1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 181 The "happy" vacation begins!

Ronan was not sure whether upgrading [Cooking] would be able to achieve his desired goal, because no one could predict what the next level of ability would be, [Collection] being an example.

However, he really needs to improve his cooking skills as soon as possible. Don't forget that Mr. Jacques' advice to Ronan was to participate in a cooking competition in Provence to promote the reputation of Chinese food and the restaurant.

Luo Tianhai is good at running a restaurant, but he may still be some distance away from being able to participate in the competition. Ronan is certainly even worse off now.

He judged that he would need to upgrade [Cooking] to at least level 5 to be eligible to participate in the competition, and it might be necessary to upgrade it to higher level.

But what is the current progress?
[Level 3 Construction: 0\2000]

[Level 4 Planting: 0\5000]

[Level 3 Collection: 0\2000]

[Level 3 Cooking: 0\2000]

[Level 1 Fishing: 0\100]

[Level 1 Hunting: 0\100]

[Level 1 Brewing: 0\100]

[Level 1 Pottery: 0\100]

[Level 1 Glass Burning: 0\100]

[Level 1 weaving: 0\100]

[Usable experience: 1496]

In fact, Ronan is now gaining [Happiness] much faster than before.

You gain experience by eating meals cooked by your parents, eating with your parents, taking a drive, and interacting closely with Zoe. These are all new ways to gain [Happiness], and new ways are constantly emerging.

7月下旬把【种植】升到4级时剩下577点【幸福度】，现在8月上旬多出来了近1000点，放到几个月前1000点要存一个多月呢。

"But I still need more [happiness]." Ronan lay on the bed, looking at the light blue subtitles in front of him and muttered softly.

After making furniture for more than a week, it's time to give myself a small 'vacation'.

Soon Ronan smiled and closed his eyes:

"I wonder if Zoe is interested in going to another village to practice driving?"

Traveling can make people happy, traveling with a girlfriend can make people happier, and traveling hand in hand with a girlfriend can make people happier!
Cotillard took away more than 20 plates and cups from Zoe's house and paid her about 11000 francs. Together with the income from the 13 works at the glass exhibition, Zoe earned more than 2 francs in less than a month, and her earning ability was almost the same as Ronan's.

Now that she has money, Zoe can devote more energy to creating art, and the corresponding production materials also need to be upgraded.

"When are you going to Roussillon to buy ochre pigment?" Ronan went to Zoe's house for dinner that night and asked about her itinerary.

Zoe said the other day that she was going to Roussillon.

It was one of several Luberon villages that Ronan had always wanted to visit, and he planned to go with Zoe.

"The day after tomorrow morning. Dad won't have time until the day after tomorrow." Zoe said lightly.

Zoe has had her driver's license for three years, but she rarely has the opportunity to drive. In the past, she needed to bring a lot of equipment with her to Mena Village and Sorg Island, and Louis or other villagers almost always took her there. Later, she got a "full-time driver" Ronan, so she had even fewer opportunities to drive.

However, she is seizing every opportunity to practice driving recently, hoping to be able to drive long distances independently as soon as possible, but she needs someone to accompany her in the car.

"Don't bother Louis. I'll go with you." Ronan said with a smile, "I'll be your escort."

Zoe asked unexpectedly:

"No need to rush?"

Ronan waved his knife and fork slightly:
"Come and help me as soon as you have time. The progress will be much faster. We can definitely finish those tables and chairs within the construction period. And you need to combine work and rest. You can't just work in a daze all the time."

Ronan now has a set of professional mechanical equipment and a capable assistant, which greatly improves his efficiency.

"Okay then." Zoe agreed happily.

Practicing driving with Ronan is definitely more interesting than practicing driving with my dad.

The young couple hit it off immediately, but Louis tried his best to stop them:
"I'll go with Zoe. She still needs practice."

"I'll practice with Zoe." Ronan said to Zoe proudly, "Let's go in a convertible."

