1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 218 The Importance of Reputation and Fame in Provence

The appeal of retro guns to Ronan is undoubtedly huge.

Once you have seen the charm of retro guns, you will never be able to look at normal guns again.

Was your former owner famous?

Do you have a history that you can tell a story about?

Do you have the background?
This is Provence, which values the depth and heritage of history the most.
Especially when Ronan found out that a person could own 7 rifles and 9 rifles, and that the real meaning of hunting was not to hit the prey, but to have fun, he could no longer give up the idea of displaying a few retro guns at home.

But Gabriel's 'gift' was too valuable.

If you accept it, how can you give a "return"?

Ronan couldn't give away anything as valuable as two vintage guns.

Considering Ronan's possible doubts, Gabriel brought his own 'answer' when he visited the next day.

Appearing with him was a tall and thin man who had a very similar temperament to Batty, but he was a 'silenced' version.

"This is the friend Marini I mentioned to you." Gabriel introduced the two people. "Marini, this is the amazing guy who can help you join the association, Ronan."

Ronan politely extended his hand to Marini:

"Hello."

Marini gently held Ronan's hand and made the first sound since his appearance to prove that he was not mute:
"Hello."

"Let's go to the backyard." Ronan led the two guests. "The last time Gabriel came to my house, the backyard hadn't been cleaned up yet."

Gabriel put his arm around Ronan's shoulders and said happily:
"Go and show me the beautiful backyard that Thomas and Cotillard mentioned, which is as beautiful as any hotel in Aix."

Gabriel is no ordinary man.

He has seen all kinds of beautiful scenery, delicious food, and interesting women.

The reason why he showed such enthusiasm was because of the person next to him.

After the three of them sat down, the candy king of Apte quickly stated the purpose of his visit:

"Ronan, I still hope to get Marini to join the association. Can you help me?"

If Ronan didn't know that Gabriel had a son and a daughter and was happily married, he would have suspected that there was some improper relationship between the two.

Well, although having both sons and daughters and a happy marriage doesn’t mean that there is nothing wrong, why be so obsessed?
"What can joining the association bring to Marini?" Ronan wanted to ask Gabriel last time.

Is Marini going to open a shop too?
I also hope that these important figures in Provence can come and show their support?
Marini was not good at speaking, so he answered Gabriel's question:

"Marini is my childhood playmate. He is a great sculptor, but the art industry is not a 'broad road' that can be built on money alone, at least not in Provence."

Gabriel explained to Ronan in a more understandable way:

“I spent 5 francs to buy Marini’s work, but I can’t make his work still worth 5 francs at the next auction. But if a big shot makes a few good comments on his work at the auction, then maybe Marini’s work will be worth 6 later.”

He shook the pink wine in his hand bitterly:
“In Provence, reputation and fame are more important than the quality of the product itself, and our beloved rosé wine is the perfect example of this.”

Ronan frowned and asked:
"You hope to gain some prestige by having Marini go to the association?"

Gabriel nodded:
"Yes, our association has people from all walks of life. I think it's a good place to gain fame. At the same time, I am recommending Marini to join other similar organizations that I am familiar with."

Ronan smacked his lips and said:

"I understand, but I think the gains are not proportional to the effort you put into this. This is just your ideal state. Whether it is helpful or not remains to be verified."

Ronan said it very well.

He felt that Gabriel was a little desperate.

Joining the association might help Marni's career a little, but the impact would be insignificant given the number of people in the association.

It would be better to create more works instead of spending this time on this.

But Gabriel disagreed and said:
"It didn't take much effort. It just cost a little money. Ines is too strict and there's no way to make concessions. Other organizations and associations can buy a place for 2 francs at most."

The pink wine in Ronan's mouth almost sprayed out of his nostrils.

2 francs. Is that a 'little' amount of money?

And you spent several 'little bits'?!

Ronan once again looked at the taciturn Marini.

Damn it. Could there really be something going on between these two?

At this point, Gabriel finally remembered what he was going to do today:
"Look at the opening gift I prepared for you!"

He took the box he brought with him to the table and said calmly:
"You just got your license this year, so you do need some time to get familiar with it. So I brought you two 'small toys'. I'll give you a 'big toy' next year."

The box opened, revealing two beautifully shaped pistols.

Then Gabriel began to tell its story:
"This is a pair of mid-18th century French pistols, dating from around 1750. They were originally flintlock configurations, but were later updated to percussion ignition systems in the early 19th century, which shows that they have been in use for hundreds of years, unlike other vintage guns. I have inspected them and they are in very good condition."

He showed Ronan the part of the gun barrel:
"The 8-inch long octagonal barrel has gold inlays and the barrel caliber is approximately 0.63 inches."

Gabriel showed the buttstock and the gun again:
"A burled wood stock, also decorated with metal, and the name of the maker is engraved on the gun - Joseph La Motte."

Then he pushed two guns in front of Ronan:

"They are yours now. I wish your restaurant a great success and all the best!"

