Chapter 229
Chapter 229
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 229
Chapter Title: Super VIP Lounge
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Daeun's artist exhibition continued without any major issues.
However, there was one thing: the number of visitors kept steadily increasing as time went on.
Thanks to that, the department store's sales skyrocketed as well.
And so, on the final day of Daeun's exhibition...
We received treatment from President Jeong that we never could have imagined.
"Um... Y-you don't have to go this far..."
"It's an order from upstairs. But considering the sales boost we've seen, this is nothing."
Inside the department store.
Daeun and I entered a space reserved exclusively for the highest-tier VIPs.
I'd heard that only 999 people who spent over 100 million won in a single year were allowed in. A super-exclusive VIP area.
Naturally, stepping into a place like that made us feel the pressure.
Well, at least for me.
Daeun was still too young to grasp just how intimidating such a space could be.
In a way, that was a relief.
If she felt burdened, even the most comfortable seat would feel awkward.
"Daddy! This chocolate milk is so sweet!"
"Y-yeah."
"Oh, good. I'm glad it suits your taste, Daeun."
Of course it tasted amazing.
From what I saw when ordering, it was made by melting premium chocolate themselves.
It would be weirder if it didn't taste good.
"You two have permission to use this place anytime. Please stop by whenever you're passing through."
Here...? Um... It was already overwhelming enough that I just wanted to leave, let alone come here on purpose. That seemed... really tough.
But knowing President Jeong's intentions, I gave an awkward smile and nodded.
"I'll drop by if I get the chance."
"Yes, then please relax here and head up whenever you're ready. Oh, and if you want a meal, just let them know—they'll bring it right here, so no need to go out."
Truth be told, President Jeong had arranged this space for us for good reason.
On the second day of the exhibition, photos of us pushing through a sudden crowd had gone up online.
Our images spread like wildfire through SNS and messaging apps, turning us into an instant sensation.
By the final day, pretty much everyone in the department store recognized us.
It was the fourth day, I think.
Back then, the fear of the crowds closing in from all sides had been palpable.
Suddenly thrust into stardom, the department store had hurriedly set up this space for us...
But until then, there was nowhere in the store where we could relax in peace.
"Then, I'll see you later."
Click.
As President Jeong left, Daeun looked up at me with a bright expression.
"Daddy, so we're staying here today?"
"Yeah, we can have lunch later and head up after a bit. About three hours here should do it."
It was a pretty spacious room.
Department stores don't have windows by nature, but this one had a full glass front with a clear view outside.
Gazing at Seoul's skyline from the upper floors...
It evoked a strangely unique feeling.
Daeun seemed to sense it too.
"Ah, I wanna draw!"
Did she want to paint the view of Seoul from the VIP room?
I would've loved to let her, but...
Unfortunately, there were no art supplies here.
"I want to let you draw, but we can't here. Remember it well, and we'll do it at home later."
"Okay! Got it!"
Whether it was the scenery or the happiness, something about it had her excited.
But drawing would have to wait.
Plus, it was a rare break from the pressure of having to paint.
"How about we read some books then? Daddy will read to you."
Swish.
With that, I pulled out a few books I'd brought from home.
But the moment Daeun saw them, she pouted.
"I've already read all those..."
"Oh..."
Daeun's memory was exceptional—she remembered books like replaying a video after one read.
That's why she hardly touched books at home.
"Even so, these are the ones you used to read a lot... Should we look for something else?"
Whoosh!
At the mention of a different book, Daeun's expression changed.
"A different book?"
"Yeah, we might have to buy it, but I'm sure they have some."
Fifth floor of the department store, right?
Along with the kids' clothing section, they had toys and all sorts of things for children.
Books were definitely there.
And we had plenty of time.
I figured a quick purchase would be fine, but then worry crept in.
'But is that okay?'
Almost every customer in the store knew who we were.
Which meant the moment I went down for a book, the dreaded scenario would unfold.
I couldn't leave Daeun alone either.
'Hmm... What to do?'
As I pondered for a solution...
Clack.
The on-duty staff member approached.
"Are you looking to buy some books? If so, we can assist. Shall I have some prepared?"
"Yeah, c-can you do that?"
"Yes, we can arrange it through our shopper service."
Shopper service.
A term I'd only heard in movies or dramas.
Of course, outside of that, I'd never encountered or experienced it.
Their world really did seem special.
Still, better than drawing unwanted attention by going down myself and causing issues.
