Black Label [EN]: Chapter 66

Black Label 65

66. Standing at the Starting Point Again

On a lazy weekend morning, Jaeseung visited President Song’s ‘Taeyang Corporation.’

It was to discuss various matters related to the future operation of Wall Flower.

“You must have had a long trip. Have a seat first.”

President Song, whom he hadn’t seen in a while, still looked young and energetic.

The protruding beer belly was gone, and the thinning hair had grown back thickly.

Although he felt somewhat different from the President Song he had seen countless times in his past life, he didn’t feel out of place.

Jaeseung sat on the sofa in the center of the president’s office and carefully began to speak.

“I took a taxi, so it wasn’t much of a trip.”

“Seriously, you’re the world’s number one at picking on words…”

President Song playfully clicked his tongue a few times, then asked with a faint smile.

“Can I get you something to drink? Coffee? Green tea? Water?”

“No, thank you.”

“Didn’t you say you were preparing to study abroad? How’s the preparation going?”

During the Wall Flower F/W [Fall/Winter] season show, he had a brief conversation with President Song, who visited the venue.

There were so many visitors that it was only for a short time, but he was one of the people he spent the most time talking to.

At that time, he had briefly mentioned his plans to study abroad.

“I finished all the preparations last week. I’ve already submitted my applications. Now I just have to wait for the acceptance announcements.”

“Then what about the brand? Are you going to hire a professional manager separately?”

President Song asked quietly, looking intently at his fingernails.

He wanted to ask, “Isn’t that what I’m here to talk about?” but he held back.

There was plenty of time anyway.

He wanted to catch up and have some casual conversation first.

“I was planning to discuss that with you.”

“Discuss? With me? Why?”

“How about we save the complicated stuff for later? We have plenty of time, right?”

“Okay, well…”

Just as President Song reluctantly nodded, Jaeseung flicked his eyebrow once and quickly changed the subject.

“By the way, how have you been lately?”

“Lately? Lately what?”

“Is a lot of work coming in?”

President Song frowned and shook his head, answering.

“No. I’m dying, so give me some work.”

“I don’t know about anything else, but you’re the best at exaggerating, President Song.”

“It’s not an exaggeration, you brat! Give me some work!”

Jaeseung was simply grateful that he had developed a relationship with President Song where they could exchange such personal conversations.

Of course, he had intended it himself, but as relationships usually go, things don’t always work out as intended.

While they were chatting, Jaeseung shifted his gaze and looked at the wallet on President Song’s desk.

‘He’s still using it.’

It was the wallet he had made using lambskin from Janel.

Perhaps aware of Jaeseung’s gaze?

President Song, who had been talking excitedly, added in a teasing tone.

“My old wallet was worn out, so I’m using this one well.”

“Is that so?”

“Janel fabric really has excellent durability, doesn’t it?”

“I’ll make you an even better one next time.”

President Song suddenly opened his mouth in a very serious tone.

“Actually, I had a feeling about you from the first time we met.”

“Yes? What kind of feeling?”

“I’m not someone with great insight, but…”

President Song hesitated for a moment, then scratched his nose as if embarrassed and added.

“When I saw the designs you drew, I immediately thought, ‘Ah, this guy is going to be successful!'”

“Did you put oil on your tongue? Please teach me that way of speaking. It’s very charming.”

“No, I’m serious! Well, I didn’t expect you to be this successful this quickly.”

President Song chuckled once and added in a low voice.

“I’m ashamed that I was going to suggest to such a promising young designer to make knockoffs. I’m ashamed.”

“Knockoffs?”

“Yeah. I’m putting it on hold because I don’t have the right people, but I’m planning to do a big ‘*Replica*’ business. I was even thinking of suggesting it to Jaeseung.”

After finishing his words, President Song muttered in a rather self-deprecating tone, “I’m saying things I shouldn’t in front of a brand owner designer.”

Jaeseung, who had been sitting quietly, narrowed his eyes slightly and asked.

“If it’s on hold, do you still have the idea?”

“Yeah. I have the distribution network all set up, but the problem is I can’t find skilled sewers [seamstresses].”

“Does it make that much money?”

“Why? Are you interested? But Jaeseung wouldn’t…”

Just as President Song was about to continue speaking, Jaeseung shook his head and answered.

“No, it’s not that… Have you ever thought about playing in the big leagues?”

“In the big leagues?”

Jaeseung nodded once and replied with a confident tone.

“You remember I said I wanted to discuss the management rights issue with you, right?”

“Yeah, I did.”

President Song replied briefly and began to drink the bottled water on the side table.

Soon.

“Have you ever thought about doing a consignment management for our Wall Flower?”

President Song coughed repeatedly, as if he had choked. “Cough! Cough!”

After wiping his face several times to remove the finely sprayed water droplets, he continued.

“How about playing properly in the *Yangji* [the sunny side of a hill, metaphorically a good or prominent position] instead of the *Umji* [the shady side, a less desirable position]?”

