The next morning, at seven thirty.
Lin Fan stretched his arms, facing the full-length mirror.
Xia Xue was by his side, adjusting his tie and suit.
He said impatiently, "Sister-in-law, stop fussing over me. It's just a meeting in the village, no need to be so formal."
He had been sleeping soundly when the village loudspeaker started blaring non-stop.
Then, Xia Xue rushed in and yanked him awake.
"Secretary Tian specifically asked for you to attend the meeting and even requested you give a speech. How can you not dress formally?"
"We're all neighbors, doesn't everyone know what kind of person I, Lin Fan, am? Is it really necessary?"
Xia Xue rolled her eyes at him and reprimanded, "Stop talking nonsense. Just listen to me and stop complaining!"
Lin Fan shrugged his shoulders, "Alright, alright, I'll listen to sister-in-law."
Xia Xue looked him up and down carefully and suddenly said, "Xiao Fan, why don't you switch to that blue tie? I think this one is a bit too flashy, not quite suitable."
Lin Fan waved his hand, "It's fine, it's fine. I think it's okay."
Song Yue walked in at that moment and, seeing Lin Fan's appearance, exclaimed in surprise, "Oh my, Sister Xue'er, your taste is really good! This outfit suits you perfectly, it's like you're on a live broadcast."
In her eyes, Lin Fan was handsome and refined, with bright, clear eyes and a particularly imposing demeanor.
Lin Fan chuckled heartily, "Sister Yueyue, are you sure it's the clothes that look good, or is it me?"
"So vain!"
Song Yue retorted, but she continued to look at Lin Fan with admiration.
Lin Fan winked at her, his gaze slowly drifting downwards.
The habit had formed, and he couldn't change it now.
When she wasn't around, Lin Fan always felt something was missing.
"Xiao Fan, hurry up and eat. Don't be late for the meeting!"
Xia Xue urged him.
"Got it."
Lin Fan brushed past Song Yue's powdered shoulder, making her heart flutter. She thought to herself, "Tsk tsk, we haven't seen each other for only a few days, and you miss me this much already?"
Song Yue thought this, and Lin Fan felt the same.
After breakfast, the three of them headed to the village committee together.
Although Song Yue was from Wangjia Village, it wasn't impossible for her to join in the excitement. No one would gossip.
She treated the people of Luofeng Village at the clinic every day, and almost everyone in Luofeng Village had come to recognize this sharp-tongued, quick-handed, and warm-hearted little nurse.
As for her relationship with Lin Fan...
Although there were some rumors, because Lin Fan never charged extra for his treatments and often provided free consultations and medication to those from less fortunate families, no one really believed the rumors.
Besides, who hasn't had their youthful indiscretions?
These kinds of things were commonplace in society nowadays, especially in the upper-middle class. Even if one could control it, they wouldn't be able to keep up with it all!
When the three of them arrived at the village committee, many villagers had already gathered outside, far more than when Tian Mengyao took office.
After all, the loudspeaker had announced that they would be distributing benefits to the villagers.
This was the first time in the history of Luofeng Village!
Whether it was true or not, they would come to see. There was no harm in it.
Even if they just got a bag of laundry detergent, that would be great!
"Xiao Fan, you're here!"
"You're looking very sharp today!"
"Dressed like a groom!"
"Little Xue, the secretary specifically asked for your Xiao Fan to come. He's really something else!"
Those who knew them well saw Lin Fan and the two women approaching and enthusiastically started greeting them.
Xia Xue couldn't suppress her joy, offering modest words while her face bloomed with a smile.
Lin Fan also maintained a smile, politely greeting everyone.
Some people who had benefited from Lin Fan's help when they went to the clinic also came forward to greet him, their words filled with gratitude.
For a moment, Lin Fan became the center of attention, drawing glances from many people in the distance.
Song Yue followed behind, smiling silently.
She was equally happy, grateful that she could be Lin Fan's lover.
"The situation is looking very promising!"
Lin Fan mused inwardly.
A casual glance around showed him many villagers who had received his help.
"He who has eaten from your hand, and received from your bounty, is bound to you."
If this continued, when he eventually married his sister-in-law, no one would dare to spread malicious gossip!
For an ordinary person to do this would invite ridicule, accusations of breaking moral codes and lacking shame.
However, it would be different for a great benefactor. At most, it would be considered a romantic affair!
"Xiao Fan, you're so happy, you'll make people laugh at you."
Xia Xue saw him grinning incessantly and thought he had become overly proud.
"Sister-in-law, I'm happy!"
Lin Fan stared intently at his sister-in-law's exquisite beauty, his heart filled with excitement.
If things continued like this, what great things couldn't be accomplished?
Since Sister-in-law didn't want to go to the city and feared the village gossip, why not find a way to silence the villagers' tongues!
Xia Xue's pretty face flushed, and she lowered her head, reminding him, "Don't look at me like that. In broad daylight, don't give people a reason to gossip."
"Sister-in-law, don't worry, it won't be long..."
Before Lin Fan could finish speaking, he heard Wu Lei, who was standing by the door of the village head's office, suddenly call out, "Everyone, come in for the meeting!"
"If you're standing outside, don't stand there anymore!"
"Come in!"
Upon hearing this, the crowd slowly moved, forming a stream of people flowing into the village committee courtyard.
Lin Fan and the two women stood by the wall, letting the villagers push ahead.
"Xiao Fan, shouldn't we move closer? You have to go on stage later."
"No need to rush. Let them go ahead. Wherever I am, I'll still be the one speaking on stage later."
Xia Xue rolled her eyes at him, "Look at your smug attitude!"
Lin Fan chuckled and looked at his graceful sister-in-law, feeling a sense of happiness.
On the stage, Tian Mengyao, dressed in a smart suit, maintained a smile while standing on tiptoe, looking left and right.
Only when she saw that Lin Fan had indeed arrived did she breathe a sigh of relief, "I thought you weren't coming!"
Lin Fan noticed her gaze and shot her a mischievous grimace, "Scared you!"
Tian Mengyao huffed and ignored Lin Fan.
Feeling bored, Lin Fan looked around.
In his memory, the village committee had last been this lively over ten years ago, when he was still a snot-nosed kid.
Later, as time passed, the village officials became increasingly unreliable.
After that, during village meetings, everyone would just stand.
However, today, in the not-so-spacious village committee courtyard, rows of chairs were neatly arranged.
It seemed that once Tian Mengyao had money, her first thought was to serve the people, paying attention to even the smallest details!
Lin Fan looked up at the banner hanging high above.
The banner read: Warmly Celebrating the Establishment of the Luofeng Village Medicinal Herb Planting Cooperative!
Lin Fan gave a thumbs-up, "Not bad!"