Chapter 180
Chapter 180
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 180
Chapter Title: The Dentist Dilemma
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My Daughter Is a Genius Painter 180
We'd made it to the hotel that Painter Oh had booked, after a day at the amusement park filled with special memories and a nice dinner.
I'd been here once before, so it felt familiar somehow.
That's when Director Go asked curiously,
"But why only one room?"
"Yeah."
"Why just one room?"
Painter Oh replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Because of course you're staying with us."
"What?"
Director Go's face crumpled in an instant.
"You can sleep in my room, so why book a separate one?"
"Well, naturally..."
"You're not thinking of sleeping separately, are you?"
"..."
Of course she was planning to sleep separately.
Director Go had to know that without it being said.
"You're sleeping here tonight."
With that, Director Go pulled out her card to book another room.
But Painter Oh stopped her.
"What are you doing?"
"I have a lot to talk about with you."
"...What?"
"A lot we haven't talked about all this time. So I want us to spend the night together at our place tonight."
Director Go's face flushed bright red at that.
Seeing it, I quickly covered Daeun's ears and turned away.
Maybe noticing my action, Director Go suddenly overreacted.
"Th-there are other people here!"
"So what? Isn't that right?"
I could only give an awkward laugh at the question.
"Haha, y-yeah."
"See? So no more arguing. Sleep with me at our place tonight. I even bought wine just in case."
"You cheeky thing! Always saying whatever comes to mind."
She said it like that, but her expression looked far from displeased—bright, even.
It seemed the sleeping arrangements were settled, so I spoke up.
"Then we'll head up first. We have to get moving early tomorrow morning."
"Sure. The movers are handling everything anyway, so no need for us to do much. I'll pick you up tomorrow."
"Got it. Have a good night, you two. See you tomorrow."
"K-Kanghyeok, even you..."
At that, Director Go's face turned a shade redder, like it might burst.
But I just gave her a cheerful smile and headed up to our room.
I quickly got Daeun washed up and ready for bed.
As soon as we lay down, exhaustion washed over me.
Daeun looked sleepy too, her eyes heavy as she murmured,
"Daeun had so much fun today."
"Really?"
"Yeah, Daeun loves it."
It wasn't just a special day for Director Go and Painter Oh, apparently.
Seeing how it had become a good memory for Daeun too made me smile naturally.
"That's great."
I figured she'd reply as usual, but no voice came.
Glancing down, I saw Daeun had fallen asleep, looking utterly adorable.
She must have been tired from the early start that morning.
Smiling warmly at her sleeping face,
I quietly.
Slipped out of bed and stepped away.
Then I pulled my phone from my pocket and opened the photo album.
I swiped through pictures of Hyorin and me from times I could barely recall.
Staring at one, I spoke to the smiling Hyorin in the photo.
"Today was so much fun. I wish you could've seen it."
I'd said it to comfort Director Go while packing, but.
I still felt so inadequate in so many ways.
I'd promised we'd meet again someday, but it wasn't going well.
Still, holding onto hope for that future day.
"I'll tell you everything when we meet again. How happy Daeun was."
And so the special day passed.
The next morning was utter chaos.
Things had been hectic starting from the hotel.
We hurried down to the lobby, where only Director Go was waiting.
When I asked why she was alone, she said packing had taken more volume than expected, so Painter Oh couldn't come.
In the end, Director Go drove Painter Oh's car to pick us up, and we arrived home to.
"Alright, alright! Let's move everything carefully! Be extra gentle with the paintings!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
It hadn't seemed like much at first, but once unpacked, there was way more than expected.
And more helpers than I'd imagined.
"Wow, so many people."
Director Go explained,
"They said they needed extra hands in case any paintings got damaged."
Fair enough. These weren't just any works—they were Painter Oh's creations, all masterpieces by respected artists. They had to be handled with utmost care.
Clack.
Following Director Go inside, we spotted Painter Oh chatting with the movers.
"Be extra careful with that piece, please. Oh, and I'll take this one myself."
She looked frazzled, which explained why she hadn't come to pick us up.
"Good morning."
Her face lit up as she welcomed us.
"Ah, you're here. Did Daeun sleep well?"
"Yes! Daeun slept great!"
Maybe because yesterday was so fun, Daeun looked truly happy.
"I'll wrap this up, and then I'll have some time. Wait just a bit."
"Sure, take your time."
We stepped back a little to avoid getting in the way of the move.
Then a man who looked like the moving company boss approached us.
"Uh, who’s the owner here?"
Director Go raised her hand slightly.