After a moment of silence, President Song suddenly pointed his finger and shouted.

“Hey, you brat! You’ll be in big trouble if you trust people that easily!”

“Yes…?”

“Do you know how many options I have if I decide to do something bad?”

President Song asked in a somewhat agitated tone and began to mutter.

“Starting with false reports, embezzlement, what if I just run away with the money? Then you’ll be out on the streets in an instant!”

Jaeseung smiled faintly and said quietly.

“I’ve never seen anyone who says that kind of thing actually do anything bad.”

“That’s just because you haven’t lived long enough. Forget it, find a professional manager.”

Jaeseung nodded once and replied in an indifferent tone.

“There’s still plenty of time, so think about it slowly. Is two weeks enough?”

“Let me ask you just one thing.”

“Yes. Go ahead.”

“Why do you trust me?”

Why do I trust him? It was a very difficult question.

What would be a good answer?

Would it be convincing if I said it was because we had memories of struggling together?

Would it be convincing if I said it was because we had memories of enjoying the prime of our lives together?

Or else?

Would it be convincing if I said it was because he was the only one among the collaborators at the time who felt guilty about my ruined life?

I can’t tell him any of those reasons now. No, they are reasons I can never tell him, even in the distant future.

“I don’t really know either.”

“What?”

Just as President Song was asking in disbelief.

“I just don’t think you’re the type to throw away something you can’t buy with money for the sake of money.”

“Ha, what does that even…”

“Anyway, my mind is made up. Think about it carefully and let me know your decision.”

Sometimes people say, ‘Money changes people.’

Well? I think a little differently. No, completely differently.

Money never changes people.

How can a mere piece of paper change a person’s fundamental nature?

It just helps to bring out the inherent nature that is already there.

After a moment of heavy silence.

“Okay, fine. Let’s say I end up managing Wall Flower on consignment.”

“Go ahead.”

“Then what about our Taeyang Corporation employees? Everyone has their own story, but our employees have really difficult stories.”

Jaeseung smiled brightly, as if he was very satisfied.

Why do I trust him? If I had to list the reasons, it would probably be because of these things.

It’s because he’s different from other business owners who treat seamstresses as mere ‘consumables.’

It’s because of the mature attitude he showed on the first day we met in my second life, when he promised to buy all of my bags if they didn’t sell.

President Song was the most adult-like person I had ever met in society.

He was someone who spoke with sincerity, listened attentively, and always tried to take responsibility for his words, without the dogmatism or arrogance that comes from experience. Even though he was involved in the illegal replica distribution business…

He was not the type of person who would harm others for his own selfish greed.

“If you accept the consignment management, I’ll acquire Taeyang Corporation as well. I needed a factory line anyway. Taeyang Corporation will become Wall Flower’s ‘*Atelier*’ [workshop or studio].”

“Ha, really…”

“I’ll make you another promise. The tailors from Taeyang Corporation will be treated as ‘*Meisters*’ [masters]. They are artisans who deserve respect.”

President Song took a long breath and continued in an indifferent tone.

“I’ll think about it for a few more days.”

“Okay.”

If he had accepted immediately, I might have felt strange.

At least it’s not a light matter that can be accepted immediately.

Anyway, it seemed like there was no other option but to wait for a positive answer.

Jaeseung turned his head and stared out the window.

“The weather has gotten quite chilly. Hasn’t it?”

“It has.”

Autumn, the season of high skies and fattening horses, was just around the corner. The scenery was turning red and yellow with autumn foliage, and the wind was gradually becoming sharper.

Jaeseung stared blankly at the view of Dongdaemun [a major shopping district in Seoul] through the wide window and said softly with a faint smile.

“I guess it’s autumn.”

* * *

Inside Wall Flower’s office near Madu Station in Ilsan. A large desk for business use had been added to the empty space.

It was the seat for President Song, who had signed the consignment management contract this time.

Through a process that could be called a merger, he had absorbed not only Taeyang Corporation but also its employees and President Song.

Watching President Song quickly blend in with the employees, my heart felt at peace.

‘Seriously, he has a great personality…’

Anyway, it could be said that he had completed all the preparations for studying abroad.

He had gained reliable new family members and resolved all the issues that needed to be settled.

While reviewing the pending tasks with a satisfied expression.

“Huh…?”

Jaeseung muttered softly and began to check the email that had just arrived in his inbox. Surprisingly, it was an email from ‘Paris Vogue.’

It was not from the email address of his friend, editor ‘Geraldine Saglio,’ but from the official email of Paris Vogue.

Click-

– Dear Lee, Congratulations! You have been included in the special research conducted to commemorate the 120th anniversary of Vogue, ‘100 Influential New Designers.’ This research is a compilation of opinions from fashion industry insiders and targets designers who have officially debuted within the last three years…

(Omitted)

…Also, we have prepared a small banquet for the designers included this time. We hope that Jaeseung will definitely attend and grace the occasion. Please let us know whether you will attend via reply.

From. Paris Vogue

“Oh my god….”