American Hunting: Starting with Solitary Life in the Wilderness

Chapter 262 The Favor of the LVMH Group

January 1, 2022, 9:1 AM, rooftop helipad of the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel in Vancouver.

Lin Yu-an, dressed in a perfectly tailored Veilance dark gray suit, stood at the edge of the tarmac, with the magnificent cityscape and bay view of Vancouver below.

Behind him, a black Eurocopter EC145 helicopter bearing the LVMH Group logo served as his personal taxi.

LVMH—Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy—instantly flashed through Lin Yu'an's mind everything that this name represented.

It's not a single company, but a vast business empire comprised of over seventy top luxury brands, including Louis Vuitton, Dior, Tiffany & Co., Bulgari, and Hennessy.

A behemoth that controls the definition of global fashion, jewelry, fine wine, and even luxury lifestyles.

Its leader, Bernard Arnault, is a man who has been vying with Musk and Bezos for the title of the world's richest person for many years.

And now, the empire's helicopter is quietly waiting for him outside his hotel.

This was the work of agent Scout Braun. Upon learning that Arc'teryx was going to hold a press conference, he immediately realized that this was a golden opportunity for public relations.

Through his connections at CAA, he directly contacted Sophie Arnault, head of strategic development for LVMH Group in North America.

His exact words were full of devilish allure: "Sophie, you know, my Midas touch has never failed me all these years. You must be very interested in this man."

"Now, there is an opportunity for your brand to appear before the world's media as a savior and potential ally on its most important debut day."

"Would your helicopter be willing to give my client a ride?"

Sophie Arnault, that equally shrewd French woman, agreed readily after less than ten seconds of consideration.

Because she knew perfectly well that the helicopter was carrying a super IP that would define the high-end lifestyle for men in the next decade.

What LVMH needs to do is ensure that the runway for this IP to take off is laid by them.

Lin Yu-an bent down and boarded the helicopter. As the cabin door closed, the helicopter slowly took off and flew to the headquarters of Arc'teryx.

January 1, 2022, 9:55 a.m., Vancouver, Arc'teryx global headquarters.

The press conference was held in Arc'teryx's flagship product showroom, which is designed like an art gallery at the company's headquarters.

The scene was already packed with top media outlets from around the world, including fashion reporters from The New York Times and business editors from The Wall Street Journal.

The founder of trendy media outlets Hypebeast and Highsnobiety, and the editor-in-chief of the most authoritative outdoor magazine, Outside…

Almost every major media giant you can name, spanning the business, fashion, and outdoor sectors, was present.

In addition, a group of special people were sitting on the other side of the venue.

They are Arc'teryx's top-tier core customers, those explorers and mountaineers who have actually worn Arc'teryx gear and climbed snow-capped mountains and traversed ice fields.

Marcus Weber was standing backstage, his expression calm and collected, but his clenched fists betrayed his inner tension.

Today's press conference is a must for him and for the entire Arc'teryx brand; failure is not an option! This is not just a signing ceremony, but a meticulously planned brand redemption.

Five minutes remained before the press conference officially began. The media present were already starting to get impatient, and the whispers among them grew louder.

Just then, a deep, powerful roar, like propellers tearing through the air, came from above the headquarters building, growing louder as it approached!
"Buzzing—"

The sound grew louder and louder, even drowning out the background music in the venue, causing everyone to instinctively look up.

A sharp-eyed reporter from a well-known aviation magazine was the first to spot the massive black aircraft slowly landing on the rooftop tarmac of the headquarters building through the huge glass curtain wall.

"That's a Eurocopter EC145! And look at the logo on the fuselage!"

All the long guns and short cannons instantly turned around and aimed at the helicopter!
Through the telephoto lens, the simple yet elegant silver logo, composed of two intertwined letters, clearly appeared on everyone's camera screen—LVMH!

"It's an LVMH Group private helicopter!"

Why is it here?!

The entire media area instantly erupted in chaos!

The reporters' minds, like the most keen hunting dogs, began to race.

"Could it be... that Arc'teryx is going to have a deep collaboration with the LVMH Group? For example, launching a co-branded outdoor gear line with Louis Vuitton?"

A young fashion journalist from Vogue naively guessed, her eyes sparkling with excitement for the crossover collaboration. "Impossible!" the seasoned business editor from The Wall Street Journal immediately retorted with a sneer, adjusting his gold-rimmed glasses, the lenses reflecting the light of the room and appearing exceptionally sharp.

“Anna, don’t interpret this through the lens of a fashion magazine. Who is Arc’teryx’s parent company? Anta! Who is the head of LVMH? Bernard Arnault!”