"Could you help us out?"
"Yes, please wait just a moment—we'll assign support right away."
I nodded at the staff's words, thinking...
'Perfect timing. I was thinking of buying some anyway.'
Thanks to Daeun's great memory, we didn't need to reread books multiple times.
Hyorin must have known that too.
But given our family's situation back then, even if we wanted to buy more, we couldn't.
Books cost a pretty penny, after all.
But things were different now.
If there was a book Daeun wanted, we could buy it without hesitation.
"Daeun, any books you want to read?"
"Books?"
"Yeah. If we're getting a full set, I'll buy ones you like and want to read."
Daeun thought for a moment at that.
Then she blurted out.
"That one! The book Daeun wants to read!"
"Oh! What is it?"
A book Daeun wanted!
Of course I'd buy it, so I asked, and Daeun answered.
A completely unexpected type of book.
"Books about the human body!"
...Yeah.
I never imagined Daeun would want something on the human body.
From what she described, that's exactly the kind.
How bones are structured, how blood is made, and so on.
The mysteries of the human body, I suppose.
Daeun showed a lot of interest in it.
Makes sense for an artist—curiosity about the body comes naturally.
But... it felt like a slightly different kind of interest.
Still, since Daeun wanted it, I asked the shopper to get a full set on the human body.
"Daddy! I'm so excited for the books!"
"You really want to read them that bad?"
"Yeah! Daeun really really wants to read them!"
I hadn't realized she'd be this into it.
But I was glad we could afford it now.
While waiting for the shopper to bring the set...
Click.
The door to our VIP room opened.
Was it the shopper with the books? We turned with eager eyes.
But no—it was a customer.
'There are people who use this place.'
Our situation was a bit special, sure.
But anyone using this room spent over 100 million won a year—and was in the top 999.
I tried not to stare, but my eyes wandered anyway.
To the person using the VIP room.
'Huh.'
I'd pictured someone draped in luxury brands from head to toe.
But the man who entered was a surprisingly modest-looking rich guy.
Just a regular dad and son you'd run into around the neighborhood.
Swish.
They glanced briefly at us already seated, then slowly walked to an inner spot and sat down.
They ordered coffee and drinks...
'Just stopping by?'
The dad fiddled with his phone, and the boy—who looked about elementary school age—did the same.
Like they were at a café, quietly sipping their drinks.
They seemed so natural, like regulars, which made me curious.
But watching them, something felt off.
'Why do they look so awkward?'
Normally, a dad and son would joke around or something.
But from the moment they entered, not a single word between them—just doing their own thing.
Unlike that father and son, our situation was unfolding completely differently.
"Daddy! It'll be fun when the books come quick, right!"
"Yeah, want Daddy to read them when they arrive?"
"Yeah! I love it! Daeun wants Daddy to read this one!"
Was her voice too loud?
I glanced over.
Twitch.
My eyes locked with the dad, who had been focused on his phone.
I flinched a bit at the sudden eye contact.
But you can't ignore it, so I nodded in greeting.
He nodded back.
Swish.
Then returned to his phone.
'Whew.'
Just a simple glance, but why was I so tense?
Maybe I was overdoing it alone.
So I decided not to mind anymore and kept our conversation at a volume that wouldn't disturb them.
That's when...
Click.
The VIP room door opened again, and in came the shopper pushing a cart with a box of books.
"Here's the full set including the human body books you requested. Is this okay?"
I asked Daeun at the shopper's words.
"Daeun, is this the one to read?"
Daeun examined the pictures on the box, spotted the human body illustrations, and beamed.
"Yeah! Daeun will read this one!"
"Got it. This should be fine."
"Shall I help open the box?"
Rrrrip!
The shopper pulled out a cutter knife, and at my nod, sliced it open.
The long-awaited set finally appeared.
"Wow!"
Daeun, super excited, flipped through this book and that.
Then she pulled one out, clearly her favorite, and held it up.
"Daddy, this one! Read this one! This this!"
And that book was...
"Y-yeah, th-this one? You want me to r-read this?"
"Yeah! Daeun really wants to read this!"
I couldn't hide my embarrassment at the title that followed.
"Poojik! I Wanna Know About Poop! This one!"
Of all things, something like that.
And right here, no less...
Then, from an unexpected source, an unexpected sound rang out.
The elementary school-aged boy who'd just been staring at his phone.
"Pfft!"
He burst out laughing.
Huh