The French had no habit of refusing gifts, but this time Ronan had to push the gun back awkwardly:

"This gift is too valuable."

The people of Provence are warm and direct. Gabriel said frankly:

"If you think it's valuable, help me get Marini into our association."

"But this is not something I can accomplish just by working hard." Ronan said anxiously, "You must know Ines better than I do. She has already refused twice. Will she agree if I ask her again?"

"But Ines values you!" Gabriel lowered his voice, "Especially because of your relationship with Astrid."

"What's my relationship with Astrid?!" Ronan was eager to distance himself from her. Gabriel signaled Ronan to calm down:
"It doesn't matter if it doesn't work. This is my opening gift to you."

He suddenly patted Ronan's arm solemnly:

"I have nothing but money. If I can use the money to help my friends, I will be very happy. And I also want to make you my friend."

"We are already friends, Gabriel."

"No, no, no, not close enough. I hope these two guns can make us real friends, not the kind of Thomas and Cotillard."

"We are already close friends, please believe me!" Ronan held Gabrielle's hand.

I, Ronan, have made up my mind to be your friend who has nothing but money!

"Then take these two guns!" Gabriel put his hand on Ronan's hand again.

"I--"

"Okay, Gabriel..." Marini said bitterly, "You have helped me a lot. In fact, it is my own problem. My work is not good enough. Even if I know more people, it will not help."

Ronan was startled.

I almost forgot there's someone else here.

It turns out you can say so many words at once?

Gabriel explained to Ronan awkwardly:
"Marini becomes talkative when he drinks."

Ronan looked at the empty bottle of pink wine and nodded silently.

Marini drank a lot while he and Gabriel talked.

It seems that you really like pink wine.
Sure enough, rosé is a 'hot trend' among artists.

If you want to create a good rosé wine atmosphere for the restaurant, you still have to find ways from these people.

Gabriel persuaded his friend:

"Don't think like that, Marini. Works and fame can push you to success. The previous path didn't work, so now you're just changing your mindset. The times are progressing, and the way an 'artist' develops must also change."

Marini smiled and shook his head:

"No, that's not it. It's my problem. There is no shortage of new artists in this era, but it's not me."

Marini's words reminded Ronan of the time when he was drinking with those young female artists in Valensole.

He was inspired to say:
“This road is very difficult, but never give up.”

Marini encouraged himself:

"Of course I won't give up. I plan to go to Aix to study for a while and see the latest trends there. Maybe the artistic trend in Europe has changed again."

Gabriel asked worriedly:
"When are you going to Aix? I'm going there this weekend, can I take you with me?"

Marini asked his friend:

"What are you doing in Aix?"

Gabriel showed a respectful look:

"Mr. Thuram's little daughter is having a coming-of-age ball."

"Thuram? The owner of the Provence tourism empire?" Marini seemed familiar with the name.

Gabriel nodded:
"Yes, it is him. Mr. Thuram also owns shares in Airbus."

Ronan had never heard of the Mr. Thuram they were talking about, but he was very familiar with Airbus.

The aircraft manufacturing and research and development company is headquartered in Toulouse, Provence.

Marini asked in surprise:
"Mr. Thuram invited you?"

Gabriel shrugged awkwardly:

"Of course not. I also paid for connections."

Okay, everyone understands.

Marini took another sip of the pink wine:

"I may have to go to Aix a little later, but now that you mentioned it, I find that our two purposes of going to Aix are really connected. The Granet Museum in Aix participated in the design of Mr. Thuram's daughter's coming-of-age ceremony. The work that will be given to his baby daughter will be displayed in the museum for 10 days. I plan to go and take a look."

"That must be a fine work of art," said Gabriel in a longing tone.

"Yes, I heard that it was her daughter's favorite mermaid shape." Marini recalled what he heard, and then said enviously, "It must have been done by a great master."

Ronan, who had been silent for a long time, shouted excitedly:

"That's right! It must have been done by a great artist, no, a great master!"

"Of course, that's the coming-of-age ceremony for Mr. Thuram's daughter." Gabriel also emphasized.

Ronan became even more excited:
"Yes! That's Mr. Thuram's daughter's coming-of-age ceremony!!"

Marini said in a complicated tone:
"It is not yet known which lucky person will get this job. The Granet Museum has not disclosed the news, but this will definitely add a brilliant experience to that person's artistic career."

Isn't this exactly the reputation and fame that Provencal artists need?

Gabriel said calmly:
"I'll help you find out over the weekend, but it must be an old artist with decades of experience. Only someone with experience can attract Mr. Thuram to hand over such an important task."

"Oh, no, no, don't say that, she will be unhappy." Ronan suddenly laughed.

"Do you know that artist?" Marini asked curiously.

Ronan finished the wine in his glass and said calmly:
"My girlfriend did it."

Red liquid spurted out of Gabriel and Marini's nostrils at the same time.

(End of this chapter)