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“What? Henri Vuitton himself came here?”

He soon reached out to shake my hand.

While we shook hands, Henri winked with one eye.

“When CEO Park brought up family, I came up with this event myself. Of course, it had to be a surprise.”

Ha!

I was genuinely surprised.

“This isn’t an intrusion, is it?”

“Intrusion? It’s the greatest honor.”

“I’m overwhelmed by your warm welcome.”

Henri Vuitton soon shifted his gaze to my grandfather.

“Your respect for your grandfather is extraordinary. Even when offered a rare drink, you firmly declined, saying your first drink in life must be with your grandfather.”

“What’s so special about that drink…”

Though he spoke modestly, his face showed quiet pride.

“As a matter of fact, CEO Park had a lot of specific requests for the chairman’s attire. From the fabric to the stitching and silhouette, he personally oversaw every detail.”

At Henri Vuitton’s signal, a white man handed over a coat.

At first glance, it looked like an ordinary brown coat.

But the highlight was the lining.

“It’s a Capsulemon print, specially requested for the chairman.”

“What’s this?”

Grandfather turned to me and asked.

What else?

I made sure there was a Capsulemon inside, visible only when worn… hehehe.

It wasn’t obnoxiously big, either.

Just the size of two finger joints.

And, of course, it had meaning.

“It’s a Capsulemon that attracts wealth.”

“This little thing brings money?”

“Yes. Look, it’s holding dollars in its hand.”

Maybe that’s why.

Grandfather seemed to like at least that part.

“Then why not make a wallet instead…”

“Check the inner pocket.”

“Huh?”

The gifts didn’t stop there.

Father received an elegant briefcase.

Mother got a small, adorable shoulder bag.

My brother received a perfectly tailored suit.

“These are all gifts personally prepared by CEO Park Ji-hoon.”

Huh.

The tone hinted there was more.

“If this were the end, there’d be no reason for me to come here personally.”

Henri Vuitton beamed warmly at our family.

“If you ever need help from Louis Vuitton, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I’ll personally review it and resolve it right away.”

It seemed addressed to my family.

But in truth, it was a gift from Chairman Henri to me.

Sniff!

Just as I was feeling touched.

“Would collaboration with the Hyungang Cultural Foundation be possible?”

It was Mom.

Our family does tend to be a bit hasty.

“I was wondering if releasing collaborative products between Korean artists and Louis Vuitton would be a good idea.”

“That would be wonderful. As long as the standards we require are met, it’s certainly possible…”

“If it’s difficult to sell in Louis Vuitton stores, limited models at London department stores or Oxford Street would be fine.”

“Ah, yes.”

Was it because the proposal came so suddenly and was too specific?

“It’s… possible. Of course, absolutely.”

Henri Vuitton gave an awkward smile.

“I’d like to gift Louis Vuitton products to my employees. Is special customization possible?”

This time, it was my father.

“Of course, Hyungang will cover the costs.”

With good performance leading to generous bonuses, now even luxury gifts were in the picture!

“That won’t be difficult. I’ll proceed right away.”

“Ah, then I…”

This time, it was my brother.

“My friends are releasing a game.”

“…?”

“Could we dress the characters in Louis Vuitton outfits?”

“Ah, like what was done for Super Orlando?”

“Yes. But it’s not a human character—it’s a monster.”

“Well… there’s no rule that says only humans can wear them. That much, I’ll allow. Haha.”

Three people in a row raised requests without even pausing to breathe.

By that point, Henri Vuitton couldn’t help but turn to me.

‘CEO? Did you perhaps hold a pre-meeting about this?’

‘I didn’t even know the chairman was coming…’

‘That’s true, I suppose.’

What could I do?

I could only attribute it to the quick thinking characteristic of a business-minded family.

After our brief exchange of glances, it was finally Grandfather’s turn.

“With all the effort you’ve made to come here, I have to say something, don’t I?”

The moment of truth.

“When Hyungang releases a concept car in the future, ask if Louis Vuitton can handle the interior design.”

It wasn’t a mass-production vehicle.

If it were just one concept car, surely…

“I’d be honored to do so.”

And so, Henri Vuitton’s gifting session seemed to come to a close.

***

Meanwhile.

These days, Tennessee was living through the busiest days of his life.

He could leave Tetris to Ralph.

But when it came to Europe’s distribution lines, Tennessee had to step in himself for most cases.

Grrr.

Are there too many European countries?

Fine, that’s understandable.

If it were liberal countries, the work might be easier, but in nations within the Soviet sphere or under its influence, things became much more complicated.

Endlessly finding contacts through networks, figuring out what those responsible wanted—it was a cycle that repeated infinitely!

Not that he could complain about the difficulty to Park Ji-hoon.

To be blunt… to put it nicely, they were just business partners, but in terms of career, the difference was like heaven and earth.

Being given a business card as a partner was already more than he could have hoped for.

If he were to complain about this, what kind of person would that make him?

Though his mind told him all this, his body still felt exhausted.

Sniff!

‘If only I had the abilities of Park Ji-hoon…’

Was it the weight of his perceived incompetence?

Tennessee found himself yearning to see this era’s quintessential incompetent individuals.

To see them, he’d have to go quite far.

‘But today, I particularly want to see them.’

After an hour-long helicopter ride, he arrived at the Grosvenor family’s private estate.

A tightly controlled area where outsiders were strictly prohibited.

Even within the dense bamboo forest, they had to ride a Jeep further inside for quite some time.

Were they nearing their destination?

The estate’s manager spoke. 

