Chapter 63
Chapter 63
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Unexpected Arrival
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The hotel was more comfortable than I expected.
It was thanks to Director Go booking a place convenient for me and Daeun to stay together.
"But Daddy! We're going to see the drawings again today, right?"
Originally, we planned to take the train back to Seoul in time for hotel checkout.
But our plans changed after seeing some photos at the restaurant we stopped by last night.
"Yeah, we're going back to see the paintings."
And though I didn't explain the details to Daeun, I also had to devise a plan to get Director Go down to Daegu.
How could I lure Director Go to Daegu?
Gurgle.
"But first, let's fill our stomachs."
As the saying goes, even Mount Geumgang is nothing without a meal first. With important business ahead, I needed to eat heartily to think straight.
At my words, Daeun rubbed her belly and nodded.
"Yeah, Daeun's hungry!"
It looked like breakfast was included with our room, so I wondered if we could still go down now.
"If we're late, we might miss out on food, so let's hurry down."
"Yeah! Daddy!"
With that, Daeun and I left the room and headed to the basement level one restaurant where breakfast was served.
And upon arriving there, we...
'Huh.'
...ran into an unexpected person.
"Oh, Painter Oh, what brings you here?"
"Hey, Kanghyeok! Daeun!"
"Hey! It's Uncle!"
I hadn't expected to see Painter Oh here either, and she approached us with an awkward smile.
"I had no idea the place Yunmi booked for you was here."
"Are you staying here by any chance?"
"No way."
Then Painter Oh pressed her temples with her fingers and explained the situation.
"Last night, what was supposed to be a quick drink with some guests turned into way too much drinking. And when they insisted on going to a third round, I ended up crashing here near the bar."
"Ah."
So it was pure coincidence.
Hearing that made me feel like the plans I had for today might just work out.
Coincidences upon coincidences become fate, don't they?
"Perfect."
"Huh? Perfect how?"
"I was just thinking I wanted to see your exhibition one more time today."
"Why? Did you miss something yesterday?"
I'd seen everything. How could I not, after spending the whole day there?
Still, there was one piece I hadn't truly seen yet.
The theme was 'meetings and partings,' right?
Maybe today I'd uncover the true meaning behind that theme.
"Let's just say there's one painting I want to see again."
"Really? I didn't realize you were so interested in my work, Kanghyeok."
"It just popped into my head while eating dinner last night."
"Dinner?"
Her face filled with question marks at the mention of dinner.
Even so, instead of a clear answer, I just smiled.
A soft grin.
"There's something to it. Enjoy your meal, and I'll see you at the gallery later."
"Uh... okay. Got it."
With that, I held out my hand to Daeun.
"Alright, shall we get some breakfast?"
"Yeah, Daddy!"
Today was going to be a very long day.
A really, really long one.
Arnia Gallery opened at 10 a.m.
Inside the dark gallery, a phone rang quietly.
Ring ring ring-
It rang insistently, as if hoping someone would pick up.
Click.
But when no one did, the call ended.
Just as it seemed the ringing had stopped for good...
Ring ring ring!
It rang again, and right then, someone entering through the door picked it up.
"Hello, this is Arnia Gallery. How may I help you?"
The one who answered was none other than Manager Park, who assisted Director Go.
-Manager Park.
"Yes, who's this?"
-Hello. You might not remember me, but this is Kanghyeok Lee.
At the name Kanghyeok Lee, Manager Park was the surprised one, asking back.
"Huh? Painter Lee, why are you calling the gallery?"
If he needed something, he'd call Director Go directly. Why call the gallery?
More importantly...
"And aren't you in Daegu right now? Oh no, did something happen there?"
At his worried words, Kanghyeok chuckled awkwardly.
-No, everything's great thanks to Director Go. Daeun's having a blast too.
"Then why the call...?"
-Oh, well, I noticed I didn't have your number.
"My number?"
-Yeah. I have this urgent request I want to make without Director Go knowing, but since I didn't have your number, I called the gallery directly. Luckily, you picked up just like I hoped.
What on earth could require calling behind Director Go's back?
Manager Park couldn't hold back his curiosity—or half his worry—and asked.
"But may I ask what this urgent matter is? If it's against Director Go's wishes, I'm sorry, but..."
-No, nothing like that. The reason I called you directly is...
And at Kanghyeok's following words, Manager Park's eyes went wide.
"Y-You're saying... you want to get Director Go to come to Daegu?"
-Is that possible?
Kanghyeok's request was definitely a stretch.
"I'd have to check her schedule first, but as you know, she's already booked up, which is why she couldn't attend the Daegu exhibition. It might be tough to squeeze it in."
