Black Label [EN]: Chapter 68

Black Label – Episode 67 (68/299)

Black Label 67

68. Welcome to Paris

Someone once compared time to an arrow, an arrow that has left the bowstring, hurtling relentlessly forward.

Lately, I couldn’t help but agree with that statement even more.

Since deciding to go to France, I had been spending hectic days preparing.

“Why is there so much…?”

Sitting on the living room floor, Jaeseung asked, looking at the suitcase in front of him.

His mother, Kim Eunhyung, sitting across from him, replied with a serious expression, “I heard that when you go abroad, you miss Korean food a lot. I packed a little of everything.”

“Ah….”

It was the day before his departure to France, and they were in the middle of packing.

Jaeseung scratched his chin a few times, then began to carefully examine the contents of the suitcase.

Even to the naked eye, the amount seemed quite substantial.

“This is seaweed, and this is kimchi.”

“Yes.”

“And this is….”

Kim Eunhyung pointed to each of the Lock & Lock containers [airtight food storage containers] in the bag, explaining them one by one in a gentle voice.

They hadn’t even packed clothes and other necessities yet, but the bag was already on the verge of being full.

From kimchi to seaweed, instant rice and soup, to cup noodles transferred into plastic bags to save space… it was filled with various groceries. At this rate, they would inevitably have to bring another suitcase.

‘Well, what can you do….’

It might be a bit cumbersome, but wasn’t this all ‘motherly love’?

After explaining, Kim Eunhyung tilted her head and asked softly, “Should I pack some seasoned vegetables too?”

“No, this is enough.”

“Son, wait. Let me see if there’s anything else we need to pack.”

“Really, it’s okay….”

As his mother began rummaging through the kitchen cabinets again, Jaeseung naturally fell into thought.

‘Tomorrow, I’m really leaving for France….’

He could say that he had almost finished preparing for his departure.

He had obtained his passport, and he had packed almost all the luggage he needed to bring. Considering the schedule he had heard from Paris Vogue, he had also planned a simple itinerary in advance.

Everything was satisfactory, except for the fact that his passport photo looked a bit silly.

There were so many places he wanted to see when he arrived in France.

From Christian Dior to Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and finally Gen Z [Generation Z, referring to the latest generation of consumers].

In addition to the brands listed above, it was a country that had produced countless premium brands.

One month might not be enough time to visit all the ‘flagship stores’ of French-born brands that he knew.

In addition, he wanted to experience the unique sensibility of a distant foreign land firsthand.

He also wanted to visit places that could recharge his inspiration.

‘I definitely need to get around diligently.’

Jaeseung nodded a few times, then shifted his gaze to the clock on the wall.

PM 8:03

In just about 14 hours, he would be on a plane to France.

Jaeseung savored the unique thrill that the word ‘first’ offered and continued preparing for his ‘first departure’.

“Mom, where is the underwear?”

* * *

Meanwhile, at that time, Lee Kangjun was standing on the rooftop of the office, looking down at the night view of Madu-dong while smoking a cigarette.

He had finished all the work he had to do today and came up to smoke before drawing the designs.

Then.

“What, why are you standing here all alone like that?”

President Song, who had just stepped onto the rooftop, asked in a rather friendly tone.

“When did you come up?”

“Just now.”

Just as Lee Kangjun was about to extinguish the cigarette in his hand, President Song frowned and said, “Smoke comfortably, smoke comfortably.”

President Song lit his cigarette and asked in a very gentle tone.

“Is it harder because of the clueless parachute ahjussi [a middle-aged man who got the job through connections] who suddenly came in?”

After asking “Pardon?” once, Lee Kangjun finally understood the meaning of the question and smiled as he replied. “No, not at all.”

“Really? It must be tough.”

“Really. Even if it is, every job needs an adjustment period….”

“I keep fumbling because there are still many things I don’t know. I hope Kangjun understands.”

The two of them stood side by side and began to have various conversations. The main topic was work, and occasionally there were some personal stories that were somewhat unrelated to work.

As the friendly conversation continued, President Song put out his cigarette, which had burned down to the filter, and carefully asked, “By the way, everyone’s enthusiasm is no joke, huh? Why aren’t they going home?”

“The design team employees usually sleep in the office about three days a week.”

“In the break room next to the product warehouse?”

After answering “Yes” once, Lee Kangjun continued to speak.

“The 10th floor of the office building is a gym, right? They sleep in the break room, shower there when they wake up, and go straight to work.”

“When I see things like this, I think youth is good. Aren’t you tired?”

“Everyone’s doing it because they want to, so why would they be tired? We’re just grateful to the president.”

“Huh? Grateful for making you work overtime?”

President Song frowned as if he couldn’t understand, and Lee Kangjun chuckled and replied, “Ah, I guess the president didn’t tell you about this. We’re not working overtime.”

“Huh? Then?”

“We study, draw designs for the clothes we want to make, and do fittings….”

After trailing off, Lee Kangjun shrugged his shoulders and replied, “The president gives us full support in those areas. He buys books, magazines, fabrics, and subsidiary materials needed for studying with the company card.”

“Really? I didn’t know that.”

