Chapter 20: Continuing the Collaboration

Ronan had anticipated the potential situation today, so he sent someone to the old tavern to call for reinforcements as soon as he arrived at the market.

The road had been blocked for less than five minutes when Pierre and his men arrived.

What happened afterward was the same as the week before last: the market soon returned to calm, and no one dared to come over to watch anymore. However, the news that someone was selling a whole crate of truffles had already permeated every corner of the Lourmarin village market.

Ronan was certain that the meddlesome Provençals would tell everyone they met.

"I love Provence," Ronan said happily as he tucked the 320 francs from a customer into his wallet.

Soon, the not-so-intense sunlight overhead was blocked by someone.

"The usual rule: a drink for everyone," Ronan said, looking up and beaming at Pierre.

The smile on Pierre's face vanished; he lowered his head and began to count the truffles in the crate with a serious expression.

Ronan said kindly, "There are 94 in total. I just sold three small ones, so there are 91 left."

Pierre asked with a distorted expression, "Has the Goddess of Fortune moved into your house?"

Don't tell me this is luck again!

Isn't this too exaggerated?

"Some of these were dug up last week. I was worried about what just happened, so I only brought a portion to sell last week. So, my judgment was correct—" Ronan shrugged with a fake smile. "This really does attract trouble, but fortunately, I have you guys!"

He spun a web of lies while reminding himself that he must never put all the truffles out for sale at the same time again; participating in other markets was now an urgent necessity.

Pierre knew Ronan was lying, but there was nothing he could do.

Even he wanted to become Ronan's lackey...

My God!

How much money is ninety-plus truffles worth?

Ronan was about to enter the ranks of the wealthy!

...

When the market ended, Ronan touched the 18,800 francs in his wallet and sank into an irrepressible fantasy.

18,000 francs in a week meant an income of about 75,000 francs for the entire month of February... He could pay off at least a third of his loan!

There would even be enough money left over to replace the windows and buy heating!

In March, he would start renovating the house and redoing the waterproofing to prepare for the coming rainy season.

In April, he would add new furniture, so he could bring his parents over before the most beautiful season in Provence. Also, he had to replace the toilet; the current one was terrifying.

In May, he would start designing the backyard and dig a large swimming pool to swim in when the weather got hot...

June...

July...

Ronan clenched his fists in excitement.

He could already foresee himself lying in a clean, beautiful big house, listening to the scene of his "Happiness Level" constantly increasing!

Happiness, such happiness!

But before that, the first thing to solve was...

He looked at Zoe, and Zoe happened to be looking at him too.

"Want to have a meal together?" they both said almost simultaneously.

Then, they both laughed.

...

Mrs. Charles was already used to Ronan and Zoe coming to eat here every Friday at noon, and she had already reserved the table they always sat at.

Zoe pushed the menu to Ronan. "I always order the same few things no matter how much I look; you order today."

Ronan opened the menu and asked, "I've been meaning to ask you, why do you order the same food every time?"

Zoe tilted her head. "I'm a picky eater. Aside from the food my mother makes, there isn't much else I like."

Ronan looked up at her and said with a smile, "Then you must try Chinese food. Chinese food is the cure for anyone who doesn't eat properly."

"Okay." Zoe was not opposed to new food; she was even a little expectant, as she had never had any Chinese cuisine before.

Ronan wanted to say he would make it for them when they had a party at his place, but then he thought about his current living conditions, which were still quite a distance away from hosting a Provençal-style gathering, so he said, "I'll bring some over to the next gathering."

Zoe nodded and brought up the topic she was concerned about: "It's too conspicuous for you to sell so many truffles at once in Lourmarin. Have you thought about participating in more markets, or going to markets with higher foot traffic?"

Ronan hadn't expected Zoe to be thinking the same thing. He had invited her to lunch today specifically for this matter, so he said excitedly, "I have thought about it, but I don't know how to go about joining other markets."

Zoe lowered her head, pondered for a moment, and said, "I know the management of the weekend market in Ménerbes; I can get things arranged there."

Seeing that Ronan was about to thank her, Zoe pressed her hand down, signaling him not to rush: "Can I ride in your car and go together every week? Actually, I considered applying for a stall in Ménerbes a long time ago, but there are many things to consider when going alone. It would be much better to have company, and we could set up two stalls."

Ronan could read the awkwardness in Zoe's tone.

Sharing a stall with Ronan had brought a significant increase to Zoe's income. If she continued to share a stall under the guise of helping to apply for one in Ménerbes, it would inevitably make people think she wanted to continue "freeloading." That was why she specifically emphasized two stalls.

Zoe was an open and honest person. She didn't want the issue of profit to become a "thorn" between them, so she chose to bring it up and resolve it proactively.

"Even the locals in Provence have many concerns about participating in the Ménerbes market. As an 'outsider' who has only been in Provence for a month, I have even more concerns about going there. We should continue to share a stall; that way, if something happens, we can help each other," Ronan said earnestly.

Ménerbes didn't have a Pierre to protect him everywhere.

In France in 1986, there was no such thing as "Chinese people scamming Chinese people." Overseas Chinese valued the "huddling for warmth" effect very much; they only did things with familiar countrymen.

This example might be a bit exaggerated, but the logic held true—they shouldn't separate when they first went to Ménerbes.

"You're still an outsider? You couldn't be more 'Provençal' now..." Zoe lowered her head and grumbled softly.

She was still hesitant and began to understand how Ronan felt earlier.

No wonder the first thing he did when he had money was buy a car. It turned out that the person being helped felt such great psychological pressure.

And this wasn't as simple as borrowing a car for help; Ronan was bringing her real, tangible money.

Without any family or friendship ties... how could she repay this favor?

Seeing Zoe's brow furrowed so tightly that she was about to poke a hole through her almond cake, Ronan continued, "The truffle harvesting season ends in March. There's no need for me to apply for a separate stall; using one together is just right."

Zoe thought and thought, then proposed a plan she felt would be helpful to Ronan: "During this time, I will learn more about the participation methods and commercial conditions of markets in other villages besides Ménerbes. Whenever you need it in the future, just come to me, and I'll help you apply."

Ronan had started a truffle business that even locals couldn't handle just one month after arriving in Provence. Whatever he did in the future, it would surely be bigger, so she would find out the business information for all the villages in Provence to help him.

Ronan raised his glass. "It's such good luck to be able to cooperate with someone reliable."

This was exactly what Ronan needed!

Zoe raised her glass and clinked it with Ronan's, her light blue eyes filled with happiness.