-Still, could you please check just once?
"Sure, I'll look into it and call you back if it's possible."
-Thank you. Let me say it again: this isn't for me—it's for Director Go. If possible, I really hope she comes to Daegu.
Not for Painter Lee, but for Director Go.
As someone who worried about Director Go more than anyone, what could be more welcome news?
But as the one who knew Director Go's personality best, Manager Park couldn't give a firm yes.
"I'll call you back within the hour."
-Yes, I'll be waiting.
Click.
As the call ended, Manager Park let out a long sigh, tension releasing without him realizing.
Right then...
Ding.
The closed door opened, and Director Go Yunmi entered.
"You're sighing big first thing in the morning."
"Oh, you're here."
"What happened?"
It was a casual question, but one laced with her concern.
At her words, Kanghyeok's earlier statement echoed in his mind.
That it was for Director Go, that she needed to come to Daegu.
If anyone else had said it, he'd have brushed it off without a second thought.
But it was Kanghyeok Lee who said it.
Perhaps the one person even Director Go considered important—that made it impossible to ignore.
Maybe that's why.
Manager Park, who never usually shared personal matters, spoke up to Director Go.
"Actually, I have something weighing on me."
She stopped in her tracks.
"What?"
Director Go knew well that Manager Park never talked about himself.
"If it's alright, could you hear me out?"
For Director Go Yunmi's sake...
Manager Park spoke.
"...Come in. Tell me inside."
For Manager Park's sake...
Director Go Yunmi listened.
And so, the die Kanghyeok had cast began to roll swiftly.
A few hours later.
Daeun and I returned to the art museum.
It was the second day of the exhibition, but far from fewer visitors, there seemed to be even more than the first day.
Probably because the promotion had kicked in, drawing people naturally.
Even so, Painter Oh didn't forget to greet us.
"If you need anything while looking around, just let me know. And Daeun, tell me if you get hungry while viewing the paintings—Uncle's got lots of leftover snacks from yesterday to share."
"Yes! Thank you!"
Painter Oh smiled brightly at Daeun's innocent grin, then turned her gaze to the hall, watching the people admiring the art.
"I should be the one thanking you all. I never imagined so many people would come to see my paintings."
"Hmm, maybe it's because they connect with your theme, Painter Oh."
"My theme?"
"Yeah. Everyone here has their own meetings, and their own partings. Maybe this exhibition is comforting their hearts in some way."
A range of emotions crossed Painter Oh's face at my words.
Then she suddenly asked me.
"What about you, Kanghyeok?"
"Me?"
Was she asking if I had special meetings and partings too?
At her question, I smiled and looked at Daeun.
"Of course I do—we do. A precious meeting we cherish, and a parting we must never forget."
Her expression shifted subtly at my answer.
"A special parting?"
"Yes. One we'll never meet again, but perhaps one we can never change in our lives."
She seemed to infer the rough circumstances.
Sadness dripped from her face.
"Looks like you have pain similar to mine."
Pain.
"No parting is without pain, but as you said, Painter Oh, the more precious the meeting, the more precious the parting becomes. That's why I'm sharing every moment of those meetings with Daeun."
"Ev-every single moment you met?"
She didn't seem to understand me.
"That sounds incredibly sad."
"No, it wasn't sad. It made me happier—no, grateful. Grateful that we could share those happy meetings."
They say shared sorrow is halved, shared joy doubled.
But that's wrong.
Sharing sorrow doesn't halve it, sharing joy doesn't double it.
The true meaning, I think, is that it only matters when you're together, in any situation.
"That's why, Painter Oh."
"Yes?"
So I wanted to convey this to her.
"If it's alright with you, would you come back to Seoul with us?"
She didn't reject "Seoul" as firmly as before.
But her mind hadn't changed.
"Seoul... probably not. It won't work."
Her answer remained steadfast.
But this time, I didn't give up and kept persuading her.
"I'm not saying move there permanently. Just maybe visit the Seoul you've been away from so long, and see if your heart changes."
At my words, she gave a faint smile.
"I appreciate your feelings, Kanghyeok, but it won't happen. Whether I go to Seoul or not isn't up to me."
"You don't mean you need Director Go's permission, do you?"
Smooth.
My response hit the mark.
"Exactly. Without Yunmi's approval, I won't go to Seoul."
Frustration welled up.
Why wouldn't the two most precious people to each other share their sorrow?
One could say my meddling was overstepping.
But not this time—I wouldn't back down.
"Director Go sent us here for a reason..."
Clack.
Then, a familiar voice came from behind me.
"You're still... such an idiot."
That person was none other than...
"Wow, it's Director Go!"
Director Go Yunmi.