Every time Ronan takes Zoe for a ride in the DS19, he gains a lot of [Happiness]. He guesses he should also gain some if Zoe drives him.

Let's not drive your father's broken car anymore, let's drive a nice one!

“Well—” Zoe hesitated, “You’d better not drive your car.”

"Why?" Ronan asked in surprise. Don't you like taking a ride in DS19?
Zoe lowered her head and tucked the loose hair behind her ears:

"I'm not very skilled yet, what if I bump into something?"

Ronan waved his hand 'indifferently':

"Aren't bumpers installed to protect against bumps and bruises? It's okay."

Louis looked at Ronan with a complicated expression:

"Have you ever ridden in a car driven by Zoe?"

Ronan nodded:

"Sit once."

Louis' expression became more complicated:
"When?"

Ronan recalled:
"In March, I bought a set of woodworking tools from Isle de Sorgue. Zoe drove me from my home to here to see her woodworking workshop."

Ronan probably guessed the reason why Louis was struggling and hesitating, and continued to add:
"We are not in a hurry, it's okay to drive slowly."

Ronan's house and Louis' house are only a 10-minute walk away, but it took Zoe about 6 or 7 minutes to drive there. But for a novice, slowness doesn't matter. The most important thing is safety.

Louis looked at Zoe for a few seconds, hesitantly, and finally said to Ronan:
"Zoe is driving faster now than before."

Not having to rush Louis, Zoe and Ronan set off early the next morning.

Roussillon is surrounded by mountains, and the roads along the way are all difficult to travel. Considering that the 30-kilometer mountain road may take a lot of time, Ronan arrived at Zoe's house before 8 o'clock.

Zoe went out and found Ronan sitting in a bright yellow convertible sports car. She asked in a 'reproachful' way:
"Why did you drive this car?"

Ronan moved from the driver's seat to the co-pilot seat, patted the back of the seat and said:
"A beautiful date certainly requires a beautiful car, especially with such a beautiful lady."

Zoe hesitated for a moment, but still opened the car door, sat down and asked:

"Is this car the same brand as Dad's?"

"Yes, they are all Citroën, and the operation is basically the same." Ronan pointed at the dashboard and explained to her, "But this is different, I modified it--"

Halfway through his words, Ronan was thrown back into his seat by the huge force pushing him back, and the rest of the words flew in the wind and were left in Louis' yard.

"Honey, you're driving too fast." Ronan frantically groped around, looking for the seat belt.

God, he kept his seatbelt.

Ronan could never have imagined that he would use something that the people of Provence didn't need in a "wild land" like Luberon.

Zoe's expression was as calm as if she was driving a rocking car, but the question she asked made Ronan even more nervous:
"You put your right foot on the brake, right?"

Ronan looked at the ever-increasing speed on the dashboard and said with a pale face:

"Yes, the roads in the village are narrow, don't drive so fast."

"Okay." Zoe's tone was obedient, but the car rushed out at a faster speed, lifting up a large area of the skirt of a pedestrian on the roadside.

Ronan held the handle and shouted:

"Slow down, slow down!"

Zuo smiled embarrassedly:
"Forgot the accelerator is also on the right foot"

Ronan screamed:

"God!"

Zoe calmly comforted Ronan:
"Although I'm not very skilled at walking, I have good control over the steering wheel and won't bump into anything easily."

As she said this, she performed a 'quick turn' for Ronan.

Ronan yelled even louder.

Zoe's clear and sweet laughter echoed in the village of Lourmarin:
"Your car is much easier to drive than my dad's. I didn't even step on the accelerator and it went so fast."

A few curious villagers ran out of their homes and spoke enviously as they watched the bright yellow car driving away.

"Ronan is out for a spin with Zoe again."

"It was Zoe who drove Ronan this time."

"Ronan, this lucky guy, must be very happy, right?"

(End of this chapter)