1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 477 Hello, Dr. Luo!

Spices have been a frequent ingredient in European medicine since the Middle Ages.

A doctor in Provence made 'Four Thieves Vinegar' using thyme, rosemary, and white vinegar to fight the Black Death.

The nuns used marjoram tea to relieve menstrual cramps.

Although modern medicine has only acknowledged the medical significance of ginger, mint, and garlic and urged the public not to prescribe them without proper medical advice, the older generation in Provence still habitually boils a handful of spices to make a 'witch's potion' when faced with difficult or complicated illnesses.

This is similar to how younger locals might drink a glass of olive oil when they feel unwell.
Although the medicinal properties of spices are not widely used in Provence, they are not obscure.

Young people may not be able to explain the specific medicinal effects of each spice, but they have certainly heard their elders say that spices can cure diseases.

The spice shop owner spoke so earnestly because he saw that Ronan's family all had yellow skin.

In fact, traditional Chinese books, such as the "Huangdi Neijing", also record the therapeutic effects of many edible aromatic plants.

Unfortunately, Luo Tianhai and Feng Zhen left home early and were not highly educated. When they lived in Paris, spices were not as important as they were in Provence, and neither of them would run to the kitchen first when they had a headache or fever.

This led to the spice shop owner's words actually intimidating them.

You can tell from their 'Are you kidding me?' expressions.

Seeing the reaction of the person opposite him, the boss knew that his day to "show his skills" had arrived, so he held the fennel seeds in his hand even higher:
"Make your son tea with fennel and rosemary, and I guarantee he'll be able to eat two servings of focaccia at noon."

Ronan, oblivious to the world, said:

"No need, no need, I can eat two more without drinking anything."

Feng Zhen pushed Luo Nan aside and asked the boss with some skepticism:

Does it really work?

The shop owner waved his hand and pointed to his stall, saying:
“Madam, you can think of this place as a pharmacy. Every spice here can cure diseases. Western medicine will cause your organs to fail, while native Provençal spices can make your organs healthier.”

Feng Zhen's curiosity was no joke; she wouldn't be able to sleep tonight until she found out the truth. She asked quite cooperatively:

"So fennel and rosemary can treat indigestion?"

She pointed to another spice and asked:

"What about thyme? What are its medicinal properties?"

“That’s oregano—” Luo Tianhai was afraid that the shopkeeper would take advantage of their family and try to scam them, so he quickly ended the conversation. “Please weigh it for me first, we’re going to other places later.”

But the boss's desire to give a speech was also aroused. It's not something that can be cut off so easily.
While skillfully packing and weighing the spices according to Luo Tianhai's instructions, he also gave Feng Zhen a health lecture:
"Wild thyme can treat coughs and asthma, St. John's wort can be ground to soothe burns, basil can relieve stomach pain, juniper berries can relieve rheumatic pain, and safflower has strong anti-inflammatory properties. Doctors used it during epidemics, so the price of these things hasn't come down yet, sir. Would you like some dried windmill vegetable powder?"

The spice shop owner suddenly turned to look at Luo Tianhai:

"The windmill vegetables here are completely pure, and their medicinal properties are extremely potent!"

"What are the medicinal effects of windmill vegetable?" Luo Tianhai stood up and asked.

Windmill has a strong flavor, spicy, slightly sour and a little bitter, making it suitable for pairing with game. Local restaurants in Provence often add it when cooking rabbit, quail, lamb neck and wild boar. When paired with fish and vegetables, the bitterness is amplified.

The restaurants don't serve any of the wild game mentioned above, so I rarely buy it.

However, if it has other therapeutic effects, Luo Tianhai would consider buying some to take with him.

The boss didn't rush to answer the question. He looked at Luo Tianhai, then at Feng Zhen, accompanied by a strange, inexplicable smile that frightened the two of them.

Ronan put the last bite of focaccia into his mouth:

"The boss is so kind; he knows I've always wanted a younger brother or sister."

The boss clapped his hands and burst into laughter:
"You have a very authentic 'Provençal' son. Not everyone knows the benefits of purslane; it can enhance libido. Would you like to buy some, sir and madam?"

How do you know about the medicinal properties of *Gnaphalium affine*?

After buying spices, Ronan and his family of three continued to explore the Bonnillo market, their family activities continuing.

But Feng Zhen kept pressing Ronan about why he knew about the medicinal properties of Provençal spices.

This knowledge of spices has been passed down from generation to generation in Provence and cannot be found in books, but Ronan's family did not pass on this knowledge to the next generation, so how did he know it?

Especially since they know about its effects in that area, it can't be.
“I heard about it from a friend, and I remembered it.” Ronan tried to divert his mother’s attention. “Should we buy some more cherries? We haven’t had barbecue in a long time. How about we make some barbecue sauce with cherries? Leah’s cherry barbecue sauce is so delicious.”

“Which friend? Don’t tell me it’s Theo and the others. They don’t seem like such ‘learned’ guys. He even put olive oil on his hand when it was smashed by a hammer last time. Cornell also drank olive oil when he had hemorrhoids. I guess your other Lourmaran friends are pretty much the same.” Feng Zhen wasn’t fooled at all.

“Not those friends, they’re from another village.” Ronan suddenly pointed to a fruit stall. “Haven’t we had any peaches this year? These look like the best ‘Mayflower’ peaches. Let’s go buy some.”

Feng Zhen grabbed Ronan by the collar and kept him there:
"Which friend, do I know or not, has he/she been to our restaurant before?"

Ronan finally gave up resisting and sighed helplessly.

