1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 445 An Interesting Triangular Relationship

Ronan stopped outside Blanco's office and knocked on the door.

Soon, Blanco's familiar voice rang out from inside:
"Please come in."

Ronan peeked inside first to check, and only went in with a smile after confirming that no one else was there.
"I passed by Quincy's office and found the door open. I thought he was here with you."

Without a word, Blanco bent down, opened the cabinet, and took out his treasured crystal glass:
"Quincy's posting has ended and he's gone back to Avignon. The wine left over from the last experiment is still here with me. You wouldn't have had a chance to drink it if you hadn't come."

Ronan knew that Juliet had left, but he didn't expect Quincy to leave as well.

“You can drink it anytime,” Ronan said, sitting down opposite Blanco. “Don’t drink too much. Have a small glass when you’re tired. I see other people do that.”

In Provence, wine is believed to cure all physical ailments and fatigue-related illnesses.

The busier a person is, the more they will try to find ways to have a few drinks.

Blanco poured Ronan half a glass of rosé, then poured himself a little, and sighed, saying:

"But lately I've been so busy I don't even have the energy to drink. My wife is already resting when I get home every day, and I haven't said goodnight to her for three days in a row."

Ronan looked up in surprise:
"Have you been that busy lately?"

Ronan thought the busy days of the Lourmaran government were over, since Quincy and Juliet had both left.

This signifies the end of a phase of the work.

Why are you even busier than before?

Blanco stood up, holding his cup, and stood in front of the map of Lourmaran on the wall.

He tapped on the densely packed, snail-shell-like area in the middle and said:
"Lourmaran is going to be expanded."

"When? Next year? Or the year after?" Ronan asked, holding up his cup.

Ronan had never heard of this news in his previous conversations with Blanco.

Blanco drank the pink liquid that had only a small bottom in the glass:

"This year, no, I should say soon, before Quincy left, he urged us to submit the second budget application as soon as possible, and he also asked us to use local government funding to start the expansion work as soon as possible."

"So eager?" Ronan put down his cup and asked, puzzled.

Stellagas is not yet completed, the castle is under renovation, and the infrastructure construction in Lourmaran is in full swing. Before all of these are finished, we are about to move on to the next phase of work.
The alcohol effectively relieved Blanco's anxiety, and he poured himself another glass of the pink liquid that was at the bottom:
"In fact, we originally only wanted to bring forward the construction of the second and third phases of the commercial street. However, during the planning discussions, we suddenly realized that, given Lourmaran's current situation and tourist volume, we should add a pharmacy that can provide basic medical care, a small art training school, and a formal square that can accommodate more people."

Blanco smiled and shrugged:

“Similar discoveries kept coming in, and then we decided to expand directly. After this expansion, the densely populated village area in Lourmaran will be about 30% larger than before. This idea came too suddenly, and we had never prepared for it before. Quincy needed it urgently, and you have no idea how we got through these past few days.”

“I think your decision is correct,” Ronan said carefully. “When I was looking for a place to rent in Louis yesterday, I found that Lourmaran now has its own hardware store and barbershop, as well as a jam shop that didn’t exist before. These new things should appear in Lourmaran as much as possible, but Lourmaran may not be able to accommodate them now that it is the size of the city.”

Blanco asked unexpectedly:
"You want to rent a house? What for?"

The conversation drifted off to something far-fetched, and Ronan almost forgot the purpose of his visit:
“I was looking for a shop for the Lourmaran Handicraft Cooperative. Our shop in Apt is too small to fit much furniture. But now that’s great, does this mean the second and third phases of the commercial street construction have been brought forward?”

If the second and third phases of the commercial street are built ahead of schedule, Ronan can wait a bit and not even rent out any houses anymore, so he can just move in all at once.

Blanco suddenly laughed happily and poured Ronan another glass of wine:

“We’re really on the same wavelength; this shop is already in our plans.”

Ronan paused in his drinking, then asked in surprise:

"Does your expansion plan require different store categories?"

Isn't this a bit too meticulous, my friend?

Blanco sighed bitterly:

"Don't forget where the money for the expansion came from. When applying for funding from the tourism board, you need to provide the most detailed plan. What Lourmaran will look like after the expansion and what new changes will occur are all essential details. Moreover, we pointed out in our previous application that Lourmaran will take a high-end and niche route in the future. At that time, it was just a vision. This time, submitting an application is not as simple as just shouting slogans. It needs to be implemented in detail. What is niche? What is high-end?"

Ronan nodded in understanding:
“Okay, let’s include the Lourmaran Handicraft Cooperative’s shop in the plan. In the future, our main business will be woven furniture, focusing on niche and high-end products. This should help Lourmaran enhance its niche and high-end image.”

