1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 174 Ronan is very brave today!
Ronan's heart was pounding wildly.

In a split second, I pondered what tone and answer I should use to greet this 'big day' that also belongs to me.

But Zoe didn't give him any time to think, and anxiously emphasized:
"I don't know what the Parisian attitude towards gifts is, but in Provence, a 'gift' given is not taken back."

Zoe is expressing her determination.

Whether Ronan agrees or not, she has to "send herself out".

If you don't accept, I will chase you.

Chase until you nod.

Ronan was a little nervous at first, but Zoe's 'additional explanation' made him laugh.

He turned his head to meet Zoe's clear and bright eyes and said with a smile:
"You're not sincere enough. This 'gift' is originally mine."

Who says I'm a shy Parisian?

I'm super brave, okay!
Zoe temporarily put aside her feeling of being deeply moved and teased Ronan out of habit:
"It's already yours, why don't you put the 'gift' away? And we usually open the gifts in front of you and praise the 'gift', but I didn't see any of that."

Ronan retorted:
“Although I didn’t say anything, I have been doing it.”

Although he and Zoe had not officially confirmed their relationship before, they had always been in a relationship.

Who in Lourmarin didn't know that their shining pearl had been abducted by a Parisian boy named Ronan?

Zoe's legs swung in the air, and she smiled like a flower:
“What did you do?

Ronan bravely pointed in a certain direction of the yard and said:

"When I was renovating the backyard, I was thinking about leaving a place to build a large woodworking workshop and put all our tools in it. I also piled the wood for building the house there so that we can start whenever we want."

Then he pointed to another corner of the yard:
"In the future, we will build a huge studio for you there, which can accommodate three or four kilns, and a whole wall of display cabinets to display all your works. I have measured the dimensions."

Ronan pointed behind him and said:
"I've reserved a space for the sheepfold. It's very big. You can raise whatever you want. I'll help you take care of it."

He continued, pointing to the top of his head:
"We can also build a tree house on this tree. I've asked Kafu to help fix the branches. The animals can play in the yard, and you and I can read books in the tree house to keep them company."

Ronan's "courage bar" gradually hit the bottom, mainly because Zoe looked at him too nakedly, and his tone became lower and lower:
"If you don't like it here, we can move to the house on the commercial street. I will only decorate the first floor this time. The second and third floors can be decorated according to your preferences. If you want to be quieter, we will still live here in the future. In fact, there are many places in the house that I haven't had time to decorate. I will decorate them the way you like."

[Increase happiness by 25 points when having intimate contact with the opposite sex]

Zoe leaned close to Ronan and said in a relaxed tone:
"You actually put me into your future plans only when you were renovating the backyard?"

"Ah?" Ronan lowered his head.

Why are you asking about this?
Zoe said with a smile:

"I've had my eyes on you for a long time."

"When?" Ronan was stunned.

Zoe said cheerfully:

"winter."

"So early?" Ronan's eyes widened.

Zoe looked up and met Ronan's eyes:
"Actually, I wanted to confess my feelings to you a long time ago, but I held back. But today I finally don't have to hold back anymore."

She said with great affection:
"Ronan, I finally see the 'future'. Now I have the ability to work with you to make our lives better and happier."

"What kind of 'exciting' news is it that has to wait until dinner is served to announce it?"

With Zoe away, the nosy Provencals can only bother Louis and Leah.

Leia was busy helping Luo Tianhai and Feng Zhen cook, ignoring everyone else. Louis became the new target of everyone's fire.

"Of course it's big news that will 'scare' you to death. I can only tell you that something great has happened to Zoe." The corners of Louis' mouth seemed to be fixed by plaster, and he could only curl them upwards after coming back today.

Freddy muttered:
"It's boring. You just keep me on suspense."

Seeing Ronan coming back, Alan and Freddy entangled him again:

"Ronan, Ronan, do you know what the big news Louis is going to announce?"

Ronan also went to Aix, he must know!

Ronan said with a bright smile:

"You guys should wait for Louis to announce it. I won't spoil it in advance."

"Ronan, come here!" Feng Zhen waved at him.

She took her son to the storage room on the first floor and asked seriously:
"What happened to Zoe in Aix?"

Ronan thought he was looking for something important, but he didn't expect it was for this. He said speechlessly:

"Dinner will be served soon. Wait a little longer. Louis will surely tell a very interesting 'story'."

Feng Zhen said earnestly:

"I don't care what the message is. I want to remind you that when Zoe really becomes an 'artist', what will you have to do with it? Can you pay more attention and stop being so passive!"

Seeing Louis's excitement, Zoe must have had some "adventure" in Aix, and might be about to "rise to prominence".

