd make the real dress from Daddy's drawing."
I wanted to show her the actual dress, not just the sketch.
If it were tomorrow, sure, I'd show her right then.
But she'd see it soon enough—I wanted to surprise her.
"Ah, but Daeun wants to see..."
She got my intent and replied all sulky, but I wasn't backing down now.
"I'll show you once it's done soon. You'll be totally shocked, Daeun."
"Daeun shocked?"
"Yeah, big shock."
She'd never guess that dress was for her.
That was the whole point of the secret.
Swish.
CEO Yun turned the screen off again and pocketed the tablet.
Then she asked me.
"So, we've got a little time before the dress is ready."
"Ah, CEO Yun, if you have work, go ahead. Daeun and I can just chill here."
"No, nothing pressing. But..."
"But?"
"If you two are okay with it, there's somewhere I'd like to take you."
"Sure?"
A place she wanted to escort us to? More shopping, maybe?
"Could I ask where?"
CEO Yun looked me straight in the eye.
Something I hadn't seen coming at all.
"Want to swing by my place?"
CEO Yun had invited Daeun and me to her house.
We could've wrapped up at the company and headed home, but with them making my designed dress right away—and turning Daeun's painting into samples for bags, clothes, wallets, and more—we couldn't leave just yet.
It would've been rude to step out without knowing when it'd be done.
But CEO Yun wouldn't budge.
"Really okay to head out like this?"
"Yes. My place isn't far—about ten minutes by car. I cleared it with David, so an hour round trip's no issue."
Her tone was so firm, but I was still curious.
"But what's at your house, CEO Yun?"
"What's there? What do you mean by that?"
That was exactly my question.
"No, I mean, I'm wondering why you're inviting us."
"Oh, that? No real reason, honestly."
"..."
"...Yeah?"
"...Right."
If there's no special reason, shouldn't you at least give one that doesn't raise eyebrows?
But CEO Yun just blinked at me, wide-eyed.
"Why?"
Did I seriously have to spell it out? But it was CEO Yun—I couldn't help myself.
"Haha, uh, what do you mean 'no real reason'?"
She stared a moment longer, then said.
"It's a secret."
"Pardon? A se-secret?"
"Yeah. You just kept one from Miss Daeun."
"Oh, that..."
What was this? Why was it rebounding on me?
And why was CEO Yun stepping in for Daeun's revenge?
Clap!
Daeun high-fived CEO Yun triumphantly, then shot me a smug look.
'Well, now.'
Grinning like it was all planned, she'd clearly teamed up with CEO Yun to mess with me.
Caught off guard by the pair, I laughed.
"Ah! You two are too much. Can't you just tell me? I'm dying of curiosity here."
"Nope. Secret."
"Come on, seriously curious—how can you not?"
Daeun must've clued CEO Yun in on the teasing plan.
Playing along kept it fun for her, so faking some frustration...
Giggle giggle.
Daeun cracked up, thrilled.
'Cute.'
CEO Yun had to know I was hamming it up.
I leaned in.
"Okay then, Miss Daeun—secret stays secret. Wanna head out with me?"
"Yes! Love it!"
Hand in hand like besties, they strolled off. Five minutes later, we reached CEO Yun's house.
Click.
"Here..."
"Yes, welcome to my home."
Click.
She unlocked the door and ushered us in.
CEO Yun's place felt like a classic American family home.
That vibe hit strong.
Only difference? The inside was totally empty.
'Really nothing here.'
Like, did someone actually live here? Bare as could be.
No picture frames, no sofa, not even a carpet...
Lost in thought while scanning the space, CEO Yun spun around.
"Hmm? Miss Daeun, why aren't you coming in?"
Daeun?
I followed her gaze and spotted Daeun staring at us, weirded out.
I had to ask.
"Why not come in?"
Daeun scrunched up her face, scolding me like I'd done wrong.
"Daddy! Can't do that!"
"Huh? Do what?"
What now?
"You gotta take off shoes going inside!"
Oh—shoes.
That explained it.
'No way she's upset over shoes.'
I'd heard Americans track shoes in, and I just followed CEO Yun's lead, but Daeun? Different story.
Shoes on inside...!
Unthinkable for a Korean.
Especially a kid like her—it had to feel super weird.
CEO Yun shrugged it off.
"It's fine with shoes on."
"No way! Dirty!"
"Really, it's okay. Everyone here just walks in with 'em."
Daeun looked totally baffled—beyond her world.
But CEO Yun insisting, she couldn't fight forever.
Not with even her daddy shoed up inside.
Swish.
Daeun peeked nervously at us like she was committing a crime, then took a cautious step in.
Creak.
The classic wooden-floor groan of an American house.
Daeun said.
"Really okay?"
Asking after she'd already stepped in—what was that?
CEO Yun nodded reassuringly.
"Totally fine. No need to stress."
Finally calming down?
She uncurled and nodded.
"Got it!"
Nod.
A minor hiccup, but we made it inside.
Swish.
Empty as a ghost town—no furniture anywhere.
Just a bed and some basic makeup by the bathroom.
Taking in the stark setup, I said awkwardly.
"House is really tidy."
Best compliment I could muster.
CEO Yun seemed to get it.
"It's barren, huh?"
"Ah, haha."
Why so blunt?
"No, no—super clean and nice."
"No need to pretty it up. Lived like this forever—not special."
I just gave an awkward smile.
Then it hit me, curious.
She didn't drag us here to show off emptiness—what was the real reason?
Pondering how to ask...
CEO Yun met my eyes dead-on.
"Wondering why I invited you, right?"
Spooky.
I nodded; she glanced aside.
"Wanted to show you."
"...Pardon?"
"How I live."
That's when the house's meaning clicked.
"And tell you what your artwork means to me."
"My... artwork?"
"Yeah. Follow me?"
She turned and headed up the stairs.
Trailing her slowly with Daeun...
Thud.
Second floor—and it hit why she'd brought us.
Nearly every painting I'd sold her crammed the walls.
Wall-to-wall, no gaps.
Unlike downstairs, it felt warm, cozy.
Just paintings made the difference.
How? Right then...
Daeun said.
"Daddy."
"Yeah?"
"All Mommy and Daddy here."
Ah...
Why CEO Yun loved my work.
Knowing her past now, it all made sense.
CEO Yun had bought love from me.
More precisely, pieces brimming with that emotion.