Chapter 225
Chapter 225
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 225
Chapter Title: Chairman Kim Soon-bae
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Chairman Kim Soon-bae.
Just calling him Elder Kim Soon-bae felt more comfortable, since he was quite advanced in age.
According to what Eunjoo An had said, he was almost eighty.
I hadn't heard the details, but apparently, he was the chairman of some major company.
And yet, this Elder Kim Soon-bae wanted to meet Daeun.
"Not right now. He said he'd like to set aside some time later to treat you to a meal."
"A m-meal?"
It was a completely unexpected proposal.
This wasn't just anyone—he was the one who had bought Daeun's 'Love.'
Occasionally, among buyers of artworks, there were those who wanted to have a meal with the artist.
'Maybe it's for the best.'
I was curious, after all.
About who Elder Kim Soon-bae was.
Of course, meeting him wouldn't change anything about the present.
But I wanted Daeun to feel that sensation.
The presence of someone who loved her work.
"It should be fine once the solo exhibition is fully wrapped up."
"Oh, really? He'll be absolutely delighted when I pass along the message."
She smoothly handed me her business card.
"Then, once the exhibition ends, give me a call, and I'll arrange the schedule."
"Ah, yes. I'll contact you after it's over."
"Yes, thank you so much for sparing time from your busy schedule."
With those words, Eunjoo An turned and walked off down the corridor.
I gazed at her retreating figure for a moment, feeling a twinge of regret.
'I should have at least asked.'
Whether she would have answered was another matter.
But I wanted to know why he had bought the painting.
For others, there might be all sorts of connections that made it plausible enough.
But honestly, there wasn't much reason to buy Daeun's work for that much money.
Still, the ship had already sailed.
Chasing after her and asking now would be rude.
"Congratulations. It looks like Daeun has gained a steadfast fan."
To an artist, fans were incredibly important.
Not like celebrities with fans chasing and following them—that much, no.
But having fans would steadily raise the value of their work.
In that sense, President Jeong was right.
"Haha, you think so?"
I had a feeling there was some reason behind this situation.
Until we met, it was anyone's guess.
I couldn't jump to conclusions.
"Shall we go? Daeun's waiting."
"Yes, let's."
With that, I finally managed to move my feet.
Back in the exhibition hall.
Everyone who had purchased works was gathered around Daeun, chatting away.
"How on earth did you think to draw it like that? Amazing."
"Hee! Pretty auntie, Daeun drew it!"
"Yes, really. Thank you for drawing it."
"Hee!"
"Daeun! Can you draw Uncle later too?"
"Daeun gave it specially to auntie, so Uncle too!"
"Oh! Promise for real?"
"Yeah! Pinky promise!"
Daeun's paintings had all sold, and the atmosphere was fantastic.
The whole solo exhibition felt great.
Everything was just perfect.
The tension I'd been holding all this time melted away in an instant.
"Daeun!"
"Huh, Daddy!"
As I approached Daeun, everyone greeted me warmly.
Except for one person—Ms. Taeran stood there, looking glum as she gazed wistfully at the displayed works.
I fully understood her reaction.
She had boldly declared she would buy them for sure...
'The competition was too fierce.'
Who would have imagined the people vying for Daeun's paintings would be such heavy hitters?
In the end, Ms. Taeran hadn't managed to buy even one, so she couldn't help but feel down.
"It's okay."
"Ah, yes, yes! It's f-fine."
Huh, she didn't look okay at all.
Her forced smile was twitching.
But she didn't want to ruin the good mood because of herself, so she kept smiling through it.
Seeing her like that, I smiled and said,
"We moved studios. That's what I came to tell you."
"Ah..."
"And I'll text you the address of the new studio."
"Yes."
Whether she could buy a painting was uncertain.
Daeun had been painting like mad for the past few months, so she needed a bit of rest.
But there was another reason for bringing it up.
"So, come visit."
She had received such great comfort from Daeun's paintings.
She had tried to buy one, but failed to achieve her goal.
"Whenever it works out, Daeun will draw more. Come by, have a meal like today. Not sure if it'll comfort you, though."
At my words, Ms. Taeran's eyes widened round.
And...
Wha, she's crying.
She spoke through choked sobs.
"I-Is it really okay? Truly all right...?"
Overwhelmed with emotion, she couldn't finish her sentence.
I was a bit flustered by the sudden shift.
But I'd thought of this before coming over.
"Of course. Daeun would love it too. If Ms. Taeran visits the new studio."
"Thank you... really..."
A small smile.
A gift I'd prepared as thanks to Ms. Taeran, who had loved Daeun's work in her own way.
Fortunately, she seemed pleased, which made me feel great.
But there was one drawback.
"Tell me too."
"Yes?"
Everyone's attention snapped to Representative Yoon's sudden remark.
"Share the studio address with me too. Then I can visit Daeun."
"Ah! If it's that, me too!"
Following Representative Yoon, even the officer.
