1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 514 Come on, catch this straight ball.
Bruno is a true brother.

Upon hearing Ronan's decision, he said "Wait for my news" and hung up the phone. Before the sun had even set, he replied to Ronan, telling him to go to the Forestry Bureau the day after tomorrow to sign the contract.

Buying a forest is different from getting a certification in Avignon; the other party can negotiate and you can wait.

Bruno's words indicated that the seller was very anxious and had been waiting for a reply from the Forestry Bureau. In other words, even if it was raining knives the day after tomorrow, Ronan would still take the check to Marseille to sign the contract.

Looking at the numerous interview invitations on his calendar, Ronan scratched his head in frustration.

He went to Marseille, what will he do about these interviews the day after tomorrow?

"Should I find someone to cover my interview for a day?"

This seems to be the best option at present.

But when it comes to the helpers around him, the guys doing the weaving business are unreliable. Barty, Cafu, and Sandrine are not familiar with the market culture of Provence and are not up to the task.

Luo Tianhai, the father, has been frequently traveling to and from Apte lately, and Ronan doesn't want to give him any more tasks. With the father away from the restaurant, the mother has to stay there more often to keep an eye on things, and she's not very familiar with the market's operations either.

Leah would be a good fit, but she can't leave the kitchen. After the dessert competition, customers flocked to the restaurant to eat desserts, so many that Ronan had to add more people to the dessert team.

Zoe can go for Ronan for a day, but Ronan isn't sure if Zoe has other work the day after tomorrow, so he has to ask her.

As she was thinking about these things, Isabel walked past Ronan.

Ronan quickly called her to a stop:

"Isabel, I'll be giving you a task the day after tomorrow."

How could we forget this clever girl? It would be perfect to have Isabel do the interview.

But Isabel caught Ronan off guard:
"I've taken leave and won't be coming in this afternoon. I'm not sure when I'll be able to come back to work."

"Huh? You took the day off?" Ronan asked in surprise. "Did something happen?"

Luo Tianhai was in charge of employee attendance and scheduling, and Luo Nan was unaware of this.

Isabel was even more surprised than Ronan:

"Didn't Zoe say anything to you?"

Ronan shook his head:

"No, Zoe and I only spoke on the phone last night. The last time we met was the day before yesterday."

Yesterday morning, Ronan went to Pioranque, and in the afternoon he brought Professor Fernand and Elden to Lourmarin. He was busy until the evening, and so much happened this morning that the young couple had no time to meet.

Isabel hesitated for a moment, then mustered her courage:
“The results of the high school entrance exam came out yesterday. Vieri didn’t get into university. I want to go and keep him company.”

At noon, Ronan heard more details about what happened from Zoe.

“Just a little bit more, really just a little bit more.” Zoe was a little emotional. “When Dad saw the 9.94 on the report card, he clenched his fists. If he had scored just 0.01 more, Vieri could have been assigned a score of 10, but because of that 0.01, he is now at 9.9.”

The high school entrance exam policy in Provence is different from that in Paris. When Ronan was studying in Paris, the smallest unit of score was 0.1. Substituting this 0.01 into his score, he also felt extremely regretful. One can imagine how bad Vieri's mood must have been at this moment.

However, Isabelle had already taken leave to be with Vieri, and Ronan was somewhat worried about Louis being alone.

In fact, Louis attaches great importance to Vieri's future development and has arranged countless futures for him, sometimes wanting him to be a farmer, sometimes a real estate agent. In recent years, Louis has taken the initiative to repair the father-son relationship, but his desire for his son to succeed will certainly not change.

"Is Louis alright?" Ronan asked worriedly.

Zoe sighed:

"He seems okay, but we don't know how he's actually feeling. Last night, his dad kept saying that if it were 0.1 less, he wouldn't be so upset, but he really can't accept it if it's only 0.01 less."

Ronan sighed, realizing something:
"For students who are just a little short of the mark, is there another chance for a 'make-up exam'?"

French universities operate on an application system, and students who score above 10 on their high school graduation exams can freely apply to their preferred universities and programs.

This can lead to some universities or disciplines being neglected.

In Paris, some universities open supplementary examination channels when they are short of enrollment quotas, allowing students to take two additional courses.

