1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 396 The time has come; it's time to fight.

The next morning, Ronan received another call from Juliet.

He thought Juliet had changed her mind and would let him write the application himself. Unexpectedly, the official talked to him about something else entirely:

"Are you going to apply for a 'test field' project for artificially cultivated truffles?"

The second application in the envelope was about the artificial cultivation of truffles.

Ronan sat down on the sofa and sighed deeply.

"Yes, I'd like to try."

Developing new grape varieties in Provence will inevitably encounter many obstacles related to weather and soil. Even with technical guidance from academic institutions, there is no guarantee that those problems can be completely solved and that successful cultivation can be achieved.

To increase the success rate, Ronan must continue to upgrade [Planting] and take control of the decision-making process.

After learning [Brewing] at the end of February, I still had over 1800 [Happiness] points left in the system. However, the accumulation speed of [Happiness] accelerated in January, and I could accumulate over 2000 points per month. At this moment, the happiness in the system has reached over 3000. It will only take a little over half a month to upgrade to level 5 [Planting].

Moreover, before officially brewing wine in September, he is fully capable of raising his [Planting] skill to level 6.

The mycelium required for artificial cultivation of truffles needs to undergo a long cultivation period in the laboratory, and there are also requirements for the soil, which may need to be modified first.

If we're lucky enough to get approved for the experimental field project to artificially cultivate truffles, by the time the mycelium is transplanted there, the [Cultivation] level might already be 6.

What if I reach level 6 in [Planting] and gain knowledge about artificially cultivated truffles?
Ronan only has one level 5 skill, which is [Cooking].

Level 5 [Cooking] grants the 'God Tongue' such an overpowered skill, and Level 6 [Planting] offers a great chance to solve the problem of artificially cultivating truffles!
Furthermore, weather insurance has now been introduced, which has significantly reduced the risk factor.

Juliet said in a complicated tone:
"For other projects, I can only help you find departments that are of interest, but the artificial cultivation of truffles project, funded by the Provence regional government and our Vaucluse Ministry of Agriculture, has already been approved. I can give you a direct answer. However—"

After a long pause, Juliet's tone softened:
“This project requires a lot of investment. We can only provide you with free mycelium and technology. Labor costs, soil treatment, and irrigation are minor operating expenses. You can definitely come up with tens of thousands a month. But the host tree and land are very expensive, especially the land. This year, land prices in Provence are outrageous, Ronan. I advise you not to do this.”

Juliet watched Ronan rise from a market stall owner to where he is today.

His growth that year was very rapid, but he was definitely not one of those with "wealthy family backgrounds," unlike the others on the application list. Using his position to approve Ronan's application was actually a disservice to him.

Growing grapes has little cost, and Ronan had his own land, so he could just grow them. However, cultivating truffles requires a huge investment.

Ronan paused for a few seconds, then asked in a complicated tone:
"What if we had an existing host tree and land? Wouldn't the investment be much less?"

With the truffle harvesting season over and the weather warming up, Lucas's wife and son returned to Marseille, leaving him and Marguerite to live in Lourmarin.

Lucas could have gone with his wife and son, but on the day he was packing, he heard the news of Ronan's engagement.

To be honest, the proud Lucas had become an insecure Lucas, feeling out of place with the smiling villagers.

Even though he was extremely unwilling, he still had to attend Ronan's engagement, such a big event.

Ronan was the one who provided him with the most help over the past six months.

But after drinking with the farmers once, there was a second and a third time, and then the mycelial sampling results came out again.

On this day, as usual, the first thing Lucas did when he got up in the morning was to prepare breakfast for Margaret.

After his beloved daughter finished eating and lay down for a nap, he squatted down beside her like a doting father, carefully grooming her fur.

He chatted with Margaret while combing his hair, a pattern they've maintained for seven years.

“My dear daughter, the miracle didn’t happen. More than 90% of the mycelium in that forest died.”

“I thought I would break down, smash things, and take my anger out on people after I got the news. You know, I was completely invested. But none of those reactions happened. I chose to have a meal with my family, and my emotions just calmed down like that.”

"But even if I don't say anything, it seems like everyone already knows."

“The other day I was drinking with Fabian, and that guy actually insisted on paying for me,” Lucas said with a self-deprecating laugh. “They used to make me treat them every single day.”

"Theo got into a fight with someone yesterday, and his face was red. I asked him, but he wouldn't say. Does he think I wouldn't know if he didn't tell me?"

Lucas's tone and demeanor were very calm, perhaps because this ending had appeared in his dreams many times.

“You can sleep wherever you want tonight, even in Mom’s bed.” He patted Margaret’s head one last time, gathered up the dog hair scattered on the floor, and said with a smile, “Anyway, Mom won’t have a chance to come back to stay here again, she won’t find out.”

Frankly speaking, even now, Lucas has not decided whether to give up his dream of the truffle empire.

Perhaps without that cold snap, the mycelium detection data would have been excellent?
Perhaps the new cultivation technology mentioned by that Paris research institute is even more advanced than last year's, and that cultivating another batch of mycelium will surely be successful?
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps... things are uncertain and no conclusion can be reached right now.

However, it is certain that he will find it difficult to maintain the image of 'proud Lucas' in Lourmarin.

News of the failed artificial cultivation of truffles has reached us from other villages.

