1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 452 Perfect Understanding

The waiting time was agonizing for Lucas, but for Ronan and Zoe, it was just a change of scenery to do what they did every day.

Since they started preparing for their wedding, Ronan and Zoe have been inseparable.

After Ronan took over Stellaco, the two worked together for even longer periods.

Working while also having a romantic relationship—what a wonderful thing! Why rush it?
"Let's drink." Ronan, beaming, ordered his third bottle of rosé wine of the day, tapping the bottle as he poured. "Thanks, Lucas!"

Ronan didn't know which brand of rosé wine this café had served before, but every bottle of Stellar Rosé that appeared in Nice in the future owed its existence to Lucas.

Seeing that Cherno hadn't shown up yet, and Lucas couldn't join his conversation with Zoe, Ronan brought up a work-related topic:
"Shall we talk about compensation?"

For more than a month, Lucas has been working for free.

Ronan mentioned payment to Lucas several times on the phone, but Lucas always said there was no rush and they would talk about it when they met.

After meeting with Cherno, Ronan will have to part ways with Lucas again. Shouldn't we talk about this today?

To be honest, when Lucas said he would help Strasbourg, it was entirely out of a desire to "back up" Ronan; he had no intention of making money from it at all.

Who doesn't know what the situation is like for rosé wine in Provence and how much money can be made there?
But based on his experiences in Marseille and Nice, Lucas felt that rosé wine definitely had potential in Provence, and quite a lot of potential, especially in these popular tourist destinations by the sea.

Lucas has no income outside the truffle harvesting season. After experiencing ups and downs over the past two years, it would be a lie to say he isn't under financial pressure.

Although the government has provided assistance and Ronan has joined the effort with the help of Lady Luck, who can guarantee that this artificial cultivation of truffles will be successful?
Even more challenging is whether Sophie can become an excellent truffle dog after Margaret's retirement.

What if he ends up like Ronan's two good-for-nothing sons?
What if I don't have a nose as good as Margaret's?
All of these reasons prompted Lucas to seek another way to make money.

However, given his status as the 'big brother,' he was too embarrassed to bring up money with Ronan, so he kept putting it off until now.

Ronan brought it up again, but Lucas, concerned for his image, insisted:
"No rush, we'll talk about it when they come to you to buy wine."

Every bottle of Stellar Rosé sold now has nothing to do with Ronan; the money goes straight into Jerome's pocket.

Ronan will only be able to profit from Lourmarin's wine cellar once it is completed.

Ronan understands Lucas's personality too well; it's fair to say that Ronan is the person who understands Lucas best among Lourmaran's people.

A few months ago, when he was under so much financial pressure, Lucas refused to say a single word to his family. If he hadn't used some underhanded tactics, the proud Lucas would never have easily accepted the payment from Ronan.

"You're not going to ask for the money you spent on your stay in Nice, the money you spent on meals for your clients, or the expenses you'll incur when you travel to other cities in the future?" Ronan asked jokingly.

Lucas took a sip of rosé and said nonchalantly:
"There's no need to give us any money."

Ronan smiled and pursed his lips:

"Don't set a bad precedent. You have money, so this amount is nothing to you. You can just spend it and be done with it. But what about the travel expenses incurred by other people doing marketing in the future? Are you going to bear them all yourself?"

Ronan shook his head and sighed:
"Theo doesn't have your wealth. You should know his personality. If he knew you did this, he wouldn't accept a single penny from me, even if he went to borrow money. Wouldn't that cause chaos?"

Lucas looked at Ronan in surprise:

"Is Special Olympics also going to expand into new markets?"

Ronan nodded:

"Yes, Theo is eloquent and knows how to get things done. Besides, you can't manage all of Provence by yourself. The previous team in charge of developing the market in Stella had three or four people. Once the factory is almost finished, I'll have him come over to help you."

The farmers are hardworking and simple, but they are generally not good at speaking and have little knowledge.

They can talk a lot of nonsense, but it's too difficult to get them to go out and socialize or meet clients.

Not only within St. Strasga, but throughout Lourmaran, only the brothers Lucas and Theo possess exceptional insight and vision.

Ronan's good friend Theo had always wanted to do something with his brother Lucas, and now that the opportunity had arisen, Ronan was naturally going to grant his wish.

Moreover, this mutual support is likely to be mutual. Ronan knows that Lucas also cares a lot about his younger brother.