Ronan didn't know if Provence had the same policy.

Zoe was hearing about this policy for the first time, and she shook her head, saying:
“Provence has no retake policy, only ‘regional special admission quotas’. Students from Luberon can apply for agricultural subjects with a 0.5-point reduction in their score. This is Vieri’s only chance to go to university.”

“But Vieri doesn’t like farming and doesn’t want to deal with the land,” Ronan explained. “I asked him about it a long time ago.”

When Ronan first arrived in Provence, Louis would say every day, "My son will become the best farmer in Lourmarin." Later, when Vieri was confused about the future, Ronan asked him if he wanted to farm, and the answer was no.

Zoe said with a worried look:
“Last night Vieri said he would seriously consider it, and then he locked himself in his bedroom.”

Ronan crossed his arms:

"Don't worry, after I finish my interviews this afternoon, I'll come to your house for a chat with Louis and Vieri."

"What are you talking about?" Zoe raised her eyebrows and looked over.

Ronan said with a serious expression:
"Help Vieri and Louis unload their psychological burdens."

After taking leave, Isabelle called and invited Vieri to meet her at the gentle slope outside the village, a place they often visited.

In the same location, under the same big tree, the two people's moods and states were different from any previous visit.

Isabel, who used to chatter away and accompany Vieri in his studies every day, became quiet and withdrawn. She leaned against a thick tree, watching the cars coming and going on the undulating road in the distance, lost in thought.

Vieri, who often complained that "you're too noisy," proactively said a great deal, fearing that Isabelle would worry about his well-being:

“Studying agriculture is a good idea. My dad was a farmer, and Ronan was a farmer too, and they both did it very well. I shouldn’t be bad at it either. Besides, Ronan is a self-taught farmer, and now he’s working on new grape varieties in Provence. It would be nice to ask Ronan for a piece of land after I graduate.”

“But you’re not interested in agriculture,” Isabel said calmly. “You said you wanted to study economics, trade, or finance.”

Vieri plucked a few blades of grass and threw them into the air:

"But I can only study agriculture, otherwise I won't be able to go to university."

Isabel turned her head and asked:
"But if you go to university to study a subject you're not interested in, you might end up doing a job you're not interested in either. Is that really what you think?"

Vieri hugged his knees, his tone becoming dejected:

“But Zoe went to college, Ronan went to college, and my dad always wanted me to go to college too.”

Isabel countered:

"Is going to university a must? How many of your classmates scored over 10?"

After a few seconds, Vieri turned his head and met Isabel's gaze, asking in confusion:

"But if I don't go to university, what can I do?"

“You’re good at so many things,” Isabel said, counting on her fingers. “You can do accounting, you can place orders, you can set up event venues, and you can even do marketing campaigns. Why would you do something you don’t like?”

Isabel became more and more excited as she spoke, and her tone grew louder and louder.

Normally, Vieri would have sarcastically remarked, "You look like a hen with its feathers standing on end," but today Vieri didn't want to argue with her, so he replied politely:
"But going to university offers more security for the future, I can't—"

Isabel only heard the first half of his sentence before rudely interrupting him:
"Is it because I'm not a college student and my future is uncertain that you've been unwilling to confront the nature of our relationship?"

Vieri was taken aback by Isabel's straight shot and remained silent for several seconds.

Isabel ran down the slope like a ruffled hen:

"I can't control how you feel about me, but if Vieri isn't happy, I won't be happy either! I hope you can make a choice that makes you happy, for yourself, not for others!!"

Vieri stood up.

I'm speechless. I was being nice to everyone, how could they still start arguing?

After Ronan finished his interview in the afternoon, he parked his car in the parking lot closest to Louis's house and happened to see Vieri walking alone from outside the village.

"Where have you been?" Ronan asked, approaching him.

Vieri, who had been lost in thought the whole way, was startled by Ronan's voice and made an excuse:
"I stayed on the gentle slope for a while."

Ronan didn't ask Isabel why she wasn't with him; now wasn't the time for gossip.

He grabbed Vieri by the back of the neck, a move Lucas had previously made to Ronan and Theo.

