Courtyard Houses: From Bronze Compasses to Global Reach

Chapter 412 Libre de Soi's Expansion into the Domestic Market

Autumn sunlight streamed through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the thick Persian carpet in the study of the Deep Water Bay villa.

Lin Yan stood by the window, his gaze passing over the azure sea, as if he could pierce through time and space to look at the vast land that was about to awaken.

In the past thirty years, "Libre de Soi" is no longer a rising star on the streets of Paris. It has become one of the undisputed top luxury brands on the global fashion map. Its narrative that blends Eastern and Western aesthetics with exquisite craftsmanship has become a symbol of an era.

However, Lin Yan was never satisfied with only reaching the top in the Western world.

His fingertips unconsciously brushed against the window frame, his mind racing through the subtle changes that had taken place in China in recent years.

The time has come.

He turned and walked to his desk, picked up the receiver, and dialed a New York number.

The call was answered quickly, and Tang Liuqian's voice came through. In the background, you could vaguely hear Li Wenbin and Zheng Jiaming talking—it seemed they were together.

"Brother Liu Qian, it's me, Lin Yan."

"Xiao Yan?" Tang Liuqian was somewhat surprised; it was already evening in Hong Kong. "What happened?"

"Nothing went wrong, but there is something that requires us to adjust our strategic direction immediately."

Lin Yan got straight to the point.

"I demand that 'Libre de Soi' enter the Chinese market as quickly and with the highest standards as possible."

There was a noticeable two-second silence on the other end of the phone, as if Tang Liuqian had covered the receiver and was having a rapid conversation with Zheng Jiaming and Li Wenbin beside him.

Soon, Tang Liuqian's voice came again, tinged with obvious caution and doubt: "Xiao Yan, the Chinese market? We've paid attention to it, but current consumer spending power... is probably far from sufficient to support our entire product line, especially the high-end customized series. Is entering now too early? The operating costs and investment in market cultivation will be enormous, and the risks..."

"Brother Liuqian," Lin Yan interrupted his analysis, his tone becoming more serious.

"What you see may be the current per capita figures, but what I see is the starting point for geometric growth over the next thirty or even fifty years. China has more than one billion people. One billion! This base itself is a massive iceberg that no other market in the world can match."

He paused, letting the weight of the number settle.

Then he continued, his voice carrying the certainty of a visionary:

"Yes, right now only a very small number of people can afford top luxury. But how many is that 'very small number' when you put it in a base of one billion? It's the population of a medium-sized European country! It's a first-generation customer base that's enough for us to establish a foothold and build an absolute brand image. And this group won't stagnate; it will snowball, growing bigger and bigger with economic development, at a speed that will exceed everyone's most optimistic imagination."

Li Wenbin gasped in shock on the other end of the phone; he was clearly listening in as well.

Lin Yan didn't give the other party a chance to process or refute, and immediately presented a more convincing reason:

"More importantly, timing is key. Right now, almost all of our Western competitors are holding similar wait-and-see attitudes, or even looking down on it. They see it as a wilderness, a market that might exist in the future, but certainly not now. This is our golden window of opportunity! Whoever enters first, whoever sincerely embraces that land and its culture, will be the first to plant the seeds of their brand in the hearts of the largest consumer group of the future. What they will occupy is not just market share, but also the high ground of cultural identity and emotional connection."

His voice softened a bit.

"Don't forget, Brother Liu, what is the soul of 'Libre de Soi'? It's the fusion of Eastern aesthetics and Western craftsmanship. The core of our story, the roots of our craftsmanship—brocade, embroidery, bamboo weaving, mother-of-pearl inlay, lacquerware… and even the paper-cutting and New Year paintings that we plan to collaborate on in the future—aren't they all deeply rooted in the cultural bloodline of that land? Our connection with China is inextricably linked, even predestined. Going back now is not just a simple business expansion, but more like… a homecoming, a move made in advance."

Another silence fell, but this time, the previous doubts were being quickly washed away. Tang Liuqian knew Lin Yan all too well. Over the past thirty years, Lin Yan's seemingly forward-thinking and even risky decisions had ultimately been proven by time to be incredibly accurate and visionary.

Finally, Tang Liuqian's voice rang out again, this time filled with solemnity and determination:

"I understand, Xiaoyan. You're right, we've been limiting our vision with the numbers in front of us. A snowball of a billion people... that's a very profound analogy. We really have no reason, and should not, miss out on this destined market."

Zheng Jiaming's voice chimed in, as steady and reliable as ever: "Xiao Yan, we're aligned on the strategic direction. The next step is execution. What form and pace would you like us to take? Flagship store location? Product line adjustments? Localization team building?"

Li Wenbin excitedly chimed in, "That's right, Ayan! How about we put on another sensational show like the one in Paris back then? Right in Beijing or Shanghai! Let's bring together our best treasures from all these years, along with the latest creations from our domestic master craftsmen, for a final, spectacular fusion!"

A smile finally appeared on Lin Yan's lips, a smile of composure that came from controlling the game and having no regrets after making a move.

"Regarding the specific plan, you need to assemble a core team as soon as possible, including marketing, design, and cultural consultants, and provide me with a preliminary framework within a week. Remember a few principles:"

First, we must adopt a high standard and position ourselves as the ultimate luxury. We should set the standard, rather than cater to the so-called "basic" aesthetic.

Secondly, the cultural aspects must be profound. Cooperation with domestic master craftsmen and inheritors of intangible cultural heritage must be deepened immediately. It should not be about purchasing, but about joint creation, to solidify and thoroughly implement the core concept of "Oriental Soul".

Third, the pace should be steady. It can begin with flagship stores in core business districts of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, while simultaneously establishing a high-end customer service system. A grand show is necessary, but it should be more than just a show; it should become a cultural event facilitating a dialogue between Eastern and Western aesthetics.

He concluded by saying that his voice, transmitted through the radio waves, resonated clearly in the New York conference room:

"Tell all team members that this is not an ordinary market expansion. This is a strategic shift for us to find and anchor the biggest foundation for the future of 'Libre de Soi'."

Thirty years ago, in Paris, we showed the world the light of the East; now, we want that light to first illuminate the place where it was born, and then, based on that, illuminate a more distant future.

"No problem, Xiaoyan!"

On the other end of the phone, the three spoke in unison, their tone unwavering.

Over the years, anything Xiao Yan personally ordered to be done always got the three of them excited.