"Time is a terrifying thing," she added, and continued walking.

Xu Liang said, "Everyone is an individual with their own thoughts. It’s normal to have different voices within a group."

Tan You replied, "I understand. That’s why there’s no need for me to argue about it. In the future, I’ll help where I can, but I’ll try to have as few financial ties to the village as possible."

"Speaking of which, if the village’s social media account takes off, it’ll save me a lot of trouble. The only thing is, you might not have as much content to film anymore. I’m planning to go for more of a ’poetry and faraway places’ vibe."

Xu Liang shrugged. "Isn’t that perfect? The moment you said ’poetry and faraway places,’ my head filled with ideas. I’ll definitely make you look gorgeous." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Tan You smiled. "I’m looking forward to it. Who says I can’t be a little fairy?"

After walking a few more steps, Xu Liang asked again, "Are you really not upset?"

Tan You thought for a moment. "Just a little disappointed, that’s all. I’m not going to get upset over people like Shen Cunxi. My emotions are too precious to waste on them."

"Such a heartless person," Xu Liang said, half-joking and half-serious. "But it’s rare to see someone give up so decisively. We’re talking over twenty million. You’re really not tempted?"

Tan You’s smile widened. "It’s not like I can’t earn that myself. I have so many advertisers waiting to work with me. That money is safe and clean, and I don’t have to get into catfights over it."

"It’s just a matter of time."

Xu Liang said, "Spoken like a true big shot. To be honest, I’ve never filmed a commercial before. I’ll have to do some research."

Tan You asked, "Are you really planning to stay in the village forever?"

"I’m staying here *with you*. I think you’re a hidden gem; being around you, I get to see so many new and interesting things." Xu Liang smiled. "I rarely get curious about other people, but I’m especially curious about you. Of course, I have no intention of taking things further."

Tan You glanced at him. "What a coincidence. I was thinking the same thing."

They both laughed. Tan You extended her hand to Xu Liang. "To a happy collaboration, then?"

"To a happy collaboration!"

Since Tan You hadn’t accepted the money, the villagers were naturally raising hell fighting over it. The more Fifth Uncle listened, the tighter his brow furrowed. The other elders, like Third Uncle-Grandpa and Sixth Uncle-Grandpa, were also furious.

Watching the clamoring villagers below, Fifth Uncle felt exhausted. ’It would be better if this money never existed... If only there were no money...’ Fifth Uncle’s gaze gradually grew firm.

At that moment, Third Uncle-Grandpa spoke up. "Alright, that’s enough arguing. This afternoon, Old Fifth will come with me to the Forestry Bureau. That tea tree already meets the criteria to be registered as an Ancient Tea Tree. To prevent everyone from neglecting its care in the future, let’s go to the Forestry Bureau and apply for it to be a protected ancient tree."

"We were already in the wrong for rashly harvesting this batch of tea. We’ll turn this money over. It will save the village from future gossip, and everyone can stop fighting over this windfall."

Shen Cunxi suddenly looked like a chicken being strangled. He hesitated for a few seconds before asking, "Does this mean we can’t sell tea from that tree on the mountain anymore?"

Third Uncle-Grandpa snorted. "That’s right. From now on, you’re not even allowed to pick it. No one gets a share of this money. This afternoon, a few of us are going to the Forestry Bureau!"

As soon as he said this, the murmuring from the crowd grew louder. But Fifth Uncle and the others clearly had no intention of arguing with the villagers any further. They quickly left the area to prepare for their afternoon trip.

After strolling around outside with Xu Liang, Tan You returned to the old family house to find Uncle Shen and his wife were already back. Contrary to their earlier indignation, they both looked quite happy.

Tan You smiled. "How much money did you get?"

Uncle Shen’s wife was all smiles. "Not a single cent. But I’m happier than if we had gotten the money."

Tan You understood at once. "The village is planning to register it as an Ancient Tea Tree?"

"You’re still the sharpest one," Uncle Shen’s wife chuckled. "The village should have listened to your advice from the start and registered that Ancient Tea Tree. If we had done it back then, everyone could still be picking and selling the tea like before. It never would have come to this."

"Oh, Ali, don’t you be upset because of these people. We’re all on your side." Uncle Shen’s wife added a few more words, clearly not wanting Tan You to be sad or hurt over the matter.

Tan You said, "Even if they had given me the money, I wouldn’t have kept it for myself. I would’ve most likely donated it or given it to charity. Wealth stirs people’s hearts—I understand that principle."

Uncle Shen snorted. "Cunxi got way too full of himself. I’m just so angry. You’ve done so much for the village, but in the end, they still see you as an outsider. And so many people are even siding with Cunxi!"

Tan You said, "Calm down, it’s not that serious. And it wasn’t that many people, just a dozen or so. There’s no need for us to get angry over this. Think about it—if I don’t have to worry about the village’s affairs, my life will be much more peaceful."

Uncle Shen’s wife added, "That’s exactly right! Our Ali helped them sell their mountain delicacies. How much extra money did she make for them? Then she helped with picking, processing, and promoting the tea, and even handled the after-sales service. All of that was to help the village."

"Now that they’ve made some money, they refuse to acknowledge Ali’s contribution. Fifth Brother was right: they’re biting the hand that feeds them. That’s exactly the kind of people they are."

Tan You was amused. "Auntie, you’re sticking up for me. But look at it from another angle: I did help sell the mountain delicacies, but I also took a commission. That was payment for my work. If we can settle things with money, there’s no need to bring personal feelings into it. It also makes it easier to cut ties."

"Cut ties? Ali, you’re not going to live in the village anymore?" Uncle Shen’s wife was so shocked she dropped the spatula into the pot.

"Of course not." Tan You picked up the spatula. "I promised I would take care of Grandma in her old age, so of course I’ll live in the village. I’ll just be less involved in the village’s business from now on. I plan to close my doors and live my own quiet life."

Uncle Shen’s wife pouted. "That’s fine too. You were too busy before. Girls your age are all out having fun, but you were busy from morning to night. And after all that work, people still don’t appreciate you."

Tan You gave a wry smile and didn’t argue with her aunt. She had actually suggested registering the Ancient Tea Tree before, thinking it could be a good promotional gimmick for the area. But at the time, Fifth Uncle and the village committee hadn’t agreed. They were also trying to figure out how to capitalize on the Ancient Tea Tree.

Unfortunately, before they could come up with a plan, the villagers nearly came to blows over the first payment. This suddenly hardened the resolve of the village committee members.

Third Uncle-Grandpa narrowed his eyes. "Some people are just insatiably greedy. If that’s the case, it’s better if no one gets anything at all."

Uncle Qiao hung his head. "Third Uncle, it’s my fault. I failed to discipline my son properly. This is all on me."

Third Uncle-Grandpa snorted. "Of course it’s your fault! What kind of father are you? You can’t even control your own son? But this is for the best. We won’t make this kind of shady money. From now on, we’ll just focus on peacefully picking and roasting our tea!"