Chapter 166
Chapter 166
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 166
Chapter Title: My Daughter Is a Genius Painter
-----------------------------------------------------------------
What in the world is going on here?
I never imagined that Representative Yoon would show up here with Officer Kim.
I was dying to ask what had happened.
Gulp.
'The atmosphere is no joke.'
The heavy silence left me unable to say a word.
Then, the first to speak up was none other than Richard.
"This calls for an explanation, doesn't it? Didn't you say you were going to the movies?"
"Yes, and the person I was going to go with is right here—Sucheol."
Swoosh.
At those words, Richard shot Officer Kim a frightening glare.
I figured he'd freeze up like usual, but instead, he met Richard's gaze head-on with confidence.
Locking eyes without flinching, Officer Kim greeted Richard boldly.
"Hello. I'm Kim Sucheol, the man seeing Emily."
"Seeing... Wait, so you're the one Emily said she wants to marry?"
"Yes, that's me."
Right now, Officer Kim was more confident than anyone.
He didn't dodge Richard's gaze once, clearly having thought through exactly what to say before coming here.
At that moment, Representative Yoon, who was sitting beside Officer Kim, bowed her head to me in apology.
"I'm sorry. I think I didn't trust Sucheol enough. This was something for the two of them to sort out, but I dragged you into it anyway. My apologies."
"Oh, no, it's fine."
Richard glanced at me and asked,
"Did they ask you for a favor before coming here or something?"
There was no need to lie now that everything was out in the open.
"Yes, they asked me to put in a good word for them with you, Richard."
"Ah... That explains why it felt odd when you suddenly asked to reschedule dinner. So that's the favor..."
Whether it was betrayal or pity, he looked at me with a pained expression.
Then Representative Yoon shook her head and said,
"It's all my fault. I made the request, and you were just trying to help me out. So you're not at fault at all."
Swoosh.
Richard gave her a curious look and asked,
"But why come here after asking such a rotten favor of the painter?"
I was wondering the same thing.
Why were these two, who should have been at the movie theater, here instead?
But the answer came not from Representative Yoon, but from Officer Kim.
"I asked them to. To arrange a meeting with Emily's father."
"Me?"
"Yes. That's also why I flew from Korea to America."
As expected, Officer Kim had come here to meet Richard.
And his next words left everyone stunned.
"Why come all this way to see me?"
Officer Kim declared confidently,
"I want to date your daughter properly, sir."
Oh boy.
* * *
The meal had ended.
The dishes that had filled the table were cleared away, replaced by tea and bitter espresso.
Of course, Daeun had a massive ice cream sundae in front of her.
"Wow! Wow! Daddy, this is huge! Can Daeun eat it all?"
Richard smiled and replied to her question.
"Of course. I ordered it for Daeun to eat all by herself. Don't give any to anyone else, okay?"
"Yes!"
With that, Daeun grabbed a chocolate wafer stuck in the ice cream and popped it into her mouth.
Richard watched her fondly with a warm smile, then hardened his expression and turned his gaze away.
"You want to see Emily?"
"Yes."
"I hear you two haven't been dating long, but you've got some guts coming here."
"I had to do this to steel my resolve."
"Steel your resolve? Anyone would think you're planning to marry her."
"Father..."
Representative Yoon spoke with a frosty expression, but Officer Kim just shook his head slowly and said,
"This was a meeting that required that kind of determination for me."
"Why?"
At that, Officer Kim pulled a white envelope from his pocket and handed it to Richard.
"What's this?"
Rustle.
Richard took the envelope and pulled out the contents to read.
His face filled with surprise as he said,
"A letter of resignation."
"R-Resignation? Officer Kim, are you quitting your job?"
Stunned, I asked, and Officer Kim nodded with a resolute expression.
"Yes. Meeting Emily is my true intention."
I could understand it fully.
But quitting his job so suddenly?
It seemed a bit too reckless.
I wasn't the only one thinking that.
"Reckless. Quitting your job out of nowhere."
Richard didn't welcome Officer Kim's decision either.
And understandably so—it could come across as if he'd made the choice because of Representative Yoon's wealth.
"I can see why you'd think that. That's why I came here myself."
"So what changes by you coming in person?"
"Yes."
All eyes turned to Officer Kim at his bold response.
He took a small deep breath to steady himself and continued,
"I'm planning to move to America to live. And to find a job here too."
A job? He plans to live in America?
"I've already submitted applications to several places. I'll be staying here for the next few days, visiting those companies for interviews, and starting work."
Whoa, he'd prepared this far already.
Officer Kim was impressive in his own way.
He knew exactly what he needed to do for love.
