1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 116 The Brave Little Mouse
Luo Tianhai opened a restaurant in Paris and has been engaged in the catering industry.

Ronan also knows many restaurant owners in Provence, as well as people like Freddy who work in the catering industry.

Whether in Paris or Provence, the restaurants are supplied directly by suppliers. If any ingredients are missing, just make a phone call and the goods will be delivered.

And Coman actually walked to buy groceries by himself?

This means that its cost must be higher than other restaurants.

If the cost is high, the food sold will be expensive.

Ronan looked up at the menu on the wall and found that the prices were indeed not affordable.

Buying groceries was just a small problem, but Ronan saw more problems emerging.

I believe there are many similar "unprofessional" problems, and it is definitely not as simple as decoration.

After Ronan expressed his thoughts, Blanco was very surprised:
“Do you know how to run a restaurant?”

Ronan looked at the clock on the wall and said:

"I don't understand, it's very complicated, I just heard some things from my father and friends."

Blanco had read the information about Ronan prepared for the magazine and knew his occupation in Paris, but he did not know Ronan's father, so he asked curiously:
"What does your father do?"

Lourmarin is in great need of talent.

Ronan is the village's publicity 'feature' and can also do some 'design' work, so he wears multiple hats.

What kind of person is Ronan's father, who also lives in Paris?

Ronan originally wanted to just give a brief introduction and get by.

But thinking that the old man was quite vain, and since it was the village chief who was asking the question, he slightly embellished his introduction:

"My father has opened four or five restaurants in Paris, and he also did freight business, and now he is doing fresh food business."

It is true that he opened four or five restaurants, but they all went bankrupt.

Worked as a truck driver.

Now delivering food to restaurants.

Blanco's eyes widened like a bull's.

There is a rumor in the village that Ronan is the son of a wealthy family in Paris. It turns out to be true!
His father is so powerful!
"I heard that your parents are coming to live in Lourmarin?" Blanco asked excitedly.

"Yes, about half a month later." Ronan calculated the time.

"Great!" Blanco slapped the table and handed the menu to Ronan. "Let's have dinner here and chat while we eat. What other industries do you know?"

Ronan pushed the menu back, glanced at the clock, and said apologetically:

"Sorry Blanco, I'm afraid I can't today. I need to go home and cook for my brother."

Blanco's mind started working quickly.

Ronan has a younger brother?
Also in Lourmarin?

How come I don't know?
Louis and Leah went to Cannes, and Zoe went to Aix.

The relationship between Vieri and Ronan entered a 'honeymoon period', but of course this was Vieri's unilateral idea.

He would go to Ronan's house for dinner after school every day and stay until bedtime.

But this still couldn't satisfy him.
When Vieri went to Ronan's house today, he actually brought his three dogs with him.

"Do you want to walk the dog?" Ronan took a look and continued to wash the vegetables. "Then take Xiao Hei out with you."

Vie went to the kitchen to wash his hands:

"No, I brought Bobo and the others here so I don't have to go back at night."

Vieri goes home every day just to walk his dog.

But his heart and body wanted to stay in Ronan's house.

Now that Zoe is gone, finally no one is competing with me for Ronan!
Ronan stood there in shock for a second.

Louis' whole family moved here?

But it’s better this way, he can help take care of Vieri and he has a place to live at home anyway.

Going out with Blanco took up some time. Usually the meal would be almost ready when Vieri came to eat, but today we only got to the stage of washing the vegetables.

Vieri didn't want to cause trouble for Ronan and suggested:
"How about cheese pot tonight? It'll be ready in fifteen minutes."

Cheesecake is a Provencal country delicacy.

The French love cheese and it must appear at every meal.

Every once in a while, there are a lot of leftover cheese 'scraps' in the kitchen, because each dish requires a different cheese.

In order to deal with these scraps, the people of Provence invented the cheese pot as a resource recycling method.

Put all the cheese bits and pieces into a pot, add garlic or herbs and other seasonings according to personal taste, then add some brandy, then stir them evenly and you're done.

Although cheesecakes may look crude, they are delicious when spread on bread.

This country delicacy is also synonymous with 'fast' and 'bachelor'.

The current situation of Ronan and Vieri meets the above two conditions.

"15 minutes?" Ronan drained the lettuce. "Oh, no, that's too slow. We can eat in five minutes."

"Five minutes?" Vieri looked at the kitchen full of fresh vegetables with an embarrassed look on his face.

Is it just salad today?

Ronan pointed to the refrigerator:
"Take out the cut lamb from the refrigerator."

ten minutes later.

Vieri put the lamb boiled in water into the "secret sauce" made by Ronan and put it into his mouth:

"What is this? It's delicious!"

Both of Louis' children are picky eaters.

Because their mother, Leah, is a very good cook.

But Vieri ate today with the same vigor as Freddy usually eats.

Ronan thought for a moment:
"This is shabu-shabu mutton. I'll make you hotpot next time if I have enough time."

