1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 104 It Must Be Ronan

Ronan dispelled Thor's concerns with just a few words, and the big guy laughed like a bull again:
"You are such a genius. You can think of such a way. Even the driver was scared. He said that there is a place ahead that he cannot 'set foot' in, so he asked me to get off early."

Ronan pointed to the door:
"Come in, the bedroom has been tidied for you."

Thor stopped in the kitchen and dining area, as if he had seen a new world:

"Man, you're doing pretty good."

Ronan and Thor were not very close during their school days.

The only impression he had of Thor was that this guy was stupid and the kind of person who was often bullied in school.

But Thor's big stature was in vain, as he couldn't beat anyone.

If it was a classmate or friend that Ronan was familiar with, he might reply half-truthfully:
"Of course, I am doing very well in Provence."

But when facing Thor, Ronan had to be more polite:

"I just renovated this area, the rest is still old."

The second phase of the house upgrade plan will begin after Thor leaves. Ronan plans to renovate several bathrooms. Their style and Mr. Pierre Cardin's signature toilet seem to be things from two parallel worlds.

If time permits, I will make another set of beds and closets to decorate the third bedroom.

Thor touched Ronan's off-white dining table:
“Can I cook here?”

"Of course." Ronan said with a smile, "I'll take you to the place in the village where food is sold. The fruits and vegetables there are all picked that day and are very fresh."

Ronan remembered something about Thor again. This guy loved to eat.

Thor also laughed happily, and his voice sounded even more like a cow:

"I can make you my best sugar and butter pancakes."

Xiao Hei pricked up his ears alertly, as if he thought there were other animals in the house.

"Oh, that's great." Ronan took Thor upstairs, "Put your stuff down now."

5月1日劳动节是法国非常重要的法定节日，而5月8日的二战胜利日，和5月9日的耶稣升天日同为公假，所以大部分游客会休假到9号左右才回去。

The same goes for Thor, who will stay in Provence until the 9th.

But he only brought a small suitcase with a few daily necessities, three books and a set of spare clothes.

"You only brought one set of clothes?" Ronan was quite surprised when he saw what Thor took out of the suitcase. "It's over 30 degrees during the day. If you go out for a walk, you will get soaked quickly. One set of clothes is not enough. Can I get you two sets of my clothes?"

Thor picked up a book:

"That's enough. I'm not going out. One set of clothes is enough."

Ronan was even more surprised:

"You're not going out to play?"

Thor shook his head:

"I'm here for a vacation, a serious vacation. No phone calls, no emails, no clients. I want to completely empty myself."

"Then why don't you stay in Paris and relax?" Ronan asked, tilting his head.

If you come to Provence but don't go out and have fun, then it would be a waste of time, right?
"It's quiet here." Thor left the bedroom with the book. "There are all kinds of temptations in Paris. It's hard to be quiet."

He went to the first floor and picked up a chair:
“Can I move it outside to read?”

Ronan's flat hands:

"of course can."

Thor put the chair in the shade of the yard and sat on it with satisfaction:
"Your place is really nice, with a great environment and beautiful scenery. I can do nothing here and just read a book all day. You can go about your business and don't worry about me. I can cook for myself when I'm hungry, and I can even make your portion if needed."

Ronan folded his arms across his chest:

"You don't have to do my part. I'm going out to eat these two nights. Do you want to come with me?"

Thor found a comfortable position and opened the book:
"I don't like useless socializing, just pretend I don't exist."

Ronan stroked his chin and said in a very seductive tone:
"You're not going to a 'socializing' where there are a dozen cold dishes and six or seven main courses that can last for three or four hours? If you're sure, I'll go by myself."

Thor closed the book, looked up and asked:

"What time do we leave?"

It's another short holiday, and the atmosphere of the party is more lively than usual.

But Thor is a magical existence. No matter what the enthusiastic Provençal people talk to him about, he can end the topic in just a few words, and then seriously taste the local special "snacks". It's a pity that Freddy's niece didn't come, otherwise Ronan would try to match Thor and Alice, they are too well matched.

Ronan didn't need to worry too much about Thor, as he took good care of himself, so Ronan could chat with the men without worry.

"Business at the Lourmarin restaurant has been pretty good lately. Madame Michelle and Jules have placed more orders with me," Freddy said happily.

Louis has heard similar things from others:
"I heard that the business of bars and cafes is better than the same period last year. Carl, are there more tourists this year?"

Carl looked at Ronan with relief, and said to everyone with a smile:

"That's a good thing, isn't it? We should celebrate it even more tonight."

The money that Lourdes spent on the orchid paid off, and the content in the magazine attracted many tourists.

If the results continue to be so good, Blanco will increase his media spending, and the budget can be offset by economic growth driven by tourists.

What Freddy thought:
"It's always tourists from other places who come to Lourmarin. Why don't we go out and have some fun, and boost the economy of other places? There's the Cannes Film Festival this month, how about we go to Cannes and see the big stars?"

Louis shrugged:

"Of course it's no problem. I haven't had a vacation in a long time."

Carl touched his cane and said:
"I'm the only one among you who doesn't have to work. As long as you're sure, I can leave at any time."

Freddy patted his belly and said:
"Alan will definitely have no problem with that. He was the first one to suggest that we go on a trip together, so—"

He looked at Ronan:
"Do you have time to go?"

Ronan shook his head:

"I can't go. I have a lot of things to do in May."

Freddy hopes everyone can go together and find a solution for Ronan:
"We can avoid the days when you set up the stall and the days when you go to Marseille to pick up your parents. Let's go together, Ronan."

Ronan said regretfully:

"But I still have to send Zoe to Aix and then pick her up later. I'm really busy in May. You guys can go see the big stars for me."

Freddy asked Louis:

"Aren't you going to send Zoe off?"

Louis' eyes dodged:

“My car broke down.”

Freddy said to Louis enthusiastically:

"There are so many people in the village who have cars. Let's ask others to help pick up Zoe. Ronan will go to Cannes with us."

Louis said anxiously:

"But I've already told Zoe to have Ronan pick her up."

Oh my God, this is no longer something I can decide!
"What's wrong?" Carl also looked at Louis, "Zoe is the most sensible child I have ever met. She will understand Ronan."

"Zoe, come here!" Freddy decided to finalize the trip today and called Zoe who was not far away.

Zoe stood behind Ronan:

"What's up, Uncle Freddy?"

Freddy briefly described to her what they had just talked about, and then explained:
"That's what's going on. Can we find someone else to take you? Let Ronan go to Cannes with us."

Zoe gently pressed against Ronan's back and asked softly:

“Do you want to go to Cannes?”

[Happiness increases by 8 points when having physical contact with the opposite sex]

Ronan's body and soul did not want to leave his 'happiness':
"I can go again next year. The Cannes Film Festival is held every year."

But others didn't want to leave Ronan either. Carl looked at Zoe with a smile:
"Ronan is also a sensible child. He doesn't want to cause trouble to others after agreeing to it. How about this, I'll let Sissono take you to Aix."

Sissonio is Carl's oldest son.

Zoe's smile blossomed like a flower, and she patted Ronan on the shoulder:

"No, Ronan must take me to Aix."

Carl and Freddy looked at each other in shock.

Has Zoe ever smiled like this before?
　Thanks to [book friend 20241225201913561] for the reward, and also thanks to the friends who voted for the monthly ticket and recommendation ticket, thank you~
　　
　
(End of this chapter)