After saying that, Ronan touched his nose sheepishly:
"Since we're all so familiar with each other, I won't stand on ceremony. I hope the shop is a bit bigger. Besides the regular sales area, I also want to set aside some space for interviews. The editor-in-chief of Michelin magazine agreed to hold some interviews in a house with woven elements, giving us some exposure."

Blanco agreed without hesitation:
“That’s natural. As a storefront of Lourmaran, the Lourmaran Handicraft Cooperative deserves a well-located and large shop.”

"Thank you so much, Blanco." Ronan sat up straight excitedly.

Chatting with Blanco is always so comfortable; he can thoughtfully resolve all the problems I've thought of and haven't even considered.

This comfort is different from the 'false' comfort brought by Llorente.

Blanco is incredibly reliable!
However, this time, the usually reliable Blanco actually showed a 'guilty' expression:

"As you said, we're all so familiar with each other, so I won't stand on ceremony."

He shifted his position, looking very uneasy.
“In future commercial areas, we hope to reserve more than just this one shop for you.”

Ronan showed no surprise:
"Do you want to open another restaurant? No problem. My dad and I have discussed the second store in Lourmaran. We've been prepared for this for a while. We just don't know if we'll be able to recruit enough people then."

Feng Zhen, the mother, always felt that the shop was too small and regretted turning the two floors upstairs into residences.

Ronan also thought it would be good to expand the store.

However, recruiting workers may be a problem.

Blanco said that the second and third phases of the commercial street would be larger than the first phase, with new facilities such as pharmacies and schools. In addition, with the recent arrival of barbershops and jam shops, there will be many new jobs in Lourmaran in the future, and the villagers may not be enough to fill them. They may have to look for people from other villages.

But that's also a good thing.

Provided that the population structure is not unbalanced and there is no outflow of young and middle-aged people, a shortage of labor is a symbol of the vitality of a village.

Blanco said with a sigh of relief:
"It's good that you thought about this issue in advance. I've included it in my application as well."

Ronan nodded in agreement:

"Sure, it can be a Chinese restaurant."

Blanco poured Ronan a third glass of wine:

"Then the third one—"

"Wait a minute." Ronan's eyes widened, hesitant to touch the wine. "A third one? What third one?"

Blanco blushed slightly.
“You have to understand us. There are only two months between the two applications, so we don’t have many highlights to offer. The most outstanding ones are the restaurant and tourism projects you run in Lourmaran. Even Quincy says you’re amazing. You can make everything you do a success. You have to take on more responsibility so that we can successfully get the budget. Ronan, please help us.”

"But what am I going to do with a third shop?" Ronan asked in a panic.

Blanco held Ronan's shoulder, afraid he would run away:

"The fastest part of the facilities in the second and third phases of the commercial street is expected to be completed before September. You still have a lot of time to consider, so don't rush, think it over slowly. But remember to match the theme of high-end and niche. I believe you can do it."

Ronan has received too many benefits from the Lourmaran government, not only money but also endless resources. In the past few days, the government has arranged for people to build new signs for Ronan's restaurant.

It was rare for Blanco to ask him for a favor, so Ronan had to agree even if he was unwilling.

However, besides not knowing what to do, Ronan was also worried that his wallet wouldn't be able to handle it:

Are the buildings in Phase II and Phase III still eligible for rent and purchase?

Ronan was referring to the initial cooperation model. Blanco nodded.
"Yes, we will continue with the previous approach."

Ronan gritted his teeth and said:

"The cost of three shops is too high."

Blanco comforted Ronan:
"Buying is indeed expensive, but renting shouldn't be a burden for you."

Ronan was a major taxpayer in Lourmaran, and Blanco knew roughly what his income range was.

He also knew that Ronan had other 'gray' income, such as buying and selling black truffles that could only be paid in cash.

Stop complaining about being poor.

Ronan let out a long breath.

House prices in Lourmaran will reach an outrageous figure around 1990, so there are opportunities to profit from this, which he cannot ignore.

Based on the first cooperation, the government did not offer any preferential land price; the settlement was based on the market price of that month. However, the policies were too attractive.

The 200-square-meter courtyard of Ronan Restaurant was given away as a gift.

How can you spit out such a 'fat sheep' that's practically delivered to your mouth?
"I need to work harder to earn money again," Ronan encouraged himself.

Restaurants, Stella, and textile manufacturing all need to speed things up.

Thinking of this, Ronan said to Blanco across from him:
"When expanding, let's consider one more latitude."

