A song from Chengdu revived a closed-down pub.

After breakfast, Su Fan went to the village to offer New Year's greetings.

The first house he visited was Pan Lei's.

At this time, at Pan Lei's home, Pan Lei said to his son Pan Wengang, "You should communicate with Xiao Fan more in the future."

Pan Wengang scoffed, "What do I have to talk to him about? He's not even as successful as me."

"If you had even half of Xiao Fan's skills, your mother and I would be incredibly grateful."

"Dad, is it really necessary? We're classmates, how could I not know what kind of person he is?"

Pan Lei asked, "Do you know who proposed the 'company + farmer' model that our village is about to implement?"

"So, it was Su Fan who asked that question?"

"It's Xiao Fan. Let me tell you, even the provincial leaders attach great importance to him. That's why we were chosen as the pilot site. Not only that, he also proposed that the village committee jointly establish a company, and there's also the concept of a private domain APP. Director Wei of the Provincial Culture and Tourism Bureau applauded him."

Pan Wengang muttered, "That's because he just happened to cater to the leader's tastes."

Pan Lei said angrily, "I can't even flatter your dad, so why is it that only he can? Is it so hard for you to admit that someone else is outstanding? Let me tell you, Xiao Fan is coming over to wish you a Happy New Year later. You should have a good chat with him. Maybe he can give you some pointers, and then you won't have to go out and mess around anymore."

"Dad, I was working on a construction project outside, not just messing around!"

"You? You want to do construction?" Pan Lei sneered. "Your mother and I have to support you with several thousand yuan every month, what kind of construction can you possibly do?"

Pan Wengang panicked: "That's just for working capital. Once the project payment comes in, I'll pay you back with interest."

"Stop talking nonsense, listen to me. Xiao Fan is no ordinary person. You two are classmates, so talk to him more. You can't go wrong."

Just then, Su Fan entered the courtyard.

"Uncle Pan, Happy New Year!"

As soon as Su Fan entered the house, he saw Pan Wengang.

"Hey, Gangzi's back."

Pan Wengang straightened his back and said, "It's Chinese New Year, so the construction site is closed for the holidays. I sent all the workers home, but I came back to stay for a few days too."

Pan Lei glared at him from the side and said, "Go make some tea."

Su Fan could easily understand the meaning behind Pan Wengang's words.

He's showing off his status as a contractor, with people working for him.

This is a typical act of showing off.

Su Fan smiled and complimented, "Gangzi, you're doing well, you've become a big boss."

Pan Wengang was pleased with the compliment, straightened his back a bit more, waved his hand, and said in a feigned modesty, "What boss or not, I'm just trying to make a living. Dozens of people are waiting for me to eat, so I'm under a lot of pressure."

Su Fan nodded, looking serious: "Then you are our role model. The country needs ambitious young people like you, who can not only contribute to the construction of the motherland, but also solve employment problems."

Pan Wengang couldn't tell, but Pan Lei could. Su Fan wasn't flattering him; he was teasing his son.

"Go make some tea." As he said this, Pan Lei pretended to kick him.

Pan Wengang reluctantly turned and left.

Sitting in the living room, Pan Lei suddenly asked, "Xiao Fan, have you finished that financial calculation plan?"

"What financial calculation plan?" Su Fan asked.

Pan Lei's face immediately fell: "It's the one Director Wei asked you to do, saying you had to talk to the bank about a loan."

Su Fan then remembered that he had been so busy with the New Year celebrations these past few days that he had completely forgotten about it.

Just then, Pan Wengang came in carrying a teacup. Su Fan said, "Uncle Pan, why take out a loan? Gangzi is so capable, let him squeeze out a little from his own pocket, and he'll have everything he needs."

Pan Lei looked somewhat embarrassed; he knew his own son better than anyone else.

He'd been away working for several years, and not only had he not given home a single penny, but his parents had to contribute money to his family every now and then.

Pan Wengang pretended to be troubled: "Money is a small matter. The main problem is that my funds are tied up in projects, and I can't make any money."

"Shut up," Pan Lei snapped, then turned to Su Fan and said, "And stop talking nonsense. What exactly are you planning to do about this?"

Su Fan said nonchalantly, "What else can we do? We'll just have to take it one step at a time."

Pan Lei became anxious: "Have you thought about what would happen if the bank didn't give us the loan?"

Su Fan picked up his teacup, blew away the foam, and said unhurriedly, "Then let's go take out online loans."

Pan Lei said unhappily, "That stuff has incredibly high interest rates. If we can't pay it back, they might come knocking on our village. Do you think this is a joke?"

Su Fan said nonchalantly, "What's there to be afraid of? If the whole village gangs up on us, do they still dare to come knocking? If one comes, we'll take care of it; if two come, we'll take care of them both."

Pan Lei's face darkened completely.

At this moment, Pan Wengang, who was standing nearby, said, "This is great! The whole village can take out online loans together. It's okay if they can't pay them back. It's all money obtained through credit checks, so why should they have to pay it back?"

Seeing Pan Wengang's seemingly eager-to-stir-up attitude, Su Fan casually asked, "Gangzi, you seem to have a lot of experience. Did you take out some online loans?"

Pan Wengang's smile froze for a moment, his eyes darted around, and his tone became flustered: "No, no, how could I touch that stuff? I'm an engineer, with dozens of people under me. Taking out online loans? Impossible, absolutely impossible."

Watching his son's changing expressions, Pan Lei's anger flared up instantly.

He knew Pan Wengang too well. This kid had always blinked when he lied since he was a child, and now not only blinked, but even his voice changed.

Pan Lei slammed his teacup on the table and demanded, "Tell me the truth, did you touch that stuff or not?"

"Dad, I really didn't," Pan Wengang insisted.

Su Fan casually remarked, "Whether you've touched it or not, just check your phone. If you really did, you'd better return it quickly. That thing is a bottomless pit; it can never be filled."

Pan Lei stretched out his hand, his tone leaving no room for negotiation: "Give me your phone."

Pan Wengang instinctively hid his phone behind his back and took a step back: "Dad, I have my privacy."

"Privacy my ass!" Pan Lei's face turned ashen. "Give it to me right now, or I'll have to take action during the New Year!"

Pan Wengang clutched his phone and pleaded, "Dad, have some respect for me. I'm a grown man."

Pan Lei's tone left no room for negotiation: "What face are you talking about? As long as you haven't touched online loans, everything is fine. But if you have, don't blame your father for turning his back on you."

Just then, Pan Wengang's mother came out of the kitchen carrying a fruit platter. Seeing the tense situation, she asked, "What's going on? It's the New Year, what are you two arguing about?"

Su Fan sat to the side, holding a teacup, and casually said, "Uncle Pan wanted to check if Gangzi had taken out any online loans, but Gangzi was feeling guilty and didn't dare to give it to him."

While dodging Pan Lei's outstretched hand, Pan Wengang shouted at Su Fan, "Brother Fan, I beg you, can you please say less?"

Su Fan shrugged, looking completely innocent: "Gangzi, what are you afraid of? Just show it to Uncle Pan, isn't that enough? If you're innocent, you have nothing to fear. If you didn't touch it, will a glance take a piece of your flesh away?"