CHAPTER 40
Thankfully, Noeul had plans with Ji-Woo that evening, something that lifted his mood after the strange encounter with Minho.
The exhibition, Visions of Light, was the latest show by the renowned Korean artist Kija.
The moment they entered the grand hall, Noeul understood why it had received so much attention.
Paintings, sculptures, and digital installations filled the space, each piece exploring light and shadow through color, texture, movement, and emotion.
Ji-Woo stopped almost immediately in front of one of the larger installations. “Hyung. You need to see this.”
Noeul walked over and stood beside him. The piece shifted slowly as they moved, light breaking across layered glass and throwing fragments of color against the wall.
Ji-Woo stared at it in fascination. “How do you even plan something like this?”
“You probably don’t. Not completely.”
“What do you mean?”
“You control the structure. The rest depends on the light, the viewer, the angle.” Noeul tilted his head, studying the reflections. “Maybe that’s the point.”
Ji-Woo’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “I could try something like that for my portfolio.”
“Exactly.” Noeul nudged his shoulder gently. “I told you I’d help. We’ll go through everything together. But don’t copy what you see here. Think about what you like about it and make it yours.”
Ji-Woo nodded, already pulling out his phone to make a note. Noeul watched him with a faint smile. That alone made the evening worth it.
He had read several reviews of the exhibition before coming, but what stood before him was far more impressive than anything he had expected.
The brothers took their time moving from one piece to another, sometimes debating the meaning, sometimes simply standing in silence.
At one painting, Ji-Woo insisted the darkness represented grief.
“It’s not grief,” Noeul said.
Ji-Woo folded his arms. “Then what?”
“Restraint.”
Ji-Woo stared at the piece again. “That’s depressing.”
Noeul laughed softly. “You said grief.”
“Yeah, well, yours is worse.”
They were still arguing when a gentle voice spoke behind them. “It seems you’re enjoying the collection.”
Without turning around, Noeul answered enthusiastically, still studying the painting. “It’s incredible. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
A soft laugh followed. “I’m glad you like my art.”
Noeul froze. Ji-Woo slowly turned first, his eyes widening.
Noeul looked over his shoulder and, for several seconds, simply stared.
Standing behind them was a man he had seen countless times in magazines and interviews.
Someone whose work he had followed for years, whose success story he had read whenever he needed inspiration.
Kija.
Noeul’s eyes immediately lit up. “Kija?”
The artist smiled.
“It really is you,” Noeul said before he could stop himself.
Ji-Woo covered a laugh with his hand. Noeul ignored him.
“Congratulations on the exhibition. It’s incredible.” He gestured toward the room, excitement overtaking whatever dignity he had left. “The variety of techniques and media… especially the digital installations. They make you feel like you’re actually inside the work.”
Kija’s smile widened. “I’m glad someone noticed.”
“The way the physical pieces and digital elements interact changes depending on where you stand. It almost forces the viewer to become part of the composition.”
Kija studied him with increasing interest. “Thank you. It seems you know quite a bit about art.”
“I really like it.” Noeul gestured toward Ji-Woo. “Both of us do. Especially my younger brother. He wants to become a manhwa creator.”
Ji-Woo bowed politely. “I’m preparing to apply to university this year.”
“Then this is good timing.” Kija’s gaze moved between the brothers. “So, brothers?”
“Yes,” Noeul replied.
Kija smiled. “Beauty must run in the family.”
His gaze lingered on Noeul just a little longer than necessary. Ji-Woo noticed immediately. His expression changed.
“Thank you for the compliment,” Ji-Woo said coolly.
Kija seemed amused but didn’t comment. Instead, he turned back toward Noeul. “I assume your brother draws. What about you?”
“I do, but not professionally.”
“What kind of work?”
“Mostly portraits.” Noeul’s answer came more carefully this time. “And fumage when I have time.”
Kija’s brows lifted. “Fumage?”
Noeul nodded. “I’ve always loved it.”
“That’s not easy to control.”
“I think that’s why I like it.”
Kija smiled. “Interesting.”
Ji-Woo glanced between them. Noeul, meanwhile, was already thinking about the portfolio, about Haneul and Gong, and the portraits he had painted over the years but never shown anyone outside his family.
Perhaps they could become something more.
Not simply memories locked inside drawers.
