Tian Mengyao lowered her head.
From what she understood, it was fine to mention anything to the villagers, but not money.
The villagers of Luofeng Village, having been harmed by Cao Dewang, had absolutely no trust in the village committee.
This was a case of, one rotten fish spoiling the whole pot!
"Lin Fan, we called you to a meeting to brainstorm solutions. What are you bringing this up for?"
Wu Lei slammed the table, his face flushed and neck red, roaring, "This won't do, that won't do!"
"Then tell me, what will do?"
Lin Fan shrugged his shoulders. "Didn't I say, Village Chief, you are highly respected, why don't you take on this task?"
"I..."
Wu Lei was instantly silenced.
He felt that with Tian Mengyao's reputation as a university student village official, she might be able to get the villagers to give some face and contribute a small amount.
As for him, he had long been regarded by the villagers as Cao Dewang's crony who colluded with him.
It was already quite good that he hadn't been cursed away by now.
An awkward silence filled the office.
The current situation was that Wu Lei wanted Tian Mengyao to step forward, while Tian Mengyao was in a state of disarray and couldn't think of any solution.
"Secretary Tian..."
Wu Lei glanced at Lin Fan, a look of resolute determination flashing in his eyes, like a warrior fighting with their back to the river.
Lin Fan's heart lurched. "What is this old fellow up to now?"
Wu Lei tremblingly took out an envelope.
The envelope looked quite plump, likely containing money.
He placed the money on the table and said, "This is what I've saved for decades."
"However, it's only twenty thousand yuan."
"If no one donates money, then I'll donate it myself!"
"I'll be the major shareholder of this cooperative!"
His tone was resolute, his expression noble, possessing the spirit of a warrior embarking on a perilous journey with no return, like the wind whistling over the Yi River.
Lin Fan almost burst out laughing.
Twenty thousand yuan saved over decades?
Who was he trying to fool?
Although Cao Dewang liked to hog everything, the other village officials had also pocketed quite a bit!
Besides, there was Han Xiangxiang!
Wouldn't that couple have pocketed quite a sum together?
"Lin Fan, what are you laughing at?"
Tian Mengyao was moved to tears. Seeing Lin Fan chuckling, she suddenly became angry.
"No, nothing. I just think the Village Chief's intentions are very good. I'm happy for the common people."
After explaining, Lin Fan picked up the documents, pretending to be absent-minded, and muttered, "Hmm, the initial investment is hundreds of thousands!"
He rubbed his chin and looked at Tian Mengyao, asking, "Secretary Tian, do you think it's easy to build a medicinal herb planting base on the mountain from scratch?"
Tian Mengyao pouted, unsure how to answer the question.
Wu Lei's face darkened. "Lin Fan, just do what you can. Stop pouring cold water on everyone!"
"What the village committee needs now is down-to-earth work, not sarcastic remarks and watching the fun, nor speaking in a chilling tone!"
Lin Fan didn't retort. Instead, he gave a rough look and calculated the expenses for the early, middle, and late stages.
It was indeed a considerable amount, around six hundred thousand yuan.
However...
The idea was his. If anyone was to back down, he had no reason to.
*Bang!*
Lin Fan slapped the documents onto the table and declared loudly, "This project is good, I'll invest!"
"What?"
"What did you say?"
"What are you playing at?"
Tian Mengyao's eyes widened suddenly.
Wu Lei also looked at him as if he were an idiot.
"What else could it be?"
"Since the villagers have no money, then I'll foot the bill myself."
"The medicinal herb planting cooperative will be mine alone, and the ownership will be with me."
"However, the villagers can share in the profits based on the number of people. I'll just take one share, fair enough, right?"
"Lin..." Tian Mengyao scrutinized Lin Fan. "Lin Fan, you're not joking, are you?"
Tian Mengyao was stunned. Wasn't he from a poor family? And then he encountered misfortune, and his sister-in-law almost sold herself for nearly a hundred thousand yuan to treat him.
Even if his medical clinic had made some money, didn't they still have a two-story building at home?
How could he possibly have so much money?
Tian Mengyao was somewhat incredulous. "Lin Fan, what kind of place do you think this is?"
"Let you..."
"Exactly, not get out of here..."
Wu Lei stood up, pointing at Lin Fan and starting to curse him fiercely.
But at the same time, Lin Fan pulled out a black bank card.
"What is this?"
Wu Lei had lived for more than half his life and had never seen a black bank card before.
"Centurion Black Gold Card!"
Tian Mengyao exclaimed, staring intently at the card in Lin Fan's hand.
"What?"
"Secretary Tian, what did you just say?"
"What Centurion Black Gold Card?"
Wu Lei asked three questions in a row, utterly bewildered.
Lin Fan actually didn't know what this peculiar-looking bank card was called.
However, since Su Yurou gave it to him, she definitely wouldn't try to trick him with a fake item.
As for Wu Lei, he had never even heard of a Centurion Black Gold Card.
"Lin Fan, where did your card come from?"
No matter how Tian Mengyao thought about it, she couldn't connect a village boy with someone in high society who used a China Merchants Bank Centurion Black Gold Card.
Not only was the application process troublesome, but there was also an annual fee of over three thousand yuan.
Of course, this card offered some services that ordinary people couldn't enjoy.
For example, unlimited access to VIP lounges at airports, expedited boarding, discounts at five-star hotels, and so on.
In short, this card was a symbol of status, signifying that the cardholder was exceptionally wealthy.
"A friend gave it to me... Is there a problem?"
Lin Fan glanced at the Centurion Black Gold Card, vaguely feeling that it was not simple.
However, his imagination was limited. He could only think that it contained a full million yuan, and it wouldn't make sense for the bank not to offer some special services.
For instance, if there were promotions during holidays, he should be entitled to a share of gifts like cooking oil.
Tian Mengyao's brows furrowed. "Your friend?"
She suddenly remembered what her mother had said: "It's not impossible to clear phlegm from the trachea using bent chopsticks. In the past, old masters of Chinese medicine understood some miraculous healing methods, and could even cure serious illnesses that Western medicine couldn't."
Even her mother's evaluation was so high, then Lin Fan's medical skills were indeed unfathomable, belonging to the category of reclusive masters in the village.
It was indeed normal for such a person to associate with wealthy individuals.
*Tap, tap!*
Lin Fan tapped the table twice and asked, "Secretary Tian, what do you think of my proposal?"
Before Tian Mengyao could speak, Wu Lei suddenly asked, "Little Fan, is there money in this thing of yours?"
He couldn't see any money in it at all.
Lin Fan looked at him with the gaze of someone mentally challenged, then turned to Tian Mengyao and smiled, "I think we two can just talk it over."
"Then..."
Tian Mengyao knew what she was doing.
Although Wu Lei was diligent and motivated, and had even produced his so-called life savings of twenty thousand yuan.
This was far from enough.
As for Lin Fan, despite his poor attitude and lack of respect,
he couldn't be rejected for being rich!
And, he was willing to use the money he earned to give dividends to the villagers.
Where could such a good thing be found?