1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 439 The Eight Families
Every culinary event held in Provence is a stage for Llorente to "play both sides".

On such days, he would spend time with various VIPs, and he would hardly put any energy into the competition.

Even though people's attention is elsewhere, the great Mr. Llorente is able to clearly know everything that is happening at the game and in the surrounding area.

He was very good at winning people's hearts and instructed his staff to report to him every now and then.

He would then carefully 'polish' this firsthand information and tell it humorously to the guests or sponsors.

Whether you're here for fun, work, or just passing by, Mr. Llorente always manages to pique your interest.

Perhaps before this event even starts, the next event will already be 'formed'.

"Alita, how about I have someone get you a 'Mr. Bodybuilder' bread to try? What, you didn't know? One of the contestants this time is a fitness fanatic, and his booth is full of huge 'muscles'!"

“Mr. Goreden, I heard you’re considering sponsoring the Gypsy pilgrimage festival in May? That’s dangerous, you know. There were a lot of bad things that happened at the event the year before last. How about this, I’ll organize a food and religious party for you. There’s a contestant in the bread competition who makes excellent Ramadan bread. How about I take you to see him? Maybe they can also offer other varieties.”

"Hi, Ms. Sanson, congratulations on your marriage! What brought you from Marseille to Ménez? Let me guess, it must be that the old shipping magnate is craving authentic Provençal bread, right? Would you like me to recommend a few good stalls?"

When Ms. Sanson, wearing a black top hat, arrived, Llorente immediately set aside the other guests and devoted all his energy to this legendary figure.

The bread-making competition in Mena village has been held for more than a dozen years, and the old Marseille shipping magnate provides a certain amount of funding every year, and will also attend in person whenever he has time.

However, after marrying Ms. Sanson, the old shipping magnate's health deteriorated, and this year only Ms. Sanson attended the event.

“That’s wonderful. Ace was sad for days because he couldn’t be there in person this year. He specifically asked me to come and see what new bread designs there are this year, and to tell him about them when I get back.” Ms. Sanson leaned forward gracefully. “Thank you for your trouble.”

“It is my honor!” Lundlütt made a gentlemanly 'please' gesture.

“Wait a moment, Mr. Llorente!” a staff member whispered in his ear. “That gentleman named Ronan has decorated their display area very uniquely, blah blah blah. I think you should take a look there.”

“Understood.” The staff member spoke for at least one or two minutes. Llorente nodded quickly, then said apologetically to Ms. Sanson, “I’m sorry to have kept you waiting. Let’s go see the champions from last year’s competition. They’re here again this year and are still strong contenders for the title.”

“Okay, please lead the way.” Ms. Sangsong nodded politely.

The old shipping magnate's strength and influence were not on the same level as those wine merchants in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

While taking Ms. Sanson to the bread competition, Llorente made sure to tell her about his plans for other culinary events in the future.

“People say the bread competition is the start of the lively atmosphere in Ména, but it also heralds the start of the Provençal culinary events. Every year when I come to participate in the bread competition, I am incredibly excited. Because after that, the wonderful Provençal culinary events will continue until the end of September, which is something to look forward to!” Llorente said passionately in front of a display area.

"Is this last year's champion?" Ms. Sanson asked.

“That’s right, they won last year.” Llorente picked up a piece of feta cheese bread, put it in his mouth, and chewed it with satisfaction with his eyes closed. “How well the Bouillabaisse Olympics and the old shipping magnate are matched. In fact, I recommended it to Mr. Ace six years ago. I wonder what his decision is?”

“He said he’s not considering it for now.” Ms. Sanson picked through the bread at the stall. “Ace said last year’s champion’s naked bread tasted good.”

“Try this mille-feuille, it’ll be so delicious you’ll want to bite your tongue off.” Llorente opened his eyes and handed a few other pastries to Ms. Sanson. “Mr. Ace is a bit of a rascal. If the weather is nice in July, he could go see the garlic braiding contest in Lottek or the lavender honey toast stacking contest in Valensole. Both are very fun, and he’ll definitely enjoy them.”

"I'll go back and ask him." Ms. Sanson picked out several kinds of bread. "Are these all the good ones here?"

