1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 418 The Best Zoe in the World
Ronan took some time to ask Pierre about the situation on the northern slope.

Pierre said that old Nemo, having completely abandoned his farmland, received neither disaster compensation nor was able to participate in the land clearing program. He was furious to hear how much money others had received and was going to argue with the government. He wasn't in the mood to talk to Pierre about buying and selling land.

There were too many miscellaneous matters to deal with in St. Scottsga, and the land for Melo had not yet been acquired, so Ronan's mood was inevitably a bit bad, and he sighed quite a few more times a day.

Zoe keenly observed Ronan's 'restlessness', and one evening after dinner, she took the initiative to send Ronan an invitation:
"Why don't you go do something else to clear your head?"

Ronan has been exhausted lately, both physically and mentally, and it breaks her heart to see him like this.

“Sure,” Ronan would try to present a positive and optimistic image to Zoe. “How about a night stroll? The temperature is just right now.”

The couple's nighttime stroll had been planned once in March, but it was cancelled because the nighttime temperatures in Luberon were too low.

Another month passed. Although the nighttime temperature still did not exceed 10 degrees Celsius, the temperature felt quite pleasant shortly after sunset, so one wouldn't feel the urge to go back inside as soon as they went outside.

Zoe extended her index finger and shook it from side to side:

"Let's make furniture. Didn't you say you wanted to try making some furniture other than chairs using weaving? Why don't you give it a try?"

Ronan nodded in agreement:

"Okay."

Zoe's refusal to go out at night and her bringing Ronan to make furniture were purposeful.

Only when you are completely immersed in another thing that needs to be taken seriously can your mind forget the previous thing that you need to think about.

Sure enough, Ronan breathed a sigh of relief after less than an hour in the studio.

This time, his sigh wasn't because something was troubling him again, but because he felt much more relaxed.

The truth is, once you leave that 'anxious' state and do something else, when you look back, you might think—that thing wasn't so difficult after all.

Ronan continued what he was doing, smiling as he said:
"Thank you."

Zoe has been closely monitoring Ronan's condition:
"Is it easier now?"

Ronan nodded:

"You'll find that being anxious is useless. For example, Nemo's attitude is that he will never sell the land without getting an answer. So in this matter, the only thing I can do is wait. Being anxious is futile."

Zoe gently hugged Ronan from behind, resting her chin on his shoulder and saying:

"You've already done a great job, don't put too much pressure on yourself."

Ronan said with a wry smile:
"Opening a winery is unlike anything I've done before. It's too complicated, especially starting from when there wasn't even a factory. I was always afraid of overlooking something or making a mistake. And even though I tried my best to learn, there were still many things I didn't understand and lacked."

“For example?” Zoe asked, gently patting Ronan’s arm as if coaxing a child.

“I’ve assigned people to oversee the factory construction, organized vineyard tours, and maintained relationships with our old clients. I thought I’d taken care of everything, but then I suddenly realized I’m missing an accountant, someone who can keep the books straight like my mother did. And Lourmaran doesn’t have anyone readily available. It’s a real struggle.” Ronan kept grimacing. “But I’m not in a rush now. I’ll fill in for now, and I’ll have Blanco ask around in other villages.”

The tourism bureau's first aid payment has recently arrived, and Blanco's first grant to Ronan is also about to be disbursed, but Stella currently has no one in charge of this part, nor anyone who knows how.

Ronan was trying to free his mother from the restaurant and prevent her from working every day, so naturally he didn't want to leave the winery business to her to handle anymore.

However, Ronan recently consulted her on many related issues. Before Ronan officially joined the finance department, he could temporarily take on the role, taking it one step at a time.

There are many, many more similar cases; this is just one of them.

How could Ronan not be mentally exhausted?
Not wanting to burden Zoe with too much negative emotion, Ronan turned back and gently kissed her.
"I'm sorry, darling, I need to take care of things over there for a while, but I promise I'll get it done as soon as possible and come to the studio to meet you."

Zoe put aside all her work and threw herself into the renovation project, but Ronan was bogged down in his own affairs and felt extremely guilty. Zoe frowned and said to Ronan:
"What are you talking about? Do I need to apologize to you?"

The next second, she gently embraced Ronan:

"Don't worry, I can handle it."

The next morning, Ronan went to Nemo's house again, and the answer was the same—there was no way to sell the land for the time being.

Afterwards, Ronan went to the rosé museum on the shopping street to 'visit' Cornell.

The museum has been in trial operation for two weeks, and Cornell has successfully completed the adaptation period for his new job. He is becoming more and more fluent in his speeches, and his demeanor is much calmer.

“God, you have no idea how nervous I was in the days leading up to the soft opening.” Recalling those days, Cornell still felt lingering fear. “The thought of so many strange girls staring at me made me so nervous that I felt like throwing up, I couldn’t stop myself from feeling it.”

Ronan gave him a 'Are you alright?' look:

"So how did you overcome it?"

Cornell shrugged and said:

"Just grit your teeth and get through it. What other way is there? Only you can help yourself. Do you expect those female tourists to close their eyes? Then...then I've wasted my breath talking to them?"

Suddenly, Cornell touched the sides of his hair and asked Ronan:
"How's my new hairstyle? I got it done in the village of Mena for 60 francs. The stylist said it's the most popular hairstyle in town. I bet some town girls will like me!"

Seeing Cornell like this, Ronan knew there was nothing to worry about regarding his condition.

It's perfectly fine that he still has the mind to think about marrying a girl from the city.

You should worry about yourself.

Cornell is right.

When you encounter difficulties, the only one who can help you is yourself. Instead of sighing and complaining, do something else, like dealing with those annoying accounts!
When Ronan got home, he was surprised to find Zoe and her mother, Feng Zhen, sitting at the dining table with many sheets of paper and blank paper in front of them.

"What are you doing?" Ronan asked curiously as he walked over.

How did these two get together?

Feng Zhen glanced at Ronan:
"What am I doing? It's all for you!"

Zoe looked up, her bright, light blue eyes sparkling with a smile, and said:
"I was asking Auntie about financial matters. I'll handle the finances for you from now on. Also, since I have some experience with the winery, I can help you recall if we've overlooked anything or made any mistakes. I can share the pressure with you. Don't worry about me. I wasn't idle while I was observing Dad and Vieri at the restaurant cashier; I have some basic knowledge—"

Zoe couldn't make a sound because her mouth was blocked; Ronan kissed her for quite a while before letting her go.

"You will definitely be the best wife in the world."

Who says only you can help yourself?!

Zoe blushed and broke free from Ronan's embrace, glancing repeatedly at Ronan's mother.

Feng Zhen opened her eyes as if she had just woken up from a nap:

"Hmm, what's wrong? I haven't been sleeping well these past few days. I can fall asleep even while sitting. I'm going upstairs to catch up on my sleep. If I'm not fully awake, my mind won't be clear, and I can't explain it clearly."

Hurry, hurry, he's already proposed, shouldn't we start planning for my grandson?
I'm leaving. You guys continue!

continue! !
(End of this chapter)