Bringing out the Special Olympics worked!

Lucas didn't argue further, he just kept smoking and thinking.

Ronan brought out the reasons he had prepared long ago:

“Plant manager, winemaker, and marketing manager are the three most important roles in Stella. The first two are currently vacant, and you're the only one who can help me. Besides Theo, pick another clever guy. Your department is all based on a base salary plus performance-based commission. I asked Jerome, and he says it can be quite lucrative.”

Seeing that Lucas still didn't react, Ronan patted his arm and said:
“If you, as the elder brother, play a good role, Theo can earn more money. Anna said she wants to become an excellent artist like Zoe. You should know Theo’s personality. He would do anything to help his daughter fulfill her dream, even if it means selling everything he owns. But becoming an artist requires a huge investment.”

Zoe and Ronan worked together seamlessly.

"Too many artists have given up their dreams because of economic pressure."

“Yes!” Ronan said excitedly, “Theo has already started looking for art teachers for Anna. The child is still young and we don’t know what she is interested in. He has arranged for Anna to try everything, such as painting, music, and sculpture. How much will that cost? You should take Theo out to make money so that his family is as wealthy as yours!”

Zoe used drinking to hide her expression.

Ronan should be busy socializing and expanding the market. His ability to deceive is getting more and more sophisticated.

Theo only brought Anna to the restaurant to play with the artists a few times; when did he ever take any money from her?

However, seeing Ronan giving her a "helping" look, Zoe still lied and said:
"I heard that in Aix-en-Provence, an art training class for children under 10 costs 150 francs for 2 hours, while a more advanced class costs 300 francs. If it's a class taught by a famous teacher, the price will be—"

Ronan also suppressed a laugh as he drank.

He and Zoe are getting along better and better!
Zoe has absolute authority in art, and Ronan and she work together seamlessly.

Within minutes, Lucas had fallen into their trap again, and said with a serious expression:

"Why didn't this Special Olympics guy tell me about his huge financial burden?"

“Isn’t he learning from you? Haven’t you noticed? Theo is imitating you in every way!” Ronan raised his glass and clinked it with Lucas’s. “But if you do a good job, Theo will definitely work hard to catch up with you. It’s settled then. You’ll work with Theo in the future.”

Zoe took out a pen and paper from her bag and said skillfully:

"Give me your ID card, and I'll get you insurance for this month. Oh, and remember to get receipts for your accommodation and meals. Bring them next time, and I'll reimburse you."

Lucas frowned as he sized up the two people opposite him.

Why did he feel like he'd been tricked again?

About two hours later, Cherno finally arrived.

This guy kept apologizing to Ronan, saying that there was an urgent matter at the newspaper that had delayed him, and he was bowing so much that his head was bleeding.

Damn it, how could I have kept this gentleman waiting for so long?
Is Ines going to fire me?

Cherno's network was the most important factor in helping Lucas expand into the Nice market.

In Lucas's eyes, Cherno was the real big shot.

Seeing the respect and caution that the important figures showed towards Ronan only strengthened his resolve to join Stella and work alongside Ronan.

Being Ronan's 'underling' is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of!
Ronan, of course, had no idea about Lucas's complex inner thoughts. He had come specifically to thank Cherno. "No words or meals can adequately express my gratitude. I'll be going to the Monaco F1 Grand Prix with Ines soon, and I'll definitely sing your praises to her then. Cherno, thank you so much!"

Upon hearing this, Cherno bowed even more vigorously:
"Mr. Ronan, I'm so sorry, so sorry."

The editor-in-chief is taking Ronan to see F1?

This further demonstrates the closeness of their relationship!
He excitedly said to Lucas:
"Sir, I'll introduce you to some more people!"

Lucas looked even more excited than Cherno.

what?
Ronan is going to watch F1 live??

Cherno was busy and left after a while.

Ronan and Zoe didn't leave immediately; they spent some more time with Lucas.

"Are you going to Monaco?" Lucas asked, feigning jealousy.

Watching F1 live is a dream for every man in Provence. Just imagining the cars whizzing past you and hearing the roar of them is enough to get your blood pumping.

Lucas would inquire about tickets every year, but every year he would come up empty-handed.

That's something that money can't buy; it can only be bought with 'social status'.

Ronan smiled and took Zoe's hand:

"Yes, Zoe and I will go together."

Lucas felt even worse.

