1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 214 Lourmarin will not mistreat anyone who loves him

Blanco took Ronan to a quiet lawn, from where they could see a temporary parking lot at the bottom of a gentle slope in the distance.

"A lot of people from other villages have come." Ronan squinted his eyes.

It's only 8 o'clock in the morning, and there are already dozens of cars parked on that open space. In just one or two minutes, five or six more cars drove in. I believe that later, the space may not be enough.

Blanco laughed and said:
"Sylvie printed a lot of flyers."

Ronan nodded:

"This is indeed a very good idea. Everyone likes the atmosphere of the vow-fulfilling ceremony, but not every village's vow-fulfilling ceremony is open to the public. If you spread the news, it will definitely attract many people who like to join in the fun."

He happily slammed his fist into his palm:
"What Lourmarin lacks most right now is attention. You're amazing, Blanco. You've been planning this for a long time, right?"

Judging from the speed with which the temporary playground and stage were built, this was definitely not something that was done on a whim.

Maybe it's been planned for several months.

Blanco stood with his hands behind his back, looking into the distance, with a smile on his face as comfortable as the spring breeze:
"You are the most amazing one, Ronan. Without you, how can we hold this grand ceremony?"

Ronan waved his hand and said disapprovingly:
"You said that everyone in this battle is a 'hero'. I just did what I had to do. If you knew that it might rain in a few days, wouldn't you have informed Pierre?"

"Yes, I will definitely inform Pierre." Blanc took a small step forward and walked in front of Ronan, "But I can't afford to 'call' so many people."

Ronan shrugged.

"Louis said that the harvest is not the farmers' own business. Every year, villagers will go to help. It's just that there was an emergency this year so it looks more 'united'."

Blanco turned around and looked at Ronan with a smile on his face:

"Is it really just because of an emergency?"

"Isn't it?" Ronan asked back.

Blanco looked at the villagers behind Ronan who were immersed in the festive atmosphere:
"I have lived in Lourmarin for seven years and have been the village chief for almost three years. This year's Lourmarin is completely different from previous years."

He said in a complicated tone:
"In the past, when farmers heard the news of the coming heavy rain, they would first curse the weather and then complain about their miserable fate. No matter how charismatic Pierre was, he could not mobilize the enthusiasm of every farmer. Dark clouds would arrive over Lourmarin several days in advance, and negative emotions would permeate every inch of the air. But this year, did you hear anyone complaining about the weather? Did you hear anyone cursing their miserable fate?"

Ronan also turned around and looked at the villagers who were wrapped in happiness:
"Maybe the time is too urgent, so there is no time to complain?"

"No, it's not." Blanco's magnetic voice makes people feel warm, "Because everyone loves life more and has more motivation to work harder, and all this is because of your presence."

"Me?" Ronan pointed at himself with his index finger.

Blanco smiled gently and said:

"Yes, because they have seen what the 'good life' looks like with their own eyes, and it is right next to them. Only those who work hard can be favored by the goddess of luck. You are undoubtedly the most hardworking young man in the village."

"When everyone thought that good truffle hunters could just 'lie down' for a few months and enjoy themselves, you went to the market in the spring to sell sweet and sour pork and rosé wine. When everyone thought you were already very rich and had an extremely happy life, you opened a restaurant. You also renovated the kitchen, decorated the toilet, and designed a beautiful backyard. You used your actions to tell the villagers that complaining is useless and that action is the only way to grasp happiness. You have influenced the people here invisibly."

"You're exaggerating!" Ronan felt uncomfortable listening to it.

Blanco also felt that he was a bit hypocritical:

"Okay, let's get down to business. The government has allocated some money to entertain the people who came today. Sylvet bought a lot of food. Go and see which ones you can use. They are in the temporary warehouse east of the village."

Ronan pointed in the direction of his stall and said:

“We brought our own ingredients.”

Today they still sell sweet and sour pork, rosé wine and boxed lunches.

Blanco shrugged:

"It's not for the market, it's for the 'banquet for a thousand people' in the evening."

"Banquet for a thousand people?" Ronan leaned forward.

How many parts are there in the vow-fulfilling ceremony?
Blanco smiled and said:
"Lourmarin will host friends from all over Provence for free tonight. Don't you want everyone to have a taste of Chinese food?"

Ronan's eyes suddenly widened.

A chance for everyone to have a taste of Chinese cuisine?!

Blanco pushed him gently and urged:
"Go quickly. I moved the vow-fulfilling ceremony to the end of September for your sake. We originally planned to hold it in late October or early November before your restaurant opened."

Ronan was so moved that he didn't know what to say.

