Chapter 123 (2) - The Mysterious Art Museum


    Monica was about to press for an answer when she remembered the city hall and store were very close, and leaned back. Ci, watching Monica, spoke up.


    "Didn''t you say he''s a highly talented painter from Korea?"


    "Yes, dubbed the ''Star of the East.''"


    "..............."


    "Ci has different thoughts, I see?"


    "To be honest, I don''t understand."


    "Haha, you won''t understand what Ban is doing halfway through. It''s normal. Please ept it."


    "Yes, ma''am."


    As the car stopped, Monica looked out in slight surprise.The store, not yet opened and still ordering its sign, was busy with construction. But the problem was the passersby, stopping briefly to look at the store before continuing on their way. Though they didn''t linger long, almost no one simply walked by.


    With curious faces, they would nce at the store, cock their heads in wonder, chuckle, and then continue on their way.


    As the driver opened the rear door, Monica stepped out and asked Ci, who was already outside,


    "What''s going on with the store?"


    "..............."


    Ci motioned with her eyes as if to say, ''See for yourself.''


    Monica frowned and headed towards the store.


    Finally arriving at the storefront, Monica looked through the window at the store and was so astonished she couldn''t evenugh.


    "What on earth."


    Blue. Everything was blue.


    The walls and ceiling, every space except the floor, were covered in blue paint. Not neatly applied, but roughly, as if elementary school kids had yfully thrown paint and then smeared it with brooms rather than proper brushes, creating aical scene.


    Ci came up beside Monica and said, "It''s a bold choice."


    "He started working alone a few days ago. But now, the entire store is being painted blue."


    Monica frowned deeply.


    It was her precious business venture, a gship store for her brand, so how could she be happy with it looking like that? Monica, scowling, stared at the store.


    However, recalling the beautiful paintings Jung-hoon had presented in Korea, including the murals he painted in the town, Monica began to think there must be some n in his mind.


    Monica, about to open the door of the store, checked through the ss to see that Jung-hoon was not inside and asked,


    "Where is Jung-hoon?"


    Ci, checking the time, replied,


    "He''s probably gone for lunch at this hour."


    "Alone?"


    "ording to the reports from Marco, the driver, they always go to eat together."


    "He eats with the driver?"


    "Yes."


    Jung-hoon is an artist.


    Not a businessman, nor a tycoon, and certainly not a noble.


    He doesn''t dine with his chauffeur as an act of patronage, but simply as eating with a colleague.


    Monica chuckled and said,


    "Call and find out where the restaurant is. I need to eat lunch anyway."


    "Sure, Monica."


    **


    "My goodness, what is this, Marco? It''s delicious!"


    "Haha, that''s not Italian food, it''s Greek food. It''s called gyros."


    "What? It''s not a taco but something else? I thought it was Mexican."


    "It does look simr, but it''s definitely Greek."


    "Now that you mention it, the dough is a bit different. Kind of like a crepe."


    "Exactly."


    I''ve been having funtely getting rmendations for Mn''s best eateries from Marco, assigned as my driver by Monica. Marco, who''s lived in Mn for over 20 years and is two years younger than me, knows every nook and cranny of this town. I realized this the day after I arrived in Mn when he didn''t even need to turn on the navigation to get to the art store.


    It''s truly fun to travel with a local friend.


    Then, Marco''s phone rang while we were eating.


    Seeing the screen, he was startled and rushed out to take the call.


    A momentter, Marco, holding his share of the food, said,


    "The secretary-general and the boss are here. I''ll eat in the car."


    "You can eat here, it''s okay."


    "I may be fine, but not in front of them. I''m just a driver."


    Hmm, Italy also can''t escape its ss society culture.


    Europe has been dividing sses between nobles andmoners for so long, so perhaps it''s inevitable?


    Watching Marco hurriedly leave, Monica soon enters. I wave my hand high to signal I''m here, and shees straight over.


    "Did youe?"


    "Jung-hoon, do you like Greek food?"


    "No, it''s my first time trying it, but it''s good. Delicious."


    "This ce is known only to the locals of Mn."


    "Haha, Marco introduced it to me. He''s a good guy."


    Nothing beats praising someone in front of their boss. Noticing a woman I hadn''t seen before next to Monica, I leaned forward.


    "Do you speak English?"


    A stern-looking beauty with sses nodded.


    "I''m the secretary-general, Ciolina. Nice to meet you, Jung-hoon."


    "Oh, you know my name. No need for introductions, then?"


    "Yes."


    "It''s almost lunch, right? Let''s order something."


    Monica nodded at Ci, who then went to ce the order. Hmm, that must be convenient. Maybe I should hire a secretary if I earn a lot? Eh, no need for a servant at my side.


    Turning my gaze from Ci, I found Monica staring intently at my face.


    "What''s up?"


    Monica seemed to want to ask something, then just smiled.


    "Just. It''s been a while since I''ve seen you."


    "Oh, Monica, you''re quite the simple one."


    "Haha."


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