“This year alone, five cubs have been born.”

“Weren’t they said to be difficult to breed?”

“If they’re released in a vast area, it’s not much of an issue.”

“So how many are there in total?”

“Counting the five born this time, there are a total of 153 pandas living here.”

At that moment.

Crack.

It sounded like bamboo breaking somewhere.

Crunch crunch.

Chomp chomp.

The sound of chewing on wood echoed from all directions.

White bodies with black patches around their eyes, like ribbons.

The quintessential incompetent creatures of this era!

But without a doubt, the world’s number one in appearance!

Pandas, of course.

‘Ah, how can they be this adorable?’

Tennessee stared blankly at them for about 10 minutes.

The pandas, indifferent to people’s presence, just kept chomping and crunching on bamboo.

But isn’t it fascinating?

Just watching them makes your heart feel so warm and fuzzy.

“Is this the only panda habitat outside of China?”

“That’s correct.”

In the mid-1800s.

During the Second Opium War, the Grosvenor family also willingly participated.

After their victory, while others looted cultural heritage and treasures.

Tennessee’s great-great-grandfather focused on adorable animals.

And so, every panda he saw, he took… rather, looted them.

At the time, the Qing Dynasty had lost so much they didn’t even have the capacity to care about the pandas.

‘It’s no wonder there’s no official record of it.’

Even if the misdeeds of that day were to come to light… people would likely just shrug it off, saying, “Oh, it’s just Britain being Britain.”

Anyway.

These days, there’s a lot of talk about China’s panda diplomacy and such.

‘Maybe I should try breaking into the European distribution line… with pandas?’

But that thought was fleeting.

No.

These adorable creatures can’t be used as diplomatic tools.

Tennessee simply pouted his lips.

***

The next day.

I bid farewell to my family early in the morning.

Since I’d be back after the semester ended anyway, I thought it wasn’t a big deal.

But Mom’s eyes were brimming with tears.

Dad was busy comforting her.

“I’ll take care of things for both of us.”

My brother reassured me with a bright smile.

Grandfather stood with his hands clasped behind his back, silently watching me.

Normally, you’d expect him to say not to overdo it and to take it easy.

But his gaze seemed to say, “Even if it’s a strain, seize everything you desire.”

I’ll remember that, Grandpa.

“I’m off!”

Outside the door was a black Rolls-Royce.

Next to it stood Henri Vuitton.

“Shall we head to the airport together?”

I happily moved toward the back seat.

“Thank you so much for yesterday.”

“For someone who helped me retain my CEO position, that was nothing.”

How long are you going to bring that up…?

Did he read my expression?

“I’ll keep helping as long as I can.”

I don’t particularly like this kind of atmosphere. Ahem.

I’d better change the subject quickly.

“Are you heading to Paris?”

“No, I’m off to New York for a business trip.”

“The New York Fashion Show?” 

“Yes. It’s the start of a new season.”

The fashion world is always ahead of the seasons.

Two or three seasons ahead, to be exact.

Since I’m a Louis Vuitton shareholder, we chatted about fashion for a while.

‘New York? Hmm.’

Suddenly, an impulsive idea crossed my mind.

“How about I go with you?”

“To New York?”

I nodded.

“I’d be fine with that, but…”

He looked at me as if wondering if I had any business in New York.

“With one phone call, I can make plans out of nothing.”

Perhaps my cryptic answer was confusing.

“…?”

A large question mark seemed to hover over Henri Vuitton’s head.

* * *

New York, JFK International Airport.

Maybe it was because I’d been lounging comfortably on a private jet.

Despite the 10-hour flight, I felt in top condition.

“Goodness.”

Judging by Henri Vuitton’s pale complexion… maybe it was just because I’m young.

Anyway!

At the airport, Redbull’s Dmitri was waiting for us.

With Joseph completely focused on the department store business, all the U.S. operations had been entrusted to Dmitri.

“For a Redbull CEO, you don’t look very well.”

“There’s a limit to borrowing energy from tomorrow’s reserves…”

But since I’ve been running around relentlessly myself, the staff had no room to complain.

Dmitri was no exception.

“Uh… should I give you a briefing?”

“I don’t think it’s necessary, is it?”

Sure enough, every screen in the airport was playing a Rebull ad.

It was a brilliantly edited clip of the skateboarding competition champion, Tommy Hawk.

The highlight of the ad was, of course:

Shooosh! Flash! Spin!

Tommy Hawk’s historic first-ever 900-degree turn.

Even people who didn’t know skateboarding couldn’t help but stop and watch the screen, mesmerized by the incredible move.

And then, as Tommy Hawk successfully landed the 900-degree turn and let out a victorious roar.

“Champion! Champion!”

The audience’s cheers, celebrating his sure victory, resounded.

And stamped on the final TV frame like a seal was the Rebull logo.

‘Wow!’

It was, quite literally, the perfect finishing touch.

“Boss… that’s my work.”

“I can tell.”

“I went through so much trouble to create that…”

“I know.”

“Knowing you understand is such a great comfort…”

“How’s the collaboration with the Chicago Bulls coming along?”

“Pardon?”

“Is it still in progress?”

“Well, it is… but there’s still the F1-related task you assigned…”

Ah, he’s swamped with work.

“Then why don’t we do it together?”

“…?”

“I’ll be in the U.S. for a few days. If we work together, we could probably manage it.”

No matter how much help it is, who on earth would want to work directly with the boss?

As expected.

“I’ll… pull an all-nighter if I have to and get it done.”

Dmitri expressed a stronger resolve than ever.