1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 427 Exploring New Ideas
“I remember it wasn’t like this last time I came to your house,” Bruno said, looking left and right, trying to recall. “Was this stable here before? I don’t recall.”

Bruno spent an unforgettable Christmas at Ronan's house.

Ronan's enthusiasm and the atmosphere of his home were among the key reasons why Bruno fell in love with Provence.

But compared to a few months ago, Ronan's backyard has changed dramatically.

Ronan said with a smile:
“This isn’t a stable; it’s a workshop being built for Zoe. It hadn’t even started construction when you came last time.”

Sandrine looked at the enormous studio and said enviously:

"If only the physical store of the Lourmaran Handicraft Cooperative were that big."

Sandrine has been 'on the job' for a month.

Recently, the weaving craft tour program organized by her was successfully launched. Although tourists visiting Lourmaran were not as enthusiastic about this program as they were about vineyard tours, a considerable number of customers were attracted from Apte's offline stores.

I heard that you can visit the women's hand-woven furniture and handicrafts, and customers who have bought things or are hesitant to buy want to come and see.

Extending the supply chain naturally helps sell woven products, but the small size of offline stores is a problem that cannot be ignored.

If only the physical stores were that big, she would immediately organize other large-scale events around them.

Ronan comforted Sandrine:
"It will definitely happen in the future, don't rush it."

Meanwhile, Sandrine and Ronan toured the backyard while discussing their knitting business, while Bruno's bald head was occupied with other thoughts.

Ronan truly deserves to be called his most 'powerful' friend in Provence.

His girlfriend has a studio the size of a stable, and even Ronan's pets have their own play area.

After his wife Sandrine "joined the company," Bruno asked her many times if her work was going well and if she was happy with it.

Sandrine said that Ronan gave her a very high degree of freedom in her work, that she didn't need to come to Lourmaran every day to keep an eye on things, that he would take her advice seriously, and that most importantly, he was very generous when it came to paying her.

Ronan is indeed a capable and reliable guy, which puts my mind at ease.

Ronan took Bruno and his family on a tour of the studio, showing them several work areas and Zoe's beautiful kiln.

Sandrine looked on with even more envy.

Although she and Zoe do not do the same job, who wouldn't want to have their own spacious workspace?
Sandrine watched with great interest, but her two daughters didn't have the same patience.

They wanted to play with the dogs but were a little tired, so they tearfully told their parents they didn't want to visit anymore.

"I'll go check on Zoe's preparations. Let's eat first." Ronan stopped outside the studio.

Today is the young couple's first time hosting a dinner party for friends on their own, and neither Luo Tianhai nor Feng Zhen came to help.

Although Zoe's cooking skills have improved a lot recently, Ronan was still worried about letting her cook a small dinner party on her own. His mind was already elsewhere, afraid that Zoe would hurt her fingers or burn herself.

Upon hearing this, the two little girls immediately laughed and ran towards the vicinity of the reservoir, as they hadn't had enough fun yet!
Ronan then led Bruno and Sandrine to a newly built rest area nearby:

"You can rest here for a bit, I'll call you when the food is ready."

Sandrine and Bruno 'lay' on the large mat, their backs against the big tree. This area was in the shade under the tree, with no wind and no sun. It was perfect for them to be able to see the children playing in the distance and get plenty of rest!

"You guys really know how to enjoy yourselves!" Bruno squinted his eyes comfortably.

He didn't feel like he was having dinner at a friend's house at all; it felt more like he was on vacation at a resort.

Ronan touched his nose:
"Zoe found this place. She said it would be very comfortable to take a nap here in the afternoon."

Bruno shook his head and said:
"Being your wife is such a blessing!"

Ronan smiled happily:
"It would be my happiness to marry a wife like Zoe."

Ronan rushed to the kitchen and immediately began to help:
"I'll help you."

Zoe turned around and asked unexpectedly:

"How did you get here? Where are Bruno and the others?"

When Bruno and his family arrived, they greeted Zoe, who knew their guests had arrived.

Ronan rolled up his sleeves and looked around for things to do:
"They're sitting in the rest area you designed for the dogs; they really enjoy it there."

Ronan didn't explain everything just now.

Zoe designed that rest area not only to take a nap, but also to watch her pets play.

Bruno and Sandrine were watching their child.
Zoe said with her head down while processing the seafood:

"Then go and talk to them. Don't worry about this place, the food will be ready soon."

Ronan said, still worried:
"Let me help you cook the meal first."

Zoe pushed Ronan away with her arm:

"Aren't you going to ask Bruno for help later? It's impolite to leave the guests standing there. I can manage on my own. When guests came over before, Mom always cooked in the kitchen by herself. Do you think I can't do it?"

Ronan said awkwardly:

"It's not that you can't, it's that I don't trust you."

Zoe took a moment out of her busy schedule to kiss Ronan:
"It's not difficult to cook for only six people, but in the future I will have to independently prepare meals for a dozen or twenty people. Sooner or later I will have to face these on my own."

Ronan cupped Zoe's face and kissed her hard:
"I am so happy to have married such a wonderful wife as you."

Zoe is career-oriented and has a strong sense of family responsibility.

She did not neglect her duties as a wife because of her success in the arts, and even before they got married, she was working hard to improve her life skills.

“Go on, and remember to take the chilled rosé to your friends,” Zoe said to Ronan with a smile. After Ronan left the kitchen with the wine, Zoe's smile vanished immediately. She took a deep breath and encouraged herself:

"Relax, Zoe. Think about how your mother did it back then. You can definitely do it too."

