Black Label [EN]: Chapter 71

Black Label – Episode 70

71. Time to Show Off My Skills

Inside the elevator, Jae-seung, looking at himself in the mirror, was startled and asked, “Excuse me? Did I say that?”

“Yes. Well, what you said exactly was…”

Ashlyn paused, then added softly with a faint smile, “‘If I have the same material and subsidiary materials used in the production, I can perfectly copy any product.'”

“Good heavens.”

“Why? Was it a lie you told because you were drunk?”

“No, it’s not that, but…”

Just as Jae-seung was about to continue speaking,

Ding-!

The elevator doors opened, announcing their arrival on the first floor where the banquet hall was located.

Jae-seung shook his head and slowly stepped out.

‘I shouldn’t have said that…’

The words, that he could perfectly copy any product if he had the same materials.

It wasn’t a lie.

To exaggerate a little, he was confident he could do it even with his eyes closed.

But it was clearly bravado fueled by alcohol and the atmosphere.

As Jae-seung was lost in thought, Ashlyn, who had followed him out of the elevator, spoke in a clear voice.

“Jae-seung, humility isn’t an obligation. It’s more like a choice.”

“Huh?”

“I find arrogance attractive in someone who’s skilled.”

“What do you mean?”

At Jae-seung’s question, Ashlyn placed her hands on her waist, accentuating her figure in the evening dress.

A moment of silence hung in the air.

Then, with a captivating smile, she continued in a sweet voice, “You look more attractive when you’re confident.”

“Really? I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Shall we go in now?”

They had reached the entrance of the banquet hall.

Ashlyn looped her arm through Jae-seung’s and they walked forward.

Soon,

The guard waiting at the entrance asked politely, “Excuse me, how may I help you?”

“I’m Lee Jae-seung.”

“Is this person with you?”

“Yes.”

“Just a moment.”

The guard glanced at the list, then asked, “Are you the owner and designer of Wall Flower?”

“Yes.”

Hearing ‘Wall Flower’ from the guard made his heart flutter.

The guard, after making a note on his list, bowed his head and said, “Have a good time.”

“Thank you.”

Stepping into the banquet hall, Jae-seung’s mouth dropped open at the scale of it.

Soft orange lights illuminated the spacious hall, and classical music flowed from the speakers.

The atmosphere was more formal than expected.

“Hoo-”

Jae-seung took a deep breath and scanned the room.

Designers sat at round tables arranged throughout the hall, five or six to a table.

How did he know they were designers?

Even in suits, designers stood out.

Through glasses or sunglasses, bracelets, rings, or other accessories.

Or through a handkerchief or a *boutonnière* [a decorative flower worn in a buttonhole].

Even those dressed plainly had a distinctive flair.

They emphasized one element or matched colors and materials in an outstanding way.

Ashlyn lightly nudged Jae-seung and said softly, “This way?”

“Ah, yes.”

Jae-seung walked towards their assigned table.

Soon,

“You’re here? Ashlyn, you came too?” Géraldine, already seated, greeted them warmly. After a brief exchange of greetings, she asked, “By the way, we’re at the same table?”

At Jae-seung’s question, Géraldine nodded. “Of course. I made arrangements.”

“Excuse me? Really?”

“Yes. There’s someone I’d like you to meet. He’s away for a moment…” Géraldine paused, then exclaimed, “Ah!” and pointed towards the entrance. “He’s coming now.”

Soon,

“Huh…?”

Jae-seung squinted at the long-haired man walking in.

The man, of average height and build, swaggered in with his hands in his pockets.

Jae-seung stammered, “Wait, wait a minute, Géraldine. Is that Alexander King? It can’t be, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Good heavens….”

Jae-seung covered his mouth in disbelief and stood up.

Alexander King, reaching their table, smiled faintly and said, “It’s an honor to meet a hot rookie. I’m Alexander King.”

“N-nice to meet you. I’m Lee Jae-seung from Wall Flower.”

“I appreciate the welcome, but shouldn’t you sit down?”

“Ah, yes!”

Alexander King.

A Chinese-American designer, born in the United States.

