Black Label [EN]: Chapter 233

233. Puzzle

In a dizzying repetition of busy days, I had to set aside personal matters and focus on digesting the tasks at hand.

Whenever my body and mind were too exhausted, I gritted my teeth, reminding myself that excellence could only be achieved through persistent effort.

As time went by, many things began to change.

“Wow, it looks like winter is really coming,” Director Song said, sniffling and taking another puff of his cigarette.

“It is getting quite chilly now.”

The temperature of the wind against my skin had changed.

Mornings were arriving a little later, and evenings were starting to come a little earlier.

How should I put it? It felt like winter was striding closer with each passing day.

Soon, Jaeseung began to stare blankly at the downtown area of Cheongdam-dong [a wealthy neighborhood in Seoul] visible beyond the rooftop railing.

“The year will be over soon.”

Director Song, who had replied with a simple, “I guess so,” gave a faint smile and added playfully.

“Every year is eventful, but this year has been especially so. Still, I’m glad that everything we’ve touched has gone smoothly.”

“That’s right. The S/S [Spring/Summer] season preparation is almost finished, and the watch line launch is just around the corner.”

“Oh, right. So when are you going to France? Didn’t you say you had to go before the awards ceremony?”

“I was about to tell you, but I forgot. I’m planning to go next week. I think I’ll be there for about a week.”

“What about the tickets? If you haven’t booked them yet, as soon as I get downstairs….”

“I told Billy Van Corporation in advance, so they’ll probably arrange for a private jet according to the schedule.”

“Wow, it still feels like yesterday when you came to buy lambskin fabric as a snot-nosed kid. Time is really heartless when I see things like this.”

“I agree. It’s really heartless and fast.”

“Hehe. President, don’t you think our relationship has become quite strong? I’m starting to get sick of seeing your face every day for years.”

It just seemed like he was getting sentimental because a new year would be starting soon.

“Well, I think we’ve already built a strong relationship. And what do you mean you’re already sick of it? You have to keep your position as director until you can’t move anymore.”

“Ugh, no way! Just imagining it is terrible, terrible. Once the brand gets a little bigger, transform into a professional management system and let me go.”

Director Song usually joked that he would hold onto his director nameplate until his coffin lid was closed.

He even often said to bury the director nameplate with him.

As Jaeseung began to look at Director Song as if he was surprised, Director Song smiled and added.

“I could be a hindrance to you, right? I feel like it’s precarious even now.”

“If that’s really the reason, don’t worry about it. I’m planning to take responsibility for you until your retirement, no matter how much of a hindrance you become. You’re practically a founding contributor, so that level of special treatment is only natural, right?”

“No, man. I want to date and get married. I want to have sons and daughters who look just like me….”

“Director, you don’t think the reason you can’t date is because of ‘work,’ do you?”

Soon, Director Song playfully tapped Jaeseung’s arm and said.

“Hey, President! Your words seem a bit sharp?”

Jaeseung chuckled and put out his cigarette in the ashtray, and Director Song continued in a very serious tone.

“But I really mean it when I say I want to leave when it’s time.”

Even though he said it in a nonchalant tone, Jaeseung knew Director Song’s personality accurately, didn’t he?

He must have contemplated [고민; gomin] this countless times before saying these words.

At least, it was definitely not a word he had just thought of and said.

Soon, Jaeseung, who had been lost in thought for a moment, said, “Director,” and after a moment’s pause, he began to continue.

“Even later, I mean, really later, if you ever feel too tired and exhausted from work and want to step down from the front lines, please tell me.”

“Okay, thanks. Let’s go down now. It’s cold.”

Just as Director Song was about to finish the conversation.

Jaeseung began to continue, as if adding to Director Song’s back, who had already started walking towards the stairs.

“But even if you step down from the front lines, I hope you’ll come to work from time to time.”

“Huh? Why would I do that? What would a retired old man who’s out of touch do by coming to work?”

“I’ll just give you a room, so I hope you’ll come out and stay for a while every now and then.”

After saying that, Jaeseung trailed off, “Whether you read a book, watch a drama, or watch a movie…,” and Director Song asked back.

“Are you going to pay me even if I just do that? I don’t think a few bucks will be enough to date, get married, and have sons and daughters who look like me.”

“Of course, I have to take care of you.”

“Really? Hehe, thanks. I’ll prepare the contract and come before you change your mind, so take out the stamp.”

As Director Song said, if the brand’s size grew a little more, it would definitely be necessary to consider a professional management system.

Of course, what was more important than that was to let go of Director Song with consideration and respect for his past efforts when he felt like he wanted to quit his job.

But no matter how close we are, wouldn’t our hearts naturally cool down if we were apart?

I wanted to maintain the exact same relationship with Director Song as now.

A relationship where we could occasionally share idle chatter [잡설; japseol] that had nothing to do with work, and have a drink together on days when we were thirsty.

If I could maintain that relationship, I was going to create the situation even if I had to force it.

Just like Director Song had done for me in my past life.

Just like he had continuously given me work even when my value [효용가치; hyoyonggachi] had fallen.

