1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 257 I'll Help You Find Your Future Direction

Is the stomach of the people of Provence really a bottomless pit?

Of course not.

If their stomachs really had access to another world, they wouldn't have each had a glass of 'Provence Cuvée' after dinner.

Once the people of Provence have a big meal, they must drink some very strong grappa brandy to make a "hole" in their stomachs.

After drinking this small glass of brandy, even the heaviest and greasy food can make a big hole in it, not to mention "easy to digest" food like seafood.

"I think I can eat something again." Freddy asked Leah, "Is there any seafood left in the kitchen?"

Freddy's wife Flosi stopped him:

"Freddy, your belly is getting bigger and I think you've had enough tonight."

Freddy spread his hands:

"My dear, you misunderstood me. I was just reminding you not to forget to put away the unused seafood. You know, the weather is not that cold yet and they will rot easily."

Flossie rolled her eyes at her husband and went to the kitchen:
"Anyone need a rosemary slushie?"

Not every Provencal person is used to making "holes" with strong brandy. Those who don't want to touch alcohol but want their stomach to work faster will use another Provencal ingredient to achieve the same effect as "Provencal holes", that is, rosemary slush.

This drink, made from young rosemary leaves, water, sugar, lemon and egg whites, is aromatic and refreshing. It is perfect for a greasy snack. Even if you haven't eaten much, you can order a glass to taste it. Many women in Provence do this.

"Give me another glass." Feng Zhen said to Flossie.

She didn't eat the caramel and sea salt cake, and thought she could have eaten more other desserts.

"I want one too, dear." Leah asked for one too.

Ronan tilted his head and asked Zoe:
"Do you need it?"

Zoe pointed at Brandy in front of her and said:
“It suits me better.”

Ronan pursed his lips and said nothing more.

Not only has Zoe's savings increased, but her drinking capacity has also increased. She has become a real strong woman.

"I want one, too, Aunt Flossie." Vieri raised his hand.

Louis, who was particularly displeased with Vieri today, said unhappily:

"Vieri, I'm not kidding you. You should practice your drinking capacity. When I was your age, I not only knew your mother, but I could also drink a bottle and a half of red wine. But now you have to drink a glass and a half of rosé before you have to 'eat dessert'."

In Louis' eyes, rosemary sorbet and dessert are synonymous.

That doesn’t make for a candidate for best farmer in Lourmarin’s future, or even for best estate agent heir.

It is now December, and Vieri will be 12 years old in a month, but he doesn't look like a man of this age at all.

"Aunt Flossie, I don't need it anymore." Vieri left the table and walked towards the door. "I'm done eating. I have a football game tonight so I'll go back first."

Leah looked at Vieri's back and shook her head:

"It's getting harder to discipline lately."

Louis said angrily:
"Damn puberty!"

Zoe raised her eyebrows at Ronan:
"Haven't you noticed that Vieri has been tearing down Mom and Dad recently? Now I'm not the only one who dislikes him at home."

Ronan took a sip of the 'hole' and said with his lips pursed:

"But this does not prevent Vieri from being a good kid. Maybe you are too harsh on him. He just likes football and doesn't like drinking. There is no problem with that."

Leah sighed:

"It's more than that, don't you think... Don't you think Vieri has some mental problems? Every time he sees you and Zoe being intimate, he complains that it's disgusting. But God, women in Luberon can get married at the age of 15."

"Cough cough--" Louis covered his mouth and coughed twice to remind his wife that someone at the table looked unwell.

Leah immediately corrected:
"Of course it's illegal at 15, and I think it's very necessary for girls to seriously consider life events in order to protect themselves, but Vieri will be of legal age to get married next year, but do you think he looks like it?"

Zoe is always a topic of ridicule for Vieri:

"Maybe Vieri can marry football."

Ronan has no say on this issue, because he is also a "late marriage" person in Luberon:

"Maybe he matured late. I think Vieri is quite normal. Don't worry too much."

"You're the only one who thinks Vieri is normal." Zoe curled her lips. "He always looks unconvinced when talking to everyone at home. He's like a younger version of Henry."

Ronan gasped.

is it so serious?

After the restaurant opened, Ronan never played football with Vieri again, nor did he walk the dog with him again.

Later, the restaurant had employees, and Vieri was no longer needed to help at the market. He only met him once or twice at weekly parties.

By this calculation, Ronan hasn't had in-depth contact with Vieri for a long time.

Zoe's metaphor helped Leah find a 'savior', and she asked Ronan for help:

"If you have a chance, get in touch with Vieri more. He likes you and has always regarded you as his idol. Maybe he will listen to what you say."

Isn't Ronan's strength to make these "troublemakers" turn over a new leaf and change their personalities?
Louis did not give Ronan any time to think or react, and raised his 'hole' to Ronan:

"First, thank you."

Ronan picked up the wine glass, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

Does this mean I can gain experience in educating children?
But who can blame him for being Vieri?

