Courtyard Houses: From Bronze Compasses to Global Reach

Chapter 283 Libre de Soi—The Free Self

One afternoon in mid-November, Charles gently placed a newly received telegram on Lin Yan's desk. The telegram, from Tang Liuqian in Paris, was concise and inspiring: the company's overall framework had been established, the brand name had been decided as "Libre de Soi," meaning "the free self," and the first new product launch was planned to be held in Paris during the Christmas season.

After reading it, Lin Yan smiled slightly, showing his appreciation for the brand name, which was full of philosophical meaning. He instructed Charles, who was standing beside him, "Telegraph Liu Qian back and tell them that I will personally go to Paris to meet with the team before Christmas."

Lin Yan stood before the floor-to-ceiling window of his study, his gaze sweeping over the bare branches of Central Park. The November wind carried a chill, and a small patch of warmth gathered at his fingertips caused the frost on the windowpane to melt away quietly.

He closed his eyes, and his consciousness spread out like ripples.

In his study on Dongxinglong Street in Beijing, Lin San was checking the inventory list for a new batch of grain shipped south when a familiar voice suddenly echoed in his mind. He immediately put down his ledger, bowed his head, and stood respectfully: "Young Master!"

"Lin San, have the brothers find a group of skilled embroiderers in Hunan, Sichuan, Jiangsu, and Guangdong. Ask them if they'd be willing to come to Hong Kong to work; the wages will be generous. If they're willing to move their whole families here, their family members can also be placed in shops under the Lin family." Lin Yan paused, "For now, ask the Tang family to help arrange accommodation."

"Understood, I'll get on it right away." A glint flashed in Lin San's eyes. This was about bringing together all the skilled craftsmen scattered among the people.

Hong Kong - Lin's Group Headquarters

Lin Er, who was signing documents in the office, stopped writing.

"Young master, please give your orders."

"Go find Tang Bingyuan and build five more workshops in the spinning mill. Leave them empty for now; no need to install equipment."

"Yes, young master."

Lin Er arrived at Lin Yi's office and smiled at Tang Bingyuan, who was discussing the construction of a new factory with Lin Yi: "Old Tang, the young master just sent a telegram, wanting to add five more vacant workshops to the spinning mill."

Although Tang Bingyuan was puzzled, he immediately nodded: "Since it is Xiaoyan's idea, I will make the arrangements."

Lin Yan opened his eyes and gently traced his fingertips across the windowpane.

The empty workshops are for the future—when those embroiderers arrive in Hong Kong, their skillful hands will use the world's finest silk threads to embroider patterns that will amaze all of Europe.

He picked up the slightly cooled hot tea on the table, a smile playing on his lips.

Libre de Soi aims to present not only top-quality materials, but also the Eastern spirit infused into every stitch. He wants established luxury brands to understand that the East isn't devoid of luxury goods; rather, it's that they simply cannot afford them!

The next day at noon, in the school cafeteria.

The four dining companions sat around a table as usual, with a large portion of stewed mutton brought by Lin Yan in the middle. The rich aroma of the meat filled the air, and the surrounding classmates, already used to it, could only swallow their saliva and silently move their plates further away.

Mike finished his meal in a flash, then let out a loud, uncouth burp, which drew a disdainful glance from Daniel.

Tom nudged Lin Yan with his elbow: "Lin, Christmas is almost here, let's go out and have some fun during the holidays! I heard there's a new show on Broadway, I asked my mom for my allowance, it's my treat! Mike and Daniel are coming too!"

Lin Yan shrugged helplessly: "I'm afraid that won't work, Tom. I have to go to Paris for Christmas."

"Aww—Lin!" Tom immediately let out a disappointed howl. "Why don't you ever give us any time during your vacation?!"

Lin Yan's eyes lit up, and he came up with an idea. He smiled and said, "How about this, you guys come with me to Europe for Christmas? I'll cover all your round-trip airfare, food, and accommodation, and I can even take you to Paris for a fashion show! Raise your hand if you want to go!"

