CH20

Jo Soo-deok has seen numerous valuable artworks in his time.

For him to readily name this painting as the best…

"When are the appraisers coming?"

"They should be arriving sometime tomorrow."

Well, there's no harm in confirming it.

"You did well. Thanks for taking care of everything."

"No problem at all."

"Let's head out then."

We engaged in light conversation as we walked to the parking lot.

To keep my composure, I avoided talking about da Vinci.

Jo Soo-deok, perceptive as always, quickly read my mind.

"Representative, I must have gotten a bit carried away. Whether the painting is genuine or not is a matter for later… Right now, we need to win over Mr. Baker. It's a good thing you're keeping us grounded. Ah, I finally feel like I've got my head on straight."

"Isn't your attitude shift a bit too fast?"

"Haha, you see, in the business world, the first step is managing the moods of those above you."

"Managing moods?"

"In simpler terms, paying attention to their feelings, or in nicer terms, using tact."

There's never a dull moment with Jo Soo-deok.

"Representative, please get in. This is the car."

"You've been driving this?"

"It's a bit old, isn't it?"

An old Ford van.

He had enough travel funds… why this?

"Even if expenses are covered, driving a fancy car is a bad look. It's all foreign currency going out, after all… for the sake of national well-being and your wallet, we must be thrifty."

"You still should have spent a bit more."

"Well, we're here to buy someone else's artwork under the guise of researchers. Looking too affluent won't help."

"So driving an expensive car would just give them a reason to fault us?"

"Exactly. If they see the car and think we have money, they'll wonder why we're offering so little for the painting. It's a hassle."

He's really detail-oriented.

Indeed, Jo Soo-deok was dressed in a worn-out suit and shabby shoes.

The perfect image of a poor artist!

"I'll drive," said the driver.

"Then I'll take the passenger seat."

Jo Soo-deok immediately responded.

Somehow, I ended up in the back seat… the so-called boss's seat.

"The destination is quite far. We're staying at a hotel, but it's not in great condition. I suggest finding a better place for you…"

"No, staying at the same hotel is fine."

"You'll be uncomfortable."

What discomfort in a hotel?

I used to live in a semi-basement every year in my past life.

Vrooom!

As we drove, we naturally started talking about business.

"Can you schedule a meeting with Mr. Baker for tomorrow afternoon?"

"I'll try, but…"

"...?"

"It'll be our third attempt. He's likely to refuse."

True, he's already met us twice despite having no intention to sell. The fact that he even entertained us because we flew from Korea is surprising; it wouldn't have been strange if he had shut the door on us.

"We can call him, right?"

"Of course."

"Then tell him this. A third-generation heir of a company that owns a Korean pro baseball team wants to meet him."

"So you're aiming for baseball?"

"Yes."

"It's definitely a good strategy. He seemed half-crazy about baseball."

Jo Soo-deok looked out the window, then turned back to me.

"If money could solve this, you wouldn't have needed to come. He's a difficult man, so you had to come yourself."

"Thanks to that, I get to see America."

Grinning.

When I smiled, Jo Soo-deok followed suit.

But I knew.

The worry hanging at the corners of Jo Soo-deok's mouth.

Even if he's crazy about baseball…

'Mr. Baker wasn't swayed by money.'

He must be wondering if appealing to his love of baseball will work.

"You have a lot of questions, don't you?"

"Who doesn't have unanswered questions in life?"

"But as partners, you have the right to know…"

"Oh, come on! As partners, you draw the big picture, and I do the legwork. That's how it works."

He wouldn't ask unless I volunteered information.

The type to follow instructions without question.

Not something you usually say about an artist.

But maybe… business is his true calling.

"Thank you for trusting me."

"Don't mention it."

With a slightly embarrassed smile from Jo Soo-deok.

Vroooom!

The old van picked up speed.

As the endless road stretched ahead.

I finally felt the reality of being in America sink in.

That night, at the hotel.

There was a knock at the door, and I opened it to find Jo Soo-deok standing in the hallway.

He could have called, but he came to my room in person.

It meant he had something important to discuss.

"I just finished a call with Mr. Baker."

"Really?"

"As expected, he refused to meet. He said he's done all he could and spoke coldly. But when I mentioned Hyungang Lions as you suggested, his tone changed immediately."

"Did he show interest?"

"More than interest. He seemed quite excited."

"Did you set up a meeting?"

"Yes, but…"

Jo Soo-deok hesitated, looking troubled.

"He has to leave early tomorrow on a business trip. It sounded like he was just following the Boston team to an away game in Maryland. He'll be gone for at least four days…"

Which means we can't meet him until five days later.

"We can meet him now."

"What?"

"He's leaving tomorrow. He must be home now, right?"

"Yes, but…"

It was 11 PM.

