1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 22: The Infinite Possibilities of Truffle Business

The dinner in Provence was long, but Ronan, who had been squatting all day, just wanted to find a soft, warm place to lie down.

Seeing that everyone's topic turned to football and sports, Ronan lay down on the sofa with a legitimate reason, saying that he had "leg pain and back pain".

"Comfortable."

Anyone who has tried it will know how comfortable it is to lie down after eating and drinking.

He stretched himself and suddenly found Zoe in the living room.

Ronan quickly sat up and frantically tidied up his clothes and exposed belly which were messy from stretching too much.

Zoe pretended not to notice:

"My feet hurt for a week when I went into the mountains with my dad for the first time. I tried every possible way to find excuses not to go to school for three consecutive days. I can understand how important the sofa is to you at this moment."

What I mean is, just continue lying down, I understand.

Ronan didn't dare lie down again, but changed to a comfortable reclining position:

"Why are you here too?"

Zoe also nestled comfortably in the soft sofa:

"No one left early before, but now you have opened up a new situation, so of course I want to enjoy this treatment."

Ronan quickly figured out the hidden meaning behind Zoe's tone.

The participants of the party were Louis' circle of friends, not Zoe's, so she always participated as a bystander and had no interest.

After a long time, it is inevitable to get bored.

This can be confirmed by the fact that she rarely speaks at parties.

France is a country that attaches great importance to family relationships. Most children will not leave their parents before starting their own family. This situation is even more common in Provence.

"Next time there is a party at home, just go find your friends," Ronan suggested.

Zoe sighed silently:

“I went to university in Nice and all my friends were there.”

Ronan smiled widely:

"Am I not your friend?"

Zoe also laughed and pointed to the restaurant behind them where people were chatting animatedly:

"You belong here."

She did not deny Ronan's words. In fact, Ronan was indeed a peer of her age whom she was relatively familiar with in the village.

In the future, the two of them will go to other villages to set up stalls together, and their relationship will become more familiar.

Ronan raised his eyebrows noncommittally:

"more than."

Provence is a place full of different circles.

The business circle of Louis, Alan, Freddy and others.

A circle of farmers centered around Pierre.

The circle of wealthy people represented by Lucas.
If Ronan wants to get along here, he must create his own circle.

In particular, his ambitions are not limited to the village of Lourmarin.

Zoe nodded silently.

That’s good. Boys should have ambition.

"It's an honor to be included in your 'social circle.'" Zoe smiled sweetly, her shoulders swaying slightly.

"You are the first one." Ronan also laughed.

"Does anyone need a post-dinner drink?" Leah suddenly spoke from behind the two of them, shocking Ronan into speaking in his accent:
"I go!"

Zoe covered her chest with her right hand, turned around in shock and asked:
"Mom, when did you stand here?"

The party finally ended at 9:30 in the evening.

Theo's house was in the same direction as Ronan's, and they were followed by Lucas who just wanted to take a stroll.

Lucas was as friendly and enthusiastic as ever towards Ronan:

“All the truffles dug out are sold at the market?”

"Yes." Ronan replied calmly.

"How much is it?" Lucas continued to ask.

"2000 francs per kilogram." Ronan asked about the price and it was very reasonable.

Lucas put his hands behind his back and looked off into the distance:
"These truffles dug from Luberon are sold by small vendors and middlemen all the way to the restaurant kitchen, and their value may have doubled. In three-star restaurants or some extremely expensive delicatessens in Paris, a kilogram of truffles can be sold for at least 6000 francs."

"Is the price difference so big?" This surprised Ronan a little.

"It's far more than that. It's generally recognized that truffles from Perigueux are the most delicious and more expensive," Lucas sneered, "but more than 50% of the truffles labeled 'from Perigueux' come from other provinces."

Ronan looked at him in confusion, wanting to know the purpose of Lucas saying this.

Lucas became excited and spoke to Ronan enthusiastically, as if he was giving a speech:
"There are too many traps in the truffle trade. We wild mushroom diggers can only get a small share of the profits. If we want to make more money upstream, we must form a scale. I have the best dog, and you have great skills. How about we work together?"

Lucas saw endless possibilities in the truffle business, but as a wild mushroom digger, he was too powerless. It felt like a naked beauty posing in front of you, but you can only watch.

But Ronan's appearance aroused his hope!
His ability alone is not enough, what if he adds an equally powerful Ronan?
Why don't we join hands and make more money?
Theo's blood boiled with excitement at his brother's words.

more money?

Lucas is already rich!
What will the higher numbers be like?
He also looked at Ronan expectantly.

If you want to expand, you will need manpower. As Lucas's younger brother and Ronan's good friend, he is definitely the first choice.

Otherwise, my brother would not choose to talk about this in front of him!

Ronan's calmness contrasts sharply with the brothers' passion:
"let me consider it."

"What else is there to consider? No matter how rich you are, you shouldn't complain about having too much money, right?" Lucas faced Ronan, walked backwards, and danced with his hands.

Ronan smiled and patted his shoulder, asking him to calm down:
"I just said I was considering it, I didn't refuse."

Lucas is right, the possibilities in the truffle market are endless.

But Lucas was wrong again. Dogs can be replaced, but his skills cannot.

Ronan has too many paths to choose from, and he doesn't necessarily need to cooperate with him. Besides, this year's truffle picking season is about to end. In the future, he wants to find other ways to make money and doesn't intend to hang himself on one rope.

And how easy is it to be his 'partner'?

Lucas continued talking for a while, and Ronan listened silently, saying very little, seeming to be thinking all the time.

When they reached the fork in the road, he waved to the two brothers:

"I will definitely think about it carefully."

Lucas stopped where he was, looking at Ronan's departing back with a complicated expression.

Theo was afraid that his proud brother would be dissatisfied with Ronan's performance tonight, so he took the initiative to excuse his good friend:
"Ronan is a very direct guy, but he is not a bad person and is someone you can trust."

After a few seconds, Lucas retracted his gaze and said to Theo seriously:
"Do you think I'm angry about his performance tonight? Theo, you have to remember that pride and self-esteem are worthless in the face of money."

"What should we do next?" Theo asked stupidly.

Ronan's attitude was very hesitant. Should he just wait like this?

Lucas showed a confident smile:
"Mother Earth taught us that you will reap what you sow. When you have completed all the steps, including sowing, fertilizing, and weeding, you will definitely reap the fruits."

(End of this chapter)