1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 108 Vaucluse Gastronomy Union

After attending the gathering of the 'Vaucluse Pink Wine Lovers Association', Ronan didn't think that Arthur's circle of friends could bring him any more 'valuable' information.

But he had promised to attend, and Arthur had personally invited him, so it would be impolite to refuse.

Ronan decided to participate only this time to give Arthur enough face, and then find a reasonable reason to reject his "good intentions".

The gathering took place in a quaint restaurant in Mena Village.

After packing up the stall, Ronan found the address given by Arthur and discovered that there was someone he knew there.

Olivier was smoking a cigarette and chatting with everyone about a new restaurant he had acquired in Gordes.

"Oh, Ronan, my good friend." Olivier was as enthusiastic as ever. He opened his arms and pressed towards Ronan like a mountain.

Ronan felt the air suddenly become thinner, and tried to force out a decent smile:

"Long time no see, Olivier."

"It's been a long time since we last met—" Olivier stroked his mustache and thought, "The last time we met was at the market in Mena Village, and Jacques stole my precious truffles. I think that was about two months ago!"

Ronan found a deserted place and sat down, smiling and nodding.

In fact Ronan 'sees' Olivier quite often.

Theo has asked after Olivier's family more than once recently.

Olivier squeezed his mountain-like body into the seat and said to Ronan in a relaxed tone:
"Your vision is correct. The stakes of that business are too high, so I'm withdrawing from it."

"You quit?" Ronan's eyes widened.

But what he heard from Theo was that Lucas and Olivier had already bought a piece of land together.

Olivier spread his hands:

“It took some effort, but I don’t have a working relationship with Lucas now.”

Ronan wanted to ask, "What about Lucas?", but when he thought that Olivier might not care about Lucas' life or death, he swallowed his words.

"Okay, gentlemen, let's talk about something else." Arthur interrupted Ronan and Olivier and said to Ronan, "Let me introduce these people to you first."

The participants of the party were of a very uniform composition, all of them owned restaurants, which was incomparable to the "Vaucluse Pink Wine Lovers Association" whose members came from all walks of life.

There was no theme for the party, and everyone just chatted about their recent experiences.

For example, which new restaurant has opened, which great chef has been invited from Paris, which ingredient’s price has suddenly increased, etc. If you are interested, you can join in the discussion. If you are not interested, you can just listen in.

But Arthur didn't call Ronan to sit in.

Seeing that Ronan remained silent, he took the initiative to ask:
"Have you heard any new news recently?"

Ronan smiled awkwardly:

"The news I heard is not on the same level as what you said, so I won't talk about it."

Olivier laughed twice and said 'considerately':
"It doesn't matter. News heard at the market is still news, and it may be more useful."

Ronan smiled and shook his head:

“There’s really nothing to share.”

Let me tell you that the Vaucluse Tourism Bureau and the Cultural Bureau may be merged. Will this be of any help to you?

Arthur asked in a relaxed tone:
"Have you met Mr. Jacques and Mr. Llorente recently?"

A few people who were laughing just now suddenly looked over.

Does this new guy brought by Arthur know Jacques and Llorente?
"You are still in touch with Jacques?" Olivier was a little surprised.

Compared to Llorente, who only holds an empty position, these restaurant owners are more interested in Jacques.

Arthur was attracted by the relationship between Ronan and Jacques.

Since she dared to openly help Ronan at the market, their relationship must not be that simple.

Ronan shrugged and said calmly:
"Occasionally, Mr. Jacques needs top-quality truffles. I think you guys need them too, right? I remember several of you quoted me prices that time."

Olivier nodded. He almost forgot that Ronan was a truffle hunter who was no less skilled than Lucas. However, he continued to ask in confusion:
"But you also know Mr. Llorente?"

Olivier didn't think that selling things at the market in Mena Village or being a truffle hunter would allow Ronan to come into contact with people of Llorente's level.

"Oh, no, that's not the case." Ronan looked at Arthur. "The reason why I met Mr. Llorente was entirely because of Arthur. In fact, I don't know him at all."

Arthur smiled and changed the subject. Llorente was not the focus today:
"Indeed, we are more familiar with Lulunte, aren't we?"

Everyone present smiled strangely. Llorente, who Arthur didn't want to talk about, was the person Ronan was most interested in. He asked curiously:

"You all seem to be very familiar with Mr. Llorente?"

Everyone looked at each other, and finally Arthur explained to Ronan:
"Remember what I told you about the 'Vaucluse Gastronomy Union'?"

Ronan nodded:

"remember."

Of course he remembered that Ines had just told him about Llorente's ambitions last week.

Arthur looked at everyone and said:
"Recently we have received an invitation from Mr. Llorente, who wants us to join this alliance."

Olivier added:
"Not only us, but restaurant owners all over the Vaucluse department have received invitations from Mr. Llorente."

Ronan's eyes suddenly lit up.

Isn't this the resource he wants to control?

Restaurant resources across the province!
"Are they all invited? No one applied?" Ronan did not hide his curiosity.

Arthur wanted to get closer to Ronan and hit the nail on the head:
"I'm afraid it will be difficult for you to join in your current situation. Llorente is in contact with the restaurant."

"Are there no other industries in the alliance?" Ronan remembered Astrid saying that Llorente had also been involved in several "unpopular industries".

Arthur exchanged glances with the others, and everyone shook their heads:

"Maybe there was, but it didn't work out, and we've successfully joined in."

Ronan frowned slightly.

Can I only join if I own a restaurant?
Ronan went to the party, and Zoe, Leah and Vieri had lunch in Mena Village, walked around for a while and then drove home.

"Ronan is getting busier and busier," Leia couldn't help but sigh on the way.

How many times has a simple melon purchase been canceled?
Will Ronan be too busy to stay at home in the future?

Zoe drove seriously, without looking around:

"It's better for the boy to fight harder. He is still so young."

"Then you have to balance your life and work, so that you don't have time for a relationship." Leah's tone was full of worry.

Oh my god, Zoe finally got it. Is there something wrong with Ronan?

“Mom, you started it again.” Zoe frowned.

Was the family meeting in vain?
When he was almost at the door of his house, Vieri suddenly shouted out of the car window:
"Look, look! It's Ronan!"

Zoe and Leah looked up and saw a white Citroen van parked at the door of their house. Wasn't that Ronan's car?

Ronan saw them coming back and got down from the driver's seat:

"Why did you come back just now? I've been waiting for a long time."

Zoe rolled down the car window and asked in surprise:
"Aren't you going to the party?"

Ronan smiled and leaned against the car door:
"I told them I had something to do in the afternoon and left early."

"Are you done?" Zoe asked, looking up.

Ronan smacked his lips and said:
"Of course not. Aren't we going to buy melons?"

Zoe was stunned for a moment.

Not only Zoe, but Leah and Vieri also didn't expect that Ronan would end an important party early just to buy melons.

Ronan urged:
"Come on, I'll go lock the car."

After saying that, Ronan turned around and went back to his car to get his things. Louis' car could seat four people, but his car couldn't.

Zoe came to her senses and said to her mother while reversing the car:
"Your worries are unnecessary."

Ronan's world is not just about career and money, there are many more things in his heart.

Leah said happily:

"Ronan is such an excellent boy"

Zoe looked at the man outside the car proudly:
“That’s why I like him.”

(End of this chapter)