Not only can you go see it yourself, but you can also bring your whole family along?
To be honest, Lucas was genuinely happy that Ronan was doing well.

But thinking about Ronan last year, and then about the gap between the two sides now, I still feel a little 'uncomfortable'.

Lucas didn't reply and continued drinking with his head down.

However, this did not stop the young couple from continuing their previous conversation; no matter how they started, they were able to chat happily.

Zoe happily pulled Ronan back:
"The trip to Monaco is just around the corner, shouldn't we start making some preparations?"

Ronan blurted out:

"What preparation?"

The relationship between France and Monaco is so close that it's like "we're inseparable." For the French, getting to Monaco is simpler than taking the metro in Paris.

You need to buy a ticket to take the subway, but you don't even need a stamp to go to Monaco; you don't need a passport at all.

The currencies of these two countries are also interchangeable.

What else needs to be prepared?
Zoe tapped Ronan's sunglasses, then his clothes:
"We should prepare more couple accessories, different styles, but the kind of thoughtful matching that makes it immediately clear that we are a couple."

Zoe didn't treat this trip to Monaco as work at all; she just thought of it as a trip with Ronan.

Ronan responded enthusiastically:
"Okay, how would you like to style it?"

Zoe looked at the buildings on both sides:

"I remember there are a few department stores around here. Shall we go and have a look?"

Ronan clapped his hands in delight:

"Sure! I haven't gone shopping with you in ages, let's buy a lot today!"

Ronan and Zoe tried very hard to get Lucas to join in the conversation.

But as they chatted, the two of them entered their own world, making it impossible for others to join in.

However, this was not intentional at all; it happened naturally.

After chatting for a while, Ronan realized he was neglecting Lucas again, so he quickly changed the subject:

"Lucas, is there anything you want from Monaco? I'll bring it back for you."

Nice is only a 20-minute drive from Monaco, and Ronan passes through Nice on his way to and from Monaco. He wanted to bring Lucas something.

Lucas took out the last cigarette from the pack, smiled, put it in his mouth, but didn't light it immediately.
"I guess I know the answer to that question."

"What question?" Ronan and Zoe asked at the same time.

Lucas played with the match in his hand:
"The answer to why your mindset suddenly changed."

"Why?" the young couple asked in unison once again.

They've been discussing this for so long and haven't found the answer. How could Lucas know?

Lucas lit a cigarette, took two puffs, and then spoke:
"You're used to having each other in your lives, and even at work, so the thought of facing a boring job alone makes you subconsciously resistant and feel that you can't accept it."

Why weren't Ronan and Zoe in a hurry during the two-hour wait?
Because they simply changed the location of their relationship.

They talked about topics they liked, ate the same things they liked, and played pranks in perfect sync. Lucas believed that these few hours today were a reflection of Ronan and Zoe's life over the past few months.

Having grown accustomed to a life of sweetness, how could one possibly want to endure hardship?

Ronan and Zoe looked at each other for a moment, then burst out laughing at the same time.

They don't know if Lucas is right or wrong; there's no standard answer to this question.

But they liked the answer!
Lucas placed a banknote on the table, stood up with a cigarette in his mouth, stretched, and then said to Ronan:

"You brat, there are so many things that make me 'jealous' of you. You're more capable than me, you can earn more money than me, you're better than my friends, and you can even go to watch F1. But compared to all that, what I'm most jealous of is that you have such a happy marriage."

“My dear daughter, let’s go. Let’s not keep them from continuing their romance.” Lucas waved to Ronan and Zoe. “I will definitely send you a big gift for your wedding in July.”

With Lucas gone, Ronan and Zoe, who had been holding back for so long, finally stopped trying to control each other and shared a sweet kiss.

Are you jealous now?
But we've been restraining ourselves!
At their feet, Margaret let out a painful 'wailing'.

protest!

Do they only care about people dating, and not dogs?

Xiao Hei and I haven't had enough time together yet!
Ronan and Zoe parted reluctantly, looking down at Margaret at their feet.

"How about Margaret comes back with me?" Ronan quickly changed his mind when he saw Lucas looking back at him with a murderous expression. "Or how about Little Black stays with you in Nice?"

A long-distance relationship can't go on forever!
“No need, my family will be moving back to Lourmaran soon.” Lucas’s voice, tinged with excitement and anticipation, came from ahead. “Or is it that Stella doesn’t need to work regular hours?”

(End of this chapter)