1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 235 Flexible Attitude [February 2 monthly ticket supplement]

How important is Astrid's role in the Vaucluse Rosé Wine Lovers' Association?

After Ines contacted a group of members saying that Astrid wanted to organize a party as soon as possible, the party took shape the next afternoon.

Miraculously, all these great men of Vaucluse had some free time and could meet with everyone as quickly as possible.

On the day of the party, Jacques asked nervously when he saw Ronan:

"Have you and Astrid been close lately?"

Ines revealed some of the way Astrid spoke to Ines on the phone when she called him.

Jacques also clearly felt that Astrid was deliberately promoting Ronan's restaurant.

This is indeed a good thing, but that woman cannot be touched!
This was the 3.5th time Ronan had heard the same question today.

Gabriel, who arrived earlier, and Jerome, who runs a pink winery, both asked the same question.

President Ines asked cryptically, but the meaning was similar.

And Ronan gave the same answer for the fourth time today:
"Astrid came to my restaurant yesterday, and before that was our last gathering. We're not that familiar with each other, right?"

Jacques pushed his glasses and asked in confusion:

"Then why would she help you?"

Ronan shrugged and made an I-don't-know expression.

Maybe because I was obedient?
But Ronan felt that it had little to do with this.

Who in the association doesn't listen to Astrid?

All the people came after one phone call.

The members who were in a gossipy mood soon discovered that Astrid and Ronan did not seem to be very familiar with each other.

Astrid was still as indifferent as ever, not interested in any topic and just drinking.

Ronan did not sit with her or communicate with her. He only whispered with Jacques and Gabriel throughout the party.

"Am I really overthinking this?" Gabriel said, stroking his mustache.

Ronan purchased a large batch of preserves from Gabriel's Candy Store for the Halloween event.

The two of them were already friends, and now that they were closer, they could open their hearts and talk about some "private" topics.

Ronan shrugged helplessly:

"I explained it to you. The 'going into the woods' incident was just us talking about pink wine in front of her car. It was nothing like what you imagined."

Gabriel chuckled twice:
"Don't get excited. I also think that Astrid and you are impossible. She seems to like some more challenging men."

Ronan: "."

Jacques's frown also relaxed a little:
"That's good, otherwise I would blame myself. I was the one who introduced you to Astrid."

Ronan didn't know whether to laugh or cry as he poured wine for his two good friends:

"Actually, Astrid isn't as scary as you think."

Yesterday, Isabelle happily told Ronan that Astrid gave her a 100 franc tip when she left.

He's a pretty good person, too.

Gabriel took a sip of wine and said bitterly:
"It's mainly because she's too mysterious. When someone is too mysterious, they'll make people feel dangerous, especially women!"

Jacques echoed:
"We don't know if she has a family, or what she does. She's unemployed, but she seems to be busier than any of us, and she has some 'habits'."

"She's not doing—" Ronan suddenly fell silent.

Don’t these people know that Astrid is in the perfume business?
"Do you know what she does?" Jacques' poker face showed obvious emotional ups and downs.

"I don't know, I don't know." Ronan shook his head repeatedly.

Gabriel said in a distorted voice:

"And you said you don't know her well? You are lying to us!!"

Ronan, Jacques and Gabriel were all 'businessmen', so they automatically got together and did not join the core discussion area of the party.

But in the core discussion area, several officials from the Vaucluse department all accompanied Astrid.

These officials knew a lot more information than the businessmen - for example, they knew that Astrid was also a staunch supporter of anarchism and would be annoyed when hearing about government affairs.

So if they want to get something from this lady, they need to rack their brains to come up with a new excuse.

"A new winery has been established in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. I've been there once. If the order quantity is large, we can customize rosé wine according to the customer's taste requirements. How about we go to Châteauneuf-du-Pape for a gathering if there is a chance? Astrid, when are you free?" Corentin asked with a smile.

Astrid said wearily:
"uncertain."

Corentin continued:
"There are many specialty shops in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. We can take a look at them together."

Juliet kept an eye on Astrid's reaction:

"We will be able to eat Luxi melons in the winter. Although they are not on the market yet, I have a way to get them in advance. How about I bring some of the new varieties I have cultivated to everyone to taste at the next party?"

Astrid didn't even look at Juliet and Corentin. She stopped a waiter and said:

"Give me another serving of 'spicy chicken'." The members who were always focusing on this lady began to mutter in their hearts:
Can I order without looking at the menu?
Ronan said to the waiter from a distance:

"Tell the kitchen not to reduce the spiciness and use the traditional method."

Astrid continued to drink and Ronan continued to chat with the people next to them, but the others could no longer continue the conversation.

These two people don't look like strangers at all!
Astrid had other things to do and left early, which had never happened in previous gatherings.

