"So, you believe I tampered with it?" Jiang Meili's face turned ashen. "This art exhibition is hosted by the City Lord's Mansion, but you can't slander it like this!"
"Art exhibitions have always followed the rules!" the seller's representative stated directly. "If you feel something is amiss, you can go to the City Lord's Mansion yourself!"
"The auction house has surveillance, which clearly shows we never made any exchanges!" Lin Ke chimed in. "We do business with integrity. We trusted the art exhibition auction, which is why we invested heavily. Now that we're in this situation, shouldn't you give us an explanation!"
"The auction house's surveillance was not activated, so nothing can be traced," the auction representative said frankly. "This matter is likely difficult to resolve!"
"Difficult to resolve?" Lu Fan glanced over. "Who gave you the audacity to swindle people like this? Even if this is the territory of Longdu, you shouldn't be acting this way."
"You should be responsible for your words. If this reaches the City Lord's ears, it won't be so easy!" the seller's representative retorted coldly.
"Since that's the case, then let the City Lord of Longdu resolve this matter!" Lu Fan's expression was indifferent. "If this matter isn't resolved properly, there's no need for the auction house to continue operating."
Jiang Meili felt a warmth spread through her. Lu Fan was willing to stand up for her, and she was already grateful. However, this was ultimately her problem, and she wouldn't drag Lu Fan into it.
"Perhaps we should just let it go," Jiang Meili said. "It's all my fault for being careless!"
"How can we just let it go so easily!" Lu Fan expressed his displeasure.
"I'm not pursuing it anymore, so you shouldn't dwell on it either!"
Jiang Meili pulled Lu Fan, intending to leave. She knew very well that the seller's representative was backed by the City Lord's Mansion, and they couldn't afford to offend them. Any slight misstep could cause trouble.
"Sister Jiang, this is not a small sum," Lin Ke said. "If we leave today, it will be very difficult to bring this matter up again!"
"The art exhibition is backed by the City Lord's Mansion. We small people cannot afford to offend them!" Jiang Meili stated. "Money can be earned again, but if something happens to a person, it will be truly troublesome!"
"It's good that you understand, miss!" the auction house representative nodded. "I still have many things to do, so I won't accompany you further. However, I repeat, it is absolutely impossible for us to take responsibility for the auction house."
Lu Fan was about to speak when Jiang Meili pulled him back. "I know you're doing this for my own good, but today's matter is probably not that simple. You don't need to be so concerned. The auction house representative has already said so, which shows how strong his backing is."
"Are we just going to let it go like this!" Lin Ke was quite indignant. "This is too unfair. That was Sister Jiang's life's work!"
"Perhaps, as Mr. Lu said, my fortune today is dark, and something bad will happen," Jiang Meili said helplessly. "As the saying goes, losing money can avert disaster. The auction house has the City Lord's Mansion backing it, and we cannot afford to offend them!"
With these words, Lin Ke could only give up. Although she was dissatisfied, she also knew that the City Lord of Longdu held a revered position, and they couldn't easily offend him.
"Don't worry, you are Xiao Ke's best friend, and I won't let you suffer any grievances," Lu Fan smiled. "Let's go back first, and I'll think of a solution later!"
"Thank you!"
Jiang Meili quickly expressed her gratitude. With Lu Fan's words, her heart felt much warmer. Only now did she realize that Lu Fan was not entirely useless. Not only did he know a lot, but he was also considerate.
Thinking of this, Jiang Meili looked at Lin Ke. "I truly envy you for finding such a good husband!"
"If you want one, I'll give him to you directly!" Lin Ke shrugged.
Lu Fan wore a strange expression and even shot Lin Ke a glare. He hadn't expected Lin Ke to speak like that.
Upon arriving at Jiang Jing Long Ting, Jiang Meili specially arranged a room for Lin Ke, while Lu Fan was in the kitchen cooking, looking relaxed and at ease, as if it were effortless.
After everyone had settled down and looked at the dishes in the living room, they were somewhat surprised, especially Jiang Meili, whose face was filled with earnestness. "Did you cook all these dishes?"
"Of course, I cooked them!" Lu Fan nodded seriously. "Who else would you think cooked them!"
"I never expected you to be knowledgeable about antiques and calligraphy, and also a good cook!" Jiang Meili looked at Lu Fan with admiration.
After all, good men like Lu Fan were rare. She didn't know why, but as she spent more time with Lu Fan, she felt a sense of closeness.
"By the way, don't worry too much about the matter of the ten million," Lu Fan said with a slight smile. "I've looked at your fortune, and this ten million will surely be recovered!"
"How is that possible? The money has already been handed over!" Jiang Meili gave a wry smile. "I never thought of that. I can only consider myself unlucky!"
"I don't think so," Lin Ke smiled. "What Xiao Fan says usually comes true. Sister Jiang, just wait and see!"
Jiang Meili, however, was full of doubt. If it were truly as Lin Ke said, wouldn't that be too miraculous? If it could really happen, Lu Fan would be a reincarnated immortal.
After dinner, Lin Ke pulled Lu Fan back to her room. "Xiao Fan, do you really have a way to get that ten million back?"
"It's just a small matter," Lu Fan shrugged. "Wife, what's wrong? You seem quite concerned!"
"That's Sister Jiang's entire savings, how can I not care," Lin Ke retorted. "But getting that ten million back is not that easy!"
"You don't need to worry about this, I have my ways!" Lu Fan waved his hand. "Besides, you are now relying on Jiang Jing Long Ting. If I don't help him, it wouldn't be right."
"Then are you helping Sister Jiang because of me or because of her?" Lin Ke asked the soul-searching question.
"Ahem... Didn't you just say you were going to give me away? Why are you getting nervous now!" Lu Fan said nonchalantly.
"I'm not nervous at all!" Lin Ke shot back. "I'm just saying!"
"Of course, it's for my wife. If she weren't your college roommate, why would I help her," Lu Fan retorted. "In this life, I am loyal to only one person and will never disappoint Xiao Ke."
Lin Ke's face flushed with shyness. With Lu Fan's words, she felt relieved. In fact, from beginning to end, she had always trusted Lu Fan and shouldn't have asked this question.
Not long after, Lu Fan left Jiang Jing and headed towards the Longdu City Lord's Mansion. To resolve this matter, he had to find the City Lord of Longdu, which was the quickest shortcut.
Inside the Longdu City Lord's Mansion, the City Lord was sitting in a small courtyard, drinking wine and gazing at the stars, appearing quite at ease.
This was his usual hobby: a few drinks every day, happy as an immortal. Among the many City Lords, perhaps only he had such leisure and elegance.