1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 540 Is this direction right?
In Lourmaran, there are several types of people who are particularly 'respected' and will be greeted by anyone who sees them.

One type is successful villagers like Ronan and Lucas; powerful and charismatic people are always popular, regardless of the era or region.

One type is Lourmaran government officials like Blanco, whom the villagers hope to cultivate a good relationship with so that they can get their roofs, sewers, dirt roads in front of their houses, and electrical boxes repaired for free.

Another category is businesses, especially those related to food.

"Hey Freddy, what brings you back so early? Did you have trouble selling your sheep? I knew lamb was too expensive!"

"Coming to Lourmaran at this hour? What new restaurant has opened in the village? Tell me about it!"

Even Como, the owner of the "primitive" restaurant who is usually quiet and doesn't like to interact with the villagers, would stop Freddie's car for a chat when he saw him:
"Freddy! Where are the sheep I ordered? You've arrived, but where are my sheep?"

Freddie rolled down the car window and explained to Coman:
"I'm leaving get off work early today. Please wait a little longer; it will be delivered in a bit."

Koeman lit a cigarette and said in a teasing tone:

"Leaving get off work early? I bet you're just craving something, going to someone's house for a free meal, huh? Everyone knows you have the best nose in Lourmaran! What delicious food are you going to eat today?"

Freddie was a chubby little glutton since he was a child, and Koman watched him grow up little by little into the big fat man he is today.

Freddie smiled and shrugged:

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but this time it really has nothing to do with food. I'm taking Ronan's family to Mena Village to see the dog show."

Koeman asked unexpectedly:

"Ronan wants to buy a dog?"

Freddie wiped his sweat and waved to the other person:
“It wasn’t Ronan who bought it, it was Ronan’s parents. Okay, I’m off now. Don’t worry about your sheep, it must be on its way.”

Ronan had to rush to finish his work at the weaving workshop, and only had two to three hours of free time at noon, so he decided to go to the dog show at that time.

Luo Tianhai and Feng Zhen went very reluctantly.

They wanted Xiao Hei, not a new dog, and weren't interested in the Mena Village dog show at all.

But since Zoe would be coming along, making it their family's first small 'activity' together, they agreed to go anyway.

Zoe had lunch at Ronan's house at noon, and while waiting for Freddie to pick them up, she chattered away like a little bird, already imagining what Mena Village would be like before they even arrived.

“I’ve never been to a dog show before. I heard it’s a new one that’s been around for the last couple of years, and there are competitions on site.” Zoe looked at Masai with regret. “I should have signed Masai up too.”

Feng Zhen touched Ma Sai, who was lying at her feet:

"Yes, our Masai baby is very smart."

As Ronan prepared the food he would be taking with him in the open kitchen, he casually remarked:
"The Marseille may not be able to compete because it's a modified breed and its bloodline isn't pure enough. I'll buy you a dog with a good bloodline later."

Luo Tianhai appeared at the stairwell and casually struck up a conversation:
"We don't care about bloodlines or anything like that, just buy the best one."

The "dog-fighting" battle lasted for more than half a month. Although no one mentioned the topic again, the behind-the-scenes struggle never stopped.

Zoe gave Ronan a reassuring look from afar, reminding him to change the subject and stop talking.

"Beep beep beep, beep beep, beep beep beep beep beep beep—" A series of rhythmic car horns came from outside the door, growing louder as they approached.

Without a doubt, it was Freddie, that childish brat, who was the only one who could sing with a megaphone.

The four of them got up and went outside. At the door, Zoe whispered to Ronan:

"When we combine our skills later, we'll definitely find a dog that your parents like."

Ronan cheered himself and Zoe on:

"must!"

On the way, Freddie naturally gave Ronan's family some basic information about dog shows.

He said the dog show was held in a football field outside Mena village, and the environment was quite nice, with vineyards stretching out around the field.

The Parisian family knew that every village in Luberon had sports facilities for residents, but this was the first time they had ever seen a football field, especially one surrounded by vineyards.

Ronan asked Zoe, "Why is there a football field in Mena village?"

But this time, the Provençal 'know-it-all' didn't work, because this was unfamiliar territory for her:
"I don't usually follow sports news, but I'll ask Vieri when I get back; he'll definitely know why."

“Mena village has its own football team.” Freddy’s slaughterhouse is located within the Mena village area, so he knows the place very well.

Ronan asked in surprise:

"Does Mena village have its own football team? Is it made up of locals?"

Freddie stated definitively:
"That's right, and there are many competitions every year. On the day of the competition, the stadium is packed with fans, and you can eat while watching the game, so you can enjoy both the game and the picnic."