After that, she looked down and continued to look at her 'cooking notes', which she had scribbled on many times.

Today's dinner is very important, and Zoe must help Ronan make a good impression on Bruno.

The young couple tried hard to make a good impression on Bruno.

Bruno's 'favorability' level with the person in question was already almost maxed out.

During the few minutes Ronan was in the kitchen, Sandrine said more than once that she wanted a yard as beautiful as that.

Bruno never refused his wife's request; if Sandrine wanted such a beautiful yard, he would definitely give it to her.

As for how to give it, we'll have to ask Ronan for help.

However, Ronan had been talking to Sandrine about their knitting business ever since he returned from the kitchen, and Ronan couldn't get a word in edgewise.

“Relying solely on physical stores and art exhibitions is not a good approach, especially since you and Zoe are preparing for your wedding this year and won’t be participating in many large-scale art events. You need to explore other channels for exposure and sales.”

Sandrine was Ronan's business consultant, so naturally she needed to know all the details of the Lourmaran handicraft cooperative.

Ronan, the owner, designer, and signboard designer, is her primary focus.

According to the development plan previously agreed upon by Ronan and Cotillard, Ronan will not participate in many art-related activities this year, but will only participate in those with a high level of exposure.

However, these activities will most likely have to wait until the second half of the year or the end of the year. Ronan has made it clear more than once that he does not have the energy to do anything new before getting married.

Ronan's decision indicates that a marketing strategy centered around him cannot achieve significant breakthroughs this year, and other plans must be added.

"For example, what you once said about unsold stock?" Ronan asked Sandrine.

Sandrine nodded and said:

"I've already sent Cafu's guys to develop distribution channels."

Ronan said in a praising tone:
"Caf told me that your approach is working well and that this month's order volume may be about 10% higher than last month."

What Ronan thought was great, Sandrine was not satisfied with:

“Reselling alone is not enough; I think we can explore other channels for exposure.”

"For example?" Ronan leaned forward and asked seriously.

Sandrine also became serious:

"If conditions permit, you can try some 'soft' advertising. The most effective way is through magazines. Subtly showcase your product in recent magazines. This is a common trick used by luxury brands and furniture manufacturers."

“Soft advertising,” Ronan repeated thoughtfully.

Sandrine explained earnestly:
"Don't underestimate soft advertising. The advertising costs can be higher than hard advertising. For example, with the luxury brand I used to work for, we had a dedicated department that dealt with magazines and the media. If the money was enough, the editors would privately tell the upper-class celebrities what they 'should' buy."

Sandrine said regretfully:
"The editors' words are so important to brands, especially high-end brands. Unfortunately, my previous work did not involve this part, and I don't have any resources in this area."

Seeing his wife's regretful expression, Bruno interjected:

"What kind of resources do you need? I'll help you find them?"

He wanted to make Sandrine's job go more smoothly, and he also wanted to do something for Ronan.

Last year, when Bruno was at his worst, Ronan warmed him with his enthusiasm.

This year, Ronan gave Sandrine a job she really liked. Perhaps the design institute would also need their help, and who knows how many things Ronan would need to trouble with when Bruno's family moves to Lourmarin.
In short, he owed Ronan more and more favors!
“Luxury brands in Paris mainly seek out well-known magazine groups like Vogue Paris, Elle, and Marie Claire, but we don’t need anything that high-end. We can start by collaborating with local magazines,” Sandrine thoughtfully told Ronan. “Don’t worry, I know the current situation of the ‘Lourmarin Crafts Cooperative’ very well, and I understand that it’s not time to spend money on soft advertising yet. I’ll try my best to find out about the cooperation rates, and we’ll definitely need them in the future as we develop.”

Bruno also looked at Ronan:

“Sandrine and I searched together. Although I had just arrived in Provence, my colleagues were all native Provençals, so finding the people in the magazine wasn’t difficult.”

Ronan poured them drinks:

"No need, I know the people in the magazine, so there's no need to trouble you."

Sandrine kindly reminded her:

“Regular editors won’t work. As far as I know, this is a professional department. If you find the wrong person, it will not only waste time but also easily cause misunderstandings. I’ll find one myself.”

Bruno patted his chest and said:
"I'll go find someone. I'll find a leader, someone I can talk to. It's much simpler than you guys running around like headless flies."

Ronan smiled and pressed his palm down:

"Really, it's not necessary. I know the editor-in-chief of the most important magazine in Provence, no, I should say the Southern France. Her magazine covers many aspects such as art, fashion, food, and travel. I'm going to meet her soon, so I'll ask her about it then."

Next week, Ronan and Zoe will be interviewed by Michelin Magazine's first foray into the art world, "Review of Art Provence." Inés has been devoting all her energy to this magazine lately, and she will also be present for next week's interview.

Ronan originally intended to take this opportunity to confess the matter of Stella to the chairman.

Now we have another topic to discuss: soft product placement.

Ronan spoke calmly, but the couple opposite him were far from at peace.

Sandrine's impression of 'boss' Ronan was refreshed once again—Ronan seemed ordinary, but he lived in such a great house, knew so many amazing friends, and was so young, with unlimited potential.

Working for a boss like that might offer better career prospects in Provence than in Paris.

Bruno poured himself a drink in frustration.

Damn it, why didn't I help Ronan again?

How can I repay his kindness from before?
(End of this chapter)