All the money earned during the truffle harvesting season was invested in the daily operation of that broadleaf forest, and the remaining cash was given to his wife and son who went to Marseille.

Whether it was to prepare for a possible next mycelial cultivation or to have sufficient funds for his future life, he decided to sell his house in Lourmarin, leave, and move to Marseille for good.

But before that, Lucas has two things to do.

One thing was to say goodbye to Ronan and tell him about his decision.

Another thing was to be completely honest with my brother Theo.

"I'm sorry, Theo, I'm not the brother you can be proud of anymore. Don't fight with others for me anymore, it's not worth it."

Ronan was easy to find; he was either at home or in a restaurant. But Theo was harder to find. That guy was never idle; he went wherever there was excitement. After grooming Margaret in the morning, Lucas called Theo first to tell him he was coming over for lunch and to wait at home.

Theo's wife answered the phone and said she would pass on the message to Theo.

Afterwards, Lucas rummaged through the warehouse for anything he could bring to Ronan.

After moving to Marseille, he didn't know when they would meet again, so he wanted to give Ronan a parting gift.

This kid is the only person he can't bear to part with in Lourmaran, besides his family.

While they were carefully selecting items, Margaret suddenly called out from outside, sounding unusually excited.

Lucas didn't even need to guess to know who was outside the door, and it could only be that person.

“I was just about to come looking for you.” Lucas invited Ronan and his dog in.

Ronan stroked Margaret's soft fur and said enviously:
"They're both wire-haired dogs, but Margaret's coat is so much softer than a Marseille's. How did you raise her so well?"

“You’ll raise it like a daughter.” Lucas poured Ronan a drink. “If you treat it like your own child, you’ll definitely raise it well.”

Ronan's bitter pursed lips:
“But I also treat Xiao Hei and Ma Sai like my sons.”

Lucas shrugged noncommittally:

"Maybe."

“Really,” Ronan joked. “I’m here today to ask for a wife for my son.”

Lucas laughed twice and handed the wine glass to Ronan:

"That's probably not possible."

Ronan took two thick stacks of banknotes from his jacket and placed them on the table:
"I've brought the gift money."

Ronan brought two stacks of 500-franc notes. Lucas looked away from the 10-franc note and said with a 'Are you crazy?' expression:
"I just don't want Margaret to have babies. I've never stopped them from playing together. What are you doing?"

Ronan smiled and pushed the two stacks of money forward a little:
"Oh, so you agree. That puts my mind at ease. Let's find another way to use this money."

Lucas crossed his arms and squinted at Ronan.

Did you not wake up properly last night?

What are you doing?
Ronan's smile faded, and he said seriously:

"I'm here to join the group."

"Join? Join what kind of group?" Lucas's eyebrows furrowed.

“Cultivated truffles,” Ronan said calmly.

Lucas finally blurted out what he had been holding back for so long:
"Are you sick? Don't you know what's going on my end? You're still trying to join me?"

I was already considering withdrawing, and now you want to join me?!

Ronan waved his hand, signaling Lucas to calm down and listen to his explanation first:
“I refused to join last year because the timing was bad. It really wasn’t a good time, and although the situation is still not optimistic now, I think the timing is right.”

Without giving Lucas a chance to refute, Ronan continued:
"The cold wave in January froze at least half of the wild black truffles. It will take at least 7-10 years for them to return to last year's prices. This is the growth cycle of wild truffles, but cultivated truffles only need 3-7 years. As you can see, the price of truffles this year is outrageous. It's worth taking a chance."

What Ronan said is exactly why Lucas doesn't want to give up. Now is the best time to develop artificial truffles, but problems are also in front of him.
Last year, Ronan advised Lucas not to act impulsively; a year later, the roles have reversed for the same reasoning.
"But no one can guarantee that artificial cultivation of truffles will be successful. As you said, it's a gamble."

Ronan could not explain the existence of the system and could only shift the blame to the research institutions:

“This is indeed a huge problem, but I contacted the Ministry of Agriculture of Vaucluse, and they are willing to provide free strains and technical support for the artificial cultivation of truffles. The organization providing technical support this time is the Provence Truffle Technology Center, headquartered in Carpenter, which should be much more reliable than your Paris institution.”

In the morning, Juliet gave Ronan a detailed introduction to the Provence Truffle Technology Center over the phone.

This newly established organization has brought together many experts in Provence who specialize in truffles, and it has set up its location in the largest trading center for black truffles in Provence.

A glimmer of hope suddenly appeared in Lucas's eyes.

The cost of purchasing strains is extremely high, more than 2 yuan per hectare, yet someone is actually providing subsidies?

Where did such a good thing come from?
But then again, it's not surprising that Ronan Lucas said those words—miracles often happen to Ronan.

But the hope only lasted a few seconds before the light in his eyes dimmed again.

The proud Lucas finally lowered his head and said with difficulty the truth that Ronan or the whole village probably knew, but which he himself did not want to admit:

"That sounds great, but I don't have the capital to partner with you anymore. To be honest, I'm already planning to sell—"

Ronan suddenly grabbed Lucas's wrist and 'lifted' his lowered head:

"Of course you have the resources to cooperate with me. You have 10 hectares of land and already planted host trees. How about it, would you like to hear more about this business?"

Ronan's radiant smile seemed to give Lucas a glimpse of a bright sun hanging overhead.

A miracle has finally happened to me?

(End of this chapter)