The Mysterious Art Museum

Chapter 118 (1) - The Mysterious Art Museum

Bonus chapter thanks to @Sany on Ko-fi!

At 10 PM, in Uncle Augusto's restaurant.

Monica looks on with reddened eyes at Junghoon, who appears as if he hasn't eaten in days, voraciously consuming his meal. His eyes are darkened with exhaustion, and his clothes are splattered with paint.

'A dear person.'

After returning to the village, she first went to Junghoon's house, but he wasn't there.

Wondering if he might be at Lea's house, she found Sophia, who told her that Junghoon and Lea had gone to paint murals at a different house and wouldn't return until around 10 PM. Monica waited outside Junghoon's house and then dragged him to the restaurant when he returned.

Monica, who had arranged dinner in advance at Uncle's restaurant, which usually closes at 10 PM, watched Junghoon with her chin resting on her hands. Her eyes were full of affection and gratitude, but Junghoon, starving as he was, only had eyes for the food.

Monica silently waited until Junghoon had eaten his fill. Finally, Junghoon stretched and patted his stomach.

"Wow, I feel like I can live now. I missed lunch because I was working, and my stomach was rumbling like thunder. When I was younger, I used to draw for a day without sleeping or eating. But it's getting harder as I age."

Though not yet thirty, Jeong-hoon's words seemed mature beyond his years, and Monica, seeing how much he had changed in just ten days away from the village, could only smile.

"Are you done eating?"

"No, I'm still hungry."

"Should I ask for more?"

"Hasn't the restaurant closed yet?"

"Uncle said he could serve you even at one in the morning if Jeong-hoon wants."

"Ho."

Jeong-hoon winked at Uncle Augusto, who was watching from the kitchen. The uncle gave a thumbs up.

Actually, painting the square in front of Uncle's store was their fourth project.

Uncle, who had come to the alleyway to deliver meat to an elderly lady with mobility issues, stumbled upon Jeong-hoon and Lea painting. After watching for a while, he brought the priest and asked them to paint in the square too.

'In exchange, he said the meals are free. Forever. Haha.'

The townspeople watched as the square was painted, observing the entire process."

"Although everyone rarely gathers at the same time, the square where the village's only store is located is a place where almost everyone comes at least once a day. Hence, most of the villagers have seen Jeong-hoon and Lea painting.

Two days later.

People who came to see the painting and ran into others started coming to the square every evening after dinner, enjoying the opportunity to chat with many people. Thanks to Uncle Augusto, who provides free food to the financially struggling villagers, the square became more lively.

Jeong-hoon gestured with his index finger to Uncle Augusto and said,

"Uncle! Give me something else, please. I'm still hungry."

As Jeong-hoon rubbed his stomach to show his hunger, Monica laughed and ordered something suitable in Italian.

Soon, a warm pork dish arrived, and Jeong-hoon started eating heartily again with his fork. He was getting full, but he couldn't ignore the kindness of the person who cooked this late at night.

After finishing the meal and as the coffee was served, Monica spoke up.

"Ban."

"Burp! Ah, sorry."

Seeing Jeong-hoon covering his mouth and apologizing, Monica burst into laughter.

"Ha ha!"

"Ah, I'm really sorry. I was about to answer, and then I burped. I must have eaten too much."

"Ha ha ha!"

Monica, finding Jeong-hoon's embarrassed face and him scratching his head cute, laughed even more because of her unstoppable laughter.

"Ah, it's okay. It's been a long time since I've laughed this much."

"I didn't do it on purpose."

"Ha ha, I know."

"But why did you call me?"

Monica, still not able to stop her laughter, took a breath and then said,

"Phew! Phew! Let me calm down a bit. Phew! Why am I like this?"

Jeong-hoon squinted his eyes.

"I said it was a mistake. Stop laughing, it's embarrassing."

"Ha ha ha!! Phew! Sorry."

"Tsk."

"Ah, Ban, you're so cute."

"...................."

Monica, after laughing for a while longer, then said,

"How did you end up painting the mural? Wasn't it just Lea's house?"

As Jeong-hoon explained how painting Lea's house led to a chain reaction among the villagers, like a domino effect, Monica listened intently, her eyes wide with interest."

"You painted without any compensation?"

Jeong-hoon looked at his chest and picked up a cookie crumb.

"Not entirely without compensation, I did eat cookies and juice."

Monica instinctively moved her hand towards her bag.

She wanted to express her gratitude to Jeong-hoon for transforming her hometown so beautifully. However, her hand stopped short of reaching her bag due to Jeong-hoon's next words.

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