Black Label [EN]: Chapter 212

Black Label 212. Paradise

Before embarking on the ‘vacation’ promised to Chairman Ardo, Jaesung decided to spend about two days of leisurely time in Korea.

Of course, it didn’t go as smoothly as he had hoped, but he made an effort to spend his time doing only the things he wanted, completely erasing the word ‘work’ from his mind.

He assembled puzzles he bought from the supermarket near his house and chuckled while watching entertainment programs, munching on potato chips.

He idled away time fiddling with his phone on the bed or watched classic movies and documentaries that he had been putting off.

Whenever he felt a surge of frustration, he would take Seunghee for a drive, returning after enjoying delicious food.

Today was no different.

A hotel lounge restaurant located in Cheongdam-dong.

It was famous for being directly managed and overseen by a renowned chef in the field of modern Korean cuisine, who often appeared on TV programs, so he and Seunghee had come out for a stroll and decided to visit for a simple meal.

“Oppa [older brother or a term of endearment for an older male], isn’t this place too expensive…?”

Seunghee’s pupils, as she stared at the menu in her hand, were trembling like an aspen in the face of the sharp, winter wind.

Jaesung shrugged his shoulders and replied.

“Let’s not worry about the price today and just eat. It’s a good day, isn’t it?”

“Still….”

Seunghee trailed off, looking at the shopping bags piled up beside her. They were gifts they had bought while wandering around premium brand shops in Cheongdam-dong together.

“Seunghee, it’s really okay, so let’s just have a nice meal and go home.”

After speaking, Jaesung skillfully began to order.

He selected mainly unique or special dishes that Seunghee had never tasted before, if possible.

After ordering all the food, he ordered non-alcoholic champagne instead of wine.

Clink-.

The champagne, slightly thicker than water, swirled in the glass, leaving a sticky trail.

He leisurely savored the taste of the food and exchanged everyday conversations with Seunghee.

“What? A part-time job at a coffee shop? Since when?”

At Jaesung’s question with a slight frown, Seunghee nodded and replied.

“It’s been exactly a month. I just wanted to earn my own allowance and use it….”

“Wouldn’t it be better to focus on studying?”

“It’s not like I’m just studying when I have free time anyway.”

“Isn’t it hard?”

“Just a little? But it’s fun.”

After speaking, Seunghee stuck out her tongue slightly and added with an awkward smile.

“Actually, I wanted to treat you to dinner to celebrate getting my first paycheck, but this place is too expensive….”

“Wow, Lee Seunghee. That’s quite admirable. I’ll just take the thought. I’m okay, so take care of Mom and Dad’s gifts. Save the remaining allowance and use it wisely whenever you need it.”

“Hmph, I already took care of it, you know?”

After speaking, Jaesung gave a sly smile and suddenly began to ruffle Seunghee’s hair roughly.

Seunghee grumbled, “Ah, what are you doing-!” but she didn’t seem to dislike it all that much.

A mischievous older brother and a complaining younger sister.

On the surface, they looked no different from any other ordinary siblings.

After finishing their meal, they headed straight home, and as was usual for Gangnam-daero during rush hour, they were stuck in traffic.

While aimlessly fiddling with the car audio playlist, Seunghee, who had been silently staring out the passenger window, quietly opened her mouth.

“Oppa.”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Just… thanks to you, Mom, Dad, and I….”

After trailing off, Seunghee twitched her lips and continued with difficulty.

“Our family, it feels like we’ve all become happy.”

Jaesung began to stare intently at Seunghee’s face.

Seunghee, what should he say? After entering university, she seemed to have shed her childishness and exuded a more mature woman’s aura.

It seemed that it wasn’t just her outward appearance that had matured. He had always thought of her as a naive younger sister, but now she was able to come up with admirable thoughts on her own.

What was Seunghee doing around this time in her past life?

Ah, right. She had gotten a job at a confectionery factory and spent every day working like a machine.

She had dedicated her entire youth to working and contributed to her father’s hospital bills with that money.

Yes, that’s right. When he thought about it, even though she tried to act naive and flippant every day, in reality, she was a very thoughtful and mature girl….

“Oppa, what’s wrong? Why aren’t you answering, making me feel awkward….”

“Seunghee.”

“Yeah?”

“We’ll be even happier in the future.”

After speaking, Jaesung added with a deep smile.

“I’ll definitely make it that way.”

Many people say that money can’t buy happiness, and that money can never be a fundamental solution.

But, well?

I take the opposite stance. If the rule is that money can’t buy happiness, then all you have to do is gather so much money that you can break that rule.

As many people say, it is true that there are worries and concerns that arise from money, but conversely, there are far more worries and concerns that can be easily shaken off with money.

That’s why I want more money, more solid success, and even greater fame.

I practice dreaming bigger every day so that I don’t settle for the present.

I am confident that I can achieve any dream, no matter how big.

Because I came all the way up from the bottom, and I never forget that fact.

Because I am desperately trying to not let go of anything I have in my hands right now, and I am living fiercely.

* * *

The third day of vacation dawned.

