1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 455 Ambitious Women
Having summarized the goals, the next step is to achieve them one by one.

The first issue to be addressed is the business upgrade of the Lourmaran Handicraft Cooperative.

This business, which has no upper limit, is currently too underdeveloped.

Later that day, Ronan went to Batty's yard.

During the day, Batty receives tourists from all over the world and takes them to experience weaving techniques, while Ronan can only come here after the tourists have left.

The purpose of this visit was to inform Bati that the store was going to have 'new arrivals' and to have Bati brainstorm new styles with him.

"This time we're not limiting ourselves to making chairs. We can make other furniture, such as cabinets and tables, and gradually promote the concept of a furniture store. Once the flagship store opens, we can get on track as quickly as possible."

Both Carl and Sylvie have stated that the construction priority for the second and third phases of the commercial street has been brought forward, and the project has been accelerated.

Preparations for the 'Lourmaran Handicraft Cooperative' shop also need to be started quickly.

Currently, the first impression people in Provence have of this handicraft organization is that it sells jewelry, and this perception needs to be changed as soon as possible.

At this point, the size and area of ​​Apte's physical store were no longer a concern; the main goal was to cram in as much furniture as possible.

“I reminded you before that you could sell other styles.” Batty always supports Ronan’s suggestions. He is Ronan’s strongest backer and provides enough emotional value. “More than one person who has visited your house has said that they like that little cabinet. I believe that it will definitely become our main style.”

Barty was referring to Ronan's sideboard, the one Juliet moved out of.

Ronan later made another one, which Theo took home, saying that Anna loved it.

This is the third one that Ronan has made.

“Let’s design more styles together.” Ronan felt more confident thinking about the story of the sideboard. “There’s no limit to the number of items this time, and no deadline. We need so many things to fill the flagship store. It’s a long-term project. If you have some free time, you can work with me.”

Blanco promised Ronan a shop in a good location with a large area, since the 'Lourmaran Handicraft Cooperative', like Stella, was something that could affect Lourmaran's reputation.

Filling that place up will be quite a task.

It is estimated that continuous design will be needed before the latest phase of the commercial street is completed.

In terms of weaving skills, Batty is far superior to Ronan.

He can create many beautiful things that Ronan is not capable of at this stage.

Ronan's advantage is that he remembers the styles of many celebrity-endorsed woven furniture pieces.

Two people each have their own strengths, and working together can achieve twice the result with half the effort.

However, Ronan and Batistuta are both very busy, so they can only squeeze in time to do this.

But this time, Batistuta did not 'support' Ronan; instead, he offered a suggestion:
"Filling up an entire flagship store is no easy task. Can the two of us manage it? Especially since you and I can't dedicate all our energy to it. Why don't we get the women involved?"

"You mean, let the women design furniture too?" Ronan shook his head after only a second of thought. "It's not that I don't believe in their abilities, but isn't making furniture a bit 'beyond their capabilities'? Designing furniture requires not only technical skills but also aesthetic sense. What if they spend all their time making something that they can't use? Wouldn't that be a waste of their time?"

Barty optimistically said:

"They can design garlands, ornaments, and lamps, so they can definitely handle furniture design, Ronan. Please trust them. All they lack is a little guidance. No one starts with superb skills, and no one starts with high-end aesthetics. We can teach them. I'm willing to give them that opportunity."

Ronan fully understood Batistuta's intention in saying that.

In his mind, the women of Lourmaran who did weaving were the most beautiful, intelligent, skillful, and perfect women in the world.

They are stars that deserve to be cherished and held in the palm of one's hand.

Ronan was willing to give them this opportunity, but there were still some very practical things to consider:
“You and I are willing, but are you sure they are willing to take on this task? Furniture is not a garland that can be made in a few hours. A new furniture design may take several days to complete. They could earn a lot of money in that time. I believe that if you and I go and persuade them, the women will definitely agree. But I am worried that they are actually unwilling in their hearts.”

Ronan also worked odd jobs.

If his boss assigns him a task that is both a waste of time and a delay in making money, and is also very difficult, he is unwilling to accept it, not at all.