The base of their soup today is plain water, and the dipping sauce is mainly sesame sauce.

Due to limited time, not many vegetables were prepared, mostly fresh lamb.

"God, this lamb tastes amazing," Vieri said, taking another bite. "You are such a great cook."

Ronan took a sip of pink wine and said with a smile:
"This doesn't require any technology." This is the solution he came up with to deal with possible challenges ahead.

My parents haven’t finished their business in Paris yet, so it will take some time before they can get to Provence.

It is possible that the first party at home will take place before then.

Ronan was thinking that if these people were to come to his house, he would prepare for them hot pot, a delicacy that is easy to make.

Wash the vegetables, prepare enough meat, and prepare some seasonings that suit their taste.

This is much easier than making a dozen or twenty dishes.

"But it's really delicious." Vieri was excited and stared at Ronan's wine glass.

In 1986, there was no clear regulation on the underage drinking age in France.

But everyone assumes that people can drink alcohol in the age range of 16-18.

Vieri was just 16 years old and did not have the right to drink at family gatherings.

"Want a drink?" Ronan asked as he picked up the cup.

Vieri looked over nervously, and asked in a low voice with trepidation and expectation:
"May I?"

"Yes, of course." Ronan went to get the glass, "I've been secretly drinking my father's wine since I was 12."

Vieri turned around and followed Ronan's figure:

"I was 13, and the first thing I drank was Zoe's brandy."

Ronan came back with the wine glass and said with a smile:
"You live in a family full of 'temptations'. Your father and sister both love to drink."

Vieri added silently in his heart:

And brother-in-law!

Vieri was a sensible child. Even though Ronan gave him the right to drink, he only drank one glass and did not ask for more.

But Vieri, who was drunk, talked to Ronan about mature topics that were not suitable for someone of his age.

"You should make good use of your Chinese food advantage. It's a pity that so many delicious foods are only spread in a small area." Vieri inherited Louis' good 'brain' and his analysis was very logical.

Ronan shook his head and said with a smile:
"It's not that simple."

It is so difficult to promote the well-known rosé wine in Provence, so you can imagine what it would be like to promote something completely new in an unfamiliar environment.

That will be full of difficulties and unknowns.

Ronan's mentality has changed in this life.

In his previous life, when he was this age, he was thinking about 'how can I become the best interior designer in Paris'.

In this life, Ronan thinks more about how to live a good life, how to live happily, and how to make the people around him happy.
He would not choose to do anything risky unless he was absolutely sure.

Ronan certainly wants to promote Chinese cuisine, but that requires some prerequisites that are not available now.

"Freddy said that if he had your ability, he would have popularized Chinese food in Provence long ago," Vieri shrugged.

"I'm glad that 'Sir' has such lofty ambitions." Ronan also smiled and shrugged.

Vieri ate another piece of lamb:
“It’s a shame that more people can’t taste it.”

Ronan smiled and said:
"Don't feel bad, more people will be able to enjoy it soon."

"Really?" Vieri said expectantly, "What can I do to help you?"

Ronan hesitated:

"Are you sure you want to help me?"

Vieri nodded excitedly:

"Of course!"

I would do anything for Ronan!
Ronan pondered for a few seconds and seemed to have made up his mind:

"Well, wait a moment."

Soon, more than a dozen strange seasonings that he couldn't name appeared in front of Vieri, some of which made him think of some bad things.

His sixth sense also told him that something in here was dangerous.

Ronan explained to him:

"I want to do some 'experiments'."

"What experiment?" Vieri asked nervously.

"Chinese hot pot dipping sauce may not be completely suitable for the local tastes. I want to improve it and mix a dipping sauce that best suits the local taste." Ronan also took out some commonly used French seasonings and ingredients that Vieri knew.

"Let's start with the simplest method so you can get used to it," Ronan said, holding a small bowl.

Vieri said stubbornly:

"No, let's get straight to the point."

Ronan frowned:

"Don't worry, take your time."

Ronan played football with Vieri for an hour yesterday. Vieri wanted to end the "experiment" as soon as possible and continue to go out and play football with Ronan.

"It's really no problem. My mother often uses me to 'test dishes' and I have a lot of experience in this." Vieri forced a smile.

God, those things really don't look good.

"Okay then." Ronan tilted his head.

Like a scientist, he accurately scooped out a spoonful of sesame paste, added the most appropriate amount of sugar to match it, and then started to choose among the various seasonings.

"People don't like to eat things that are too salty, so we use sugar to neutralize it, and then add some flavors that the locals like." Ronan's tone suddenly became cheerful, "Then let's start with cheese--"

Two minutes later.

Vieri ran out like crazy:

"I suddenly remembered that my mother said she would call me tonight and she would be worried if she couldn't find me."

Ronan chased after him with the 'test dish':

"Are you coming back to sleep tonight? The bedroom is ready."

Ronan lowered his head and made eye contact with the four dogs squatting at his feet who also didn't understand the situation.

So where are you sleeping tonight?

(End of this chapter)