Chapter 168
Chapter 168
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 168
Chapter Title: Joyful Drawings and the Legend's Exhibition
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At the comment that she hadn't drawn well, I glanced at Representative Yun's expression for a moment.
But Representative Yun looked over her own drawing with her usual calm face and said,
"Yeah, drawing pictures is definitely tough."
"Yes, it didn't turn out well."
The officer might not know everything else, but he was certainly sharp about this sort of thing.
Even so, it seemed he wasn't completely oblivious to people's feelings.
"Still, you put a lot of effort into it."
Swish.
With that, the officer set down his half-eaten chicken, stood up, and walked over to the painting Representative Yun had drawn.
He then stepped back a pace, gazing at it just like an art appreciator.
"By any chance, is this you having a good time?"
At those words, Representative Yun also stood and came to stand beside the officer.
"Can you tell?"
"Yes, whose painting is it?"
"Really?"
Nod.
"I might not know much about other paintings, but I think I know yours. This is me and you, right?"
In Representative Yun's painting were two clumsily drawn figures.
And those two were tightly embracing each other.
I'd had a vague idea of what she was drawing when I saw her hugging herself to strike the pose while she worked on it.
At that moment, Daeun approached, her hands covered in oil, and said,
"Daeuni! Auntie picture pretty!"
"Yeah, but I didn't draw it well."
"Still pretty! See auntie picture, auntie smiling big!"
"......"
Representative Yun's eyes widened at Daeun's words.
"I'm... smi, smiling?"
"Yes! Smiling super wide! Looks super super happy!"
Daeun could see the emotions of the person who drew the painting.
It seemed that in Representative Yun's painting, she could smile.
Very widely, unlike in reality.
At Daeun's words, Representative Yun looked at the painting again.
And she spoke words laden with meaning.
"I guess coming to Korea was the right choice."
At Representative Yun's murmur, I smiled and said,
"Welcome to Korea."
Then Daeun echoed me.
"Welcome!"
And finally, Officer Kim Sucheol said with a beaming smile,
"Thank you so much for coming to Korea."
At the officer's words, I clapped and walked over to the drawing I'd made.
Looking at the two of them, I said,
"Then since you're in Korea, I should give you a gift."
"A gift?"
While saying that, I turned the painting I'd drawn while they were working toward Representative Yun.
She looked shocked and asked,
"Th-this..."
"Yes, I couldn't just let a moment that might become a memory pass by."
The painting I'd made was none other than Representative Yun and Daeun drawing together.
At that sight, we all said to Representative Yun once more,
"Welcome."
"Welcome!"
And so, we welcomed Representative Yun with bright smiles.
Back in Korea, it was the same old routine.
When there were broadcasts, I did the shoots, and the rest of the time was mostly spent in the studio drawing with Daeun.
It was an ordinary day, nothing special, but every moment felt like pure joy to me.
Because every day with Daeun felt special.
Today was the same.
As usual, I woke up, woke Daeun, and we had breakfast.
Then, while packing to head to the studio.
My phone rang with a call from Director Go.
"Oh, Director. It's been a while since we talked."
-Yeah, tell me about it. I had to call myself since you weren't reaching out.
"Haha, well, I've been a bit busy lately."
-Oh, really? I heard communication tech has advanced these days, but apparently not that much, huh?
Oof, she's really upset.
I gave an awkward laugh and said to the director,
"I'll call more often. So, what's up with the call today?"
-I figured Painter Lee Kanghyeok has been too busy to take on work lately.
Haha, how do I smooth this over with the director?
Her personality wouldn't hold a grudge forever, but I still felt bad.
So I was about to suggest treating her to a meal...
-There's an artist's exhibition tomorrow. You need to come with me.
"An exhibition? Who is it this time?"
-Painter Hwang In-soo.
"P-Painter Hwang In-soo!"
-Yeah, you probably know him too, Kanghyeok. He's pretty famous.
Nod.
Of course I did. Anyone who majored in art would know the name.
He was the one who left a monumental mark on the Korean art world.
A living legend, you could say.
"There's no way I wouldn't know him."
-Well, I heard he gave a few lectures when you were in school.
"Yes, I took one of his classes in my junior year."
-Then you'll be even more thrilled.
At the director's words, I asked, a bit excited,
"Daeun and I can go tomorrow, right?"
-No.
"Huh?"
-You'll come with me tomorrow.
"With you, Director?"
-What's wrong, don't you want to?
Oof, why say something so scary.
"N-No, I thought we'd go just us like last time too."
-Painter Hwang In-soo is special to me as well, so tomorrow we have to go together no matter what. Get ready. I'll pick you up in the morning.
Special to the director too? I couldn't quite picture it.
But with Painter Hwang In-soo, it was entirely possible.
Then, the director said something a bit ominous.
-But you should brace yourself.
"Why?"
-Because it's Painter Hwang In-soo's solo exhibition.
She didn't say more, but I think I got what she meant.
"A lot of other artists will be there too, huh."
-Probably everyone from across the country.
Gulp.
As famous as he was, plenty would come to see his paintings, but even more would come just to meet Painter Hwang In-soo himself.
