1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 533 Good Things Are Coming
Juliet attended the party today, and when Ines asked the members if they were busy with work lately and if they could get together again in a few days, she didn't object.

Later in the party, Ronan made a point of sitting next to his "good sister" Juliet:
"Have the new broom sweeped clean?"

There is no similar proverb in French, but Ronan's meaning is very clear and understandable.

Juliet quickly ended her conversation with the people around her and looked intently at Ronan:

“Work is never finished. But even if Ines doesn’t hold the party, I’ll still find a chance to meet with you, Ronan.”

Ronan has several lucky stars around him.

If these lucky stars say they need something from you, it means good things are about to happen.

Ines definitely counts, and so does Blanco.

Ellian from the tourism bureau joined later, and then there's Juliet in front of me.

Ronan made no attempt to hide his emotions or true thoughts, asking with an expectant look:
"Oh? Did something good happen that you thought of me?"

Juliet put down her wine glass and said with a half-smile:

"Whether it's a good thing or not is still uncertain. Haven't you been asking me why I suddenly left Lourmaran?"

Ronan smiled and shrugged:

“Leaving? In my opinion, that’s ‘leaving without saying goodbye.’ Just the day before, we were discussing what we could do in Lourmaran and how to make the data for ‘Project Pulling the Vine’ look better. The next day, you were gone, and I only found out about it a week later from someone else.”

Juliet gave a wry smile:
"That's because I suddenly received news that I had to represent Provence at the EEC agricultural forum in Germany, where I stayed for more than a week."

"EEC," Ronan muttered, finding the name somewhat familiar. A few seconds later, he remembered what organization it was. "You went to the European Economic Community forum?"

In early March of this year, Juliet took a group of foreigners to a restaurant in Ronan; those people were representatives of the European Economic Community.

The European Economic Community was the predecessor of the European Union.

In the 80s, the core policies of the European Economic Community in the agricultural sector revolved around the reform of the 'Common Agricultural Policy'.

Last year, the EEC wanted to promote a new measure in France, Italy, and Spain, with Provence being a key region in France for implementing this initiative.

This important initiative was the 'Uprooting Project' proposed to address the Wine Lake phenomenon, and Juliet was in charge of implementing this initiative in Provence.

Initially, the Vaucluse Ministry of Agriculture considered this a hot potato, and Juliet's goal was simply to be just a little bit better than Bordeaux.

No one expected that, with Ronan's help, Lourmaran successfully implemented the "Pulling the Vine" plan, and the subsequent "Weather Insurance" was also implemented smoothly. These two important events became Juliet's achievements, and she was promoted and given a raise for her excellent and outstanding performance in Lourmaran.

“That’s right, it’s the European Economic Community forum.” Juliet’s expression was complicated, seemingly both excited and tired. “My most important job for the next two years is to assist the EEC in implementing the new agricultural policy in Provence. The frequent business trips I’ve been on before were for meetings and inspections.”

The Ministry of Agriculture leadership had a simple idea.

If Juliet can help the EEC implement one initiative, she can definitely help implement a second one. This matter will be handed over to her in the future!
Ronan lowered his voice and asked curiously:

"What new initiatives has the EEC implemented? Are they related to grape truffles?"

Juliet hesitated for a few seconds before shaking her head:
"The new measures will have the biggest impact on the livestock industry. In fact, in addition to the wine lake phenomenon, Europe also has a very serious oversupply of butter and milk. Last year, Europe's milk stocks accumulated to 1600 million tons, equivalent to the Netherlands' annual production, and butter stocks also accumulated to more than 22 tons. The EEC requires member countries to reduce production."

Animal husbandry has little to do with Ronan, and Juliet didn't elaborate too much, quickly bringing the topic back on track:

"In short, 30% of the goat milk farms in the Vaucluse province will have to close in the future, and the sheep population will need to be reduced by 40%."

Another production cut. Does the European Community have nothing else to do? Ronan thought to himself, his mind drifting to Mr. Llorente.

Will the Arnault family be impacted?

Mr. Llorente is the son-in-law of the Arnaud family, and his official job is to integrate the resources of the Vaucluse province for the Arnaud family.

The Arnaud family owns the largest sheep farm in Provence and also monopolizes part of the cheese supply chain, accounting for 25% of the local cheese exports in 1986.

Juliet shook her head:
"The impact on the Arnault family is minimal; it is the individual farmers who are affected."

Ronan's worried pursed lips:
"When disaster strikes, why don't these large families and corporations step up? Without sheep farms and flocks, what can individual farmers do?"

