1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 40: Premium Truffles
the next day.

Zoe walked happily on the cobblestone road of Mena Village.

Is it called a 'spring outing' for three people?

Who told you not to complete the winter vacation practical activities in advance, Vieri?

Zoe was in a good mood today, but Ronan next to her was also in a good mood, which she couldn't understand.
Yesterday, such a large basket of truffles was sold for only 900 francs. Today, the box Ronan brought was half the size. Although she didn't see what was inside, it was not difficult to guess that today's income must be even worse than yesterday.

But today, Ronan was happier than Vieri who received 200 francs yesterday.

Why does he look so excited as if he had made a fortune?

In a blink of an eye, she saw Ronan open the sealed box. Surrounded by a dozen small truffles, in the middle lay a large truffle that was nearly twice the size of her fist.

Then the unique aroma of truffles hit my nose, which was extremely strong.

Zoe finally understood why Ronan was so happy.

He picked a superb truffle!

The next second, she couldn't hold back her anger and slapped Ronan's arm hard:

"Why don't you sell it in Lourmarin? There's no one here to keep order for you!"

Ronan took out the huge truffle like a treasure and said with a bright smile:

"There are no 'big fish' in Lourmarin."

At the same time, the village of Lourmarin.

Lucas sat on a large sofa covered with animal skins, cleaning his beloved hunting rifle:

“Hunting season is over.”

On the sofa opposite, Olivier's fat body was piled up like a small mountain. He stroked the two small mustaches above his lips and said:
"It's not just the hunting season that's over, it's also the truffle season, Lucas, are you going to do that business or not?"

According to their original plan, they should start selecting places to plant broad-leaved and coniferous forests at the end of February, and then enter the mycelium cultivation stage as soon as possible.

But Olivier looked for Lucas twice, and this guy acted like he was on vacation, and was only focused on hunting in the mountains, and was not at all active in his work.

Lucas put the shotgun on the table and lit a cigarette:

"Wait a little longer for Ronan. When the truffle picking season is over, he will soon realize that truffles are the most profitable business in Provence. At that time, he will not be so resistant to discussing cooperation with us."

Through drinking with Ronan, Theo learned indirectly that Ronan did not intend to devote all his energy to truffles and had recently been looking for other ways to make money.

Lucas felt this was an opportunity; Ronan couldn't find a more profitable business than truffles.

After being used to earning tens of thousands of francs a month, who could accept a job that only pays two or three thousand francs a month?
During this half day, he will look for an opportunity to meet Ronan.

Olivier spread his hands in confusion:

"I understand that you have high hopes for that young man's skills and think that he can greatly help you improve your harvesting efficiency, but can't we take action while waiting for him? Those mycelium will take a long time to cultivate and will take two or three years to take shape. We have to race against time."

Lucas blew out a puff of smoke and put his boots on the coffee table:

"Olivier, I discovered this business, and I will be the one making all the decisions. I thought we have reached an agreement on this point."

Olivier has been meddling in Lucas' affairs more and more recently. Relying on his resources in high-end restaurants, he feels that he is the core figure in this business.

Once the cooperation is confirmed, everyone will inevitably talk about the profit sharing ratio. Lucas guessed that Olivier would most likely ask for a high figure.

So Lucas wanted to deal with Ronan first. Then he could divide the profits into two parts: "channels" and "supply sources". With him and Ronan as the sources, he would undoubtedly take the lion's share. As long as he forced Olivier to agree to that number, he could say whatever he wanted about how to divide it with Ronan.
Does that guy have the qualifications to talk to him about "giving"?

Olivier sneered, and his fat body began to shake:

"Okay, sir, but I have to advise you that winter is over and the tourist season in Provence is about to begin. I will soon have to run around for my restaurants."

Olivier's tone was full of threat. Lucas also laughed:
“Those restaurants can make more money than truffles?”

Olivier took a sip of his aniseed wine:

“Which boss doesn’t have a dream of owning a Michelin restaurant?”

“Hahahaha—” Lucas raised his glass and toasted him from a distance, “I hope you will be the owner of the next Michelin restaurant. That way, we will have another generous buyer for our truffle business.”

Jingle bell bell—

Ten seconds later, Lucas's wife Mary came to the living room:

"Olivier, Mrs. Chels called to see you."

"Chelsea called here?" Olivier got up from the sofa with difficulty and answered the phone nervously. "She knew I was going to look for her soon. She called me now. Something must have happened."

Lucas stood up as well.

Although Olivier was a bit of a headache as a partner, he didn't want to see anything happen to this guy. They had known each other for more than ten years, and if they hadn't been doing business, they might have become good friends.

This is also the reason why Lucas has never taken Theo to do business. Even if they are brothers, they will still fall apart in the face of interests.

Olivier listened to the narration on the other end of the phone with a frown on his face, then hung up and immediately went to get his coat.

"What's wrong?" Lucas asked with concern.

Olivier said doubtfully:

"Chelse told me that there is a top-quality truffle in the market in Mena Village. It is the kind that can directly enter the threshold of a Michelin restaurant. She told me to buy it no matter what. I am going to Mena Village now."

Lucas couldn't help but frown.

The finest truffles?

As the self-proclaimed best truffle hunter in Lourmarin and the founder of the future Provence Truffle Empire, Lucas also put on his coat:

"I will go with you."

Lucas and Olivier drove to Mena Village and found that many car owners who had just parked in the parking lot were there for the premium truffles.

Because as soon as they opened the car door, they were busy asking passers-by on the road where the truffle stall was.

This made Olivier feel deeply uneasy.

The truffles must have been sold already, right?
Even if it wasn't sold, could he snatch it away?
He quickened his pace, trying to keep up with the truffle-buying group in front of him, leaving Lucas, who came to watch the fun, far behind.

At a crowded corner, a loud shout was heard:

"This truffle is auctioned. Whoever offers the highest price before 11:30 noon will be its owner!"

Olivier used his weight advantage to squeeze through the dense crowd and finally saw the target of his trip.

What Chelsea said was not an exaggeration. The delicious food made from this top-quality truffle with a diameter of more than 10 cm is enough to make an ordinary restaurant eligible to be included in the Michelin Red Guide!
Truffles are also known as the 'flavor enhancer'.

Imagine, would the food made with 3 cm wide truffle slices taste the same as the food made with 13 cm wide truffle slices?

Moreover, large truffles are a symbol of status and wealth.

Olivier had to fight hard for this truffle.

This is the closest he has ever been to Michelin!

He looked up with a flattering smile, wanting to establish a relationship with the boss, but suddenly took a big step back in surprise.

Is this premium truffle Ronan's?

(End of this chapter)