I Became an Artist in a Romantic Comedy-Chapter 91

While showing Yoon around the school neighborhood:

The source of this c𝓸ntent is frёeweɓηovel.coɱ.

"What do you think Chinese tanghulu tastes like?"

My eyes caught sight of a tanghulu stall, and Yoon, predictably, couldn’t just pass it by.

Why do people even eat tanghulu...?

I remembered taking a bite of the sugar-coated fruit and immediately passing it to Ha Soo-Yul, finding it too sweet for my taste.

As for what we were doing now?

"Just giving a neighborhood tour, really."

We wandered around the school area and the vicinity of the house where my family stayed.

My parents, sensitive to the fine dust, decided to stay indoors.

Though time was tight, I didn’t think I’d get the chance to look at the paintings today.

Not only had I not gathered three yet, but I also needed to find my mentor first.

There were still questions left unanswered.

Sighing internally, I wandered the streets of the neighborhood. The days passed the same as usual, and time didn’t seem to change.

"I should start looking for a plane ticket."

The Prize had just begun. By now, it was likely progressing.

The collaborative painting I submitted with Ms. Lee Ah-Reum and Hong Ye-Hwa would also have garnered some attention by now.

It’s probably making headlines.

"I haven’t been keeping up with the news, but I did get some messages."

Although I wasn’t up-to-date, Ms. Lee’s messages had reassured me.

They said the votes for this year had doubled compared to last year’s Hollow Snow.

I honestly couldn’t remember much about that anymore.

It might sound funny, but that memory had long since faded from my mind.

Think about it—when you’ve been running around tirelessly without any breaks, would you remember something that happened a year ago?

"Sigh. I need to meet my mentor and get something started soon."

Should I just head to the National Museum and start restoring it there?

"Maybe that’s the better choice."

If the thought was complete, it was better to act on it immediately.

I wouldn’t be able to go to school starting tomorrow.

Would they even allow field trips here?

Connections are everything in society, with ability serving as a supplementary factor.

And those who possess both always enjoy privileges.

"Thank you."

Now, I could attend school just to show up and leave immediately. Honestly, I wasn’t learning much anyway.

What’s the point of studying? It’s not like I plan to go to college.

Even though my mindset might seem a bit irresponsible, I’m in the arts, after all.

"But I still have to take the tests, right?"

Sure, I’d take the tests, but don’t expect high scores.

Unlike in my first year, balancing study and work this year was just too exhausting.

"Five months… maybe seven if I include winter vacation."

During that time, I needed to meet my mentor and restore all three masterpieces.

Might as well tackle everything at once. I didn’t want to come back here later.

"Society is all about connections, Chairman."

"You’re far too young to be talking like that... tsk, tsk."

Behind me was the massive figure of the chairman—a powerful card to have in my hand.

Of course, there was no such thing as a free lunch. Naturally, he had his own conditions.

"Though, I wouldn’t even call it a condition..."

He just wanted to watch me work.

Considering he once immersed himself in the art world, it wasn’t incomprehensible, but I didn’t see how merely watching the process could be fulfilling.

I always thought that you had to experience art yourself to truly understand it.

"But with his aging body, that might not be feasible."

Despite his youthful appearance, he was already seventy years old.

The abundant white hair hinted at the hardships of time.

"Oddly enough, you’ve managed to avoid hair loss."

"That tongue of yours must surely belong to the devil."

With an incredulous laugh, the chairman led me inside.

The enormous building housed fewer people than I had expected.

"Still, there are more than in Korea."

Given the population ratio, it made sense. This place had several times Korea’s population.

With just the people in this museum, you could probably fill Sa-Jong Academy to the brim.

"Or maybe not."

It was just a metaphor. Everywhere I looked, the space was vast.

Come to think of it, there were originally two national museums here.

The Chinese Revolution Museum and the Chinese History Museum.

The latter was self-explanatory. The former? I wasn’t sure, as my knowledge of China was limited.

"There were three exhibition halls, weren’t there?"

