1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 84: Getting Rich

Just as Ronan had anticipated on the road, even though they had left two hours earlier, they still could not find a parking space in the parking lot closest to the market and were forced to park in an open space on the edge of Mena Village.

"It's that horrible traveling season again." Leah couldn't help but complain as the large group of people helped move things.

"Fortunately, many people came today. If it were only Ronan and Zoe, when would we have to move these things?" Feng Zhen's tone was full of heartache.

The parking lot is 20 minutes walk from the stall, my god.

Ronan passed by them with a cart:

"Ladies, think positively, Zoe and I are going to be rich."

"What an optimistic child." Feng Zhen and Leah both discovered new "shining points" in Ronan.

At 7:40 a.m., the group separated in front of Ronan and Zoe's stall.

Leah takes Ronan's parents to visit the market and Mena village.

Ronan, Zoe and Vieri, who couldn't be dragged away even if they died, stayed to set up the stall.

At first, Luo Tianhai didn't have much interest in the market.

Paris also has a 'farmers' market' held in the suburbs, which he often attends.

But Feng Zhen was attracted by the local utensils, tablecloths and ornaments, and was enjoying the shopping so much that he followed behind to take a quick look.

"We have pickled olives here that are not available in Paris." Feng Zhen stopped in front of a stall selling pickled olives, tasted one, and then handed another to him, "Should we buy some to take back to Paris?"

Olives are an indispensable ingredient on the French table.

Olive oil has a wide range of uses and is indispensable for any form of cooking; olive paste is called black butter and is a very traditional appetizer to go with wine; pickled olives are also a common sight on the table. When you don’t know what to eat, just grab some pickled olives, they go well with everything.

Luo Tianhai tasted one and found it really good. He asked the boss:

"how much is it?"

The boss handed them more flavored olives:

"5 francs a kilogram, try other flavors, I swear this is definitely something you can't get in Paris."

"5 francs per kilogram?" Luo Tianhai stretched his neck.

In the markets of Paris, pickled olives cost at least 12 francs, and that's the price at the farmers' market. The price will be higher in supermarkets, and tasting is not allowed in supermarkets. The salespersons always have a terrible look on their face that says "buy it or not".

"Fabshi?" Leah waved to the boss, "How's business lately?"

"Leah! You haven't been here for a long time."

Leah chatted with the stall owner for a long time, and finally Luo Tianhai bought 10 kilograms of pickled olives of different flavors for 3 francs.

"It's really cheap!" Feng Zhen pouted while shopping.

Leah smiled and said to them:

"In Provence, every occasion can be used to make good use of 'socialising'."

Outsiders think that the market is a "tourist attraction", while locals think that the market is a way to "socialize" and that they can meet many friends who they don't have time to contact normally.

Luo Tian was walking along the beach and thinking.

The cost of living in Provence is only half of that in Paris or even less. Maybe you can live well here even if you earn less?
With this idea in mind, he began to pay close attention to the things at the market.

Discover that fruits and vegetables are not only cheap and fresh, but also 'carefully' selected.

Customers can pick up an apple and smell it carefully, peel off the not-so-fresh leaves to check, and break open a cucumber to take a look. These actions, which are considered "rude" in Paris, are very common in Provence.

Feng Zhen held a lot of trophies in her hands. She, who was reluctant to buy things in Paris, realized "shopping freedom" in Provence.

Leah led them to a nougat stand:

“Try our local snacks.”

The taste of Provence nougat is similar to that of Paris, but the flavors are richer. In addition to the classic almond pistachio flavor, there are also orange, mango and flower flavors, which look especially like Chinese "chegao". Feng Zhen bought some violet-flavored nougat:
"Take it back for Ronan to try, this place is so interesting!"

"Where do you want to go next?" Leah was very happy that Ronan's parents were having a good time.

"Let me see..." Luo Tianhai took out a booklet from his backpack, "It contains a travel guide to Mena Village."

This booklet was given to them by volunteers when they came out of Avignon train station.

Luo Tianhai quickly found the target:
"The most famous thing about Mena Village is its market. We have visited it. Next -"

Luo Tianhai suddenly stopped talking.

"Where are we going?" Feng Zhen looked around, observing whether there were any fun and delicious things on the surrounding stalls.

The time was still too short. If time permitted, she could spend the whole day here.

Luo Tianhai took off his sunglasses and held the booklet closer:
"It says here that when you go to the market in Mena Village, you must go to a stall with a yellow-skinned vendor. It says that is one of the 'special features'. Have you seen any yellow-skinned vendors?"

Leah came over:

"There is only one Ronan, the yellow-skinned stall owner at the market in Mena Village."

Not only in the village of Mena, but in the special markets throughout the Luberon region, there are no other yellow-skinned stall owners.

"Ronan is on the travel guide?"

As a few people were talking, they saw Vieri from afar with an anxious look on his face.

"Why are you here?" Leah asked puzzled.

When he shouldn't stick to Ronan, he refused to leave.

Why are you leaving now when I need your help?

Vieri grabbed his mother's arm:

"Thank God, I finally found you. We need support!"

When the four of them arrived, Ronan and Zoe's stall was surrounded by tourists, roughly estimated to be dozens of people.

The pot in Ronan's hand kept flying in the air, and Zoe didn't care about her stall, pouring pink wine to customers one glass after another.

After Vieri brought the people over, he returned to his original position, maintaining order while helping customers take orders.

The two mothers took over Zoe's job.

Zoe has been busy since the market started. Now that the mothers have arrived, she can finally go to her own stall and take a look.

Luo Tianhai naturally came to Ronan's side.

He looked down at the prepared pork and found that less than half was left. It was only a little after 9 o'clock and he estimated that it could only last until 11 o'clock at most. Yesterday he said that Ronan had prepared too much.

How is this too much?
This is not enough!

"Give it to me." Luo Tianhai took the pot from Ronan and took over his work skillfully.

Ronan wiped the sweat off his face with relief, his hands began to tremble:
“You are finally here.”

He poured himself a glass of chilled rosé and drank it in one gulp. He wanted to have another, but when he saw people queuing, he silently held back.

Have to drink sparingly!

We underestimated the enemy. We seriously underestimated the enemy.

This fortune is so huge that it is hard for him to handle it all by himself.

　Thanks to [Crazy Broccoli] and [a时光飞过] for the tips.

　　I also thank the friends who voted for the monthly ticket and the recommendation ticket. Thank you~
　　
　
(End of this chapter)