Lionel's relaxed expression faltered slightly:
"Sophie? How did you... What did you talk about?"
Alice looked at Lionel's subtly changing expression, took a deep breath, and began to recall the unexpected encounter that morning.
"This morning, wasn't I going to the 'O'Neal Sewing Machine Factory' to pick up the newly arrived typewriters? And to check out their new prototypes improved based on feedback...
It was in the factory's reception room that I ran into Miss Sophie. She was there to check the production costs of typewriters with the engineers."
Lionel's tone and expression returned to calm:
"And then?"
Alice glanced at Lionel:
"Then... the engineers at the sewing machine factory thought we knew each other... and then we really did get to know each other...
We... started talking. I told her about my work, and how I've been helping you transcribe manuscripts; then she said, she said you and she were..."
Alice paused, not elaborating on Sophie's words, but Lionel could guess.
He was indeed a little troubled, but he also knew this day would come eventually.
He had been deliberately or inadvertently avoiding their meeting precisely because he didn't want to deal with this kind of relationship.
Nothing had happened between Alice and him, and his relationship with Sophie was relatively stable, so it seemed fine to just let things be...
But for them to meet out of his sight... perhaps it wasn't too bad a situation?
Lionel thought for a moment and decided to offer a slight explanation:
"Alice, Sophie, she's someone I..."
Alice suddenly broke into a smile:
"It's alright, Lion. Miss Sophie told me everything. We... we're friends now!"
Lionel: "..."
Alice naturally steered the conversation back to the typing agency:
"Later, we just talked about the typing agency, and I even brought her here for a tour at noon."
Lionel secretly breathed a sigh of relief and asked naturally,
"What does Sophie think?"
Alice showed a thoughtful expression:
"Miss Sophie liked it here too. She asked a lot of questions, just as thoroughly as Monsieur Delaroix.
After I finished explaining, she said she thought our previous plan wasn't very good..."
Lionel: "Oh?"
Alice tried hard to recall Sophie's words and began to recount them:
"She ran the numbers for me—"
"We're making money now because typewriters aren't yet widespread, and even fewer people use them to make a living, so the per-page rate for transcription is still quite high."
"But in the future, more and more people will be literate, and typewriters will become cheaper and cheaper, like sewing machines, and more people will use them."
"By then, many companies, firms, and even more affluent families will buy their own typewriters."
"They will either hire dedicated typists or simply have their existing staff take on the task."
"The demand for finding 'typing agencies' outside won't be as strong as it is now."
Alice turned to look at Lionel:
"She said that by then, the per-page price would definitely drop due to fierce competition."
"And if we keep expanding the 'cooperative,' finding work, distributing, proofreading, collecting payments, handling disputes, rent for the premises..."
"All these costs will skyrocket, while the income per page will only decrease. We might be profitable now, but we could very well lose money in the future."
Lionel knew these words had a huge impact on Alice, and asked with a smile,
"You believed her?"
Alice honestly admitted:
"I think what she said makes sense, but I don't know what we should do."
"Should the 'cooperative' just stop, or even disband? What about those sisters?"
Lionel could imagine Alice's helplessness then.
He asked softly,
"And then? What else did Sophie say?"
A flicker of light appeared in Alice's eyes again:
"She said that while there's no need for the typing agency to keep expanding, the demand for learning to type will grow increasingly large."
"Once the 'Typing Cooperative' reaches a certain scale and establishes a reputation, it can gradually transition into a 'typing school,' teaching people how to type."
Lionel thought, it's indeed this answer.
Having experience from later generations, he naturally knew that "typing training classes" were once popular from the 1980s to the early 2000s.
The main factor then was the widespread adoption of computer-based office work, leading all sorts of units, organizations, and companies to start hiring "typists."
"Proficient in typing" and "able to operate Word" could be boldly written into resumes and prominently displayed back then.
The reason it wasn't brought up during his discussions with Delaroix was because he felt the time wasn't right; saying it too early might make Alice overthink things.
He didn't expect Sophie to have thought of it too, and analyzed it so thoroughly—he wondered if he should ask "palace jade liquid wine" next time they met?
After being lost in thought for a moment, Lionel asked,
"You think she's right?"
Alice nodded vigorously:
"Yes! Miss Sophie said we can provide vocational training for people who need typing skills, teaching them how to use typewriters."
"Including how to format, how to improve speed and accuracy, and even some basic letter formats... We can charge tuition fees!"
"And she also said that through the typing school, we could directly sell typewriters to our graduating students."
"This way, we would only need to hire a few skilled typists as teachers, and we wouldn't have to manage so many people; that's too complicated!"
Admiration shone in Alice's eyes, but this time it wasn't directed at Lionel in front of her, but at Sophie Denef who wasn't present.
She looked at Lionel:
"Such a big change... I said I wanted to come back and ask for your opinion."
"But Miss Sophie was very sure you would agree with her idea."
Lionel nodded:
"What she said makes a lot of sense. This idea of transition is much wiser than blindly expanding the cooperative."
"Alice, you can seriously consider it."
A look of relief flashed in Alice's eyes, and then she exclaimed, "Miss Sophie... she's... so smart! Lion, almost as smart as you..."
"No wonder, no wonder... So those nights you didn't come home, you weren't at the brothel..."
Lionel: "..."
Alice didn't continue speaking.
Instead, she turned and went back into the typing agency:
"Lion, you go home first. I'll be home later..."
Lionel nodded, without saying any unnecessary words.
——————
Back at 117 Boulevard Saint-Germain, Lionel's heart had also returned to calm.
Since things had already happened, there was no need for him to dwell on "what if..." scenarios.
Sophie had once again proven her intelligence, and she also showed great tact in handling interpersonal relationships.
Or was this a natural talent of French women?
How did Sophie see Alice?
Lionel decided to ask next time, but he'd have to pick the right moment.
Just as he was pondering, Pretty walked out.
She was carrying a small leather handbag and said timidly:
"Young master, I'm going to school the day after tomorrow, but I'm still a little scared..."
(End of Chapter)