Llorente chuckled and said:

"You've already picked out all the highlights here."

Ms. Sanson touched her chest and said:
"That's great. I hope Ace will like them. You know, Ace's favorite food is bread."

Ms. Sanson always maintained a distant and unapproachable demeanor, never offering a smile. Llorente knew that extracting money from her and the old shipping magnate wouldn't be so easy.

After leaving this exhibition area, Llorente led Ms. Sanson to the next 'seed player' booth.

But Ms. Sanson stopped in her tracks:

"Thank you, Llorente. I think I've gotten enough gifts for Ace to take back. He can't live without me, and I need to get back."

Llorente's lips twitched involuntarily several times.

What a loving couple!

So they just bring home the stuff from one stall to get by, and they're not even going to put on an act anymore?

Llorente gave Madame Sanson's hand a gentlemanly kiss:

"Okay, please give my regards to Mr. Ace." Sanson only took less than 5 minutes from his appearance to his departure, 3 of which were spent on the journey, because last year's champion was in a more secluded part of the square.

However, Ms. Sangsong, who was in a hurry to get home, spent 6 or 7 minutes getting back but still hadn't reached the end:

"A sudden surge in tourists?"

Llorente glanced at the most crowded area and, embellishing the story, explained to Ms. Sanson:
"You might not know this, but our competition has also attracted an artist, and a very famous one at that. He has decorated the exhibition area with a very artistic flair. Have you ever seen vases made of bread? Have you ever seen flowers made of bread? Haha, I was quite surprised when I saw it. Look, his booth is over there. I'll take you there on our way back."

Every extra minute of contact gives Llorente an extra minute to work hard.

When Ms. Sanson heard the word 'artist,' she said dismissively:

“This kind of ‘unproductive’ guy shouldn’t be called an artist.”

An artist making bread?

Stop joking.
Ms. Sanson, a seasoned buyer in the Provençal art world, guessed that this must be some ungrateful fellow who made up this title just to garner attention.

The tactful Argumentator dared not directly contradict his God, but still expressed himself in a very tactful way:
"Well, it might be a bit of a frivolous pursuit, but combining it with food is precisely his artistic style, and it has made him very successful."

Ms. Sanson's eyebrows furrowed slightly.

An artist who combines food and art?
It seems to be developing quite well?

Are there such people in Provence?
Suddenly, a girl dressed like a tourist walked past them carrying two pink 'dumplings' and several pink bread rolls. Ms. Sanson's attention was drawn to her, and she asked Llorente beside her:

"what are these?"

Llorente got stuck.

None of his subordinates had reported to him that such a special bread had appeared in this bread competition.

Where was this exhibited?
The customer is king, and to answer Ms. Sanson's question, Llorente stopped the girl:
"Excuse me, what is this? Where did you buy it?"

The tourist pointed to the area where the crowd was densest:
"Where did you buy it?"

Llorente's self-talk, both amused and exasperated:

"This Ronan..."

"Ronan?" Mrs. Sanson suddenly turned around. "You mean Ronan is here?"

Llorente was delighted and pointed to the middle position with a smile:
"Yes, Ronan is the artist I told you about who came to participate in the competition."

Ms. Sanson, adjusting her black top hat, squeezed into the crowded flow of people:

"We should bring back some of that special bread for Ace to try."

Ms. Sanson is also a strong contender for the 'Lovebirds' design in the Gold series of events.

The name Ronan was deeply imprinted in her mind.

For collectors, meeting a favorite artist is like meeting an idol – a source of immense joy and happiness.

But when Ms. Sanson squeezed into the crowd and saw what was happening in that exhibition area, her joy and happiness immediately doubled—there was even another artist she admired, Zoe!
However, her surprise soon came in the third layer.

"What kind of bread is this? It's so cute!"

Ms. Sanson was mesmerized by the stacks of pink buns and bread, as if she had returned to that summer when she was a 17-year-old girl.

In fact, most of the people interested in this exhibition area are women.

Ms. Sanson finally smiled:

"You did a great job organizing this event, Llorente."

Llorente looked at the busy Ronan with a broad smile.

This young man is really good.

It will be of great use in the future!
(End of this chapter)