Chapter 173
Chapter 173
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 173
Chapter Title: No Regrets
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On the way home.
Director Go asked me.
"You don't regret it?"
"Regret what? Painter Hwang In-su's offer?"
"Yeah. It might've been an incredible opportunity."
"Hmm, I think so too."
"But why'd you turn it down?"
"Because I can't steal Daeun's friend."
"The painting?"
"Yeah."
I've loved drawing since I was little.
At first, on the sandy ground. Then on walls, and by the time I was a bit older, I was doodling in notebooks every day.
It was fun. Every time I drew, I felt joy and excitement, lost in my own world.
But at some point—I can't remember when—drawing started to feel hard.
Ah, I remember now.
When it started.
Probably when I was prepping for art school entrance exams.
What had always been happy and fun suddenly became something I didn't even want to look at.
Of course, the sense of accomplishment after finishing was indescribable, but the process itself was always tough.
So maybe that's why I hit a wall right after starting university.
'I did go a bit off the rails because of it.'
In the end, I made money with painting and won love.
But no matter the results, I can't deny how grueling the process was.
"Still, Painter Hwang In-su said to let him know if you change your mind. Think it over carefully."
My mind probably won't change, but.
"Sure, I'll think about it."
Just then, Daeun, sitting beside me, grabbed my hand.
"Daddy."
"Yeah?"
"How did you know Daeuni's picture is a friend?"
Yeah.
She looked so delighted that I understood her thoughts, her face beaming brightly.
"Daeuni likes drawing, and drawing likes Daeuni too! For real!"
"Really?"
"Yeah! That's why I love it when Daddy draws!"
Hearing that, I felt relieved that my choice was right.
Daeun took after Hyorin a lot.
But she took after me too.
Maybe even more in this regard.
"Good thing."
"What?"
"Oh, nothing. Just glad your picture friend is doing well."
"Yeah! Daeuni thinks so too!"
Then Daeun gripped my hand even tighter.
"Thanks, Daddy!"
Man, over something like this.
My eyes were starting to well up for no reason.
Of course, as Daeun grows, she might develop more ambition for painting and end up feeling the same pain I did to get into art school.
No, she might even blame me later for passing up that opportunity.
'But not now, at least.'
Just a little longer.
Watching her young self love drawing just as it is—isn't that part of being a parent too?
That's what I thought.
As Director Go shook her head while driving, she said.
"You two are exactly alike, just the same."
Hahaha.
And so, the meeting with Painter Hwang In-su ended happily.
Click.
"You worked hard today."
The exhibition hall with lights off.
Just a few hours ago, it had been packed with crowds, but now it was utterly silent.
Swish.
"So quiet."
The staff member checked from the first floor up, making sure no stragglers were left behind.
No one on the first floor. He went up to the second and inspected every corner, just in case.
After wandering for a while, he stopped in front of the innermost piece, *Wind Hill*.
"Is this the painting?"
He hadn't seen the incident himself since it was during the afternoon session, but he'd heard the story.
The famous Painter Hwang In-su was giving this painting to some student.
But sadly, the student refused it.
Turning down a Hwang In-su original that was priceless.
If it were him, he'd snatch it up in a heartbeat, but there must've been a reason.
"But it's definitely a great painting."
He always complained about how tough the job was, but moments like this were nice.
Viewing the empty exhibition hall all alone.
Sometimes it was scary, but times like these were pretty satisfying.
Whoooosh—!
Swish.
"Man, why's it so cold?"
The temperature was set low for preservation, sure, but this was excessively chilly.
Goosebumps rising all over, hairs standing on end.
Rub rub.
He rubbed his arms and body vigorously.
"Gotta check the control room. What'd they set the thermostat to?"
Swish.
He hurried away from the intense cold and headed down the second-floor stairs when—
"Huh?"
The bone-chilling cold vanished in an instant.
"W-What?"
At the sudden temperature shift, he recalled what a former coworker had said.
Sometimes, you get this eerie chill in front of certain paintings.
They warned not to go near if you felt that vibe.
He'd asked why.
Swish.
"Nah, no way."
Not every time, but sometimes spirits attached to a painting's energy. Better to avoid those spots if possible—that's what he'd heard.
'Should I check it out?'
But he shook his head.
"Nah, let's just head to the control room."
The guard shook his head vigorously and went back down to the first floor.
The second floor fell silent once more, in front of *Wind Hill*.
It was just for a split second.
Ssshh.
A white figure lingered... then vanished.
And no one saw it.
