1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 193 Just do it!
Batty's carefully designed 'honey trap' for Ronan turned into an industry discussion because of Ronan's status as Zoe's boyfriend.

While drinking, everyone talked about the hardships they had experienced in their artistic careers and the painful and dark days, and secretly vowed to continue on this path unswervingly.

As a family representative, Ronan gave them encouragement and thoughtful advice - persistence is valuable, but don't act on your own.

Our Zoe does particularly well in this regard, but it's too tiring. She has to pursue art and balance life at the same time. It's so hard, and I feel so sorry for her.

In short, Ronan mentioned Zoe's name every other sentence and became the number one "fan".

That night, before Hedeli had time to call Zoe, Zoe called first.

"How was your day, Ronan?"

Zoe didn't know Batty's home phone number, so if she wanted to know about Ronan, she could only call Hedeli.

Hedeli joked about her old schoolmates:
"You start missing him after not seeing him for just one day?"

Zoe didn't say no, but continued to ask:

"Is he learning well?"

Hedeli smiled and said:
"It went very smoothly. You are a genius. Finding a boyfriend is also a genius. I really admire you."

After Hedelli finished talking about Batty's evaluation of Ronan and Ronan's learning progress, Zoe asked half-doubtfully:
"Is this true? You're not saying these nice things to make me happy, are you?"

Ronan actually has a talent for weaving?

How come I haven't discovered it?
Hedeli pretended to be angry and said:
"Am I that boring? If you don't believe me, forget it. I'm going to make a chair for your boyfriend."

"Then you go ahead and do your work. I'll go get the filling too." Zoe felt relieved knowing that Ronan was fine.

Before hanging up the phone, Hedeli said one more sentence:
"Zoe, you found a very good boyfriend. Congratulations."

He has a good personality, good looks, understands his girlfriend's career, and loves her very much. Zoe has "waited" for so many years, and it is completely worth it.

There was an obvious smile in Zoe's voice, the same tone as when Ronan mentioned Zoe in the afternoon:
"Thank you, Hedeli."

In the next few days, Batti did not arrange any social activities and focused on teaching Ronan his craft.

He could see that Ronan wanted to return to Lourmarin as soon as possible, and that he was indeed a quick learner, so there was no point in wasting time.

The two of them sat in the yard for the entire day, and sometimes they stopped to rest for a while when their stomachs growled.

"Aren't you hungry?" Ronan asked aggrievedly, "I started to feel hungry two hours ago, and I have been waiting for you."

They had breakfast at 7 o'clock in the morning, and it's already past 12 o'clock.

The 'teacher' showed no intention of stopping, so the 'student' could only endure it. But now he really couldn't bear it anymore, and he would faint if he didn't eat anymore.

Batty swung the cane a few times:

"Of course I'll be hungry, but not yet."

Ronan shook his head and walked into the kitchen:
"I'll make something simple and it'll be ready to eat soon."

Ten minutes later, Ronan came out with a simple country sandwich and olives in oil:
"time to eat."

Batty didn't look up and continued working on what he was doing.

That was his 'graduation gift' to Ronan - a rattan gourd, which he asked Ronan to put in the restaurant.

Ronan called out three times before Batty heard:
"So fast? Thank you for your hard work!"

Although he said that, he did not let go of the vines.

Ronan took a bite of his sandwich and urged him:

"Eat first, and then we'll do it after you're done."

Batty was so absorbed in what he was doing that the noise outside the yard did not bother him at all.

He seems to have a controllable switch. Once he devotes himself to something, he will ignore all external information. This switch is not only turned on when he is working, but also when he is talking to women.

What a strange man.

Batty took a bite of the sandwich and said indistinctly:

“I have no desire to eat.”

Yes, yes, yes, you have given your desires to other things. Ronan complained in his heart.

But he still said with concern:
"You should pay more attention to your diet. You are too thin."

Ronan had reasonable reasons to suspect that Batty's 'sickness' and 'absurd thinness' were caused by irregular diet.

He didn't seem to eat much and would go out when he was hungry.

Batty said indifferently:
"I will eat when I am hungry, but I am not hungry often."

He seemed not to want to continue this topic and asked Ronan:
"When are you leaving?"

Batti has taught Ronan many weaving methods and production techniques, which are enough to cope with the needs of opening a restaurant.

Maybe today is the day of separation?
Ronan thought for a moment:
"Tomorrow, we'll go back to Lourmarin in the morning."

Batty said with a forced smile:

"Actually, I have nothing to teach you this afternoon unless you want to go with me to see the beauties."

Ronan asked back with an embarrassed expression:
"I haven't kept you busy these days, have I?"

Batty nervously explained:
"No, of course not! You know, those girls are not very enthusiastic about me. I just feel that the house is too quiet, but I have been very happy during the few days you have been here."

Ronan smiled and said:
"Then I'll stay one more day."

