Chapter 006: The Fountain of Welcome (2)

Xiaoming was repeatedly cutting panel pieces when Kim Daeri, who had been curiously watching him, casually asked, “Xiaoming, aren’t you feeling suffocated in that suit?”

“Huh? This suit?”

“Yeah. It looks really uncomfortable.”

Last weekend, when he had gone shopping for clothes with his mother, she had also wondered why he had to choose such a formal outfit.

Xiaoming looked down at his attire: a white long-sleeved shirt with a bold color, a classic vest with a striking pattern, and a deep gray silky suit pants that matched the jacket. And a wide tie like a scarf.

On the first day of his internship, most people had come dressed similarly, so it didn’t seem particularly unusual.

Looking around at the model room staff, he noticed they were all wearing comfortable T-shirts and jeans.

Only then did Xiaoming feel out of place and asked with a puzzled expression, “In the model room, do you never meet clients?”

“Clients?”

“Architectural clients.”

“Oh… Hahaha. You almost never meet architectural clients in the model room.”

“But what if a client suddenly visits or you’re called to an important meeting?”

“No, in the three years I’ve been here, it’s never happened.”

Kim Daeri looked somewhat uncomfortable.

I see.

Xiaoming finally understood why everyone else was dressed so casually.

“Then, when will I get to meet an architectural client?”

Kim Daeri gave an awkward smile in response to Xiaoming’s question.

“You’d probably need to be at least a manager in the design department.”

“How many years does it take to become a manager?”

“About 8 years, maybe?”

Xiaoming’s eyes showed a sense of defeat at Kim Daeri’s answer.

Xiaoming recalled his early days as a novice architect in his previous life.

At the time, no one would give work to an unproven novice, so he never had the chance to showcase his abilities.

To meet clients, he dressed like a noble and attended gatherings where the wealthy often gathered.

It took about a year of socializing before a shop owner he had befriended gave him a small renovation project for a shop he managed.

After seeing the building he designed in his unique Gaudi style, wealthy clients started to commission him.

During his prime as a young architect, he would drink and socialize with the wealthiest nobles in elegant bars.

When his frail body could no longer tolerate strong alcohol, fortunately, his skills began to be recognized.

Though it was a fleeting moment, he often reminisced about those days of indulgence.

Although he had impulsively chosen aristocratic clothing out of nostalgia, he was quite satisfied with how well it suited him.

“Is it really that strange?”

Kim Daeri looked Xiaoming up and down before answering, “It does suit you, but… the style seems a bit too classic.”

Although it was a polite way of saying it, it made Xiaoming feel even worse.

He became oddly determined.

“It’s fine. I like this style.”

“Well, if you like it. Don’t worry too much about it.”

“Yes!”

Xiaoming answered firmly with a fiery look in his eyes.

Kim Daeri returned to his desk, and Xiaoming sighed deeply to himself.

He was more concerned about not meeting clients directly for a while than about his attire.

How could he become the world’s best architect and return to the Sagrada Familia if this continued?

‘What a setback. Is there any good way to do this?’

But no matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t come up with a good idea.

A moment later, Xiaoming left his seat with a deeply furrowed brow.

Kim Daeri, feeling somewhat guilty, scratched his head.

‘I didn’t expect him to be so hurt. I should have just said it suited him.’

* * *

Gaudi’s assistant, Lorenzo, asked, “Mr. Gaudi, should we hire another assistant? The schedule for delivering drawings to the sculptors is always delayed, slowing down the progress of the work.”

Without turning around, Gaudi, who was examining the structure of the Sagrada Familia by looking at the sandbags hanging from the ceiling, asked, “Another assistant? Is there a suitable person among the Catalans?”

“I can guarantee their skills, but they are not Catalan.”

Gaudi immediately rejected the suggestion.

“No need.”

“But Mr. Gaudi!”

“Lorenzo, haven’t I told you many times? Our architecture is the aspiration and desire of the Catalans. How can those who are not of our people understand the significance of the construction of the Church of the Holy Family, and with what heart will they undertake this arduous task?

Our work is not just about making money. It is a difficult journey to save the lives of the Catalans. You know this well, don’t you?”

“But Mr. Gaudi. I am getting older and my health is not as good as it used to be. I don’t know how long I can continue as your assistant. The young assistants currently learning are not yet skilled enough to carry on your legacy.”

“Lorenzo!”

Gaudi put down his pen and paper and turned around.

Initially intending to scold Lorenzo for his foolishness, Gaudi noticed his prematurely white hair and gently advised him.

“They are sufficient. If their skills are lacking, they can develop them. Didn’t I complete the Güell Palace at their age?”

“Not everyone has the superior genes you have.”

Lorenzo’s words were clearly pointed, but Gaudi scoffed at them.

“Genius is a gift from God. I merely transfer God’s will to paper. You know this, don’t you? The reason they cannot see it is because they lack the proper faith in their hearts.”

Gaudi firmly held Lorenzo’s aged hand.

Lorenzo, whose skin condition had worsened and who now looked older than Gaudi, was pitiful.

“Lorenzo, my companion. I understand your concerns. But.”

