Chapter 170
Chapter 170
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 170
Chapter Title: Keeping the Promise
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Class was over.
And, as expected, the professor called me and Hyorin to his office.
Knock knock.
When we arrived at the office, Painter Hwang Insoo was waiting for us with a smile.
"Come on in."
We bowed ninety degrees to Painter Hwang Insoo and took our seats across from him.
That's when Painter Hwang Insoo spoke up with a smile.
"You must've been surprised by the sudden invitation."
"......"
Hyorin kept her lips tightly shut even at that, so to avoid making the mood awkward, I spoke up instead.
"Oh, no, not at all. But that painting out of nowhere..."
"I wanted to give you the painting. So please accept it without any burden."
I'd thought Hyorin would be thrilled to receive it, of course.
But her next words made my eyes go wide in shock.
"I... I can't accept that painting."
I was about to ask in surprise at her sudden declaration, but Painter Hwang Insoo kept his smile and asked,
"Why not? Why can't you accept it? I want to give it to you."
I was curious too.
Why wouldn't she accept a painting from someone she admired like an idol?
But what came next left me, the professor, and even Painter Hwang Insoo—who had made the offer—stunned.
"Because I know how important that painting is to you."
"Important to me?"
"Yes. You said earlier it's the painting you devoted your whole life to."
"That's right."
"Actually, you painted it for one person."
Painter Hwang Insoo's eyes widened as if they might tear.
"H-How did you..."
"I can tell. That painting... you created it thinking of your late wife. That's why you said you devoted your life to it."
At those words, the professor listening beside us asked in shock,
"Brother, is that true?"
Painter Hwang Insoo couldn't answer the question.
Instead, he asked Hyorin,
"Student Hyorin, can you feel the emotions of the person who painted it?"
Hyorin answered cautiously.
"Not completely, but... I can sense it faintly. The sorrow and comfort captured in Windy Hill."
"Heh heh heh."
Painter Hwang Insoo leaned back in his chair as if he couldn't believe it, letting out empty laughs.
"So that's why I can't accept it."
"This is..."
Painter Hwang Insoo scratched his head, looking like he didn't know what to say.
After thinking for a long while, he finally spoke carefully.
"I thought I'd let go of my regrets, but if it's still weighing on me this much, I guess I haven't. Hearing you say that confirms it."
"That's not regret. It's longing."
Nod.
"You're right. Longing. Maybe that's why I haven't been able to sell Windy Hill all this time."
"Can't sell? But earlier you said it didn't sell..."
At the professor's question, Painter Hwang Insoo chuckled wryly.
"Do you think so little of me? If it were any other work of mine, people would buy even a doodle on scrap paper by the truckload. Do you think it really didn't sell? I didn't want to sell it to people who couldn't grasp its true value."
"Ah..."
Of course, a renowned painter like Hwang Insoo had no reason for his works not to sell.
Hyorin's expression grew even more resolute at that.
"So I can't accept it."
"This is tricky. I really meant to give it to you."
Then Painter Hwang Insoo brought up something a bit out of left field.
"What should we do, then? If Student Hyorin won't take the painting, I plan to throw it away."
"Yes!"
"Br-Brother!"
"Yeah?"
Everyone was shocked at the mention of throwing it away, but Painter Hwang Insoo just kept smiling at Hyorin.
"Tell me. Will you still refuse it?"
One side desperate to give, the other desperate not to receive.
"I wanted to give this painting to you, Student Hyorin. So it's rightfully yours—take it with you."
"Even so..."
"No other options. Accept it. It's a gift for the one who recognized its true worth."
Hyorin pondered for a long time at those words.
Then she finally nodded.
"What did Mommy sayyy?"
"Hmm, I'll tell you tomorrow."
"Aw! Why!"
Daeun pouted her lips, but my mind was made up firm.
After all, she'd find out everything tomorrow when we met Painter Hwang Insoo.
"You'll understand tomorrow why Daddy didn't tell you."
"Aw! Daeunnie's dyin' of curiosity!"
Grin.
"No."
I smiled and said no, and Daeun immediately whipped her head away.
She was probably trying to show she was sulking, but it was too adorable.
"So let's hurry home, get some sleep, and we can come early tomorrow."
Daeun was still sulking, but she answered.
"Otay!"
And so we quickly tidied the studio and headed home.
Vroom—
The next morning.
Director Go came to pick us up herself, driving.
As soon as we got in the car, she started off smoothly like always and handed Daeun a prepared chocolate milk.
"Wow! Choco milk!"
Seeing the chocolate milk naturally reminded me of the dentist.
'Oh right, we need to go to the dentist.'
I'd completely forgotten since coming back from America, but I figured we'd hit the clinic sometime tomorrow.
Just then, Daeun stared at the chocolate milk from Director Go for a while before saying,
"Daeunnie will dwink it a wittle water instead."
Director Go asked curiously at Daeun's slightly downcast reaction.
"Why?"
"Daeunnie has a pwomise with Daddy. Just one a day."
"Okay."
"Yeah, Daeunnie keeps her pwomises, so water water water."