We were headed to the art exhibition hall, which was farther than the ancient and modern history halls.

This building was ridiculously massive, making the journey to the exhibition hall feel endless.

I heard from the information desk that the total area was about 200,000 square meters.

Even as I trailed the chairman, lost in my thoughts, I couldn’t find the painting I was looking for.

"What’s going on? It should be here."

I looked suspiciously at the chairman, who tilted his head as if he was just as confused.

"That’s strange. Last time I checked, it was definitely here."

There were paintings, sure, but none of my masterpieces were present.

"I doubt the staff would know either."

Even though the masterpieces were publicly displayed, their management fell under the state or other high-ranking individuals.

In other words, I’d have to ask someone in a position of authority.

"Then, I’ll leave it to you."

"You don’t even need to ask. I’m just as curious about the whereabouts of these masterpieces."

It was reassuring to have someone powerful by my side in moments like this.

Honestly, being a direct member of S Group seems more influential than being a school chairman.

Though, I doubted he was secretly ruling some shadowy underworld or anything.

After telling me to explore the exhibition hall for a bit, the chairman disappeared.

Knowing I had a reliable ally made me feel at ease.

So this is what it’s like to dump everything on the team leader during group projects.

"Or maybe not."

Anyway, in the chairman’s absence, I roamed around and snapped photos freely.

Of course, I had gotten permission for the photos, so there was no need to worry.

I planned to show them to my family and friends when I returned.

If the weather improved, perhaps we could visit in person later.

"Stop taking photos and follow me. I’ve found where it is."

Just as I was having a blast with the camera, the chairman’s voice startled me from behind.

"When did you get here?"

"About five minutes ago?"

"You should’ve told me sooner..."

"I was curious to see how long it would take you to notice, but you seem to lack even a shred of awareness."

So, he’d been standing there the whole time. How did I not notice?

Scratching my head, I followed the chairman.

We moved past the exhibition hall to a space reserved for special exhibits.

I hoped I wouldn’t get lost—it was just too vast.

"They used to display paintings out in the open, like those in the exhibition halls."

After a brief pause, the chairman spoke.

"But last year, it seems some activists staged an attack."

"Wait... an attack?"

"They didn’t share many details, but apparently, two paintings were moved as a precaution."

So, other paintings had been attacked, not the masterpieces.

Come to think of it, wasn’t the Mona Lisa attacked at some point too?

I was about to delve into that thought when the chairman’s words snapped me out of it.

"Ah, here we are. It hasn’t changed at all since I last saw it."

"Of course. It’s not just a masterpiece; it’s an exceptional masterpiece."

Unlike ordinary works that fade over time, masterpieces remained pristine and vibrant as if freshly completed.

[Sara] and [Cerberus].

The paintings currently in China, now in front of me.

They gave off a different feeling compared to [Gumiho] or [Seiren].

An inexplicable churning welled up inside me.

"Sniff."

"Why are you suddenly sniffing?"

"Must’ve misheard."

If the previous two paintings represented a period of creative slump, these two reflected a time when I indulged my desires.

"Not that it was about lust or gluttony."

It was simply a time when I couldn’t contain my cravings, so I expressed them through art.

The memories of those days remained vivid.

It was also a time when I had boundless energy.

Even as I stared at both paintings, my gaze naturally gravitated toward [Sara].

If Seiren was the most mature female figure among the seven, Sara was the opposite—the most childlike.

A lively, endlessly energetic little girl, bursting with innocence.

"Hm. She’s just like Yoon when she was little."

In any case, that’s who Sara was.

The type to cry and whine if things didn’t go her way.

The kind of kid you might call a "precious handful."

And yet, she was also irresistibly endearing.

The kind of girl who could play with Miho all day long.

"So, what’s your plan now?"

We weren’t alone in this space.

The staff watching us were also present.

But at this point, I’d come too far to care about such details.

"Haha. What else? I’m going to restore them, of course. Why even ask?"

"Hah... You’ve certainly tested my patience over the years."

"Well, congratulations. Isn’t that something to celebrate?"