1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 244 I will be responsible for you
Zoe is no longer the Zoe who saved money for several months a year ago just to buy a second-hand car for a few thousand francs.

It took Ronan nearly a year to go from a four-figure monthly income to a six-figure monthly income.

But it only took Zoe three or four months to go from a four-figure monthly income to a six-figure monthly income.

Since the young artists' glassware exhibition held in Aix at the end of July, Zoe's earning power has been rising like a rocket, to a level that even Ronan was shocked.

Now she receives invitations from 4 or 5 exhibitions in Provence every month, and Zoe has to choose from among the many invitations.

The female driver finally mastered her driving skills and could drive herself to various places to participate in activities.

Maybe it was because every time she went out, she would definitely make new money, so she was so happy that every time she left with an empty car, she would always come back with a full load.

Buy, buy, buy for yourself, buy for Ronan, buy for your parents, buy for Ronan's parents, buy for your brother depending on your mood. It is not certain whether a man will become bad when he has money, but it is certain that a woman will definitely buy, buy, buy, buy when she has money.

The Parisian family had not moved to Provence long ago, and their home was relatively empty. The things Zoe sent were like "a timely help".

But the old house where Louis' family had lived for decades was really starting to get "crowded".

Not only was Zoe's own bedroom running out of space, but Louis, Leah, and Vieri's bedrooms were also becoming increasingly full, with the items in the warehouse piled up to the point where they would fall out as soon as the door was opened.

"Are you planning to get married?" Leah and Louis asked Ronan at a party without Zoe.

If Zoe doesn't get married to Ronan, their living room will become a warehouse.

Quickly take this rich woman who loves shopping out!
Ronan earnestly assured his future father-in-law and mother-in-law:
"I will start preparing for my wedding after the truffle picking season next year. I will definitely bring Zoe out as soon as possible so that you can have some peace and quiet."

Ronan will have saved enough money to buy a house by the end of November, but winter is not a good time to decorate the house, and he has to wait until at least March to start.

"No, no, no, it's not because of this reason. I just think your relationship is so stable—" Leia retorted weakly.

Vieri grinned:
"Mom, you said this morning that you wanted to turn Zoe's bedroom into a warehouse in the future. You said Zoe bought too many useless things--"

Louis poured a whole glass of pink wine into Vieri's mouth:
"Ronan, I hope we can become a real family soon!"

Louis's mentality had already changed.

Even if Zoe got married, she would only move to a place less than 1 km away from him, and they could still see each other every day.

Not only is my daughter still here, but there is also a new family member in the family, and that member is Ronan. This is great!

Everyone at the table sent their heartfelt blessings to Ronan. They were all witnesses who had witnessed the young couple from their first meeting to their marriage.

After eating with everyone for a while, Ronan temporarily left the table:
"You guys keep eating, I'll go check on Zoe."

Zoe didn't come to the party because she has her own social circle.

As early as January and February this year, Ronan discovered this problem - Zoe would attend her parents' gatherings, but she always remained distant and could not fit in at all.

Later, when they became more familiar with each other, they discussed this issue specifically.

Zoe explained that she went to university in Nice, and after graduation her classmates scattered all over France. She didn't have many friends in Lourmarin and could only socialize with her parents' circle.

At that time, Ronan encouraged Zoe that if she did not want to participate in gatherings of her elders, she could have her own social circle. Unexpectedly, the casual words they chatted about at the time came true less than a year later.

Zoe now has more friends in Lourmarin than her father Louis.

Louis only has a few people at his parties, and it never changes.

But influenced by Zoe, more than 30 artists have moved to Lourmarin temporarily, not including those who live elsewhere but often come to her to discuss art topics.

Even when there is a northwest wind outside, there are at least four or five tables of artist friends gathered in Ronan's restaurant every day.

The farmer circle centered on Ronan and the artist circle represented by Zoe all used Ronan's restaurant as their base.

Among the artists who moved to Lourmarin, Zoe also made some good friends.

