Chapter 164
Chapter 164
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 164
Chapter Title: Persuading Father
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The story wrapped up, and we headed to dinner.
The day had flown by without us accomplishing much.
But Daeun seemed to have had an absolute blast today.
"Daddy! Daeun had so much fun!"
"Really?"
"Yeah! Daeun changed a super super big picture! And a super super big dinosaur too!"
Was she trying to recount every single thing she'd seen? I didn't stop her, though.
There was no reason to interrupt when she was so eager to share how much fun she'd had.
"And?"
"And ice cream was yummy too!"
We were chatting away like that when Representative Yun, who had gone inside the restaurant, came back out.
"Luckily, a table opened up. Let's head in."
Naturally, the place for dinner was quite upscale.
They were fully booked with reservations, so we'd had to wait on-site, but since we arrived early, we got in right on time.
"Hold on a moment."
I'd been about to go in, but I couldn't ignore Representative Yun's call.
"Painter Kanghyeok Lee, could we talk for a second?"
"M-Me?"
"Yes. And Sucheol, could you take Daeun inside first?"
"Oh... sure. Got it."
He seemed to have something on his mind but pushed it aside for now.
"Daddy, Daeun go eat first!"
"Yeah! Daddy'll be right there."
"Okay!"
Once they were inside, I asked, a little tense.
"W-Why the sudden talk?"
Representative Yun let out a small sigh.
"I'm afraid I can't keep my promise."
"Oh..."
I'd told her to think it over, but I hadn't expected her to decide to break it so quickly.
"So I wanted to apologize."
At her words, I ventured, just in case.
"Still, it might be better to think on it a bit more before deciding. You might not know this, but I could only make that offer because I've known Hyorin for a long time."
"I know. But I just don't know what to do with these feelings."
I couldn't fully understand Representative Yun's words.
But I got the gist.
For someone who struggled to express her emotions, this was probably the only way she could be truly honest with them.
"Even so, I don't think jumping straight into marriage is right."
That was a relief, at least.
"So I'm thinking of dating first, with marriage as the end goal."
"Officer Kim?"
"Yes."
Her decision suddenly worried me.
Even if her heart was in it, there were practical hurdles.
Sure, the officer had come because he wanted to see her, but the physical distance would make it tough.
But Representative Yun had already considered that.
"To do that, though, it takes a big resolution."
"What kind?"
"I'm thinking of going to Korea."
"Oh! Korea?"
"For about a year."
"Yes! O-One year?"
Not a week or even a month—a full year.
I'd assumed she had no major obligations before, but after yesterday, my view had changed.
I knew what her decision would mean for the company.
"It won't be easy. The company, for one."
"I know it's not. But no matter how much I think about it, this is the only way."
To date with marriage in mind, one of them would have to give up their daily life.
Representative Yun was saying she'd be the one.
I supported her choice.
"I'll cheer you on."
She looked me straight in the eye.
"Really?"
"Yes."
Something in the atmosphere shifted.
"Y-Yeah, really. If I don't cheer you on, who will?"
"Then... could I ask Painter Kanghyeok Lee for one favor?"
"A f-favor?"
It was Representative Yun asking—no one else.
She might be the very person who made me who I am today.
If it was her request...
"O-Of course. What is it?"
She told me, her tone deadly serious.
But the favor...
"Could you help persuade my father?"
"Yes?"
It was an incredibly awkward request.
That dark night, as I watched Daeun, who had conked out while I was washing up and drying my hair, I smiled warmly.
At the same time, I recalled what Representative Yun had said before dinner.
'Hmm. Can I really pull this off?'
My first impression of Mr. Richard hadn't been bad.
No, it had been good.
He'd adored Daeun and even given her a gift she loved.
But persuading him about Representative Yun's move to Korea...
Gulp.
'Ahaha, this is something.'
I was pretty anxious.
She'd said it was fine if I couldn't, just to talk to him, but even broaching the subject felt daunting.
Of course, she'd asked me because Mr. Richard seemed to like me.
Recalling our dinner chat, though, it felt like it might backfire.
So I'd suggested going with Officer Kim, but Representative Yun turned that down.
'Well, yeah. Given the officer's personality, he might not support her decision.'
From her perspective, I was probably the only option.
In the end, I had no choice but to make that dinner with Mr. Richard happen—the one I'd previously canceled.
Well, truth be told, this was all my choice.
