1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 42: Control?
The big truffle was sold for 41000 francs, and the remaining dozen small truffles were sold for 1750.

Ronan's truffle picking season came to a successful conclusion with an excellent result of 42750 francs.

Starting tomorrow he will not go into the mountains again, and will calm down and seriously consider what to do next.

In fact, Ronan was very interested in the truffle business that Lucas mentioned, especially after seeing Mr. Jacques's generosity.

But joining Lucas is definitely not an option, it will only lead to death.

But it is not practical to do it by yourself. First, there is no stable supply of goods, and second, there are no upstream resources.

I wonder if it would be possible to artificially cultivate truffles if the [Planting] in the system is upgraded to a high level?
However, technology alone is not enough. Huge financial support is needed to purchase land for planting broad-leaved and coniferous forests. The conservative estimate is hundreds of thousands or even millions of francs. Ronan still owes money to the bank. Thinking about this seems like a fantasy.

There are also equally important sales channels. It would take at least dozens of high-end restaurants to consume such a large amount of goods.

But the good news is that he already knows a high-end restaurant owner like this.

Then use Mr. Jacques as a breakthrough point to accumulate more resources?
But even if we have the resources, how can we persuade them to abandon their previous channels and cooperate with us?
"Let's take it one step at a time." Ronan took a deep breath and encouraged himself.

Suddenly, a laughing voice came from behind:

"You finally closed the stall."

Ronan turned his head and saw Lucas standing behind him with his arms folded across his chest.

"Why are you here too?"

Lucas took the initiative to help Ronan pack his things:

"Olivier received a call from Chels at my house, saying that there were top-quality truffles here, so I came to Mena Village with him, but I didn't come over. I found a place to drink."

Ronan was a little surprised.

The script that Lucas said was completely different from what Olivier said.

What was his purpose in exposing the true face of his partner of more than ten years in front of me?
"Next time, don't use this kind of box to store truffles. It's not breathable enough. Use a basket." Lucas said as he packed up.

"Oh, okay." Ronan was confused by Lucas's behavior. He didn't know what to say. He followed Lucas to do the finishing work. To outsiders, it was as warm as a father and his son closing the stall.

Lucas's movements were smooth and skillful, as if he had done the same thing thousands of times. Suddenly he laughed:
"I have sold truffles at the market for more than ten years, but that was a few years ago. Later, I met Olivier and it became less difficult with a regular buyer."

He turned his head and asked Ronan:

"It's hard to set up a stall in winter, right? One stall takes four or five hours."

Ronan curled his lips:

"Fortunately, the winter in Provence is not long. Spring is coming soon."

Lucas lit a cigarette:

"I heard that your truffle sold for over 4?"

"It's just luck." Ronan didn't dare to show too much joy.

Lucas is a very proud man. Ronan broke his record for the largest truffle. Who knows how much desire to win is burning in his heart now.

Strangely, Lucas was unreasonably happy. He said with a big smile on his face:
"Truffles are very profitable. They make more money than anything else."

Ronan packed up everything, straightened up and nodded:

"really."

The price of this truffle is equivalent to the annual income of an ordinary French employee, which can only be earned by planting 30 acres of grapes.

But the units for both of these are years, while Ronan’s current unit is days of huge profits.

"So don't think about doing anything else, it's a waste of time, just continue to do the truffle business with me." Lucas said sincerely.

Lucas's goodwill and usual friendliness softened Ronan's heart, and he clearly dissuaded him:
"The opportunity you mentioned is too risky. I don't like leaving everything to fate. Lucas, I sincerely suggest that you don't do it. You are already rich, there is no need to gamble."

"10%." Lucas said seriously, "I'll give you 10% of the profits. All the initial investments will be borne by Olivier and I. You only need to be responsible for the picking process. Use your ability to find truffles without hunting dogs to lead the workers to pick as many truffles as possible. This will bring you an annual income of nearly million francs!"

Ronan sighed helplessly.

As many as possible? Damn if you could even grow truffles artificially!
It's really hard to wake up someone who's 'sleeping', but he's said enough.

"My mind hasn't changed." Ronan took what Lucas was holding, "I won't join your business, sorry Lucas."

Lucas chuckled twice.

Ronan's reaction seemed to make him see Theo a few years ago and Elena today.

His brother and sister also rebelled in the past, or still do.

But in front of Lucas, they were as obedient as two big cats without fangs.

He has plenty of ways to deal with disobedient children.

Lucas suddenly put his arm around Ronan's shoulders:

"Apt has just received a batch of American pickup trucks. Come with me to take a look and let's go for a spin in the mountains."

A car is a big toy that a man can never give up.

No man can resist American pickup trucks, a good thing that can only be seen in magazines!
Ronan stepped around Lucas' hand and said calmly:

"I have something else to do this afternoon. You can go find Olivier. He's having dinner with his friends."

Lucas was stunned for a moment. He didn't expect that his tried-and-true trick wouldn't work on Ronan, but his smile didn't disappear.
"Then let's have dinner together. I have a friend who lives in Mena Village. He is an excellent hunter and has many good guns that are not available on the market. I will take you to his house as a guest."

You can't refuse a gun, right?
What man doesn't like guns?

Ronan picked up a large box and said apologetically:
"I have something very important to do this afternoon. Time is running out. I'm leaving now."

Lucas froze in place.

He couldn't even control a young man in his early twenties?
How could it be!

After half an hour.

Zoe and Ronan walked side by side in a narrow alley in the village of Mena. Their steps were very slow, as if they were listening with their bodies to the sounds of history echoing in this medieval village that had stood for hundreds of years.

"Rejecting Lucas's kindness is a dangerous thing." Zoe suddenly broke the silence.

She was very happy that Ronan still remembered the agreement last week, but at the same time she was worried that Ronan might offend Lucas.

"This is not the first or second time that I have rejected him." Ronan said disapprovingly.

Zoe sighed deeply, and a cloud of worry crept up her brows:
"Lucas is not only the richest farmer, but also one of the richest people in the village. Even my father goes out of his way to please him. I understand that you don't think highly of the business that Lucas mentioned, but you should give him some face and go to Apt with him or visit friends."

Lucas and Ronan's conversation took place in front of the booth, so Zoe saw the whole thing.

He will soon leave the ranks of the rich, Ronan complained.

But this prophetic reason cannot be expressed out loud.

"Going to Apt with Lucas or visiting friends, is it something important?" Ronan asked with a chuckle.

Zoe used the tone of an 'older sister' to educate her 'younger brother' who didn't know the ways of the world:
"Is the spring outing something important? Ronan, you should cherish the opportunity to interact with Lucas. It is something that many people would beg for but cannot get."

Ronan didn't even think about it and blurted out:

“Spring outing is of course a very important thing.”

He only spent ten minutes in Mena Village and his [Happiness] increased by 3 points. You tell me this is not important?

This is so important!

Ronan decided not to leave Mena Village today unless his happiness level increased by 50 points.

Ronan spoke so confidently, so confidently that Zoe's heart skipped a beat and her thoughts began to wander uncontrollably.

She thought of a line recorded in a certain romance magazine - unintentional 'seduction' is the most deadly.

　More tonight
　　
　
(End of this chapter)