Batty's expression became interesting:
"I'll introduce you to a few more 'friends' this afternoon?"

Ronan finished the sandwich in a few bites:

"I'll buy some ingredients this afternoon, and we'll make a good meal tonight."

These past few days I only ate when I was extremely hungry, and I mainly cooked quickly and in a very sloppy manner.

This doesn't fit with his identity as a 'restaurateur'.

And Ronan also wanted to make a formal dinner for Batty to give him some "replenishment". Batty was really too thin. "I'll go with you." Batty said excitedly.

How can I let guests cook for every meal?

Ronan was so scared that he shook his head repeatedly:

"No, no, no, you don't need to. You should go and look at the beauties."

The sadness of parting was diluted by the sumptuous meal prepared by Ronan.

That night, Batistuta and Ronan drank happily until the early morning, talking about their dreams, the future, and their sincere wishes for each other.

Although this "master-disciple relationship" was short-lived, they both left a deep impression on each other.

The next morning, Ronan left Batty's house and headed back to Lourmarin.

Batty handed the rattan gourd to Ronan:
"I wish your restaurant business will be prosperous. I will go to Lourmarin if I have the chance."

Ronan happily accepted the gift:

"If you come to Lourmarin, I will gather all my friends to entertain you."

He knew Batty was a lively guy.

It just so happens that Ronan has many friends.

"A beautiful lady?" Batty's eyes lit up.

Ronan laughed and said:

"A bunch of big, burly guys."

Batty waved goodbye to Ronan:
"Let's go, be careful on the road."

Ronan also raised his gourd and waved to Batty:

"I left a present for you, too."

Batty: “?”

Batty found a 'gift' Ronan left for him in the kitchen - several recipes.

There was also a small note placed with the gift:

"When something you are not interested in is combined with something you are interested in, it will make a big difference in the world. I swear that as long as you strictly follow the recipe I give you, you will definitely find a 'friend' who is willing to eat with you. I hope you can fall in love with eating and learn to love yourself."

Batty excitedly waved his bony arms:

"Damn it Ronan, I started missing you as soon as you left!"

Ronan was only away from Lourmarin for five days, but when he came back it was very different.

There were many people handing out flyers on the main street, and many tourists appeared on the originally deserted commercial street - it turned out that several shops had opened during the time he was away.

Four of the nine successful shops opened this week, including Thomas's stoneware shop, two shops run by villagers from Lourmarin, and Gabriel's candy shop.

According to Cotillard, Ronan missed the "grand" opening ceremony of the candy store. It is said that Gabriel invited many big names from Provence, and the atmosphere was even more lively than the day of handing over the keys.

Ronan didn't care about the opening ceremony. He was concerned about more practical issues:

“How’s the customer flow?”

Cotillard’s shop hasn’t opened yet, so she can’t explain it clearly:

"Ask Thomas later. He seems to be very busy these days."

As the afternoon drew to a close, Thomas finally had some time to come out and chat with his friends.

"How are sales?" asked Cotillard.

Thomas shook his head.
“Not very good, not as much as expected.”

Cotillard frowned and asked:
“Is it because of the decrease in tourists?”

The large number of tourists in Provence will leave completely at the end of August. Although it is not the end of August yet, perhaps the number is gradually decreasing?
Thomas said seriously:
"I'm afraid it has nothing to do with this. The number of tourists visiting the Château de Lourmarin and the old church is not much less. I think the main problem is that the reputation of the commercial street is not well known, so many tourists don't come here."

Cotillard stamped his feet in frustration.

Thomas's store, which opened this week, isn't doing very well, and her store, which will open next week, will only do worse.

Ronan looked even worse than Cotillard.

If this is the case for those opening in August, won’t those opening in October be even worse?

Back home, Ronan called Gabriel to ask about his business.

Gabriel said that the traffic on the opening day was okay, but that was probably related to his grand opening ceremony. The sales after the first day were not ideal. He is currently adjusting his business strategy in an effort to change the status quo.

After hanging up the phone, Ronan sighed helplessly.

There was no good news today, just bad news one after another, making him feel heavy-hearted.

It seems that there is no hope of counting on external traffic, at least not this year.

If you want to break the impasse, you can only rely on yourself.

He put on an apron and joined Luo Tianhai and Feng Zhen in the kitchen:

"Other shops on the commercial street are not doing well. Our hopes are all on 'boxed lunches'. This is the most important thing for us in the next month or so."

Luo Tianhai smiled and said without even raising his head:
"We should also sell lunch boxes well regardless of other people's business ideals. Don't think about those things. Just do your own business well."

Feng Zhen said briskly:

"Keep calm, son. You can do a lot in a month. We can't sell out tomorrow in Lourmarin!"

A smile finally appeared on Ronan's face again.

Family is his biggest motivation.

Why do you think so much?
Just do it and it’s done!
(End of this chapter)