Maybe he and Ji-Woo could develop a collection together, something that honored the people they had lost without being trapped by them.
“Do you have photos of your work?” Kija asked.
Noeul looked up. “A few.”
“I’d love to see them.”
“My work?”
“Yes.” Kija laughed softly. “You sound surprised.”
“I am.”
“Why?”
Noeul hesitated. “You’re Kija.”
Ji-Woo snorted beside him.
Noeul shot him an irritated glance. “What?”
“Nothing, hyung.”
Kija laughed. “You’re a fan, then?”
Noeul looked away, suddenly embarrassed. His cheeks warmed. “Maybe.”
“Definitely,” Ji-Woo corrected.
“Hey.”
Ji-Woo grinned.
Kija’s gaze remained on Noeul, warm and openly curious now. “Well, if you’re willing to show me, I’d genuinely like to see your work.”
“I’d be honored.”
Kija nodded toward Ji-Woo. “And yours too, if you’re preparing a university portfolio.”
Ji-Woo straightened immediately. “Really?”
“Of course.”
For the first time that evening, Ji-Woo forgot entirely about Kija’s interest in his brother. “That would actually help a lot. My teacher said I need to update it and make it stronger, but I’m still trying to figure out how.”
Kija’s expression became more serious. “Then don’t think only about showing technical skill. A portfolio should tell me something about the person who created it.”
Ji-Woo nodded slowly.
Noeul glanced at his brother. Exactly what they had been discussing.
“We’re working on it together,” he said.
Kija smiled. “Then I’d be interested to see what you come up with.”
Ji-Woo looked genuinely pleased. “Thank you.”
Noeul opened his mouth to ask another question, but before he could, two men in expensive designer suits approached from behind them.
“Noeul?”
Noeul turned. Chung-Hee stood several steps away beside another man in an expensive suit, surprise visible on his face. His gaze moved first to Noeul, then to Kija.
And stayed there.
Noeul’s smile faded almost instantly. Even though he knew he had done nothing wrong, a familiar unease settled in his stomach. He had only wanted a quiet evening with his brother. The last thing he needed was Chung-Hee turning an innocent conversation into something else.
“Hyung? You’re here too?” he asked brightly, deliberately keeping his tone light.
Ji-Woo stepped a little closer to his brother. He had noticed Chung-Hee’s expression too.
Chung-Hee greeted him with a polite nod before approaching. “Kija is a friend and a client of mine,” he explained, his voice controlled. “And the gentleman beside me is our company’s CFO, Mr. Han Jun. You’ll be working closely with him from now on.”
Noeul immediately bowed. “It’s very nice to meet you.”
Jun smiled warmly. “Likewise, Noeul. I’ve heard quite a bit about you.”
Noeul blinked. “Good things, I hope.”
A playful smile appeared on Jun’s face. “Mostly.”
Noeul laughed softly.
“I’m looking forward to working with you,” Jun added.
“Me too.”
Kija watched the exchange, his smile widening. “Hee.”
Chung-Hee looked at him.
“What exactly is your relationship with Noeul?”
Noeul’s shoulders tensed.
Kija gestured casually between them. “He calls you hyung. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone address you that way.”
For a moment, nobody answered. Around them, visitors continued moving from artwork to artwork, discussing technique, color, and meaning, unaware of the sudden tension gathering inside their small circle.
Chung-Hee’s expression remained composed. “He was my brother’s best friend,” he said finally. “And now he works for my company.”
Kija tilted his head. “That’s all?”
Chung-Hee’s eyes hardened slightly. “This isn’t exactly the place for an interrogation.”
Jun covered a smile with his hand.
Kija laughed. “I was only curious.” His gaze returned to Noeul. “I see. So you two know each other quite well.”
Noeul immediately sensed the conversation heading somewhere he didn’t want it to go. “Kija, do you offer art lessons?”
Chung-Hee answered before Kija could. “No, he doesn’t.”
Kija turned slowly toward him. “Actually, I do.”
Jun looked away, already amused. Chung-Hee’s jaw tightened.
Kija continued as though he hadn’t noticed. “Not often, but I make exceptions. If you’re serious about your work, I could arrange something. Especially if Ji-Woo needs extra guidance while preparing his university portfolio.”
