CH14

It was exactly one week later when I received a call from Professor Jo Soo-deok.

"Ji-hoon, can we meet today?"

Luckily, it was the start of the school break, so there was no issue.

"I'd prefer to come to you, but due to various circumstances, could you come to my office instead?"

"Sure, no problem."

I knew it would take some time.

'A week, huh.'

It seemed he was more cautious than I had anticipated.

I packed my books and left the house.

"Driver, please take me to Seoul National University."

In the moving car, I read "Moby-Dick."

I had read it several times in my previous life, but reading it in the original language…

'It makes me sleepy.'

I've been focusing on studying English recently.

There have been some results.

Reading and enjoying the rhythm of the original text had been quite fun!

Thanks to that, I tried a more challenging book.

"..."

But "Moby-Dick" felt like too much in various ways.

I closed the book and looked out the window.

Maybe because the morning rush hour was over, the road was quite empty.

It was nice and quiet, just the way I liked it.

I wish my life could be as smooth and traffic-free as this midday road!

'To achieve that.'

I need to earn that 20 billion won.

For that, Professor Jo Soo-deok had to play a significant role.

While I was lost in these thoughts, the familiar sight of Seoul National University's campus came into view.

I didn't know what answer Professor Jo Soo-deok had prepared.

'I'll find out soon enough.'

Once the car came to a complete stop,

Click.

I unbuckled my seatbelt and got up.

Inside the office of the head of the Western Painting Department.

I sat across from Jo Soo-deok with a small table between us.

"Would you like something to drink?"

Jo Soo-deok, with his usual sly expression gone, asked plainly.

"No, thank you."

"It might be a long conversation. Wouldn't it be better to have some juice?"

"No, it's fine."

Jo Soo-deok nodded.

Whatever changes had happened over the past week, the ambition in his eyes was gone.

"I've thought about your proposal, Ji-hoon. But no matter how much I think about it, it's no use. How can I make a decision when I don't even know what I'm getting into?"

I agree.

But some things in life are unavoidable.

"Once you hear the details, you won't be able to refuse."

"Information is key, you said?"

I nodded.

"Let me change the question. If this project succeeds, what do you get out of it?"

"Money."

"Can you tell me roughly how much?"

If I mentioned the amount, he could roughly deduce the value of the painting.

"I don't know either."

"Then at least tell me what I will get out of it."

"It's the same."

"An uncertain amount of money?"

"No, your earnings are fixed."

Around 100 million won by 2020 standards.

The amount itself might not seem huge, but…

'It's a month's worth of earnings!'

Moreover, there could be additional benefits.

"If a similar project comes up in the future, we'd naturally seek your help first."

"So, I can maintain a relationship with Hyungang?"

"Yes."

"This is all the information I get?"

I nodded.

"The rest will be disclosed only after we start the project, and even then, once you hear it, there's no turning back?"

"Exactly."

"So, it's my decision now."

I had waited a week to hear this answer.

I suspected he wouldn't refuse.

If he intended to reject my offer, he would have come to Hannam-dong out of courtesy.

But then,

"I don't need my share of the payment."

Jo Soo-deok said something unexpected.

"Do you want something else instead of money?"

"That's right. I'd like to be the featured artist at the opening exhibition of Hyungang Art Museum."

What kind of sudden request was this?

The director of Hyungang Art Museum would be Song Soo-hee, and initially, Chairman Park's influence would be quite strong.

An eleven-year-old kid had no place in this decision.

Above all,

How can we exhibit your painting at such a significant opening exhibition instead of Kim Hwan-gi's work?

I had a lot to say but…

"..."

I kept my mouth shut to avoid hurting his feelings.

But my expression must have said enough.

Jo Soo-deok quickly added, as if to explain.

"I anticipated this response, so I prepared a piece."

"Pardon?"

"You asked me when I would create a new work. This is the answer."

Really, this man…

Interrupting business talks to show a painting?

As absurd as it was,

'He's not asking for money… right?'

Fine, I'll humor him.

"Please come over here."

Jo Soo-deok led me to a corner of his office.

There was a canvas turned over, possibly to avoid sunlight.

He lifted the canvas and carefully placed it on an easel.

"This is my new work. Look, the paint hasn't even dried yet."

I had seen many of Jo Soo-deok's works.

There were quite a few in the Seoul National University exhibition room.

"I kept touching it up until early this morning. It's been a while since I held a brush, so I felt rusty, but I pushed through and completed it."

Pushed through, huh?

"How is it? Still, isn't it decent?"

"Just a moment."

"...?"

"Could you please be quiet so I can appreciate the painting?"

"Of course. Take your time. I'll step aside."

The style of Jo Soo-deok's past works was extremely sharp.

To put it kindly, it was sensitive; harshly, it was neurotic.

The immaturity of youth.

Unrefined energy.

