Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Loving Hand
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Everyone's gazes suddenly turned to Director Kwak and President Jeong at the unexpected announcement.
"Yes?"
When Painter Son Jeongsun asked in surprise, the two exchanged glances before speaking.
"Since this exhibition is being held at our department store, we'll purchase the artwork prepared for the event by the artist."
Director Kwak, who had been joking around the whole time, switched to a serious tone.
"Who buys it doesn't matter. But since we've come as guests, it makes sense for me, the customer, to purchase that piece."
Unconditional opposition.
Director Kwak showed a strong determination to buy it himself.
But President Jeong wasn't one to back down easily either.
"Hoho, there's a custom that the first piece is always bought by the department store. So, regrettably, I can't yield this time."
"It's not yielding—it's consideration for the visitors. I've never heard of the host buying a piece on behalf of guests at any exhibition."
"It's not the host—call it a sort of partnership for charity. For your information, our department store is covering all costs for this event."
Not receiving money, but providing support instead.
It made sense why Painter Son had welcomed President Jeong so warmly.
"So, our department store will purchase this piece."
"No, I will."
Sparks seemed to fly from their eyes.
Who could have predicted this situation over Daeun's painting?
The most bewildered by this exchange was, naturally, Painter Son Jeongsun...
'Huh?'
I'd expected her to be flustered, but she was smiling as she watched them.
Just what was she thinking?
At that moment, Painter Son leaned in close and spoke.
"How admirable. Daeun's painting is truly captivating. It makes me want to buy it myself. If only I had the money. This time, I'll have to yield to you two."
What did that mean?
She wanted to buy it herself?
At those words from Painter Son, I glanced over at Daeun.
Did she like her own painting that much?
She kept mimicking the hand reaching out to hold Mommy's.
Seeing that...
"Why is she so lovable?"
"This is the first time I've ever looked at artwork and thought, 'I want that.'"
"I really want to own that one."
The people staring at the painting were no different.
Everyone was saying they wanted Daeun's painting.
Just what part of it was stirring their desire to possess it?
The moment I looked at the painting again, I realized.
'It's love.'
Ordinary feelings of love aren't visible to the eye.
That's why when we fall in love, we express it somehow.
But Daeun's painting conveyed love through its very existence.
A mother's love for her child.
A child's love for her mother.
And that love combined to express the emotion of happiness.
Even I, realizing it late...
'It'd look great hanging in our house.'
Felt a surge of possessiveness.
Meanwhile, the two had been arguing intensely over who would buy the piece.
President Jeong spoke up.
"At this rate, we won't reach a decision today."
"For the record, I have no intention of backing down."
"Then how about this?"
President Jeong swept her gaze over everyone watching her and continued.
"We auction off the piece painted by Miss Daeun and let the highest bidder decide."
An auction...
I was taken aback by the sudden auction proposal, but the fire had already been lit, so I couldn't stop it.
While the auction preparations were underway, Aram Go brought Daeun over to my side.
"Daddy, I did good?"
"Yeah, Daeun did amazingly."
Daeun beamed happily at my praise, and Aram Go, standing nearby, asked curiously,
"But Daeun, is that you and your mommy holding hands?"
She asked carefully, knowing my wife had passed, but Daeun answered brightly, as if delighted.
"Yes! Mommy and Daeun's hands!"
"Wow, so you imagined the scene from when you were little? That's incredible. I never would have thought to draw it like that."
"No!"
"Yeah, no."
"Yes! Daeun remembers everything."
"What do you remember?"
"Everything."
Aram Go's expression turned a bit strange at that.
'No way she does.'
Daeun's ability was truly exceptional.
From an artist's perspective, it was enviable, perhaps.
But that didn't mean I wanted to spread it around.
Talented people always attract attention and jealousy.
'I need to protect her as much as I can.'
Memories she had to carry for life.
Within my power, I wanted to shield Daeun.
So I tried to step between Aram Go and Daeun as they talked, but...
"Kanghyeok, let's talk for a moment."
Director Go Yunmi called me with a serious expression.
"Ah, sure."
At the sudden summons, I followed her to the back of the stage, where auction preparations were in full swing.
Then Director Go asked,
"Why did you hide it?"
Was she talking about Daeun's painting talent?
"I'm sorry. I meant to tell you..."
"Did you go to the hospital?"