Gaudi looked at Lorenzo with sad eyes.

“The Sagrada Familia will be completed, no matter how many centuries pass. It is the will and history of Catalonia.

So, trust me. You still have plenty of time. Our young assistants will soon understand God’s will. This is a task only we can accomplish, and history must continue.”

Gaudi showed no intention of changing his mind.

Lorenzo, knowing better than anyone that Gaudi’s stubbornness could not be swayed, kept quiet.

‘Poor Gaudi. A mad architect who has dedicated himself to God.’

Lorenzo suppressed his pity.

‘You will regret your stubbornness one day.’

* * *

‘Damn!’

Why was I born as a Korean in this distant foreign country?

If I had been born a Spaniard, or even a European, I could have at least tried.

To calm his frustration, Xiaoming went up to the rooftop and cursed his stubborn past self.

‘If I had listened to Lorenzo and hired outsiders back then… They would have had no hesitation in bringing in a talented Easterner to carry on Gaudi’s legacy.’

But what could he do now?

The tradition of hiring only Catalans as architects for the Church of the Holy Family has not changed, and as a young Easterner, no matter how much he struggled, they would not easily change their minds.

He considered announcing himself as Gaudi’s reincarnation and approaching them.

But what kind of religion is Catholicism?

A religion that has protected God’s will for centuries with thorough mental fortitude?

They do not believe in reincarnation.

Even if he revealed that he was the reincarnation of Gaudi, they would surely reject him, calling him Satan.

In the end, the only way left was to become a genius architect surpassing Gaudi, show them his determination to complete the greatest architectural work, and approach them.

‘My reincarnation cannot be a mere coincidence. Although it seems impossible now, there will surely be an opportunity someday. I need to develop the skills to seize that opportunity when it comes.’

Skill is ability.

Through countless experiences in his previous life, he knew that the skills of those who work hard cannot be hidden.

Although he is just an intern now, he was confident that if he did his job perfectly, someone would recognize him.

“Even if no opportunity is given, I can create one.”

A second chance at life.

The knowledge and experience in architecture he had accumulated from his previous life would surely be useful now.

Didn’t his past self delve into the natural and traditional architectural styles of Catalonia to create a unique and distinct architectural world?

Xiaoming looked down at the busy people and the congested Gangnam Avenue at noon.

“It’s fine. I just need one person among all these to recognize my value.”

Of course, that person should be someone as wealthy as Güell.

Until the day he meets his soulmate, Xiaoming resolved never to tire.

* * *

“Haha. Gaudi.”

Why Gaudi, of all people?

Park No-hoon, who had been given the most difficult assignment in the world, finally picked up a cigarette he had quit smoking at the beginning of the year and headed to the smoking area.

The Fountain of Welcome, a project with no clear solution, and the legendary architect Gaudi, known as a genius.

The symbols and images floating in his mind only added to his confusion.

It felt like walking through a foggy forest.

Ah… cigarette smoke.

There was someone already occupying the terrace, the smoking area, before him.

“Hey? Manager Joo Hyo-sub?”

“Ah? Mr. Park. Didn’t you quit smoking?”

“Ha-. I did. But… I can’t stand it today.”

“Eh? You’ve been abstaining for 6 months, haven’t you?”

“Yes, 6 months.”

Looking at the unopened pack of cigarettes, Park No-hoon was lost in thought.

In the past 6 months, how much effort had he put into quitting smoking?

The idea of a person who claims to create healing architecture resorting to a behavior that defiles the body to overcome the pain of creation seemed like a black comedy.

Squish.

Just as he was about to unwrap the packaging and take out a cigarette, Joo Hyo-sub stopped him with a stern look.

“Think about it one more time.”

“You, a smoker, shouldn’t be telling me this.”

“I regret it every day. Why do you suddenly want to smoke? Tell me the reason.”

Joo Hyo-sub, who had been smoking halfway, crushed and extinguished his cigarette and took Park No-hoon’s new pack of cigarettes.

“I’ll give it to you if the reason is valid.”

“Ha-.”

Park No-hoon sighed deeply and said, “How’s the model?”

“It will probably surprise you when you see the completed one.”

“Huh, you. You’re just hyping it up.”

Recognizing that Park No-hoon’s worry was about the current competition project, Joo Hyo-sub listened intently to his words with a serious expression.

After unburdening his worries, Park No-hoon felt much lighter.

“The Fountain of Welcome project is already behind schedule, and now we have to bring in Gaudi. I’m afraid we might lose both.”

The design work was nearing completion, and time was running out.

However, seeing Park No-hoon’s determination to create a more perfect result, Joo Hyo-sub felt both admiration and envy.

The passion to never give up until the end.

It was a quality he lacked.

“Do you know why I came to the model room, which everyone avoids?”

“Out of the blue. You’ve always liked making models, haven’t you?”

“Hahaha. I do like it. But that’s not all.”

“Huh? That’s not all?”

A bitter smile appeared on Joo Hyo-sub’s face, and he stiffened as if recalling a nightmare.

“When I was working in the design department, I was given my first solo project after becoming a manager.”