1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 255 'Strange' Henry
If you ask the villagers of Lourmarin who is the happiest person recently.

Even Ronan, who was about to enter a new chapter in his life, didn't dare to say it was himself.

Because in the eyes of the people of Lourmarin, another family emerged that changed its destiny with its own hands and hard work.

And this example is right next to them. Even closer than Ronan.

Josephine showed a terrifying talent for weaving.

While other women were still learning which vines could be used, Josephine was able to teach them step by step while processing several acres of vines on Henry's farm.

When the women finally understood and started processing the vines, Josephine was able to make five wreaths a day.

And when they finished processing the vines and could finally start making money, the terrifying Josephine could make seven wreaths a day.

Even Batty, who was making garlands with everyone else to make money, was so surprised that he couldn't close his mouth.

Josephine was almost as fast as him.

Are there so many woven monsters in Lourmarin?

The little monster Ronan is scary enough, and the new old monster is simply a wreath-weaving machine!

Josephine's example greatly inspired the women in the village.

Ronan originally thought that the order for 1000 wreaths could be completed on time, but after observing the situation for a few days, he felt that most of it could be done before the 10th and could be delivered to Cafu.

Old man Henry became even more confident.

He showed off for several days after putting on the uniform, and took the initiative to provoke those who had looked down on or ridiculed him before. His wife Josephine was so powerful. He was so happy that he didn't know how to show off.

Every day, he kept saying, "Didn't you say I was a dog wagging its tail behind Ronan? That's right! I did wag my tail, if you have the guts, you guys can wag your tail too! You are a bunch of fools!"

With Ronan's support, Josephine also helped many women in the village. Now these people dared not talk back when Henry "challenged" them.

"Damn, Henry really made money." Theo knew that he was Henry's main target of attention, so he had been avoiding him recently.

I didn't dare go to Ronan's restaurant. After work, I hid in an old tavern in Como and didn't dare to show up.

Today Fabian accompanied Theo to the old pub, and he said with a smile:
"I never thought you would get scared sometimes?"

Theo held a cigarette in his mouth and said lightly:

"What am I afraid of? Can I be afraid of that guy with rotten teeth? I'm afraid Ronan will be in trouble. If Henry and I fight, Ronan will definitely help me. Then he will teach Henry a lesson for me. What if Josephine doesn't help to teach him? I have to think about my brother."

Fabian kept shaking his head, thinking that Theo was still so stubborn.

Theo took a sip of wine, then thought of something and asked Fabian:
"How could you come out today? Didn't your wife force you to save money to renovate the house and not let you go out to drink?"

Fabian shook his head even more:
"After dinner, I accidentally stepped on a few of her vines, and she kicked me out and told me not to go back before 8:, saying that I was delaying her from making money at home."

"Is it so exaggerated? It's just a few grape vines, but they have made you homeless?" Theo said in amazement.

Theo didn't learn about wreath making, nor did he let his wife make a wreath.

Since there is already an extra part-time income, why does the family need a woman to earn money?
Just stay at home and take good care of the children!
"What? How many vines did you break?" Behind the bar, the owner of the old tavern, Como, stood up suddenly, waving the wreath in his hand, and said angrily, "That's at least 50 francs, Fabian, you're going too far!"

Theo and Fabian looked as if they had seen a ghost:
"Why are you making wreaths too?"

Cuomo sat back behind the bar and said sarcastically:

"Since you guys don't come to my place to drink anymore, I have to find something else to make money. Am I going to starve to death?"

But his tone soon became cheerful:

"But making wreaths is really profitable. I can make 150 francs today! This is almost more profitable than running a pub. I hope Ronan can get more orders in the future."

"What? You can earn 150 francs a day by making wreaths?" Fabian and Theo poked their heads behind the bar and stared at the vines in Cuomo's hand.

In Lourmarin, men would be laughed at for doing manual labor.

But if you can make 150 francs a day, maybe you can do it secretly?
Cuomo said frustratedly:

"I'm pretty clumsy."

Fabian immediately finished the wine in his glass, stood up and said:
"No, I need to go back and apologize. It's not right to slam the door and walk out after making a mistake."

After Fabian left, Theo lowered his head and thought for a while, then suddenly drank the wine too.

He tapped the bar with his fingers a few times and said to Cuomo:
"I'm leaving too. It's time for Anna to go to bed."

Cuomo glanced at the clock on the wall and snorted:
"You're going to bed before 7?"

Then he quickened his movements.

Now that the guests have left, I have to make more wreaths!!
The next morning, Ronan had just finished breakfast and was about to go walk the dog when he heard the phone ring suddenly.

It’s not even 7 o’clock yet, who would call so early?

"Hello?" Ronan picked up the phone.

The voice from the other end of the line was so loud that Ronan almost threw the receiver away:
"Mr. Ronan? Didn't you go out to pick truffles today?"

Henry's family is the only one who calls Ronan 'Sir'.

Ronan rubbed his ears, wanting to remind Henry to stay away from the microphone and not shout so loudly, but he suddenly realized a problem - Henry's house didn't have a phone.

"Does your house have a telephone?" Ronan asked with a smile.

There were a few "bangs" from the receiver, and Ronan guessed that Henry must have put the microphone tightly to his lips.