One of them was a female painter named Vivian. She was one of the first artists to move to Lourmarin. The house she rented was very close to Zoe's home, and the two often met in private.

Zoe's second best friend is a female writer named Paulette. Although she only moved to Lourmarin recently, the two began to have intensive correspondence and became familiar with each other before Zoe became famous.

Zoe's other friend is also Ronan's friend, and that's Cotillard. This female punk who used to play rock music and now runs an art store helps Zoe with a lot of work chores in Aix through her connections, and the two of them become increasingly close.

Zoe meets with her "sister group" every week, but the others come alone. Only Zoe always brings Ronan along, which causes a lot of "resistance" among the sisters.

"Why are you here again? Didn't you just leave?" Cotillard muttered in dissatisfaction when he saw Ronan sitting over again.

"Have I walked by?" Ronan picked up his glass of wine and took a sip, saying in a joking tone, "I just moved from one table in the restaurant to another. Can you guys not have your next party collide with my other parties? I'm too busy."

Ronan said this to Cotillard because it was she who initiated today's party.

If it was Zoe who initiated it, she would definitely consider Ronan's time issue.

Vivian also jokingly defended Cotillard:
"We just wanted to chat about some girly stuff, so we deliberately chose a day when you were also having a party. I didn't expect that even after such a situation, we would still be forced to 'eat dog food'."

The writer Paulette turned her head to the other side:
"Zoe, is Ronan's hand disabled? Does he need you to feed him all the time? Thank you for the inspiration. After I finish writing this novel, I want to write a love story about a wealthy lady who never abandons her childhood sweetheart with a disability."

Cotillard tilted her head and asked Paulette:
"Don't you write horror novels?"

"Okay, okay." Zoe stopped them from bickering and explained to Ronan, "The reason we suddenly got together today is because Cotillard heard about an event and thought it was suitable for Vivian and me, so she wanted us to attend."

Ronan asked curiously:

"what activity?"

Zoe and Vivian also had questions to ask, so Cotillard gave a more detailed account of the event:
"Next February, Luberon will host a project called 'Land Art'. British sculptor Andy Goldsworthy will create a nature-themed work made of olive branches and limestone in Gord. Andy Goldsworthy is a world-class sculptor. His on-site creation will attract the attention of the art world all over the world. It will be a grand art carnival."

Cotillard looked at Zoe and Vivian and said:
"But how can we let the British steal the show on our turf? The art community in Provence takes this very seriously and calls on local artists to create works around this theme and exhibit them in Gordes during Andy Goldsworthy's work. From January to March next year, there will be more than a dozen large-scale exhibitions and fairs around nature in Gordes. You two are both very suitable for this theme and should start preparing as soon as possible. I will help you find out the process and time for the exhibition."

Vivian said timidly:
"But you said that all Provence artists will participate this time. Famous artists like Claude Vialat, César and Jean-Michel will also come. I haven't even made the list of emerging artists. How can I be qualified to participate in such an event?"

Ronan was about to persuade her, but Zoe, also a new artist, spoke before Ronan:

"Vivian, precisely because this is an event for all Provence artists, we should give it a try. You always complain about the lack of good platforms for yourselves. Isn't this the perfect platform? For new artists, the next opportunity to share the stage with legendary artists like this might be years or even decades away."

Vivian shook her head frantically:
"I can't, I really can't. Zoe, go by yourself. You are definitely qualified. You are well-known in the Provence art world."

Zoe did not reply to Vivian, but said to Cotillard:
"Please help us find out if there are any more detailed event themes and requirements. Not only Vivian and I will participate, I will tell all the artists around me to give it a try if they can."

Lourmarin's artist circle is entirely composed of new artists, those without any fame, and everyone needs this opportunity. "I really can't do it!" Vivian said in horror.

Zoe patted Vivian's arm and said encouragingly:

"You can do it, Vivian. You draw so well. Don't give up any opportunity. Even if there is only a little hope, you must give 200% of your effort. Don't let yourself regret it, okay, dear?"

