Lin Fan gently patted Song Yue's soft shoulder and asked, "And now?"
"It's okay," Song Yue replied casually.
"Just okay?" Lin Fan draped his arms over Song Yue's shoulders and smiled again, "You're saying one thing and feeling another!"
Song Yue grabbed Lin Fan's hands and huffed, "Don't get any funny ideas. It's broad daylight. If you're not embarrassed, I am!"
She stood up, took down the white nurse's uniform hanging on the wall, and said, "Xiao Fan, the clinic's business has been good these past two days, right? It's almost New Year's, and people who were working away are gradually coming back."
"It's been alright," Lin Fan said guiltily. He hadn't opened for business much these past two days while his sister-in-law was away. After all, his reputation was already established; anyone with minor ailments could come back later. Within a hundred-mile radius, besides his Xiao Fan Clinic, there was no other place with such excellent medical skills and affordable prices for treating all sorts of ailments.
"I'll go change. It's not mealtime yet, and there might be patients coming in." As she spoke, Song Yue walked elegantly towards the inner room. Lin Fan watched her from behind, and his body suddenly felt hot.
He followed her inside and chuckled, "Sister Yueyue, let's catch up. We haven't seen each other for days."
Song Yue shot him a glance. "What's there to catch up on? Hurry up and get out. We have to see patients soon." She then used her small hands to push Lin Fan out. Lin Fan took the opportunity to grab her arm and pull it down. Influenced by the momentum, she suddenly fell into Lin Fan's arms. Lin Fan held her tightly, unwilling to let go.
"Xiao Fan, stop messing around. A patient might really come in soon." Song Yue's face flushed, and her body felt a little hot. She had stayed in the city for a few days but didn't envy the bright lights and revelry. Instead, every night she thought of Lin Fan several times.
"Sister Yueyue, did you miss me?"
"Yes, I did."
Just then, a minivan slowly stopped in front of the clinic. Tian Mengyao got out of the car and closed the door with a click.
"Xiao Fan, what are you doing?" Before entering the clinic, Tian Mengyao habitually shouted in.
"I'm here, I'm here!" Lin Fan, who was about to kiss Song Yue's lips, heard Tian Mengyao's shout and cursed inwardly in frustration.
"I'll go see."
"Mmhmm." Song Yue nodded dazedly. Fortunately, Tian Mengyao had arrived in time, or she would have been mortified!
"Why are you keeping the door closed in broad daylight?"
"If there are no patients, why would I keep the door open? What are you here for?"
"I came..." Tian Mengyao pointed to Lin Fan's mouth. "Wipe your mouth first, right there at the corner."
Lin Fan paused, confused. "What's wrong?"
"What do you mean what's wrong?" Tian Mengyao pouted her lips, took out a wet wipe from her pocket, and pressed it to Lin Fan's mouth. "Don't you know? You drool like a river when you sleep, and you don't even wipe it off!"
"Taking a nap in broad daylight at such a young age, are you trying to retire?" Tian Mengyao wiped him haphazardly and suddenly felt a little disgruntled. He was so mischievous; why should she wipe his mouth for him?
"Wipe it yourself!" Tian Mengyao released her hand, and Lin Fan quickly grabbed it himself, vigorously wiping his entire mouth.
Song Yue, hearing their conversation from inside, felt a blush creep onto her pale face. She sighed softly and muttered, "Sister Xue'er, hurry up and get together with Xiao Fan. I'm afraid I can't handle him alone!"
Lin Fan shot Tian Mengyao an annoyed look. "Get to the point, I still need to prepare medicine."
"Hmph!" Tian Mengyao hated this about Lin Fan the most. When other villagers saw her, they were at least polite, if not overly enthusiastic and respectful. But this rascal Lin Fan never took her seriously. Sometimes, she was truly infuriated.
"The cooperative needs an office space, right? You're an investor, so I'm here to ask..." Tian Mengyao said this far, and Lin Fan quickly made a shushing gesture. "My dear little aunt, please be careful with your words."
"I'm the supervisor appointed by the investor. Watch what you say."
Tian Mengyao shrugged. "What are you afraid of? There's no one else here." She frowned and suddenly asked, "You closed the door in broad daylight and are afraid of being overheard. Is someone inside?"
Lin Fan shook his head and then changed the subject. "Let's talk in the car. You have no idea about the implications. Once you have money, all sorts of distant relatives will come knocking. I just sent a bunch away today." As he spoke, Lin Fan opened the car door and got into the passenger seat.
Tian Mengyao, sitting in the driver's seat, felt something was amiss.
"What were you saying just now? The cooperative's office space, right?" Lin Fan quickly steered the conversation back to business, fearing Tian Mengyao would overthink things.
"Mm-hmm, yes."
When this matter was brought up, Tian Mengyao's spirits immediately lifted. "I'm hesitating now, should I build the office space near the planting base, or near the processing center?"
Tian Mengyao extended a fair and smooth hand, counting on her slender fingers. "Building it near the planting base would make it convenient to receive visiting merchants. It could also serve as a resting place for villagers after their work. Furthermore, perhaps we could get some subsidies from the higher-ups."
Tian Mengyao glanced at Lin Fan and continued somewhat shyly, "It's just that the cost would be a bit high. But it's really worth it!"
"Because building it near the processing center might be seen as redundant construction. After all, there are idle residential buildings nearby that could be utilized. It just wouldn't look professional and might affect the merchants' trust in us."
Lin Fan scratched his head. "No, you've already decided to build it on the mountain, so why are you asking me?"
"I... I'm just asking for your opinion." Tian Mengyao felt a little guilty. The thought of what had happened in that small Western-style building sent a tremor through her heart. Building it on the mountain might be inconvenient, but she had the minivan!
"Since you've already decided, I naturally have no objections. It's just spending a little more money, it's not a big deal." Lin Fan coughed twice. "However..."
"Just say whatever you need to say." Seeing Lin Fan agree so readily, Tian Mengyao was very pleased, and her attitude naturally became more amiable.
"The cooperative's accounts are separate from the village committee's accounts, right?" Lin Fan had wanted to ask this for a long time but hadn't found a good opportunity. He had no intention of settling the village committee's old debts.
"Of course, they are separate!" Tian Mengyao clenched her small pink fists. If Cao Dewang hadn't died and left behind so many debts, would she be in such a dire situation?
Lin Fan nodded. "Then I can rest assured." He took a deep breath and said, "Secretary Tian, I couldn't sleep last night, tossing and turning. I was thinking, what if there are another few rotten apples in the village?"