"You might think the places I've applied to aren't good enough. Or that I don't have much money, which might not sit well. But one thing I can promise: I'll make Emily happy for the rest of her life."
His words flowed smoothly without a hitch, leaving me stunned.
I almost wondered if this was really the same awkward-smiling Officer Kim.
"Make her happy for life, huh."
Swoosh.
Richard glanced over at Representative Yoon.
She just stared silently at Officer Kim's face, and Richard let out a long sigh.
"I'd like to hear what you think."
When Richard asked, Representative Yoon turned her gaze and said,
"I'm surprised. I had no idea Sucheol had prepared all this."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. When he first said he was going to meet you, I was a little glad but also worried. You're such a stern father, after all."
"Ahem."
"But I couldn't ignore Sucheol's feelings, so I came along... "
Swoosh.
Representative Yoon looked at Officer Kim and continued,
"I'm glad I did. I had something I wanted to tell you too, Father."
"Something to tell me?"
No way, is she going to say that?
"Yes. I'm thinking of going back to Korea."
Whoosh!
Officer Kim jumped in shock.
"N-No, you don't have to do that. I'll go to America..."
She shook her head.
"This time, I can't go along with what you want, Sucheol. I've already made up my mind to go to Korea."
"W-Why..."
"Because of my feelings."
At the word "feelings," Richard's expression changed instantly.
Looking at him, Representative Yoon went on,
"You wouldn't know, Father. What happened during that week I spent in Korea."
"W-What happened?"
"I met Sucheol, yes, but most importantly..."
Swoosh.
Representative Yoon paused and looked at me.
"I met Painter Kanghyeok Lee. The precious man who made me feel emotions for the first time."
Just then, Daeun stopped eating her ice cream and shot her hand up.
"What about Daeun?"
Representative Yoon smiled brightly.
For the first time... without any paintings... a full, radiant smile.
"Of course Daeun is precious too. Everyone is precious to me."
Everyone gazed at her silently, struck by that smile.
A smile from Representative Yoon, who never showed her emotions.
It was just a moment, but it made my chest tighten unexpectedly.
At her smile,
"Hahaha."
Richard clutched his head with both hands and laughed heartily.
* * *
Everyone left the restaurant.
For some reason, Richard didn't say much after that.
As we all stepped out, Representative Yoon said,
"I'll give you a ride back to your lodging."
"Ah, thank you..."
But someone cut her off.
"I'll take Painter Kanghyeok Lee back myself."
"He's my guest, so I should..."
"No. You should go with your friend Sucheol, shouldn't you?"
Swoosh.
Representative Yoon glanced at Officer Kim.
It seemed like tacit approval of their relationship.
At his gesture, she nodded and said,
"Then please take good care of him to the lodging."
"Alright, off you go."
As Richard nodded, Officer Kim bowed at a perfect ninety degrees and said,
"Then, until we meet again."
"Y-Yeah... sure."
Richard looked like he had more to say but held back.
Step.
As the two walked away, Richard let out a small sigh and said,
"That's the heart of a father with a daughter, huh?"
"Yes."
"Shall we get in the car?"
It felt like he had something to say to me.
Click.
We got into the car with James driving and headed to the lodging.
As if he'd been waiting, Richard spoke up.
"Painter Kanghyeok Lee."
"Ah, yes."
"I'm truly sorry, but could I ask you one favor?"
"A f-favor?"
His sudden request made me smile awkwardly.
Maybe it was because father and daughter were so alike.
"What is it?"
"I'm too busy with work to visit Korea often. So, if it's not too much to ask, could you look after Emily for me?"
"R-Representative Yoon?"
Me, take care of Representative Yoon? On what grounds?
"I know it's a big ask. She's so proud, she doesn't listen to others easily."
Swoosh.
Richard looked at Daeun, who was staring out the window in wonder, and continued,
"I'm asking as a fellow father with a daughter. And you're the one who brought back her smile, after all."
The one who brought back her smile.
Those words carried a lot of weight.
That's why I couldn't refuse Richard's request.
"I don't know if I'm worthy of looking after Representative Yoon, but I'll give it a try."
Richard brightened at my answer.
"Thank you."
Seeming relieved, he changed the subject.
"By the way, I heard Daeun is having an exhibition soon. Is that right?"
"Ah, yes. About one or two months left."
"Two months. If you let me know the exact date, I'll make sure to attend her show no matter what."
"You're coming to Korea?"
"Really?"
Daeun beamed and replied to Richard's words.
"You bet. I'll bring gifts this big, so look forward to it. Got it?"
Daeun cheered with arms raised.
"Yes! Uncle rocks!"
And so, the somewhat long day came to an end.