President Song replied briefly, then nodded slowly and added, “Well, he’s always been that kind of person….”

Lee Kangjun lowered his voice with calm eyes. “That’s right. He’s always been that kind of person.”

After a moment of silence, President Song smiled bitterly and suddenly spoke again. “Kangjun, I don’t know if you can understand, but… actually, my age is a bit ambiguous.”

“Yes?”

“I’m already in my mid-thirties, and if I spend my time aimlessly, I’ll be forty soon.”

After asking “Don’t you think so?” in a playful tone, President Song looked at the night sky in the distance and continued. “You know the sewing factory I used to run, right? I think Kangjun came a few times.”

“Of course, I know.”

“Although ‘TaeYangsa’ isn’t a large-scale factory, it was still a place where I could make a living without any shortage.”

Lee Kangjun began to stare at President Song, with eyes that seemed to ask why he had suddenly brought up this story.

“It’s a bit of a sad story, but people tend to settle down when they have enough to eat and live. They don’t necessarily challenge themselves to something new because they can just make a living. Not everyone is like that, but usually they are. Well, I was like that too.”

“…….”

“And you know what? ‘Age’ also plays a big role in making such decisions. The elderly tell me that I’m still young enough, but honestly, it’s not a word that resonates with me. Um, how should I put it? So….”

After trailing off, President Song added in an infinitely low voice, “It feels like it’s too late to start dreaming new dreams, but it’s too disappointing to just give up and say, ‘I’ll just live like this for the rest of my life’.”

“Hmm, that sounds a bit bitter.”

President Song nodded once in response and began to move towards the stairs, continuing in a rather cheerful tone. “I used to think that way. Well, that doesn’t mean I do now.”

Lee Kangjun smiled brightly and replied sincerely in a low voice. “That’s the best news I’ve heard all day.”

“But it’s all thanks to our ‘Young Boss’.”

“You mean the president?”

“Yeah. He’s a really amazing person. It’s hard to explain in words, but you could say he has a pulling power?”

As Lee Kangjun nodded vigorously in agreement, President Song opened up comfortably.

“To put it a bit exaggeratedly, I feel like I’ve been reborn. Like when I first stepped into Dongdaemun [a famous fashion district in Seoul], my heart races every night before I go to sleep.”

After finishing speaking, President Song put his arm around Lee Kangjun’s shoulder and said in a playful tone. “I think everyone else feels the same way, but I’m going to bury my bones here now.”

“I feel the same way.”

“Really? Then let’s continue to do our best to assist Young Boss in the future.”

“But when you say ‘assist,’ it feels a bit strange.”

“Why? What’s wrong with it? Is it because of the age difference?”

“Yes. I guess….”

President Song grabbed the doorknob to the stairs and said in a tone full of sincerity. “What’s the big deal about being a hyung [older brother or male friend] or a dongsaeng [younger brother or male friend]? If someone makes a lot of money, they’re automatically my hyung. It’s a rational way of thinking that only a capitalist like me can have.”

After chuckling once, President Song added in a low voice, “I should join the overtime crew today too. That way, my hyung will look at me a little more favorably….”

Lee Kangjun also chuckled repeatedly and began to follow President Song down the stairs.

* * *

After a 12-hour flight, Jaeseung was able to arrive at ‘Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport’ in Paris, France.

The first thing Jaeseung did after getting off the plane was to stretch out.

“Ugh….”

Was it because of the long flight? Every time he twisted his body, a chilling sound of “crack, crack-.” echoed from all over.

Jaeseung looked around the spacious airport and slowly began to walk.

He was supposed to meet a representative from Paris Vogue at a cafe located in ‘Terminal 2’.

As it was his arrival day, the schedule for today was simple.

First, he would be guided to the hotel where he would be staying for the time being, then he would ‘check-in’ and rest.

Soon.

Just as Jaeseung stepped into the cafe in Terminal 2.

“Is this the place?”

Inside the empty, narrow cafe, two women were sitting at one table.

One woman with a familiar face was sitting and stroking her iPad.

Although she was wearing sunglasses, Jaeseung could clearly tell who she was.

Sensing his presence, she slightly raised her head and greeted Jaeseung with a smile.

“Lee!”

It was none other than Geraldine Saglio, the editor of Paris Vogue.

Next to her stood a young woman who appeared to be of mixed Asian descent.

She seemed to be a translator hired by Paris Vogue for Jaeseung, who was not fluent in French.

Geraldine Saglio put the sunglasses she was wearing on her forehead and began to rattle off various words.

After standing there blankly for a moment, the translator standing next to her translated Geraldine Saglio’s words.

“Lee, it’s really nice to see you again. Welcome to Paris.”

“Ah, yes. Me too, really….”

Jaeseung, who was continuing to speak, couldn’t finish his sentence and chuckled.

It was because of the jacket Geraldine Saglio was wearing.

Surprisingly, she was wearing the ‘Coated Denim Jacket’ that was released with the ‘Coated Black Jeans’ even before the employees joined the company.

“I’m really happy too. Thank you for welcoming me, Geraldine.”

It was the moment when his schedule in Paris began.