"Because I’m a local and understand the rural areas very well, it’s hard to raise the farmers’ enthusiasm without absolute confidence especially since the cycle is too long, with planting one year and harvesting the next. Many people lack confidence, but this direction is definitely right. Moreover, planting on a smaller scale will present a big problem for future harvests. So, after this research trip to Fengtai Village, I’d like you to visit our Victory Village Team 2 to see if it’s suitable for planting. I can collaborate with several farmers from our village to plant on a large scale, at least one hundred acres. This way, the future harvests can also be secured."
Lin Fan’s words brought a hint of surprise to Zhu Dan’s beautiful eyes, "Of course that’s not a problem, it’s settled then. I will report to the institute, and when the time comes, I will ensure that you get even greater support. Furthermore, I can guarantee to visit the countryside every two months to provide technical support to the farmers."
Lin Fan gazed at Zhu Dan’s beautiful oval face. Her delicate features exuded a sense of national peace and propriety. Perhaps because she often worked in the fields, her skin had an added layer of wheat color. Her dark floral dress, although completely concealing her figure and not revealing her slim waist and legs, could not hide her delicate features, which mustn’t be much less attractive especially considering the curve of her chest; that had to be at least a D.
Plus, her impressive height made her a rare Northern beauty. Holding her would certainly be very comfortable.
"I always say, Mayor Lin is young and promising, now you can rest assured. With him around, I guarantee your research achievements will be greatly enhanced. And once the project officially starts and sees profits, there won’t be any more problems."
Watching his daughter’s joyous smile, Zhu Defu also smiled broadly.
"So, for this first toast, I’ll drink to Uncle Zhu. First off, I want to thank you for the honor of knowing you, and then for raising such an excellent daughter, who’s truly contributed to the farmers. As a child from the countryside, I’m acutely aware of the hardships faced by our parents’ generation. If we could double every farmer’s income, that would be the greatest achievement."
With a glass in hand, Lin Fan spoke passionately, his sincere speech bringing a glow to Zhu Dan’s eyes. And Zhu Defu, being dotingly proud of his daughter, was delighted to see her smile—far happier than if he were smiling himself.
"Let’s drink to that, today the two of us must have a good drink."
Zhu Defu looked at Lin Fan with a sense of gratification, a warmth that could be hotter than seeing a son-in-law. Meanwhile, Li Libo felt increasingly irritated; after all, his wife seemed to be on equal footing with Lin Fan, chatting so congenially, much more warmly than towards himself.
Thinking of this made him burn with jealousy. Grabbing a glass, he stood up, "Since Mayor Lin is so supportive of my wife’s work, as her husband, I must show some gesture of appreciation. This toast, I drink to you."
Such a declaration of sovereignty didn’t escape Lin Fan who, with a light smile, also stood up, "Alright, I’ll drink to that, and you do as you please!"
With Lin Fan tilting his head back, a few ounces of white liquor vanished into his stomach, leaving Li Bo momentarily dumbfounded. In front of everyone, he couldn’t refuse to drink, so, gritting his teeth, he downed the liquor.
"Brother-in-law, there’s a custom in drinking: one good turn deserves another. You’ve toasted me, so let me return the favor."
Before Li Bo could even put down his glass, Lin Fan already chuckled as he grabbed the bottle, poured him a full glass, and in one tilt of his head, the beverage disappeared in an instant. Li Bo’s face was now hot red. Glancing at Zhu Defu, who remained silent, he clenched his teeth and forced the drink down, but before he could finish, he dashed out of the private room towards the restroom.
"I told you not to drink, why must you show off when you can’t hold your liquor!"
In the restaurant’s restroom, Zhu Dan looked on with a cold face as Li Bo kneed before the toilet. After two glasses of white liquor, Lin Fan was unfazed, but Li Bo was already drunk, vomiting tumultuously. Zhu Dan could only stand with her arms crossed, watching him coldly.
"I know... your family looks down on me... your dad looks down on me... to you officials... you don’t understand art... I’m a man aspiring to be an artist... and will be famous across the land someday..."
Li Bo, driven by the alcohol, leaned against the restroom door, shouting and yelling.
He understood Zhu Defu’s attitude all too well, and now, drunk, he shed all pretenses, ceaselessly howling.
"Artist my ass, even with your paintings, you won’t be famous in this life, let alone the next. Why is it so hard for you to just work diligently?"
Zhu Dan rolled her eyes. Li Bo had changed starkly after their marriage, he quit a secure job to pursue so-called artistic creation. His childish art was indescribable, yet he spent his days in a circle of mutual flattery, feeling unrecognized for his talents.
"Zhu Dan... you can insult me... but don’t insult my art... it’s my soul, the ultimate expression of humanity... you don’t understand, nor do your parents... you’re all people consumed with materialism... insulting my art..."
Li Bo, completely uninhibited, continued, "I’ve asked you for so long... your family is so rich... why not just give me one million to hold an art exhibition... but you’re all stingy... unwilling to support me... don’t think I don’t know... where your family’s money comes from..."