"These are two sports and luxury giants fiercely competing in the global market; they are direct rivals! Would Arnault personally send his private helicopter to support a competitor's brand launch? That's simply a fantasy!"

His words were like a bucket of cold water, shattering everyone's illusions.

"Then... what exactly is this signal?" the fashion reporter pressed.

"A declaration!" The editor's eyes gleamed with the excitement of discovering a sensational story. His voice wasn't loud, but it was enough to silence the surrounding reporters.

"Who's the main character at today's press conference? Lin Yu'an! And the LVMH helicopter was there specifically to take him. Don't you understand?"

He paused, enjoying the puzzled looks from the crowd, and then said, word by word, "LVMH is making a declaration to everyone, especially to Marcus Weber behind the scenes, in a way that can be seen by the whole world."

“We are also very interested in this person. It’s good that you signed him today, but don’t think you can have him forever.”

This bold and highly convincing guess instantly caused a stir among all the media!
“My God, this is insane! This is practically an open gesture of goodwill towards the new king at the coronation of Archaeopteryx!” A senior entertainment reporter from Variety said in a low voice, his tone filled with excitement.

"This is definitely Scout Braun's doing! That old fox knows exactly how to manipulate the media and capital!"

“Exactly,” the Wall Street Journal editor agreed. “Did you really think Justin Bieber’s recommendation a few days ago was just a friendly gesture? I suspect it was the first shot fired by CAA!”

"Now, LVMH's helicopters are the second, and even more devastating, bomb they've dropped. This is the power of hype!"

He continued his analysis: "Scooter's move was brilliant! He didn't spend a single penny, just made a phone call, and achieved three goals."

"First, he got LVMH to give Lin Yu-an the highest level of endorsement, instantly raising Lin Yu-an's commercial value to a level that ordinary celebrities cannot reach."

"Secondly, he put tremendous pressure on Archaeopteryx, making them understand that the contract signed today may only be the beginning, and that they will have to pay much more to retain Lin Yu-an in the future."

"Third, he declared to the entire industry that CAA can not only make stars, but also leverage business empires like LVMH to pave the way for their partners. This is the ultimate demonstration of strength!"

The editor-in-chief of Outside magazine, the most authoritative outdoor magazine in the industry, who had been listening silently, couldn't help but sigh at this moment.

"We're still discussing the waterproof rating and abrasion resistance of rain jackets, while they... are already redefining a person's value in ways we can't understand. The survival rules of the wilderness seem so... pure, yet so powerless in the face of capital."

“No, quite the opposite,” the Wall Street Journal editor retorted. “That’s precisely what makes Lin Yu’an so terrifying. Why would LVMH be interested? Because wilderness and authenticity are the scarcest resources in today’s luxury market!”

“The Arnault family knows better than anyone that the global luxury market in the next decade will not be about selling logos, but about selling stories, experiences, and a lifestyle that city dwellers yearn for but cannot reach.”

"And Lin Yu-an himself is the most typical representative of the East and West in this story!"

These words sent a collective gasp through all the reporters present.

They finally realized that today's press conference was far more important than they had imagined. This was no longer a simple signing ceremony.

This is a top-tier capital extravaganza meticulously directed by CAA, with LVMH Group making a guest appearance, showcasing to the world how to turn lead into gold.

At this moment, Lin Yu'an is that raw stone that is about to be etched with the mark of the times.

He hadn't even appeared yet, but his importance and value in the eyes of all the media had already been elevated to another level by this helicopter that descended from the sky!
When the host finally announced in a serious tone, "Please welcome Mr. Lin Yu-an, Arc'teryx's new global brand ambassador for the year," all the spotlights in the room instantly focused on the entrance to the stage.

Lin Yu'an took a deep breath and walked out from backstage with steady steps.

The moment he appeared, the entire venue erupted in an uncontrollable gasp of amazement!
He wasn't wearing any hardcore outdoor gear; his perfectly tailored Veilance dark gray suit accentuated his over 1.9-meter-tall, model-like physique.

After his rebirth, and through the dual trials of wilderness and forging, he shed all his impetuousness and developed an extremely unique temperament.

It possesses both the introverted and profound qualities of Easterners and the perseverance and strength of wilderness survivors.

His face wore a polite yet aloof smile. His dark eyes were as calm as the ancient glaciers of Alaska, yet they seemed to possess a sharpness that could see through everything.

He simply stood there quietly, yet he became the sole focus of attention in the entire room.

Marcus Weber immediately greeted him with a broad smile, warmly shaking hands and embracing him, adopting an extremely humble posture.

"Lin! Welcome home!"

(End of this chapter)