1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 17 Things are getting better!

In front of Alan's bakery.

Ronan and Zoe's stall was surrounded by people watching the fun.

These people were like little kids watching a circus magic show, watching with excitement and envy.

This is not the commercially developed Golden Triangle region. The sudden appearance of sixty truffles at the market in the village of Lourmarin surprised everyone, both the stall owners and the people visiting the market.

"Please make way and let the customers who want to buy come in!" Ronan has been trying hard to maintain order, but the situation has not improved at all.

He felt like he was back at the parade in Paris, but now his role was to maintain order.

What’s even more frustrating is that now the stalls are ineffective.

Most of the people around were there to watch the fun, and almost no one really wanted to buy truffles. Maybe those who wanted to buy left because there were too many people.

If this batch of truffles cannot be sold successfully today, he can only launch the alternative plan. One is to keep them and continue selling on Friday, but the truffles will definitely be reduced in weight due to being away from the land for too long.

Another way is to sell them at other markets, but without the help of the villagers, Ronan is not sure how long it will take to complete the whole process, and it will also take up his time to dig truffles.

No matter which choice is made, it will have a significant impact.

Just as Ronan's heart was bleeding madly, there was a sudden commotion outside the crowd, and soon several of Ronan's acquaintances in the old tavern squeezed through the crowd of onlookers and appeared in front of Ronan.

These farmers with strong smell of alcohol and rough appearance are like dangerous time bombs, and everyone stays away from them.

In less than two minutes, under their violent law enforcement, everything returned to calm, and the onlookers did not dare to come over.

Pierre straightened his hat and walked towards the old tavern:
"Don't be shy about asking for help. You're being so timid like a woman!"

Long ago, the farmers in the valley had a cooperative system.

When a family's grapes need to be replanted, everyone comes to help on a voluntary basis, and no one loses out in the end.

Later, this cooperative system evolved to the point that if a farmer encountered trouble, other farmers had to help.

'Those who deal with the land are brothers' is not just talk.

Ronan swallowed his gratitude.

"I'll come to see you this afternoon."

Focused on making money, Ronan hasn't been to the old tavern for a long time.

After this incident, he realized that drinking was definitely a serious matter that could not be ignored!

Pierre led the troops away. Henry, who had just worked very hard, came over and said flatteringly:
"My wife's stall is not far away. Call me anytime if you need anything. We must not be nice to those who affect our ability to make money!"

Ronan said gratefully:

"Thank you."

He suddenly felt that Henry's smile was not as scary as it had seemed the first time.

The chaos ended, and more and more customers came to choose truffles and utensils, and everything got back on track.

While wiping the cup, Zoe said to Ronan beside her:

"It's hard to believe that the farmers who regarded you as a thorn in their side more than half a month ago are now defending you so much."

Ronan sighed and replied with a smile:
"More than half a month is not a short time, and it can change a lot of things."

Zoe didn't say anything, as if she was thinking about something with her head down.

The past half month in Provence has brought so many changes to Ronan that it would take more than one night to describe them all.

But Ronan’s most empathetic feeling is that things are finally getting better.

The sixty truffles were sold for 13500 francs! The poor boy who relied on bread to feed himself finally turned his life around and became the master of his own business!

The truffles were as popular as ever and were sold out before 11 o'clock.

Ronan was not in a hurry to close his stall and go home. Instead, he bought pots and pans, tableware, more than a dozen kinds of seasonings, flour, olive oil and other kitchen supplies at the market.

I also bought Xiao Hei a few toys and a kilogram of dried meat that can be eaten by both humans and dogs.

After borrowing a cart from Theo and delivering the mountain of supplies back home, he hurried back to the stall to find Zoe.

Ronan treated Zoe to lunch on the pretext that "you have to eat well if you make money in China", and gained 5 points of [Happiness].

After dinner, he went to the old tavern and treated everyone who had come to help in the morning to a drink.

After drinking 10 points of [Happiness] in the old tavern, Ronan happily went home with a bulging wallet.

Xiao Hei and Ronan have long since reconciled their relationship, and his happiness level would increase whenever he occasionally plays with it at home.

But today, when Ronan returned home, he did not take Xiao Hei with him to gain experience. Instead, he fed it a few pieces of dried meat, picked it up, and laid it on the bed.

The little guy turned around twice, found a comfortable position and lay in Ronan's arms, and soon he began to breathe with a faint snoring sound.

Ronan placed his hand on its little head, his smile no longer suppressed.

At this moment, there are 132 points of happiness in the system. He can upgrade the next skill at any time. Everything is under his control, and these numbers also reflect Ronan's happiness level at the moment.

I had money, friends, and my career was starting to pick up steam.

Everything is fine now!
"But this money can't be kept warm." Ronan smacked his lips.

Xiao Hei is still young, and his ability to prevent theft is greatly reduced. After his house was robbed once, he has a psychological trauma.

And now that everyone in the village knows that he makes money from truffles, it is inevitable that some people will have ulterior motives.

In the afternoon, Ronan went to the village to install a telephone line.

In the past, Vieri had to go in person to inform him to attend a party, but now he can just make a phone call.

Moreover, Ronan also urgently needs to repair his relationship with his parents who are far away in Paris.

Only those who have experienced it personally can understand the beauty of Provence.

After a few months, when he has earned more money to renovate the house and buy some furniture, he will definitely find a way to bring his parents over to enjoy life there.

Breathing the fresh air and basking in the bright sunshine here may help people live several more years.

Otherwise, why would celebrities and stars rush to buy houses in Provence?
The way to repair the relationship with parents starts with Chinese food.

He bought a full set of kitchen supplies so that he can cook for himself in the future. There are many dishes that he can only eat but not cook, and his parents are engaged in Chinese food-related work in Paris.

In the process of asking for the menu, I subtly convey to them the details of how well I live here. When they know that their choice is correct, their misunderstanding will naturally disappear.

Installing the telephone cost some money, and the morning's big shopping and dinner also cost a lot. After doing all this, there is still 12800 francs left from selling truffles.

Including the 2100 francs he earned from selling truffles last week and Ronan’s previous savings, his total net worth came to 20500 francs.

Ronan took the money and knocked on Louis' door.

Zoe opened the door and was a little surprised to find Ronan standing outside. Then she said calmly:
"My father went to Berniejo Village with Freddy after lunch."

Vieri was in school at this time, there was no way Ronan didn't know about it.

It was impossible for him to come to see her and her mother, so Zoe concluded that Ronan was looking for her father.

Ronan leaned against the door sill and raised his eyebrows at Zoe:
"I'm here to find you."

(End of this chapter)