Chapter 172
Chapter 172
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 172
Chapter Title: Painting, Daeun's Dear Friend
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"Lunch together, how about it?"
At Director Go's words, Painter Hwang In-su nodded with a smile.
"Of course. Since everyone's here, I'll treat us."
With that, Painter Hwang In-su made a phone call somewhere.
Probably to reserve a restaurant.
Meanwhile, I...
Swish.
Glanced over at Daeun.
'I never expected Painter Hwang In-su to make that kind of offer.'
Truth be told, when Daeun said she couldn't accept the painting, I figured there was no helping it.
Daeun took after Hyorin in personality—once she decided no, she stuck to it.
On top of that, since she knew Hyorin hadn't accepted a painting either, no amount of talking would have swayed her.
But it seemed Painter Hwang In-su had already decided to make a different offer to Daeun.
An unbelievable one at that—teaching her painting, which might even make her his first disciple.
'Though Daeun doesn't seem to care much.'
Honestly, if Daeun learned painting from Painter Hwang In-su, in just a few years, she'd be a household name among anyone who painted.
Not only that, her skills would skyrocket, maybe even surpassing me to become a more famous painter.
That's the kind of person Painter Hwang In-su was.
A situation where everything could be perfect.
But there was one thing bothering me.
Daeun's dream.
Swish.
"Daddy, then Daeunnie go eat food?"
"Yeah, Daeunnie had a rushed breakfast, so you're hungry, right?"
"Daeunnie had choccy milk earlier!"
With that, Daeun pulled her bag forward and took out the crumpled chocolate milk pack she'd stuffed inside.
"Daeunnie give this, eat!"
At her words, I checked the time.
We still had at least an hour before heading out for lunch.
We'd eaten a quick breakfast in a rush that morning, so she must be hungry.
"Yeah, if Daeunnie's hungry, go ahead and drink it."
"Yay!"
Then Daeun peeled off the straw wrapper and stuck it in the pack all by herself.
Slurp!
It had gone lukewarm from being in her bag, but Daeun didn't mind and drank it with a super happy face.
Watching her like that made me suddenly curious.
What choice would Daeun make regarding Painter Hwang In-su's offer?
I had a rough idea, but her dream still weighed on me.
Her dream of becoming a doctor.
"I've reserved a Korean restaurant. It's clean and the food's delicious—it's a place I frequent, so I think you'll all be satisfied."
"Korean sounds great. I've been eating mostly Western lately, so I've been craving it."
"Then since we still have some time before lunch, Reporter Park Jungeun."
"Yes! Painter!"
"How about we do a quick interview?"
At those words, Jungeun replied like he'd conquered the world.
"I'm ready whenever you are."
"Then I'll step out for the interview, so the three of you wait here for a bit, okay?"
"We'll be waiting."
"Yes!"
Just then, Director Go gave Jungeun a cold look.
"Reporter Park Jungeun, I trust you'll conduct yourself properly."
A sharp question, but who was Jungeun?
"My nickname's 'Honest' Jungeun, isn't it? I'll stick to being honest, so don't worry."
Coming from Jungeun, it was believable.
No matter how wary Director Go seemed on the surface, bringing him here in the first place meant she trusted him.
Painter Hwang In-su seemed pleased by their dynamic and grinned widely as he moved off with Jungeun.
Now it was just Director Go, Daeun, and me left in Painter Hwang In-su's room.
Then Director Go asked,
"What do you plan to do about Painter Hwang's offer?"
I knew exactly what she meant without needing to ask.
"Honestly, I don't know. I don't know what to do."
"Of course, with your personality, you won't decide alone, but you're her parent and legal guardian... Just remember, your decision could change Daeun's life."
"I know."
"Good, as long as you do."
With that, Director Go looked at Daeun, who was still sipping her chocolate milk carefully, and said,
"I just hope that choice turns out right. Daeun's whole life is on the line."
If I said it wasn't burdensome, I'd be lying.
But I couldn't leave the choice to little Daeun either.
Just as Director Go said, this decision might alter her life.
Gulp.
'His disciple...'
I probably wouldn't have much time to think.
At longest, I'd have to give an answer before lunch ended.
Given Painter Hwang In-su's personality, he wouldn't be too upset if I refused.
That was some small comfort.
Swish.
Then Daeun grinned mischievously and said,
"Daddy's face is weird!"
"Yeah, my face?"
"Yeah! All scrunched up like this!"
I'd been worrying so much my face had twisted without me noticing.
"Oh, really? Daddy didn't realize."
"Hee! Daddy dummy! Daddy can't frown at Daeunnie!"
"Yeah."
"Promise?"
"Of course. Daddy can't live without Daeun..."
It was just for a moment, but her words squeezed my heart tight.
Maybe that's why.
My jumbled thoughts suddenly cleared up.
"Of course not."
"Yeah! Daeunnie stay by Daddy's side!"
I didn't know if she understood, but one thing was clear: her feelings.
Maybe that would be the answer to Painter Hwang In-su's offer.
'Hyorin would have made the same choice, for sure.'