Her face showed no particular emotion, but for some reason, it felt laced with worry.
"The hospital?"
"Yeah, the hospital. Have you been?"
Only then did I realize she was asking about Daeun's ability.
"No, we haven't gone yet."
"Your reaction suggests you knew from the start. Why didn't you mention it when you came to see me?"
No, I'd only just realized myself, but Director Go had spotted it from one painting.
How did she figure it out so quickly? I was curious, but first, I needed to answer her.
"Well... I didn't think it was necessary to bring up Daeun specifically."
For the first time, I saw anger on Director Go's face.
"You should have told me sooner!"
"...Yes."
"Then I could have introduced you to a hospital."
Even I, who had known her for so long, found her emotional shift awkward.
Her feelings were churning intensely.
"I'll book an appointment tomorrow at a hospital I know, so take Daeun and go. Remember, forgetting isn't a gift from the gods for nothing."
I was a bit flustered by the sudden hospital booking, but I'd planned to go eventually.
"Got it. I'll take Daeun tomorrow."
"Sigh... To think something like this happened to Daeun..."
Director Go pressed her furrowed brow with her fingers, as if her head hurt.
At that, I cautiously asked,
"But how did you know right away...?"
Her expression changed in an instant.
As if forcibly suppressing her emotions.
"You don't need to know that. Just take Daeun to the hospital tomorrow. I'm serious—go no matter what. And... take good care of her."
"Yes... I will."
She seemed to be hiding some big secret, but with her refusing to share, there was no way to find out.
In the end, Director Go left those words and headed back out.
'Hmm...'
I watched her back quietly for a moment, then shook my head and followed her out.
How much time passed?
Painter Son Jeongsun stood before the gathered crowd and explained.
"I sincerely thank you all for coming despite your busy schedules. Some of you may have just passed by, others came for my exhibition. Allow me to express my gratitude once more."
She bowed deeply.
"And on my behalf, a big round of applause for Miss Daeun Lee, who painted this piece to make the exhibition special."
At her words, thunderous applause erupted from the crowd toward Daeun standing beside me.
Clap clap clap!
Perhaps embarrassed by the cheers, Daeun hid behind my leg.
Painter Son smiled fondly and continued.
"As per Miss Daeun Lee's wishes, all proceeds from this painting's sale will be donated. However, since it's an event piece and many expressed interest in buying it, we'll hold a simple auction."
A neatly uniformed female staff member handed her a microphone.
"From here, I'll take over the explanation. Hello, I'm Ina Yeon, head of the planning team, serving as auctioneer for this informal auction."
Her explanation went like this.
Anyone present could participate, but since it was informal, not official, they couldn't bid absurd amounts.
Thus, they adopted a sealed-bid auction format, one bid per person.
'It suits the situation perfectly.'
It prevented runaway bidding from inflating the price wildly. But it wasn't entirely foolproof.
It avoided blind escalation, but misjudge the room, and you might end up buying at an absurd price.
Ultimately, the winner would depend on who read the room best.
"If you'd like to participate, please raise your hand. Our staff will distribute envelopes and paper. Write your bid amount and submit it."
At Ina Yeon's words, Director Kwak and President Jeong raised their hands as expected.
But they weren't the only ones.
'Huh?'
Over half the people in the room raised their hands.
Some for fun, perhaps, but still a lot.
And one more person surprised me.
"D-Director, you're participating too?"
"Why not?"
"N-No, it's not that, but..."
"Wanting to own a great piece is instinct. I have it too."
Hard to argue when she put it that way.
Seeing the response, Director Kwak bit his lower lip anxiously.
President Jeong beside him did the same.
Then Ina Yeon looked my way and asked,
"For smooth proceedings, may I ask the artist who created the piece a question?"
At the sudden question...
"Yes."
Daeun, who had been hiding, startled and replied.
Ina Yeon smiled faintly and asked,
"May I ask the name of the artwork?"
Come to think of it, I'd been curious too.
We could name it arbitrarily, but asking the artist was best.
Smiling, I asked Daeun,
"Got any name in mind?"
Daeun peeked from behind my leg, thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Daeun thought of one."
"Oh? What is it?"
At Daeun's chosen title...
"Loving Hand."
Whoosh! Whoosh whoosh!
Even the half who hadn't raised hands before now shot theirs up one after another.