Barty proudly pointed behind him with his thumb, looking even more smug than when he introduced his work in Gold in front of dozens of people:
"Believe me, these kind-hearted women will definitely be willing to take on this task. You have no idea how ambitious they are."

Ronan tilted his head, seemingly assessing the credibility of the statement.

Batty knelt down, glanced at the sky outside, and smiled at Ronan, saying:

"Look, you'll see when you go out and take a look."

Some of the women worked at home, while others went to work in Bati's yard.

Just look at how many people are at Bati's house today.

In the past, no matter how many people went, everyone was willing to squeeze together and sit in that courtyard.

It's so much fun to chat while working!

Later, Sandrine turned Barty's yard into a tourist attraction, and people came and went in the yard every day.

Although the women went about their business as usual, the tourists were just visiting, and the person teaching weaving was also Bati, in order to make the scene appear orderly, everyone naturally went back when there were too many people in the courtyard.

However, after the tourists left, the courtyard became more crowded—the women returned with their stools.

As Ronan emerged from Batty's house and saw a yard full of familiar faces, he was momentarily taken aback.

This was the first time he had ever seen this scene; usually, he would have already gone to the restaurant for dinner by this time.

That's why Ronan was so curious.

He understands that women like to work together, but don't they need to go home for meals?

"Josephine, it's so late, aren't you going back?" Ronan squatted down next to Josephine.

Josephine is undoubtedly the 'knitting champion' among the women of Lourmaran, and her monthly order income is the highest.

Originally, the women didn't like talking to Josephine because of Henry, but now they are very enthusiastic about her because she is a knitting guide for many people—last Christmas, Ronan invited her to be a teacher with Barty in order to earn the bonus from the wreaths.

However, whenever Josephine met Ronan, she always acted like a 'student'.

Because Henry had said countless times at home that they would not be where they were today without Mr. Ronan, and that Mr. Ronan would always be the person they were most grateful to.

Josephine put down the vines and weaving tools in her hands, her smile overshadowing the hardships and marks on her face:

“I finished eating before I came, Mr. Ronan.”

Josephine was quiet and didn't like to talk. She sat alone in a corner of the courtyard, weaving quickly with her hands, which was quite different from the groups of women.

Actually, Ronan had wanted to ask her before – if she didn't come to Barty's yard to chat with other people, then why did she come to do knitting this time?
Isn't it the same to make it at home?
He pointed to the vines on the ground and asked Josephine:
"Do you come every day? Why don't you cook at home?"

Josephine smiled shyly: "It's crowded and lively here."

"Josephine—" A figure suddenly loomed over Ronan and Josephine, like a mountain.

Fabian's wife, Boge, was carrying an unfinished woven lamp, with a long vine trailing behind her on the ground. It was clear that she had stopped halfway through making it.

Boze anxiously asked Josephine:

"Please help me check this. Where did I make a mistake? Why is it different from the sample?"

Josephine didn't dare reach out, and looked up at Boge and said:

"I don't know, you should ask Mr. Ronan."

"How could you not understand? You always manage to point out my problems." Boze didn't understand Josephine's meaning and asked stupidly.

Josephine lowered her head nervously, while Lourmaran's skillful hands, slightly flustered, continued what they had been doing:
"I was just talking nonsense before."

Ronan smiled and said to Josephine:
"How long has it been since I've made anything? You guys make things every day, you're definitely better than me. Hurry up and show it to Bo Re, look how anxious she is."

Not daring to disobey Mr. Ronan's wishes, Josephine carefully took the lamp from Boge's hand, glanced at it a few times, and said:

"You've learned 'hexagonal eyelet weaving'? I couldn't weave this honeycomb pattern well before either. Hmm, it's here, I'm going in the wrong way."

Ronan raised an eyebrow and looked intently at the lamp in Boge's hand.

Hexagonal eyelet weaving is an advanced style in weaving techniques. It is relatively complex and can achieve different structural patterns by using different 'inlet and outlet' points. It is one of the common techniques for creating irregular patterns.

But Ronan remembered that they had never sold any special styles of lamps.

"What kind of lamp is this?" Ronan asked Boge.

Boge's face was almost touching Josephine's hand, his attention completely focused on Josephine's hand:

"It's not any of those; I just made it for fun."

