Chapter 10: A New Family

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Dining in a place with beautiful scenery can increase one’s happiness.
Eating with an attractive member of the opposite sex can also boost happiness?
Is this feeding the stomach, or the eyes?
Regardless, the 5 points of “Happiness” Ronan gained was the highest single reward since he acquired the system.
This naturally made him feel genuinely happy and surprised from the bottom of his heart, emotions that soon showed on his face and in his gestures.
Zoe studied art in college and now worked in an art-related field; artists generally have a far keener sense of appreciation than ordinary people.
She noticed every word and action of Ronan was filled with sincere joy that he couldn’t hide, like a child who had just received a prize.
All this from just my little joke?
Isn’t he from Paris? Are Parisians really this innocent and adorable?
Realizing she had been staring at Ronan for too long today, Zoe pushed back her chair and stood up:
“Sorry, I’m going to the restroom.”
She needed a few minutes to forcibly ‘log off’ and cool down her curiosity.

Three minutes later.
Returning to her usual aloof self, Zoe came back to find Ronan had finished his after-dinner drink and was looking out the window, having set down his knife and fork politely asked:
“All done?”
“Yes,” Ronan replied calmly.
Zoe nodded, putting on her coat and scarf:
“Let’s go then.”
She approached Mrs. Charles, the restaurant owner, and took out her wallet:
“How much for our table?”
Mrs. Charles winked at her:
“The handsome gentleman has already settled the bill.”
Zoe frowned and glanced toward Ronan, who was now fully dressed and heading for the door:
“You can’t do this. It’s just between you and me. You helped me all morning today, so this meal has to be on me.”
Ronan stood at the door, holding it open to prevent it from closing, casually offering a reason:
“You can treat me next Friday.”
This excuse in China is as common as saying, “Let’s eat another day,” often used as a polite brush-off, but French people don’t have such customs.
Zoe’s face was full of question marks.

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“Next Friday?”
“Did I say we were going to the market together next Friday?”
A mischievous smile crept across Ronan’s lips as he nodded toward the outside with his chin, as if to say, “Alright, that was just an excuse, but the situation is what it is, isn’t it?”
Zoe stared at him for a few seconds, finally averting her gaze and shifting her legs:
“Same time next Friday then.”
...
Ronan returned home, planning to spend the afternoon cleaning the fireplace.
From both a physical and psychological standpoint, the house could be described as cold and desolate.
In the first few days after moving in, Ronan managed to withstand the chill thanks to his robust physique, but with February approaching, the fireplace had to be put to use.
The fireplace was in terrible condition, nearly completely blocked, prompting Ronan to wonder about the health of its previous owner, Mr. Michel, and his family.
Even with layers of protection, Ronan turned into a pitch-black “charcoal” in less than ten minutes.
At his darkest moment, the sound of a car came from outside the vineyard, followed by a loud, clear call:
“Ronan!”
Ronan, looking disheveled, stepped outside and saw that Freddy had arrived.
“Is there a gathering tonight?” Ronan approached with no pressure, wearing his “blackened” face.
He was gradually adapting to the Provençal style of “creating reasons to gather even when there’s no reason,” looking forward to every get-together.
Freddy was momentarily stunned by Ronan’s appearance, then burst out laughing.
With enthusiasm, he said:
“That’s right, my friend. We do have something to celebrate—the arrival of a new member in your family, and you two look so ‘alike.’”
He opened the rear car door and brought out a little creature the same color as Ronan’s skin.
The little one was sound asleep and only blinked in confusion when placed on the ground by Freddy, revealing large, clear white eyes.
“Oh my...” Ronan sprinted over at top speed and scooped it up.
It was the Doberman puppy Freddy had promised to show him!
The pup displayed an adorably clueless expression unbefitting its breed, stiffening in Ronan’s arms as if baffled, questioning who he was, where it was, and why, despite clearly being different species, they shared similarities.
It was tiny, probably just full-term, and Ronan could feel its slight trembling.
He grew nervous and anxiously asked Freddy:
“Is it okay for it to be away from its mother at such a young age?”
Before Freddy could answer, Ronan felt a warm tongue lick his chin once, then a second time, then a third... At the same time, the little one’s powerful tail was rapidly wagging against his arm.

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Freddy laughed, shrugging:
“See? It already has a new ‘mom.’”
Ronan mimicked the iconic scene from The Lion King, lifting the little one high:
“From now on, you’re Little Black!”
Little Black stretched its neck and barked twice in response.
[Playing with beloved pet increases Happiness by 2 points]
...
Ronan and Little Black ran and chased freely through the valley.
The pup seemed to have never experienced such uninhibited play, frolicking and barking excitedly among the trees, grass, and around the house.
Ronan was even more exhilarated than Little Black; when the dog collapsed from exhaustion, he was still sprinting:
“I’m rich, this time I’m really rich.”
Just from playing with Little Black, he gained 21 points of Happiness in a single afternoon!
Adding the points earned from eating, sleeping, and strolling these past days, he had amassed over sixty points, enough to upgrade another skill soon.
If he weren’t worried about tiring the puppy out, he would have insisted on playing for several more hours.
What kind of divine system is this...
Gain experience from sleeping, eating, shopping, hugging beauties, and even playing with dogs!
Highly recommended for every traveler crossing over!
Ronan happily carried Little Black, who refused to move a step, back inside. Using limited resources, he built a small nest beside his own bed and covered it with a clean, thick quilt.
Little Black cautiously sniffed around, tentatively placing its two front paws inside. Seeing no danger, it followed with its hind paws, curling into a ball and falling asleep peacefully.
Ronan lay on the bed, watching it carefully.
Though the house remained cold, his heart was warm.
Finally, it truly felt like “home.”
...
The next day, Ronan found Pierre drinking and chatting with other farmers at the old tavern.
He briefly explained his purpose, and Pierre excitedly raised his glass, calling out to the other farmers:
“Gentlemen, there’s a new ‘truffle hunter’ in the village! How long has it been since we played that game? Thanks to Ronan, we finally have something to do!”