He glanced back, saw no one on the street, and inserted the room card into the door crack, then twisted the doorknob with force.
*Click*, the lock snapped.
He pushed the door open and entered.
As a VIP area, the room here was spacious, not as large as a hotel suite, but it contained a gym and an entertainment room.
The bathroom was also quite large, complete with a bathtub.
Of course, these were not important. Chen Fan closed the door, his gaze sweeping across the room, taking in everything, and spotting a suitcase.
The suitcase being there indicated that Du Fumin indeed resided here, having only gone out and not yet returned.
However, as he walked into the adjacent entertainment room, his eyes narrowed slightly.
On a tea table nearby sat a laptop, positioned to face the corridor leading to the bedroom.
That is, facing the direction from which Chen Fan had appeared.
The webcam on the laptop was still glowing red.
The next instant, the laptop screen lit up. Someone remotely operated it, initiating a video call.
A face appeared on the screen.
"Welcome, Chen Tianjiao!"
The face on the screen greeted Chen Fan with a relaxed, carefree smile.
It was none other than Wu Zhao.
Chen Fan's expression turned grim. He surveyed the room, confirmed there was no immediate danger, and walked over to sit at the computer, stating openly, "You anticipated I would come?"
"Of course. If I couldn't foresee this, how could this game of chess continue?"
"This game of chess?"
Chen Fan scoffed, "To you, it's just a game of chess?"
"Life is like chess, aren't we all pawns?"
Wu Zhao chuckled, "The difference is, in this game, I am the player, and while your position on the board, Chen Tianjiao, is crucial, you are ultimately still just a pawn."
Chen Fan let out a cold laugh, not bothering to argue, and said, "You are so sure that once I found Du Fumin's whereabouts, I would come to this cruise ship?"
"Certainly."
Wu Zhao continued, "Chen Tianjiao, you are actually very powerful. The God of War in the military, an invincible commander, the might of a martial arts grandmaster, and the identity of Mr. Long."
"Each of these roles is impossible to ignore."
"However, you actually have a fatal weakness."
Chen Fan said calmly, "I myself don't know. Why don't you tell me?"
"Your passion, or rather, your reckless impulsiveness is ingrained in your bones."
"What happened three years ago caused you great harm. On the surface, you learned your lesson, understanding the importance of leveraging official power, uniting with families like the Han, the Xiang, and the Wu, to act with immense force, unstoppable!"
"But that is merely the surface."
Wu Zhao said composedly, "In reality, you haven't changed at all. On the frontier battlefield, you charged headfirst, like countless common soldiers, rushing through a hail of bullets."
"Even now, though you utilize official power, you don't overly rely on it or prioritize it. Once clues become urgent and sudden, you still habitually put yourself in danger. The incident in Yuzhou is a clear example!"
Chen Fan had to admit that Wu Zhao saw this point with great clarity.
He had experienced much, but some things in his core nature had truly never changed.
Just like the Yuzhou incident, he couldn't bear to watch his subordinates and comrades charge forward while he waited behind for them to achieve results.
This person, Wu Zhao, was truly terrifying. Not only did he constantly seize the initiative, but he also possessed the ability to discern people's hearts.
"So, you're certain I would come, even if I saw through this trap?" Chen Fan asked.
"You are correct."
Wu Zhao smiled like a spring breeze. "Just like now, you already know this is a trap, but I am sure you will not disembark and leave. Unless you achieve your objective and obtain the clues and answers you seek from Fumin!"
"There are many successful people in this world, with all sorts of personalities, but some traits are common. That is, they do not give up easily!"
"This is especially evident in you!"
Chen Fan also began to smile. "That's not necessarily true. Perhaps I'll leave this room and immediately get off the ship and run."
Wu Zhao also chuckled. "Then you wouldn't be Chen Tianjiao."
"Alright, enough of this idle chatter. After that incident at the Jiuwu Club, it's rare to have an opportunity to talk like this. Let's discuss business."
Chen Fan said calmly, "You are also on the ship. We can talk face-to-face. Why resort to this method?"
Wu Zhao replied, "As expected of Chen Tianjiao, you've figured this out."
"Indeed, I am on the ship, but I will not meet you."
"You dare not!" Chen Fan stated.
"Your interpretation is not wrong."
Wu Zhao was unperturbed by Chen Fan's provocation. "Your combat power is something no one can ignore, and I am no exception."
"Meeting you face-to-face would disrupt my plans."
"This cruise ship is only so large. I will find you," Chen Fan said coldly.
"This ship is larger than you think," Wu Zhao replied. "By the time you find me, it will all be over."
Chen Fan said indifferently, "There's always a need to try, isn't there?"
"Very well, I shall await you finding me."
Wu Zhao chuckled. "Before that, let me remind you of a few things."
"Speak," Chen Fan said calmly.
"First, let me show you something."
As he spoke, the screen changed, displaying surveillance footage.
It was a meticulously decorated and elegant private room.
Three people appeared in the room, sitting together for a meal: two women and one man.
The two women sat on one side, while a handsome man with a distinguished aura sat opposite them, speaking with a smile.
Upon seeing this, Chen Fan's pupils contracted, his eyes blazing with fury. He roared, "Wu Zhao, what do you want?"
"Chen Tianjiao, don't get so agitated. Chen Xing'er is fine."
"If you dare to harm her in the slightest, I will exterminate your entire clan."
Chen Fan's voice sounded as if from hell, exuding an icy chill.
The two women in the image were Chen Xing'er and Cao Wan.
"You see? You've lost your composure now."
Wu Zhao was unfazed. "Call her now, Miss Xing'er has not suffered any harm, nor is her freedom restricted in any way."
Wu Zhao's face reappeared on the screen. He smiled. "The eldest daughter of the Chen family is not someone to be trifled with carelessly."
"I am showing you this merely to remind you that if I wished, I could take Miss Chen hostage and threaten you."
"It's just that I deem it beneath me!"
Chen Fan stared coldly at the screen and took out his phone, dialing Chen Xing'er.
The call was connected quickly.
"Where are you?" Chen Fan asked.
"Oh, Chen Tianjiao, what are you doing? Why do you ask that as soon as you call?" Chen Xing'er said indignantly.
"Where are you?" Chen Fan repeated.
"I'm at Wan'er's place right now," Chen Xing'er replied. "What's wrong? Your tone is so serious?"
Chen Fan paused. "Did you and Cao Wan have a meal with anyone today, at noon or at another time?"
"You know?" Chen Xing'er's tone suddenly became a little mischievous. "I had lunch with Yuan Che, the seventh young master of the Yuan family. This girl Wan'er, her lips are so tight. Yuan Che is actually her boyfriend, and they've been dating for three years. It's infuriating!"
Chen Fan's heart tensed upon hearing this.
Although Yuan Qi Shao Yuan Che was not the most prominent among the Yuan family's young masters, and his status was not as significant, he was said to be quite capable.
Was this person also part of the Brotherhood?