She'd said I didn't have to do it.
My support for the two was genuine.
"Hmm."
Now, what should I say?
What conversation would convince Mr. Richard? As I pondered...
'Huh.'
A good idea struck me.
If I used that approach, maybe he'd see their relationship differently.
He might even approve her move to Korea.
It was just my hunch, of course.
If the Mr. Richard I'd seen was his true self...
'It'll definitely work.'
With that thought, I grabbed my phone from the desk and texted Representative Yun.
The next day, Daeun and I slept in leisurely and followed a relaxed schedule.
Thanks to Representative Yun scheduling most things for the afternoon, we lounged at the accommodation in the morning and headed out later.
After a hearty meal, we went to the art gallery she'd insisted on visiting together.
And only after arriving did I understand why she'd brought us there.
"Daddy, Daeun like this a lot."
"What part?"
"The uncle painting the picture is so cool!"
I'd sensed it before, but Representative Yun seemed able to read the emotions in a painting the deeper they were conveyed by the artist.
It felt a bit like Daeun's ability. That's probably why she'd brought us here.
"Daddy felt it too. The painting felt happy."
"Right! Daeun too!"
Then Representative Yun asked Officer Kim beside her.
"What about you, Sucheol?"
"Oh, me? I don't know much about art, so it's hard to say..."
At his admission, she just blinked.
Her face was expressionless, making her feelings hard to read, but the mood was one of deep regret.
And understandably so—Representative Yun was fully immersed in the emotions when viewing art.
But then Officer Kim continued, and the corner of her mouth twitched.
"So I looked up all the paintings you like, Representative Yun. Painter Kanghyeok Lee's works, and every one you'd mentioned liking before."
"R-Really?"
"Yes. And through that, I started to get it. Why people look at paintings."
He turned his gaze to the exhibited work.
"Before, I only saw them for work. But now it's different. I don't know art, but I've learned that viewing paintings with someone you love is incredibly happy."
Now Officer Kim had decided not to hide his feelings for Representative Yun anymore.
Watching their love blossom was turning out to be such a joyful thing.
'I want to see more.'
Talking with Hyorin yesterday had made it hit harder.
Hyorin was now just a memory I could recall.
Then Daeun asked.
"But Daddy!"
"Yeah?"
"Daeun meeting uncle today?"
"Oh, Uncle Richard."
"Yeah!"
I nodded with a smile.
"Right. We're eating dinner together tonight."
My plan was to bring Daeun to dinner with Mr. Richard.
It was a meal to seek permission, and honestly, I wasn't confident.
But what if Daeun came along?
It might sway Mr. Richard's heart, even a little.
Of course, I'd already gotten her approval.
Officer Kim, who'd been listening, asked curiously.
"But who's Mr. Richard?"
Oh, right—he wouldn't know Representative Yun's father.
Though it would be weirder if he did.
I hesitated on how to explain, but Daeun spilled it all.
"He's the pretty auntie's daddy!"
"Oh, her father!"
It was shocking enough to warrant that reaction. I'd probably respond the same.
If someone suddenly said they were meeting the father of the person they loved.
Still, I couldn't tell the full truth yet.
"Mr. Richard said he wanted to have dinner together. He has a big interest in art and wanted to chat with me."
It wasn't a lie.
He'd actually requested the meal for that reason first.
Officer Kim calmed his surprise and nodded.
"I see. Where are you eating?"
I explained with a smile.
"It's not far from our accommodation. He said he picked a place close on purpose."
"Ah, got it."
'Hmm.'
Did Officer Kim have something in mind? He fell deep into thought after that.
'No way he's thinking of tagging along.'
That would create a tricky situation.
Probably Representative Yun's biggest worry too.
Sensing the mood, she spoke to him.
"Sucheol, by any chance."
"Yes? Oh, yeah."
"Want to watch a movie with me?"
"A movie?"
"Yeah, tickets just came up. I got them since they'd go to waste otherwise."
Come on, Representative Yun.
Isn't that a super old-school move?
Anyone could tell she'd bought them herself.
Grateful for her taking the initiative, Officer Kim beamed.
"Of course! What time?"
She replied.
"Perfect timing—right during dinner. We'll have to eat early and go."
It was an obvious ploy, not fooling anyone, but Officer Kim grinned wide.
"Yeah, let's do that."
Um... those two.
'I-It'll be fine, right?'
I could only give an awkward smile as I watched them.