Golden Print [EN]: Chapter 310

January 1st, 2018. New Year’s Day.

Seokhyun felt uneasy as the new year began. He looked at the calendar.

‘2018? Already? How did that happen so fast?’

It wasn’t a big problem, not really. It wasn’t because he had broken up with his girlfriend – that only lasted two months anyway. And it wasn’t even the small scratch on the back of his silver Porsche from last week.

No, Seokhyun’s bad mood was because of one thing only.

‘I’m thirty years old now.’

The number at the start of his age was changing to a three. Thirty.

“I always thought thirty-year-old guys were old men…” he mumbled to himself.

Perhaps because he was in a gloomy mood, he woke up early, even on New Year’s Day.

January 1st was a public holiday.

It wasn’t a day he had to go to work, yet he was wide awake.

In truth, he had an appointment today.

It was a slightly bothersome appointment, but one he had to attend.

He wanted to stay home because he was in a bad mood. But he knew he had to go to this appointment. If he didn’t, things would be difficult for a long time.

[Hey, Seokhyun. You know you have to be here by 10, right?]

“10 o’clock? Do I really have to go that early?”

[Of course. The dedication ceremony starts at 10. When else were you planning to arrive, Bro?]

At the sound of Jaden’s loud and insistent voice from the early morning call, Seokhyun sighed deeply.

Jaden, not noticing Seokhyun’s feelings, was in high spirits as always.

He was even more excited than usual.

‘Still, I should be understanding today. It’s a day worth celebrating.’

Seokhyun went to his dressing room, put on a neat semi-formal suit, wrapped a thick scarf around his neck, and left the house, wrapping his scarf tightly against the cold January air.

The place he had to go today was Hannam-dong, a neighborhood in the city.

To be more precise, it was the location of the dedication ceremony for the first building designed by Jaden.

Ding!

Riding down in the elevator, Seokhyun suddenly had a thought.

‘It’s really amazing how Jaden’s studio is managing to stay afloat. I never thought that scatterbrain would be able to run a company.’

Several years ago, Woojin had invested a lot of money in Jaden’s studio.

It was a completely new design firm called ‘J&S Design Studio.’

At the time, Seokhyun wasn’t very positive about this investment.

This was regardless of the fact that Jaden was Seokhyun’s soulmate and that his design skills were outstanding.

It was because he didn’t think the headstrong Jaden would be able to run the studio well.

But in the end, J&S Design Studio had established itself nicely.

Although this was their first architectural design.

Until now, they had successfully completed quite a few interior and exhibition designs.

So, Seokhyun had thought this.

‘Perhaps Jaden was lucky enough to find a good business partner.’

Sunbin, Jaden’s same-age friend and colleague.

Sunbin’s capabilities admirably filled in the gaps in Jaden’s shortcomings.

In any case, Woojin’s investment had become a success.

Jaden and Sunbin were building a reputation as promising new designers.

And as a connected company of WJ Studio, they were collaborating without any problems.

‘J&S Design Studio’ had become a design firm with a promising future, much like WJ Studio in the past.

Even though Jaden’s mother was the person who commissioned this studio’s first architectural project, the building being dedicated today.

Vroom-

As Seokhyun started the car in the parking lot, his beloved vehicle roared to life, as usual.

Thud!

Seokhyun held the steering wheel and started to drive slowly.

From Seongsu-dong to Hannam-dong was quite close on the map, but he had to be prepared for some traffic.

“Should I buy a gift or something?”

Whatever the circumstances, today was the day Seokhyun’s longtime friend Jaden was making his debut as a designer.

But while he was wondering what kind of gift to buy, the car had already arrived in Hannam-dong.

So, Seokhyun scratched the back of his head.

“Oh well, can’t be helped.”

Originally, really close friends don’t need gifts.

Meanwhile, around the time Seokhyun arrived in Hannam-dong,

Woojin had arrived at the site a little earlier.

Jaden was, of course, by Woojin’s side.

Jaden’s face was brighter than ever.

Of course, bickering with Woojin was no different than usual.

“Take a look here, Boss.”

“I’m looking, Jaden.”

“I designed it, but isn’t it really cool?”

“Something’s not quite right with that statement……”

“Don’t criticize my words! I want you to understand how amazing this design is, Woojin.”

“Essence……? What essence?”

“Why, of course, this wonderful space and design.”

“…….”

As Jaden said, the space he designed was wonderful.

But one is never keen to readily agree with self-praise.

“Think about it again, Jaden.”

“Think again! This isn’t just my opinion, Woojin.”

“What does that mean?”

“My Client is already quite satisfied.”

He couldn’t help but chuckle at the word ‘client’.

The owner of this building was none other than Jaden’s mother.

“Most mothers tend to pretend to be satisfied with what their children do, Jaden.”

“Holy! That’s not the case! At least for today, I was in a strictly business relationship with my mom.”

“Really?”

“Bloody Hell!”

Conversations with Jaden were always enjoyable.

So, Woojin, with a smile on his face, gazed at Jaden’s work again.

It was a five-story building that wasn’t very large, but certainly not small for a new studio’s first project.

In fact, Woojin’s inner thoughts about this building were a bit complicated.

The reason was simple.

The building in front of Woojin now was a building that didn’t exist in his previous life.

It had been built in the same place and by the same designer with a similar size, but the design was completely different.