"Yes! I installed it yesterday! It's so convenient to have a phone!" Henry laughed a few times, and suddenly his tone became expectant again, "Mr. Ronan, didn't you go out to pick truffles today?"

Ronan said in a relaxed tone:
"I've been gone for three days in a row. Today is my day off. What's up? Is there something going on?"

Henry asked him twice if he wanted to go truffle picking today.

I guess something must have happened.

Especially calling at such an early hour.

Henry's tone was even more expectant: "Great, today is also my day off, I plan to buy some seafood, and I'll bring some to you at noon."

Ronan pulled the phone line and said:

"No, keep it for yourself. Josephine and Lisa have been working hard lately."

Henry's family has indeed made some money recently, but his family is not well off and the house is so dilapidated that it leaks air.

Ronan didn't want Henry to waste money on him.

Henry immediately became serious and said in the same tone as if he was reporting to his superior:
"No, you gave me my job, and you also gave Josephine and Lisa their jobs. I have to send you something."

He did not give Ronan a chance to speak, and continued stubbornly:

"I'll take you to your restaurant at noon. Okay, I'm leaving now!"

Seeing no sound from the other end, Ronan was about to hang up, but another loud voice came from the other end:

"Goodbye Mr. Ronan!"

Ronan smiled and shook his head.

Henry is obviously not as fierce as he looks, sometimes he can be quite cute.

At around 10 a.m., Henry, in uniform, appeared in Ronan's restaurant carrying a large black bag.

This uniform is like the captain's hat on Henry's head in summer. He wears it every day, even on days when he is not at work.

As soon as he saw Ronan, he complained:
"Damn it, there are only two seafood stalls in the market in Bonnieux. In the past, there were stall owners selling seafood everywhere during this month. I picked out some fresh oysters. I'll go to Mena Village on the weekend and bring you some other seafood."

Provence is close to the Mediterranean Sea, but because the cold chain technology was not mature in 1986, winter was the peak time for eating seafood in non-coastal cities.

As soon as winter arrives, a large number of merchants selling seafood will appear in various markets.

Ronan took the bag and said to Henry:
"I go to the Mena Village market every week. Do I need you to bring me things?"

Henry stiffened his neck and said:
"That's different. You don't necessarily have to pick seafood from Provence. You'll be cheated!"

Ronan pointed to the kitchen and said with a smile:
"Henry, what does my family do?"

Henry kept opening and closing his mouth for a long time, and said incoherently:

"Josephine Josephine said she must thank you! Otherwise, otherwise——"

Henry couldn't say anything too sentimental, even if he had to blame his wife.

Ronan put his arm around Henry's shoulders and told him to calm down.

Ronan understood what Henry wanted to say.

But that was the result of their family's hard work, and the person they should thank most is themselves.

In order to ease the atmosphere, Ronan changed the subject and asked Henry:
"Well, how does it feel to have a phone? You've always said you wanted to install a phone in your home, and now it's finally happening."

The telephone installation rate in Lourmarin is around 60%.

Henry used to be one of the poorest people in the village, but now he has surpassed the 40% of the villagers, and the change happened in just one week.

No wonder he is now recognized as the happiest man in the village.

Henry smiled as soon as he heard the call, baring his teeth and saying:

"Josephine made a small rattan box for the phone. It is the most valuable thing in our house. By the way, Mr. Ronan, the first time my phone was used was to call you! That's great!"

Ronan squeezed Henry's shoulder:

"It's time for dinner, do you want to stay for dinner?"

Henry shook his head violently, his grin widening even further:

"No, I'm going back to eat seafood with Josephine and Lisa. They should be almost done with the meal. I'm leaving, Mr. Ronan!"

Luo Tianhai was busy, so Ronan took the oysters to the ladies in the kitchen, including Leah:
"Given by Henry."

Leah kept smacking her lips:

"This is amazing. Although Henry used to follow Pierre and Lucas and seemed obedient, he actually had a stubborn personality and refused to obey anyone. That's why he had a bad reputation in the village. People said he said one thing and meant another. I didn't expect that he would be 'tamed' by Ronan now."

Henry is now Ronan's right-hand man, and everyone can see that he really listens to Ronan and is not just pretending to obey.

Nicola came to watch the fun:

"That stingy Henry actually plucked the oysters? God, so many! And they are the largest oysters, they are so precious!"

Is this really from Henry?
Henry has always been synonymous with stinginess and sarcastics.

Flossy's husband Freddy is a 'food expert', and he has taught her more about Provence cuisine:
"Oysters this big are not farmed in Marseille, but from Bouzigues. Oysters of this quality cost 45 to 60 francs a dozen. There are at least three dozen here, right?"

They all looked at Ronan.

He seemed to be wondering what kind of magic Ronan possessed that could completely change a person's personality.

Ronan looked down at the huge oysters:
"Maybe it's because no one in the village is really nice to Henry."

He suddenly looked up and said to Nicola and the others:

"We can't finish this much food, why don't we invite everyone to come over for a party tonight?"

"Okay!" Leah clapped her hands excitedly and said to Nicola and Flossie, "After eating Chinese seafood so many times, how about we make a traditional Provencal seafood dinner tonight?"

Flossie immediately went to the front desk and called:
"I'll call Freddy to bring the ingredients!"

Nicola reminded Ronan with great excitement:

"I advise you to eat less for lunch later, otherwise you will regret it in the evening."

(End of this chapter)