Apologize? No, We Should Be Thanking You

Fortunately for Lin Fan, things had gone smoother than he had thought and he did not have to be stuck at the station.

But the problem was that things had gone too smoothly.

On the way to the hotel, Lin Fan glanced at the people around him from time to time, only to find that they were still all-smiles. Each of them seemed to be happier than the other, and those earnest grins did not look fake no matter how he looked.

"It's just so weird…"

There were so many questions in Lin Fan's head.

This did not make sense at all!

Everything happens for a reason, do they not? And the reason they were all here today was because that tigress had stolen from them in his body.

That was the cause, but the outcome should not be each of them smiling happily, even giving Lin Fan stuff and addressing him as 'bro'.

Not to mention that they were treating him to a meal?

"Oh, no."

Unable to help himself, Lin Fan turned to the Smoked Duck Bro beside him. "I was wrong before, but are you guys… going for a Feast at Hongmen?"

"Are you kidding, bro?" Smoked Duck Bro laughed heartily. "Why would we do that? We are really treating you to a meal to thank you, although we do have a favor to ask later."

"Oh, right, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Li Liquan, owner of Li's Smoked Ducks. Call me Old Li if you like."

Li Liquan chuckled, and then pointed at everyone around them. "We're all here to thank you."

"Thank… me?"

The question mark hovering above Lin Fan's head seemed to become even more obvious. "Why?"

"Because you've done well!"

As Li Liquan patted Lin Fan on the shoulder, he and the other owners began to blab away.

"Isn't that so?"

"Our business was fine before, but it was only fine. Where would we get the money even if we wanted to put out a commercial?"

"Flyers or whatnot wouldn't work well either."

"Who could have expected that after you came, our business more than doubled, and even became an online sensation. It's full house every day!"

"We even estimated that this popularity would last a long, long time. While you are famous for being the food plunderer for now, your trending rate would fall, right? But with the internet celebrities coming to visit, it's no different from giving us free publicity."

"After that, their fans would come as well, which is why we oldies have hit the jackpot thanks to you."

"Can't we thank you for that?"

"Isn't it just? We were so pissed when the police told us they got you, and even asked us whether we want to keep this private or press charges…"

"What are they thinking, arresting our savior? That's why we all came to bring you out, and thank you as seriously as we could!"

"…"

Lin Fan froze, speechless as he listened to the others give their respective input.

He could not help being awe at how mysterious this world was!

Great!

Despite his assumptions that the tigress had really ruined him this time, but now things were not as depressing as it looked?

Even if she had been behaving a little ridiculous over the last three days, it seemed that it was no issue… but that was alright, was it not?

Soon, the group arrived at a starred hotel under Li Liquan's barked instructions, ordered three tables worth of delicious food, and had Lin Fan eat away.

The laughter and conversation never ceased at their tables, with everyone thanking Lin Fan to the point he felt uncomfortable.

He only relaxed when everyone else more or less had their fill.

However, just as he was about to hurry back to the hostel, he found Li Liquan approaching him and mumbling, "Bro, I have a favor to ask that I hope you could help with."

Lin Fan's mind kicked into gear then.

I knew it!

When would there ever be a free lunch in this society? So, what could be in store for me?

'Hold on, I'm just a student. What is he trying to make me do?'

Could he be forced into more thieving?

Hence, Lin Fan gaped, "Uh, you can't be asking me to steal again, could you?"

"Why would I?!"

Li Liquan burst into laughter. "Netizens aren't stupid. They might not find out the first time, but it would be an obvious publicity stunt the second time."

"I'm just hoping you could be an image ambassador for my smoked ducks. What do you think?"

Lin Fan: "…"

"Old Li, you're being tactless!"

"What do you mean, image ambassador for smoked ducks? We're all waiting on him too."

"Yeah! Lin Fan, brother, look. You're something of an internet celebrity now too, and our shop became popular because of you. You are definitely our image ambassador now!"

"(⊙o⊙)…"

Lin Fan understood what was happening, thanks to what the crowd was saying.

Having experienced a benefit, these stall owners were ready to take things to the next level and give their best…

That sort of thinking would not be a problem for businessmen, since they were in it for profit anyway.

However…

'Do I say yes or no?' Lin Fan mused to himself.

Everyone there might be displeased if he said no, but that would not be a major issue. Surely they could not retract the pardon agreement they had already signed?

But what if he said yes?

Li Liquan's voice could be heard beside his ears then. "Bro, just say yes. We won't make you lose out, and we'll pay for every single cent you need."

"Moreover, and we have discussed it on the way to the station—we would help make you an all-around internet super-celebrity!"

"Later, you could even rake in huge profits as the food plunderer, and you could visit any shop that needs publicity to 'steal' a little food…"

"From what I've heard, you're still a student doing research now. There's still a long future ahead of you, and there are no drawbacks in earning some cash, only benefits…"

Li Liquan tried to persuade him when he saw that Lin Fan was clearly considering it.

At those words, though Lin Fan had only been hesitant before, he resolved himself then and shook his head. "I'm not interested at the moment."

What, did he not like money?

Of course he did!

While Lin Fan couldn't say he disliked being an internet celebrity, he was not resistant against that idea either. In fact, he was quite willing to get involved with enough profit.

The problem was that his situation at the moment was unknown!

Who could tell if he would transmigrate again?!

Moreover, would the next transmigration be another 'Three-days Saintess Experience Visa', or a permanent thing this time?!

Of course, he would agree if it was the visa.

If it was permanent and he agreed to it, he would become quite popular and a major internet celebrity.

But when that happens, who could expect what that tigress saintess would do?

In other words, if he transmigrated again, he would be more disadvantaged the more famous he was, because he would be watched by a lot more people!

What he needed was staying low-profile, and not the attention of thousands or even millions.

That was why he must refuse.