Chapter 276 - 191: Lu Fan Gets His Mother-in-Law’s Approval, the Dream Son-in-Law?

Chapter 276: Chapter 191: Lu Fan Gets His Mother-in-Law’s Approval, the Dream Son-in-Law?

In the study of Zijin Mountain Villa, Lu Fan sat on the sofa, looking through the file Jiali had brought him.

Jiang Guoqiang, sixty-three. A native of Qingshan Village, farms for a living.

Pan Lanfang, sixty-one. A homemaker.

The elderly couple lived in an old, two-story house. Their life was humble, but content.

Lu Fan looked at a photo in the file. Jiang Guoqiang and Pan Lanfang were standing in front of their home, their smiles simple and honest.

’He felt a wave of emotion. These were Jiang Yixia’s parents, the grandparents of his two children.’

’Over the years, how many scornful looks must they have endured and how much gossip must they have heard because of Jiang Yixia?’

He put the file down and said to Jiali, who was standing to one side, "Make the arrangements for me. I’m going to Qingshan Village."

Jiali asked, "Boss, in what capacity will you be going?"

Lu Fan thought for a moment, then said, "As an investigator from the county, there to learn about the village’s land situation."

"First, inform the county officials. Tell them we’re planning to invest in a local factory, and I’m going to conduct a site survey."

"That way, I can get them to recognize my face and have the old couple see me as a good person. As for what comes next, we’ll figure it out later."

Jiali nodded. "In that case, I’ll prepare an inconspicuous car and a set of ordinary clothes for you."

"Alright. We’ll leave tomorrow."

The next day, a standard black Volkswagen drove into Qingshan Village.

Lu Fan parked the car at the entrance to the village and got out, carrying a briefcase.

The briefcase contained a few blank forms, just for show.

There was a small general store at the village entrance, where several elderly men and women were playing cards.

Lu Fan walked over and asked with a smile, "Excuse me, sir, could you tell me how to get to the village committee office?"

An old man in a straw hat looked up and sized him up. "What’re you looking for the village committee for?"

"I’m here from the county. I’d like to learn about the land situation in the village and see if there are any suitable development projects."

As soon as the old man heard he was from the county, his attitude immediately warmed. He pointed ahead and said, "Go straight, take a left at the second intersection, and you’ll see a big banyan tree. It’s right there."

Lu Fan thanked him and continued down the road.

It wasn’t long before he saw Jiang Guoqiang’s house.

It was an old, two-story house with somewhat faded exterior walls. Corn and chili peppers were laid out to dry in the yard.

An elderly woman with white hair was sitting by the door shelling beans. It was Pan Lanfang.

Lu Fan’s heart stirred, but he didn’t stop, continuing on his way.

He stopped by the village committee office and chatted with the village chief for over half an hour, getting a basic understanding of the situation in the village.

By the time he came out, it was already past ten in the morning.

Instead of leaving right away, Lu Fan began to wander around the village.

As he wandered near Jiang Guoqiang’s house, he saw Pan Lanfang was still by the door, shelling beans.

Not far off, Jiang Guoqiang was returning from the fields, carrying two baskets of vegetables on a shoulder pole, drenched in sweat.

Looking at the two baskets of vegetables, Lu Fan got an idea.

He walked over, stopped beside the two baskets, and bent down to take a look. Then he said with a smile, "Sir, did you grow these vegetables yourself?"

Jiang Guoqiang set down his load and wiped his sweat. "Yes, I did. Grew them in my own field."

"They look great." Lu Fan pointed to a basket of vibrant green vegetables. "I was just looking to buy some fresh vegetables to take back with me. Would you be willing to sell me some?"

Jiang Guoqiang was taken aback for a moment. "You want to buy them?"

"I live alone in the city and usually eat at a cafeteria, so it’s rare for me to see vegetables this fresh." Lu Fan said with a smile. "Yours look so crisp. How much are they?"

Jiang Guoqiang gave a simple, honest smile. "Well... if you want them, just pay whatever you think is fair."

Lu Fan pulled two hundred yuan from his pocket and handed it over. "I’ll take both baskets. Is this enough?"

Jiang Guoqiang was startled and frantically waved his hands. "Young man, that’s way too much! My vegetables aren’t worth anywhere near that."

Lu Fan pressed the money into his hand. "It’s fine. Consider it a show of support for your hard work. Besides, these vegetables are genuinely excellent—they’re worth the price."

Unable to refuse any further, Jiang Guoqiang had no choice but to accept the money.

He packed the vegetables up again and asked, "Where’s your car? I’ll carry them over for you."

Lu Fan pointed nearby. "It’s just over there."

Hoisting the pole onto his shoulder, Jiang Guoqiang walked over with him.

Pan Lanfang saw them from the doorway and came over to see what was happening.

Lu Fan opened the trunk, and Jiang Guoqiang placed the vegetables inside.

Pan Lanfang studied Lu Fan from the side and asked, "Young man, where are you from?"

"Hello, ma’am. I’m down from the county to do a survey on the land situation in the village," Lu Fan said, turning his head with a smile.

"A survey? That sounds like hard work," Pan Lanfang said. "You’re out here running around all by yourself. Doesn’t your family worry?"

"I’m on my own. No ties, no worries, so I can go wherever," Lu Fan replied casually.

Hearing this, Pan Lanfang’s heart instantly went out to him, perhaps because it reminded her of her own daughter, Jiang Yixia. She quickly asked, "Well, have you eaten yet? Why don’t you stay for a bite?"

Lu Fan waved his hand and explained, "No, thank you, ma’am. I have other business to attend to, so I should be heading back."

Pan Lanfang didn’t insist, simply saying with a smile, "Well, be sure to visit again next time."

Lu Fan got in the car and started the engine.

He hadn’t driven far when he saw in his rearview mirror that the elderly couple was still standing there, watching his car drive away.

’He was quite satisfied. He’d passed the first step and made a good impression.’

「Back in the county town.」

Lu Fan found a small hotel to stay in.

Chen He, who was traveling with him, asked, "Boss, is this little hotel comfortable enough for you? If not, I can drive you back to the city. We should be staying in a five-star hotel, at the very least."

Lu Fan replied, "I’m not that pampered. I’ve lived in tiny rented rooms of just over a hundred square feet before. What’s a small hotel like this in comparison?"