1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 63: Crazy Ronan

It was as if Thor's phone call had flipped some kind of magic switch.

Over the next week, Ronan received five or six more calls, and now he became nervous whenever he heard a Parisian accent.

The content of the phone calls is basically the same 'structure'.

First, there is the awkward greeting that makes your toes twitch. The other party will try every means to prove that "we are actually very familiar with each other". If Ronan doesn't think so, then he must have a bad memory.
"Remember that grey afternoon in 1982 when we discussed a football match on France ? Oh, it was a terrible match."

Next, they will casually ask whether you will be at home on Easter/Labor Day/some other day.

No matter how Ronan responded, the other party would say with expectation:

“I’m thinking of going to Provence.”

Moreover, Ronan discovered that the "visit" these people were talking about was by no means as simple as the "visit" he understood.

"This is my first trip to Provence. I don't know anyone there. I heard on TV that it's hard to find accommodation there. I wonder if you can accommodate six people? I think you can have a hot shower at home, right?"

What made Ronan most upset was that among the people who called, Thor was the one he was most familiar with. He even received calls from colleagues of his former colleagues, the mother of his college classmate's girlfriend, and neighbors who were not even acquaintances. Without exception, these people hoped to reminisce with him in Provence.

But Ronan has lived in Paris for 22 years, and they have never thought about catching up with Ronan in the same city, nor have they ever shown any enthusiasm!

After gradually realizing that something was not right, Ronan changed his approach, using various accidental, irresistible and urgent situations to shirk their enthusiasm.

But these people are already immersed in the dream of Provence's sunshine, free food and accommodation, and free tour guides and cannot extricate themselves. How can one or two simple reasons solve this problem?
"Going out that week? No problem, we can go a week later, which will avoid the peak travel crowds."

"You said there are workers renovating? It doesn't matter. We are not home during the day and only go back at night."

"What? Wild boars attack villagers, there are many potholes on the road, the village often has power outages, and your dog bites everyone it sees? It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter at all! We can definitely overcome it!"

In winter, the farmers have nothing to do, so they come to the old tavern for a drink.

In spring, after a tiring day, I would come to the old tavern to have a couple of drinks.

In short, they can always find reasonable reasons to leave their wives and children and come to the world that belongs to men all year round.

Ronan shared his recent 'horrific' experience with Pierre and Theo.

"Damn it, it's time to travel again!" Theo slammed the table. "From April to August every year, Provence can be described as 'chaotic'!"

Pierre couldn't laugh anymore, and reminded Ronan seriously but kindly:

“During the travel season, it takes more than an hour to drive from Lourmarin to Mena Village if you’re unlucky. Remember to leave early when you go to the market.”

Many people in Lourmarin village learned that Ronan was selling Chinese food in Mena village.

In the latest week's market, Ronan's turnover increased by about 10%. Not only did old customers come to the shop, but old customers also recommended new customers.

Facts have proved that sweet and sour pork definitely has a market in Provence, all that is lacking is time.

The current business situation is in line with Ronan's expectations. Where is there anything new that can immediately explode the market once it is launched?

Let word of mouth and Freddy ferment for a while, Ronan judged that before the peak of tourism, his new livelihood might have a big "leap".

Ronan ordered another glass of pink wine. He now liked the taste of this wine more and more.

At first the farmers laughed at him for drinking ladies' wine, but Ronan drank it every day and they got tired of laughing at him, so they stopped talking.

Today, Theo ordered a glass of pink wine, and the target of ridicule became him. Theo had a serious rebellious mentality and ordered several more glasses, saying that he wanted to piss them off to death.

He took a sip of pink wine and said to Ronan with a grin:
"Then you will know the pain."

Ronan grinned as well:
“I feel that pain now.”

You guys are just stuck in traffic, I might be stuck at home!
"You finally agreed to let them come?" Pierre asked sympathetically.

Ronan shook his head:

"I only agreed to one classmate's request, and the others all 'politely' declined."

Thor was alone, and he was the first to call.

Pierre said worriedly:
"Don't be too optimistic. If they can find your phone number, they can find your home address. How can you be sure that no one will come to visit you directly?"

"No way." Ronan suddenly found it difficult to swallow the wine in his mouth.

"It's hard to say. People communicated like this before the invention of the telephone. Maybe some people are not used to using the telephone yet." Theo grinned even wider. "Besides, you are already famous in Provence, and everyone in Lourmarin knows you. Ronan, it will be very easy for them to find your home."

"Oh my God!" Ronan wailed in pain.

Ronan had a rather negative attitude towards possible visitors.

With endless farm work to do every day and the weekend market in Mena Village, Ronan has neither the mood nor the energy to improve the living standards of his house.

But at the moment, his home is so poor that he can't even host a party, let alone accommodate a few people. Has anyone ever seen a party with more than a dozen guests but only two chairs?

Is the theme musical chairs?
The other two unoccupied bedrooms upstairs had only an antique bed frame that couldn't withstand any couple's tossing.

Ronan chose one of the rooms as his bedroom because the bed there looked the most sturdy.

If he wants to entertain guests, he needs to buy two beds, two sets of wardrobes, at least ten chairs, two sets of bedding, some daily necessities, and replace all the toilets upstairs and downstairs. This is just the basics!
If conditions permit, it is best to replace the floor with a new one and repaint all the walls.

Ronan felt extremely crazy when he thought about buying so many things and doing so many things just for those people who might only meet him once in their life.

But he has agreed to Thor's request
So this was the inescapable reality - he had to get the house in order in more than a month.

Ronan sorted out his thoughts and encouraged himself:
"You can do it, now you just need a little motivation to get moving."

But what 'great' motivation could make Ronan willingly do this?

Suddenly, he sat up with a somersault:

"How about inviting your parents over for Easter?"

He has no motivation to spend money on others, but he is willing to spend money on his parents.

Sooner or later, we will have to bring our parents over and do these things.

Let them come to Provence as soon as possible, and use this opportunity to repair their relationship with their father.

"That's it!"

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(End of this chapter)