1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 3 Lourmarin Village

Ronan was dubbed the 'picky Parisian' because he refused carrot cake for dessert and a local digestive after dinner, even though he ate a full day's worth of food.

"We are used to having a big lunch and a simple dinner. Next time I have a chance, I will definitely let you experience lunch in Provence."

The white-haired older man who picked up Ronan as soon as they met exhaled a smoke ring. He was Carl, the former mayor of Lourmarin village.

Ronan smiled and responded:

"I am looking forward."

This dinner allowed Ronan to get to know his new neighbors, or the people of Provence, better.

They were warm and cheerful, they were passionate, but they also loved to brag. Ronan didn't believe there would be a more sumptuous lunch than tonight.

Unless the Provencal people's stomachs are bottomless pits.

Karl suddenly brought up a topic related to Ronan:
"You also bought a few acres of farmland. According to the law, the previously signed contract needs to be re-signed after the transfer. Do you still want to cooperate with the previous tenants?"

Not every villager owns his own farmland. Many of them cooperate with land owners through the tenancy law that has been passed down since ancient times.

Once the two parties sign the contract, the tenant farmer will get two-thirds of the profit after the harvest season, and the landowner will get one-third. Of course, the cost of seedlings, etc. will be borne by the landowner.

Landlords like Michelle don't rely on farming for a living, so they can rent out their land for a profit. But Ronan is so poor now that he can't bear to let others take away most of it.
"Do the previous tenants still want to continue contracting the land?" Ronan asked.

"Old Charlie is about to turn 60 and will not renew the lease. You need to cooperate with new farmers." Carl lit another cigarette. As the former mayor of Lourmarin Village, he was very clear about this information.

Ronan nodded.

He planned to observe the growth rate of [Happiness] for a period of time before deciding whether to contract it out. There were planting options in the system, and it would be best if he could take care of it himself.

Seeing Ronan lost in thought, enthusiastic Louis spoke up:
"I can give you some recommendations. Good tenant farmers are in great demand. I've had more than a dozen clients fighting over me before."

Louis now works as a real estate agent, but he used to be the best farmer in the village.

His son Vieri is trying to inherit his legacy, but he is still some way from adulthood, so the title of the best farmer in Lourmarin will have to fall into the hands of others for the time being.

In the eyes of the villagers, it is impossible for "Master" Ronan, who has been living a life of luxury in Paris, to have the ability to farm. There is no doubt that he will rent out his land.

"I'll go back and think about it. I'll ask you if I need anything." Ronan said to Louis.

The whole meal lasted more than four hours, and when everyone left, they had already agreed on the date and theme for the next gathering - to celebrate the 13th birthday of Carl's puppy.

"The people of Provence really love liveliness." Ronan couldn't help but sigh on the way home.

Before, he guessed that these people gathered together to see him, a foreigner, but now he changed his mind and thought that these people were just making up an excuse to eat and drink.

Although Paris is a famous 'capital of relaxation', that is only for individuals.

In Paris, they won't try every means to find opportunities to get together and drink, and if they do, it's only in a small group. In comparison, Provence is even more relaxed.

Compared to the lively party atmosphere, Ronan's house was too deserted.

There was only a lonely wooden bed and a large wardrobe in the bedroom, and the bedding also smelled musty, so Ronan could only sleep in his clothes.

"We're going to do a thorough cleaning tomorrow and also purchase some supplies." Ronan made a decision quickly.

At the end of a long day, he turned on the system.

[Usable experience: 29]

12 to 29!

The happiness he gained on his first day in Provence was more than what he accumulated from living in Paris for a month!
Ronan guessed that he would soon be able to collect 100 points to upgrade [Planting] to level 2 and take care of the farmland himself. "It can be renamed the Lying Down System." Ronan touched his bulging belly and closed his eyes happily.

[Waking up in a bare house increases happiness by 1 point]

Ronan rubbed his eyes.

It’s the same as sleeping in the backyard, but maybe not as much happiness as sleeping in the backyard.

Yesterday he only slept for a few minutes and was given 1 point, but today he actually slept for 12 hours.

But in January, sleeping outdoors was not practical, so Ronan could only find ways to improve the indoor environment.

But the good news is that I slept very well.

There was no quarreling next door, nor the sound of flushing upstairs. I woke up naturally, just a little cold.

Ronan got up and changed his clothes. There was no supplies at home, and today he had to do an important cleaning that was related to his happiness index, so he decided to go out and buy some first.

The sun was hazy in the early morning, and a faint white mist was floating among the fields and forests. When I smelled it carefully, I found that it actually had a scent.

Ronan couldn't describe the smell, he just thought it smelled nice.

Finally, when he walked into the center of the densely populated village, he understood the origin of the white mist and the smell - it was the aroma of firewood wafting from the chimneys, a most primitive and simple smell that city dwellers rarely smell.

There are also fireplaces in the houses in the city, but they are decorative and fire laws do not allow fires to be lit indoors, but in Provence, people still have the habit of using fireplaces.

The firewood used is oak or beech trees collected from the Luberon Mountains, so it smells good.

He walked along the 'snail shell' towards the center, and saw grocery stores, laundries, florists, butchers, tobacconists, bakeries, cafes and restaurants along the way.

Green plants and various forest birds can be seen everywhere in the village, and the houses are carefully decorated like a mini town. With brightly colored exterior walls, beautiful bonsai, and sky-blue shutters, Ronan fell in love with this small village the first time he met it.

But he didn't see a single car on the road, and only saw four or five people.

"Are you not awake yet?" Ronan was suspicious, but it was almost 10 o'clock.

Alan, the owner of the bakery, was an acquaintance at the party yesterday. Ronan asked about his doubts. He took a big sip of wine and shrugged his shoulders.

“In Lourmarin, if you see ten people on the road in one day, it means something big has happened in the village.”

Ronan laughed awkwardly twice in response, secretly cursing himself for observing Provence with an urban mindset.

Afterwards, he bought two freshly baked country loaves and a box of handmade cherry jam at the bakery. Not wanting to waste the 'happy opportunity' of eating, he also bought a large piece of butter and a small box of caviar on the way home.

Southern Provence is close to the Mediterranean Sea, where caviar is cheaper than chocolate sauce in Paris.

With Caviar as a backup, Ronan believed that he could definitely gain experience.

Passing by a grocery store, he bought some cleaning supplies.

Ronan also wanted to buy a new set of bed sheets and quilt covers, but was told that there were none in Lourmarin village. He could wait until the market on Friday or go to a few neighboring villages to buy them.

Yesterday at the dinner table he heard his neighbors constantly talking about the market. Dozens of villages throughout the Luberon region hold lively markets with various themes every week, selling all kinds of things.

Ronan planned to find an opportunity to have a look. The funds from farming took too long to return, so he needed to find other ways to make money.

With the system in place, I believe this is not a difficult task.

(End of this chapter)