Ji-Woo’s face immediately brightened. “Really?”
“Of course.”
Noeul looked almost equally excited. “That would be amazing. I’ve dreamed of showing you my work and asking for your opinion ever since I first saw your Colorverse exhibition.”
Kija raised an eyebrow. “So you really are a fan.”
Noeul’s cheeks flushed. He looked away and hid part of his face behind his arm.
Ji-Woo laughed. “Very much.”
“Hey.”
Kija chuckled.
“I have some pieces I’d really like your opinion on,” Noeul said. “And Ji-Woo is updating his portfolio, so maybe we could come together?”
“I’d prefer that,” Ji-Woo added quickly.
Kija nodded. “Then bring whatever you have. Both of you.”
Noeul smiled. “Thank you.”
Kija took out his phone. “How about we exchange numbers? It’ll be easier to arrange the lessons that way.”
Before Noeul could reach for his own phone, Chung-Hee spoke. “That isn’t necessary.”
The sharpness of his voice caught everyone’s attention. He seemed to realize it too, because his expression immediately settled.
“You can communicate through me,” he continued more calmly. “Noeul knows how busy you are with work.”
Noeul looked at him.
There it was.
The same thing Ji-Woo had warned him about.
He decides who gets close to you.
His excitement dimmed slightly.
Kija, however, didn’t seem intimidated. “You’re busier than me, Hee.” He held his phone toward Noeul again. “Direct communication makes more sense. Besides, I’d like to see some photographs of their work before we meet.”
Chung-Hee’s gaze dropped to the phone, then to Noeul.
For a moment, Noeul wondered if he should refuse simply to keep the peace. The thought irritated him. Why should he? He hadn’t done anything wrong.
He pulled out his phone.
Chung-Hee said nothing, and that silence made Ji-Woo nervous.
“Before you arrange anything,” Chung-Hee said eventually, “perhaps you should tell them your fee.”
Kija smiled. “Worried I’ll bankrupt your employee?”
“Noeul may not be able to afford private lessons from you.”
The words were factual. Still, embarrassment heated Noeul’s face. It was true. With his current finances, private lessons from an artist as successful as Kija were probably far beyond what he could comfortably spend.
Kija stepped closer and rested a hand briefly on Noeul’s shoulder. “Don’t worry about that.” His voice softened. “If I’m working with both of you on a university portfolio, we can arrange something reasonable.”
Ji-Woo looked relieved. “Thank you.”
Noeul bowed slightly. “Really. Thank you.”
Kija smiled. “You can thank me after I see the work.”
Noeul laughed softly. “I’ll wait for your message, then.” He glanced toward Ji-Woo. “We should probably finish the exhibition before they throw us out.”
Ji-Woo nodded.
Noeul turned toward the other men. “If you don’t mind, my brother and I will keep looking around. We’ll leave you three to talk.”
“Of course,” Jun said. “Have a good evening, Noeul. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“You too.”
Kija gave Noeul one last smile. “Goodnight, handsome.”
Noeul froze for half a second. Ji-Woo immediately looked at Chung-Hee. Jun did the same. Kija seemed completely unbothered.
Noeul gave an awkward laugh but didn’t answer the compliment. “Goodnight, Kija.”
He reached lightly for Ji-Woo’s sleeve. “Come on.”
The brothers began walking toward the next room. Noeul resisted the urge to look back but made it only several steps before finally giving in. Chung-Hee was still watching him. His posture was perfectly controlled, his expression almost unreadable. Only the tension in his jaw betrayed him.
Their eyes met. Noeul’s stomach tightened.
Then Chung-Hee smiled. A small, polite smile.
It unsettled Noeul. He quickly turned away.
Beside him, Ji-Woo lowered his voice. “He’s angry.”
“I noticed.”
“You didn’t do anything.”
“I know.”
Ji-Woo looked at him. “Then stop looking like you’re waiting to be punished.”
Noeul slowed.
“Hyung, I didn’t mean…”
“No.” Noeul looked back toward the exhibition. “You’re right.”
He took a quiet breath. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”
Ji-Woo studied his face, then nodded. “Exactly.”
Noeul forced the tension out of his shoulders. “Come on.” He pointed toward the next installation. “We still have half the exhibition left.”
Ji-Woo smiled, and together they walked on.