"You're not working on an order?" Ronan asked in surprise.

Fabian and Ronan are brothers, and Boge and Ronan often interact in private. They speak without thinking, saying whatever comes to mind.
"Please give me some orders, I'm begging you! I'm so bored, I've only taken four orders for lights and one piece of furniture this week!"

Ronan offered his usual reasoning:

“My opinion doesn’t carry much weight. You’ll have to ask Barty; he’s in charge of placing orders. But why did you make this ‘hexagonal eye braided’ lamp?”

Boge's lips twitched in unison with Josephine's, and his eyes would occasionally squint.
"Practice it! You might not need it now, but what if you do later? There are so many vines at home, and it doesn't cost any money, so why not learn?"

Josephine stopped what she was doing and looked around:
"Actually, I don't think you need to change it. Although it's different from the sample lamp, it looks pretty good now. You can just keep making it like this and see what it turns out to be."

“Let’s take a look together when we finish the edges,” a woman closest to Josephine interjected. “These irregular shapes are really difficult to finish.”

The techniques for weaving artworks are complex, and depending on the shape produced, there are many different ways to finish the edges.

Spherical pieces typically use the wrapping method for finishing, while sheet-like pieces use the sewing method. Some also opt for a seamless finishing process, where the edges are finished during the weaving process.

In short, the more complex the style, the more difficult it is to finish, and the more time it takes.

"I'll help you finish the edges! I'm the best at finishing edges!" Pires appeared carrying a stool, and before even entering the yard, he started shouting, "What, you don't believe me? Ask Josephine, there have been many times when I helped her finish the edges she couldn't finish!"

Josephine smiled and shook her head:

"Yes, yes, yes, Pires is better at finishing the edges than I am."

Ronan turned around and asked the old man:
"Why are you here too?"

The women in this courtyard are all so harmonious, what are you doing sitting in here, you old geezer?
Pires took out a crumpled, sandwich-like object from one pocket of his trousers and a small flask from the other pocket.

He took a sip of the high-proof distilled liquor he had secretly brewed, and immediately winced at the spiciness.
"Aren't you going to let them learn behind my back? These women are too despicable. They're always secretly learning new things. Originally, only a dozen or so people knew how to make spherical lamps, but after I was gone for a week, suddenly more than thirty people know how to make star lamps. I can't let them steal my orders!"

Boge found Pire's chatter annoying and, hands on his hips, said:

“Shut up! Every time you come, it’s a complete mess. If you keep yelling, get out.”

The person handing out flyers isn't Pirès anymore.

Who's going to indulge him anymore?

Working surrounded by women is such a wonderful thing. Why not cherish it, keep a low profile, and not act all loud and boisterous all the time? Who are you trying to impress?

Look at Batistuta, and then look at yourself!

Once Boge started doing this, many women followed suit and told Pire to go home.

It can only be said that this old man exploited women too much before, and now he's getting his comeuppance.

Pires's skin is thicker than the walls of Lourmaran Castle.

Not only did he not leave, but he jumped up even more arrogantly and shouted:
"I'm never helping you clean up the mess again! Bah! Don't come to me for help, you ungrateful bastards! Forgot how good I, old Pire, was to you before!"

"Shut up!"

A dignified voice came from the doorway. Even Barty, who had wanted to come out and mediate the fight, quickly closed the door upon hearing the commotion in the yard, clearly somewhat afraid of the person who had arrived.

Aknina stared at Pires with her emotionless eyes:
"Make another sound, take your stool and vines and leave, and never come back here again."

As the saying goes, there's always someone who can subdue another.

Pires was genuinely afraid of this old partner he had worked with for decades.

He snorted and picked up a vine, but his eyes kept glancing at Josephine, seemingly very interested in what they were making.

Of course, the other women quieted down and continued with what they were doing.

Aknina was a woman Ronan greatly respected, and he took the initiative to approach her.
"You've come too?"

Aknina, holding a stool and an unfinished work, was clearly not just passing by; she was there to work as well.

What's so magical about this courtyard?

Aknina gave Ronan a fairly gentle smile:

"With more people involved, there are more problems encountered, but progress is also faster. It's much better than doing things alone at home."

(End of this chapter)