Chapter 35
Chapter 35
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: Special Participation Work
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Doyun's mom's expression was somehow off when she asked me to wait a moment.
She looked serious, like she had a lot on her mind.
"What's going on?"
Curious, I asked, and Doyun's mom started with an apology.
"I'm sorry. I submitted Daeun's painting without asking."
"It wasn't officially registered anyway, so it shouldn't be a big issue..."
"That's a relief."
"By the way, why did you submit Daeun's painting all of a sudden? I was curious about that too."
Not just others' reactions—it had me wondering too.
What on earth had prompted Doyun's mom to enter Daeun's painting?
She thought for a moment before speaking.
"There wasn't any special reason. I just felt like everyone should see Daeun's painting."
"Yes?"
She wanted others to see it?
"You probably don't get it."
Honestly, it wasn't easy to understand.
I hadn't seen the painting Daeun drew yet.
"You'll understand once you see the painting."
With that, Doyun's mom glanced toward the staff members who were busy removing the artworks.
"Honestly, after seeing Daeun's painting, I've been doing a lot of soul-searching."
"S-Soul-searching?"
"It felt like Daeun was scolding me through her painting."
That only made me more curious about Daeun's painting.
What kind of picture could elicit such a reaction?
Just then, the three judges who had rushed over upon seeing Daeun's painting approached with apologetic looks.
"Sorry to interrupt, but we have judging soon and no time."
"Oh, go ahead."
Representative Gwak excused himself to Doyun's mom and finished his thought.
"Lee, you know if you hold an exhibition, I'm there no matter what."
"Yes, of course."
"And it'll stay that way. I'll even end up owning the most of your paintings. So, sell me the one Daeun drew."
"Hey, Representative Gwak! How can you say that? There's such a thing as professional courtesy—what is this...?"
President Jeong had come for the same reason and snapped at Representative Gwak's words.
Meanwhile, the professor approached me for a slightly different reason.
"Kanghyeok."
"Yes, Professor."
"You're not thinking of pulling Daeun out of art, are you?"
"Yes?"
"If you're planning to keep her in it, hear me out. The school has an educational program with the local government, and I'd love for Daeun to join."
An educational program out of nowhere.
But the professor's explanation left me deep in thought.
"It's a project to discover artistic talent and nurture prodigies."
"Yes, prodigies?"
His following words made me smile awkwardly.
"To me, Daeun looks like a genius. An art genius."
It wasn't just fatherly bias—Daeun had innate talent for art.
Participating in the professor's project could certainly help develop her skills further.
But that wasn't my concern.
I'd seen too many cases where pushing talent too early led to kids losing interest in art.
'Art isn't just drawing for Daeun.'
For Daeun, art was memories.
Memories with Hyorin and me—I didn't want to take that away from her.
The professor seemed to think I hadn't recognized her talent.
"Her expression style... it feels like looking at you from your Jeonseo-gu days."
"M-Me from Jeonseo-gu?"
At my question, the professor grinned.
"Yeah, you from Jeonseo-gu. You'll get what I mean when you see Daeun's painting. See you later."
"Lee! You have to sell it to me!"
"Mr. Lee, please reconsider what I mentioned last time. I'll wait for your call."
With that, the three left me burning with curiosity and headed off to judge.
The storm of visitors cleared, Doyun's mom returned to Doyun's side, and the booth fell quiet.
Daeun beamed at me.
"Daddy, it was super fun for Daeun."
Normally, I'd just smile and let it go, but with everyone's reactions...
I asked with a smile, differently from usual.
"What was fun about it?"
"What?"
"Yeah, anything special that made it fun?"
Daeun thought for a bit before answering.
"Hmm, drawing only what Daeun likes is fun."
"Only what you like?"
"When everyone smiles like Daddy and Daeun, it's great."
Her words were so incomprehensible that I tried to probe her feelings.
But a approaching child forced me to pause.
"Doyun, say thank you."
Doyun, who had borrowed art supplies from Daeun, handed over the neatly packed tools in a bag.
"Thank you."
He was six, I heard. Not much older than Daeun, which made him all the more endearing.
"Did you draw well, Doyun?"
Bending down to ask, Doyun avoided my gaze and nodded.
"Yes."
"Good. Next time, don't forget your supplies—bring them properly. Got it?"
Nod.
As he nodded, Doyun's mom stroked his head.
"Say thank you, Uncle."
No need to insist on that much...
Bow.
"Thank you, Uncle."
Doyun bowed a full ninety degrees, right from the navel.
'He's a good kid.'
Smiling and accepting his greeting, I noticed Doyun's face flush slightly as he shyly said to Daeun.
"Next time... let's draw again."
"Yeah! Daeun loves drawing!"
"It's a promise."
"Yeah! Promise!"
I hadn't expected him to suggest drawing together first.
