Lin Fan locked the door and turned around, only to see his sister-in-law approaching.
"Sister-in-law, why are you here?"
Lin Fan walked to meet her.
"You're not home so late, I had to come and check on you."
Xia Xue walked closer and asked, "Did a woman just come out of the clinic?"
"Yes, I was about to close up, but then another patient came,"
Lin Fan said with a smile.
"Was she really a patient?"
Xia Xue stared at him with a scrutinizing gaze.
"Sister-in-law, what kind of look is that?"
Lin Fan protested, "Who else would come to a clinic if not a patient?"
"That's not necessarily true. I heard from people in the village a few days ago that a woman dressed like a vixen came to your clinic, and you were talking and laughing with her."
Xia Xue closely watched his expression change.
"That's nonsense, who started that rumor?"
Lin Fan acted as if he had been greatly wronged.
"People saw it with their own eyes, so how can it be a rumor? You tell me first, who is this vixen?"
Xia Xue's eyes were stern.
"Sister-in-law..."
Lin Fan had a sudden flash of inspiration.
He knew that in all likelihood, it was Su Yurou visiting the clinic, and outsiders found out and it reached his sister-in-law's ears.
If this wasn't handled properly, it would be a big problem!
"Let's talk about the woman who just came. Didn't you want to know if she was a patient?"
Lin Fan took his sister-in-law's arm and, as they walked towards Wangjia Village, recounted Tian Yu's story.
"What? How could something like that happen at school?"
Xia Xue was shocked, unable to believe what she was hearing.
Threatening someone with their child to do such things, how could anyone in the world be so wicked?
"Life is unpredictable, and people's hearts are treacherous, sister-in-law. Do you think everyone is kind-hearted?"
Lin Fan lowered his voice, "You must, absolutely must not spread this. If you do, not only will Tian Yu's reputation be ruined, but her daughter will also have no face to attend school."
"I know."
Xia Xue patted her chest, "I'll keep this buried. And you, Xiao Fan, don't tell anyone else either, remember."
In the night.
A slight curve formed on Lin Fan's lips.
"Sister-in-law, it's not that I don't want to tell you things. Think about it, if patients are willing to trust me and tell me their private matters, and then I go and spread them everywhere, will I still have a reputation?"
"Yes, in the future, if anything like this happens, you shouldn't tell me. What if I let it slip and harm someone!"
Xia Xue's expression was serious, regretting that she had pressed Lin Fan earlier.
"It's fine, just keep it in mind."
Lin Fan was secretly pleased. He had fooled his sister-in-law again!
I'm getting more and more capable!
Lin Fan felt a surge of pride and reached out to put his arm around Xia Xue's delicate shoulder.
"What are you doing?"
*Slap!*
A crisp sound.
Xia Xue slapped his hand away, "What if someone sees us?"
"One day, not only will I hold you, but I'll openly carry you around the village, letting everyone know you're my wife."
Lin Fan chuckled foolishly.
"You're talking nonsense again."
Xia Xue was both annoyed and amused. "I'm not talking to you anymore."
She strode ahead with her beautiful legs, quickening her pace.
"Sister-in-law, wait for me."
Lin Fan quickly followed.
...
The next morning.
Lin Fan was sleeping soundly in the clinic.
"Screeeech... screeeech..."
"Villagers, those who are going to work, please report to the village committee later!"
"Black goji berry planting starts today. Please bring your hoes, shovels, and buckets when you come. Bring whatever you have. If you don't have anything, just come over. We'll gather and depart at seven-ten."
"Yesterday's wages have all been paid out, a total of two thousand five hundred and eighty yuan. If you want to earn money, come to the village committee!"
Tian Mengyao's voice, full of joy and enthusiasm, came from the loudspeaker.
"What time is it?"
Lin Fan rubbed his eyes and checked his phone, instantly enraged.
"Work starts at seven-ten, and you're shouting before seven? You're a Scrooge!"
He tossed his phone aside, wanting to sleep in a bit longer, but suddenly he remembered something and hurriedly got up and dressed.
"Oh no, I almost forgot the important thing."
Lin Fan, ignoring washing up, rushed towards the village committee.
In the office.
A steaming bowl of egg noodles sat on the desk.
Tian Mengyao idly picked at her noodles while browsing the news.
Now, the medicinal herb planting cooperative was not just good, it had excellent prospects.
You could tell from the daily wages paid out; thirty to forty people were already participating.
And this was just after a few days!
Tian Mengyao believed that more and more people would join once the results started to show.
*Knock, knock, knock!*
"Come in."
Tian Mengyao was a little curious, who would come so early?
She pushed the egg noodles aside.
"Secretary Tian."
Wu Lei walked in with a smile.
"It's Village Chief Wu~"
Tian Mengyao raised an eyebrow, her tone somewhat teasing.
She sat back in her chair, her eyes fixed on the computer screen, and asked nonchalantly, "Are you feeling better?"
"Yes, oh no, I'm a little better. I came to the village committee right away."
Wu Lei shamelessly found a chair and sat down. "Secretary Tian, my health is no longer a major issue, and I can return to work. I definitely won't drag Luofeng Village down!"
His gaze was firm, and his tone was resolute, as if he were expressing his loyalty to Tian Mengyao.
"Is that so?"
Tian Mengyao glanced at him and asked, "Where are your tools?"
"What tools?"
Wu Lei was momentarily stunned.
"Didn't I say in the broadcast that everyone should bring their tools? Why have you come empty-handed?"
Tian Mengyao said as a matter of course.
"Ah?"
Wu Lei was caught off guard and completely dumbfounded.
I'm the village chief!
Why would I bring tools?
Am I supposed to work like an ordinary villager, doing manual labor?
Then what's the point of being the village chief!
"Hmph."
Tian Mengyao snorted softly.
She, a pampered young lady, stayed at the medicinal herb planting base every day, enduring the sun and wind, while Wu Lei hid at home and didn't help during the village's most difficult times. Now he wanted to enjoy the fruits of labor. What was he thinking?
"Village Chief Wu, you haven't forgotten to go back and get them, have you? It's still early, there's still time."
Tian Mengyao instructed.
Wu Lei's face was grim, but he didn't dare to say anything.
"Alright, coming right up."
*Clang!*
The door was pushed open, and Lin Fan walked in with a head of messy, bird's-nest-like hair.
"Village Chief Wu, why are you here too?"
Lin Fan had come to greet Tian Mengyao before the villagers arrived, and he didn't expect Wu Lei to be here as well.
"What, only you are allowed to come, and I, the village chief, am not?"
Wu Lei, having just been reprimanded, was even more annoyed to see Lin Fan.
"Fine, you can come, whenever you want."
Lin Fan couldn't be bothered with him and turned away, ignoring him.
Wu Lei's mind raced, and he asked, "Lin Fan, Secretary Tian said on the loudspeaker to bring farming tools. Why aren't you bringing anything?"
"I~"
Lin Fan was amused. "I'm not participating in the labor, why would I bring farming tools?"
"So, you're acting independently, disobeying your superiors, and separating yourself from the collective. And you think you're in the right?"
Wu Lei quickly hung the big hat on Lin Fan.