1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 349 The Great President!
Ines's words were concise, making it easy for Ronan to understand what she was trying to say:

“Michelin magazine started with travel, but we have since achieved great success in entertainment, fashion and home furnishings, because we are used to deeply engaging with some important figures in the industry.”

“You should know Ailene Grimaud, right?” Ines suddenly raised an eyebrow at Ronan. “She was made famous by our magazine. There are many similar examples. Many people have become household names in Provence or industry leaders with our help.”

Hélène Grimaud is a very famous pianist from Provence.

Ronan had heard Zoe say that she suddenly became famous around 1985.

Ines poured herself and Ronan a glass of wine, and Ronan tried to take the bottle so he could pour it himself, but Ines refused.

“Michelin Magazine also needs to find a few people to work closely with in the arts and to have a mutually beneficial relationship. I think there is no better choice than you and Zoe. You meet all the requirements for fame.”

When the board informed Ines Micheren of their plans to enter the arts, her first reaction was resistance.

Media cannot exist without stories, and stories cannot exist without people.

However, artists are a difficult group to communicate with and control. Some have personalities like madmen, some are so engrossed in their art that they are oblivious to the world, and others disdain cooperating with their capitalist approach. It is very difficult to deeply bind a few suitable artists together.

Ines could foresee how difficult the coming year would be for her.

But the board of directors didn't want to miss the wave of art capitalization and insisted on entering the field, so Ines had no choice but to bite the bullet and go to Gold.

I was pleasantly surprised to find a great surprise in Gold!
Ronan is actually an artist, and he even has an artist girlfriend?

Ronan and Zoe are good-looking, talented, popular, have compelling backstories, and generate a lot of buzz. They're also a couple.

Ines believes that Ronan and Zoe are just a little bit of background and push away from true success, and that's exactly what she has.

Most importantly, Ronan is one of Ines's 'own people'.

She knew Ronan was a reliable 'partner,' and the intelligent Ronan would certainly cherish this opportunity.

Across from Ines, Ronan's mind was already racing with countless possibilities.

Why did he initially get involved with art?

Because art and rosé wine are closely related, and that's the key to it.

To be honest, Ronan only has ideas and methods for making rosé wine popular among artists, but he has no clue how to promote rosé wine to the general public in Provence.

Rosé wine truly entered the mainstream many years later.

In the 21st century, it was the female celebrities in Cannes who started the trend of drinking rosé wine, and the French government later hailed rosé wine as the only 'lifeboat' that could save the French wine industry.

If what Inés said is true, and Michelin magazine has single-handedly promoted many local Provençal stars, is it possible that she and Zoe, who are working with her, could bring forward this opportunity?

Ronan wasn't sure if it would work, but it was the only path they could try right now.

Ines' invitation to collaborate further solidified Ronan's determination to take over the winery, giving him an even greater chance of success!

"What do Zoe and I need to do?" Ronan stated his position.

Ines showed no surprise, as if he had expected this all along:

"Get featured in our magazine, attend our events, attend the events we want you to attend, and express your goodwill with 'Michelin' magazine as many times as possible. You only need to do these things, and leave the rest to me."

Ronan considered it for a moment, then, feeling that these were all things that could increase her and Zoe's exposure, shrugged with a smile:

I can't find any reason to refuse.

Ines smiled, raised his glass, and gestured to clink glasses with Ronan to celebrate their successful agreement.
“I will help you become the most sought-after artists in Provence.”

This is practically a windfall; only a fool would refuse it!

Ronan and Ines clinked glasses, smiled, shook their heads, and said frankly:
"It's not just about becoming a sought-after artist, but also about rosé wine. You might not believe it, but a large part of my becoming an artist is because of rosé wine. You know, this group is the most accepting of rosé wine in Provence, and I must have the ability to influence them."

From the moment the two of them sat down in the private room, Ines always seemed 'confident'.

Ronan's reaction, Ronan's condition, Ronan's problems, and Ronan's decision were all things Ines had already predicted.

Compared to those 'old foxes', Ronan was practically an 'adorable baby' in front of Ines.

But what Ronan said was something Ines never expected.

There's even a reason related to rosé wine?

Ronan is indeed the most enthusiastic rosé wine fanatic in the association!

Immediately, Ines recalled the resolute figure at the party, holding a bottle of wine and saying, "My dream is to make rosé wine as valued as other wines in Provence."