Showing up now could just irritate him.

I knew that too.

But we couldn't wait five days.

"Get ready to go."

"Okay."

At my words, Jo Soo-deok hurried off.

The streets were empty at this hour.

'This is a middle-class neighborhood.'

There were indeed many upscale houses.

We stopped in front of a particularly large house.

"This is it."

The light streaming through the window indicated he wasn't asleep yet.

"Driver, bring the documents."

"Yes, young master."

These were the materials we had gathered meticulously in Gwangju.

I looked at Jo Soo-deok.

"You remember what we discussed?"

"Of course."

Jo Soo-deok took a black shopping bag from the glove box.

We were ready.

Time to meet Baker.

Jo Soo-deok led the way, and the driver and I followed.

Ding dong!

No response, so we rang the bell again.

Thud, thud.

With heavy footsteps.

Click!

The door opened irritably.

"Who's at my door at this hour…?"

Is this Baker?

A tall white man.

Probably in his late forties.

An age where it's easy to gain weight if you're not careful, but he looked fit, suggesting he liked to exercise.

Just as he was about to get angry.

"What… bringing a kid at this hour?"

Seeing my face, he seemed to hold back his words.

His English was simple enough for me to understand, but speaking it myself was a stretch.

What could I do?

Jo Soo-deok had to interpret.

"Sir, sorry to bother you so late. We heard you're leaving on a trip tomorrow, so we came running."

Baker looked between me and Jo Soo-deok.

After the translation, he asked.

"Is this supposed to be the wealthy owner of a pro team…?"

"Yes, that's me."

"Unbelievable."

He must have thought I was at least in my twenties.

Baker scratched his head, looking perplexed.

"Sir, could we come in and talk?"

"Ugh… I can't just turn away a kid."

Sometimes, being young is helpful.

"It's cold, come in."

"Thank you."

As soon as we stepped into the hallway, the living room came into view.

Just as Jo Soo-deok described, there were display cases full of treasured baseball memorabilia.

"So, the painting… you said it was for research?"

Baker walked briskly toward Jo Soo-deok and asked.

"I could understand the professor, but why the sudden presence of this kid?"

"Oh, I commissioned the professor for the research."

"You, a kid?"

"I might look like this, but I've got a bit of money."

"Right, you're the wealthy heir."

Baker shrugged as if he had forgotten.

"But what can I do? I'm not interested in money at all."

"I heard."

"Knowing that, what nerve brings you here?"

"Well…"

"Here to make an irresistible offer, like a typical rich person?"

"Come on… I'm not the New York Yankees."

"Yankees?"

"Yes. They have a long tradition of winning people over with money."

"Hahaha!"

Baker burst out laughing.

"Is the Yankees' splurging reputation known even in faraway Asia?"

"Of course. It's so well-known that even an 11-year-old kid knows."

"Puhaha!"

After laughing twice, the icy atmosphere thawed.

Thanks to that, we sat down across from each other at the sofa table.

"It's been a while since I met such a delightful kid. But what can I do?"

"...?"

"Christmas is around the corner, and I'd love to give a gift to a good kid, but… the paintings in my storage have deep grudges."

"Grudges?"

"It's like that."

He frowned deeply as if recalling something unpleasant.

"So, if we resolve that grudge, could you part with the paintings?"

"What?"

"You said it's because of the grudge. If we resolve it, you could let them go."

Baker gave a bitter smile.

It seemed absurd to discuss such things with a child.

"Kid, this isn't a problem that can be solved."

"Why not?"

"Let's stop. It's just going to sour the mood."

He sighed deeply.

"Sir, about that grudge."

"...."

"If you could live your life over again… wouldn't that solve it?"

At this point, even Jo Soo-deok tilted his head in confusion while interpreting.

"Right? If you could live another life, you wouldn't give up baseball, would you?"

"What?"

"Then you wouldn't have any grudges against those paintings."

"What are you talking about?"

"Didn't your parents, who were art lovers, push you to become an artist even though you loved baseball? You ended up quitting baseball due to conflicts with your parents."

"Did you investigate my past just to get a painting?"

"Come on, who would I ask? I don't know anyone in America."

Maybe he didn't believe me.

Fire flared in Baker's eyes.

But I didn't back down.

"Sir, even if you quit baseball because of your parents, you could have played in college at least as a hobby. But all the baseball equipment here is for kids, isn't it?"

"..."

"Maybe your parents' opposition was an excuse, and the real reason you quit was realizing your talent's limits. It's not easy to become a baseball scholar, let alone a pro, in the US."

As soon as Jo Soo-deok finished interpreting.

"Shut up!"

Baker stood up abruptly with a shout.

"What do you know to spout such nonsense!"

TL/n - 

You can read up to chapter 48 in advance at p@treon.com/inkbound