32
Chapter 32 A Fundamental Line
Thanks to Minho, the children—now full and satisfied—began playing with the pile of toys that the broadcasting staff had
brought in exchange for his drawings.
As a result, Minho finally had some free time and space.
“Minho, aren’t you going to play?”
“I’m going to draw now.”
Led by Lee Hyunseung, a few kids who preferred Minho over toys followed him into the workspace.
“Then I’ll draw with you!”
“Okay.”
“Me too!”
The workspace was gradually turning into a shared space for those who wanted to be close to Minho.
“But how can we draw as well as you?”
Instead of focusing on their own papers, they kept watching Minho’s canvas.
“If you try harder than me, maybe someday you’ll draw even better than I do.”
It was a typical answer, but meant to encourage them.
“That’s a lie! How could we ever be better than you!”
These were kids who already saw him as something beyond a classmate—more like a symbol, even a hero.
“Do you really have to be better than me? First place is good, but second place is also good. Even last place can still
enjoy drawing.”
“That’s true… but it still feels a bit disappointing.”
“That’s fair. But I think what matters most is whether you can keep going until the end.”
“Until the end?”
“Like this.”
Minho walked over to a watercolor painting on the wall and suddenly tore it apart.
“Hey! What are you doing?!”
The kids froze in shock.
But Minho continued calmly.
“I think talent comes in many forms.”
“…What?”
“Some people draw well like me. Some are strong like you. Some run fast, some study well. And some people can take
something torn like this and piece it back together.”
The shredded painting could be trash to one person—but a puzzle to another.
“Not everyone can draw something amazing. But anyone can try to put something like this back together. On the other
hand, some people who can draw well might not be able to do this.”
The kids listened closely.
“You’ve done puzzles before, right? Twenty pieces, fifty pieces—that’s easy. But when it becomes a thousand pieces, it
gets really hard.”
“There are puzzles like that?”
“There are even 2000 or 3000 pieces. And if there aren’t, you can make them.”
“Wow…”
“It’s really hard. I can’t do it either.”
That was the key.
Minho didn’t crush their confidence—he lifted it.
“Usually, people who have the perseverance to finish things succeed. Honestly, I worked really hard too. The reason I
know more than you is because I’ve seen, heard, and read more. You can do it too.”
“…I want to try.”
“I’ll do it!”
The kids started picking up the torn pieces.
“Still, try drawing too. Even if it’s not perfect, if you keep going, you’ll do better than yesterday. Same with
studying or sports.”
“Yeah!”
Some lay on the floor, starting to draw.
‘So this is what raising kids feels like.’
Minho smiled faintly.
Watching them grow was… enjoyable.
‘This could even be an ad concept.’
He chuckled.
‘Maybe not puzzles, but something else.’
Then he returned to his canvas.
‘Maybe I’ll take them on a trip someday.’
---
“They’re back again.”
“Yeah.”
Even after hearing that BBS had secured Minho by spending millions, other broadcasters kept coming.
“Minho, not eating with friends today?”
“I’m busy. Just give me your proposals.”
His attitude remained firm.
“What, more exam stuff?”
Hyunseung peeked at the proposals and shook his head.
“This is boring.”
“Haha, really?”
“Yeah. And does anyone not know Minho is smart already?”
“…Fair point.”
“This one’s about selling paintings?”
“Yes, through auctions.”
“What’s an auction?”
“Selling for a high price.”
“Then don’t do it.”
“…What?”
“He takes too long to draw now! Before, he could draw in minutes, now it takes days!”
The staff were frustrated.
But Minho simply said—
“I’ll think about it.”
“Is it about the appearance fee?”
“Isn’t money made through ads?”
“…What?”
“Ratings and ads aren’t something I can do alone.”
They were speechless.
“Want a ride?”
“No, thank you. I’ll walk.”
“Others might want to ride.”
“No.”
“We want to walk!”
The kids agreed.
Walking together mattered more.
Then—
“Minho!”
A woman approached.
“Who are you?”
“I’m Jo Hyoseon from FBS.”
Unlike others, she came alone.
‘FBS? Never heard of it.’
Others scoffed.
But then she asked—
“What kind of program do you want to do?”
The atmosphere froze.
No one had asked that before.
“…I’m not sure.”
“Then what do you like? What do you want to do? Tell me that, and I’ll make the best proposal for you.”
Silence fell.
For the first time—
Someone had asked Minho what he wanted.