Does this mean he has "borrowed" the "momentum"?
The whole village advertises his restaurant?

Blanco patted Ronan on the shoulder and left the lawn with a smile:

"I said Lourmarin would never mistreat anyone who loved him."

Ronan saw Sylvie counting the inventory in the tent on the east side of the village.

"What is a banquet for a thousand people?" The inexperienced Parisians were stunned when they saw the fruits and vegetables in this warehouse.

Sylvie opened the door curtain a little to prevent the high temperature from invading her warehouse:
"See that little stage over there? There'll be a long dining table in front of it tonight. As long as you can find a seat, you can sit down and enjoy the free food."

"Can it entertain a thousand people?" Ronan exclaimed.

Sylvie curled her lips:
"Even if it's less than a thousand, it must be at least a few hundred people. It could be more. You don't know how many flyers we have distributed recently."

"Who will cook the meal?" Ronan continued to ask.

Sylvie showed an expectant expression:

"Everyone in the village! Every household will bring their specialties here at night. Don't worry, everyone will rush to offer delicious food on the day of the vow-fulfilling ceremony. The better and richer the food, the stronger the saint's protection will be."

Ronan imagined the scene and gave a thumbs up:

"incredible!"

It turns out that France also has "buffet" ah.

Sylvie showed a look of disgust:
"The money was originally intended to subsidize the pickers who were paid a premium, but fortunately it was not given to them! It is more meaningful to spend it this way."

Then she shook her hair proudly:
"Only those big villages have 'banquets for a thousand people'. You have no idea how grand our Lourmarin is this time! Did Blanco ask you to come? He told you to take as much as you want."

Ronan ran out quickly:

"Wait for me, I'll drive there!"

Ronan went back and discussed with Luo Tianhai and decided to split the troops into two groups.

A banquet for a thousand people is like a thousand "advertising spots" and we cannot be careless.

Ronan and Zoe and Vieri who came to help were selling things at the market; Luo Tianhai, Feng Zhen and Leah were concentrating on preparing for the "banquet for a thousand people" in the evening.

Ronan originally wanted Vieri to go over there to help, while he and Zoe would be in charge here. However, he did not expect that the flow of people at the special market would be so large, almost the same as the Saturday market in Mena Village yesterday.

The three young men were busy and chattering all morning without much rest.

"You guys go play over there, I'll keep watch for a while." Seeing that there were fewer people, Ronan said to Zoe and Vieri.

Today is a day of celebration, how can we keep working here?
Vieri said disdainfully:
"I'm no longer interested in circuses and amusement parks, they're for kids. I'm more interested in making money."

Zoe said excitedly:
"You can wait until night to go shopping. It will be more fun at night."

"What's happening tonight?" Ronan asked.

Zoe raised her eyebrows:

"You'll know in the evening." "Boss, give me another serving of sweet and sour pork. One serving is not enough for our family." A customer wearing sunglasses came to the stall.

Zoe collected the money and gave the change expertly:
"Our Chinese restaurant will open soon. You can try it next time you come to Lourmarin."

"Okay." The guest agreed readily, "We'll stay in Gordes, and we'll definitely stop by for a while next time we come to Lourmarin for business."

Vieri said enthusiastically:
"You don't have to wait to get things done. It's worth the trip, I swear."

The guest laughed heartily and said:

"Boss, where did you find two such dedicated employees?"

Zoe and Vieri's hard work in promoting the restaurant paid off, with dozens of guests expressing great interest in Ronan's upcoming restaurant.

The markets in Meine and Lourmarin can only allow Ronan's publicity to reach a few nearby villages. After all, not every Provencal person will come to these two places to buy things, because Provence is too big.

The Lourmarin votive celebration successfully allowed Ronan to advertise throughout Provence, even in big cities like Aix and Apt.

“It would be great if there were large-scale events like this more often.” This was Ronan’s biggest feeling after being busy for most of the day.

The advertising effect this time was beyond imagination, and the restaurant's reputation spread to further places.

Zoe poured herself a glass of pink wine:

"There are many such activities in other villages, which will run throughout April to August, but I believe that there will be more and more similar activities in Lourmarin. This is a good start."

Ronan took Zoe's cup and took a sip:
"Of course he will. Blanco is a very ambitious man. He will definitely make Lourmarin better and better."

And Ronan, who has been "bound" to Lourmarin, will get better and better!

Vieri suddenly raised a thick stack of francs excitedly:
“I sold more at the market today than I did yesterday!”

At four o'clock in the afternoon, all the pork and boxed lunches were sold out, and only a few bottles of rosé wine were left on the stall.

Zoe poured Vieri a glass of pink wine and said to her brother in a rare gentle tone:

"Of course, today is a whole day, but the market is only half a day."

