1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 157 The Crowded Backyard

The people of Provence love nature. They believe that chatting about life and drinking with friends under the night sky and in nature is what life should be like.

Therefore, every household will set up a dining area in the yard, but few families have outdoor kitchens, at least not many in Lourmarin.

Barbecue is also a favorite cooking method of the French. Most families in Lourmarin will put a barbecue grill outdoors, which is their "outdoor kitchen".

However, Ronan's outdoor kitchen is a real big kitchen. Ronan specially asked Cafu to build it with Provence stone.

After his parents arrived in Provence, Ronan's family also started hosting gatherings with friends.

They had hotpot twice, and on other days Ronan's family would usually entertain friends with Chinese food.

Today, in order to make use of the outdoor kitchen area that had just been set up, Feng Zhen suggested having a barbecue and pizza so that she could stay busy in her beloved yard.

Ronan came back from Sog Island and found that Luo Tianhai was the only one at home.

"Where are the people? Haven't they arrived yet?" Ronan washed his hands and helped his father prepare the ingredients.

Luo Tianhai pointed to the backyard with his head:
"They are all here, chatting in the yard."

Ronan asked doubtfully:

"The yard isn't finished yet, where are all the places to sit?"

The most important reception area in the backyard is still under construction. Only the area with the Roman columns can be used for sitting, but there is not enough space there.

Luo Tianhai shook his head:
"No, I'm in the outdoor kitchen listening to your mother's 'lecture'."

Since the backyard was built bit by bit, Feng Zhen would introduce it to everyone he met:
This yard was designed for me by my son. He knows I like beautiful big yards. He designed the Roman columns because he knows my favorite movie is "Roman Holiday". He designed the big kitchen because I like to cook. Look at my son, okay?
Ronan nodded knowingly and handed the kitchen knife to Luo Tianhai:
"Why not talk in the house?"

Luo Tianhai washed his hands and wiped them on his apron:
"Talk inside? Haha, your mom said we should make the bed on the outdoor dining table at night and not come into the house."

Ronan suppressed his laughter and said "Oh". He looked around the kitchen but couldn't find a container to hold the mutton.

"Where are our basins and bowls?"

Luo Tianhai chopped the mutton hard with the kitchen knife:
"She took them all out. I've been married to her for 23 years, and I never knew she loved cooking."

"Even before I got married, I liked cooking." Feng Zhen took out a large plate that Ronan used to sell sweet and sour pork from the cupboard. "The kitchen is the place where I feel most secure."

"Put the peeled garlic here." She put the plate on the table Ronan had made himself.

Freddy threw a garlic directly into his mouth:

“There’s actually a dish called roasted garlic in Chinese barbecue? I always say that I have a connection with Chinese food!”

"Chinese barbecue is different from French barbecue." Feng Zhen took out a few more bowls from the cupboard. "Nice barbecue requires wine, and pastoral people use strong seasonings to marinate meat before grilling it, but when we grill, we like to eat the flavor of the meat itself, and only brush some sauce on the vegetables."

She divided the sauce into several small bowls and said to everyone:
"This is my secret sauce that I made, you can brush it on the vegetables."

As she spoke, she picked up a rag and wiped the already shiny oven, her expression as enthusiastic as if she was counting francs.

Ronan heard exactly these last words when he brought out the chopped lamb.

He bit his lips hard to control himself from laughing.

Oh my god, did Dad know his secret sauce was 'ripped off'?
"Put it down, I'll do it." Ronan said to everyone after putting the mutton down.

Mom, that’s enough!

How can we get so many guests to help?

"Oh no no no!" Leah has already started brushing sauce on the vegetables. "It's a pleasure to cook in such a great outdoor kitchen. We volunteered to help."

Alan suddenly cursed nervously. It turned out that he accidentally dropped the sauce on the countertop of the outdoor kitchen:
"Damn it, such a beautiful kitchen must not be dirty."

Ronan looked around. When he left at noon, there were no tables and chairs here. Now the furniture arrangement looked really good. It was a clear choice to design the dining area and outdoor kitchen under the most comfortable shade of the trees.

Louis replaced the wine glass with a wooden stick:

"Ronan, how do you prepare the lamb? I think I'm going to love cooking too."

Leah nervously snatched the thing from his hand;
"But the kitchen doesn't love you, Louis. Please leave this area. Please."

Everyone laughed, and Freddy and Alan kept making fun of Louis.

Louis was neither angry nor embarrassed. He sat on the chair and said with enjoyment:
"Then can I sit here and watch you guys? I really don't want to leave here now!"

There are several "chefs" today, some are skewering, some are cutting vegetables. Everyone takes action at the call of nature, even old Carl, who has a weak leg, helps to set the table.

Compared with the "happy atmosphere" here, Luo Tianhai, who was making "cold dishes" alone in the house, seemed too lonely. Seeing that there were too many people here to help, Ronan planned to go into the house to help his father, but when he was about to leave, his mother stopped him.

"Son, light up the fire before you go."

Ronan turned around and said:
"Dad is still busy, let's light the fire later."

Feng Zhen smacked her lips in displeasure:

"Why are you waiting for him? I'm the one who bakes every time."

