1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 112 Your Girl
"Then why don't you dare look at me?"

Zoe's words aroused Ronan's "rebellious psychology".

He looked at Zoe carefully and commented:
"A change of style today, going for 'preppy style'?"

Zoe was dressed very quietly today, in a dark grey pleated skirt, a light blue shirt, classic leather shoes and white stockings, with her long golden hair draped softly over her back, a standard European college style.

Zoe carried the luggage into the car by herself:

"Aix is a university town, so dressing younger will help you blend in better."

"You can blend in well without having to dress up, I swear." Ronan helped Zoe open the passenger door.

Zoe has an irresistible youthfulness that cannot be concealed.

And she looks good in any style of clothes, whether it is simple jeans and a white shirt, or mature leather clothes or winter coats.

Zoe did not get in the car, but stood in front of Ronan, raised her head and said:

"But why do I remember that some people like to look at me more when I wear a shirt?"

Ronan's face immediately turned red.

Was it discovered when I was looking at the clavicle before?!

Zoe smiled and got into the car:

"Just kidding. I have something important to do today, so I'm dressed like this. Let's drive."

Zoe's refresher course starts tomorrow.

Today's plan is to first send Zoe to the accommodation we found in advance to store her luggage, and then go to the Granet Museum in Aix.

“Why go to a museum?”

Tension was a product of imagination. When they were really in the same car with each other, Ronan dispelled this emotion with just a few words. Of course, it might also be because Zoe was doing other things and had no time to tease him.

"For people in our line of work, the ideal situation is to be able to continuously participate in exhibitions. There is a glassware exhibition for young artists in Aix in July. I will send my work there for evaluation today, followed by a simple 'mini-interview'." Zoe carefully prepared her self-introduction and the questions that the other party might ask.

"Have you ever been to an exhibition before?" To get to Aix, one has to take a section of mountain road before getting on the flat National Highway 7. Ronan tried to drive more steadily and slowly so that Zoe could watch comfortably.

Zoe shook her head:

“I have participated in small-scale ones, but not in Provence.”

"Don't be nervous." Ronan comforted.

Zoe has tried very hard.

She requires herself to make two batches of works every week, and there are countless successful and failed works in the warehouse.

It takes at least 48 hours to fire and cool down each furnace, which means she has almost no rest time. Leah said that she has maintained this high-intensity work pace for the past two years.

Zoe sighed silently:

“It’s so difficult to participate in exhibitions where you can only show a few works. I don’t know when I can have my own exhibition.”

"Hold it in Lourmarin. We'll arrange it for you." Ronan patted the steering wheel.

"Drive carefully." Zoe patted Ronan's arm gently, "You don't have to drive so slowly for me. I don't get carsick."

[Happiness increases by 11 points when having physical contact with the opposite sex]

Zoe discovered that Ronan was deliberately "slowing down" for her, and she did not ignore Ronan's "little thoughts".

This feeling of 'everything gets a response' really makes Ronan feel happy.

Isn’t it just a solo exhibition?

Ronan decided that in the future he must hold a grand exhibition of Zoe's works that belonged only to her.

After the car turned a corner, a huge city suddenly appeared in front of them.

"Aix is so big." Having lived in Lourmarin for a long time, Ronan would really exclaim when he saw a big town. Aix is even bigger than Cavaillon.

“This used to be the capital of Provence, so of course it’s big.” Zoe looked up at the city outside.

"Provence has a capital?" Ronan asked.

Today, Provence is a huge plate composed of several regions, and there is no concept of a capital.

Zoe was almost ready, and told Ronan about the "magnificent" and tortuous history of Aix:

"Aix was founded by the Romans in 123 BC. In the following centuries, there were constant wars here. It was attacked or occupied by the Ambrosians, Teutons, Visigoths, Franks, Lombards and Saracens."

"God, been beaten by so many people?" Ronan frowned when he heard this.

"That's not all," Zoe continued. "In the 12th century, it was ruled by the dynasties of Barcelona/Aragon and Anjou. In 1487, Aix, along with the rest of Provence, came under the control of the French royal family. In 1501, Louis XII established the Parliament of Provence here. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Aix was the seat of the Governor's Palace of Provence."

Ronan thought of something and asked:

“It is because Aix has hosted so many different cultures that it has become the artistic, cultural and academic center of France?”

"It's European," Zoe corrected. "Ever since the Barcelona dynasty ruled this land, Aix has been one of the important territories in the fields of art, culture and academia in Europe."

Ronan gave a thumbs up:

"Great!"

Zoe taunted:
"Your historical reserves are too small. There are many places with a longer history than Aix."

"You're amazing!" Ronan said with a smile, "You can remember so many things."

Zoe leaned her elbows on the car window and looked over happily:
"You are particularly talkative today."

Ronan raised his eyebrows:
"I always do."

"I'll treat you to lunch at noon." Zoe said, looking at Ronan's profile.

In fact, according to the current time and schedule, Ronan could leave before 10 am.

Zoe's implication in inviting him to dinner was - stay with me a little longer.

"No problem." Ronan agreed readily.

Zoe lives in the old town of Aix, and the Granet Museum she is going to visit is also in the old town.

Ronan drove her to the entrance of the museum.

Before Zoe left, she said to Ronan:
"I'll probably be in there for about 40 minutes. You can walk around here or go to the museum."

"Okay, come on." Ronan did not forget to cheer Zoe up.

Ronan parked the car and did not go into the museum to visit. Instead, he looked for a restaurant nearby.

When you arrive in a "big city" like Aix, it is not appropriate to just find a random place to eat. You need to find a restaurant with a beautiful and formal environment.

This is what a gentleman should do!
Ronan walked north along the Granet Museum and saw the classical-style Aix City Hall with a beautiful clock next to it. Although it was the end of a short holiday, there were still many tourists around, even more than in the village of Mena.

And there are staff at the entrance of the scenic spots here.

"Hello, can you recommend any special restaurants nearby?" It was not a good idea to keep looking like this, so Ronan decided to ask the locals.

The lady was in her forties, enthusiastic and professional:

"Who are you having dinner with?"

"Friends, female friends." Ronan said shyly.

"I recommend you to go to the Gule restaurant on the Cours Mirabeau. There is a small fountain at the door and it is easy to find. I believe 'your girl' will like it there." The lady showed a friendly smile that said 'I see through everything'.

　Thanks to [Wumeng Changyun], [Lazy Teacher] and [Tank Passing] for their rewards, and also thanks to the friends who voted for monthly tickets and recommendation tickets. Thank you for your support~
　　
　
(End of this chapter)