Vieri gulped down two gulps, revealing the youthful vigor that is only found in young people:
"I don't care. Anyway, our 'three-man team' has achieved impressive results today!"

Ronan hugged one in each hand and said happily:
“But today’s harvest is far from over!”

At around four o'clock, the long table in front of the stage had been set up and the first wave of guests who came to the 'banquet' were officially seated.

The 'three-person team' seamlessly went to help at the thousand-person banquet, and every time they put down a dish, they would say:
"Our Chinese restaurant will open in Lourmarin next month. If you like it, you can come and try other dishes."

Lourmarin expressed its enthusiasm to thank the friends who came from afar to attend the ceremony, and the friends who came from afar also returned the warm hospitality of Lourmarin with their enthusiasm.

"Of course, I'll definitely try it if I get a chance."

"I haven't been to Lourmarin for a long time. I found that the atmosphere here seems to have changed. I will definitely come to participate in the next event."

"Chinese restaurant? Oh, it's you! I bought your lunch boxes in Mena Village, and I was wondering how there could be two delicious Chinese restaurants in Luberon! Don't worry, I will definitely go and try it when you open!"

"It's delicious! Where is the address? Oh. It's in the commercial street over there."

The vow-fulfilling ceremony for Ronan and others began at around 6 o'clock in the evening.

Only after they delivered all the food did they have a chance to sit down and rest.

There are no fixed seats for the 'Banquet for Thousands of People', so everyone cannot sit together.

Luo Tianhai, Feng Zhen, Louis, Leah and Vieri sat next to Blanco.

Ronan and Zoe sat among a group of German tourists.

Although there was a language barrier, everyone still politely introduced themselves to each other.

Hmm. Zoe said it was 'introductions to each other', but Ronan looked at their expressions as if they were asking what the food on the table was.

Leave it alone!
In short, just be happy!

But as it got darker and we drank more and more, the language barrier became less of a problem.

Ronan and Zoe can communicate smoothly with each other through gestures and body movements. At their feet, there are several stray dogs waiting obediently for their next piece of bread or beef.

Behind these French and German "performance artists" are dozens of dancing young men and women.

A little further away, around the stage, there were older men and women immersed in popular French nostalgic songs.

In the huge circus behind everyone, the innocent laughter of children would erupt from time to time.

Lisa, who is usually shy and self-conscious, is chatting with girls of the same age about whether it is necessary to buy high heels.

Vieri discusses with a stranger what chances Olympique Marseille has of winning the next round.

Cornell and Fabian whispered about a girl's skirt being slit a little too low.

In short, no matter your age, nationality, gender, or species, you can find your own fun today.

Ronan had almost finished eating, and Zoe suggested:

"Shall we go somewhere else?"

"Okay!" The scale of the Wish Ceremony is very large, and they haven't had a good look around it today.

Surprisingly, Zoe's destination was not the carousel that girls liked, nor the circus that adults were also willing to watch, but the shooting game booths.

Ronan gave the boss 20 francs and asked Zoe with a smile:
"Isn't this what you said, something more interesting to do in the evening?"

Everyone went to eat, and the game area, which had been bustling all day, finally became quiet. It was impossible to grab a gun here during the day.

Zoe raised her eyebrows noncommittally:
"Compare with me?"

Ronan also picked up a gun:

"Am I afraid of you?"

Ronan's shooting skills are at a level that would make the Animal Protection Association applaud.

After 10 shots, I only got one participation prize.

I didn’t expect that Zoe’s skills were even worse than Ronan’s and she didn’t even get a consolation prize.

"We are really a perfect match." Ronan smiled and shook his head.

A family can’t get a 10-ring shot even if they fire 10 shots.

"Let's go and play something else." Ronan took Zoe's hand.

"No, no, no, don't go. It'll be there soon." Zoe looked at the Château de Lourmarin behind her with excitement.

Suddenly, a rapid sound of breaking through the air broke through the night sky.

Ronan looked back and found that the night sky had been torn apart by brilliant 'shooting stars'.

Then there was the sound of a series of fireworks exploding into the sky, the screams of children, the cheers of adults.
Zoe hugged Ronan and said excitedly:
"Every year during the grand ceremony, fireworks are set off in front of the Chateau de Lourmarin. When I was a little girl, my father would accompany me here to shoot guns and wait for the fireworks to start. Later, when I grew up, I no longer had this habit. This year I want to find the feeling of my childhood again. Thank you for accompanying me."

Ronan kissed her affectionately:

"I will be here with you to wait for the fireworks at every grand ceremony. You will always be my girl."

(End of this chapter)