"Ahem, thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend this village meeting."
Tian Mengyao stood before the microphone, radiating energy, a smile never leaving her face.
Lin Fan couldn't help but chuckle inwardly, thinking, "Busy schedules? It's mostly old folks, women, and children. What could they possibly be busy with?"
Tian Mengyao's gaze was fixed on Lin Fan.
She noticed him seeming to mock something and immediately put on a stern face, glaring fiercely at him.
"Xiao Fan, is Secretary Tian looking at you?"
Xia Xue noticed Tian Mengyao's shift in mood and immediately suspected Lin Fan might be the culprit.
She felt a twinge of worry that Lin Fan might have offended someone without telling her.
Lin Fan turned to her and said with a smile, "Sister-in-law, Secretary Tian is just greeting me."
Xia Xue shot him a sidelong glance, "Is that what you call greeting someone?"
Meanwhile, Tian Mengyao continued her passionate speech on stage.
Her message was simple: thanks to the efforts of the village committee, an investor had been found for the village, and the medicinal herb planting cooperative had been officially established.
The villagers watched her with smiles, appearing indifferent.
Projects like cooperatives had been attempted before by Cao Dewang, who had profited handsomely then.
Therefore, the villagers, having been swindled before, were now largely dismissive.
All they hoped was that they wouldn't be asked for money!
Even though Tian Mengyao was likeable and had no prior negative record, they remained wary!
After all, if the pot of soup was spoiled, it wouldn't matter how many good fish were thrown in!
"The cooperative will be run on a shareholding system, and annual profits will be distributed equally to every villager as dividends. Every villager with household registration in Luofeng Village will receive a share!"
Tian Mengyao proved to be a cultured and capable official; she didn't need a script for her speech!
After she finished speaking, the large village committee courtyard fell silent.
Many people who had been joking and fooling around moments ago now became serious.
They looked at each other, bewildered, "Did I hear that right? They're going to give me money?"
An old man in the front row immediately stood up, stared at Tian Mengyao, and asked at the top of his lungs, "Secretary, what did you just say?"
"Grandpa Zhou, I said that the cooperative's profits will be distributed to everyone annually."
Tian Mengyao now knew what the villagers liked to hear, so she raised her voice, "The investor for our Luofeng Village is a kind-hearted entrepreneur."
"This entrepreneur has voluntarily decided to donate all income from the cooperative and distribute it equally among all villagers of Luofeng Village according to headcount."
Tian Mengyao paused, scanned the eager faces of the villagers below, and continued, "The total investment is over one million yuan!"
"I believe that by this time next year, all the villagers of Luofeng Village will be happily receiving money!"
A gasp!
The crowd was stunned, utterly shocked.
The atmosphere in the venue was like a large stone dropped into a calm lake, sending out ripples of intense shock.
"They're really giving out money?"
"Did the sun rise in the west today?"
"Did I hear that correctly?"
"Over a million yuan investment, and our village doesn't have that many households!"
"If the money is divided directly, each household could get twenty to thirty thousand!"
"Yeah, who invested in our village?"
"Are they really not expecting anything in return?"
The villagers whispered among themselves, their discussions filling every corner of the courtyard like a flock of feeding ducks.
Lin Fan sat with his legs crossed, looking relaxed and at ease.
Tsk tsk!
This young master has now become a kind-hearted entrepreneur. The money spent is worth it!
Xia Xue, both surprised and delighted, patted Lin Fan's back and asked, "Xiao Fan, is what Secretary Tian said true?"
Lin Fan nodded vigorously, "Of course it's true. She said it in front of everyone, so how could it be false?"
"Oh my, our village is going to get money too!"
Xia Xue was overjoyed.
A prosperous village was different from a poor one.
In wealthy villages, during festivals, they would distribute rice, flour, cooking oil, and sometimes even cash!
Xia Xue had been married into Luofeng Village for many years, and she had only ever paid money, never received a single cent from the village committee!
"Sister-in-law, I found the investor, so don't worry, we won't be shortchanged in the end."
Lin Fan smoothly reassured her, wanting to make her even happier.
Song Yue felt a pang of jealousy.
Wangjia Village was slightly better off, but still poor, and the village committee didn't do practical things for the common people!
"I wonder what kind of big fool would be willing to invest without expecting a return, just for a good reputation?"
Song Yue complained sourly.
"Hey, what are you saying? Can't you stand to see others do well?"
Lin Fan, being the "big fool" Song Yue mentioned, naturally retorted.
"What's wrong? I'm just speaking the truth. Is the money yours to invest?"
Song Yue turned her face away from Lin Fan.
"It really is my investment?"
Lin Fan dared not voice his inner thoughts.
"And now, let's invite the great contributor to attracting investment, and the supervisor of the cooperative, Comrade Lin Fan, to the stage to speak."
Tian Mengyao knew that continuing her speech would be ineffective. The villagers were not fools, and they lacked trust in the village committee until they received the money.
Therefore, at this moment, someone they knew well and trusted was needed to step forward and allay their doubts.
Xia Xue patted Lin Fan's back forcefully, her voice filled with excitement, "Xiao Fan, they're calling you!"
"Mm, I heard."
Lin Fan stood up. His stylish attire made him stand out sharply against the surrounding villagers!
Slightly nervous, he weaved through the crowd and, to everyone's surprise, quickly walked onto the stage.
As if by chance, the color of his suit was similar to Tian Mengyao's.
Standing side by side, they looked like a perfect match!
Song Yue pouted, thinking to herself, "There's definitely something going on!"
Xia Xue didn't think that far ahead.
Watching Lin Fan on stage, seemingly shining, a warm current surged within her.
He's finally grown up!
He's finally made something of himself!
Tian Mengyao, sensing Lin Fan's nervousness, loudly urged the villagers, "Everyone, please give Comrade Lin Fan a round of applause to encourage him!"
Clap, clap, clap...
Applause roared, startling birds within a hundred-meter radius.
"Fellow villagers, grandparents, uncles, aunties, and all the children."
Lin Fan thought to himself, "I'm the one paying for it all, over a million yuan!"
Why should I be nervous?
With this thought, Lin Fan straightened his back, his expression becoming natural.
"Xiao Fan, hurry up and tell everyone what's going on."