She is always the one who drinks last at every party.

This further confirmed the members' speculation - this party was specially organized by Astrid for Ronan. She didn't care about her own time at all and was just anxious to get this thing done quickly.

Ms. Astrid also responded to these people's speculations in a very "clear" attitude.

"The food is good, the decoration is nice, and many people are drinking rosé wine. I will come here often in the future." After saying this, the mysterious noble lady hurriedly left the restaurant.

Ronan gave Astrid a grateful smile.

Although Astrid didn't teach him anything during this meeting, she finally "invited" these big shots.

He couldn't let Astrid down, he had to make good use of these bigwigs in Vaucluse and couldn't let them leave so easily!
"Everyone, please finish your dinner before leaving. I have many special dishes and desserts here."

Before Ronan could finish, Corentin smiled, put his arm around his shoulders, and returned to the restaurant with him.

"Of course I have to finish dinner before leaving. The food here is so delicious. I will come here often in the future. Come on, let's go in and continue drinking!"

Ronan's eyes widened.

What exactly is Astrid's background? What do these people know that he doesn't?
Just a sentence of "I will come often" made these officials' attitude become like this?
These people were so perfunctory to him at the last party!
"I have something to ask you. Let's go in and talk." Ronan smiled and asked the waiter to bring a few more bottles of pink wine to the table.

Because of overtime, Blanco missed the Halloween event at Ronan's restaurant.

Come to think of it, he had only visited Ronan's restaurant once in October, on the opening day.

As the most central shop in Lourmarin and the hope for revitalization, Blanco believes that he should go there more frequently.

After all, during the renovation phase, he had to go there once a week.

As the village chief, he needs to go there more often to let Ronan know the government's "unwavering" support for him.

So he called his wife this afternoon and asked her not to make dinner and to meet at Ronan's restaurant at 5pm.

At 4:45 p.m., Blanco finished his work and strolled from the government office building towards the commercial street.

There are still some decorations on the commercial street that have not been removed yet, and children are still playing games around pumpkin lanterns.

This is Lourmarin, but it doesn’t quite look like Lourmarin.

Blanco felt that this feeling was so wonderful that it could not be described in words.

The only thing he could conclude was that all the changes in Lourmarin were caused by Ronan.

In a report to be presented to the Vaucluse Department of Tourism next year, Blanc describes Lourmarin as a village completely different from other small mountain villages in the Luberon.

Here you can find medieval quaint buildings, as well as new festivals that are in line with those of big cities; there are simple villagers, as well as brave women who have broken through centuries of fixed cognition and stepped out of their families; there are hardworking farmers, as well as cutting-edge artists whose ideas are in line with the world.
And all of this revolves around one key "part" - that is Ronan.

"Lourmarin now only lacks an 'axis' that can make the other parts work at the same time. But this 'axis' cannot leave Ronan anyway."

In fact, Blanc rejected Ronan's proposal a long time ago, believing that pink wine was not an ideal "specialty" path.

He will make Lourmarin encounter too many obstacles in its development process.

But Blanco didn't want to reject Ronan's proposal outright, because he knew that Ronan sincerely wished Lourmarin well.

He has been actively looking for other features that Ronan can do recently. Once he finds them, he will tell Ronan the results first.

While his thoughts were racing, Blanco had already arrived at the door of Ronan's restaurant.

When Isabel saw Blanco coming, she immediately invited him in:
"Ronan may not be able to get away for the time being. He is entertaining other friends."

Blanco said kindly:
"It's okay, I'm just here to eat, no need to call Ronan."

He sat down and looked at the menu, and out of the corner of his eye he saw Ronan being 'toasted' at a long table.

Blanco smiled and looked over, wanting to see who was impressed by Ronan's 'charm' or 'ability' again.

This is incredible to see.

Blanco almost stood up and rushed over.

Wasn’t the person who was whispering in Ronan’s ear Corentin from the Vaucluse Industrial and Commercial Union?
The last time Blanco went to the Industrial and Commercial Union, he was rejected twice by this annoying guy!

Etc., etc!
The one pouring wine for Ronan seems to be Juliet from the Agricultural Committee of Vaucluse?
This woman almost imposed a huge fine on Lourmarin for a reason that couldn't be any more trivial!
How did they end up sitting with Ronan?
What surprised Blanco the most was that all these people’s glasses were filled with pink wine!

Blanco immediately called back Isabel who had left:
"Tell Ronan secretly that I want to talk to him tonight."

Blanco won't be able to sleep tonight if he doesn't figure out the situation.

Isabel said awkwardly:

"But... they might drink till late."

Blanco said firmly:
"Even if I drink until the early hours of the morning, I will wait for him."

(End of this chapter)