-Got it? Prepare accordingly.
At the director's words, I nodded and replied,
"Yes, see you tomorrow."
Click.
The thought of meeting Painter Hwang In-soo made my heart race for no reason.
Meeting someone who was like an idol from a special lecture long ago.
'Isn't this what they'd call ultimate fan status?'
All the painters I'd met so far were great people, of course, but Painter Hwang In-soo felt a little more special.
There were reasons for thinking that way.
The reason was...
Swish.
At that moment, Daeun toddled over and asked,
"Daddy! Phone ringing!"
"Yeah, Director says we should go see some art together tomorrow."
"Wow! Daeuni go too!"
At Daeun's excited reaction, I knelt down on one knee and said,
Swish.
"Of course Daeun's coming too. But do you know where we're going tomorrow?"
"Where?"
"His name is Painter Hwang In-soo. He's the painter Mommy admired most."
"What's admire?"
At her question, I grinned and answered,
"It means the painter Mommy liked the most."
If Hyorin were alive, no one would have admired him more.
Just like back in our junior year of college.
Daeun's eyes sparkled as she said,
"Mommy likes!"
"Yeah."
"Then Daeuni like lots too!"
At Daeun's words, my heart trembled already.
A tremble of a slightly different kind.
Time didn't pass as quickly as I'd thought.
Maybe because I was looking forward to tomorrow, it felt like time was dragging.
"Daddy!"
"Y-Yeah! What, what?"
"Daddy weird today!"
"Yeah, Daddy's..."
"Yeah! This!"
Then Daeun pointed at the painting I was working on.
It was such a mess there that you couldn't tell what it was supposed to be.
But even that seemed funny to her, as she giggled and pointed at it.
"Painting weird!"
"Haha."
Guess I had too much on my mind.
"Eh, can't paint today."
With that, I stood, cleared away the botched painting, and sat next to Daeun.
Daeun was drawing a picture in her style from yesterday.
Sitting beside her, I smiled and said,
"Guess I'll just watch Daeun draw today."
"Why?"
To the curiously asking Daeun, I smiled and said,
"Too excited about meeting Painter Hwang In-soo tomorrow."
"Mommy's favorite painter."
"Yeah, that's right."
"Daeuni excited too!"
At those words, I patted her head fondly.
"Let's go tomorrow and see tons of paintings."
"Yeah! Daeuni loves paintings!"
With that, Daeun started drawing again.
Watching her, a fun idea suddenly struck me.
Her painting was nearly done anyway.
"But Daeun. Want Daddy to tell you a fun story?"
At 'fun story,' she turned her head slightly and said,
"Yeah! Tell me!"
At her saying she'd listen without even knowing what it was, I smiled and said,
"Daddy met Painter Hwang In-soo back when I was in college."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I met him with Mommy then."
"With Mommy?"
"Yeah, want to hear that story?"
At that, Daeun fully turned around and nodded vigorously.
"I wanna!"
Knew it.
At her answer, I delved into my memories and began the tale.
"Probably started when we heard Painter Hwang In-soo was coming to school."
"What?"
"Mommy was super nervous. Like meeting her ultimate idol or something."
"Mommy nervous?"
"Yeah, really nervous."
Probably started then.
That was when I began to admire Painter Hwang In-soo too.
You can't not like the person your loved one likes.
And so, I continued the story.
Imagining a blissful Hyorin all the while.
"I'm nervous."
"Yeah, I can tell."
Anyone seeing Hyorin's face would think the same.
That she was more nervous than anyone.
Looking at such a Hyorin, I smiled and said,
"He's not here yet, so relax a bit."
Why was she so tense and trembling?
Of course, I'd heard plenty about how amazing he was, but I didn't think Hyorin needed to be this worked up.
Maybe a little anticipation for a rare special lecture by a famous painter?
"Mm, okay. Whew!"
"Lunchtime soon anyway. Let's go eat."
"Ah, should we just order in? Class starts right after lunch. If we're late, all the front seats'll be taken."
"Yeah, let's order."
Hyorin always made sure to eat the school cafeteria food to save money, no matter how rushed she was.
At the word 'delivery,' I pulled out my phone and asked,
"That okay? Or should we order Chinese?"
"Sounds good. Jajangmyeon for me. You want some?"
"Jajangmyeon, got it. Let me check nearby places that deliver."
Saying that, I quickly searched for Chinese restaurants.
At that moment.
Click.
The front door of our lecture hall opened, and a familiar face entered.
The person entering with our department professor was none other than.
"Gasp!"
Painter Hwang In-soo, with his distinctive white beard.
"Brother, this is the lecture hall for the afternoon special talk."
"Ooh, pretty spacious."
"Then let's head to lunch right away. You haven't eaten yet, right?"
"Not yet, came straight here."
"Then how about some school cafeteria food after so long?"
"That sounds good."
"Let's go."
"Alright."
Then Hyorin snatched my phone with a clack and said,
"Let's go eat cafeteria food!"
"What about jajangmyeon?"
"We have to go now!"
With that, Hyorin grabbed my arm and dragged me along.
"W-Wait a sec!"
I had no choice but to be pulled along by Hyorin's hand.