‘Jaden’s first work has completely changed because of me.’

Woojin still remembered Jaden’s first work from his previous life.

To Woojin in his previous life, the designer Jaden Taylor was someone he admired, so it was natural to remember.

And between the building in that memory and the building in front of him now, there was a clear difference that anyone could see.

In fact, it couldn’t be helped.

It was created by the same designer, but the time it was built differed by several years.

Woo-jin looked at the designer, Jayden, and felt a strange sense of confusion. This Jayden was not the same person he remembered from his past life.

In his past life, Woo-jin knew Jayden had designed a building on this very spot, all by himself. But this time, there were two designers.

While Woo-jin was thinking about this, Sun-bin, who was introducing the design to another guest, approached him with a happy expression.

Woo-jin wondered how Sun-bin and Jayden worked together so well. They seemed like people with very different personalities. How did they come to be in business together and succeed?

“Hyung! You’re here?”

“Yeah, did you just see me?”

“Haha. My father’s guests came, so it took me a while to explain things.”

Woo-jin, seeing Sun-bin so happy, asked, “What did your father say? Does he like it?”

Woo-jin asked this because he remembered a story Sun-bin had told him before.

[My father is against it.]

[Really? Why is that?]

[He’s saying, why bother going down a difficult path?]

[Um……]

[My father wants me to take over his business. Since the industry is the same anyway, he doesn’t understand why I’m trying to start a new one.]

[He might well think that way.]

[Sigh.]

[But you don’t want to do that, do you?]

[That’s right, Hyung. I want to do my own work, not my father’s.]

[Then show him. Show him how well you can do.]

[……!]

[I did it. Why can’t you?]

[Hyung is……]

[It’s always easier to ask for forgiveness than to get permission.]

Sun-bin’s father had initially tried to stop his son from following a similar path.

Sun-bin’s father knew better than anyone how difficult it was to build a business in the construction industry.

That’s why he didn’t want his son to walk the same path he had walked.

He wanted his child to walk comfortably on the path he had paved, rather than trying to create a new one.

So, Sun-bin was probably most nervous about showing his first building to his father.

Understanding this, Woo-jin asked him that question.

And Sun-bin, fortunately, answered with a bright expression.

“Well, of course, my father says he’s proud of me. What else would he say now? Haha.”

“That’s good.”

“Yeah, it’s good.”

Sun-bin smiled brightly and added, “It’s all thanks to you, Hyung.”

Woo-jin looked at the building again.

It was a unique building, created by two architectural designers with very different personalities.

Woo-jin’s mind was still complicated.

These two architects were talented, even without his help. But Woo-jin’s actions had changed the path they took.

Despite his complicated feelings, Woo-jin could smile.

The architectural design was wonderful, just as good as the work from his past life that had made Jayden a star architect.

December 25, 2018.

In Barcelona, Spain, on Christmas Day, the ‘Fira de Santa Lucia’ was taking place. This traditional festival has been held since the 18th century.

The sunsets were beautiful, and sparkling lights decorated the streets.

The streets of Barcelona, where the ‘Fira de Santa Lucia’ was held, were lively and romantic. It was both a festival and a Christmas market.

Soyeon, a student studying in Spain, was walking down this street on Christmas Day.

She wasn’t alone.

She was with Camila, a close friend who had recently graduated with her.

Soyeon was very happy in this exciting Christmas atmosphere.

She had been in Spain for over five years, and the passionate and relaxed culture was still having a positive impact on her.

She planned to work there a little longer.

Of course, she missed Korea and planned to return someday.

She had a great opportunity to establish herself in the Spanish construction industry with Bruno’s support.

While Soyeon was thinking about this, Camila asked, “Soyeon, what are you thinking about so much?”

“Just, the streets are beautiful.”

“Really? You’ve been to Barcelona many times.”

“But this festival is my first time.”

“Ah! I see. I didn’t know it was your first time at the Santa Lucia Festival.”

Camila was a pretty woman with bright orange-red hair.

She had helped Soyeon adapt to life in Spain.

“Then, Soyeon.”

“Yeah?”

“To celebrate your first time, shall I buy you a gift?”

“A gift……? Suddenly?”

Camila smiled brightly at Soyeon, went into a store, and picked something up.

“Sir, how much is this?”

“It’s 5 euros.”

“Here, how about the slightly bigger one?”

“That one is about 7 euros.”

Soyeon looked at the object Camila was holding.

“What is that, Camila? A log doll……?”

It was a strange doll, a log about the size of a beer can with eyes, a nose, a mouth, and a red hat.

She didn’t understand why Camila was buying it for her.

“Wait, just wait.”

Camila smiled, bought the doll, and handed it to Soyeon.

“This is called ‘Caga Tió’, Soyeon.”

“Caga Tió……?”

Camila smiled even brighter and explained, “There is a tradition that if you hit this while singing a song, you can get the gift you want on Christmas.”

“Ah……?”

Camila tapped the side of the log and asked Soyeon again, “Is there a gift you want for Christmas, Soyeon?”

“A gift?”

“Or do you have a wish?”

“Um……”

Soyeon listened to Camila and tapped the log.

Looking around at the exciting Santa Lucia Festival, she murmured softly, ‘Please let me become a wonderful architectural designer who designs beautiful spaces.’