Luo Tianhai, also a football fan, couldn't help but say:
"interesting."

Is this Provençal-style absurd football?
I kind of want to watch
Ronan turned to his father and said:

"Shall we come watch the game next time?"

He's still looking for hobbies for his parents in their old age; has he found one yet?
Luo Tianhai thought for a moment:
"We'll see if I have time. I might come and take a look if I have the chance."

Ronan looked at Zoe beside him:
"Take Vieri with you."

This will make up for the regret of not being able to take Vieri to Marseille to watch the game.

Regardless of the level of the competition or how well it was played, just tell me whether I took you to the game or not?

Feng Zhen interjected:

"Then let's call Louis and Leah together. Oh, and Freddie too. You and Frosy can come too. Let's also call Alan and Carl. We can have a picnic, right? I'll prepare some delicious food for everyone."

God, who wants to watch football?

Hurry up and call a few more women over, or I'll be bored to death!

“I’ll prepare too,” Zoe offered.

I need to improve my cooking skills as soon as possible. I've been too busy with work lately, and my skills have become rusty. I need to take every opportunity to practice more.

Freddie said happily:
"Okay, I'll let you know before the next match."

Oh, that's great, another chance to enjoy delicious food.

Ronan smiled and looked around at his family and friends.

Provence truly is a paradise of joy; parties are organized on a whim, and everyone can find a reason to have fun.

Suddenly, many colorful flags appeared on the country road, and the overgrown fields on both sides of the car window were cleared away.

After driving for a while, a sharp electronic sound suddenly rang out all around, startling everyone in the car.

“喂！喂！1、2、3、1、2、3！中午好，梅纳村！”一个短暂的停顿过后，“好，机器没问题。”

The sound from the loudspeaker came and went quickly, and soon rousing music filled the valley.

"Damn it, I don't know where they bought that loudspeaker at the dog show, you can hear it from kilometers away." Freddy cursed under his breath. "I agreed to come over at noon, just to say that I heard they take a break at noon, including the loudspeaker. Looks like their lunch break is over."

Ronan humorously remarked, "Isn't the point of an event to create a 'sensation' and a 'lively atmosphere'?"

Freddie continued, dissatisfied:
"But that shouldn't refer to the noise. The organizing committee of this event is very unprofessional. There was no publicity and it didn't attract many people. Luckily, we came this year. My colleagues and I bet that this should be the last one."

The Mena Village football field is now in sight.

The area was surrounded by a dense, tall fence, as if to prevent passersby from getting a free meal.

"Isn't this quite 'experienced'?" Ronan asked Freddie. "You need to buy tickets to see a dog show, right?"

“Of course, what exhibition is free these days? There are thousands, even tens of thousands of businessmen eyeing the pockets of ordinary people,” Freddie said matter-of-factly. “But I found an acquaintance, and it only costs 10 francs per person to get in, whereas normally it costs 25 francs.”

Luo Tianhai and Feng Zhen didn't want to come in the first place, and when they heard that they had to pay for tickets, they were even less inclined to go in.

It has nothing to do with how much money is involved; there's no need for that!

Our Marseille is the best!!
But as it turns out, the business elites who are eyeing residents' pockets are even more ruthless than imagined; they even took into account stingy people like Luo Tianhai and Feng Zhen.

Freddy parked the car, and before the group even got out, they encountered the first wave of dogs.

Under a huge tree, dozens of dogs of different breeds and sizes were tied up, forming a complete circle around the tree, like a moving necklace.

The dog owner had a gypsy-like face—tall, dark-skinned, with a thick mustache and messy hair.

Seemingly noticing that Ronan and his group had taken notice, the shopkeeper began to shout loudly:
"Purebred dogs, mixed breeds, rare breeds, what kind of ladies and gentlemen are you looking for for hunting dogs? Those who are good at long-distance running, those who are good at sprinting, those who are good at catching rabbits, those who are good at catching birds, all kinds are available."

Ronan once read a report discussing the most common phrase spoken by dog ​​owners. A poll showed that over 20% of respondents chose, "Let me see which adorable little darling is here!"

These people all kept dogs at home, and seeing so many dogs, they didn't need to discuss it at all; they all surrounded them simultaneously.

A Shar Pei was struggling to scratch its ear with its hind leg, and its comical face, combined with its movements, made a group of people burst into uncontrollable laughter.

The clever businessman grabbed the thick skin from its neck and showed it to Ronan and his men:

"Doesn't it look like a bag? You can take it home directly."

