"Nonsense!"
Tian Mengyao’s chest heaved with anger.
Xu Zixin, however, paid it no mind.
She could tell at a glance that Tian Mengyao was educated and reasonable. To deal with such a person, all one needed to do was to be unreasonable.
"Ahem," Han Jiayun cleared his throat. "Ladies, my wife is right. Fifty thousand is a reasonable amount."
He feigned sincerity, saying, "Actually, I'd prefer if you honored the contract. I wish to inherit my father's business and not let his hard work go to waste."
"If your late father's spirit could see, he certainly wouldn't want you here," Lin Fan said.
Han Jiayun sneered, "My final offer is forty-five thousand, not a cent less. I have many friends in the media. If you don't honor this, I'll inform them and expose you!"
"Who's afraid of you!" Tian Mengyao retorted, furious. "Do you think you're the only one with friends?"
"Fine, then I'll make Luofeng Village famous. I don't believe a written contract can't get us justice," Han Jiayun said, a hint of nervousness in his voice.
"Just you wait. We'll make you infamous," Xu Zixin scoffed. "Hmph, talking about cooperative medicinal herb cultivation, I'd like to see who dares to come to your dilapidated place."
"You..." Tian Mengyao was about to speak when Lin Fan stopped her.
"We acknowledge this contract."
"Xiao Fan!"
Tian Mengyao was astonished. Acknowledging the contract would jeopardize the medicinal herb planting base. Moreover, if the snake demon returned one day and found her home demolished, she couldn't guarantee it wouldn't retaliate fiercely.
"It's alright, Mengyao," Lin Fan said with a calm smile.
Seeing this, Han Jiayun felt uneasy. "Are you two planning some underhanded trick?"
Han Jiayun's face darkened. "While I may not be capable, I have some influence. I can easily summon a hundred or so people."
"Our Luofeng Village has over a thousand households. A few guard dogs are enough to tear you apart!" a villager passing by shouted indignantly.
Hearing this, the villagers who were working all gathered around. Some held hoes, some carried shovels, and others clutched carrying poles… Over two hundred people, each ready for a fight.
"Honey!" Xu Zixin's face paled, and she quickly hid behind Han Jiayun.
"What, are you resorting to violence now?" Han Jiayun sneered.
"We've acknowledged the contract, so we won't play any tricks," Lin Fan said with a smile.
"That's good then." Han Jiayun appeared calm, but his heart pounded. This was a desolate area. If the villagers got desperate and beat them to death, burying them, no one would ever find out.
"We acknowledge the contract, but the people of Luofeng Village will not provide you with any assistance. Are you sure you still want to operate the quarry?" Lin Fan made a final attempt.
"I can still eat pork without a butcher. As long as there's money, I can find as many workers as I need," Han Jiayun said dismissively.
"Sigh," Lin Fan sighed. He truly couldn't understand why this fellow insisted on reclaiming the quarry that had been abandoned for over a decade. Could there be some treasure inside?
Lin Fan shook his head, dismissing the thought. Han Jiayun's parents had both died because of it. Even if there had been treasure, it wouldn't make their son risk his life.
"Do as you please. We're leaving." Lin Fan turned to go.
Xu Zixin clung to Han Jiayun's arm, cooing, "Honey, you're so amazing! When our quarry makes big money, we'll infuriate them!"
Han Jiayun forced a smile. He knew very well that without local help, reopening the quarry would be fraught with difficulties. But there was nothing he could do; he could only take it one step at a time.
Han Jiayun glanced at the coquettish Xu Zixin beside him and thought, "I divorced my wife for you. At least I should create the illusion of a way forward and keep this young, beautiful woman by my side for a while longer."
Meanwhile, Tian Mengyao was incredibly frustrated. "Why didn't this pair of scumbags come earlier? If they had, I would have personally sent them to the quarry and seen if they could come out alive."
"A good plan of killing with a borrowed knife," Lin Fan teased.
"You're still in the mood for jokes?" Tian Mengyao rolled her eyes dramatically, then sighed. "What a pity. We don't have anyone to borrow anymore."
"Who says there's no one to borrow?" Lin Fan smiled mysteriously.
Tian Mengyao's spine suddenly chilled. She widened her beautiful eyes. "You wouldn't be suggesting... that?"
"What if a swarm of strange insects flew out and bit them when they went to inspect the quarry? Wouldn't that be fun?" Lin Fan chuckled.
"It's your Gu..." Tian Mengyao stopped herself at the last moment, glancing around nervously, as if afraid someone might overhear.
"Is this plan feasible?" Lin Fan asked.
Tian Mengyao tugged at Lin Fan's sleeve and whispered, "Are you crazy? Those insects eat people."
"Don't worry, I won't harm them," Lin Fan said with a smile.
"What if they don't obey orders?" Tian Mengyao felt this matter required careful consideration. She had never even dared to kill a chicken, let alone a person.
"That's easy. We'll let them eat their fill first," Lin Fan had already made up his mind. "We'll just have them bite people and drive them away."
After much thought, Tian Mengyao finally nodded in agreement. It seemed like the best option for now.
"Xiao Fan, we'll do it together." Tian Mengyao clenched her small fists, adopting a determined stance.
"Forget it, I'll do it myself," Lin Fan shook his head. The sight of the Tie Tou Gu eating was quite terrifying, and he feared it would leave Tian Mengyao with psychological trauma.
"Do you really not need my help?" Tian Mengyao asked weakly.
"No need. Don't worry, you won't see them in two days' time," Lin Fan said with firm conviction.
"Alright then, this matter is up to you." Tian Mengyao patted Lin Fan's shoulder and added, "Just don't cause any deaths."
"Don't worry, I'm not some reckless fool," Lin Fan said with a hint of impatience.
"I think you are!" Tian Mengyao huffed playfully.
Lin Fan smiled and reached out to pinch her smooth, pretty cheek.
Tian Mengyao quickly dodged, startled. "What are you doing? It's broad daylight, mind your reputation!"
"Yes, Secretary Tian," Lin Fan drew out his words.
He glanced back and saw that Han Jiayun and Xu Zixin had already gotten into their car and were heading towards the quarry.
"I'll go back and prepare. I'll give that couple a big surprise."
"Mhm, just don't cause any trouble." Tian Mengyao had always been timid when it came to the supernatural. In ancient Chinese legends, Gu worms were symbols of evil. If she didn't trust Lin Fan's character, Tian Mengyao would have long forced him to destroy those Gu worms.