He entered Parsons School of Design at 18, withdrew after two years, and became a successful designer, a success that continued even in Jae-seung’s past life before his regression.

After a short internship with the famous designer ‘Mark-A’ and American Vogue, he launched his own women’s clothing brand and achieved continuous success.

Such a world-renowned designer was sitting in front of him, drinking water from a wine glass.

He’d never experienced such a surreal feeling.

Ashlyn whispered, “Jae-seung, Alexander King is also gay.”

“I see.”

“He’s also an alumnus of Parsons School of Design.”

Jae-seung nodded and carefully said, “I didn’t know you were coming. This feels unreal.”

Géraldine shrugged and answered in fluent English, “Actually, ‘King’ was very interested in Lee. He contacted me for information about you.”

Alexander King added, “It’s all thanks to Géraldine’s column. I saw the information on Wall Flower’s 2011 F/W show in Korea. It was impressive. A reinterpretation of minimalism.”

“You flatter me.”

“However, there were disappointing parts. It deviated from the essence of minimalism. I think it’s because of Lee’s lack of experience.”

It was the same criticism he’d read on Paris Vogue’s website.

Jae-seung nodded and said politely, “I will try to correct it. Thank you.”

Alexander King swept back his black hair and said gently, “But it’s okay because you’re young.”

“Yes?”

“I think your best advantage is ‘age’.”

He drank from his glass and added, “I didn’t have the ability to manage a brand, let alone work, at that age. Your talent is a great blessing. The results will depend on how you refine it.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you.”

He said thank you, but Jae-seung was wary of compliments based on ‘young age’.

Was he young?

Absolutely not. He was old.

He’d lived longer than Alexander King. Perhaps he’d been designing longer too.

Furthermore, youth was a fleeting advantage.

A heavy silence settled on the table.

Thud-!

The lights went out.

The chandeliers and stage lights were turned off.

Géraldine said softly, “It looks like the event is about to start.”

As Jae-seung adjusted his posture, Alexander King spoke with subtle expectation.

“By the way, I heard an interesting story.”

“Yes? What…?”

“I heard you can perfectly copy any product from any brand?”

“Ah….”

He hadn’t expected the drinking party conversation to reach Alexander King.

His cheeks must be red.

Jae-seung carefully answered, “Yes, I said that because I was drunk.”

“Then was it just a slip of the tongue?”

It was a sharp question.

His eyes seemed to say, ‘I’d be disappointed if that’s the case…’

Jae-seung took a deep breath and said nonchalantly, “No, I just didn’t think it was a matter to be discussed officially. I am confident. If I have the same materials, I can make any product as it is.”

As soon as Jae-seung finished, Géraldine and Ashlyn smiled faintly.

Alexander King nodded and said, “If that’s true, it’s a great talent. It may be a talent at a higher level than ‘perfect pitch’ for a musician.”

“Hmm, well…”

Was it really that great?

Had he wasted his past life in a small room near Dongdaemun with such a talent?

Alexander King snapped his fingers and continued, “If you have the right ‘eye’, you can create non-existent beauty. You can replicate any difficult attempt if it’s good.”

Jae-seung smiled bitterly and replied, “After listening to that, I think it’s a pretty useful talent.”

“I think it’s important to check if Lee’s talent is true.”

“Check?”

“Yes. How about after the banquet? If you’re right, I’ll give you the best gift I can give you.”

“What do you mean by gift…?”

“I’ll put you in charge of producing the S/S season new product of the brand Alexander King, as a ‘Creative Director’.”

Jae-seung widened his eyes. If he could prove his skills, he could add a great line to his resume.

This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

It was the biggest opportunity he’d had so far.

His heart was pounding.

Jae-seung, blankly looking at Alexander King, shook his head to regain his composure and asked, “Okay, that sounds good. Then what product should I copy?”

“It’s simple. Just copy the Alexander King bag that I released in the last F/W season. It probably won’t be easy. It’s a product that we tried a radical attempt on.”

Jae-seung smiled triumphantly.

Women’s handbags were his specialty.

“Okay.”

Time to show off my skills.

But this time, legally.