Black Label [EN]: Chapter 29

Black Label 28

29. A Second First Meeting, A Recruitment Plan

The next day, Jae-seung rushed to CEO Song’s Taeyang Corporation as soon as his school 수업 (class) was over.

“He’s still talking with the guest who arrived earlier. Would you like to sit and wait for a moment?”

It was a question from a young female employee who seemed to be in charge of greeting guests, along with a can of coffee.

“Yes,” Jae-seung replied in a gentle tone, and then began to look around the sample factory.

‘He said he shut down the factory he was running when he started making imitations in earnest….’

For reference, this place, Taeyang Corporation, was also a place that Jae-seung was visiting for the first time.

In his previous life, when Jae-seung first met CEO Song, CEO Song had already closed this place down.

He had only heard a few passing remarks that he used to run a pretty successful sample factory.

The factory was quite clean.

Inside the spacious factory, women in their 30s and 40s were sitting at their respective stations, diligently working on their sewing machines.

Some of the employees, who showed signs of expertise, were making imitation clothes, and the rest seemed to be making samples they had been commissioned to produce.

Judging from the mannequins for ‘draping’ (three-dimensional cutting) set up in various places, it seemed that they were also producing no-brand clothing.

Ziiiiing-!

Ziiiiing-!

The sound of the sewing machine never stopped ringing. It’s always a pleasant sound to hear.

Jae-seung closed his eyes and was enjoying the sound of the sewing machine when the employee in charge of greeting guests spoke to Jae-seung again.

“Sir. Have you been waiting long? I’ll show you the way.”

“Ah, yes.”

Jae-seung got up from his chair and began to follow the female employee.

Before long, the two stopped in front of a tightly closed door.

In front of the door with a nameplate engraved with the words ‘CEO’s Office’.

Knock knock-.

“Sir. A guest from ‘Wall Flower’ has arrived.”

Immediately, an answer came from beyond the door.

“Tell them to come in.”

And then.

Creak-!

The door slowly began to open, and the interior of the CEO’s office began to be revealed through the crack in the door.

In the meantime, Jae-seung took a few deep breaths. He thought he was fully prepared, but it seemed he wasn’t.

Before long, CEO Song’s face came into view.

CEO Song’s face in his 30s, looking much younger than the face in his memory.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Song In-hyuk.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Lee Jae-seung.”

CEO Song gestured to the female employee to leave and then spoke again.

“Please, have a seat.”

“Ah, yes.”

Jae-seung smiled bitterly. It was because of the regret that suddenly surged from his heart.

He regretted that the intense joy he was feeling now was a purely one-sided emotion.

He really felt deeply sorry that all the memories had become his alone.

On the other hand, CEO Song didn’t have any particular thoughts.

In the first place, he didn’t seem like a very good business partner, and this meeting wouldn’t have happened if it hadn’t been for the request of Kim Min-hyuk, a close 형 (older brother/friend) and the owner of a small shop in the 원단 (fabric) shopping district.

‘Hmm, I should wrap this up quickly and send him on his way.’

CEO Song tilted his head and asked in a nonchalant tone.

“Why? Is there something on my face?”

“No.”

“You were staring so intently. Did you perhaps fall for me?”

“No way. You just look a little like someone, but I can’t remember who.”

CEO Song, who muttered, “Who? Won Bin? Jang Dong-gun?” took the seat in front of Jae-seung and got down to business.

“Okay, then let’s talk about work first.”

When Jae-seung nodded, CEO Song took out a fountain pen from his jacket pocket and asked quietly.

“Let’s see… Have you decided on the bag design yet? I can’t show you all the fabrics one by one, so I’ll listen to your concept first and then recommend the right fabric.”

“I’m planning to make it a ‘Flap Bag’.”

“A flap bag, huh….”

Flap bag.

It seemed like a good choice. It was the most practical, the most common, and a bag with a plain silhouette.

Jae-seung took out a file from his bag and handed it over, continuing his words.

“This is the completed 도식 (schematic). I thought it would be faster for you to see it directly than to explain it in words.”

It was a 도식 (schematic) that he had hastily completed using his spare time during breaks and lunch hours at school today.

“Oh, you even brought a 도식 (schematic)? Then let’s take a look at the 도식 (schematic) first and talk again.”

As CEO Song began to examine the 도식 (schematic) he had received, a dark shadow gradually began to fall over his brow.