Ronan looked at his parents, seeking their opinions.

The elderly couple came prepared today; they were looking at the dogs, but buying them was absolutely out of the question.

They shook their heads and walked away.

Zoe politely replied to the boss:

“We already have two dogs, we can’t have any more.”

The merchant's face crinkled with laughter:
"Is there any difference between two or three, miss?"

Although they didn't manage to buy the dog, the stall piqued the interest of Feng Zhen and Luo Tianhai.

Since they were already there, Luo Tianhai took the initiative to buy five tickets, and the group finally entered the official venue of the Mena Village Dog Show.

The goods sold by the vendors in the market are becoming more and more interesting.

After walking only a few steps, Ronan stopped in front of a cage made of plywood and wire, pointed to the little creatures inside, and said:
"Big!"

He spoke to Luo Tianhai in a seductive tone:

“How about we go hunting in the mountains together this winter? Look at those people who stopped outside the dense forest last year, many of them had beagles with them.”

Before Luo Tianhai could speak, the stall owner spoke first.

Upon noticing the skin color of Ronan and his family, his tone became exceptionally patient:

"This isn't a beagle, it's a foxhound, but you're not entirely wrong, it is indeed a champion hunter, especially of rabbits and foxes."

Beagle is a breed that is quite familiar to the public. With those small ears and those little eyes, how could anyone mistake it?
Could it be because it's a puppy?

Ronan crouched down to examine it carefully, and said somewhat embarrassedly:

"But it really does look like a big guy."

Inside the cage was a short, fat foxhound, lying on its back and dozing off, its four short, thick legs stretched upwards.

The stall owner forcibly woke it up and showed it to several people:
"These two breeds of dogs differ greatly in origin, purpose, and size. Foxhounds originated in 17th-century England and were bred for hunting foxes on horseback, while Beagles can be traced back to ancient Greece and were mainly used for rabbit hunting. Beagles are one of the ancestors of foxhounds but are not the same breed. Adult foxhounds stand 53-64 cm tall and weigh 27-32 kg, while Beagles are small hunting dogs, typically standing 33-40 cm tall and weighing 7-12 kg. Beagles have long, wide ears that are close to the tip of their noses, while foxhounds have short, narrow ears."

He scratched the little guy's belly and continued proudly:
"Foxes were the favorite prey of British nobles, but they were not only cunning but also very fast. The nobles would hunt them on horseback. The speed of the horses and foxes was not a problem for the foxhounds. Each hunt could involve hundreds of foxhounds, which could run continuously for two hours without stopping until the foxes were exhausted and hid in their dens."

Ronan, eager to try, asked Luo Tianhai:
"Do you like it? There are foxes in the dense forest closest to our house. I've seen them many times."

Luo Tianhai hesitated for a moment, shook his head, and stepped towards the next stall:
"It's more fun to hunt these things when hundreds of them gather together, no, no."

Ronan sighed and stood up as well, comforting himself—this was only the beginning of his football career, and there were many more good players to come who could surely win over Luo Tianhai's heart.

He took a couple of steps and suddenly felt that something was missing.

I turned my head and found my wife was gone!

Looking back, Zoe was still at the same stall, playing with the dog.

"This dog is special. When it's eating, nothing can distract it. Its whole body becomes stiff. If you press its head down, its hind legs will lift up. Try it if you don't believe me." The shop owner demonstrated the foxhound's new skill to Zoe.

Zoe was having a blast, like she'd discovered a new continent.
"Can I hug it? It's so cute."

"Of course you can. Buy it and play with it however you want," the shop owner declared blatantly.

Ronan watched with a pounding heart.

What if Zoe ended up buying a new dog instead of the one her parents wanted?

This was only the second stall they were looking at, and she was already too tired to walk any further!

After playing for a while, Zoe finally left.

“I thought you were going to buy it,” Ronan said, still shaken.

Thankfully, Zoe has self-control.

Zoe pulled Ronan deeper into the area:

“I really like it, but I just heard that there are many rare native species inside. Let’s go take a look first and then make a decision.”

Ronan tensed up:
"Are you really planning to buy one?"

Honey, I just praised you!

Zoe said with a bright smile:

"I think that person is right—what difference does it make whether there are two or three?"

Ronan tried his best to dissuade him:

"But Lucas also ordered a dog for me, and I'll be going to the kennel in the fall."

Zoe's bright, light blue eyes curved slightly, making Ronan speechless with beauty.
"Is there a difference between three or four? Let's go check out those rare native dogs, I'm so curious!"

(End of this chapter)