The eldest brother would make this gesture whenever he wanted to tell his younger brothers something important.

“It doesn’t matter whether you go to university or not. Even if you don’t go to university, there are many things you can do. Whether you want to start your own business or come to help me, I will support you. This is my guarantee to you,” Ronan said solemnly. “But if you choose to go to university, I will still support you. I will always be on your side.”

Ronan was Vieri's most trusted confidant and his idol.

Hearing these words, Vieri's resentment and disappointment at failing his exams and being caught in a dilemma dissipated, and a touch of emotion filled his mixed feelings.

"I will always be on your side."

Ronan had said this to Vieri countless times, and he had indeed been doing so for over a year.

"So tell me your thoughts?" Ronan asked, putting his arm around Vieri's shoulder. "What do you want to choose?" After a few seconds, Vieri remained silent, his expression suggesting he was still making his final decision.

Ronan patted him on the shoulder:

"Leaving aside Louis, let's just talk about yourself."

This time, Vieri finally spoke up:

“I’ve always wanted to work with you. Those few hours at the restaurant and the days I helped out at the market were the happiest times for me, besides playing football. Although my dad didn’t say it directly, I knew he wanted me to go to college. I didn’t want to disappoint him.”

“Alright, I understand.” Ronan stopped at the door of Louis’s house and said seriously to Vieri, “From now on, you’ll work for me and help me manage the market business.”

"Huh? Me?" Vieri pointed to his own nose, seemingly unable to believe that Ronan would entrust such an important task to someone who hadn't even passed the university entrance exam.

Ronan pushes Vieri into the house:
"We'll talk about those things later. First, boldly state your choice."

Louis finished work and returned home. As soon as he opened the door, he saw his son sitting on the single sofa that he usually liked to sit on.

“I thought you would stay in the bedroom.” Louis gave a slightly embarrassed smile; his son had seen him 'breaking down' last night.

In fact, Vieri had been waiting for him, pointing to another set of sofas and asking his father:

"Shall we talk?"

Louis was momentarily taken aback; this was the first time Vieri had ever proactively asked to talk to him.

He hung his suit jacket on a chair in the restaurant and asked Vieri:
Would you like some wine?

Vieri was also taken aback.

In Provence, there is an unwritten rule that if a father pours wine for his son while they are having a private conversation, it means that the head of the family acknowledges that his son has come of age.

Vieri never imagined that his 'coming-of-age ceremony' would take place at this moment.

"I'll have a drink, please." He replied awkwardly.

Inside Zoe's bedroom.

Ronan and Zoe put their ears to the slightly ajar door.

“The atmosphere is more relaxed than I expected,” Ronan said to Zoe, looking down at her.

Zoe, still looking serious, looked up and asked Ronan:
"Can Dad really accept Vieri's choice? I mean his true feelings, not something he's pretending to have."

Ronan patted his fiancée on the shoulder and said:
“I have already ‘taught’ Vieri, putting all the responsibility on my shoulders. I invited him to help, I suggested he start working directly. How could Louis not trust me to work with him? Even if there are some regrets, they will pass quickly.”

Zoe sighed:

"I hope so."

The first time a father and son had a drinking session.

Louis and Vieri both seemed a little awkward.

Everyone clearly had questions they wanted to ask, but they pretended to talk about other things.

After finishing the first glass of wine, as the second glass was being poured, Louis finally spoke:
"You don't need to rush into making a choice. Take a break first, go on a trip, play soccer with your classmates. You've worked hard these past few years in high school."

Vieri lowered his head, nervously wringing his hands.

I've made my choice.

Louis visibly tensed up, pressing his index finger against his left palm as if to 'stop'.

"Was the time allotted for thinking too short?"

Vieri raised his head:
"It's not short. Actually, I've been thinking about this answer for a long time."

Louis seemed hesitant to meet his son's gaze, fiddling with the cups and wiping the table, but his mouth was never idle:

“Vieri, although your mother and I were quite strict with your upbringing, we know you are a good child, and a thoughtful one at that. Actually, your mother and I have always wanted to say something to you.”

“Dad’s being stubborn again,” Zoe commented from the bedroom. “Mom never hides anything from anyone; if she’s going to say something, she’ll say it already. He has something he wants to say to Vieri himself.”