‘Oh? It’s much higher level than I expected…?’

According to Kim Min-hyuk’s explanation, who introduced Jae-seung, he was originally the owner designer of a small brand specializing in street clothing.

Naturally, he thought that he would have no knowledge of women’s handbags.

However, just looking at the 도식 (schematic), he thought it was a pretty good design for a bag.

Overall, it was a design that gave the feeling of ‘not being excessive and being neat’.

First of all, the size of the product was appropriate, and various points to emphasize the luxurious feeling and femininity were arranged without being excessive.

No, it even felt like it was being suppressed. In addition, it was clear that he had paid a lot of attention to the delicate details.

After maintaining silence for a long time, CEO Song carefully asked a question.

“This design… Is it perhaps a copy?”

“No. It’s a design I created myself.”

“I didn’t mean anything else, I just asked because the design was so good. I just wanted you not to take it to heart.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you.”

CEO Song asked again.

“The shoulder chain is detachable, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

The plan was to make it a ‘tote’ (a handbag with short handles) when the chain was removed, so that it could be carried in the hand or hung on the arm.

Also, when the chain was connected, it could be carried on the shoulder as a shoulder bag.

It was a decision made with an emphasis on his mother’s convenience rather than the design.

“I know this is a presumptuous question, but why are you attaching a ’24K pure gold 금장 (gold plate) patch’ to the inside of the bag? What’s the point of a 금장 (gold plate) patch if you can’t even see it….”

Jae-seung replied with a faint smile.

“The bag that will be produced this time will be released under the name ‘For the mom Edition’.”

“For the mom? For mother?”

“Yes, that’s right. The first edition of the bag will be given to my mother. And the main goal of this production is to make a bag ‘for my mother’.”

CEO Song narrowed his brow even more, as if he was having a hard time understanding, and asked again.

“What’s the connection between attaching the 금장 (gold plate) patch on the inside? I don’t understand.”

“You can think of it as being similar to the ‘*Hidden Patch*’ products released by premium brands. She’s a very frugal person, so I’m going to attach it to the inside because she’ll definitely feel uncomfortable carrying it around if I put a 금장 (gold plate) patch on the outside of the product. First of all, the top priority this time is to make a bag that my mother can carry comfortably.”

A faint smile spread across CEO Song’s lips as he listened to Jae-seung’s explanation.

‘He’s a 효자 (devoted son), a 효자 (devoted son).’ (Son who is devoted to his parents)

The intention wasn’t bad, but he was actually a little worried.

The reason why some premium brands occasionally release hidden patch products is for customers who enjoy secret luxury.

What if a new brand like ‘Wall Flower’ releases a hidden patch product? It would be no different from no-brand clothing.

What crazy consumer would buy such a product at a high price?

CEO Song carefully opened his mouth.

“Hidden patch, huh… Well, it’s not bad, but if you’re thinking about selling it, I think it might be too much of a 도전 (challenge). I don’t think it would be bad to change your plan… What do you think?”

Jae-seung nodded once and replied in a very indifferent tone.

“Actually, it’s not a 도전 (challenge), it’s a reckless attempt. But as I said, I’m focusing on it being a gift for my mother rather than selling it.”

“Hmm….”

“Anyway, I’m only planning to make two more besides the first edition to give to my mother. It would be nice if they sold, and even if they don’t… I’ll be a little heartbroken, but I can just keep them as a portfolio.”

“Okay. Two is fine….”

Just as CEO Song was nodding in agreement.

Jae-seung spoke again.

“Oh, and I’d like to use genuine ‘*lambskin*’ 원단 (fabric) from 쟈넬 (Janel), the one 쟈넬 (Janel) uses, as the basic 패브릭 (fabric) for now.”

“Oh? You’ve even decided on the 원단 (fabric)?”

“Yes. I’ve looked into it, and genuine 램스킨 (lambskin) 원단 (fabric) seems to be the most suitable.”

He seemed to have done a lot of preparation. His filial piety was admirable, and his confident demeanor and passionate appearance were quite pleasing.

Was that why? He felt like he wanted to help.

“Hmm. Jae-seung. I’m really sorry for interfering, but if you’re looking for genuine 쟈넬 (Janel) 원단 (fabric), wouldn’t ‘*caviar 원단 (fabric)*’ (calfskin with small, embossed 알 [egg] shapes like 상어 알 [shark eggs]) be better? Even if the price difference of the finished product is 심해도 (severe), the price difference of the 원단 (fabric) itself isn’t that huge, so I don’t think it would be bad to reconsider.”

