Compared to the excitement and anticipation of Dai Jiyao and the others, the faces of Yuan Liangping and his companion were as gloomy as if they could drip water.
Yuan Liangping had always wanted to know who the villa owner behind Chen Fan was.
Now, he finally knew the result.
But this was not the result he wished to see.
Though he was considered a young master from Jiangbei, compared to the mysterious and fabulously wealthy Mr. Chen, he was insignificant, not even worthy of carrying his shoes.
In fact, to even mention them in the same breath would be an insult to the title "Mr. Long."
Mr. Long was someone he absolutely could not afford to offend!
If Chen Fan had claimed to possess the Dragon Card of that Mr. Long on his own, Yuan Liangping would never have believed it.
But now, with Jiang Tiansheng vouching for it, who could refuse to believe?
A chill began to spread across his back.
He had initially thought the owner of Villa Number One might be some young master from the capital or another place.
But he had never imagined the villa owner's background would be so immense!
"Mr. Chen, would it be convenient for you to introduce us to Mr. Long at an opportune time?" Dai Jiyao asked impatiently, his back bending slightly, his posture becoming very humble.
Dai Yunsen, standing behind him, looked as pale as paper.
Dai Jiyao bore a considerable resemblance to Dai Yunsen. Chen Fan glanced at him, then involuntarily looked at Dai Yunsen, saying nothing.
Dai Jiyao also recalled his son's competition with Mr. Chen and immediately said with a fawning smile, "My son is unmanageable, truly unmanageable. I've made a fool of myself, Mr. Chen!"
Having said that, he turned, grabbed Dai Yunsen's hand, pulled him forward, and coldly snorted, "Rebel! Haven't you apologized to Mr. Chen yet?"
Dai Yunsen wore a mournful expression, unable to bring himself to do it.
"Unless you want your legs broken and to be kicked out of the family!" Dai Jiyao said coldly. "You still have two younger brothers. Though they are young, they are far more malleable than you are!"
Dai Yunsen's body trembled upon hearing this.
He knew his father was capable of such actions.
If the Dai family hadn't been ruthless, they wouldn't have become one of Hangjiang's top affluent families.
Thinking of the consequences of being expelled from the family and losing everything, he couldn't help but shudder. With a plop, Dai Yunsen knelt before Chen Fan.
"Mr. Chen, I was wrong. I kowtow to you and admit my mistake!"
He steeled himself and began to fulfill his wager with Chen Fan, knocking his head twice.
Chen Fan smiled, ignoring him.
"Mr. Chen, may I have the honor of inviting you for tea at some point?" Lin Shuzheng, the head of the Lin family, quickly asked.
"Mr. Chen, how much do you know about Mr. Long? What are his preferences?" Wen Jiancheng, the head of the Wen family, also feared falling behind, saying with a fawning expression, "If Mr. Chen is willing to reveal a little, the Wen family will certainly not disappoint you!"
Others also began to inquire.
They all sought to glean even a single word about Mr. Long from Chen Fan.
In the business world, such a small piece of information could sometimes change the destiny of an individual or a family.
If they could gain Mr. Long's favor, they were willing to pay any price.
Because of Mr. Long, Chen Fan had now become the center of attention, surrounded by these wealthy and influential figures.
Yuan Liangping and Xu Shengqing, on the other hand, were completely overlooked. No one spoke to them, and they were even pushed to the outermost edge.
Seeing this scene, their faces turned extremely grim.
Aside from feeling psychologically depressed and thinking these wealthy elites were too opportunistic, they also felt a sense of unease.
"If we have offended the mysterious Mr. Long, our lives will likely not be easy!"
Xu Shengqing said.
Yuan Liangping seethed with anger. He thought of his auction payment and much more.
Unwillingness welled up within him, threatening to consume him.
Given his previous conflicts with Chen Fan, he had already deeply offended him, leaving no room for reconciliation.
And considering the current adoration of Lin Shuzheng, Wen Jiancheng, and others towards Chen Fan, his plans were likely to collapse.
All his schemes, efforts, and expenditures were at grave risk of being in vain.
This he could not bear!
Years of planning, the ambition to soar with the power of the two Jiang business circles, had now become almost a mirage due to an unseen Mr. Long!
He was unwilling!
He could not fail like this!
"Young Master Xu, do you have any connections that could establish contact with that mysterious Mr. Long?" Yuan Liangping asked through gritted teeth, staring at Chen Fan, who was being surrounded.
Xu Shengqing fell silent upon hearing this.
"Young Master Xu, that's your five hundred million for the auction payment!" Yuan Liangping reminded him. "If you pay in full, you'll likely have a difficult time ahead!"
Xu Shengqing understood Yuan Liangping's implication and said through clenched teeth, "I have a cousin, and she also possesses a Purple Thorn Dragon Card!"
"Then she should know Mr. Long?" Yuan Liangping's eyes lit up. "Since she's your cousin, she must be a young lady from the Chen family in the capital? Given her status, Mr. Long would surely give her face, right?"
Xu Shengqing said with some helplessness, "She might know Mr. Long, because even my uncle doesn't have a Purple Thorn Dragon Card, but she does. However, she might not necessarily give me face!"
Yuan Liangping was momentarily taken aback, but considering that the Xu family was merely a subordinate of the Chen family, he didn't find this surprising.
"Cater to her tastes!"
Yuan Liangping's mind raced as he thought of ways to save himself. "Hangjiang has beautiful scenery and pleasant climate, along with all sorts of entertainment. As long as we can invite your cousin, we can pay any price!"
"Your five hundred million for the auction payment will be covered by me!" Yuan Liangping promised.
His own auction payment was close to a billion. Coupled with Xu Shengqing's five hundred million, even the wealthy and powerful Yuan family would suffer a significant blow.
But he still steeled himself!
Fifteen hundred million in cash flow would be unbearable for the Yuan family, and they might have to sell some major projects to settle it. And if anything went wrong, his position of authority within the Yuan family might be jeopardized.
But if he could establish a connection with Mr. Long, all these costs would be worth it!
That was Mr. Long; even a small amount of business from Tenglong Group could yield him manifold returns.
He refused to believe that Chen Fan, a discarded son-in-law, could gain Mr. Long's trust. Could he, the esteemed young master of Jiangbei, with his outstanding identity, wealth, ability, and connections, still be inferior to a nobody like Chen Fan?
"I can only say I'll try!"
Xu Shengqing did not dare to make any firm promises.
While they were discussing, Chen Fan had already completed the transaction procedures, obtained the "Ping An Tie," and left with Xiao Xuan, not casting another glance at the two of them.
Lin Shuzheng and the others wished they could escort Chen Fan all the way home, but Chen Fan refused, stopping them at the entrance of the backstage area.
Yuan Liangping forced a smile and walked towards Wen Jiancheng, the head of the Wen family.
"Uncle Wen!"
Yuan Liangping lowered his stance and said with a smile, "Did you gain anything from Mr. Chen?"