1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 376 Proposal
Perhaps the young couple had a very 'fulfilling' winter.

After this break, although they will still be working—for example, Ronan needs to design a large number of woven chair styles and Zoe needs to improve her support skills—their mindset and condition have changed significantly.

In the past, in order to make a sample chair quickly, Ronan would definitely do nothing but work on the woven chair. He would only do other things after he finished designing the style and handed it over to Cafu.

But now, after working for more than an hour every morning, he always goes to Louis's house to meet Zoe. They have a leisurely lunch, take a nap, and then start their afternoon work. In the evening, he tries to spend time with Zoe, his family, or friends, and he is no longer in a rush to finish his work.

Zoe appeared more relaxed than Ronan.

She would work for a while in the morning, cook and eat lunch with Ronan, and after her afternoon nap, she might continue working or meet up with the artists to leave Lourmarin and go shopping.

Zoe has always loved shopping, and now that she's making even more money, her hobby has become even more extreme.

Zoe said more than once that all the hard work and money she earned over the winter was just for spending.

Only when money is spent wisely and enjoyably will one have the motivation to continue working.

However, the things she buys now are different from what she used to buy.

Previously, Zoe mostly bought clothes, cosmetics, jewelry, or luxury goods, and her shopping logic was:
Buy things for yourself, buy things for Ronan, buy things for your parents, buy things for Ronan's parents, and buy things for Vieri depending on your mood.

The current situation is:

They buy food, drinks, fruit, daily necessities, home appliances, and household essentials. Every time they go out, it's like they're bringing back a small supermarket.

Zoe was thrilled with her shopping, but Ronan was dumbfounded when he saw the trunk full of stuff.

What are these things I bought today?

Zoe pointed to a large box with colorful patterns and said:
"This is a coffee machine. You won't have to grind coffee by hand anymore. Put it in the dining room first and see if it works well. If it's convenient, I'll arrange one for ourselves, your parents, and my parents' families in the future."

Small appliances such as coffee makers and microwave ovens entered French households in the early 80s, but due to the relatively backwardness of Lourmarin, these small appliances had not yet spread there until 1987.

Don't let its size and bulk fool you; this coffee machine costs 1000 francs.

Which family in Lourmaran would be willing to spend so much money just to free their hands when drinking coffee?

But Zoe is willing to spend money, even if it costs twice as much.

She's willing to buy anything that can improve her quality of life and happiness.

Feng Zhen and Zoe share the same hobby of shopping, but unfortunately, the restaurant can't do without her right now, so she can't be as carefree as Zoe and go to X and Apte every week.

However, every time Zoe comes back, she is the most enthusiastic one.

Zoe always brings back a lot of new and interesting things, and they all improve the family's happiness index. Feng Zhen couldn't wait to know what she brought back this time.

Zoe picked up a small box and shared it with Feng Zhen:
“You said the electric iron we bought last time was too heavy, so I bought a new one. This one is lightweight. You can try this one.”

"Oh dear, that one worked just fine, why did you buy a new one?"

“It’s okay, I bought new ones for both of our families. The old, heavy one is for me and Ronan to use, so we can use it when we’re working.”

Feng Zhen happily left with the electric iron, while Ronan whispered to Zoe behind her:
"What kind of work do we do that requires so many irons?"

Zoe clicked her tongue in displeasure, seemingly questioning where Ronan's intelligence had gone:
"They'll feel bad if you don't say it like that! Also, don't tell them the price. If they ask, just say you bought the iron for 120 francs."

Ronan: "."

Back at the restaurant, Zoe handed a small paper bag to Vieri, who was greeting guests at the door, and said seriously:
"These are professional goalkeeper gloves. I'll wear them when I play football from now on. I have my high school entrance exam coming up soon, so I need to protect myself."

Vieri injured his finger while playing football at school a few days ago. He didn't tell anyone, and even endured the pain to cook lunch with Zoe Ronan. Only Isabel knew about it.

Isabelle was worried that Vieri's finger wouldn't recover well and would affect his upcoming exams, so she secretly told Ronan.

Ronan then told Zoe
Vieri first glanced at Isabelle beside him with a complicated expression, as if blaming her for betraying him. Then, unable to contain his joy, he accepted the gift and said, "Thank you."

Zoe would bring Vieri some little things he was interested in every time she went out, and now when Vieri saw Zoe in the restaurant, he no longer coldly called her 'Madam'.

Zoe, beaming, gave Isabel another small bag:

"This hand cream is for you. Cotillard and I are going to the department store in X the day after tomorrow. Would you like to come with us?"

Ronan told Zoe that Isabel had only been to Xavier's three times in her life.

Every time Zoe and the artists came back and talked about X and Apte, she would secretly listen with envy.

