He chuckled inwardly at the flustered looks on Xia Xiangqian's and Xia Cuie's faces as they tried to quell the rumors.
Someone whispered, "Where did this foolish nouveau riche come from, spending so much money on toon shoots? They must have money to burn!"
Lin Fan overheard this and felt a pang of discomfort.
He had gone to such lengths to help Xiajiagou sell their toon shoots, hoping to make a good impression on his sister-in-law's parents.
How had it turned into being someone with money to burn?
Lin Fan's mind whirred, and a clever plan struck him.
At that moment, amidst the dense toon shoot forest by the treacherous ravines of Xiajiagou, some villagers were still picking toon shoots.
Relying on his agility, incredible speed, and the cover of the toon trees, Lin Fan went wherever there were people.
As a result, from time to time, people would hear hushed, mysterious voices emanating from nearby.
"I heard it was Xia Xiangqian's son-in-law who found the big boss to buy the toon shoots for the village. It's all thanks to Sister-in-law... Xia Xue's beauty that they have such a good daughter!"
"He's not someone with money to burn. It's because Xiangqian's son-in-law has connections with the toon buyer. The buyer is giving such a high price out of respect for Xiangqian's son-in-law, basically not making any profit. It's partly charity and partly to cement their friendship."
"Xia Xiangqian's son-in-law is that spirited young man in the village committee, thin build, with a sunny and handsome appearance."
"Go ask around in Luofeng Village, the 'Miracle Doctor Lin' at Little Fan's Clinic, that's him!"
"Lin Fan and Xia Xue, they are truly a match made in heaven, a perfect couple. Brother Xiangqian has found a good son-in-law!"
...
For over half an hour, Lin Fan moved like lightning, darting through the toon tree forests on both sides of the ravines, shamelessly publicizing his own achievements.
Only after the news had spread widely did he contentedly return to the village committee.
Xia Deya and Chen Zhiming were engrossed in conversation and didn't notice Lin Fan's departure.
"Xiangqian, that young man is your son-in-law, isn't he? Quite a spirited fellow!"
"Heh, no," Xia Xiangqian replied weakly.
Xia Cuie, engrossed in inspecting the other person's toon shoots, was too tired to explain.
They had no idea what was happening. Suddenly, the entire village seemed to know that Xia Xue had married a capable husband who hadn't forgotten to help his in-laws get rich.
"No? What do you mean?"
"What, Xiangqian, are you afraid I'll take advantage of your family? Don't worry, I'm not that kind of person."
The other person looked at Xia Xiangqian with displeasure.
Xia Xiangqian's face fell. "He's really not. He's Xue'er's younger uncle. He has an older brother who passed away many years ago."
"Passed away? Then Xue'er now..." The other person looked taken aback. "What a pity!"
"Who isn't saying that," Xia Xiangqian sighed, then quickly realized, "Don't say too much, it's not good if people hear."
Lin Fan, with his keen hearing, was overjoyed. This was the effect he wanted!
"Young man, where are you from?" asked a well-fed-looking aunt.
Since Xia Deya was about to convene a village meeting, the villagers who had sold their toon shoots hadn't left.
They had just received a large sum of cash and were chatting together, bursts of lively laughter erupting from time to time.
Someone had started a topic, leading many people to discuss Lin Fan.
"Auntie, I'm from Luofeng Village to the northeast," Lin Fan replied with a smile.
"Oh, I know," the aunt said, looking knowing. "Young man, what's your name, and what do you do for a living?"
Her expectant smile made Lin Fan's heart leap.
Could it be?
"My name is Lin Fan. I run a clinic; I can barely make a living," Lin Fan said humbly.
The aunt curved her lips, her eyes seeming to say, "I saw right through you, and you're still pretending!"
"Are you married?"
Here it comes!
"No, but I'm not that old yet; it's not time for me to get married and establish myself."
"What do you mean, not the right time!"
The aunt said earnestly, "This is the countryside, not a big city. Look at society nowadays; forget unmarried girls, even divorced women are in high demand!"
"Young man, you seem like a good person, handsome and refined, and you run a clinic – that's a skill that can support you for a lifetime."
The aunt's excitement grew. "I have a daughter at home. I'm not bragging, but her looks are definitely top-notch in the surrounding villages; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say one in a hundred."
"She even went to college outside and now works in the city, in a public institution with a stable position!"
"Young man, let me show you a photo. I'm not exaggerating at all. If you think she's suitable, I'll call her back, and you two can meet."
The aunt immediately took out her phone and eagerly searched for her daughter's photos.
Lin Fan couldn't help but laugh and cry. "No need, Auntie, I really didn't mean anything by it."
"No!" the aunt admonished. "What's wrong with you young people? None of you are in a hurry. Getting married and starting a family is a major life event!"
Lin Fan was speechless and filled with helplessness.
"Found it. Look at my daughter, isn't she pretty?"
The aunt held up her phone, almost pressing it against Lin Fan's face.
Lin Fan pushed it away slightly and saw the young girl on the screen.
How to put it? To ordinary people, she was indeed beautiful.
She knew how to put on makeup and dress up, appearing stylish.
But Lin Fan felt nothing.
There were plenty of women like her. They weren't enough to stir his heart.
The women around him were varied.
For example, Song Yue, fiery in all aspects, including personality.
Su Yurou, tall with long legs, and also quite bold in certain aspects.
Wang Ying, although married before, was petite and delicate, like a little bird leaning on someone, especially good at acting cute.
Tian Mengyao...
And his most beloved Xia Xue.
Images of various women flashed through Lin Fan's mind: some gentle and cute, some cold and alluring, some pure and shy, and many others.
He remained as serene as an old monk, looking at the girl on the phone screen, with not a ripple in his heart.
The aunt's expression shifted from pride and satisfaction to confusion, then to disappointment, and finally her face gradually darkened.
"Young man, what do you think?" the aunt forced a stiff smile.
"Auntie, your daughter is very good, but I haven't had much schooling, and we certainly wouldn't have any common ground. I think this matter should be dropped."
Lin Fan turned and ran, not daring to linger for a second.
"Hmph! What a piece of work!"
"If you don't fancy my daughter, I don't fancy you either!"
Lin Fan could only shake his head helplessly as he heard the complaints from behind him.
"Old man, it seems Little Fan isn't interested in Xia Dajiao's daughter," Xia Cuie said, her brows relaxing as the worry in her heart finally eased.
Xia Xiangqian's lips curved upwards. "How could Little Fan fancy Xia Dajiao's daughter? He spends all day with Xue'er; his standards are very high!"
"That's right," Xia Cuie nodded gently.
The same worry soon arose in their hearts.
No matter how good Xia Xue was, she wasn't Lin Fan's wife.
Since he wasn't interested in Xia Dajiao's daughter today, more people would introduce others to him tomorrow. He couldn't possibly reject everyone, could he?