Returning to their seats, Shen Xue and Ma Yuan, with arms slung over each other's shoulders, watched with schadenfreude as a group of young men approached Lin Fan one by one, offering toasts.
"With so many people, they'll get him drunk for sure!"
Seeing Tian Mengyao's concerned expression and Wang Ying's resentful gaze, Ma Yuan felt even more suffocated.
"Let's take our time, and toast him later. I don't believe he can handle a battle of attrition!"
Shen Xue rubbed his belly, feeling as choked up as Ma Yuan.
...
On the other side, a young man with meticulously styled hair, a cup in hand, said with a smile, "You're Director Lin from the Luofeng Village Herbal Planting Cooperative, right? I've heard a lot about you."
Though he spoke these words, his expression seemed normal. Yet, his heart was filled with contempt and disdain.
"Cheers!"
Lin Fan had already sensed something was amiss.
So many people, and not one he knew, coming over just to force him to drink!
It would be strange if there wasn't something fishy going on!
Lin Fan felt no fear at this moment; instead, he had a sense of superiority.
In terms of background and education, Lin Fan was inferior to them.
But when it came to fighting skills, medical expertise, and drinking, they were useless!
Lin Fan raised his wine glass and, without a word, downed it in one gulp.
They were all stunned for a moment, then a flicker of sinister intent flashed in their eyes.
After Lin Fan finished drinking, the young man opposite him asked, "Would you like another glass?"
"I'll drink with you!"
Tian Mengyao, indignant, stood up, picked up a glass of wine, and glared fiercely at the young man.
"Your name is He Ping, right? You work at the television station."
Tian Mengyao was intelligent and had an excellent memory. After being introduced once, she could remember people's appearances and names.
He Ping heard the anger in Tian Mengyao's tone.
To immediately mention his name and workplace clearly indicated she wanted revenge!
Knowing that Tian Mengyao had an unusual background, he immediately felt a pang of fear.
"I was just joking, Secretary Tian. Please don't take it seriously."
He Ping offered a few placating words and then slunk away.
He was worried, fearing that Tian Mengyao would take it seriously and use her connections to make things difficult for him.
If anyone else, just Secretary Zhou alone, could prevent him from getting promoted for the rest of his life with a single gesture.
Wang Ying had also intended to help Lin Fan by drinking on his behalf, but seeing the current situation, she was stunned.
How could a mere village committee secretary possess such influence that she could scare away He Ping from the television station?
After all, He Ping was the deputy section chief of the advertising department, not some nobody!
"Hmph!"
Tian Mengyao let out a fierce snort at He Ping's retreating back.
At this, the group of youths all backed down.
They averted their gazes, not daring to meet Tian Mengyao's eyes.
Wang Ying then tugged at Lin Fan's sleeve and whispered, "Xiao Fan, what's your secretary's background?"
Lin Fan shook his head, "I don't know. Why do you ask?"
Wang Ying stared into Lin Fan's eyes, thinking, "To be able to single-handedly deter the young people within the system of Yunqing City from approaching clearly indicates an extraordinary background!"
With this thought, Wang Ying suddenly reminded him, "Xiao Fan, why aren't you more attentive?"
"She's the village committee secretary, and I'm just her subordinate. Even if I want to benefit from a big tree, I don't need to pursue her for anything. Why should I be attentive?"
Lin Fan said this, but inwardly he knew Tian Mengyao's background was unusual, even quite formidable.
However, he had to feign ignorance. Otherwise, how could he tease Tian Mengyao in the future?
Even if he dared, he would have a psychological burden.
Wang Ying wanted to ask more questions, but seeing that Tian Mengyao had already sat down, she swallowed her words.
Shen Xue and Ma Yuan, not far away, stared at the situation for a full ten seconds.
"Amazing!"
"Truly amazing!"
Shen Xue smacked his thigh. "I'm completely convinced. Alright, let's not even bother."
"What can we do if we're not convinced?"
Ma Yuan kept his eyes fixed on Tian Mengyao and Wang Ying.
When he saw Tian Mengyao step forward to block the drinks, and Wang Ying's subtle movements, he knew that both these beauties had their hearts set on Lin Fan.
"Ma Yuan, you deal with the police station, right? Can you investigate this kid's background?"
Shen Xue sighed lightly and added, "I really want to see what extraordinary qualities this kid possesses."
Ma Yuan hesitated for a moment, then replied, "This... isn't it a bit improper?"
Shen Xue spread his hands. "What's improper about it? We're not doing anything wrong, can't we even inquire?"
A young man, elegantly dressed, then walked over, dejected. "You two don't need to inquire."
"I've already asked. That kid's name is Lin Fan, an ordinary resident of Luofeng Village."
"However, he runs a small clinic, and his medical skills are quite good. I heard they're no worse than those of physicians in large hospitals."
Shen Xue looked skeptical. "Brother Wang, is what you're saying true?"
"Could a tiny miracle doctor emerge from a place as desolate as Luofeng Village?"
The young man sighed softly. "Perhaps."
He wasn't interested in the trivial details.
Regardless of what village he was from or if he was a miracle doctor, he was simply lucky to have caught the eye of Miss Tian.
What was even more infuriating was that Miss Wang was the same.
It was truly vexing!
Shen Xue gritted his teeth and said indignantly, "With so many of us, we can't compare to a small doctor from a mountain village. I... I..."
"Alas~"
Heavy sighs escaped the lips of all three.
It was already ten o'clock at night.
Zhou Weiguo and Wang Yao, along with others, came down from the fifteenth floor.
Their purpose for coming today, besides playing cards and reminiscing, was also to find spouses for their juniors.
Therefore, they estimated that the time was about right and came down to check the situation.
Wang Yao chatted and laughed with Zhou Weiguo, while his heart was preoccupied with his daughter.
After his daughter's divorce, he and his wife had been sighing all day, losing their appetite, fearing that their daughter might make some foolish decision.
Thus, a new romance was undoubtedly the best solution.
Zhou Weiguo patted Wang Yao's shoulder and chuckled, "I'm really curious if there's any outstanding young talent in Yunqing City who can capture Mengyao's..."
He stopped there, suddenly noticing Wang Yao's strange expression, and asked, "Old Wang, why are you so tense?"
Wang Yao took a deep breath and said with a wry smile, "I also hope there's a young man who can capture my daughter's heart. I'm an old man, and the only thing I worry about is my precious daughter."
Zhou Weiguo laughed heartily. "Yingying will surely be fine. I often hear younger colleagues talk about Yingying. You don't need to worry so much. Perhaps next year you'll be holding your grandson, haha!"
"Let's hope so."
Wang Yao nodded slightly.
Others might not understand, but he understood his daughter too well.
His daughter was not someone easily won over!