"What’s up?"
"Oh, it's just—we can handle the rest after the art pieces. It might be better if you head to the new place first to prepare the space, since it's a ways away."
Director Go nodded.
"So we should go ahead and set things up?"
"Yes, we'd appreciate it. Oh, and if you could give us the house code before you go, we'll tidy up nicely on our way out."
She made one request.
"We're not selling the house, so could you please leave it as clean as possible?"
"Oh, not selling? Got it. We'll make sure it's spotless before we leave."
"Yes, please."
"We'll let you know when we're done."
He bowed.
And the moving boss headed back out.
In that moment, I asked Director Go,
"You're not selling the house?"
"Oh, the house."
"Yeah, it seemed like you were planning to, but changed your mind?"
She turned her head away casually.
"It's not like I need money right now, so no need to sell. And land here's expensive in Daegu. Think of it as a real estate investment."
Real estate investment, my foot—it was obvious Painter Oh's words yesterday had swayed her.
But I didn't pry.
Whatever the reason, her change of heart meant their relationship had grown a bit closer.
"Oh, and you two—take the train up to Seoul first."
"Just us?"
"Yeah, it's a long drive, and Daeun will get worn out. No need to make it harder."
"But we should help with the move. And..."
I trailed off, but the thought was: a four-plus-hour drive from Daegu to Seoul, just the two of them... it'd be awfully quiet. No, downright awkward.
Having us there might make it better.
"I know what you're worried about, Kanghyeok, but you don't need to anymore."
"Huh?"
I didn't get it, so I asked again.
But.
She smiled brightly.
"Glad I listened to you. Thanks."
It seemed their relationship had deepened even more.
If so, maybe it was better for just the two of them.
Smiling, I told Director Go,
"Then we'll head up first."
My part was done.
And so Daeun and I left Daegu with our memories and returned to Seoul.
A week had passed since the move, carried out under Director Go's special orders.
And I was.
"Haa."
Sitting in the studio, letting out a long sigh.
Jungeun Park, who'd dropped by, asked curiously at my behavior.
"You're sighing like the ground's gonna cave in. What's up?"
"There's stuff."
"Tell me what's bothering you."
I glanced at Daeun to check.
Thankfully, she was deep in her painting at the back of the studio, preparing for the exhibition in a month and three weeks.
"Haa..."
"You're really off today. What is it?"
Sighing deeply again, I explained.
"I've got the appointment booked, but I'm worried about how to tell Daeun."
"What'd you book?"
Leaning in so Daeun wouldn't hear, I whispered.
"The dentist..."
"Den...tist?"
Jungeun's face mirrored mine in an instant.
No wonder—he knew better than anyone how terrifying the dentist was.
"So, the dentist..."
"Shh."
I put a finger to my lips. He glanced at Daeun, then whispered.
"You're saying you booked it... for today."
"Yeah..."
"And obviously haven't told Daeun, so here you are. Right?"
"Right."
Thud.
Sympathizing completely, he rubbed his forehead.
"You should've told her earlier so she could prepare."
"I wanted to at first, but that's easier said than done."
It wasn't an easy choice.
Prep time would help, sure, but if not...
She might spend the days leading up terrified, unable to do anything.
Especially with Daeun's memory... it'd be certain.
He got it.
"Yeah, fair."
Nodding, he sighed and asked.
"What time's the appointment?"
"Figured we should eat lunch first, so 2 PM."
"Good call. Treatments make eating tough after."
"The issue's getting her there..."
"Yeah..."
Swish.
Jungeun and I turned to look at Daeun in unison.
Maybe sensing it,
"Yeah, Uncle, Daddy, why?"
"Oh, n-nothing."
"Y-yeah, just..."
We both awkwardly looked away, pretending otherwise.
Daeun tilted her head, thinking our behavior odd, then went back to her painting.
I muttered under my breath.
"This is frustrating."
"Yeah, only a few hours left. Gotta tell her soon."
Then a thought struck me.
What would Hyorin do?
Hyorin probably wouldn't have a magic fix, but considering her personality.
Jungeun spoke up.
"Hyorin would've just told her straight."
"Yeah, Hyorin..."
"Yeah, she was the type to rip the Band-Aid off right away."
It was like hearing Hyorin's voice as an echo.
-Just tell her already. What's the big deal?
Without thinking, I blurted it out.
Making all my agonizing feel pointless.
"Daeun!"
"Yeah, Daddy? Why?"
"Let's go to the dentist."
Daeun's eyes shook wildly in an instant.
"Den...tist..."