“No. Because of the scratches.”

Thanks to Jae-seung’s short answer, CEO Song’s brow furrowed slightly.

If it was to prevent scratches, he should use caviar 원단 (fabric) even more.

Jae-seung added another explanation to help him understand.

“I like clothes that can capture time.”

Only then did CEO Song exclaim, “Ah….” It was because he realized the intention of sticking to 램스킨 (lambskin) 원단 (fabric).

‘He looks like he’s only about twenty years old….’

He may not be a good business partner, but he certainly had the potential to be a good designer. First of all, his philosophy itself was 확고 (firm), and he had 신념 (belief) rather than 고집 (stubbornness).

He seemed to be aiming for a 빈티지 (vintage) feel that would be added due to the abrasion of the 램스킨 (lambskin) 원단 (fabric).

He was clearly trying to make a handbag that had both a dignified charm and a 빈티지 (vintage) feel, like a 롤렉스 (Rolex) watch in his grandfather’s watch case.

After saying, “Just a moment,” CEO Song picked up the phone on his desk and began to tell the person on the other end of the phone the model names of the 원단 (fabric) one by one.

Before long, several samples of 쟈넬 (Janel)’s genuine 램스킨 (lambskin) 원단 (fabric) arrived in the CEO’s office.

Jae-seung carefully examined the 원단 (fabric) one by one, picked one of them, and said.

“I’ll take this one. Give me thirty 마 (measure unit).”

“We’ll ship the 물건 (goods) to you right away. Please deposit the 거래대금 (transaction amount) into the account number on the 명함 (business card).”

“Ah, yes. I understand.”

Jae-seung bowed once and was about to 정리 (organize) his 자리 (seat) when.

CEO Song spoke again.

“Hey, Jae-seung.”

“Yes?”

Silence lingered between the two for a moment. Then, CEO Song said with a faint smile.

“You said you’re going to give the first edition as a gift to your mother, and you’re going to make two more?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll buy those two if they don’t sell, so don’t worry and try your best to make them.”

After finishing speaking, CEO Song added words of encouragement, saying, “Anyway, the design is good, so it will sell.” Jae-seung unknowingly smiled deeply. It was a smile where joy and relief coexisted.

CEO Song.

He’s a very consistent person, now and then.

He used to scold him for having too much 잔정 (affection), but in fact, he seemed to like that aspect the most.

He was a person who was better suited to the word ‘friend’ than ‘business partner’.

Did the few words he gave him a little while ago give him courage?

“CEO Song.”

“Yes?”

Jae-seung carefully opened his mouth and brought up the words that he hadn’t been able to say because he had been rushed back to the past without even preparing.

“Really. Thank you so much.”

It was a word with many stories and complex emotions intertwined, but to CEO Song, it only sounded like a young man’s expression of gratitude for a small favor.

CEO Song waved his hand a few times out of embarrassment and replied in a very indifferent tone.

“It’s okay, it’s okay. If you’re really grateful, come visit often. Be sure to tell me before you come. And be sure to buy something every time you come. Okay?”

Jae-seung began to look at CEO Song with eyes full of 이채 (different light).

He decided that he would become a pillar of support, just as CEO Song had been to him in his previous life.

No, he decided that he would have a huge impact not only on his life but also on his life so that he would not follow in the footsteps of his previous life.

‘…I’m going to recruit him.’

Whether as a ‘buyer’ or as an ‘MD’ [merchandiser]. He would recruit him under any pretext.

So that he doesn’t live as a 전과자 (criminal) on 위법 (illegality) his whole life, so that he doesn’t wander around 암경매장 (black market auction houses), so that he can earn much more money, and so that he can fully 펼치다 (unfold) his talents without any restrictions.

He would recruit him and keep him by his side.

Definitely.

Of course, he was planning to build relationships step by step.

Like building a 탑 (tower), with care.

With this, the goal became clear.

Before CEO Song starts making imitations in earnest, he will 키우다 (grow) the 규모 (size) of 월 플라워 (Wall Flower).

And, before he proposes to recruit me first, I will recruit him first.

‘Good.’

Now it seemed that all that was left was to focus on making his mother’s bag.