Ronan suddenly thought of something and asked Zoe:
What is Leah's attitude towards Vieri's future?

Zoe lowered her voice and said:
"Like me, I feel a little regretful for not getting a perfect score of 10, but I respect Vieri's choice more. Actually, only my father in our family wants to plan Vieri's future."

Ronan nervously tilted his ear:

"Let's hear what Louis has to say."

“Your mother and I were in school during the war. It was hard enough to survive and have enough to eat, let alone go to school. This has created a deep emotional attachment to university for people our age,” Louis said with a self-deprecating smile. “Actually, we just hope that our children can make up for our regrets.”

He took a sip of his drink, paused, and continued:

"I had my own reasons for suggesting you become a farmer or a real estate agent before. That's all the skills I have. Only if you do those two jobs can I help you."

Vieri clenched his fist without making a sound.

This was the first time Louis explained why he had arranged a job for his son.

“But we can’t be too selfish.” Louis smiled kindly. “You should choose your own life, and it shouldn’t be tied to my regrets and experiences. Your mother knows you’re a sensible child, so she asked me to tell you—your choices shouldn’t be tied to your father either. Follow your heart, son.”

"At a time like this, you're still being stubborn!" Ronan and Zoe said in unison.

Zoe patted her chest in relief:

"With Dad's attitude and your 'teaching' of Vieri, this matter should be resolved smoothly."

Ronan happily rested his chin on Zoe's head:

"Once Vieri finishes answering the question, we'll rush out and liven things up so they don't feel too awkward."

“Okay!” Zoe said excitedly.

Louis's voice was unusually gentle:

“Speak your mind, Vieri, speak your true thoughts.”

Vieri finally loosened his clenched fist and bravely said:
“I want to do business with Ronan and become an excellent businessman. Please rest assured, even if I don’t go to college, I will still make you and Mom proud, just like Zoe, who didn’t go to college because of the girl she liked, but was even more outstanding than those who did go to college. I believe I can do it too.”

The young couple, who were about to break down the door, dared not move an inch, as if they had been frozen in place.

Zoe stared wide-eyed at Ronan and asked:
"Did you teach him to say that?"

Ronan shook his head like a rattle-drum:
"How can it be?!"

Eight o'clock in the evening.

Isabel, who was so angry in bed that she was about to punch a hole in the wall, was told by her mother that guests had come to visit.

When she got to the top of the stairs, she saw the very guy she least wanted to see!
"Want to go for a night stroll?" Vieri asked Isabelle, who was planning to return from a long journey, blushing.

Isabel hesitated for only a second before following him.

By 8 p.m., the streets of Lourmaran were almost deserted, with most people planning to go to sleep; it was definitely not a good time for a night out.

Vieri didn't want to delay, and as soon as he stepped out of Isabel's house, he returned the 'ball' that he hadn't had time to return that afternoon:
"Will you be my girlfriend?"

Isabel was still angry:
“I didn’t go to college, so I have no job security.”

Vieri moved his head to the other side:
"I don't have a university to attend, I've made my choice."

"Really?" Isabel asked, tilting her head.

Vieri said calmly:

"Really, I've already told my dad."

Isabel snorted and said:
"Judging from what you said this afternoon, I thought you were going to go to a university you don't like."

Vieri also snorted coldly:
"You're too impatient, aren't you? You didn't even wait for me to finish speaking before you rushed off. What I meant to say was—but going to university will provide more security for the future. I can't let you suffer with me, can I?"

Isabel's stubbornness is no joke; even with her lips barely open, she kept arguing:
"Now you can say whatever you want, right? Who knows what you'll be saying this afternoon?"

Vieri asked in exasperation:
"Will you be my girlfriend or not?"

Isabel's tone was even more 'furious' than his:
"You came to my house around 8 p.m. If I didn't agree to meet you, how could I explain it to my family?"

"Then...then come closer to me, why are you walking so far away?"

"Can't you come by yourself? Your legs are too short to keep up?"

Why are you hiding when I'm coming? Shouldn't we hold hands when we're together?!

"You! You! You! You bit me!!!"

(End of this chapter)