Three days later, Autumn called Ju-ah and Do-jin to a café.
She had been in her studio since receiving his proposition but had nothing to show for it. She wanted to cool off her mind and seek advice on a good painting subject or an idea that would shine in the competition.
“What kind of painting would sell for a high price, oppa?”
Taken aback by her sudden question, Do-jin asked, “Why all of a sudden?”
“Yes.”
“Well, from our perspective, isn’t selling it at all a big deal?”
“But still. Isn’t there any sharp idea?”
Unlike Autumn’s desperate heart, the two exchanged glances, then looked back at her. Ju-ah, usually outspoken, carefully held Autumn’s hands and asked.
“Did our Autumn suddenly need a lot of money? Did you get into some trouble?”
“No, it’s not like that. I need a groundbreaking way to sell my paintings at a high price.”
“So why exactly do you need that?”
Different from her cautious questioning earlier, Ju-ah, now wearing a stern expression, asked Autumn again.
“Tell me honestly. You got into some trouble, didn’t you?”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Tell me straight.”
With a persistent gaze as if urging her to tell the truth, Autumn gave a somewhat honest answer.
“There is something, but it’s not serious. I didn’t cause any trouble.”
“Then why do you need the money?”
“Actually, there’s been a bit of a tense atmosphere at home because of my painting. I thought maybe if I achieve something big in a competition, things might improve.”
“Oh, so you need a way to sell your paintings for a high price for that reason?”
“Yes. That’s the only way I can…”
Be acknowledged.
Autumn nodded her head, and both Ju-ah and Do-jin simultaneously sighed.
Confused by their identical reactions, Autumn asked, “Why?”
“We thought you might have gotten into some trouble.”
Realizing that was a reasonable assumption, Autumn gave an awkward smile and asked again, “So, what exactly makes a painting sell for a high price?”
Taking Autumn’s concerns seriously, Ju-ah and Do-jin began to seriously offer their opinions.
“Isn’t it just a matter of skill? If you’re skilled, anything you paint should get a good response.”
“That’s not helpful, Ju-ah. Do you think Autumn would ask without reason?”
“Then how about you suggest something, oppa! Do you have any brilliant ideas?”
Do-jin, who seemed ready to answer, hesitated and then grunted in frustration.
“Maybe try something provocative as a subject? At least it’ll stand out, and then whether it sells or not, we’ll see.”
“Like what, for example?”
“Well, I don’t know that far.”
“Ah, oppa! Think seriously.”
“Then what about you, Baek Ju-ah.”
Ju-ah, seemingly struck with a pointed idea, confidently responded, “How about researching paintings that have sold for high prices? The collectors who pay big money for paintings are limited, after all. How’s that? Isn’t it the most realistic approach?”
“So, what kind of paintings are those?”
“How would I know that? We need to start researching! Just touring galleries in Seoul should give us some insights.”
“That’ll take too long. The exhibition Autumn mentioned is in spring.”
“Then what do you suggest!”
It’s still difficult.
Lost in thought with her friends’ banter in the background, Autumn worried.
After hours at the café, brainstorming on the same topic, they still couldn’t find a convincing method.
Walking home dejectedly, Autumn headed to her studio to at least warm up her hands.
Just as she was passing the main building to get to her studio, she encountered Chairman Han.
“……Chairman.”
“…….”
Surprised to come face-to-face with the Chairman, Autumn, unable to think of picking up her dropped drawing book, reflexively bowed her head.
After the recent scolding, the Chairman felt more intimidating than usual, but Autumn waited respectfully for his response.
“……?”
However, instead of a reply, only the sound of his receding footsteps reached her ears.
Autumn timidly raised her head to look at Chairman Han.
Enraged with her, he ignored Autumn and left the main building.
His retreating figure was all that she saw.
Ignoring her… It was the first time she experienced such treatment since coming to the mansion.
His response to her disfavor was sheer indifference.
Her studio was set apart, reached by crossing the back path of the main building and walking the stone path of the garden. Originally used as a storage space, it was generously given to Autumn by Chairman Han as her independent area.
Over time, with a bit of remodeling, changing the lights, and adding an easel, canvases, and various art supplies, what was a modest space had been transformed into a quite respectable studio.
Just entering her studio, Autumn let out a sigh and muttered to herself, “Sigh… I really got on Chairman Han’s bad side, didn’t I?”
Recalling Chairman Han, she soon shook her head.
Forget it. Let’s just focus on painting for now.
After all, the most important thing at the moment was preparing for the spring competition. If that went well, perhaps Chairman Han’s heart might soften. After all, he was the one to whom she owed a debt.
Chairman Han didn’t seem to want her to repay her gratitude in any other way.
Therefore, the opportunity he had given her was invaluable.
Autumn pulled the easel closer, mounted a canvas on it, and opened a small drawing book.
Since her conversation with Han Gi-tae, she had been sketching various ideas, and now the sketches filled the book to the brim. As she pondered what kind of painting would meet his criteria, the new drawing book had quickly worn to look as old as a well-used practice pad.
If unsure of the method, the only option was to try drawing a variety of things.
Flipping through the drawing book quickly, Autumn scooped two colors of paint onto her palette and ruthlessly mashed them together with a knife.
Even after blending the colors, she continued to press and mash them with the knife.
‘What is Han Gi-tae thinking, really?’
A person who had always seemed uninterested, suddenly behaving kindly, and now offering her an opportunity.
He didn’t seem like someone who would just offer a chance out of the blue.
Regardless, she knew she might not get a second chance. She wanted to succeed.
Autumn’s contemplation and desperation spread onto the canvas.
Male lead reborn without memories — but he still falls for her.
The person he finds displeasing in this life turns out to be his cherished wife-master in previous life…
Xie Zhi and Fang Xianxing who had known each other for less than three days through a blind date sat in the same car in front of the civil affairs bureau. They had a disagreement and failed to get married.
Xie Zhi immediately took out his phone, slid through his contacts, and randomly selected the next marriage candidate.
The woman snatched his phone and hung up. Looking at his phone wallpaper, she awkwardly changed the subject: “An ancient painting, eh? It looks pretty good, it’s just that the person in the painting looks a bit like me.”
When he heard this, he sarcastically mocked her for being so delusional, completely unaware that, the person in front of him was the reincarnation of Wen Ru, the famous prime minister of Yuan Shun whom he most admired…
The female CEO who doesn’t want to get married with a divorce agreement in hand × The male archaeological researcher who will only get married if he’s sure he can get divorced
