"Are you making decent money?"
"Haha, it's way better than working at a company."
"Boy, stop this nonsense and get a real job. People need to work."
"What are you saying? This is a job nowadays. Many people make a living off it. You're not that old, but you seem out of touch with the tis."
"So you're just getting by?"
"Getting by? Thanks to you, Teacher, I'm thriving. Of all my friends who ca with that day, I'm the most successful. All thanks to you, Teacher. And you won't even accept my gifts. That hurts."
"Hurt? Talking about a Rolex as a gift with your finances?"
"No, Teacher! I'm telling you, I make good money. And this watch."
Junyoung showed the watch on his wrist. He was wearing it because I refused it, the very gift he intended for .
"I got this after contacting the company directly as a token of my gratitude. You can't even find this in stores. Do you know how much this watch is worth? A whopping 40 million won..."
"Forget it, boy. Who would dare wear that out, fearing soone might cut off their wrist? You keep it."
"Haha, Teacher, you really don't care about money."
It's not that I don't care.
Even now, I check how much cos in from MG Electronics, how much from Rosellini, the net profit of the company, every month.
I could afford to buy a watch like that every week with the money I make, so it's easy to be indifferent. Who can be completely free from the devil of money?
I glanced at the T-shirt Junyoung was wearing and smiled.
"Do you like that outfit?"
Junyoung, taking off his coat, stopped and looked down at his T-shirt.
"Do you like it? Should I buy you one?"
"Nonsense."
"Why? It's expensive. It's Rosellini, an Italian brand that's been really hot since last year. This isn't from their cheaper line; it's a genuine black label T-shirt, costing over 2 million won. But if you ask, Teacher, I'll gift you the most expensive one."
“Wow, the guy who used to crash at my place because he was broke is now strutting around in a T-shirt that costs 2 million won?”
“Haha, all thanks to you, sir. But if you really like it, just say the word. It’s tough to buy these days since there’s not much stock left, but I know soone at the departnt store who can set aside so for as soon as they arrive in Korea. They're so popular that they raised the price by 20% two months ago, yet they still sell out.”
Monica, you’re doing great too.
I smiled wryly and shifted my gaze away from the small black lotus emblem on his T-shirt.
“I’ll pass.”
“No, sir, I really can get one for you.”
Kid, I'm friends with the store owner.
If I want one, I should just ask them directly. Why pay for it? They'd give it to for free.
As I refocused on my work, he silently watched paint for a while.
When it was ti to wait for the paint to dry, he finally spoke up.
“But sir.”
“What.”
“Have you really not thought about an interview?”
“……”
“The dia is calling ten tis a day, asking who you are. How can you not give at least one interview? Advertisers contacting are also curious about your identity. Do you know? Those photos of your artwork? I took them. They often appear in Korean art magazines.”
“……”
The dia. Tireso.
They swarm like bees when it's sweet and turn vicious when it's not.
“Forget it, I'm not interested.”
“Ah! Soone like you should be out there in the art world, it would inspire the younger artists.”
“I’m busy enough taking care of myself.”
“Hmph.”
He looked frustrated, scanning the yard, then suddenly asked, “Wait, sir. Why do you have fewer paintings? When I last ca, there were nearly 300 pieces in the warehouse and yard. Where are they now?”
“Sent them away.”
“Where to?”
“It’s cramped here. Sent them to a friend.”
“What! Which friend? Is it soone trustworthy? Not so crook who’ll run off after selling your paintings? Sir! You have to be careful. Especially soone like you, who only knows about art, is a pri target for scams.”
Crazy kid, I sent them to Yeongju.
One of the few people I trust besides my brother and mom.
“Mind your own business.”
He kept asking, seemingly worried.
“300 pieces? That's enough to fill a small museum. Do you realize how high your reputation as Painter A is? Look at this.”
He showed his SNS.
Soone had comnted on a photo of my painting, and it had over a million likes.
[StrongDragon94]
Art provokes various interpretations, and interpretations create aning.
But Painter A's work needs no interpretation.
Beautiful nature and people. The desire to be among them.
A simple, primal pleasure for the eyes. That's all.
I glanced at Junyeong after reading the comnt.
“Who’s StrongDragon94?”
Soone famous enough to get a million likes.
Junyeong grinned and gave a thumbs-up.
“Ever heard of Yong-han, the singer who got an invite to the UK for contemporary art?”
“……”
“That’s his SNS account. He's a fan of Painter A and often DMs to ask if he can post my photos. Thanks to you, I get to interact with such famous people. With this level of fa, you should really cherish your work more. Is it okay to just send them off to any friend?”
I chuckled at his words.
Yong-han, huh? I wonder what kind of expression he would make if he knew that I am Artist A.
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