1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 96 A complicated party

The market in Apt has a completely different feel to that in Lourmarin or Mena.

Lourmarin and Mena Village are both comprehensive markets that mainly sell agricultural products, but other types of products are equally abundant.

But at the market in Apt, more than 95% of the goods are food.

The most sold item is undoubtedly candied fruit.

Apricots, cherries, pineapples, citrus fruits, figs, lemons, melons, plums. All the fruits that can be seen on the market in that season appear in another form at the market in Apt.

Jacques couldn't tell the history of ancient monuments, but he was very knowledgeable about food:

"The history of preserves in Apt dates back even further. In the 15th century, the popes in Provence liked to eat preserves produced here. The court was in Avignon at the time."

"In modern times, candied fruit has been included in the traditional 'thirteen desserts' of Christmas. These candied fruits are also widely used in making cakes, adding them to liqueurs to add flavor, adding them to cocktails to add sweetness, adding them to melted chocolate, and making king cakes—"

Jacques thought of something and said to Ronan:

"My restaurant will also launch King Cake in January. Remember to go to my restaurant next year to try it. It tastes different from King Cakes in other places."

King's cake is a traditional French pastry that can be traced back to the Saturnalia in ancient Rome.

In modern times, every year on Epiphany (January 1 or the first Sunday in January), the whole family will get together and share a king cake.

The symbolic significance of the King Cake to Epiphany is like that of the Chinese mooncake to the Mid-Autumn Festival.

"I can't wait." Ronan said excitedly.

He loved candied fruits when he was a child, but rarely ate them after he grew up. However, he has always loved king cake since he was a child.

Next January he will definitely go to the two-star Michelin restaurant to try the king cake there.

There are not only many vendors selling candied fruits at the market, but also many vendors selling all kinds of candies and snacks, many of which Ronan couldn't even name.

"It's really a paradise for sweets lovers." Ronan's eyes moved across the stalls one by one.

Jacques guessed that Ronan might want to try it, so he explained to him:

"One of the people attending the meeting is in the business of preserves and candies. He always brings a lot with him. You can taste them soon."

Jacques took the initiative to bring up the meeting, and Ronan asked curiously:

"What is this 'Vaucluse Pink Wine Industry Development Conference'? Do I need to prepare anything?"

Jacques's face once again showed an expression that Ronan had seen for the first time.

That seems embarrassing?
How could Mr. Jacques, who even dared to confront Mr. Elliott, a member of the Provence Gourmet Association, feel embarrassed?
Jacques tilted his head to the other side:
"It's called a 'meeting', but it's actually just a bunch of guys who like rosé wine getting together to drink and chat."

Ronan nodded calmly.

Got it. Fan Association.

Jacques suddenly turned his head:

“But today is a little different.”

"What's the difference?" Ronan looked over.

Jacques pushed up his glasses:
"Elliot will be here today, and he will bring someone from the Vaucluse Tourism Office with him."

While Ronan was pondering the meaning behind this sentence, Jacques suddenly walked towards a sausage stall and started shopping carefully.

Ronan followed without knowing why.

After walking for so long, I didn't see Jacques stop in front of any candied fruit stall.

Instead of buying candied fruit in Apt, you buy sausages?
"Does the restaurant need it?" Ronan asked curiously.

Jacques suddenly laughed:

"It's for drinking. Pink wine is delicious with sausages."

Ronan: “.” What a drinking party?!

After buying sausages, Mr. Jacques took Ronan into a street parallel to the market. Both sides were lined with restaurants and cafes with tables and chairs placed on the road.

After walking for about two minutes, they entered a café with few customers. The waiter knew Jacques and led them directly to the second floor.

Ronan was immediately attracted by the gorgeous decorations on the walls all around him. They all looked like priceless antiques. No wonder other cafes were crowded, but most of the seats in this cafe were empty. I guess the prices on the menu would be quite a 'surprise'.

"Jacques, you are late. We have been drinking for more than half an hour." A woman's voice suddenly came from above his head.

Ronan looked up and saw a woman in a red dress shaking her wine glass and leaning lazily on the railing on the second floor.

Jacques took off his hat and leaned forward apologetically:
"Sorry Astrid, I had to pick up a friend at the last minute."

"Newcomer? Have you told Ines?" The woman named Astrid suddenly stopped talking and gave Ronan a strange smile. "So it's you. We were just talking about you."

Ronan politely introduces himself:
"Hello, I'm Ronan."

After observing Astrid closely for a few seconds, Ronan couldn't guess her age. She looked like a girl in her twenties, but the "charm" in her gestures made her look like a lady. The only thing he was sure of was that she must be very rich.

Astrid's accessories are the same as the decoration of this cafe, and they are obviously very expensive.

"Come in." Mr. Jacques made an elegant 'please' gesture.

Astrid took a sip of wine and said in a weak tone:
"Those old guys started talking about their politics again. I don't want to listen."

Jacques nodded and patted Ronan on the back:

"Let's go in."

Astrid suddenly called Ronan and asked in a charming tone:

"It's boring inside, why don't you chat with me outside?"

Ronan had seen many enthusiastic girls in Provence, and was about to make a joke and "politely" refuse, but Jacques stepped in front of him and said seriously:
"Astrid, don't make fun of my friends."

"Hahahaha——" Astrid covered her mouth and laughed, and soon went downstairs alone.

Jacques wiped the sweat from his forehead and reminded Ronan in a 'dangerous' tone:

"Make sure you stay away from Astrid."

Without elaborating, he took Ronan into a private box on the second floor.

The box was not big, about 9 square meters, and there were people sitting inside.

A white-haired old man asked Jacques worriedly:
"I heard Astrid's laughter, Jacques, did she do something to you?"

Jacques shook his head bitterly and did not continue the topic:

"I brought a new friend with me."

When they saw Ronan's face, several people in the room immediately started talking.

"So you know this 'fanatic'? We were just chatting. Maybe we should look up his address and phone number through the municipal system."

"Thanks to you, the orders for rosé wine have surged in the past two days!"

“Why did you accept an interview with a rubbish magazine like Pan Travel?”

"I'm glad you like rosé too, but don't you think candied fruit goes well with rosé? What a pity! If I had known you earlier, perhaps Apt's candied fruit would have been featured in the magazine."

Ronan's mind began to feel dizzy.

Wait, wait a minute!

The composition of you guys is a bit complicated.

(End of this chapter)