Ronan waved his hand:
"Go ahead, I'll switch your shift!"

Isabel took several steps back in a panic:

"No, no, no, I can't accept it!"

Zoe, with a smile in her eyes, placed the item into her hand:
"Thank you for bandaging Vieri's finger."

Zoe and Isabel were chatting by the door when Ronan returned first.

Feng Zhen appeared out of nowhere and slapped Ronan hard on the back:

"Zoe is so virtuous, you're so lucky! You've married such a wonderful wife!"

Zoe is becoming more and more mature, and she has visibly become more caring.

Feng Zhen was so happy!

Ronan's lips curled into a wide smile: "Lia is so virtuous, and Zoe has been influenced by her for so many years, she can't be bad either."

Feng Zhen urged her son somewhat anxiously:

"Hurry up! If the renovation isn't going well, don't do it yourself, or maybe get married first and then renovate?"

Ronan shook his head slightly;

"It won't take much time."

Ronan had already discussed this matter with Zoe.

They believe that decorating together is a happy event no less than getting married, and that getting married in a house that has been decorated together is of great significance. They are willing to wait even if it takes a little longer.

Don't be fooled by Ronan and Zoe's relaxed state now; they'll definitely speed things up dramatically when it comes to renovations.

Those two are the most anxious!

Feng Zhen knew that both children were very opinionated, and that nothing she said would make a difference, so she changed the subject:
When will your studio be finished?

After Ronan's studio is completed, the workers will seamlessly move upstairs to decorate the restaurant, which will be Feng Zhen and Luo Tianhai's future residence.

The elderly couple had no requirements for the renovation, as long as it was livable. They also didn't want to cause too much noise, since they had a business downstairs. So the construction here would be completed very quickly.

Even so, Feng Zhen was in a hurry; she wanted to finish this before the tourist season began.

The large number of travelers will arrive in small batches at the end of March and the beginning of April.

Ronan was also anxious about the progress at the studio. Seeing that there was nothing he needed to do here, he got up and left.

"I'll go back and ask, I need an exact date."

At the door, Ronan and Zoe brushed past each other; Zoe was still chatting with Isabel.

"Where to?" Zoe asked.

"I'm going home," Ronan said, turning to leave.

Without a second thought, Zoe followed them out.
"I'll accompany you."

Ronan winked at Zoe and whispered in her ear:
"Have you forgotten? Isabelle might be Vieri's 'cure' during puberty. You need to get closer to her as soon as possible and go chat with her."

Zoe thought about it for a moment and agreed that Ronan made a lot of sense, so she stepped back.
"Okay, when are you coming back?"

Ronan smiled and waved to her:

"I'll be right back soon after I make an important phone call."

The workers told Ronan the project was due in mid-March, but Ronan kept asking every day, and everyone could tell he was getting impatient, so they finished a few days ahead of schedule.

"It will be finished by next Wednesday, I swear!" Grondin said solemnly.

Next Wednesday is the day the Lourmarin artists return to Lourmarin from Nice. They departed on Monday and stayed in Nice for two nights.

"Okay, the restaurant details are as I explained to you. Once this is finished, you can head over there." Ronan received the results and happily ran home. "Thanks, guys! These few days you secured were so important to me!"

Grondin and several other workers looked at each other.

"What is he saying?"

Ronan returned home and took out his phone book from under the TV cabinet.

He wasn't lying to Zoe; he really did come back to call.

During the ten or so seconds it took for the call to connect, Ronan's heart was pounding incredibly fast.

Although he often advised Zoe not to do anything special just for the sake of marriage, he knew that Zoe had been working hard to become a good wife all this time.

How could Ronan not be anxious when faced with such a wonderful partner?

"Hello, who is this?" A voice finally came from the other end of the phone.

Upon hearing the voice, Ronan immediately smiled:

"Thor, my friend, how have you been lately?"

There was a brief silence on the other end of the phone, followed by a deafening mooing of a cow, and then Tuo'er's honest voice came through intermittently:

"Hey Ronan, I was just about to contact you at the end of the month. I'm thinking of going to Provence for Easter this year. I miss you there."

Ronan said with a smile:
"I'll tidy up the house and wait for you before Easter, and I'll also prepare your favorite Cavallon melons. Hmm, the cherries will be ripe by then too, but remember to bring a few extra clothes this year."

The cow's mooing grew louder and louder:

"Okay, I won't bring any books, not a single one."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Ronan tentatively said:
“But I hope you can come to Provence next week. I know it might be a little difficult and might interfere with your work, but it is very important to me.”

Thor's gruff voice carried a hint of concern:
"What happened?"

Ronan took a deep breath:
"I plan to propose to Zoe next week."

(End of this chapter)