Ines temporarily shed the aloof demeanor of the editor-in-chief of Michelin magazine and, in his capacity as 'President of the Rosé Wine Lovers Association of Vaucluse,' assured Ronan:
“I am so glad to know you, Ronan. I will do everything I can to help you become household names in Provence and increase your influence, thus achieving your goal. I swear to you.”

"I didn't misjudge you!" Ronan downed the pink liquid in his glass in one gulp and said gratefully.

"Thank you, President."

The meal was very enjoyable.

After finishing their business, Ronan and Ines, like old friends who hadn't seen each other in a long time, shared what had happened to them recently.

Ronan told Ines that he might expand into the woven furniture business next month, and that he wanted to capitalize on Gold's popularity to promote the name of the 'Lourmaran Handicraft Cooperative' as widely as possible.

Ines gave Ronan many helpful suggestions from her perspective. After listening to these opinions, Ronan felt more confident about the future and was just waiting for the truffle harvesting season to end so he could "show his skills".

Ines mainly talked about the trivial matters of her recent preparations for the "Art Review of Provence," a new magazine that has consumed so much of her energy that she hasn't been able to hold a gathering for a long time.

"I definitely won't have time to organize a gathering in February. I need to review Gold's achievements and integrate resources. At the end of the month, I'll be talking to the Provence Art Review about sponsorship. I don't think I'll have any days off."

Ronan asked unexpectedly:

"You're going to find sponsors yourself?"

Ronan hadn't talked much with Ines about her work before, only knowing that she was the editor-in-chief of Michelin magazine.

After the two of them reached a 'cooperation agreement', Ronan asked if they should consult other people's opinions. It's impossible for the two of them to finalize such an important cooperation over just one meal, right?

Ines said in a very calm tone that her decision was the decision of Michelin magazine.

The implication is that there's no need to ask anyone else.

Ronan was once again amazed by the chairman's strength!
But would such a high-ranking leader personally go and discuss sponsorship?

Ines let out a long sigh:

"This client is quite special; I must go in person, and I cannot afford to neglect him."

Suddenly, she said to Ronan with a hint of anticipation:
"We're planning to do something different with the Provence Art Review, shall I tell you about it?"

“Okay.” Ronan nodded repeatedly.

Contact with Ines will allow him to learn a lot of new knowledge.

Ines recounted in detail:
"The first issue of the Provence Art Review is expected to be published in June. In the months that follow, all kinds of flowers in Provence will be in full bloom. We packaged a 'scent art' business plan for a perfume client. In June, when roses bloom, we would spray their rose-themed perfume inside the magazine, and in July, when jasmine blooms, we would spray a jasmine-themed perfume."

As Ronan listened, he was taken aback.

Perfume customers also need to be visited by Ines in person.

not?
During one of Ines's pauses, Ronan tentatively asked:
Are you personally visiting the Fox family?

Ines nodded expressionlessly:

“That’s right, it’s the Fox family of Grasse. We hope that the inaugural sponsorship of the Provence Art Review can find such an influential client, which will help with future publications.”

Ronan said with a smile:
"What a coincidence, I'm also going to Glass to see the Fox family's perfume museum in a while."

Ines was touched by Ronan's passion for rosé wine, genuinely liked the boy, and was willing to help him. After thinking for a moment, she asked Ronan:

“If you’re not in a hurry, how about we go to Grasse together at the end of the month? I’ll have someone take you on an in-depth tour of Grasse and the Fox family’s perfume business.”

Ronan replied without hesitation:

"I'm not in a hurry, thank you so much."

Zoe will be working on Miss Patricia's orders for the next month and will be unable to leave Lourmaran, while Ronan is struggling with the decision of whether to go to Grasse on his own.

Moreover, Ines will certainly be able to help Ronan gain a deeper understanding of the museum-perfume business model.

As Ronan spent more time in Provence, he became increasingly grateful for joining the Vaucluse Rosé Wine Lovers' Association and getting to know these important figures.

Mr. Jacques provided Ronan with much help in truffle and restaurant management, Astrid gave Ronan important guidance on many occasions, and Ines is now an important assistant to Ronan in his rosé wine business.

Oh, right.

Does the chairman know that Astrid is a member of the Fox family?
As Ronan was deep in thought about the question, Ines casually remarked in a tone as if discussing whether the wine was good or not:

"The latest edition of the Mifal Guide is about to be released this year, and I've added your restaurant to it."

Ronan was both surprised and delighted, raising his glass in gratitude for what felt like the umpteenth time today:
"Thank you, President! Thank you!"

Developing under the wing of these important figures is so wonderful!!
(End of this chapter)