Daeun's painting seemed to touch not just adults, but kids too.
The stormy situation passed, and finally...
"We will now announce the judging results."
The announcement time arrived.
The five judges gazed at the final selected works.
Though judging was over, their expressions weren't bright.
"The one who drew this... is Painter Kanghyeok Lee's daughter?"
Professor Jang from the other university asked, and Professor Im Hayoung smiled as she replied.
"Yes, she's volunteering here today to help out."
Professor Im had brought the father and daughter.
At the explanation, Professor Jang stroked his chin regretfully.
"That's too bad. If she'd registered properly and entered, she'd have placed for sure."
Nod.
Professor Im agreed.
But she understood.
What intent lay behind Daeun's painting.
"That's what makes this painting so valuable."
"True. At this level... it's beyond talent; it doesn't even need this venue."
At Professor Jang's words, Representative Gwak nearby shrugged.
"Our Daeun is overflowing with talent in this."
President Jeong ribbed him.
"Anyone would think she was your daughter."
"Call her the daughter my heart chose. I've already decided she's mine."
"Who decided that? And Daeun would hate a dad like you."
"Hey, President Jeong. Your rough words show you're regretting missing that painting."
"It's not regret—it's that someone acted without professional courtesy."
Sparks flew between them.
Professor Im smoothly glossed over their familiar bickering.
"Still, I'm disappointed about something else."
"What?"
"Daeun's painting. We can't award it officially, but I want people to see it. Isn't it a problem not to show a painting like this?"
Nod.
Professor Jang nodded in agreement.
"It's definitely worth showing. It aligns with the contest's purpose too."
"I think so. That's why I'm torn. Any other way?"
"Hmm, can't enter it in the special exhibit in a few days, but displaying it with today's winners should be fine."
"Would that work?"
"Why not? She participated as staff, sort of. Showing it as special participation instead of an award seems okay."
Professor Im nodded at Professor Jang's suggestion.
"That's good."
"Right? Let's announce it alongside the winners as a special participation piece."
"Yes, perfect."
Professor Im thanked Professor Jang for agreeing and finding a solution.
"Thanks for caring like this."
"No, what did I do? It's the painting. When I first saw it, I thought..."
"What?"
Professor Jang smiled deeply.
"Our country's art world has a bright future."
Professor Im beamed too.
"Absolutely."
Everyone from the contest stared at the emcee on stage.
"We've had silver and gold awards so far. Next, the grand prizes."
'Now the real awards begin.'
Silver and gold went to quite a few—around thirty.
At that rate, it felt like participation awards.
'Well, they did mention those.'
They created them because the participants were young kids.
Meaning the true awards started now.
Only three grand prizes and one top award left.
"The grand prize winners are! Park Doyun, Bang Juhae, Ahn Jiyu! Congratulations!"
"Woo! Grand prize!"
"Mom, what's grand prize?"
"Daughter! Congrats! You got grand prize!"
Among the winners was Doyun, who borrowed supplies from Daeun.
Stunned by his win, Doyun stood blankly staring at the stage until his mom rushed over.
"Doyun, congrats. Mom knew you could do it. Our son is amazing."
Despite her typical parental praise, Doyun remained dazed.
The emcee announced the final award.
"Now, the last of the contest—the top award winner."
Drumroll.
With the emcee's voice, drums thundered, tension filling the venue.
Moments later, the emcee bellowed the winner.
"Top award goes to XX Elementary's Lee Somi! Congratulations!"
Clap clap clap.
Applause poured as the top award painting was revealed.
Earth buried in trash, reaching out to people.
Simple yet perfectly conveying the message.
The colors and quality were so refined, hard to believe from an elementary student.
Worthy of top award.
Bzzz.
My pocket phone vibrated.
'Not a call—text.'
I pulled it out thinking it was a call, but it was a message.
From Professor Im.
[Lend me your name once.]
'Lend my name?'
Puzzled by the sudden text, the emcee—who I'd thought was done—grabbed the mic again.
"That's all the awards. Normally we'd end here, but a special guest graces us today. You've probably all seen him—Painter Kanghyeok Lee, once called a prodigy!"
Spotlights hit me as the emcee gestured.
'Ah... that's what she meant.'
A bit flustered, but few here knew me.
They just needed the name value of Painter Kanghyeok Lee.
That's why she said "borrow."
"And his daughter is here too. We'll reveal her special participation painting."
The cloth-covered "Special Participation Work" next to the top award—
Whoosh!
—was unveiled.
'Now I see why the reactions.'
I understood why people reacted that way to Daeun's painting.
The park hosting the contest. Parents and kids picnicking on mats.
At a glance, a harmless scene. But the truth was in the faces.
Parents with kids smiled, but the kids with parents...
'Haha, impressive?'
Were crying.
Deeply, sadly crying.