That was the common feeling I got from Jo Soo-deok's works.

But today's painting was different.

'Is this the universe?'

A black background with countless stars.

What thoughts did the artist have while painting all those stars?

The first feeling I got was a sense of loneliness.

Dreaming of the stars, but in the vast darkness, there is no place for him.

So he silently etched others' stars onto the canvas.

'If it were the old Jo Soo-deok?'

He would have firmly resolved to shine just as brightly… forcefully embedding his determination into the canvas.

But this painting conveyed heavy resignation.

The anguish of one who acknowledges and calmly accepts their limits.

The cruelty of life that only those who have given their all can face.

The fragrance of life that is embedded in a true adult.

I slowly turned my head towards Jo Soo-deok.

"Professor."

"Yes, Ji-hoon?"

"This piece… wouldn't look out of place in the Museum of Modern Art in New York."

"Oh, come on, it's not that good."

"But that's exactly how I felt."

Jo Soo-deok quietly looked into my eyes.

How great must the waves of life he endured be, to not sway by an eleven-year-old's praise.

He calmly spoke without any emotional turmoil.

"Then… can my painting be exhibited at the opening of Hyungang Art Museum instead of my payment?"

"It's not my decision. I can't even recommend it. But."

"...?"

"If works of this caliber can be prepared in large numbers, Hyungang will definitely want to have you."

I mean, that's the ideal, but it ultimately depends on Jo Soo-deok.

Nothing was guaranteed.

"Alright, let's do it!"

Jo Soo-deok gave a crisp answer.

"I'll proceed with the project with Ji-hoon! And my solo exhibition! Let's just do it all."

It saves me money, so that's good.

But I told you nothing is guaranteed, ahem.

"Ji-hoon, since we've reached an agreement, I'd like to give you this painting as a gift."

"Pardon?"

"I was inspired by you to create this piece. Wouldn't it be meaningful if you took it?"

But you said you were preparing for a solo exhibition.

You should secure as many paintings as possible.

And this great piece… what if you give it to me?

Sensing my thoughts, Jo Soo-deok quickly added.

"I can always paint more, so what's the problem?"

"But what about the project? If you keep painting, when will you work?"

"Oh, I don't do the work myself?"

"...?"

"Graduate students usually handle the work."

Huh?

"Ji-hoon, you might not know because you're young, but universities run on the efforts of Ph.D. students."

I know.

I've had a taste of graduate school myself.

"You mentioned Boston before, right?"

I nodded.

"If I send five of our students there, it'll be a breeze. Got it?"

"With just five?"

"Five is too many. Three would suffice."

"Let's just go with five."

"Seems like you have a lot of funds?"

No matter how much money I have, a rich kid saving money for graduate students… what for?

"Professor, just hire enough people."

"Ji-hoon, the thrill of achieving maximum efficiency with minimal resources is quite something..."

You can do that with your personal projects!

With mine, please do it generously, geez!

Jo Soo-deok, sensing my thoughts, nodded in agreement.

"The boss's orders, I'll follow."

***

At the Hannam-dong residence.

After finishing the business discussion with Jo Soo-deok, I leisurely returned home.

It was timed to match Chairman Park Yong-hak's return from work.

-'I'd like to be the featured artist at the opening exhibition of Hyungang Art Museum.'

We're in the same boat now, so I should try my best.

'I can't ask Chairman Park for favors, he's not that kind of person. Making it seem like it's from his heart is the only way.'

The best way is to have him see the work.

An encounter disguised as a coincidence.

Just then,

"Please take out the painting."

I asked the staff for assistance.

Moments later.

A large sedan stopped, and Chairman Park Yong-hak got out of the car.

"Grandfather, welcome back."

"What's this?"

"A painting."

As Chairman Park showed interest, the staff carrying the painting stopped.

"Whose painting is it?"

"By Jo Soo-deok."

"The professor from Seoul National University?"

"You know him?"

"Not impressive. Why did you bring it here?"

"Well, it's better than expected."

"What?"

With my words, Chairman Park took a step closer to the painting.

The staff adjusted the painting to match his eye level.

"Hmm."

Chairman Park can stand in front of a painting for 30 minutes if he likes it.

He did the same now.

With his hands behind his back, he stared at the painting for over 10 minutes.

Professor Jo Soo-deok.

I've done my part!

You agree, right?

Several more minutes passed.

"Grandfather, it's cold. How about looking at it inside?"

"..."

"Grandfather."

"What did you say?"

"You're lightly dressed. Wouldn't it be better to see it inside? I hear a cold is going around."

"Cold, huh."

Finally, Chairman Park turned away from the painting.

Then, as if in passing, he told the staff.

"Bring the painting to my study."

TL/n - 

Today is my birthday, and as a token of appreciation, I am delighted to offer you a return gift by uploading an extra chapter.