Time passed little by little.
After confirming that the disheveled man really wasn't coming back, Ian felt some regret, but he didn't go looking for him. His days continued as usual, training and spending time with his wife.
Of course, today was slightly different, or rather, he didn't train at all.
Because the moment he stepped outside, Village Chief Martin came rushing up and dragged him away.
"Didn't you say you and Robin could handle it?"
Ian, being dragged along, looked at Village Chief Martin with a helpless expression.
"Why did you ask me to come? And why are you running around in the middle of winter? Why not stay home?"
"You're the investor, and the most promising kid in the Sibia Village. How could you not show up?"
Village Chief Martin said proudly. "And you're afraid of the cold, kid? You're still shirtless in the middle of winter? Hurry up, everyone wants to see you."
He said while pushing Ian. "Everyone's waiting inside! Hurry in!"
"..."
Ian, being pushed by Village Chief Martin, could only helplessly walk in.
The moment he opened the door, he felt countless eyes staring at him, everyone watching him curiously and quietly.
"What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and applaud!"
Unlike Ian, who looked helpless, Village Chief Martin, also under scrutiny, held his head high with pride, even clapping his hands.
"This is the most promising child in Sibia Village, and the investor in our Sibia Village Winery. Everyone, give him a round of applause!"
Pa! Pa! Pa!
As Village Chief Martin finished his words, enthusiastic applause erupted. It was clear everyone was thrilled!
"Now, let's have Ian, our investor and chairman, say a few words."
Village Chief Martin, acting as temporary host, clapped his hands happily as well.
"Everyone, hurry up! Where's the applause?"
After another round of applause, Ian had no choice but to bite the bullet and walk up under everyone's gaze.
But... What was he supposed to say?
This was all so sudden; he hadn't even prepared a speech!
He glared at Robin, who was laughing sneakily in the audience.
Robin, honestly, she could've at least given him a heads-up so he could prepare something.
And… How did he become chairman?
However, Robin wasn't afraid. Instead, she winked playfully at Ian.
Helplessly, Ian could only fake a cough twice, and everyone fell silent.
Ian then took the stage and, under the gaze of everyone, said: "Let me first wish the Sibia Village Winery a successful establishment. Now, let's hear a few words from the person in charge, Village Chief Martin."
Everyone: "…?"
Village Chief Martin: "…?"
That's it?
Robin was also stunned, then burst into laughter and winked at Ian.
"Why are you only saying a few words?"
Village Chief Martin, called to the stage, was full of black lines and lowered his voice while speaking: "Weren't you always good at talking? Now you can't even give a speech?"
"..."
Does that count as a speech?
Ian looked at Village Chief Martin speechlessly, then extended his hand, with an expression of, You do it then.
Village Chief Martin didn't back down. With chest puffed and head held high, he walked up to the stage in full, fine, I'll do it mode, and to Ian's astonishment, he actually gave a fluent speech.
He had to admit, Village Chief Martin could really talk!
He even managed to talk about the Sibia Village's past and present, looking from poverty to the future.
Then he recounted the hardships and original intentions behind the establishment of the Sibia Village Winery… Wait, wait, that's not right!
The winery hadn't even been built yet!
Where did the hardship come from?
However, no one paid any attention to this bewildered investor. As Village Chief Martin spoke, the faces of the village chiefs and villagers were filled with sadness and anticipation for the future.
"Now, our Sibia Village will finally have its own winery. From now on, we won't have to worry about those damn profiteers undercutting us."
With this, Village Chief Martin angrily raised his hand and shouted: "To hell with those damn profiteers!"
Instantly, the crowd erupted in anger, and everyone, following Village Chief Martin's action, began to shout.
"To hell with those damn profiteers!"
"To hell with those damn profiteers!!"
"To hell with those damn profiteers!!"
The shouts grew louder and louder, leaving Ian stunned while staring at Village Chief Martin in disbelief.
This guy is truly a talent!
How could he not have seen that before?
Then, Village Chief Martin explained the true purpose of this meeting…
Establishing the Sibia Village Winery, the Sibia Village Cooperative, and the village committee.
Ian: "…"
The more he listened, the more confused he became.
Why does all this feel so familiar?
Wasn't this exactly what he had casually suggested to Robin a while back when she asked him what to do?
Now that Ian knew who had prepared this speech for Village Chief Martin, he couldn't help but turn his head to look at Robin, who was standing beside him, and glared at his wife again.
She had prepared a speech for Village Chief Martin, but not for him?
However, Ian didn't know… Robin was also quite helpless. Just a few days ago, he had been talking so confidently that she thought he had already planned everything.
Who knew he hadn't prepared anything at all?
"Finally!"
As if finally drawing to a close, Village Chief Martin solemnly said: "Let us once again thank Ian and Robin for their help. If it weren't for Ian and Robin, let alone building the winery, we wouldn't have been able to handle the price pressure we faced a few days ago. Anyone who dares to be so unscrupulous as to forget Ian and Robin's help, don't blame me for being rude."
As soon as he finished speaking, all the villagers shouted while waving their fists angrily.
"Village Chief Martin is right."
"Anyone who dares betray the Sibia Village and Ian will be dealt with without mercy."
"They would be considered as traitors to the Sibia River Archipelago!"
With Village Chief Martin's warning ringing in the air, this hasty yet solemn meeting officially ended, leaving Ian completely helpless.
"How was that?"
Chief Martin, who had come over again, said proudly: "I did well, didn't I?"
"..."
Ian didn't expose Village Chief Martin's cheating. He was speechless for a moment, then said helplessly: "Do as you see fit."
"Don't hide it, kid. If I hadn't asked Robin, I wouldn't have known you'd already worked out a plan."
"..."
Who had a plan?
Ian looked helplessly at the disgruntled Village Chief Martin, but he had to admit that, watching this scene, he really had become a retired Marine officer returning home to build up the countryside.
Just as Ian sighed: "Blub-blub~"
The Den Den Mushi he'd brought from the 315th Branch rang.
Ian quickly picked it up while staring at the Den Den Mushi, which had taken on a resemblance to Captain Enchi.
Before he could speak, Captain Enchi's anxious voice came: "Get over here right away, Ian. I have found a way to get you the complete Six Style!"