He woke up at dawn to move as planned and headed to the airport to board the private jet provided by the LVMH Group as soon as he finished preparing.

What greeted Jaesung at the airport was none other than ‘Chairman Ardo’.

“Lee, over here-!”

“Goodness, Chairman….”

It was nothing short of amazing. It was surprising that Chairman Ardo had come all the way to Korea to pick him up, but what was even more surprising was the clothes he was wearing.

A Hawaiian shirt with yellow floral patterns embroidered all over it, baggy shorts that fluttered incessantly, and sandals that looked comfortable….

It was hard to believe that he, who always wore suits that felt like they had been touched by a Meister [master craftsman] and shoes that exuded a luxurious feel, was showing such a friendly appearance.

“I felt bad for making someone as busy as you wait for two days. I came to pick you up myself as a sign of apology.”

“Wait? No. I just spent the time thinking I should rest comfortably, so two days passed by in a flash. It doesn’t feel like I waited at all.”

“Hahaha! I’m grateful that you say so. Well, shall we get going then?”

After boarding Chairman Ardo’s ‘Boeing 747’ airliner, they shared champagne and exchanged small talk.

The conversation mainly consisted of trivial details rather than work-related topics.

It seemed that both of them were consciously trying not to bring up work-related stories as much as possible.

Before long, Jaesung’s face flushed red from the alcohol.

Seeing this, Chairman Ardo pointed to the vast sky beyond the airplane window and said.

“It will take at least a few more hours to fly before we arrive. Why don’t you close your eyes for a bit?”

Jaesung nodded and replied, “Yes, that would be good,” before closing his eyes tightly.

How long had it been? Jaesung’s fingertips, who had fallen fast asleep, drooped slightly.

Even in the midst of that, the private jet continued to cut through the air at a rapid pace.

Towards Chairman Ardo’s island, located in the middle of the emerald sea of the Mediterranean….

* * *

After the plane landed, Jaesung was guided off by a flight attendant.

“Wow….”

Jaesung involuntarily exclaimed.

On the emerald surface of the water, gently rippling in the breeze, the sunset glow was falling in one go and breaking into pieces.

It was a breathtakingly beautiful sight that could not be described with any words.

As Jaesung stepped onto the sandy beach after descending the stairs, a middle-aged man who appeared to be the ‘manager’ greeted Jaesung.

“Lee, you’ve arrived! I’ve been waiting for you!”

“Nice to meet you.”

“By the way, the Chairman….”

The manager trailed off, raising his head and peering behind Jaesung.

Before long, Chairman Ardo stretched and revealed himself, and the manager spoke again in an elevated tone.

“Chairman, it’s been a while.”

“Yes, have you been well?”

“Of course, I have.”

The manager then began to personally load Jaesung and Chairman Ardo’s luggage into the vehicle parked next to him.

It was a fashionable American SUV vehicle specialized for off-road driving.

As the two got into the back seat, the vehicle started to move forward with a rattling sound.

“Chairman, by the way, is the distance far enough that we have to travel by car?”

“It’s a bit far to walk. It takes at least 20 minutes by car.”

“It seems that the island is much larger than I expected.”

As Jaesung began to look at the palm trees visible through the car window, Chairman Ardo gave a hearty smile and proudly continued.

“I own a total of three islands in this area. You have to use a boat to travel between the islands. Also, for smooth management, I have about six or seven management staff attached to each island.”

“That’s amazing. The expenses incurred for management alone must be beyond imagination.”

As far as he knew, Chairman Ardo had his own special private properties all over the world in addition to this place.

It was a scene where he could once again realize how great his wealth was.

How long had it been? The vehicle, which had been running on a relatively flat road outside the sandy beach for a long time, stopped in its place for a moment.

The manager then looked at Jaesung through the car’s rearview mirror and said quietly.

“That is the place for ‘Lee’s’ project. Among the three adjacent islands, it is the one with the best scenery.”

Chairman Ardo then gave a sly smile and asked.

“Would you like to get off and take a look?”

“Yes, I think that would be good.”

After getting out of the vehicle, he began to look at the island far away with the binoculars the manager had handed him.

“It looks quite far, but you can reach it in about 10 minutes by yacht. I think it would be good to have dinner first and then take a quick look.”

As Jaesung was listening intently to the manager’s explanation, Chairman Ardo gave a sly smile and suddenly interjected.

“Lee, I hope your plan is successful. If your plan is successfully concluded… I am thinking of converting these islands into ‘tourist destinations’.”

“Hmm, well? From my point of view, it seems like it’s a place that can be converted into a tourist destination right now without any shortcomings?”

“No, no. It lacks symbolism. That’s why I hope your plan is completed successfully. That way, I can promote it with the grand title of ‘the place where world-renowned designer Lee proposed to top model Ashlyn’.”

After speaking, Chairman Ardo gave a hearty smile.

Tomorrow is the day.

Tomorrow, when Ashlyn arrives on the island….

“Hoo….”

Jaesung took a long breath and began to look at the island far away with a pleasantly happy smile.

The wind blowing from the distant coast touches his skin. It was a pleasant wind mixed with a slight salty smell and an unfamiliar grassy scent.