I was so proud that she hadn't forgotten our promise.
Director Go nodded at Daeun's words.
"Such a good girl. Keeping your promise with Daddy."
"Yeah! Daeunnie's a good kid!"
At Daeun's reply, she nodded and turned to me.
"By the way, when I told Painter Hwang Insoo about you coming, he said something odd."
"Yes? Painter Hwang Insoo did?"
"Yeah. I mentioned you were coming, and he suddenly said to be sure to tell you he's keeping his promise well."
The word "promise" made me smile involuntarily.
"Did he now?"
"Yeah. I asked what it was about, but he said you'd understand if I just passed it on like that."
Of course—he wouldn't say it directly himself.
"He said if you're curious, ask him yourself. What does that mean?"
I smiled at Director Go's question.
"It's a secret."
"Want to get out?"
Whoa, that chilling tone—she meant it.
I glanced at Daeun and said,
"I'll tell you later when we get there."
"Hmm."
She didn't seem pleased, but there was no other way.
Telling her would ruin the reason I'd kept it secret from Daeun.
"Let's get going, then."
Whether out of curiosity about the promise or not, Director Go sped up.
After about thirty minutes, we arrived at the gallery hosting Painter Hwang Insoo's exhibition.
"Wow... so many people."
"It's Painter Hwang Insoo."
The parking lot wasn't small, but it was packed full of cars.
Most of them were luxury rides—you could tell who was coming to see the paintings without asking.
Click.
Director Go handed the keys to the valet and said,
"Shall we go in?"
"Yes."
I gripped Daeun's hand tight so she wouldn't wander off and followed Director Go.
As we stepped inside...
"Whoa, tons of people."
"It's Painter Hwang Insoo."
Somehow, that one phrase explained everything and made it all make sense.
Human sea, plain and simple.
It was so crowded I wondered if we'd even get to see the works.
Right then, as I was wondering how to navigate the throng, a familiar voice called out.
"Hey! Kanghyeok!"
It was Jungeun Park.
He pushed through the crowd forcibly, greeting Director Go and Daeun warmly.
"Hello, Director. Long time no see. Daeun! How was America?"
He seemed much brighter than before—things must be going well with Minji.
Smiling at his changed demeanor, I asked,
"What brings you here?"
At my question, Jungeun's expression turned odd.
"Who else would be here if not me?"
"Oh, right."
I'd kept seeing him just as my buddy that I'd forgotten he was an art journalist.
"But what about you?"
"Oh, Director invited me to come along."
"Director did?"
Jungeun's eyes sparkled as he looked at Director Go...
"No."
I hadn't said a word, but at "no," he narrowed his eyes.
"I didn't say anything."
"You're asking her to help you interview Painter Hwang Insoo."
"How'd you know?"
"All journalists are like that."
"Don't you think that's too much of a generalization?"
"Then am I wrong?"
"Ahem."
Jungeun cleared his throat awkwardly and averted his gaze, since it hit too close.
Then he switched expressions and said,
"Anyway, nice seeing you here. Just arrived?"
"Yeah, about to head in."
Director Go glanced toward the inner area and said,
"Won't be easy this way. Follow me—we'll go around back."
"There's a back entrance?"
"Of course. You think I'd take the regular route like everyone else?"
Jungeun put on his people-pleasing face again.
"Director..."
"No."
"Aw! Why!"
Had he forgotten she was the director with all that persistence?
At his attitude, Director Go gave him a strange look.
"Your vibe's different somehow. Like... you're not eyeing opportunities. Did you get a girlfriend?"
Whoa, she's like a ghost.
At Director Go's words, Jungeun laughed "Hahaha!" and stared off at distant mountains.
"Man, nice weather today. In that spirit, let me tag along with you, Director..."
"No."
"You're too harsh."
Even at Jungeun's plea, Director Go held firm.
"Promise no photos, no notebook, no going off on your own, and I'll take you."
Jungeun looked extremely troubled, but had no choice.
"Fine, I promise."
Satisfied with the promise, Director Go finally softened.
"Then follow me."
We left the crowded entrance and headed to the side path.
There was a small door.
Guards stood there as if it were natural.
As we approached, they blocked us, but Director Go casually presented her gold business card.
They stepped back like they'd seen VIPs, and...
Click.
The door opened.
I'd gotten one of her cards before, but I hadn't known it worked like this.
A real free pass.
"Let's go in."
Following her inside revealed a quiet hallway.
'Didn't know this was here.'
As we walked along it, we spotted someone ahead in the corridor.
It was today's star: Painter Hwang Insoo.
"Oh, K-Kanghyeok."
He spotted me first before anyone else and approached warmly, grasping my hand.
And with a big smile, he said,
"Thanks for staying alive! Truly, thank you!"
He must've heard about my accident. As I started to smile and reply...
His gaze shifted downward.
"You look just like her."
I smiled and said,
"Yes, she takes after her a lot."
"Yeah."
"That too."
Painter Hwang Insoo looked puzzled for a moment at my somewhat out-of-place words...
Then he smiled.
"Today, I can finally keep that promise."