"Why are you saying these things, have you gone mad?"
A bold idea formed in Lin Fan's mind, but he was unwilling to resort to it unless absolutely necessary.
"Xiao Fan, do you know how long I've struggled to succeed?"
Su Yurou's voice was filled with emotion, her peach-blossom eyes fixed on Lin Fan.
"Twelve years. I've worked hard for twelve years to achieve all of this today."
"In fact, my family is also from the countryside. My parents couldn't afford to support my education, so I dropped out early and went to work."
"Then, by saving every penny and enduring hardship, I managed to accumulate some capital and opened a beauty salon here."
Su Yurou's expression turned desolate as she continued, "Xiao Fan, we can't compare to those born with silver spoons in their mouths. We can only change our own destinies through our own efforts..."
Lin Fan sighed helplessly and interrupted, "Why are you talking about this again?"
He cursed inwardly, "She makes it sound like the truth, but she's just trying to fool me!"
Su Yurou grew more agitated, "Xiao Fan, are you truly content to spend your entire life stuck in a remote village?"
"You possess true talent. Give you a chance, and you'll soar like a dragon!"
"Don't even mention Shimen Town; even Yunqing City is too small for you!"
"If I had your abilities, I would be known nationwide within a few years!"
"And then what?" Lin Fan retorted with annoyance, "They'd arrest me for spreading feudal superstition?"
"You!"
Su Yurou snorted and said angrily, "I know, you just can't bear to leave your sister-in-law!"
She pressed down on Lin Fan's hand forcefully. "How am I inferior to your sister-in-law?"
"Am I not good enough?"
Lin Fan chuckled. He believed in taking on responsibilities commensurate with one's abilities.
He had no desire to be a tool for anyone's ambition, even if it was a beautiful woman.
"My parents passed away early. My sister-in-law took care of me after she married into the family."
Lin Fan recalled, "From the age of ten until now, it's been almost eight years."
"Later, when I fell down the mountain and was unconscious for a year, my sister-in-law took care of all my basic needs."
"She..."
Thinking of how his sister-in-law almost married Wang Quezi for him, Lin Fan's eyes suddenly welled up.
"One must have a conscience. My sister-in-law has shown me kindness as vast as a mountain. I can never repay her."
"How can you compare yourself to my sister-in-law?"
Lin Fan's question left Su Yurou speechless.
"Whatever you want to do, whatever you want, it's none of my business. In any case, I cannot leave my sister-in-law."
After speaking, Lin Fan, catching her off guard, pinched her hard.
"Ah!"
Su Yurou cried out in pain and immediately let go.
"What's wrong? What are you doing?"
Wang Ying happened to come out of the bathroom and asked in confusion.
Su Yurou looked dazed and remained silent.
"Sister Su just leaned over to look outside and got startled."
Lin Fan thought for a moment and came up with this explanation.
"Sister Yurou, you're right to be cautious. This is the eleventh floor, it's so high."
Wang Ying, seeing Su Yurou's distraught state and her hands clutching her chest, immediately believed him.
"Sister Wang Ying, let's go."
Su Yurou's face was cold, her eyelids drooped, and she didn't want to look at Lin Fan anymore.
Lin Fan possessed abilities she could only dream of, yet he was willing to give up readily available prosperity and live a simple life. This was a great blow to her, and she didn't want to stay there for another second.
"What, leaving already?"
Wang Ying's surprised gaze flickered between their faces. What had just happened?
"Sigh~"
Su Yurou let out a long sigh, grabbed Wang Ying's arm, and walked towards the door.
"We're leaving, but what about Master Lin?"
Wang Ying remembered that Lin Fan had come with them and felt it wouldn't be right to leave him here alone.
"This is his home, everything he needs is here."
Su Yurou, her high heels clicking, unceremoniously dragged Wang Ying out.
"Xiao Fan, call me if anything happens."
Su Yurou shouted back as she reached the door.
Clang!
With a loud bang.
The anti-theft door was forcefully shut by Su Yurou, leaving Lin Fan alone in the room.
Lin Fan shook his head, muttering helplessly, "She turns her back on people so quickly. Women, really."
"What should I do tonight?"
Lin Fan pondered. It was unlikely he could get a taxi back to the village in the middle of the night.
He glanced at the brand-new, neat bed in the master bedroom and thought, "It wouldn't be so bad to stay here for the night."
"After all, this is my own house!"
Lin Fan walked to the bedside and pressed down on the mattress.
It was wonderfully elastic!
"This is great!"
Lin Fan sat on the bed, reveling in the perfectly balanced firmness and softness, feeling quite pleased.
"Right, I should call Yueyue jie and ask about things at home."
As he spoke, Lin Fan had already pressed the dial button.
Ring~ Ring...
When the call connected, Lin Fan asked directly, "Yueyue jie, have you gotten home?"
"Yes, we're back. We just finished dinner, and your sister-in-law is washing the dishes."
Lin Fan said "Oh" and then asked, "Did anyone come looking for me at the clinic today?"
"Not today, but I heard Cao Dewang didn't make it after all. He passed away at the hospital."
"Dead is dead. It's better that he's dead."
Lin Fan showed no hint of sympathy.
"Xiao Fan, where are you?"
Song Yue's voice held concern. "Your sister-in-law and I were thinking, you'd better find a place to hide for a few days before coming back."
"I... I'm staying at a hotel."
Lin Fan lied. "Something came up, and I won't be able to get back tonight."
"Then stay there for now. I'll cover the clinic for you, and don't worry about things at home. Also..."
Song Yue paused, then asked, "Xiao Fan, have you eaten?"
"Not yet."
Lin Fan fidgeted with the bedsheet, and for some reason, he suddenly missed Song Yue.
"Then hurry and find a place to eat. Don't be stingy with money."
Song Yue, unaware of Lin Fan's thoughts, missed him just as much.
"Yueyue jie, I don't find food outside tasty, and besides, I'm lacking some nourishment."
Lin Fan's tone was suggestive, and anyone could understand his implication.
"Pah, you little pervert!"
Song Yue glanced at Xia Xue in the kitchen, then walked into the courtyard and whispered coyly, "Xiao Fan, you get a little taste of sweetness and you start getting ideas. Now you dare to talk so shamelessly."
Lin Fan blushed, not taking up the topic. Instead, he stammered, "Well, Yueyue jie... it's mainly to nourish you, I... I..."
Beep beep beep...
Song Yue's face was flushed. Not knowing how to respond, she hung up the phone.
Lin Fan smiled smugly, then lay down on the bed, staring at the ceiling, his heart already flying back to the clinic.
Thus, he used the pillow as Song Yue, and as he hugged it, he drifted off to sleep.
He dared not harbor any inappropriate thoughts about his sister-in-law, so he could only think of Song Yue.