"Uuuugh!"
I stretched as soon as I woke up and looked at Daeun.
Smiling at her angelic face still lost in dreamland, I headed to the living room to prep breakfast.
And there were all the photos.
From the mural I drew when we first met Daeun, most of our memories were plastered on the walls and fridge.
Of course, one key family member was missing from these....
"Oh, there's one."
The photo from that first mural included Daeun's drawing of Mommy.
And another was a family shot.
I'd pasted two together, but hey, it worked.
I grinned at them, tied on my apron.
Then I pulled out yesterday's bean sprout soup from the fridge and started reheating it.
Chop chop chop.
I fried up some pink sausages Daeun loves and made zucchini pancakes with the leftover egg batter.
'Feeling like a hearty breakfast today.'
I don't usually cook this much in the morning.
Maybe because I saw that painting Hyorin loved yesterday—my mood was great.
So I kept cooking without realizing.
"Oh! That too!"
Was it two days ago?
Officer Kim Sucheol sent a gift, saying he felt bad about all the favors from the US trip and wanted to say thanks.
Clack.
"Was wondering when to eat it—today's perfect."
It was a premium beef set!
I'd saved it thinking of inviting others later.
But shelf life was short, and I was in a good mood.
Gotta eat it on a day like this, so I decided to grill some beef too.
Pulling the gift box from the fridge, the marbling was insane.
So premium—even raw, my mouth watered.
Slide!
Beef's best fresh off the grill, so I set up the unused burner.
"Wow, fancy."
Who'd guess this was breakfast?
Even rice from last night's batch, still fluffy.
I gazed contentedly at the table when—
Bzzz—
The phone rang.
Early morning—who could it be? I checked.
'Oh, Director Go.'
It was her.
Wondering what was up, I answered quickly.
"Yes, Director Go. Good morning."
-Your voice sounds cheerful.
"Ah, yeah. Feeling good today."
-Good for you.
"Yeah, but what's up? Anything else I need to do?"
-No, nothing like that.
Huh, what then?
Her tone was off somehow. And the call felt weird.
She's not one to call without reason.
Worried something happened, I asked.
"Is something wrong?"
-No, nothing...
There's definitely something.
"Come on, doesn't sound like nothing. Tell me. If I can help, I will."
She went silent for a long time.
Really bad news? I was getting anxious when—
She said something unexpected.
-Have you had breakfast?
"Breakfast? Just about to set it up."
-Okay. Mind if I come over?
"Y-You're coming... here?"
-No?
"Oh, no, of course not."
Swish.
I glanced awkwardly at the elaborate table.
"Y-You wanna come?"
-Yeah, heading out now. Wait just a bit.
Click.
She hung up abruptly.
'Hmm.'
Felt like something was up with her, making me uneasy.
But I hoped it wasn't serious and turned away.
30 minutes later, Director Go arrived.
She sat at the lavish table and asked.
"You always eat like this for breakfast?"
"Ahaha... N-No way."
"So you whipped this up because I was coming?"
"No, not that either...."
No good explanation.
I just gave an awkward smile.
But Daeun was thrilled with the spread.
"Daddy! So many side dishes!"
"Yeah, Daddy made 'em for Daeuni to eat lots."
"Wow! Love you, Daddy!"
At her words, I said awkwardly.
"W-Well, let's eat."
Sizzle!
I put the gifted beef on the grill.
The sizzling sounds, the rising aroma as it cooked.
Ugh! Absolutely killer.
But the real star was yet to come.
"Here, have some."
I placed a piece on Director Go's rice bowl, and one on Daeun's, who waited with wide eyes.
They ate at almost the same time.
"Delicious."
"Daddy! Super yummy! Best ever!"
Best? Where'd she pick that up?
Thumbs up and all.
'Jungeun.'
100% Jungeun Park taught her.
I took a bite too.
Gulp.
'Whoa!'
Insane flavor—no other words.
As we ate with my sides,
"Sigh."
Director Go let out a heavy sigh full of worry.
That reaction.
I'd sensed it on the call—something huge had happened.
She was sighing like this.
What could it be?
Curiosity building, I finally asked.
"Um, Director Go."
"Yeah? What?"
"Is something wrong?"
Her expression shifted oddly.
Like she was debating whether to tell me.
I didn't push.
She came all this way, so probably would.
As the wait dragged on—
Nod.
She finally decided, face stiff.
"Got a call this morning. 'Let's merge.'"
"Huh?"
Merge what?
"From him."
...So.
Ha, a merger.