Chapter 217

After leaving the KTV, Dong Sangwan clung to Lin Meng’s arm, giggling in excitement. "You were absolutely amazing today, handsome! You really helped me put those girls in their place!"

Looking at her childish demeanor, Lin Meng couldn’t help but rub her head. "Are your friends always this wild? Comparing whose guy is bigger right in front of everyone, and even getting handsy?"

Dong Sangwan curled her lips, her tone entirely nonchalant. "Them? They’re even crazier in private! They always get together to gossip about men, comparing whose boyfriend is better in bed and who has the best skills. Sometimes, when they get drunk, they even share their personal experiences...

"Li Jing even secretly told me before that she’s tried being with two guys at the same time... Ugh, anyway, they’re super wild!" she added after a brief pause.

Lin Meng raised an eyebrow, suddenly understanding the dynamic. In this little circle of women, sexual escapades were treated as social currency to be flaunted and compared openly. No wonder they all acted so unhinged. Hanging around them, it was no surprise that Dong Sangwan had turned out this way.

However, Lin Meng had no interest in meddling. He checked the time and said, "Sang Wan, if there’s nothing else, I’m heading back. You should go home too."

"But handsome, I don’t want to go home today~" Dong Sangwan tugged at his arm, whining flirtatiously. The softness of her chest rubbed against his arm, whether intentionally or not.

Lin Meng frowned. "Doesn’t your dad keep a strict eye on you? Would he really let you stay out this late?"

"I lied and told him I was celebrating my bestie’s birthday!" Dong Sangwan blinked mischievously. "I even told him beforehand that I’d be staying over at her place." As she spoke, she suddenly stood on her tiptoes, leaning in close. Her hot, damp breath brushed against his ear. "Handsome, let’s go get a room, okay? I haven’t experienced it yet!"

A wave of exasperation washed over Lin Meng.

If it had been any other woman, he certainly wouldn’t have refused. But this was Dong Feihu’s daughter. If they slept together, he would essentially be tying himself to Dong Feihu for the foreseeable future. Thinking of this, and looking at Dong Sangwan’s expectant eyes, Lin Meng let out a light cough. "Sang Wan, let’s forget about getting a room. Those places aren’t clean."

Dong Sangwan’s face immediately fell. She was just about to say something when her phone suddenly rang. As soon as she answered, her expression changed drastically.

"What? My dad is coming over to look for me? Didn’t he have a business dinner tonight?

"Okay, I get it. I’ll head back right now!"

Hanging up the phone, Dong Sangwan pouted, looking panicked yet reluctant to leave. "Handsome, my dad is suddenly doing a spot check at my bestie’s place. I have to rush back right now. I can’t stay with you anymore."

Hearing this, Lin Meng actually breathed a sigh of relief. "Alright, you go on ahead then."

Dong Sangwan nodded, giving Lin Meng a few longing glances before hailing a taxi and leaving.

Watching her taxi drive off into the distance, Lin Meng let out a long sigh. "Phew... it’s finally over," he thought. "This girl’s understanding of relationships is seriously warped. If I want to shake her off, I’ll need to correct her mindset first. I’ll have to sit down and have a proper talk with her next time I get the chance."

He then checked the time. It was definitely too late to head back to Taohua Village now. After some thought, Lin Meng went to the villa that the Bai family had given him last time, planning to rest there for the night.

Early the next morning, Lin Meng returned to Taohua Village.

He planned to find an opportunity to move out of the house during this trip, and then, after some time had passed, tell his stepmother about his recovery from impotence. As for Zhou Xinlan, if he had to admit to his stepmother that he had been lying, he could easily use Zhou Xinlan’s relationship with his father as an excuse. Whether his stepmother believed him or not, this was the best way to handle the situation.

Lost in thought, Lin Meng unknowingly arrived near his home. Just then, a cacophony of voices drifted over.

"Is Village Chief Lin still not back yet? Didn’t he say everything would be settled today?"

"Yeah, we’ve been waiting for so long. When exactly is he coming?"

"He has to give us a straight answer on this, otherwise, we’re not letting it go."

What was going on?

Lin Meng snapped back to reality. The voices were coming from right outside his front door. He hurried over. Soon, he saw a large crowd of villagers gathered around his entrance, all of them looking highly agitated. His stepmother was standing in the doorway with an awkward, troubled expression. Wang Wei and Ji Liyang were standing right beside her.

"Stepmother, what’s going on here?" Lin Meng asked loudly on purpose as he walked over.

Seeing him approach, the surrounding villagers exchanged glances, their faces lighting up with excitement.

"Xiaomeng, you’re finally back!" Li Wanrong said, looking as though she had found her anchor. Distressed, she explained the situation, "These people from the village heard some sort of rumors and are insisting that you help them make big money. No matter what I say, they refuse to leave."

"Help them make big money?" Lin Meng was taken aback, looking over the crowd of villagers gathered at his door.

"Village Chief Lin, we’ve all heard that you’ve made a fortune out there! The Party Secretary held a meeting to have you help us make money too, so stop hiding it!"

"Yeah, we’re all from the same village, and you’re the village chief now. It’s only right that you take us along to make money!"

"Village Chief Lin, what kind of money-making scheme do you have? Hurry up and tell us!"

The villagers chimed in one after another.

Lin Meng’s expression darkened. He pretty much understood what had happened. During the last meeting Mu Qinghuan held, besides him, she had also invited some of the highly respected elders in the village. They must have gone back and blabbed about everything discussed during the meeting.

The people of Taohua Village were all dirt poor. Once they learned about a chance to make money, there was no way they’d let it slide. That was why they had all come running to him. But the Beauty Liquid business was incredibly important to Lin Meng. How could he possibly hand it over to anyone else?

"Everyone, I think you’ve definitely misunderstood something," Lin Meng said expressionlessly. "During the meeting, we were only discussing how to make money in the future. As for personally helping all of you get rich, I simply don’t have that ability right now."

The moment he said this, the crowd grew displeased.

"Lin Meng, don’t lie to us! The Party Secretary clearly said that you have the ability to help us make money!"

"Exactly! If you don’t want to, just say so. Is there a need to lie to us?!"

"If you don’t have the ability to make money, where did you get the cash to contract so much land in the village?! I think you’re just selfish. You only care about making a fortune for yourself and don’t give a damn if we live or die!"

Hearing his words, the villagers’ emotions flared into outrage.

Lin Meng’s expression grew even uglier. Were they trying to guilt-trip him? Did they really think he was a pushover?