I smiled at Daeun and said,
"Thanks, Daeun."
She smiled back at me.
"Mm!"
That eased my mind a bit.
When lunchtime came, the exhibition hall emptied out like magic.
Some people had probably finished viewing and left, but likely everyone stationed there had gone to eat.
"I've got a car waiting behind the building. Let's head there together."
At Painter Hwang In-su's words, we left the room and went around back.
I'd wanted to ask Jungeun, who'd finished the interview, about it, but...
Scribble scribble.
He was walking and furiously filling his notebook—who knew what.
Peeking over his shoulder, I saw something unexpected written there.
'Daeun'
The handwriting was messy, but Daeun's name was written clearly.
I couldn't hold back my curiosity and asked,
"Hey, Jungeun. Did you talk about Daeun during the interview?"
"Huh? Oh, what?"
"Did you mention Daeun?"
"Yeah, I did."
"What did you say?"
"Hmm, it's hard to explain in detail right now, but I focused on why he wants to take Daeun as his disciple."
At that, I furrowed my brow and asked back,
"You aren't planning to write that in your article, are you?"
"Are you crazy?"
"Huh?"
"I'd have to be insane to write about Daeun."
Fair enough. He went around calling himself Daeun's uncle.
No matter how big the scoop, he wouldn't turn her story into news easily.
"But why are you organizing it now?"
"I'm summarizing. To make the interview notes easier to read later. Gotta trim stuff when I write the article back at the office."
"Ah."
At my reaction, Jungeun paused his note-sorting and asked me,
"You didn't think I'd act like some scoop-chasing reporter, did you?"
"Uh... N-no, of course not."
Swish.
He shot me a suspicious glance, but maybe because I'd denied it, he dropped it soon enough.
Then he turned back to his notebook and said,
"Wait a sec. I'll finish sorting before I forget, then tell you."
"Tell me what?"
"You're curious what Painter Hwang said about Daeun, right?"
Mind reader.
No, at this point, he might as well have telepathy.
"I was already planning to tell you what I overheard during the interview."
"Why?"
"Because I know you—you're probably still agonizing over Painter Hwang's offer."
I couldn't argue with that.
I'd sorted it out somewhat, but I hadn't made a firm decision.
"And Hyorin always decided stuff like this for you."
"Has she...?"
I didn't think much about my own behavior, so his words felt a bit unfamiliar.
"Yeah. Especially when choices like this came up."
"Nah, it wasn't that bad."
Too exaggerated.
"It was."
"It wasn't."
"Then I guess I don't have to tell you."
Why so stingy?
I ignored him and said,
"So what did he say?"
At that, Jungeun looked at Painter Hwang In-su walking ahead and said,
"He said he'd take Daeun as his disciple no matter what."
"What?"
"And he said if she becomes his disciple, he'll make her Korea's top painter. Seems he thinks that's how to repay his debt to Hyorin."
At Jungeun's words, I...
"......"
Couldn't say a word.
The Korean restaurant Painter Hwang In-su took us to was delicious.
It'd been ages since I'd seen Daeun eat so well.
The neat dishes in elegant brass bowls. And the bulgogi set as the main was top-notch.
Maybe because the food was so enjoyable, smiles played on everyone's lips.
"That was really good. I might become a regular here."
"I'm grateful to hear you say that, Director."
"Once your solo exhibition ends in a few days, I'd like to treat you—would that be okay?"
"Of course. Pick a place you know then."
"Just tell me your preferred menu, and I'll reserve Seoul's best spot."
It was the first time I'd seen her.
Director Go working this hard.
She must have always been like this when I wasn't around, but knowing her usual personality made it feel so strange.
Not that it was bad.
Just... cool.
Swish.
Then Painter Hwang In-su looked between me and Daeun alternately and asked,
"By the way, Kanghyeok. What do you think about my earlier proposal? Daeun?"
Gulp.
Here it came.
A choice that might change Daeun's life—or be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"First off, thank you so much. Honestly, I never imagined you'd make that offer to Daeun."
"A brilliant student needs a brilliant teacher."
"I appreciate your offer a hundred times over for that reason, but..."
His expression darkened in real time at my words hinting refusal.
"You're refusing after all?"
Nod.
"I'm sorry."
Life brings these moments of choice anytime.
It'd be great to pick both, but sadly, that's rarely possible.
You have to choose one side, and ironically, every choice leaves regret.
Choosing means giving up something.
And ultimately, losing that chance forever.
"I understand. After spending so much time bedridden, you want time with your daughter. But for her future, couldn't you reconsider?"
Korea's top painter wants Daeun as his disciple.
Anyone else might curse me for refusing.
But I'd already decided.
"I don't think so. I'm sorry."
At that, Painter Hwang In-su showed his disappointment openly and asked,
"Then tell me why. Why not?"
Looking at Daeun, I answered,
"Because painting is like a very close friend to Daeun. A precious, beautiful friend she'll remember forever."
I didn't want to take away Daeun's happiness.
Not like it had been stolen from me when I was young.