1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 472 The Professional Charlotte!

Ronan and Zoe are overjoyed at the prospect of having a new neighbor, who happens to be a celebrity.

Charlotte said that her main work in the second half of this year is preparing for her new album, which will not require her to travel around frequently. Therefore, once the house is renovated, she will be able to live in Lourmaran for quite a long time.

She hopes that the beautiful scenery and local customs of Luberon will improve her creative efficiency and bring her some different creative inspiration.

This can be described as a 'milestone' step forward, finally bringing celebrities and stars other than artists to live in Lourmaran.

Please note that it's about life, not a vacation!
A rising French star is going to actually live in Lourmarin!
This is a very important development signal for Lourmaran, because the Golden Triangle and other star villages have long-term resident celebrities endorsing them, which means that Lourmaran is getting closer to those villages again.

To help their new neighbor get to know Lourmaran as quickly as possible, Ronan and Zoe enthusiastically introduced her to all aspects of Lourmaran, hoping she could adapt to the pace and lifestyle there as much as possible.

The young couple shared very relatable information, unlike the sales pitches real estate agents use to persuade customers to buy houses. Although they both spoke kindly, their focus was completely different.

They recommended at least ten of the best spots to watch the sunset for Charlotte, shared the best tiramisu shop (Charlotte's favorite dessert) within a 20-kilometer radius of Lourmaran, and even gave her some advice on buying wine.

“I would definitely recommend Stellar rosé, but if you don’t like rosé, I suggest you try the high-proof spirits from Good Village. Whether it’s the bulk spirits from the roadside or the cherry, pear, and mead made by the local brewing cooperative, they’re all fantastic. Zoe’s friends and I really enjoy them.” Ronan spoke enthusiastically about the spirits. “I’ll bring you some to try when you move in.”

As a singer-songwriter and method actor, alcohol is Charlotte's best friend; she could already taste it on her breath and nodded vigorously.

"I'll drink anything, I'm not picky, and I especially love rosé wine."

Ronan and Zoe's basic information was no secret. Even Charlotte, who came to watch F1 on her own initiative, knew from the media or her friends what the couple did for a living, and naturally knew that the two of them ran the largest rosé winery in Provence.

Charlotte wasn't averse to rosé, but she wasn't particularly fond of it either. However, she still needed to be proactive at this moment, since her two new neighbors were just too enthusiastic.

Zoe also did her best to help Charlotte integrate into the group:
"When I deliver the wine, I'll also bring some Cavallon melons, and we'll bring your share with us every time we buy more."

Charlotte can no longer swagger around on the street; Ronan and Zoe will have to do many things for her in the future.

Unexpectedly, Charlotte's remorse was palpable upon hearing this:
“This is completely different from the life I imagined in Luberon. I envisioned quietly enjoying the gifts of nature and living a simple and leisurely life. But after your introduction, I feel that I will be ‘busy’ after moving there. There are so many things to do.”

Ronan is very qualified to speak on this:
"When I moved here, I had a similar mindset to you, but after living here for a year and a half, my feeling is—"

He paused slightly, then smiled and spread his hands:

"I can't stay idle, I really can't stay idle. Luberon's life is too rich, but I swear, although I'm very busy, I'm happy."

Zoe, a native of Lourmaran, beamed with happiness:
“I believe life will be even richer in the future because many new friends have come, and Lourmaran is going to be expanded. Maybe in the future we won’t have to go to other villages, and there will be many interesting things to do in Lourmaran.”

Charlotte paused for a few seconds, then suddenly remembered why she had come to find Ronan and Zoe.

They were chatting so enthusiastically that they forgot about their business!
"Your furniture store!" Charlotte tapped her sunglasses a few times. "I saw the woven chairs from the Lourmarin Crafts Cooperative in Marseille, and I fell in love with them at first sight. I want to become a VIP. Tell me more about it!"

The cooperative sells dozens of chairs every month, so seeing it in Marseille wasn't surprising. Ronan was just a little surprised that Charlotte was so fixated on the VIP membership; he hadn't even told her Apte's offline address yet.

“You can go to our temporary shop in Apte, or if it’s convenient, you can go to Lourmaran to see how everyone makes them. We can talk about VIP after you’ve chosen your style.” Ronan wasn’t a heartless boss. “That requires some entry requirements.”

Charlotte immediately chimed in:
“I know your entry requirements. Someone just mentioned to me that you can get in with 5 francs. That’s too cheap! Won’t that be achieved very quickly?”