Unexpectedly, none of the three who had been looking forward to it raised their hands, and the atmosphere became somewhat silent.

Lin Yan blinked in confusion: "You guys...don't you want to go?"

The usually shy Daniel unusually spoke up to explain, "Lin, we're already very grateful for your usual meals. But international travel is too expensive, and we can't accept such generosity without feeling at ease... because we might never be able to repay it."

Lin Yan was slightly taken aback, his heart instantly enveloped in a warm feeling. Looking at his three friends' sincere yet slightly embarrassed faces, he understood their concerns. He possessed wealth they could hardly imagine, while they possessed a self-respect and sincerity that they would never easily overdraw.

"Hmm... Daniel, you're right, I didn't think it through." Lin Yan nodded, his tone becoming serious. "Actually, my main reason for going to Paris this time is for work."

"A job?" Tom's eyes widened. "Lin, your family is so rich, and you still want to go to Paris to work?"

"It's not a job," Lin Yan smiled and explained, "Actually, my friend and I invested in a fashion brand in Paris called 'Libre de Soi.' This is the brand's first launch event, and as an investor, I have to be there to oversee it. If you're interested, I can take you there a few days early and arrange some temporary jobs for you at the launch—a kind of... social practice? Let you experience it firsthand?"

These words plunged the three into silence once more, especially Tom and Mike, who were quite shocked. They had always known that Lin Yan's family was incredibly wealthy; after all, "Golden Harvest" was a nationally renowned grain and oil giant. But they had always assumed that Lin Yan was just a well-off young master who focused on his studies and occasionally indulged in Versailles-like pleasures. Now, they realized with a start that their friend had already quietly transcended the "rich second generation" circle and become a "domineering CEO" himself!

This realization stunned Tom and Mike for a few seconds. Then, almost simultaneously, the two jumped up from their seats and pounced on Lin Yan like two large dogs.

"Lin! Take us with you!" Tom hugged Lin Yan's arm tightly.

"I don't have that kind of extravagant pride!" Mike yelled, hugging the other dog. "Go ahead and order us around, boss!"

The students in the surrounding restaurants, seeing these two suddenly "going crazy," once again silently and tacitly moved their lunchboxes even further away.

Lin Yan was almost suffocating from being choked by the two of them. Looking at Daniel, who wasn't lunging at her but whose eyes were full of longing, she couldn't help but laugh.

"Alright, alright, you guys count! Let go, you're choking me!"

Daniel silently tidied up his cutlery and lunchbox, then looked up. His usually calm eyes shone brightly through his glasses as he looked at Lin Yan with utmost seriousness:

"Lin, please believe me, I'm also very hardworking. If you have the chance, please... feel free to order me around!"

Looking at Daniel, who was determined to be "used," Lin Yan couldn't help but burst out laughing and painstakingly pulled the two "human-shaped pendants" off his body.

"Alright, alright, everyone calm down." He made a "pause" gesture, a smile still lingering on his face. "I know you're all excited, but—"

He deliberately dragged out his words.

"This requires the consent of your respective parents. I can't just take the three of you to Europe on my own." He shrugged, indicating that he couldn't help. "So, before you get excited, go back and discuss it with your families. Only when your parents agree can we proceed to the next step."

These words were like a fine needle, gently puncturing the balloon of excitement in the three people.

"Oh...!" Tom and Mike both let out a frustrated groan. They had been so caught up in their excitement that they had completely forgotten about their parents, this "mountain" of a family. Traveling internationally, especially for Christmas, to help out at a friend's company—this was no simple weekend trip to an amusement park.

Daniel calmed down, adjusted his glasses, and nodded seriously: "Lin is right, this is a necessary step."

The previously enthusiastic atmosphere was suddenly tinged with trepidation. Lin Yan watched their expressions shift from tense to determined, finding it both amusing and heartwarming. He clapped his hands to encourage his friends:

"Alright, the mission has been assigned. Whether you can get the 'pass' depends on your own abilities."