Chapter 114: The Story
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
âLes Elfes was founded by the French craftsman Zoé. He redefined the limits of a new generation of light, luxurious pens. Zoéâs partner, Alfred Nehemias, a banker, believed that writing was the privilege of the aristocracy. He introduced the concept to his aristocratic peers, who soon fell in love with the ideaâ¦â
. Alfred hired dozens of craftsmen to develop his concept, inadvertently improving ink pen technology to produce the most beautiful, lightweight pen possible. Together, they founded Les Elfes, formerly known as Roi des Espirits, reflecting the essence of elvish delight in their works in their branding. The following years saw the market for fountain pens booming, with Roi des Espirit standing at the forefront of this new age. The King series of fountain pens was their most popular, a classic among classicsâ¦â
Cheng Yi maintained an elegant smile the entire time she recited the history of Les Elfes.
Even the lady who despised her could not help but show a hint of surprise. Had she been too quick to judge?
Zoé, the founder of Les Elfes, once said that every fountain pen had a companion who understood its beauty and cherished it from the bottom of their hearts. Therefore, whenever they encountered a dispute between two parties fighting over their goods, the party that showed themselves as the most suitable owner would win the right to purchase the fountain pen from them.
None of their fountain pens was cheap.
Cheng Yi rattled on for five minutes, her eyes never leaving Yan Hanxiâs face. Yet, Yan Hanxi remained indifferent, as if listening to a sermon.
Yan Hanxiâs lack of response made Cheng Yi anxious. Could Yan Hanxi have no knowledge or interest in the brand and find her speech unattractive?
âDo you have anything else to add?â He Jing asked.
Cheng Yi gnashed her teeth, having no choice but to tear her gaze from Yan Hanxi. She suppressed her disappointment and smiled at He Jing, taunting,
âDo you have anything to add?â
âOf course,â He Jing replied. âYouâve described so much about the brandâs history but next to nothing about the pen you want to buy. What I would like to add is the story of this pen.â
Cheng Yiâs expression stiffened. She looked at the half-wrapped pen in the gift box and said, âWhat story can this fountain pen have? Are you making it up on the spot?â
âDo you think Iâm as shameless as you?â He Jing giggled.
Cheng Yi knew nothing about physics, yet she was so full of hot air, boasting that she was the best and lying through her teeth.
Surprise shook the lady to the core, which showed in her expression. âMiss, do you know the story behind this fountain pen?â
As a brand ambassador, the lady knew the story behind their most expensive pens but little to nothing about their cheapest ones.
âThis pen is called Le Cocon,â He Jing said. âItâs specially designed for women.
Thatâs right, itâs a pen for women. Itâs also the only one of its kind in Le Elfes.â âAdam, the third-generation heir of Zoé, the companyâs founder, fell in love with a poor woman named Monroe. She couldnât afford to read or use a pen. Her fate was tragic. She spent many years washing dishes in a restaurant, and her hands were full of calluses. This is where the penâs name originates.â
âAdam was set up because of heavy competition in the family for the inheritorâs position. It was a dark time for him. It was during this period that he met Monroe. She cared for him and gave him the courage to live. Eventually, Adam fell in love with her. However, he could never express his feelings for her because he was already engaged to another. Neither of them could tell the other how they felt for each other, and what followed was the two of them falling out of contact.â
âAdam missed Monroe dearly and never gave up searching for her. Only in his final years did he reveal this to his son, the brightest, most glorious friendship that never got a chance to blossom⦠Adamâs son was so inspired by his fatherâs story that, in commemorating what could have been, he created the fountain pen we know today as Le Cocon.â
âLe Cocon represents the burning passion of love that was never allowed to bloom, a caterpillar whose metamorphosis into a butterfly failed, remaining trapped as nothing but a memory of what could have been,â He Jing said. âThe pen isnât as expensive as all the others because of the memory it is meant to represent. He did not want anyone to miss out on love like his father had..â