"What?" Blanco thought they had thought things through thoroughly enough, but what had they overlooked?

Ronan tapped his wine glass and said:
"Considering the issue of hosting events, do you have indoor and outdoor venues capable of hosting large-scale events?"

Seeing that Blanco remained silent, Ronan continued:
"To close the gap with the Golden Triangle, in addition to attracting tourists, we also need to enhance the region's influence. Lourmaran needs to host large-scale events of a certain size to gain wider recognition."

Blanco, with a smile, pressed his temple:

"This adds another layer of difficulty."

in the afternoon.

Ronan drove to Aix-en-Provence, where he had a rather interesting dinner with Mr. Llorente and Ms. Sanson.

Why is it interesting?

Because the relationship between these three people is really too peculiar.

Ms. Sanson's target is Ronan, Ronan's target is Llorente, and Llorente's target is Sanson; they form a closed loop.

This is so interesting.

Of these three relationships, Sanson is the one who is most obviously trying to "please" Ronan. She makes no secret of her respect and fondness for Ronan and asks him several times to quote her a price for a piece that can match "Lovebirds".

Llorente was more subtle in his use of the word "ingratiate".

In fact, Llorente acted very subtly, perhaps because Ronan understood his nature and felt that everything he said was purposeful.

Ronan did it the most subtly.

He also hoped to gain something from this meal, after all, it takes more than four hours to drive there and back!
But the two people around him were talking so loudly that Ronan couldn't get a word in edgewise.

"Try the cheese pumpkin pie here," Ms. Sanson said, offering Ronan a portion of dessert. "It's a specialty of this restaurant."

Ms. Sanson, the highest-ranking guest of honor tonight, focused the discussion entirely on art-related topics, leaving Llorente to interject other elements whenever possible.

"Ms. Sanson has such a great palate. Her cheese and squash pie in Provence is second to none here."

After saying that, he handed a piece to Ms. Sanson:
"It's especially good to eat it while it's hot, madam. Please eat it while it's hot too."

Mrs. Sanson's eyes were only on Ronan:

"Ronan, have you made any new desserts lately?"

Ronan lowered his head to hide his smile:

"I've been busy preparing for my wedding lately and haven't had time to create anything."

This is the second dessert of the night, because none of the three of them have achieved their goals and they refuse to leave.

Seeing that there was no hope if they didn't try harder, Llorente forcefully steered the conversation to another level:
"But Ronan will soon have a new creation, madam. Have you forgotten? Ronan will be participating in the first Provence Pastry Competition in May. You must go and try it."

“Of course I remember, Llorente,” Ms. Sanson said with a smile, “but I’m more interested in the inedible desserts Ronan made.”

"Haha, Madam's taste and aesthetic sense are indeed excellent. I believe that ordinary works of art can no longer catch your eye." Llorente completely gave up resisting.

Since this lady doesn't want to talk about food events today, let's just be emotional support providers.

Llorente's departure disrupted the 'love triangle,' and the series of back-and-forth exchanges between the three disappeared.

Ronan had already figured out the intentions of the two people opposite him.

Llorente wanted Ms. Sanson to sponsor her event, and Ms. Sanson wanted his work.

But it's clear that the two people on the other side won't be able to achieve their goals today, and tonight will definitely be a disappointing night.

Since that's the case, let me state my demands.

As Ronan ate his dessert, he spoke in a casual tone:

“Although I haven’t had time to create recently, I believe this opportunity is not far off. I wonder if you two know that Lourmaran is going to be expanded, and by a considerable amount. Many events will likely be held there in the future, and some of them will certainly be related to art. As Lourmaran’s ‘son-in-law,’ I must attend the events hosted by Lourmaran as the host.”

After saying that, Ronan lowered his head, smiled, and continued eating his dessert.

You've all finished fishing. Now it's my turn to cast the bait.

Ms. Sanson stopped chewing and lowered her head in silence.

Art activities?

when?
Llorente used alcohol to mask his surprise.

Lourmaran only recently received its first grant. Is it already planning an expansion?

The sign of Mena Village's rise to prominence was its expansion.

That evening, Llorente in Gold and Ms. Sanson in Marseille simultaneously made a decision—to inquire about Lourmarin from all sides, leaving no stone unturned.

April flew by, and soon it was the end of the month.

On this day, Ronan was drinking with his brothers Henry, Theo, and others at a restaurant when he suddenly received a phone call.

The caller wasn't unexpected; it was Juliet, with whom they had a long-standing close relationship.

But the news Juliet gave was very sudden:

"Professor Fernand said he has verified the information and wants you to go to Carpenter as soon as possible."

(End of this chapter)