"Then I'll... keep it for Xue'er for now."
Xia Cui'e's thought was that if her daughter remarried in the future, the family would have something to offer as a dowry, so that the in-laws wouldn't look down on her.
"Ah, that's more like it."
Xia Deya said with a smile.
Lin Fan also smiled.
The money was finally given out.
As long as they were willing to accept it, he could send it every year!
With this, Lin Fan's purpose for this trip was completely fulfilled.
After dinner, Xia Deya made an excuse about having something to do and left.
Xia Xue and her mother tidied up the table while chatting about daily life, their faces filled with happy smiles.
Xia Xiangqian had drunk too much, and Lin Fan helped him to the bed. He fell asleep as soon as he lay down.
"Hoo~"
Lin Fan looked at him and felt very smug: "I'm the best at dealing with stubborn donkeys, haha!"
At this time, the sun was setting in the west, and it was already past three in the afternoon.
Xia Cui'e insisted that her daughter stay at home for a few more days.
The mother and daughter hadn't seen each other for many years, so it was only natural.
Although Lin Fan was unwilling, he couldn't object verbally.
Xia Xue looked at Lin Fan and smiled, "Xiao Fan, why don't you go back first and come to pick me up in a few days?"
"Okay, no problem."
Lin Fan thought again, with his sister-in-law not at home, there would only be him and Yueyue sister.
If he didn't have fun every day, it would be a complete waste of such a good opportunity!
"Why do you seem so happy?"
Xia Xue was very puzzled, and there was a hint of displeasure in her eyes.
Lin Fan smiled gently, "Sister-in-law, I am genuinely happy for you to be reunited with your parents."
"Well, Xiao Fan, when are you leaving? Don't be too late, the road is not good."
"We're leaving now. Sister-in-law, you stay home for a few days, and I'll pick you up the day after tomorrow."
After Xia Xue gave a few instructions, Lin Fan looked at Tian Mengyao and smiled, "Secretary Tian, let's go."
Tian Mengyao nodded, then waved to Xia Xue, "Goodbye, Sister Xue'er."
"Goodbye, Secretary Tian, be careful on the road."
Xia Xue and her mother saw Lin Fan and Tian Mengyao off to the main gate and watched the SUV disappear from view before turning back.
"Xue'er, your brother-in-law is quite capable."
"Mm."
Xia Xue smiled charmingly, "Xiao Fan is just having a stroke of luck."
"Daughter, shouldn't you remarry too?"
Xia Cui'e stopped and turned to look at her daughter, asking earnestly, "Lin Feng has been missing for so many years, he's definitely not coming back. You've been living with your brother-in-law for so long, aren't you afraid of gossip?"
"I..."
Xia Xue's heart sank, "I don't live with Xiao Fan, and besides, I'm upright and honest, not afraid of gossip."
"You can't say that."
Xia Cui'e sighed gently, "There's so much speculation, and people's words can turn things around. Even if something didn't happen, they can weave a convincing story. How about I help you arrange something?"
"No need, Mom, I have no such plans."
After Xia Xue finished speaking, she walked ahead.
"Alas~"
Xia Cui'e looked at her daughter's retreating back and sighed heavily.
Her daughter hadn't listened to her back then, and it seemed she didn't intend to listen now.
It wasn't a good situation for a brother-in-law and sister-in-law to live together.
However...
Lin Fan's conditions were quite good, at least much better than his brother.
If they didn't have the sister-in-law and brother-in-law relationship, he would be a good choice.
Xia Cui'e thought of this, shook her head helplessly, a grown daughter couldn't be controlled by her mother, she'd have to figure it out herself!
Anyway, she didn't have many years left to live, she could let go of anything!
...
On the country dirt road, Tian Mengyao drove the car at a high speed.
"Xiao Fan, are you busy these two days?"
Tian Mengyao noticed that Lin Fan, for some reason, was beaming and occasionally grinning wickedly, looking very lecherous.
This immediately made her sulk.
Lin Fan, who was thinking about Song Yue, was suddenly asked by her and instinctively retorted, "What for?"
"You need to come with me to the town and city to handle some procedures. It's the end of the year, and if we don't get it done quickly, I'm afraid it will delay things in the spring."
"Also, there are some banquets that I can't refuse. You'll have to accompany me then."
After Tian Mengyao finished speaking, Lin Fan immediately shook his head and refused, "I've already paid the money, and you still won't let me go? And you want me to run errands with you during the New Year?"
"You know it's almost New Year's. Do you think I want to be running around?"
Tian Mengyao glared fiercely at Lin Fan, "I, an outsider, am working diligently for the development of the village, and you, a native villager of Luofeng Village, are so indifferent. You're inhumane."
"Alright, alright, alright."
Lin Fan was helpless, "I'll go with you, Secretary Tian!"
"Hmph."
Tian Mengyao snorted lightly and continued, "Also, I have a lot of documents to organize recently, so you need to come to the village committee to help out in the evenings."
Lin Fan frowned, almost cursing out loud, "Are you deliberately trying to oppose me?"
"I finally have a few days of leisure, and you've scheduled me full from day to night. Are you afraid I won't work myself to death?"
"Secretary Tian, you're going too far!"
Tian Mengyao raised her chin and retorted, "I work overtime every day, afraid of missing anything, and I'm busy beyond belief. What about you?"
"I'm not idle all day either."
Lin Fan thought for a moment, then suddenly felt something was wrong, "That's strange, why do I feel like you're getting more and more unusual?"
He scratched his head, thinking, "She's too self-righteous."
"Although she used to ask me for help, after I refused, she would at most look wronged and not speak, or sulk."
"Or, she would look at me pitifully, waiting for me to soften."
"But now, it's as if it's something I should do?"
Tian Mengyao also realized this.
She found that she had indeed changed.
How strange!
When did it start?
"Hey, hey, hey~ Watch the road, watch the road!"
Lin Fan shouted in alarm.
A truck was approaching, and Tian Mengyao, as if in a daze, was getting closer and closer.
Tian Mengyao suddenly snapped back to reality and slammed on the brakes.
Due to inertia, both of them lurched forward.
Fortunately, the speed wasn't too fast, otherwise the airbags would have deployed.
Lin Fan pointed to the side of the road, "Pull the car over first."
Tian Mengyao came back to her senses, her face pale with fright.
She pulled the car to the side of the road and turned on the hazard lights.
Lin Fan leaned back in his seat and pleaded sarcastically, "Come on, whatever you're thinking, finish thinking about it here before we hit the road. I only have one life, I can't afford to play with you!"
Tian Mengyao let out a soft hmph, "If it weren't for you, I definitely wouldn't be like this!"
"I..."
Lin Fan was about to retort, but fearing that Tian Mengyao would get angry, he kept quiet.
If she cried, he'd have to comfort her, what was the point?
A minute later, Tian Mengyao suddenly asked, "Xiao Fan, what, what do you think of me?"
Tian Mengyao turned sideways, not wanting Lin Fan to see her blushing face.
She had summoned great courage to ask this question.