Chapter 54 Of all the mistakes, the most...

The indoor lighting is soft, and the eyes don't need much adjustment to see clearly.

Before me was her small home in Paris, and on a low table not far away were the empty wine bottles and glasses from last night.

Her heart was still pounding in her chest, and her pulse was pounding violently in her ears, but Jiang Nuanyu's heart seemed very calm.

Everything that just happened was just a dream. She wasn't surprised by that.

The aftershocks of her physical reaction were still lingering, and her lower abdomen was also slightly sore. Feeling the small patch of fabric from her underwear sticking damply to her body, she paused for a few seconds, closed her eyes, and pulled the blanket over her head.

It was Sunday, no work day. Jiang Nuanyu dozed off for a while longer, until the sun was fully up and the light in the house became a bit dazzling. She was no longer sleepy and slowly got out of bed.

Beside the bed, at the other end of the platform, near the window, lay a round, long-haired rug, which she had bought when she first arrived in Paris, with a light, low table on it.

Originally, the low table was placed next to the sofa, but she moved it up here for convenience when drinking. She had planned to browse the furniture store when she had some free time and buy a new one to put there. But as time went by, she put the matter aside for the time being.

Anyway, she has no guests in her living room, so she doesn't need a coffee table.

She put away the wine bottles, washed the wine glasses, opened the curtains, and ventilated the room.

She stood by the window, taking a deep breath of the fresh air in the sunlight, before turning to wash up.

In the past few days, luxury brand Luneel collaborated with artists to hold a new product launch exhibition in Paris, making a strong impression in the industry.

As an editor for a fashion magazine, even if I'm not directly involved in the content reporting, I still have to check out these trending industry events.

Moreover, Jiang Nuanyu had dealt with Luneel's public relations department a few times, so going to the event to show her support was a way of exchanging ideas within the industry.

In addition, she also wanted to take some photos of the scene, add captions, and update her Instagram account later.

After several months in Paris, Jiang Nuanyu has come to realize how different the domestic and international environments are, even though everyone is in the same "fashion circle".

At Chaleur, the most important factor that truly determines the limits of one's abilities in daily work is the editor's personal influence, rather than the magazine's reputation.

A single Instagram post from a top editor can easily spark heated discussions within the industry and even influence brand decisions; a post praising a designer by a veteran editor can also catapul a new designer into the spotlight.

Jiang Nuanyu hadn't expected her to have such a big voice. She was just thinking that if her account could consistently produce professional, valuable, and high-quality content, it would be a way to increase her recognition in the industry.

Even though managing social media accounts isn't her passion, she still has to keep herself active and make her presence felt from time to time.

This exhibition is a pop-up event, only running for ten days. When it opened last weekend, Jiang Nuanyu was still recovering from a cold and stayed home to sleep, so she didn't go. If she doesn't go this week, she'll miss it completely.

After washing up, putting on makeup, and choosing her clothes, she went out with an empty stomach.

Her empty stomach wasn't just because she hadn't eaten breakfast. The previous Saturday, she had barely eaten anything at home either.

Upon arriving in Paris, she seemed to revert to the eating habits she had when she first started working after graduation. She ate her work lunch on weekdays, while breakfast and dinner were just whatever came to mind, and she would go on a "fast" on weekends.

She thought this was probably largely because she didn't cook at home.

Jiang Nuanyu tried various methods to prevent the smell of food from spreading. These included opening windows while cooking, drawing curtains on the open side of the kitchen, using as few seasonings as possible, and even cooking on the lowest power setting on the stove. However, none of these methods could completely eliminate the smell.

After a few times, she completely gave up on cooking for herself and made do with cold meals every day.

Jiang Nuanyu doesn't have a completely Chinese palate; she actually enjoys various cuisines and flavors. But no matter how many different combinations of cold dishes are made or how many different sauces are used to season them, after eating them for a while, they all taste the same.