At that moment, overhearing, Jungeun Park chimed in playfully.
"Hey, should I just publish your studio address in an article?"
"You're kidding."
"Ah, sorry."
"Puhaha! How cheerful. Both of you."
It was truly a joyful, happy day.
Everyone laughing, joking, having fun in the moment.
'If only Hyorin were here, it would have been perfect.'
For some reason, in this happy moment, I thought of Hyorin even more.
With you here, this moment would be complete.
Hyorin's absence felt all the more poignant.
Then, perhaps wanting to keep the vibe going, Jungeun shouted.
"To commemorate Daeun's solo exhibition, how about a group photo? Everyone okay?"
As he held up his camera, everyone smiled and replied.
"Of course!"
"Take a pretty one."
As everyone started positioning for the photo.
Daeun suddenly came up to me and whispered in my ear.
"Daddy! Thank you!"
Yeah.
With that, she dashed over to where people were gathering for the photo and yelled.
"Daddy! Hurry! Gotta take the picture!"
Her action made me feel, for a moment, like I heard Hyorin's voice in my ear—an illusion.
-Good daddy.
A grin!
"Yeah, Daeun! Let's take it together!"
And so, the atmosphere of Daeun's solo exhibition grew even warmer.
Gulp.
Daeun, who had been super excited, swallowed dryly as she stared at me sitting across from her.
Her reaction left me with nothing but an awkward smile.
'She's nervous again.'
I'd thought she was over it by now, but this seemed to tense her up anew.
Then, Jungeun Park, sitting across from her, smiled as if to ease her nerves.
"Daeun, don't be so tense. Just think of it as chatting with Uncle. Relax."
"B-But...!"
So, here's what happened.
After the group photo, Jungeun had asked President Jeong.
If it was okay to write an article about Daeun's solo exhibition.
Naturally, President Jeong gave the okay.
Then he asked Daeun too.
Since it was Uncle Jungeun's request, she happily agreed, but there was one issue.
The interview for the article.
"Haha, this is something."
Seeing Daeun so tense, Jungeun seemed flustered, thinking it was his fault.
I nudged his shoulder and said,
"Hey, if it's not too complicated, I can do it. You're not including audio anyway."
"Oh, that's good. Daeun! How about Daddy asks the questions?"
"Daddy?"
Hearing I'd ask personally, Daeun's face visibly relaxed.
Even if it was an interview, it was just talking with her daddy.
"Just ask exactly what's written here. I'll handle the rest—recording and writing the article."
"Yeah, got it."
I nodded, flipping through Jungeun's reporter's notebook.
It had several questions listed for Daeun.
'Hmm.'
They were a bit different from standard interview fare.
I glanced at Jungeun at the unfamiliar format, and he grinned.
"Since Daeun's still little, I tweaked the questions. Just read them as is."
Classic Jungeun.
You could tell from the question list.
How much he cherished Daeun.
"Alright, Daeun, relax, okay?"
"Yeah! Uncle!"
"Then, first question. Just answer comfortably, got it?"
"Got it! Daddy!"
And so, Daeun's interview for the article began.
I read the first question from the notebook.
"Daeun, what made you start drawing pictures in the first place?"
"Why Daeun draw?"
"Yeah, just tell me casually."
Without a moment's hesitation, Daeun answered.
Probably thanks to her exceptional memory.
"Daeun drew cuz of Daddy!"
"Me?"
"Yeah! Mommy told me! Daddy concentrates suuuper hard when drawing!"
Wait, so Daeun started drawing because of me?
"So Daeun drew too! Mommy likes watching Daeun draw!"
It probably wasn't that Hyorin wanted to express her own feelings.
But she often talked about me to Daeun, hoping she wouldn't forget her daddy's presence.
And Hyorin's face must have lit up with happiness while doing so.
That's why Daeun drew.
Because Mommy liked it.
The first question sparked a lot of thoughts.
But this was an interview, not just chat.
"So, what do you think about most when you're drawing?"
"What Daeun thinks? Um, Daeun thinks of Mommy when drawing!"
"Mommy?"
"Yeah! When I draw, Mommy's face pops into my head!"
Maybe I'd been thinking wrong all this time.
I'd just assumed Daeun liked drawing.
But this was...
Daeun's own way of remembering Mommy.
With that answer, I moved to the third question.
Or tried to—but seeing it, my words caught in my throat.
[Daeun feels happy when drawing pictures, right?]
What would she say to a question about happiness?
Would she say it makes her sad because of Mommy memories?
Or that she misses Mommy?
I'd had no qualms at first glance.
But after the previous two answers, I hesitated for a long while.
Then, Daeun, seeming a bit more relaxed, urged me on.
"Daddy! Next question!"
I nodded and asked.
"Do you feel happy when you draw pictures, Daeun...?"
Her answer made me realize, belatedly.
"Yeah! Daeun feels suuuper suuuper happy seeing Mommy's smiley face!"
That drawing was happiness for Daeun.