Lin Qing Shuang gave a wry smile, "My father can continue to do business, but we can't always rely on him."
"Besides, my father is naturally open-minded. A year ago, he handed over the group to me, hoping I could stand on my own. He told me to do it with a free hand back then."
"Also, Mom and Dad are traveling around the world."
Lin Fan couldn't help but laugh and cry. This was truly being open-minded, going on a world tour just like that. But then again, they did have the capital for it.
The two parted ways.
Lin Fan returned to Luofeng Village, buying some food and daily necessities along the way.
He also brought back the money from Sun Ying Lun to Grandpa Zhang for the medicinal herbs.
Grandpa Zhang was greatly shocked. The medicinal herbs planted on his five acres of land had actually earned him twenty thousand yuan!
This was the first time he had ever earned so much money, and his hands were trembling. "Xiao Fan, did those things in my field really sell for this much?"
Lin Fan nodded, "Of course it's true. I can't possibly use my own money to subsidize you, can I?"
"Xiao Fan, come to my house, I'll treat you to a meal!" Grandpa Zhang said, pulling Lin Fan's arm.
Xia Xue had gone to help Jiang Hu Xue and the others cook and wouldn't be back until tomorrow. Since Lin Fan was eating alone today anyway, he readily accepted Grandpa Zhang's invitation.
Grandpa Zhang and his granddaughter busied themselves.
Although Zhang Xiao Hua was only nine years old, she could do all sorts of housework and even cook.
Grandpa Zhang took a sip of white wine, "Xiao Fan, you've really made something of yourself!"
"I thought my life would just go on like this. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have expected to live a good life in the future."
"Now that I've earned money, I can finally buy Xiao Hua decent clothes and give her something good to eat."
Lin Fan glanced at Zhang Xiao Hua, "This child lacks nutrition. Remember to buy some calcium supplements. She's deficient in calcium, which will affect her development."
"Okay! I'll listen to you!"
To entertain Lin Fan, Grandpa Zhang stewed the old hen they had at home.
As they were drinking, he suddenly shed tears.
"Alas~ life is such a thing..."
Seeing Grandpa Zhang contemplating life, Lin Fan chuckled beside him, "Grandpa Zhang, don't be so sad. You'll have days of enjoyment in the future."
Grandpa Zhang wiped away his tears, "It all depends on you!"
Lin Fan looked at Zhang Xiao Hua, "Xiao Hua, are you happy at school?"
"Happy! Teacher Xiao Xue is so good to us! She teaches us all sorts of knowledge, plays games with us, and tells us about things in the city."
"I heard there are many people in the city, many children, and many places to play, like amusement parks!"
Zhang Xiao Hua's large, watery eyes were filled with anticipation, showing a yearning for city life.
"Teacher Xiao Xue is so beautiful, I want to be as beautiful as her when I grow up."
"Xiao Hua is already beautiful now. When you grow up, you'll definitely be even more beautiful than Teacher Xiao Xue."
"Really?"
Zhang Xiao Hua stared at Lin Fan with wide eyes.
Lin Fan patted her head, "Of course it's true. When has Uncle ever lied to you?"
"That's great!"
She was truly a child, jumping and skipping after hearing the compliment.
---
A few days later, news spread through Luofeng Village.
Everyone who heard the news was extremely shocked, and some even went directly to the village committee.
The first to arrive was Uncle Wang from the head of the village.
Uncle Wang was a middle-aged man in his forties who made a living by farming, and had been doing so for half his life.
As soon as he entered, he asked, "Village chief, have you heard?"
"Heard what?" Xia Xue asked back.
"Grandpa Zhang struck it rich. He lives right next to you, don't you know?"
Xia Xue didn't actually know about this matter, and Lin Fan hadn't specifically told her.
"I don't know, what's going on?"
"Grandpa Zhang said he planted some medicinal herbs and then sold them for twenty thousand yuan, buying Xiao Hua several sets of clothes and some food," Uncle Wang said.
"I know about planting medicinal herbs, have they matured so quickly?"
Xia Xue was confused.
Uncle Wang spread his hands, "Who knows? I just wanted to ask, are these medicinal herbs the same kind you mentioned before?"
Last month, Lin Fan had asked Xia Xue to tell everyone that planting medicinal herbs was profitable and to encourage them to do so.
As a result, no one had given him any face, and no one believed him.
Xia Xue had gone around, and only Grandpa Zhang had agreed.
Now, they were coming to them themselves.
"It's the same kind. I told you it could make money back then, but you didn't believe me," Xia Xue said with a hint of annoyance.
"We believe you! We believe you now! Is it still too late to join?" Uncle Wang said anxiously.
Xia Xue hesitated, "I'll have to ask Xiao Fan about this. He decides what to plant. If the time has passed, it won't be possible to plant."
"Uncle Wang, go back and wait for news."
"This... okay! If we can plant, make sure to include me!"
Uncle Wang's face was full of anticipation.
This was an opportunity to make money, so of course, he wouldn't let it pass easily.
Following that, Aunt Li and Aunt Liu also came, all inquiring about planting medicinal herbs.
They had all seen Grandpa Zhang make money and were now envious.
At dusk, Xia Xue returned home and said to Lin Fan, "Let them plant medicinal herbs with you. They can all make some money."
Lin Fan was naturally willing to lead the villagers to make money together, but they had refused so decisively before. Now, seeing that they had made money, they only regretted it.
This made Lin Fan a little unhappy.
He rolled his eyes, "It's possible, but I have a condition. Have them gather at the village committee tomorrow, and I'll talk to them."
Xia Xue now listened to Lin Fan's arrangements for most matters, and this was no exception.
At nine o'clock the next morning, a group of people arrived at the village committee, all looking for Xia Xue to plant medicinal herbs. There were over two hundred people.
This was much fewer than Lin Fan had expected. It seemed that most people were still hesitant. Even after seeing Grandpa Zhang make money, they were still wavering.
"Cough, cough."
Lin Fan cleared his throat, "I've gathered everyone here today because there's something important to discuss."
"You all know that planting medicinal herbs can make money."
"I can lead everyone to the Spiritual Herb Garden, but I have conditions."
The crowd was a little confused.
Uncle Wang reacted quickly and immediately said, "I understand! It's about joining, right? Since we're making money with Xiao Fan, it's only right to pay a fee. As long as it's not too much, I'll definitely pay!"
In his opinion, Lin Fan was trying to take advantage of the situation.
Aunt Liu disagreed and stood up, shouting, "We're all from the same village, how can you ask for benefits?"
"The village committee leads everyone to become prosperous, which is what should be done. That great leader last time said the same thing!"
The crowd echoed her sentiments.
Uncle Wang retorted, "Xiao Fan is helping us make money, this is a good thing, and it's our good fortune. Shouldn't we show some gratitude?"