Gradually, she became too lazy to even eat cold meals at home, and the refrigerator only contained water and milk.

As the weather gradually warmed up, she also chilled some of the wine.

Over time, she became so used to going out without eating breakfast that she couldn't get used to it anymore.

The joint exhibition was held at Luneel's pop-up store in the Mahei district. When Jiang Nuanyu arrived, there was indeed a long queue outside.

She took the bus, which took her forty minutes, and didn't want to waste any more time, so she used her media status to get in through a back door.

As soon as she entered, she saw the interactive interactive area that was very popular online.

This space, where blue light and white shadow intertwine, has a high-tech feel. When a person stands in a specific location within the area and is recognized, virtual bags, clothing, and accessories can be precisely attached to their body.

Although it's just a projection, the materials look quite realistic to the naked eye, and the clothing even changes dynamically as people move, which is really novel and interesting.

Inside, people were enthusiastically trying on clothes and accessories, while a large crowd gathered outside taking photos. Jiang Nuanyu watched for a while, then turned and went to another key area of ​​the exhibition instead of going in to join the fun.

Unlike conventional displays of finished products, this exhibition features a creative "timeline" laid out on one side of the exhibition area in an almost anatomical manner.

This timeline, through photos, videos, and even discarded unfinished products, presents the entire process of a work, from its initial vague inspirational sketches to its final draft, through repeated refinement and material testing.

At the end of the corridor are the finished products in the center of the exhibition area, bathed in spotlights, which is the most direct answer to this arduous journey.

As Jiang Nuanyu walked along the "corridor," her heart, which had been in turmoil since arriving in Paris, found itself briefly calm and settled.

She stood quietly in front of the finished products, facing these dazzling and luxurious items that embodied countless attempts and perseverance. A sentence echoed in her mind: Nothing is accomplished overnight.

Every work of art, whether it appears perfect or effortlessly perfect, inevitably undergoes a long and painstaking process unseen by outsiders.

These glamorous luxury goods were once unfinished products, and they also faced the risk of being abandoned.

And she is perhaps that unfinished product now.

Several months have passed since she left Beijing for Paris, but she still experiences unspeakable anxiety, confusion, distress, suppressed unease, and self-doubt at times.

She would wake up suddenly in the middle of the night and ask herself: Did she make the wrong choice? Was what she gave up to make this choice all in vain?

But at this moment, she thought that perhaps as long as she kept going step by step, in the end, there would be a result that would make her feel that all her sacrifices had not been in vain and that she had not let anyone down.

*

After visiting the regular exhibition area, Jiang Nuanyu went to the VIP area. After identifying herself as an editor from *Chaleur*, she was able to enter smoothly.

In addition to offering bespoke customization services, the brand also set up a craftsmanship experience area. Jiang Nuanyu followed the instructor on site and personally pressed the stitch lines onto a piece of leather.

Sitting next to her seemed to be a rather influential fashion blogger. Jiang Nuanyu wanted to take the initiative to greet her, exchange ideas, and get to know her, but the other person was talking to another companion and wasn't free.

Jiang Nuanyu thought about it and gave up, choosing not to go forward and disturb them.

She was ultimately afraid of feeling awkward.

Before leaving Florian, she could always find acquaintances among the KOLs present at brand events like this. But now, looking around, she does see familiar faces, but she can't quite recall their names, and she's even more afraid that the other person doesn't know who she is.

She felt empty inside and could only console herself by taking things slowly. Just like when she first started in the capital, connections are built up little by little.

When he was alone, Louis recognized her—the brand PR manager with whom he had done business.

"Nora!"

The other person was a typical French gentleman, elegant and refined in appearance, with every strand of hair seemingly in its proper place. Yet, he was not pretentious at all, and was very warm and easy-going.

After stopping beside her, Louis put one hand into his trouser pocket and said, "You've arrived."

“Hi, Louis,” Jiang Nuanyu greeted him.

