Chen Fan's words made Yuan Liangping tremble with anger.
What kind of nonsense was that?
He was being toyed with!
Dai Jiayao, Lin Shuzheng, and others also turned ashen-faced.
This guy was truly detestable, no wonder Young Master Yuan and Young Master Xu disliked him so much.
"Mr. Chen, do you think we're made of clay?"
Xu Shengqing said darkly, his tone chilling.
His mood had been foul all evening.
Initially, he had treated this trip to Hangjiang as a vacation. After easily resolving the Su family's troubles, he should have been relaxed and comfortable, enjoying the flattery and fawning of Hangjiang's local magnates.
He saw himself as an imperial envoy on tour, able to do as he pleased in Hangjiang.
This would also allow him to unwind from the pressure he felt in the capital.
But Chen Fan's appearance had thoroughly disrupted his mood and plans.
And now, this fellow was making a fool of him?
Did he really think he was some nobody? Even if he were, he'd have to tread carefully in the capital, but in a small place like Hangjiang, couldn't he handle him?
"Exactly! Do you really think you can disregard us just because you have a Dragon Card? In the end, this Dragon Card isn't even yours!"
"We must give face to the owner of the Dragon Card, but who are you to get this mistaken idea just because you're holding it?"
"The top socialites of all Hangjiang are here. Even the owner of the Dragon Card would have to give us some face. Do you really think you're so important?"
...
A group of people ganged up on Chen Fan.
Xiao Xuan stood beside Chen Fan, feeling like she was at the center of a storm, her face pale with fear.
Anyone from this group was someone she could only dream of meeting. She wouldn't even have the chance to speak with them.
And because of Chen Fan, she was now being reprimanded along with him.
Chen Fan let out a scoff and gestured with his hand, saying, "Since you're all so eager to know, I don't mind telling you."
His voice gradually trailed off, and all eyes were fixed on Chen Fan.
Everyone was indeed wary of the Dragon Card's owner.
Xu Shengqing and Yuan Liangping watched Chen Fan coldly, waiting for him to continue.
Chen Fan swept his gaze across the crowd and said lightly, "Lest you think I'm bragging, I'll find someone to explain!"
This statement sent another tremor through many people.
They then looked around, trying to see who knew the identity of the Dragon Card's owner.
Chen Fan stood with his hands behind his back, showing no intention of naming anyone.
Yin Qian also shifted her gaze and saw a figure striding over.
Jiang Tiansheng!
He had been present all along but had kept his distance.
At the auction, he had purchased two items under ten million, waiting to complete the transactions and take his items.
As he approached, many people's hearts pounded again.
In Hangjiang, Jiang Tiansheng was a top figure, his status and prestige not inferior to the heads of wealthy families like Lin Shuzheng and Dai Jiayao.
In fact, in terms of connections and methods, he was far superior.
Years ago, Jiang Tiansheng was a big name in the underworld. Although he had legitimized himself in recent years, his status and ruthless methods still made many wary.
It was rumored that he had recently become the chairman of Shengshi Group.
Shengshi Group was very low-key, with a mysterious background, rumored to be connected to Longteng Group.
In terms of financial strength, the combined wealth of the local magnates might not even match that of Shengshi Group.
"Mr. Jiang?"
Yuan Liangping's pupils contracted.
Jiang Tiansheng nodded in greeting and then politely addressed Chen Fan, "Mr. Chen!"
Chen Fan gave a slight nod.
This action caused the hearts of Yuan Liangping and Xu Shengqing to sink.
The more seriously Jiang Tiansheng treated Chen Fan, who was holding the Dragon Card after learning its owner's identity, the higher that owner's status must be.
"Mr. Jiang, do you know the identity of the owner of this Dragon Card?" Lin Shuzheng asked.
"I know a little!"
Jiang Tiansheng nodded.
"Then please enlighten us, Mr. Jiang," Lin Shuzheng said again.
Jiang Tiansheng glanced at Chen Fan, then adjusted his collar and said solemnly, "I have had the honor of meeting the owner of this Dragon Card. It is none other than Mr. Long!"
"What! Mr. Long?"
As soon as this title was uttered, many people's faces changed. They instinctively took a few steps back, distancing themselves from Yuan Liangping.
Gasps of astonishment echoed.
Who was Mr. Long?
If you didn't know this name, you didn't deserve to attend tonight's banquet.
In the Chinese business world, this name had become a legend, a totem, and a monument.
He had single-handedly founded the behemoth international enterprise Longteng Group, which in just over a decade had become a commercial empire!
He had once single-handedly resisted the economic aggression of several foreign consortiums, resolved an economic crisis, and led the nation's economy to sustained growth.
Any industry fortunate enough to receive his investment had soared and prospered.
Those who had the opportunity to receive his guidance had all become business magnates and leaders!
It was said that Mr. Long was already wealthier than the nation and controlled one-tenth of the world's wealth.
Such a figure was elusive, appearing only in glimpses. Just his name and a sliver of information were enough to attract many eager magnates.
In Hangjiang, the most direct example was the wedding between the Su and Jiang families.
Merely because Young Master Jiang Long was mistaken for Mr. Long, the wedding of two minor families had become the talk of the city, attracting many prominent figures.
For instance, Li Xiangbei of Wangyi, the Three Young Masters of the Capital, and Heathcliff of the Rothschild family, and Mihiko of Sakura Country.
Any one of them possessed a status, prestige, wealth, and power far exceeding those present here.
Even the esteemed Young Master Xu, whom the local magnates were trying to curry favor with, was far inferior when compared to the Three Young Masters of the Capital from that time.
Jiang Tiansheng's answer had indeed shocked everyone present.
Even Xu Shengqing and Yuan Liangping showed a hint of horror in their expressions.
"Is... is this true?" Dai Jiayao couldn't help but ask, "Is this Purple-Blossom Dragon Card really Mr. Long's?"
As he spoke, his gaze couldn't help but fix on Chen Fan.
"Does Mr. Dai think I'm lying?"
Jiang Tiansheng said in a deep voice.
"Of course not, it's just... it's hard to believe!"
Dai Jiayao quickly replied, his tone respectful.
At the same time, he recalled the rumors about Shengshi Group, which were said to be a subsidiary of Longteng Group.
It now seemed true!
Yuan Liangping's face stiffened, and he signaled to a wealthy scion from Jiangbei.
The man understood and, bracing himself, asked, "Mr. Jiang, may I ask where Mr. Long is? Do we have a chance to meet him?"
Jiang Tiansheng glanced at the man and frowned slightly, "I'm sorry, I don't know where Mr. Long is. I am only here to confirm that the Dragon Card Mr. Chen holds belongs to Mr. Long, and nothing more!"
He had interacted with Chen Fan many times and was well aware of Chen Fan's style, so he naturally would not reveal Chen Fan's true identity.
Many people showed expressions of disappointment.
The man, unwilling to give up, continued under Yuan Liangping's gaze, "Then, why does Mr. Long's Dragon Card remain with Mr. Chen, and why was it used to pay for the auction items?"
Jiang Tiansheng looked at Chen Fan. Seeing that Chen Fan made no objection, he pondered for a moment and vaguely replied, "Mr. Chen was entrusted by Mr. Long!"
His tone was also a little strange.
However, Dai Jiayao and the others overlooked this, and their gazes towards Chen Fan became fervent.