He knew his mother's personality very well; once she became suspicious of something, she wouldn't let the matter rest without giving her a reasonable explanation.

It's just that he was too relaxed and in a good mood today, and he spoke carelessly, blurting out the knowledge the system had given him.

At the same time, he guessed what his mother was thinking, given how much she watched melodramatic romance dramas. But he wasn't married yet, so how could he let such rumors circulate?

“They’ve been here before. It was some friends who own restaurants. Do you remember Artur? He was the one who used to come here often when the restaurant first opened last year. He introduced me to many of his restaurant-owning friends. They mentioned some of these when we were talking about spices at a gathering, and I remembered them.” To make his story more believable, Ronan continued, “Actually, sage has many benefits. What the owner mentioned is just one of them. Chewing it raw can treat stomach cramps, and stewing it with bay leaves and rosemary can cleanse the intestines. That owner is nowhere near as good as my friends.” Ronan’s story sounded convincing, and Feng Zhen did indeed remember the friend Ronan mentioned.

It's quite reasonable for locals in the food service industry to know about spices.

"Oh—" Feng Zhen drawled out the last syllable, finally turning her attention to the market on both sides. "Next time you see it, ask your friend if they know anything about weight loss. I've gained a little weight recently."

Losing weight is a lifelong pursuit for women; Ronan often heard similar statements since elementary school.

"Is that considered fat?" Ronan said ingratiatingly. "Mom, that's called being well-off. Let's not lose weight, or we won't have that 'flavor' anymore."

"What does it taste like?" Feng Zhen glanced at Luo Nan.

Can't you speak properly, kid?
I said you're fat, so you just go along with it.

You should say, "Mom, you're so slim, where are you fat?"

Ronan chuckled and said:

"You'll have the air of a rich lady. When people see you, they'll know my dad's really rich. I can also benefit from your fame and become a second-generation rich kid. Wait a few days and I'll take you to Aix to buy some jewelry and necklaces. We'll dress up nicely, and then we'll look even more like a rich lady!"

Luo Tianhai, who usually stood a step or two in front of his wife and son, suddenly slowed down and walked alongside Luo Nan.

“Your friend Artur hasn’t come in a long time.”

Luo Tianhai also remembered Luo Nan's friend. He would often come to "learn from Luo Nan" when the business opened, and Luo Nan even took the initiative to help him.

Ronan pursed his lips:

"Yes, it's been a long time since I've been here. Maybe the road wasn't clear, so I gave up."

Ronan has already taught Artur several Chinese dishes, and if he succeeds, he will definitely continue to learn others.

But Artur has not been seen since last winter, most likely because he tried but the result was not ideal.

Luo Tianhai looked thoughtful and said to Luo Nan:

"When you have time, invite these restaurant-owning friends over and introduce them to me."

Ronan immediately understood what Luo Tianhai was up to:
"Paving the way for the future?"

Luo Tianhai's next goal is to turn his restaurant into a Michelin-starred establishment.

The visits of Michelin judges are entirely voluntary and anonymous; restaurants cannot apply or register to be reviewed.

However, by increasing exposure in food guides and media reports, improving the industry's reputation in the region, and attracting more diners, the probability of judges noticing this place can be effectively increased.

Every press release from the Lourmaran government includes Ronan's restaurant, and it's featured extensively. It's an important landmark in Lourmaran, hence the constant exposure in food guides and media reports.

Ronan has never stopped trying to attract diners, and he does it exceptionally well.

The only thing lacking now is a good reputation within the industry in the region.

Luo Tianhai hopes to meet more people in the same industry.

Ronan has done enough; let him handle the rest.

“Okay, I’ll arrange it when I get back.” Ronan immediately agreed.

His energy was limited, and he certainly didn't make good use of those resources.

Luo Tianhai is a man of great composure and has always been involved in the catering industry. If he wanted to, he could definitely integrate well into that circle.

“Sigh—” Feng Zhen sighed with a smile, “My son has grown up.”

She placed her palm on her thigh:
“I remember Ronan was this tall back then. I would hold his hand and go to the market with you to buy groceries. All he could do was wail and shout, ‘Eat this, eat that!’ Now he can talk about important things with his dad.”

Luo Tianhai smiled and put his hands behind his back, leaving his wife and son a step behind, just like he had done more than a decade ago:
"You're not going to grow up any longer, you'll be getting married soon."

How could Luo Tianhai and Feng Zhen not feel sad about their son growing up?

The night Ronan proposed, Feng Zhen cried so much her eyes turned like light bulbs, even more so than Louis.

But they knew this was a good thing; their son's future would only get better and happier, so they deliberately suppressed these emotions.

Even a casual, unintentional touch can still stir up ripples, leaving one with a bitter taste in their mouth.

"No matter how old I get, I'll still be me!" Ronan, like a headstrong young man, rushed to a stall and shouted, "Almonds are out of season? Let's buy some and make almond ice cream and cupcakes at home!"

"How old is this child? Why is he still so greedy?" Feng Zhen scolded while laughing.

How is this any different from when I was a child?
Eat your way through the market!
Just as I was about to discuss it with my husband, I looked up and saw that Luo Tianhai had walked far away.

"Where are you going?" Feng Zhen called from behind.

"I'm buying peaches. Ronan said he wanted some." Luo Tianhai walked towards another stall.

Feng Zhen muttered to herself as she walked in another direction:
"Then I'll go buy some more cherries, and we'll have barbecue tonight."

There was no way around it, my son wanted to eat it!
(End of this chapter)