Vivian made a 'kill me' expression:

"But they were Claude Vialat, César and Jean-Michel! How could I be in the same exhibition as them?"

Zoe smiled and said:
"But they weren't born Claude Vialat, César, and Jean-Michel, were they? Didn't they all slowly get through the stage we are in? Don't worry, Vivian. When the time comes, we'll all prepare together. It might be very interesting. Okay, okay, it's settled."

Vivian said dejectedly:
"OK then."

After convincing Vivian, Zoe smiled and said to Cotillard:
"Thank you for informing us of such important news. I will supervise everyone to prepare well. Thank you."

Cotillard stood up and hugged Zoe:

"I love your personality so much, Zoe. I hope that next year the artists from Lourmarin can create an artistic storm in Gordes!"

Zoe's sisters' party ended first. After Cotillard and the others left, Zoe and Ronan returned to their parents' party.

When Freddy saw Zoe coming, he exaggeratedly imitated the excitement of some artists when they saw Zoe:

"Zoe, it's Zoe! I finally see Zoe!"

If Freddy had joked like this a few months ago, Zoe would have laughed and said:
"Okay, stop making fun of me Uncle Freddy."

Afterwards she would sit quietly in a corner, trying to reduce her presence.

But now Zoe would confidently pick up the fork and joke with Freddy:

"Do you need an autograph, Uncle Freddy? My autograph is worth dozens of francs now. Of course, this is the price in Provence. Outside of Provence, it will be just a piece of waste paper."

Everyone at the table burst into laughter.

Zoe's personality has changed a lot in the past two or three months.

Being cheerful, people become more confident.

In the past, she always deliberately lowered her presence, but now she no longer holds back on her edge.

Old Carl said, leaning on his cane:
"Zoe looks like an adult now."

Zoe raised Ronan's cup and toasted old Carl from a distance, then said gracefully:

"Of course my Lord."

She suddenly looked at her parents and Vieri, and asked with a smile:

"I just heard you say you want to kick me out?"

Where Ronan is, there is Zoe's heart.

She had just listened to a lot of conversation at the table.

Everyone laughed even louder and looked at Ronan.

Ronan smiled and put his arm around Zoe's shoulders, pulling her towards his side.
"No, no, it has nothing to do with them. I was just anxious to get you out."

The people at the table were chatting and laughing.

The young couple started chatting secretly.

"You are getting stronger and stronger now." Ronan said with emotion.

"Making money?" Zoe asked.

"More than that." Ronan looked Zoe in the eye and said, "You can now call on all the artists in Lourmarin to do something."

Zoe corrected seriously:
"That's not a call, it's a suggestion."

Ronan smiled and said:
"It means the same thing. They all listen to you anyway. You are the boss."

Zoe said provocatively:

"What, you have an opinion?"

Ronan pulled the corner of his mouth and said:
"How could that be? I'm happy for you. You've grown and changed so fast in the past few months."

Not only Old Carl and the others felt that Zoe had changed.

Even Ronan felt that there had been many changes in Zoe.

But all of these changes are for the better.

In short, Ronan fell in love with Zoe more and more, and he couldn't wait to marry her home.

Zoe put her arm on Ronan's shoulders and looked at him with burning eyes:
"You can't be the only one growing up. I also need to grow fast and become stronger. I have to be responsible for you."

Do you know how much effort I put into pursuing you?

Of course you should cherish what you get.

Ronan said with a wicked smile:
"Then you have to take full responsibility—"

He didn't finish the second half of the sentence because Zoe blocked his mouth.

Vieri protested loudly:
"They always end up kissing each other while talking! They're so disgusting!!"

Leah scolded her son loudly:

"Why don't you just stop looking? Look, with so many of us around, is anyone paying attention?"

Louis snorted coldly:
"When I was your age, I knew your mother. Now you are still running around with a football. Vieri, don't come to the party in the future. Go and develop your own social circle. You are different from us normal people."

(End of this chapter)