Zoe's brother is my brother!
Before October, Ronan had been hesitant about whether to plant something else in the field in front of the door. But Louis told Ronan that because the grape harvest and quality of Lourmarin were particularly good this year, the house with a vineyard could be worth a lot more.

Lourmarin will develop around rosé wine in the future, and the Grenache planted by Ronan is the core variety for making rosé wine, so he decided to keep the land.

Then he would also have to do winter pruning in the vineyard.

Louis has always wanted to train Vieri to be a farmer, and this time Ronan called Vieri to join him in pruning.

This was Vieri's second time working on the fields, but the clever young man quickly got the hang of it and was able to keep pace with Ronan.

The two of them each cut a row of vines, walking back to back in the same direction.

Ronan also asked Vieri to bring Bobo and the other three little ones, and he also brought Xiao Hei and Marseille with him.

Two people were doing farm work while five dogs were running and playing around. It was easier to have a conversation in such an atmosphere.

Ronan said to Vieri in a brisk tone:

"The weather in Luberon in December isn't that cold. Your sister and I have an appointment to go to Bonnieux to hike and see the cedar forest on Saturday afternoon. Do you want to come with us?"

Ronan couldn't see Vieri's expression behind him, but from his voice he seemed to be in a good mood:

"We locals have been to that cedar road in the winter. You and Zoe go. I won't go."

"Let's go together." Ronan invited actively, "Or do you have something to do on Saturday afternoon?"

Vieri said calmly:
"What can I do? I just don't want to disturb you and Zoe. Zoe will get jealous if I go. I won't go."

Ronan spread the grape vines one by one on the ground:
"Okay, then don't go. Let's come back early in the evening and I can watch football with you."

It gets dark early now, so it's hard to find time to play football with Vieri, but there's still time to watch football.

Vieri continued his work:

"No need for that. You finally have a day off. Go do something else."

Ronan stopped and looked back at Vieri.

Ronan would feel more at ease if Vieri took the initiative to ask to go out with him, or asked Ronan to watch football with him.

This shows that the player on the opposite side is still the Vieri he is familiar with.

But now Vieri makes Ronan feel unfamiliar.

Is this still the Vieri who ran to the woodworking workshop as soon as school was over to ruin his relationship with Zoe?

Fortunately, Vieri's attitude towards Ronan is still good, and he is not as rebellious as he is at home.

Ronan said in a calm tone:
"It feels like you've grown up all of a sudden."

As Vieri worked, he smiled and said in a childish tone:
"You're the only one who thinks so. Mom and Dad always think I'm too childish, probably because I like playing with football instead of girls."

Ronan sighed:

"You have to understand them, because they just worry and care about you too much."

Vieri said sensibly:

"I know. That's why my dad doesn't allow me to eat rosemary slush, and I won't eat it. My mom doesn't allow me to watch TV, and I won't watch it. If they want me to be a farmer, I will be one."

This time Ronan put down the pruning shears and said to Vieri seriously:

"If you don't want to be a farmer, you can just ask for it. I believe Louis and Leah won't force you."

Vieri didn't look back at Ronan, but just looked up and sighed:
"But I don't know what else to do. I will be taking the high school entrance exam next year. I have no direction at all, you know. The only thing I like is football, so I am destined to do a job I don't like in the future. In this case, what's the difference between being a farmer or a real estate agent?"

Ronan asked with concern:

"Are you worried about next year's high school graduation exam?"

In 1986, high school education in France was a three-year program.

The tenth grade is the general education stage, which aims to consolidate basic knowledge while fully exploring interests and preparing for subject division.

In the eleventh grade, students will be divided into preliminary subjects, focusing on liberal arts, science and economics. The compulsory courses are philosophy and physical education.

The twelfth grade students will deepen their subject studies and prepare for the upcoming high school graduation examination.

The high school graduation examination is also a qualification for university entrance.

Vieri lowered his head and kicked the vines on the ground:

"Yes, my classmates all have clear colleges and majors, but I am the only one who has no idea. I don't even know what I want to do in the future."

Ronan suggested:
"Is it not possible to work in a football-related job?"

Vieri said frustratedly:
"I took economics in grade eleven."

Ronan patted Vieri's shoulder encouragingly:

"The high school graduation exam will be held in June. There is still half a year left. You will definitely be able to find other things that interest you."

"It's not that simple," Vieri said bitterly. "Maybe I can only be a farmer and a real estate agent."

Ronan imitated Batty's tone and said:

"You are the smartest person I have ever met, especially in terms of business acumen. You can go to the market and immediately calculate the appropriate price we should set. Vieri, I think there are actually many things that interest you, but you just don't know it."

"Really?" Vieri asked doubtfully.

"Of course!" Ronan nodded heavily and said affirmatively, "How about this, when you have time in the future, come to me and I will arrange some different things for you to do, which may help you to understand yourself more comprehensively?"

"Okay, sure." Vieri's tone finally became cheerful.

(End of this chapter)