Although Ronan is handsome, can make money, and has a good personality, Zoe's future is broader and bigger than Ronan, who runs a restaurant and works as a farmer in Lourmarin.

This silly kid is really good at making money, why can't he understand this truth?

His mother's words made Ronan even more speechless:

"I'm passive? Mom, you don't know me at all."

After Louis announces Zoe’s good news, Ronan will announce to everyone—the shining pearl of Lourmarin is now mine.

In previous gatherings, the thing everyone cared about most was eating and drinking.

But today, Louis has raised everyone's appetite too high.

Even before the dishes were served, they were already shouting that dinner was about to start, asking Louis to announce their good news. Louis couldn't hold it in any longer, so he straightened his clothes, stood up, picked up his glass, and said solemnly:

"I want to solemnly announce a good news to everyone, a piece of extremely important news for Zoe!"

He looked at his baby daughter tenderly:

“Zoe, are you going to tell everyone or should I do it for you?”

Zoe looked at Ronan, seemingly asking for his advice.

Ronan lowered his voice and said to her:
"If you don't want to listen to Louis' exaggerated description of how Professor Goldman 'evaluated' you, then tell it yourself."

Zoe nodded obediently and said to Louis:

"Then I'll tell you myself, Dad."

Louis said happily:
"it is good!"

This is Zoe's highlight moment and the spotlight should be given to her.

Everyone at the table looked at Zoe in unison.

Leah and Louis had even made the initial gesture of applauding, waiting for Zoe to finish speaking before they would lead the way in "congratulating" her.

Zoe took a breath and said in a tone that couldn't be calmer:

"Something very important happened today."

Everyone's heart was lifted at Zoe's words.

Zoe is not Louis.

She said 'important' so it must be very important.

Zoe suddenly looked at the people around her:

"Today, Ronan and I officially confirmed our relationship."

“Wish——” Louis’ smile froze on his face, “What?!”

Ronan's pupils trembled.

How come someone stole my lines?
Suddenly, the person leading the applause appeared.

Feng Zhen led the applause:

"Great, great!"

It turns out that today is really the 'engagement party'?

When did my son become so successful?!
Freddy, Alan and the others reacted and started to applaud:

"God, congratulations!"

Freddy gloated:
"I thought you two had been together for a long time, Ronan, you are too slow, aren't you?"

Old Carl said in an 'indecent' way:
"You've confirmed your relationship, but why are you still so far apart? You can have me sit between you two."

Alan winked at Ronan:
"Please take the initiative."

They all wanted to see Ronan and Zoe talk about love, the scene was simply unimaginable.

"Can't all these delicious dishes satisfy your appetite?" Ronan said with a smile.

Just as he finished speaking, he heard a sound next to his ear that was very faint to outsiders but deafening to him - Bo.

[Increase happiness by 50 points when having intimate physical contact with the opposite sex]

After Zoe kissed Ronan, she hugged his neck and said:
"Provence women don't need men to take the initiative. Ronan just needs to enjoy my kindness to him from now on."

Everyone at the table was so shocked that they were speechless.

Ronan is such a lucky guy. Does Zoe like him so much?

That's Zoe!

Ronan felt dizzy, probably because he was overwhelmed by happiness.

He no longer wanted to worry about courage or not, he only knew that his happy life in Provence seemed to have 'officially' begun.

There is so much to celebrate today.

One is that Ronan and Zoe confirmed their relationship, and the other is what happened to Zoe at the Aix exhibition.

The 'Artist' of Lourmarin has officially set sail!

On such a happy day, there is a person with a sad face, drinking non-stop.

"Louis, I don't know whether you are sad for Zoe or Ronan." Alan didn't understand, but he didn't forget to enlighten Louis, "But you won't lose either of them."

"I know, I know everything." Louis forced a wry smile.

Freddy pouted and said:

"Honestly Louis, if my daughter was with Ronan, I would probably be dancing on the table happily right now. I would never be like you."

Louis waved his hand at Freddy:

"Let's drink. Drink a little more with me today. I will definitely adjust my mood tomorrow. I swear."

Old Carl raised his glass and clinked it with Louis:
"Louis, everyone has been congratulating Zoe and Ronan today, but this glass is for you."

Louis's expression finally changed, and he asked in confusion:
"Why are you congratulating me?"

I'm just a failed father who hasn't accepted that there are other men in my daughter's world.
Old Carl touched his crutch and looked at the energetic young man not far away:

"Ronan is about to open a restaurant. I have a feeling that he will take this opportunity to step out of Lourmarin and become a shining star on the big stage of Provence. Maybe the fate of Lourmarin will also change because of this. Louis, I really envy you. The union of Zoe and Ronan is a great happy event that can change the fate of your family."

(End of this chapter)