Ronan swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

Did Sandrine undervalue the 5 francs?

The competition was in full swing, and the constant roar of the machinery around us kept urging us on—you are all public figures, it's not good to 'skip class' for too long, you have to go back quickly.

Charlotte said reluctantly:
“We’ll be neighbors in the future, and we’ll have plenty of opportunities to meet. Let’s not waste such an important time today, let’s go back.”

She lowered her voice and said mysteriously:
"I know the director of today's live broadcast. We've worked together before. He loves to use 45-degree angle shots. When you go back, remember to stay in the area at a 45-degree angle behind the finish line. That way, the camera will always be able to capture you."

Ronan and Zoe were both taken aback.

real or fake?

Charlotte put on her sunglasses and walked away from the quiet corner with the strut of a model. Before leaving, she didn't forget to give a word of advice to the inexperienced young couple behind her:
"When you get to me, be careful with your expressions, my darlings, the camera is watching us from who knows where!"

The winner of the 1987 Formula One Monaco Grand Prix was Ayrton Senna.

The Brazilian driver outpaced popular drivers like Prost and Mansell, completing 78 laps in the platinum Lotus 99T at the fastest speed, leading the second-place driver by 33 seconds.

After the match, Senna completed the circuit lap amidst thunderous cheers, then draped in the national flag for the podium ceremony and a champagne toast.

The audience all thought that the ultimate winner of today's event was this lucky young man from Brazil. Little did they know that in the minds of many key guests, there was far more than one 'winner' at this F1 Monaco Grand Prix.

The couple, Ronan and Zoe, were seen in the team's locker room, the closed parking area, on the podium, and in front of the sponsors' logos.

They posed for photos like big stars in various scenes.

There are also rumors that Ronan and Zoe took a series of photos kissing the trophy, suggesting they were the first to complete 78 laps today. However, it's unclear whether this news is true.

As everyone knows, Provence has no shortage of stories and storytellers.

However, some people remained cautious and wanted to wait for media articles and magazine materials from tomorrow or some time in the future to see if they could find those photos.

"Thank you, President! Thank you, President!" Ronan kept bowing 90 degrees to Ines, and his address changed to the more affectionate "President."

Ines has invested far more resources in Ronan and Zoe than would be expected in a normal collaboration these past two days; Ronan doesn't even know how to thank her enough.

Michelin magazine still has some finishing work to do in Monaco, mainly interviews with drivers and teams, so Ines will stay for two more days before leaving.

She also considered whether Ronan and Zoe should stay in Monaco for a couple more days, but after thinking about it, she felt it wasn't really necessary.

“The best resources and activities are concentrated in these two days. You’ve all participated, so arranging anything else for you wouldn’t be very efficient. Go back and rest. You’ve worked hard these past two days.” Ines hugged Zoe goodbye. “We’ll keep in touch. If there are any activities that will be helpful to you, we’ll call you over.”

Ines, a strong woman, is used to high-intensity work and to splitting a day into five during important phases, but she worries that she might exhaust Ronan and Zoe.

These two are crucial to the future of Michelin Magazine.

“We’ll be there if needed,” Zoe said with a promise.

Zoe felt uncomfortable if she didn't give back after receiving so much exposure from Michelin magazine.

Michelin Magazine covers a wide range of industries, so there will definitely be times when they can be of use.

“I won’t stand on ceremony with you.” Ines released Zoe and hugged Ronan. “I’ll remember about Llorente. I’ll make an appointment with him once I’m done with what I’m doing.”

Ines was referring to the market application Ronan had mentioned to her yesterday, which she intended to 'entrust' to Llorente. Ronan hugged Ines tightly, sighing from the bottom of his heart:

“You’re so kind to me. Once the ‘Art Guide to Provence’ is published next month, you shouldn’t be so busy, right? Then you can book the association’s gathering at my place. Food, desserts, and wine will be plentiful.”

Ines wasn't as busy before, and the rosé wine lovers' association could hold meetings every 1-2 months.

Since Michelin magazine began its foray into the arts, Ines has become incredibly busy; the last time I saw her, she was so busy that she showed up in her pajamas.

However, the busy days are almost over.

Upon mentioning this, Ines's tired face lit up with undisguised joy:

"That's still too conservative. We should raise your rankings a bit more."

I used to worry about being "unworthy of my position," and I still worry about it now, but one concern is that I've given him too much, and the other is that I regret giving him too little.