Louis's lips curled into a smile: "How did you feel about this exhibition?"

"Great!" Jiang Nuanyu praised. "The motion sensing part is very interesting." As she spoke, she pointed towards the exhibition hall outside.

Louis nodded, but didn't continue the conversation. Instead, he asked, "Did you try the craft experience here?"

Jiang Nuanyu smiled, took out a small piece of leather she had just DIYed from her pocket, and waved it at him.

Louis took it and examined it closely. He saw that the clearly textured Luneel monogram leather had a neat circle of curved lines pressed into it.

"Your hands-on skills are really good!" Louis praised her sincerely, then glanced at her sideways and joked, "Have you practiced in private?"

Jiang Nuanyu shrugged, smiled dismissively, and said modestly, "It's because the teachers here are so good that it's not so difficult to get started."

Louis played with the leather in his hand and said casually, "Actually, the leather used for this craft experience is from the same workshop and the same batch of raw materials as our finished product series."

Jiang Nuanyu raised an eyebrow: "Does it mean scraps from finished products?"

Louis glanced at her, both taken aback by her directness and unable to help but admire her keen insight.

He chuckled softly and said, "Guess?"

Jiang Nuanyu nodded, looking enlightened: "I understand."

Louis and she laughed, and after a while, Louis said, "However, we have tried our best to use the actual specifications for this exhibition."

Hearing his tone, Jiang Nuanyu also became serious: "What do you mean?"

Louis said, “For example, the experimental works displayed in the exhibition area are no different from the final products,” he raised an eyebrow slightly.

Louis's so-called "experimental works" were those "semi-finished products" that were not adopted.

Jiang Nuanyu's smile faded slightly as she pondered, then guessed, "You mean... these experimental subjects, in a sense, are finished products?"

A glint of admiration flashed in Louis's eyes, but he didn't answer directly: "Guess?"

He kept her in suspense so well that Jiang Nuanyu was speechless for a moment, and could only shake her head with a helpless smile.

“Well, I can only reveal a little…” Louis paused mysteriously for a moment, then said, “Some VIP customers have already pre-ordered these special editions of the experimental series.”

Jiang Nuanyu's heart stirred, and she nodded, saying, "Interesting."

Louis's implication was that the "semi-finished products" in the exhibition area, besides being part of the "timeline" decoration, could also be limited-edition series that the brand could launch to the market at any time.

By using VIP pre-orders, we first create a sense of exclusivity and scarcity, then assess consumer interest, and finally decide whether to expand the promotion.

That's certainly special.

Seeing her thoughtful expression, Louis teased, "You're not thinking about how to grab the headlines, are you?"

Jiang Nuanyu smiled and, mimicking his words, replied, "Guess?"

The two looked at each other and smiled.

Jiang Nuanyu then understood—Louis was indeed giving her exclusive information.

Public relations professionals in the fashion industry, like Louis Vuitton, are all incredibly astute individuals. Their interactions are often veiled in casual conversation, requiring the listener to actively discern and interpret the true value within the messages—a true test of their ability to decipher subtext.

Louis is a shrewd person, and Jiang Nuanyu is no novice either.

She interpreted Louis's meaning very clearly: she didn't need any formal reports; as long as she mentioned them intentionally or unintentionally on social media, getting insiders and fashion enthusiasts to start paying attention to those experimental products, the brand's goal would be achieved.

For Jiang Nuanyu, the weekend trip wasn't a complete waste thanks to Louis's exclusive information.

*

It was already afternoon when she came out of the pop-up store. Having not eaten for so long, Jiang Nuanyu was really feeling quite hungry.

She wandered around the neighborhood for a while and finally went into a vegan restaurant.

It wasn't because she wanted to be vegetarian; she simply thought the store's decor was attractive and was willing to pay for its appearance.

Fortunately, the dishes at this restaurant not only looked good, but also tasted good enough, and the portions were just right for her appetite, so she could try different dishes without wasting too much food.