Lourmaran was able to implement the "Pulling Plan" because the farmers were backed by a rapidly developing Lourmaran with an explosive growth in tourism, and the Stellar Winery, which was about to be established in Lourmaran.

Without these support systems, the uprooting policy would be devastating for most farmers, and the area would likely see riots similar to those in Bordeaux.

Faced with the crisis of milk mountains and butter mountains, if there are no tall people to hold them up, the pressure will fall entirely on individual farmers, and the final result will be dire.

Juliet chuckled and shook her head:

“I have no time to pity others now, because I am also facing a major crisis. The closure of dairy farms and the reduction of sheep will lead to a large amount of land being left idle. Based on the triple logic of policy, market and ecology, the government has decided to promote the expansion of farmland.”

There are only a few possible outcomes for abandoned ranches.

First, simply leave it idle.

Second, sell it to developers and convert it into construction land.

Third, shift to planting cash crops.

In the specific circumstances of Provence in 1987, after discussions between the Vaucluse prefectural government and the Provence regional government, it was decided to push for the development of the third scenario.

Ronan was relatively unfamiliar with policies and government.

He was still pondering the relationship between the two things Juliet had mentioned—why would reducing sheep farms necessarily require promoting farmland expansion? Juliet continued:
"Once the new EEC policy is implemented this year, the Ministry of Agriculture will start to promote farmland expansion, either by the end of this year or next year. Ronan, you must help me then."

“Me?” Ronan pointed to his nose, laughing and crying at the same time, “I don’t plan to buy farmland for the time being, so I probably can’t help you.”

I don't even have the money to buy the three shops on the commercial street. Where am I supposed to get the money to buy farmland?
You think too highly of me.

Juliet picked up her glass and clinked it against Ronan's:
“Everyone here today could be my savior, including you. Don’t forget, you said that when disaster strikes, large families and large corporations must step up. I believe that when that time comes, Stella will definitely be among the ‘large corporations’.”

Before Ronan could react, Juliet tilted her head back and downed her drink. She wiped her mouth, covered it with her hand, and said in a voice only the two of them could hear:
"I will absolutely not let you down."

Ronan was the biggest contributor to Juliet's promotion and raise, and she would never betray her good brother.

On the contrary, they will definitely think of him when something good happens.

Ronan also downed his drink in one gulp.
"Don't have too many expectations of me. Stella still has a lot of things to deal with, but I will remember this."

Ronan didn't take Juliet's words to heart.

First of all, the crisis of Milk Mountain and Cheese Mountain has absolutely nothing to do with him.

Secondly, farmland expansion will not be implemented for a long time.

Ronan can't even take care of everything for next month, let alone have the energy to think about things six months from now.
The party was a great success, and the members who hadn't seen each other for a long time all got what they wanted in just a few hours.

The date for the association's next meeting has also been set—at Ronan's wedding.

Before leaving, Ronan handed out formal invitations to everyone, urging them to come if they could. But when he got to Ms. Astrid, Ronan changed his mind:
"If you can't come that day, that's okay, business is more important."

Ines said that Astrid's timing was very unpredictable.

Many gatherings were postponed because the woman didn't have time.

He no longer expected this important figure to attend the wedding in person.

Astrid took the invitation and brushed past Ronan:

I'll let you know in advance whether I can go or not.

Ronan didn't have a chance to speak with Astrid alone today. He had two purposes for this gathering: one was to bring up the Stusca inventory crisis and ask everyone to brainstorm solutions, and the other was to thank Ines for his help.

Ronan spent almost the entire afternoon and evening glued to Ines's side, but he had many questions for Astrid, his 'teacher,' about managing Stusca and the weaving business.

"I hope you can come," Ronan called out to Astrid's retreating figure.

Astrid, with her back to Ronan, casually waved her small handbag, seemingly trying to convey something.

The publication of the Provence Art Guide and the gathering of the Vaucluse Rosé Wine Lovers Association signaled the end of June and the beginning of a new month.

July started off very well for Ronan.

Although it was their first time making furniture under such high intensity, the women had no problems with efficiency or quality.

Ronan had been working with everyone in the weaving yard these past few days. All the furniture they checked was fine and didn't need to be reworked. Moreover, most people had finished their orders ahead of schedule. As a result, he and Barty were finally able to relax.

“If you ask me, you shouldn’t come tomorrow,” Batty said, looking at Ronan.

At this crucial moment, Batty temporarily suppressed his desire to get close to the beauties and focused his energy on fulfilling orders.

Anyone can teach a trial class, but in terms of skill and speed, he is definitely the best in Lourmaran. At this moment, he responsibly distinguished between 'priorities' and 'urgent matters'.