It can only be said that Ines's vision was indeed ruthless; before the "Art Guide to Provence" was even published, his bet had already won.

Ronan patted Ines on the back a few times, comforting her:

"Leave the rest to us. Zoe and I will make things simpler and safer with our actions."

The Monaco leg was very successful.

Ronan and Zoe gained attention here, made countless new friends, met a new neighbor, and even experienced being 'celebrities' for a while.

Everything else was fine, but Ronan always felt that 'celebrities' were too far removed from him.

Before returning to the hotel to retrieve her luggage, Ronan washed off her makeup and wet her hair.

The 'wet puppy' looked at itself in the rearview mirror and said with satisfaction:

"This is the real me. If I went back with that attitude, I would only be laughed at."

Ronan was afraid that when he returned to Lourmaran, the villagers would treat him like a tourist attraction and take photos with him.

Zoe ruffled Ronan's hair:

"If you don't like it, then don't do it. But you could do a little makeup for the wedding, right? I just exchanged contact information with the makeup artist."

Ronan raised his eyebrows and said:
"I'm open to marriage. On that day, I want to show my best side to the guests and let them know that Lourmaran's dazzling jewel is absolutely worth it in my hands."

In a cheerful and pleasant atmosphere, Ronan's car arrived at the hotel entrance.

Cotillard felt sorry for Ronan and took the initiative to drive, as they needed to get their luggage and head back to Lourmaran today.

Without Michelin magazine, they didn't want to spend several thousand francs on a night in Monaco; hotels there were too expensive around the time of the F1 Grand Prix.

It's not because I'm poor, it's because I feel it's not worth it.

My home in Lourmaran is much more comfortable than this.

This is the truth; Ronan and Zoe, among others, were already homesick after only two days away from Lourmaran.

Cotillard, who took a break at noon to check out, told the young couple.

Theo and Batty might go back a little earlier and not wait for them.

But to their surprise, they saw those familiar cars again in the hotel parking lot.

"Didn't you leave earlier?" Cotillard turned off the car and asked in a clearly joking tone, "Didn't you complain that a meal here costs three or four hundred francs, but it's like eating chicken feed?"

Several burly men gave Godia no chance to react and roughly restrained her.

Cafu carried Cotillard out of the driver's seat:

"You've worked hard. I'll drive. You go and rest."

Cornell seized the opportunity to squeeze into the driver's seat and plopped down:

"Let me drive. I've driven this car many times, and I'm very familiar with it."

Theo, with his rear end sticking out, crawled from the passenger seat to the driver's seat, pushing Cornell forcefully:

"Ronan and Zoe are exhausted after a long day, so of course they need to go back and rest. I'm the best driver, so I can make sure they're sitting on their sofas at home for four hours."

Batty then sat on Cornell's lap and turned to Ronan ingratiatingly, saying:
"Three and a half hours, I can get there in three and a half hours!"

Ronan, who was already feeling sleepy, was startled awake. He tilted his head back and asked with disdain:
"What are you trying to do? Gotia can drive, you guys go back to your own cars and stop messing around."

Reo smacked his lips and said with a mischievous grin:
"No, big star, it's our honor to drive you."

Ronan subconsciously touched his face and hair.

I was thinking, "I've already removed my makeup, what are you talking about?"
Cornell's face was faintly visible through Theo's fingers:

"Yeah, Ronan, just give me a chance to get noticed. Maybe some city girl will take a liking to me?"

With a loud shout, Cafu dragged both Batty and Cornell out of the driver's seat at the same time:
“Ronan, you know I’ll be in charge of the cooperative’s sales in the future. Becoming a celebrity will be a huge help to us. Let me stay by your side.”

“What are you talking about?” Zoe asked, frowning.

Barty, holding Cafu's waist which was thicker than a tree, said:
"During the live broadcast of the main event in the afternoon, the camera always focused on you. Even the commentators laughed and said that the couple who frequently appeared in the background were too eye-catching."

Theo, usually so stubborn, surprisingly softened his stance:

"Hey guys, you're celebrities in Provence now, why don't you take us with you? What if we get recognized on the street? We'd love to experience what it's like to be a star! This competition has 3 million viewers!"

Ronan and Zoe stared at each other, their eyes wide.

They did nothing that afternoon except, half-believing Charlotte's suggestion, sit in the area 45 degrees diagonally behind the finish line machine.

So, were they really brought into the spotlight a lot?
Charlotte is a professional at getting media exposure!
(End of this chapter)