1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 65 Pierre Cardin
Ronan called Louis as soon as he got home.

He didn't believe that there was no normal toilet in Provence!

Louis gave an unexpected answer:

"Remember Simon? He's the heating merchant. In addition to selling heaters, he also sells toilets."

Ronan suddenly had a bad feeling.

The things that guy sells are not cheap.

the next day.

Ronan called Mr. Simon again after two months.

"Oh, Ronan, I remember, I remember you! The weather is getting warmer, we can talk about the heating plan!" Simon responded enthusiastically.

"I'm not buying a heater this time. I want to look at the toilet." Ronan kept his tone as calm as possible, not daring to reveal his urgency at all, so that he could take the initiative in possible bargaining in the future.

He doesn't have a lot of money now, so he has to calculate everything carefully.

"I have some toilet samples and many product manuals at home. You can come and have a look at any time." Simon invited Ronan.

"Is this afternoon okay?" Ronan wanted to solve this problem as soon as possible.

"You've chosen a great time period. My wife is preparing for an accordion concert. We can talk about business while enjoying her accordion performance," Simon began to talk nonstop.

Ronan closed his eyes speechlessly.

Is there anything more wonderful than listening to an accordion surrounded by toilets?
But how come he remembered that Simon's wife played the piano?

Mrs. Simon proved to be omnipotent.

Before visiting the toilet, Ronan was invited to the living room to admire Mrs. Simon's various musical instruments.

Accordion, saxophone, piano, tambourine. All kinds of instruments are available, including those for blowing, pulling, playing and singing.

After watching the performance for half an hour, Ronan was reminded of a British movie he had seen in his previous life - "Glengarry Glen Ross".

"Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!" Simon stood up and applauded.

Ronan also sent his praise to Mrs. Simon:

"If my mother could have such a high level of musical literacy, I would be so happy."

Only then did Simon let Ronan go with satisfaction:

"Let's go check the toilet."

Thank goodness Mrs. Simon didn't come along with her accordion!
Simon's heaters and toilets were stacked in a warehouse outside.

"I don't want a 'Turkish toilet.'" On the road, Ronan expressed his needs directly.

"I admit that the French are not good at making boilers, but the high-end toilets they make are not inferior to any other country in the world. I don't have Turkish products here." Simon said as he opened the warehouse door.

Ronan's heart was beating fast.

France has not produced any famous bathroom brands, either now or in the future. Bathroom brands from Germany, the United States and Japan are more successful.

Sure enough, the toilets displayed in the warehouse were either bright red or bright yellow, and were engraved with intricate patterns and designs.

They are more like works of art than household items.

Ronan imagined what it would be like to sit on these vases:
"Are there any pure white ones with no patterns on them?"

Simon sneered and waved his hand:
"There's been a revolution in French sanitary ware in recent years. Designers are adopting bold styles and colors, moving away from white. This is the trend of the future."

Ronan found the reason for the failure of French bathroom. Obviously, the great revolution failed.

"Are there no products before the Revolution anymore?" Ronan was not discouraged. The toilets in Paris were all normal. It was impossible that the Revolution only took place in Provence.

"Oh, let me think," Simon rummaged through the messy product catalogs in the boxes in the corner of the warehouse, "I remember there seemed to be some white toilets."

"Here!" Simon threw a product catalog in Ronan's face and pointed at a photo on it. "You're lucky. These toilets have never been sold."

Ronan looked closely and saw a few big words written at the bottom of the photo - Pierre Cardin.

"Pierre Cardin?" Ronan moved closer. "Is that Pierre?"

Pierre Cardin is an Italian fashion designer, but he made his fortune in France. He is also very famous in China. Ronan's uncle in China once proudly said on the phone that he bought a new leather jacket from Pierre Cardin.

Simon Flat Hands:

"Who else could it be? He designed this himself."

Ronan asked in surprise:

“He also designs toilets?”

Simon laughed a few times:
"Aren't all rich people like this? They think they can do everything. I've seen him twice in the coffee shop in Laxter Village. Even from ten meters away, I could smell his arrogance."

The village of Lacoste is in the 'Golden Triangle' area, where there is an old castle that has stood for a hundred years. It is a destination that Ronan has always wanted to visit.

But Zoe told him that the castle was bought by a rich man and became his private property.

When the two are combined, it is not difficult to associate them together.

"Mr. Pierre Cardin also bought a house in Luberon?" Ronan asked the question in his mind.

"He bought a lot. He owns dozens of properties in the Luberon. 'House collecting' is one of the hobbies of wealthy people." Simon is not surprised by this. "If you want to talk to him, go to the café in the church square in Lacoste on Monday afternoons. He's there every week."

Those unremarkable little villages in Provence are really home to hidden talents! Ronan couldn't help but complain in his heart.

But he secretly noted down this information.

What if it works?
"Why can't the toilet he designed be sold?" Ronan continued to ask.

This kind of design by an international master should be very popular, and Ronan has never seen this thing in Paris. Is it limited to Provence?

Simon smacked his lips a few times.
"So he was a proud guy, there's a huge signature on the toilet, inside the wall! Who wants to go to the toilet under the gaze of 'Pierre Cardin'? This toilet was discontinued before it even left Provence, what a terrible product!"

"Is it expensive?" Compared to the horrible 'Turkish toilet', Ronan didn't mind being stared at by Mr. Pierre Cardin. At least it was clean. What he cared about was the price.

Simon suppressed his personal emotions and became professional:

"900 francs."

Ronan shook his head regretfully:
"I'm sorry, Mr. Simon, you don't have a toilet that's suitable for me. I'm going to go to 'Isle de Sorgue' to have a look."

Ile-sur-Sorgue has the third largest flea market in the world and many second-hand shops.

When a Provencal person says to you, "I'm going to visit the Isle de la Sorgue," it means that his wallet is not rich and he is going to buy second-hand goods.

"Sorg Island. There are indeed many options there." Simon's eyes wandered and he caught up with Ronan who was leaving. "How many do you need?"

"Three." Ronan shrugged. "That's a lot of money."

Simon nodded and said casually:

"These unsaleable items can be sold at a 'disposal' price. You know, they take up a lot of space."

Ronan said indifferently:
"Maybe."

Simon and Ronan walked to his car:
“Maybe I could ask the manufacturer and see if they agree?”

Ronan got into the driver's seat and started the car:

"I actually mind the signature design, that's weird isn't it? If it costs more than 450 francs, I'd rather buy it second-hand, you know, they sit the same."

"Understood, understood." Simon waved to Ronan, "I will convey your opinion to the manufacturer."

That night.

Simon's call came as expected.

"Thankfully, although it was difficult, I was able to convince the manufacturer and they decided to make room for more popular products as soon as possible and sell the goods at a price of 450 francs."

Ronan felt a surge of regret.

How much profit did this old man keep?
Is the strategy of 'bargaining in half' too conservative?
After agreeing on the delivery and installation time, Simon didn't hang up the phone in a hurry:

"Should we talk about the heating plan again? Now is the best month to start construction."

"No, no, I have decided to go to Sog Island and I believe there is everything else I need." Ronan hung up the phone in a hurry.

(End of this chapter)