Batty hadn't worked with Ronan in a long time, and these past few days, sitting side by side with Ronan on a bench making woven furniture reminded him of the days when they first met in Valensole. But July was approaching, which meant Ronan's wedding was about to take place.

At this point, on Ronan's list of priorities, the most important thing was not knitting, but preparing for the wedding.

Ronan said with a smile:
"How could I possibly delay the wedding? It's just that there's really nothing else I can do right now. I'm waiting for Sylvie's news."

"Wasn't it Theo and Cornell who helped you plan your wedding?" Barty looked up in surprise, not understanding how Ronan's wedding was related to Sylvie.

“Have you forgotten? My wedding is to be held at Lourmaran Castle, but it’s under renovation, so the first step in the formal preparations is to make sure people can get in.” Ronan said somewhat helplessly, “Sylvie agreed to let us go in to prepare until the renovations are finished, but there are some wall repairs that are still incomplete and it’s dangerous. We can’t go in yet.”

Barty smacked his lips:

"Are you just going to wait?"

“Of course not. I don’t like to wait passively. I prefer to take the initiative, especially for such an important wedding.” Ronan said, suppressing a laugh. “I’ve already sent Theo to supervise the work. Last night, Theo said that it will take at most a week. We will definitely be able to go in and set up the wedding venue after a week.”

Barty breathed a sigh of relief:

"I feel relieved that Theo is supervising the construction."

Ronan laughed heartily and said:
“Me too. You have no idea how unpleasant the workers looked when they saw Theo, because some of them came from the wine cellars of Stella.

Barty laughed along for a while, then asked with concern:

"What about the rest? Is everything else prepared?"

“That’s all.” Ronan smiled happily. “Zoe and I have already finished decorating our wedding room.”

Suddenly, Ronan thought of something.

A few days ago, Zoe informed him that the swimming pool in the backyard was completed and asked him to come and see it when he had time.

Recently, after walking the dog in the morning, he immediately ran to the knitting workshop to make furniture and forgot about this matter.

"There's also a swimming pool. I'll go home and check on it today; it should be finished by now." Ronan couldn't help but speed up his work.

Normally, Ronan wouldn't go home at noon.

We either ate lunch at a restaurant or went to Zoe's house to cook lunch together.

But realizing he hadn't had a chance to check out the swimming pool yet, he took a break from the scorching sun at noon to go home.

In July, the highest temperature in Provence approaches 40 degrees Celsius.

As Ronan walked from the knitting compound to his home, his face burned with pain, and he felt like his body was on fire.

He first went inside to get a bottle of chilled beer, opened it, took a couple of sips, and then discovered that his dog was gone.

It's okay if Little Black and Marseille are lost, but what about Margaret?!
Ronan quickly left the house to look for the dog. He had just entered the backyard and hadn't even called the dog's name when he heard the sounds of a man and a woman playing.

"What's so great about Marseille and Nice? Can they be more fun than swimming at home? When I get tired, I just go to bed, and when I get thirsty, I go to the kitchen and cook something."

Ronan recognized his mother's voice.

The identity of the other male voice is self-evident—the elderly couple had taken a break from their busy schedules to play in the water.

However, Luo Tianhai's words made Luo Nan somewhat reluctant to acknowledge him.

"Having a swimming pool at home is great; it's private, and you can enjoy swimming more."

"Enjoy yourself? How much more enjoyable do you want? You've been soaking for half an hour already."

With Ronan's guidance, Luo Tianhai became increasingly adept at imitating lines from TV dramas, provided there was no third person present:
"Hey baby, your Marseille sun is here!"

Splash, splash—the sound of the elderly couple chasing each other echoed from the swimming pool.

Ronan was trying to escape the scene, which was inappropriate for children, so that they could have their fun, when three oblivious dogs appeared at his feet and started barking happily.

"Gurgle gurgle gurgle—" Feng Zhen was startled and accidentally sank to the bottom.

Luo Tianhai also blushed and froze on the spot, apparently because his son had caught him imitating lines from a TV series for the second time.

Ronan dared not look in his parents' direction, and hugged the ceramic pot that Zoe had specially made for the swimming pool.

"Oh my, this terracotta pot is so pretty! It's perfect for this spot! What was Zoe thinking? How could she come up with using a terracotta pot to decorate the swimming pool? I never thought of that!"

After praising him for almost ten seconds, Ronan turned his head, his face filled with shock:

"What a coincidence, Mom and Dad, you've come to see the swimming pool too?"

(End of this chapter)