The van drove all the way to Song Yue's house.
"Xiao Fan, it's not ideal for your sister-in-law to keep staying at other people's homes. We have spare rooms in the village committee compound. Why don't we tidy one up for her?"
Tian Mengyao was a hundred percent sure that Lin Fan's soft spot was Xia Xue!
Lin Fan shook his head, "Don't even mention those rundown village committee houses. I'm afraid if she falls asleep, the house might collapse and crush her."
Tian Mengyao lightly punched Lin Fan's back, "The rooms next to my office are different. They were renovated later and are quite sturdy."
"If you don't want to live there, fine. It's not like I'm trying to flatter you."
Song Yue walked ahead, instinctively looking back.
She felt something was off: "Why is Secretary Tian talking to Xiao Fan like that?"
It was a bit...
Like she was throwing a tantrum!
Tian Mengyao noticed her gaze, then gave an awkward smile, turned, and got back into her car, driving away.
Lin Fan, carrying things in both hands, thought, "Honestly, sister-in-law and Yue Yue have bought quite a lot these past couple of days. It probably weighs at least 120 to 130 pounds."
Clothes, bags, bedsheets, and all sorts of odds and ends, enough to fill the entire living room.
"We're not cooking at this hour. Let's just have something simple."
Song Yue was exhausted. As soon as she entered, she collapsed onto a chair, breathing heavily.
"I'll make some noodles. Xiao Fan needs to go to the village committee later."
In Xia Xue's eyes, Lin Fan being called by Tian Mengyao to discuss matters meant he was being heavily relied upon by his superiors.
"Sister-in-law, don't bother. I'll make the noodles."
Lin Fan gently pressed his sister-in-law's shoulders, "You two rest. Leave this little thing to me."
After saying that, he went into the kitchen.
Clatter, clatter...
Xia Xue heard the sound of pots and pans from the kitchen, and a look of comfort naturally appeared on her face.
Xiao Fan had grown up. Not only could he cook for her now, but he could also stand up for her and protect her.
Thinking of the hardships she had endured over the years, a warm current surged through her heart.
"Sister Xue, you'll have to keep a close eye on him from now on."
Song Yue looked at Xia Xue and said earnestly.
"Ah, what?"
Xia Xue was lost in thought and didn't react immediately.
Song Yue leaned closer and whispered, "Sister Xue, didn't you notice that female boss? The way she was so close to Xiao Fan, she grabbed his hand right away and wouldn't let go."
"Later, when she was talking to Xiao Fan in the car, it was as if she wanted to stick to him."
Xia Xue chuckled awkwardly.
She hadn't thought of it that way.
After all, Zhou Yi was at least forty years old. She shouldn't be so lecherous as to not let even a young boy go.
Seeing her lack of reaction, Song Yue became more anxious, "Sister Xue, don't you think that Secretary Tian in your village is also a bit strange?"
Xia Xue blinked in surprise, "What's strange?"
Song Yue lowered her voice and replied solemnly, "Pay attention to her tone when she talks to Xiao Fan, and look at her demeanor. I just feel something is definitely up."
Xia Xue felt like crying and laughing, "Girl, you're overthinking it."
"I'm overthinking it?"
Song Yue thought to herself, "Xiao Fan's mischievous nature, others might not know, but I know it all too well!"
Thinking too highly of him would be a big mistake!
Xia Xue patted Song Yue's shoulder and said gently, "I watched Xiao Fan grow up. I trust his character. Don't overthink things that aren't there."
"I..." Song Yue was speechless and sighed inwardly, "You'll have so many sisters-in-law in the future, you won't be able to count them!"
No, Xiao Fan has had his eye on you for a long time!
Alas, forget it, it's none of my business!
"As long as Xiao Fan still wants me and doesn't abandon me, I'll be content!"
...
After eating noodles, Lin Fan headed towards the village committee under his sister-in-law's repeated instructions.
"It's only sister-in-law who takes that little brat seriously."
"If she saw her scared and riding on my neck, sister-in-law's worldview would surely collapse."
Lin Fan arrived at the village committee and happened to see Tian Mengyao washing her hands in the courtyard.
That imposing van was parked in the courtyard. He wondered how a female driver managed to park it in such a narrow entrance.
"Xiao Fan, you're here."
Tian Mengyao flicked the water droplets from her hands, then pointed to the secretary's office, saying, "Wait for me here for a bit."
"Okay."
As Lin Fan took two steps, he saw Wu Lei poking his head out of the village head's office window.
Wu Lei cast a hostile glance at Lin Fan, then slammed the window shut with a bang.
"Tch!"
Lin Fan sneered and shook his head.
You can't compete with me in money, nor in connections!
It's not like the old days where you could get by just by flattering Cao Dewang and acting mighty!
Times have changed!
"If your wife, Han Xiangxiang, were here, I might give you some face."
"Otherwise, you're nothing!"
"Though, I suspect once Han Xiangxiang makes it big outside, she won't want you anymore, haha!"
Lin Fan entered the office and felt a wave of warmth.
"Good heavens, they're even using an automatic thermostat!"
Lin Fan jested inwardly, "They're rich now! I heard automatic thermostats are very expensive and consume a lot of electricity, two kilowatt-hours per hour!"
"Wow, it's even Gree! A big brand!"
Lin Fan walked up to the desk and picked up a document to read.
He wanted to see what scheme Tian Mengyao was up to.
"Why aren't you sitting down?"
Tian Mengyao pushed the door open and saw him reading the document. She wasn't the least bit displeased.
After all, the cooperative was his from an ownership perspective, and he had the right to know.
Lin Fan looked back at her, "You've made things quite formal!"
Tian Mengyao chuckled, "The money has to be spent wisely. Besides, I have to give you, the investor, an explanation!"
As she spoke, Tian Mengyao sat down in the chair.
Lin Fan put down the document and asked, "What is it you wanted to see me about?"
"It's like this."
Tian Mengyao lowered her head slightly, her beautiful eyes darting around. "Xiao Fan, I've been thinking, the cooperative can't just pin all its hopes on the bulk medicinal herb market."
"After all, life is unpredictable. If we encounter bad market conditions, all the villagers' hard work for the year will be in vain."
Lin Fan nodded, "That's true."
Tian Mengyao hummed in agreement and continued, "Medicinal herbs are actually similar to pork. When prices fluctuate greatly, there can be a big difference between the beginning and end of the year. We must plan ahead."
"I was thinking, we could use the wasteland to plant goji berries and some common health-preserving medicinal herbs, and then set up sales outlets in the city to gradually build up the reputation of our Luofeng Village."
Lin Fan's brow furrowed at this point, and he interrupted, "Wait, wait a minute."
His gaze was sharp, and he had a bad premonition.
"Secretary Tian, where do you plan to set up these sales points you mentioned?"