1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 20 Continue to cooperate
Ronan had already anticipated the possible situation today, and as soon as he arrived at the market, he asked someone to go to the old tavern to call for help.

The road had been blocked for less than five minutes when Pierre and his men arrived.

What happened next was the same as what happened last week. The market soon returned to calm and no one dared to come and watch. However, the news that someone had put out a whole box of truffles had already penetrated to every corner of the Lourmarin village market from all directions.

Ronan believed that those nosy Provencal people would tell everyone they met.

"I love Provence." Ronan put the 320 francs given by the customer into his wallet and exclaimed happily.

Soon, the not-so-strong sunlight overhead was blocked by someone.

"Old rules, a glass of wine per person." Ronan looked up and said to Pierre with a smile on his face.

The smile on Pierre's face disappeared, and he lowered his head and seriously counted the truffles in the box.

Ronan kindly said:

"It's 94 yuan in total. I just sold three small ones. Now I have 3 left."

Pierre asked with a distorted expression:
"Goddess of Luck has moved into your house?"

Don't tell me this is luck!
Too exaggerated?
"Some of these were dug up last week. I was worried about what happened just now, so I only took out a portion of them to sell last week. So my judgment was correct—" Ronan shrugged with a fake smile, "This will indeed cause trouble, fortunately I have you!"

He made up lies at random, and at the same time reminded himself that the truffles must not be sold at the same time, and participating in other markets was urgent.

Pierre knew Ronan was lying, but there was nothing he could do.

Even he wanted to be Ronan's younger brother.
my Lord!
How much is ninety-odd truffles?

Ronan is about to join the ranks of the rich!
After the market was over, Ronan touched the 18800 francs in his wallet and fell into an uncontrollable fantasy.

With a weekly income of 1 francs, the income for the whole month of February is about 8 francs, which can pay off at least one-third of his loan!

There was even plenty of money left to replace the windows and purchase heating!
In March we started work on house renovation and re-waterproofing in preparation for the upcoming rainy season.

I will buy new furniture for my house in April so that I can bring my parents over before the most beautiful season in Provence. By the way, I also need to replace the toilet because the current one is horrible.

In May, we started designing our backyard and digging a big pool for swimming in the hot weather.
June
July
Ronan clenched his fists excitedly.

He can expect to be lying in a clean, beautiful big house at that time, and hear his [happiness] increasing continuously in his ears!
Happy, so happy!

But before that, the first thing to solve is
He looked at Zoe, who happened to be looking at him as well.

"Would you like to have dinner together?" the two people asked almost at the same time.

Then they laughed at the same time.

Mrs. Chelsea was used to Ronan and Zoe coming here for lunch every Friday, and she had reserved the seat for them every time.

Zoe pushed the menu to Ronan:
"I always order the same few dishes. You can order one today."

Ronan opened the menu and asked:
"I wanted to ask you before, why do you order the same dish every time?"

Zoe tilted her head:
"I'm a very picky eater. I don't like many things other than the food my mom cooks."

Ronan looked up at her and said with a smile:
"Then you must try Chinese food. Chinese food is very suitable for people who don't eat well." "Okay." Zoe was not averse to new food and was even a little looking forward to it. She had never eaten any Chinese food before.

Ronan wanted to say, I'll cook it for you when we get together at my house, but then he thought that with his family's conditions, it was still a long way from being able to host a Provence-style party, so he said:
"I'll take you to a party someday."

Zoe nodded and talked about the topic she was concerned about:
"You're selling so many truffles in Lourmarin at once, it's too eye-catching. Have you ever thought about participating in more markets, or going to markets with more traffic?"

Ronan didn't expect Zoe to have the same idea as him. He invited Zoe to dinner today just for this matter. He said excitedly:
“I’ve thought about it, but I don’t know how to participate in other markets.”

Zoe lowered her head and thought for a moment, then said:
"I know the management of the weekend market in Mena Village and can run it there."

Seeing that Ronan was about to say thank you, Zoe pressed down her palm, signaling him not to rush:
"Can I take your car and go with you every week? Actually, I have considered applying for a stall in Mena Village a long time ago, but there are many things to consider if I go alone. It would be much better to have someone to accompany me. We can open two stalls."

Ronan could sense the embarrassment in Zoe's tone.

Sharing a stall with Ronan has significantly increased Zoe's income. If she continues to set up a stall with Ronan under the pretext of helping to apply for a stall in Mena Village, people will inevitably think that she wants to continue to "freeload", so she deliberately emphasizes the two stalls.

Zoe is a straightforward person. She doesn't want the issue of interests to become a thorn between the two of them, so she chooses to take the initiative to raise it and resolve it.

"The local people in Provence have many concerns about attending the market in Mena Village. As a 'foreigner' who has just been in Provence for a month, I have even more concerns about going to Mena Village. We should continue to set up stalls together so that we can help each other if something goes wrong." Ronan said seriously.

There is no Pierre in the village of Mena to protect him everywhere.

In France in 1986, there was no "Chinese cheating Chinese" phenomenon. Chinese people attached great importance to the "grouping together for warmth" effect, and they would only do things with familiar fellow countrymen.

This example may be a bit exaggerated, but the truth is that the two of them should not have been separated when they first arrived in Mena Village.

"Are you still a foreigner? You can't be 'Provence' anymore" Zoe complained quietly, looking down.

She was still hesitant and began to understand Ronan's previous feelings.

No wonder the first thing he did when he had money was to buy a car. It turns out that the party being helped would have such great psychological pressure.

And this was not as simple as just lending her a car to help, Ronan brought her real money.

How can I repay his kindness when we are not related at all?

Seeing Zoe's frown on her face, almost tearing the almond cake apart, Ronan continued:
"The truffle picking season ends in March, so there's no need for me to apply for a separate stall. It's just right for us to use one."

Zoe thought about it again and again, and came up with a plan that she thought would help Ronan:
"During this period, I will learn more about the participation methods and business conditions of the markets in other villages besides Mena Village. Feel free to contact me when you need it in the future, and I will help you apply."

Ronan started a truffle business in Provence within a month, which even the locals couldn't handle. He will definitely do bigger things in the future. She will find out the business information of all the villages in Provence to help Ronan.

Ronan raised his glass:

“I’m so lucky to be able to work with reliable people.”

This is exactly what Ronan needs!

Zoe raised her glass and clinked it with Ronan's, her light blue eyes full of joy.

(End of this chapter)