Paris has countless beautiful and delicious restaurants like this. Whenever this happens, Jiang Nuanyu thinks how wonderful it would be if she could share it with someone; at least then she wouldn't have to worry about ordering too much and not being able to finish it.

But there is no such person.

However, she didn't want to dwell on it too much, and she decided to try them one by one... which was alright.

After finishing her meal, she strolled along the streets of the Mahe district.

This is one of the most artistically vibrant areas in Paris, teeming with galleries and art museums of all sizes. Since Jiang Nuanyu was already there, she decided to wander around and see if there were any art exhibitions that interested her.

She walked to the entrance of an art gallery, peeked through the glass, and saw a few scattered customers inside. She pushed the door open and went in.

The gallery's interior space is not large; it must be a small, independent gallery.

Nearly half of the works currently on display are by the same painter, and Jiang Nuanyu is completely unfamiliar with the signatures next to them.

Most of the works in the gallery were for sale; she glanced at the price tags—the prices weren't high. While certainly more expensive than mass-produced decorative paintings, they were perfectly affordable for someone with a genuine collecting interest.

Jiang Nuanyu had no interest in buying paintings. After looking through them once and leaving a few words in the booklet, she left.

After coming out, she felt that she hadn't had enough and had no intention of going back.

She walked along the roadside, looking around, but couldn't decide on her next destination for a while.

As she approached a slightly larger intersection, she hesitated, wondering which direction to take, when a rather imposing building across the street caught her eye.

The building's facade features a massive glass wall, and it occupies a significantly larger area than a typical shop. Jiang Nuanyu surmised that it was probably an art gallery. However, there were no signs on the facade to confirm her guess.

Driven by curiosity, she crossed the road.

Only when you get closer do you see that there is actually a sign not far from the entrance—and this is also an art gallery.

Jiang Nuanyu was slightly surprised.

In the prime location of Mahei District, where land is extremely valuable, the existence of such a large gallery must be backed by strong capital.

She went inside, and sure enough, unlike the small gallery where the exhibition hall was right at the entrance, the first floor here was just an area for reception and auctions, while the real exhibition hall was upstairs.

Guided by staff, Jiang Nuanyu registered briefly and then went up to the second floor via the spiral staircase.

The second floor is divided into several exhibition areas with different styles, and the types of works range from traditional oil paintings to modern abstract paintings. The area closest to the staircase is a special section set up for a well-known artist.

Jiang Nuanyu had seen this artist's works in the exhibition catalog before, but this was the first time she had seen the actual works.

These paintings are also for sale, but the prices on the price tags, when converted to RMB, are at least seven figures.

The contrast is far too obvious.

Jiang Nuanyu clicked her tongue in amazement: "Even art has its levels..."

She visited each exhibition area one by one, and when she came across a painting that particularly interested her, she would stand in front of it for several minutes.

Time passed by unnoticed. After looking at all the paintings on the second floor, Jiang Nuanyu felt her mind was full, filled with things that belonged to her but were not entirely hers. She felt both fulfilled and a little dazed.

She leaned on the second-floor railing, gazing out at the spacious first-floor lobby, her mind wandering, trying to cool down.

Her gaze drifted unconsciously to various places, sometimes looking at the decorations here, sometimes at the people there.

As if by some strange twist of fate, her gaze fell upon a woman dressed in formal attire.

The other person was walking down to Jiang Nuanyu's line of sight, with a smile on their face and respectful manners, as if they were introducing something to someone.

The person being introduced was a man, standing below the second-floor platform. From Jiang Nuanyu's angle, she could only see half of his body. Even so, she could still sense his extraordinary bearing and demeanor.

Perhaps driven by instinct, her gaze unconsciously followed the faintly visible figure.

The man, with jet-black hair and a suit, stood tall and walked with a composed gait towards the other end of the gallery.

Suddenly, he tilted his head to the side.