Zhou Weiguo took out his phone and dialed Tian Yutang's number.
"Hello, Xiao Zhou, how is my daughter?" Tian Yutang asked anxiously.
"Minister Tian, Miss Mengyao is doing quite well and is not seriously injured," Zhou Weiguo replied.
"How can that be? Didn't she say she was in pain all over?" Tian Yutang felt a pang of displeasure.
"Uh?" Zhou Weiguo was speechless. He had rushed over in such a hurry, and Tian Mengyao was perfectly fine!
"Minister Tian, perhaps a thorough examination is needed to confirm her condition, but she doesn't seem to be in any significant danger."
"Oh~" Tian Yutang breathed a sigh of relief. He recalled that his daughter's tearful account might have been somewhat exaggerated.
"That..." Zhou Weiguo hesitated.
"Is there anything else? Speak," Tian Yutang prompted.
"Did Miss Mengyao tell you that the old Mr. Lin was the one detained at the police station today?"
"Yes." Tian Yutang paused. "Is there a problem?"
"Hiss~" Zhou Weiguo took a deep breath. It was exactly as he had suspected!
"Minister Tian, I need to tell you something. Please try not to get too agitated..."
——
"Xiao Fan, my dad might know about our relationship," Tian Mengyao suddenly said as she drove the off-road vehicle.
Lin Fan didn't react at first. When he did, his face instantly changed. "What did you say?"
"What do you mean by that look?" Tian Mengyao pouted, displeased.
"I, it's normal for me to be scared, okay?" Lin Fan defended himself, feeling wronged.
"Scared of what? My dad isn't a man-eating tiger." Tian Mengyao felt incredibly guilty but didn't want to show it to Lin Fan.
"My dad might come over soon," she added after some thought. "Or maybe it'll be my mom. My dad likes to have my mom do the ideological work with me. Be prepared."
"I..." Lin Fan could only offer a wry smile. What preparation could he possibly make?
"Did you hear me?" Tian Mengyao raised her voice.
"I heard you," Lin Fan nodded.
"No sincerity." Tian Mengyao pouted. "Where's that fearless spirit you usually have?"
"That's different." Lin Fan's brow was furrowed with worry, and he was a bit flustered.
"You're scared now, but what were you doing earlier?" Tian Mengyao pinched a piece of flesh on Lin Fan's arm and twisted it hard. "It's time to show your true colors. Don't disappoint my parents." She then changed her tone. "Of course, I'll definitely be on your side."
"Oh, oh." Lin Fan nodded softly.
"Don't just 'oh' me, thank me." Tian Mengyao's pretty face flushed. In her opinion, meeting her parents would be equivalent to meeting the in-laws. She didn't know what her parents would think, but in her heart, Lin Fan was undoubtedly an outstanding man.
"I will prepare well," Lin Fan declared resolutely, clenching his fist to show his confidence.
Upon returning to Luofeng Village, Tian Mengyao, concerned about the work at the village committee, made a quick farewell and left. Lin Fan, on the other hand, returned to Wangjia Village. Along the way, villagers he occasionally encountered greeted him, all calling him "Miraculous Doctor Lin." He could sense that after last night's events, the people of Wangjia Village had become much warmer and more familiar towards him.
The courtyard gate was not closed, and Lin Fan walked straight in. Smoke curled from the chimney, and the courtyard was quiet.
"Huh? Where is everyone?" Lin Fan mused, heading towards the kitchen to look for someone.
"Sister-in-law." He opened the door to find Xia Xue sitting on a small stool, her head bowed in thought, a worried expression on her face.
"Xiao Fan!" Xia Xue looked up suddenly, her eyes shining with excitement. "You're back."
"I heard you were called to the city for a house call. I came to the clinic at noon, but you weren't there." Xia Xue stood up cheerfully. "The meal is kept warm for you in the pot. Eat quickly."
Lin Fan's nose twitched, and he almost cried. Sister-in-law had been worried about him all along, waiting for him to come home.
"Sister-in-law, I'm fine."
"I know," Xia Xue smiled. "But I just couldn't stop worrying. My heart felt empty when I didn't see you."
"Mmm." Lin Fan embraced Xia Xue.
"Xiao Fan, are you hiding something from me?" Xia Xue asked instinctively, momentarily stunned.
"Sister-in-law, we won't be bullied anymore," Lin Fan said, his eyes moist. He recalled how, in the past, after beating Wang the Cripple and returning home with blood-stained clothes, his sister-in-law had discovered it and was terrified. In her anger, she had slapped him fiercely. If the other party had bled so much and reported it, what would they have done? Even just paying for medical expenses would have been difficult for their impoverished family. At that time, these issues felt like a heavy mountain, crushing Xia Xue. Fortunately, Wang the Cripple, perhaps out of guilt or shame, had not publicized the matter or called the police. Now, he had beaten Jin Zhe half to death and not only faced no consequences, but everyone involved had also suffered. This meant he had finally gained the power to resist his fate, transforming from an ordinary village boy.
"Xiao Fan, what did you do?" Xia Xue asked.
"I didn't do anything, I just missed you." Lin Fan held her tightly, reminiscing about their days of relying on each other.
"Liar, you're definitely hiding something." Xia Xue struggled to break free from his embrace. If she looked directly into his eyes, she could tell if he was lying.
"Sister-in-law, let me hold you for a while." Lin Fan tightened his arms, firmly holding Xia Xue's soft body.
"Let go of me," Xia Xue struggled.
Just as they were locked in a stalemate, the courtyard gate creaked open.
"Sister Xue'er, I borrowed the rake." With a surge of strength Xia Xue didn't know she had, she pushed Lin Fan away. Lin Fan stumbled back a couple of steps, barely managing to steady himself against the wall.
"Go eat." Xia Xue glared at him, then forced a stiff smile. "Little sister, you're back. It's good that Xiao Fan is back too." She walked out to meet Song Yue, chattering away in the courtyard. Lin Fan shook his head helplessly. After a rare moment of tenderness, why did she have to come and add to the chaos?
——
Time flowed by peacefully and beautifully. For the past two days, Lin Fan had been watching television at home. The news from Yunqing City reported that Borun Pharmaceuticals had been ordered by the Environmental Protection Bureau to cease operations and rectify its illegal pollution. Furthermore, it was discovered that Chairman Xie Ming had colluded with a certain official from the Health Bureau, engaging in widespread bribery and corruption. They had been officially arrested by the public security organs. Upon hearing this news, Lin Fan knew that the Xie family would never be able to recover. As for Jin Zhe, daring to push Tian Mengyao down, his fate would undoubtedly be even worse.
"They brought it upon themselves!" "Did they think I was easy to bully?" Lin Fan chuckled to himself. Just then, he heard the sound of a car slowly stopping outside. Lin Fan stood up and looked out. The minivan looked somewhat familiar. An elderly woman alighted from the passenger seat, followed by two middle-aged men. They opened the rear door and unloaded a stretcher, upon which lay a limp, small man. Seeing this, Lin Fan immediately knew who had arrived. He pretended not to see them and sat back down.