Just like he had occasionally brought snacks and a few bottles of soju [Korean distilled rice liquor] and accepted all my complaints and whining….

No matter what changes life would bring, I just wanted to live just like now.

Yes, just like now.

* * *

Fortunately, this trip to France seemed like it wouldn’t be a lonely journey.

Just as Jaeseung was packing his luggage in advance, Ashlyn suddenly expressed her desire to go with him.

“Ashlyn, the schedule will be quite tight after we arrive in France.”

“I know. I don’t care.”

“I don’t mind if you’re okay with it….”

“Lee, don’t worry. I probably have at least a hundred friends in France.”

Soon, Jaeseung nodded a few times and replied, “Okay, I’ll prepare accordingly.”

Wasn’t model Ashlyn’s main stage of activity France? It just felt like he was worrying unnecessarily.

“When I meet my friends in France this time, I want to tell them about our marriage, is that okay?”

“Of course. It’s much better to give them a heads up in advance.”

Soon, Ashlyn also sat down next to him and began to pack her luggage while humming a song.

Even though they were living together, it was clear that she had been quite lonely living in a foreign country.

After watching Ashlyn for a while, Jaeseung hugged her tightly and said.

“Let’s settle down in France after this year.”

“Huh? If it’s because of me….”

Jaeseung replied briefly, “No,” and began to continue fluently.

“Even now, there are ongoing proposals related to the brand house.”

“Brand house? Really?”

“Yes. Now, Wallflower will firmly establish itself as one of France’s premium brands.”

Although the brand’s nationality itself was Korean, it was right to establish the brand house, which was the main base of activity, in France.

Soon, Ashlyn tilted her head and asked back.

“Location?”

“Paris.”

It would be difficult to find a place, but he was expressing the opinion that it absolutely had to be Paris.

He just wanted to enter the area where the brand houses of the French-born brands he admired were densely located.

Reason?

If the Wallflower brand house could be located a few blocks away from some famous brands.

He thought he could once again properly enjoy the scale of his success.

* * *

Time passed mercilessly, and the scheduled departure date dawned.

As soon as the sun rose, I drove to the airport.

Although a long flight of more than ten hours was scheduled, it didn’t feel boring at all.

It was thanks to Ashlyn, who was sitting next to me and telling me all sorts of stories.

“When we arrive in Paris, we’ll go to ‘Pouge’s’ studio on the first day. A close friend has a photoshoot scheduled. And on the second day….”

She had made so many appointments that as I listened to her stories, I began to think that Ashlyn might have a much busier schedule than I did.

The private jet supported by Billy Van Corporation was also a Boeing 747 airliner equipped with all amenities.

Although Ashlyn had already experienced a private jet once before, she seemed to be particularly fascinated this time.

Every time she discovered various functions installed in the private jet, she would widen her eyes and exclaim with admiration, “Wow….”

The transportation after arriving in France could also be solved with a limousine vehicle supported by Billy Van Corporation.

After checking into the hotel and unpacking our luggage in the room, Ashlyn and I went outside the hotel.

Ashlyn was heading to the Paris Pouge studio to meet a friend who was in the middle of a photoshoot, and I was heading to the group’s headquarters building to meet Chairman Ardo and other LVMH Group officials.

* * *

“Lee, I’ve been waiting for you.”

As soon as I entered the conference room inside the LVMH Group headquarters building, Chairman Ardo, who was sitting at the head of the table, stood up and greeted me happily.

The other executives did the same. They immediately stood up and began to greet me politely.

Soon, Jaeseung also responded to their greetings and sat down in the empty seat next to the head of the table, following the employee’s guidance.

After that, for a long time, only stories related to ‘work’ were exchanged in the conference room.

According to Chairman Ardo’s explanation, the planned event was scheduled to be held in December at department stores with a total of 221 branches.

The most interesting content was related to the ‘expected profit’ of this project.

The LVMH Group’s strategy and planning team expected that Wallflower clothing products from last season would generate more than half of the profit.

If you can lay down that level of profit in the first year of launch, even before official sales?

At least, it was a groundbreaking achievement that could not even be compared to the watch brands that had been derived in recent years.

Around the time when the stories related to work were roughly finished, Chairman Ardo tilted his head slightly and asked.

“Lee, you said you could stay for a week this time, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“It’s probably going to be a really hectic week.”

Listening to him, it seemed like there was a mountain of things to do.

Soon, Jaeseung nodded once and replied, “Of course. I came prepared,” when Chairman Ardo stood up from his seat, signaling the end of the meeting, and asked Jaeseung in a low voice.

“Could you spare a few hours? I don’t mind if you handle the remaining tasks from tomorrow morning, but how about we have a light conversation today?”

Soon, Chairman Ardo smiled and added.

“I also have a gift prepared.”

“A gift?”

“Hehe, you can look forward to it. I’ve made every effort to find out what gift you need most right now.”

After saying that, Chairman Ardo put on his coat and added.

“According to the information I obtained, I heard that you are looking for land located inside Paris to establish a ‘brand house’.”

“Yes? Then, could it be… ?”

“Hehe, let’s go out and talk slowly first.”