Lin Fan walked into the medical clinic at an unhurried pace. It was already packed with people.
Some who couldn't squeeze inside could only stand in the courtyard and chat.
"Mr. Zhang, Mr. Wang, have some watermelon. We grew it ourselves, it's very sweet!"
Wu Lei came out of the house with a fruit plate, his old face creased with a smile.
"You're too kind, Village Chief. It's really sweet!"
The two men each took a slice of watermelon. They took a bite; it was fragrant, sweet, and juicy.
Wu Lei rubbed his hands and said sheepishly, "With so many big bosses coming, I don't have much to offer in terms of hospitality. Only this watermelon is something I can be proud of."
Mr. Zhang smiled and waved his hand, "No need for hospitality. We're just here to see the divine doctor Lin."
"With so many bosses coming all at once, I must entertain you. You are the hope of Luofeng Village!" Wu Lei said with exaggerated expression.
Mr. Zhang threw away the watermelon rind and asked doubtfully, "Village Chief, you flatter us. How have we become the hope of Luofeng Village?"
Just as Wu Lei was about to speak, he saw Lin Fan walk in.
His face lit up with joy, and he quickly went to greet him, "Xiao Fan, you're finally back."
Lin Fan was a little surprised, "Village Chief, aren't you in the office enjoying the air conditioning? Why are you at my humble clinic?"
Wu Lei's old face blushed. "Xiao Fan, you've been a poor child since you were young, and everyone has treated you well. Now that you've become successful, you can't forget your fellow villagers!"
Lin Fan scratched his head, "What are you saying? When have I ever forgotten you?"
"It's good that you haven't forgotten! Xiao Fan, our village's watermelon harvest has been good this year, sweet and large. Can you speak to these bosses and help us sell some?" Wu Lei said with a smile.
Lin Fan finally understood. So Wu Lei was here for this.
He had been considering it for the past two days. The soil in Luofeng Village was rather special. Other crops and fruits yielded average harvests.
Only watermelons grew fragrant and sweet.
Therefore, over time, most of the villagers' income came from growing and selling watermelons.
Luofeng Village was less than ten kilometers from the town. Normally, villagers would drive tractors to sell their watermelons.
However, starting last year, people in town suddenly stopped buying their watermelons.
They would bring the watermelons to town to sell, but by the end of the day, they would only sell a dozen or so, bringing the rest back to eat themselves.
Now, with the loss of income from the medicinal herb cultivation base, if this continued, the villagers of Luofeng Village would struggle to make ends meet.
They couldn't possibly eat watermelons for every meal, could they?
Wu Lei was worried about what to do when these big bosses showed up uninvited.
"Xiao Fan, if you can get these big bosses to buy all the village's watermelons, you'll be the great benefactor of Luofeng Village!"
Wu Lei was on the verge of tears, practically begging Lin Fan.
"Village Chief, I'll do my best."
Lin Fan did not agree immediately. He wasn't sure if these bosses would help, and if not, he would buy the villagers' watermelons himself.
"Gentlemen, this is Lin Fan," Wu Lei introduced.
"Divine Doctor Lin, we've heard so much about you!"
"Old Luo has praised you to the heavens. Seeing is believing. I didn't expect you to be so young!"
The two bosses extended their hands simultaneously, showing great deference.
These were both business magnates. Usually, they were not only arrogant but also proud and complacent, being flattered by others every day.
Yet, at this moment, they were so respectful to a young man, which showed how highly they regarded him.
Lin Fan, not being arrogant, smiled and invited them into the house.
"Esteemed bosses, stop your chats. Divine Doctor Lin is back!" Mr. Zhang shouted.
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately gathered around, greeting Lin Fan one after another.
Most of them were very cordial towards Lin Fan, but they all harbored a doubt.
Traditional Chinese Medicine valued experience; the older, the more valuable.
Could such a young TCM doctor truly be as miraculous as Luo Yuntian claimed?
Lin Fan observed their expressions and roughly understood their doubts, but he didn't expose them.
"Everyone, there are too many of you. Let's proceed in order. Please discuss among yourselves who goes first."
He put on his white coat and sat down in the armchair.
Luo Qiqi poured him a cup of tea and stood by, serving him.
Chu Zi crushed the medicinal herbs picked yesterday and sorted them out.
This scene greatly surprised the bosses. It seemed Luo Yuntian placed great importance on this Lin Fan, even having his own granddaughter assist him.
After they decided on the order, these bosses, each worth hundreds of millions, were now waiting patiently in line by the entrance.
"Old Wu, last night I was a guest at Old Luo's house and heard that he intends to betroth his granddaughter to this divine doctor Lin."
"Is that true? Luo Qiqi is the heir designated by Old Luo. If that's the case, wouldn't the entire Luo Group fall into the hands of this divine doctor Lin?"
"Old Luo said it himself, how could it be false?"
"Old Luo's calculations are quite shrewd."
"Indeed, if this divine doctor Lin is truly that miraculous, our lives are in his hands, and he's also Old Luo's prospective son-in-law. This means we're all being forced to become Old Luo's people... This move is ruthless!"
"Even if we know, it's useless. Who dares to offend a skilled doctor these days? Who doesn't want to live a long and healthy life without illness or disaster!"
A few people outside whispered amongst themselves, all deeply admiring Luo Yuntian's stratagem.
Inside the house, Lin Fan was treating patients, a surprised expression on his face.
Although their voices were low, Lin Fan's hearing was extremely acute, and he heard them clearly.
"Luo Yuntian actually wants to betroth Luo Qiqi to me..."
He glanced at Luo Qiqi, who was pouting and reluctantly writing down the medical records.
"It seems she doesn't know her grandfather's plan yet."
Lin Fan found it amusing and felt no anger or revulsion.
Luo Yuntian was using him, but wasn't he also using Luo Yuntian to build his reputation?
Of course, he didn't particularly need Luo Yuntian's promotion.
But at least, these bosses coming to see him now was thanks to Luo Yuntian's introduction.
Lin Fan felt a little troubled. If he were to marry Luo Qiqi, he would indeed win a beautiful woman and gain the Luo family's immense fortune.
But if that happened, what about Xia Xue, what about Song Yue?
And Gao Lu, and so on, what about them?
And Ye Qingcheng, who was charming and alluring in his dreams but frosty in reality.
To give up the whole forest for a single tree seemed like a bad deal no matter how he thought about it.
"Mr. Zhao, you have no serious ailments. Afterward, avoid spicy and greasy foods, don't stay up late, and I've written down the instructions for taking the medicine on the slip."
As Lin Fan saw off one patient, Luo Qiqi called out, "Next!"
The little assistant was doing quite well!
Mr. Zhao left after getting his medicine from Chu Zi, praising him profusely.
"Old Zhao, how is his medical skill?"
A few acquaintances gathered around.