After saying that, she gave Ronan a few quick winks.

Ronan's eyes widened in horror.

No way, mom. Are you serious?

Ronan had only eaten his mother's cooking a few times since he was a child, and had never seen her grill skewers. He was worried that his mother would mess up the first meal in the outdoor kitchen, so he had no choice but to stay and "help".

I didn't expect Feng Zhen to have some talent for cooking. She actually cooked well for the first time and the taste was good. But Ronan thought it was mainly because of the good Provence lamb. It would be hard to say how the vegetables would turn out. He didn't plan to leave for the time being and was always ready to help his mother. Seeing Zoe sitting alone in the hammock playing with Xiao Hei and Masai, Ronan walked over and said with a smile:
"That's the difference. When you come to my house, the whole family welcomes you warmly, but when I go to your house, I am 'ostracized'."

Damn hoo!
Zoe laughed and teased him:
“It’s a human problem.”

Ronan said unconvinced:
"Both Marseille and Xiao Hei like me very much."

Zoe picked up Marseille with great effort, and Marseille's tail was shaking like a helicopter propeller.

She said proudly:
"But they like me better, don't they?"

"Yes, yes, both humans and animals like you!"

Ronan gently shook the rope of the hammock, and Zoe swayed slightly in the air, like a "flower fairy" in a fairy tale.

The Flower Fairy suddenly looked up and asked in a psychedelic voice:
"really?"

Ronan looked down into her eyes and said:
"of course."

Is there anyone in this world who doesn't like a girl like Zoe?

Her long golden hair falls naturally like a waterfall, making her face more delicate and beautiful. Her eyes are like bright stars, and even when she doesn't speak, she seems to be "telling a story". If you look at her a few more times, you will be uncontrollably immersed in it.

When she smiles, she is like the sunshine in spring; when she is angry, she is like a rose with thorns; when she is sad, the world seems to have lost its color. She is also thoughtful and knowledgeable. Zoe has everything that makes men obsessed.

The evening breeze blew up, blowing up Zoe's skirt and also the girl's heartstrings.

She looked up into Ronan's clear, bright eyes, and her affection for him became increasingly difficult to control.

A few seconds later, she hugged Masai tightly in her arms:

"Be good, I'll reward you with a few more pieces of meat tonight."

"Hmm?" Ronan took a step forward, getting closer to Zoe, and asked in confusion, "Why should we reward it?"

What does it do?

Zoe used Ronan's body to block the sight of the dozen people a few meters away. She raised her hand and quickly touched Ronan's chin a few times, biting her lip and saying with burning eyes:
"Because it has a talking owner."

Stop seducing me. I can't control myself and will pounce on you!
[Increase happiness by 24 points when having intimate contact with the opposite sex]

Ronan took another step forward, his eyes full of joy.

Xiao Hei barked anxiously from below.

What's going on with the three of you standing so close together?

Why don’t you take me with you when there is good news?

Xiao Hei's barking attracted the attention of the people who were cooking, and they all looked towards this corner.

Zoe returned to her 'calm' state:
"Rewards for all three of you."

Ronan: "???"

Zoe the Great Artist does what she says.

She sat next to Ronan again tonight, and regardless of the happy or surprised looks of the people at the table, she kept taking care of Ronan while he was eating.

Ronan is an old hand at eating skewers, but he can't eat as fast as Zoe feeds him.

"Zoe, you should eat it too. Is it not to your taste?" Feng Zhen knew that Zoe was a picky eater and was worried that she would not be able to get used to the food.

Zoe picked up a bunch of sticks in front of her and showed them:
"No, it's very delicious. I ate a lot."

The affirmation from her daughter-in-law gave Feng Zhen more confidence, and she said happily:
"If you like it, come often and I'll make it for you."

Freddy's mouth was full of oil:
"Honestly, Chinese people are amazing at food. You have so many cooking methods, and each one is delicious. Can I come and eat here often?"

"Of course!" Feng Zhen nodded happily.

Alan took a bite of meat and a bite of garlic:

"This cooking style is very suitable for Provencal people, Ronan, please open your restaurant soon. I want it to be my 'canteen'."

The local villagers in Luberon do not have the habit of eating out.

Alan's words are almost the highest praise for the food.

"You can come anytime if you want to eat." Luo Tianhai brought over another handful of freshly grilled skewers.

Louis was the happiest person in the room.

It's not appropriate for others to come to Ronan's house for a free meal, but looking at how Zoe and Ronan get along, he and Ronan are about to become a family. He can come to eat openly.

"I will definitely come here often!" Louis shook his head excitedly.

"Ronan, what did you do that smells so good? I smelled it at home." Theo suddenly stuck his head out from behind the tree.

"Come on, come on, sit down and eat together." Ronan waved to Theo.

After a while, Pierre, who came to see the Roman columns, also appeared:
"Would everyone mind adding an extra set of cutlery?"

"Okay, okay, please sit down." Luo Tianhai and Feng Zhen began to experience restaurant life in advance.

Old Carl raised his glass to Ronan and said with a smile:
"Ronan, I swear your restaurant will never be short of customers. It will be packed even in winter."

(End of this chapter)