1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 171 Gift
Hunting clothes are different from the jeans and canvas shoes that farmers usually wear. Because the material is light and highly waterproof, it is very expensive.

Those thick coats and jackets cost more than 500 francs, while the plaid shirts that farmers usually wore were only 50 francs each.

Although the waiter was extremely happy, he was still a little nervous, fearing that the boy would forget to check his wallet in order to show off in front of his "girlfriend".

"Sir, do you need anything else?" The waiter confirmed with Ronan after packing five large bags of clothes and boots.

Ronan looked at Zoe, asking for her advice.

He said that he gave himself to her today.

Zoe nodded:
"That should be enough."

Ronan immediately said to the waiter:

"Nothing else is needed."

The waiter quoted the price that had been calculated long ago:
"That's two thousand six hundred and sixty-five francs."

Ronan said 'Wow'.

The waiter thought Ronan thought it was too expensive, so he took the initiative to give him a way out:
"You can actually buy one less pair of boots and a few less pieces of clothing, or switch to different styles."

But Ronan pouted and muttered softly:
“The prices in Provence are really cheap.”

It would definitely cost more than this to buy so many clothes in Paris, and they are not waterproof.

The waiter's smile finally broke out - it seemed that this gentleman had brought enough cash today.

"I'll take you out." The waiter picked up the bag and pretended to take them out.

Ronan waved his hand at her:
"Don't worry, I haven't finished shopping yet."

As he spoke, he took out a piece of paper from his pocket:

“I also need a hunting fluorescent vest, binoculars, shooting glasses, a hunting belt, a professional backpack, a hot water bottle, a professional knife and two pairs of gloves, one thin and one thick.”

The waiter froze in place.

Still buying?

Seeing that she didn't say anything, Ronan put down the paper and said to her:

"I don't know if I've prepared everything. Please recommend some things to me that you haven't thought of."

"Okay." The waiter quickly caught up with Ronan, "I'll take you to the equipment area."

He is actually a 'low-key' rich man.

I'll give him a business card later. From now on, he will be my valued client!
Unexpectedly, Ronan turned back and said to Louis' family:

"You guys take a look too, I'll give you anything you like."

Immediately, three waiters enthusiastically surrounded the few people and said in unison:
"Shall I show you around?"

It’s not just that one waiter who’s targeting the big client!

In France, when someone says they want to give you a gift, the recipient usually won't refuse, as that would be a sign of disrespect to the gift giver.

Western countries will not engage in too much "pull and pull" on this matter.

When you receive a gift, you can return it with a gift of equal value.

Ronan gave Louis a saber, Leah a cashmere sweater, and Zoe chose a winter woolen hat of the same style and color as Ronan.

"Does it look good?" Zoe asked Ronan after putting on the hat.

"It looks good!" Ronan also put on his own hat and stood side by side with Zoe in front of the mirror.

This looks better!

Zoe looked at Ronan in the mirror and said:
"I have prepared a gift for you, too."

"What gift?" Ronan asked expectantly.

Zoe pretended to be mysterious and said:

"I'll give it to you after the exhibition."

"Don't you have it with you?" Ronan asked.

Zoe smiled and took off her hat and the hat on Ronan's head:
“I can’t give it to you now.”

"Ok?"

After the purchase was completed, four waiters escorted Ronan and others out together.

They looked at the backs of Ronan and Zoe, who were talking endlessly with their heads together, and said enviously:

"What a perfect match. The man is rich and the woman is talented." One of the waiters asked with a smile:

"So a talented girl would like a man without talent? That gentleman might also be a talented person."

"You have a point."

At noon, the family of four found a random restaurant near the exhibition to have lunch.

It is almost twelve o'clock now. For the Provencal people who are used to getting up early, this is already past 'lunch' time, but there are no seats in this restaurant.

The four people had to walk a little further to find a place to eat.

"So many people? Aren't they all here to see the exhibition?" Leah handed the menu to Zoe and Ronan.

Ronan looked around at the customers:

"That should be the case. There are a lot of people in this restaurant, and they are all young people."

Zoe opened the menu:

"Aix is an art capital, and this exhibition is rare in that all young designers are participating, which has attracted a lot of attention. There have been many visitors every day in the past three days, but I guess today will be the day with the highest number of visitors."

"Why today?" Louis asked his daughter. "Isn't it the opening day that has the most people? Even the TV stations came to report on it."

Louis dragged Freddy and Alan to watch all the reports on the three local TV stations.

Zoe looked at the menu and said:

"Professors from the Royal College of Art will be here today to give the closing speech, and many art students have come from all over the country."

"Professor at the National Higher School of Decorative Arts?" Ronan looked at Zoe.

The Royal Academy of Arts is the predecessor of the French National Higher School of Decorative Arts, which is one of the three major professional art schools in France. Its status in local terms is second only to the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, abbreviated as Ecole des Beaux-Arts, which is one of the four major art academies in the world.

Although the former has changed its name, people still call it the 'Royal Academy of Arts'.

Zoe nodded:

"Yes, the participants of this exhibition are all newcomers like me who have just left school for a few years. There are no famous artists, so the organizing committee invited professors from the Royal Academy of Art who are more compatible with us to come to the 'finale'. Art students who were unable to participate also wanted to find an opportunity to have professional teachers comment on their works. I heard that quite a few people came."

Leah asked excitedly and nervously:

“Will those professors also comment on your work?”

She wanted the professors to provide professional guidance and suggestions for her daughter's work, but she was also afraid that they would say something "unpleasant" and hurt her daughter's self-esteem.

Zoe shrugged innocently:

"The organizing committee arranged for us to accompany the professor on a tour, but I don't know whether they will comment on it or not. However, I heard that they will only comment on the 'best' and 'worst'. I know the level of my cups and plates very well, so I hope they won't comment on my work."

Ronan looked at Zoe tenderly and said:
"Don't worry. Didn't you just say that more than half of the works have been booked?"

The works in this type of artifact exhibition will be sold at the same time.

Of the 13 works Zoe exhibited, eight were booked.

Zoe said to Ronan mischievously:

"You don't need to comfort me. You should know how strong I am inside."

When you were questioned by others, I was the one who guided you.

Ronan opened the menu and said passionately:
"Please order some food. I can't wait to see your work."

Zoe is a designer attending the conference and she does not enter through the same channel as the visiting tourists.

Moreover, the organizing committee had arranged an interactive session between the designers and professors from the Royal College of Art in the afternoon, so he was unable to accompany Ronan and others to the exhibition.

Zoe suggested that Ronan take her parents to walk around the exhibition hall first. There were four exhibition halls, ABCD, with nearly a thousand works on display.

At 3 pm, everyone will gather again at Room 026, Zone D, which is in front of Zoe's work.

The three people agreed very well, but as soon as they entered, they started looking for the sign of Area D.

"Here, here, display case 026!"

Leah takes Ronan and Louis to Zoe's exhibit.

Ronan's eyes widened and he trotted over quickly.

Zoe's work area has more than just the cups and plates she brought;

"You actually arranged the display case like this!"

Ronan's surprised and happy smile was reflected on the glass of the display case.

(End of this chapter)