The red balls exploded from the break.
But unlike before, although scattered, not a single red ball rolled towards the pocket.
Chiyano's expression turned flustered.
Chen Fan, unhurried, pocketed the balls one by one.
Chiyano put down his cue, pressed both hands on the edge of the table, and exerted immense force, attempting to use his internal energy to stop Chen Fan from sinking the balls.
But even when he pushed his hidden energy to its limit, he couldn't affect Chen Fan in the slightest.
Unless he completely threw aside all pretense of honor and simply smashed the table with his hands.
But doing so would not only be breaking the rules but also a provocation to Chen Fan…
He dared not. If he truly did that, he feared Chen Fan would swat him dead with a single palm.
Before coming, Shen Tinghao had told him about some of Chen Fan's exploits. This man had even defeated martial arts grandmasters, while he was merely at the Huajin level.
If it weren't for the favor owed to Shen Tinghao, the young master of the Shen family, he wouldn't have dared to provoke Chen Fan.
Of course, even martial artists had their rules. Playing billiards was another matter entirely.
Chen Fan completely ignored Chiyano's actions, pocketing balls at a steady pace.
The game quickly concluded.
The score was three to one.
Shen Tinghao's face grew increasingly grim, and his followers fell silent.
The situation was now abundantly clear: Chiyano would not only lose, but he would lose spectacularly.
His face twitched violently, and Chiyano's urge to smash the billiard table grew stronger, but ultimately, he dared not.
"Splendid, truly a feast for the eyes. Has this kid gone silent?" Wu Chaoyang said with a smile.
Fang Qiong, who had been keeping score, looked at the calm Chen Fan, her eyes shining with a different kind of light, almost mesmerized.
This man, not only of extraordinary status but also possessing a demeanor far beyond that of ordinary people.
If only he would take notice of her… but alas, this thought only lingered in the depths of her heart.
For these top figures of society, let alone a minor celebrity like herself, even a hugely popular big star would be overlooked.
Hadn't many female celebrities tried to enter wealthy families and failed?
She dared not hope for more, only wishing for the right moment to beg Chen Fan for help in resolving the trouble caused by Young Master Guan.
Chen Fan raised his cue, looked at Shen Tinghao, and said, "Young Master Shen, do you wish to continue?"
"Of course, why wouldn't I?" Shen Tinghao, unwilling to concede, gritted his teeth and said, "Nine games, best of five. You've only won three, there are two more games."
"Alright." Chen Fan was indifferent to this.
Wu Chaoyang, however, chuckled, "Young Master Shen, isn't that a bit unsportsmanlike? It's clear you're going to lose, so why persist? Isn't it a waste of time?"
"Since it's a competition, what's wrong with seeing it through to the end?" Shen Tinghao snorted.
Wu Chaoyang shrugged and said, "If Young Master Shen insists on losing disgracefully, then so be it!"
Shen Tinghao's face turned cold, and he fell silent.
"How about this, then? Let Mr. Chiyano take ten shots consecutively. As long as he sinks any ball, I'll consider it my loss. What do you think, Young Master Shen?"
Seeing Shen Tinghao still arguing with Wu Chaoyang, Chen Fan let out a sneer and suddenly spoke again.
Originally, since Shen Tinghao insisted, Chen Fan was indifferent.
But seeing Shen Tinghao's current frantic state, showing no regard for Wu Chaoyang's face, a thought struck Chen Fan, and he blurted out the proposal.
Upon hearing this, Shen Tinghao's face darkened.
It was too arrogant, too contemptuous.
To let the opponent take ten shots in a row, did he truly regard Chiyano as a three-year-old child?
And was he so confident that Chiyano wouldn't sink a single ball?
Chiyano didn't understand the nuances of the Chinese language very well, but he grasped the basic meaning. Upon hearing this, he was both surprised and enraged.
"Bastard…" he couldn't help but curse.
Chen Fan said leisurely, "Originally, Young Master Shen and your group had already lost. But you stubbornly refused to give up. So, I have no choice but to shatter your last glimmer of hope and let you know the immensity of the heavens and the depth of the earth!"
Without waiting for the grim-faced Shen Tinghao to reply, he said to Chiyano, "Mr. Chiyano, please. You can take ten shots consecutively. Even if you sink any ball, including the cue ball, it counts as my loss."
Then, he smiled at Shen Tinghao and said, "At that time, the Changchun Vase will be presented with both hands."
Shen Tinghao trembled with rage.
As the young master of the prestigious Shen family, did he have no regard for his own reputation?
Whether he agreed or disagreed, he had already lost all face today, letting Chen Fan trample and rub it on the ground.
Even if he won in such a manner, his reputation would be tarnished.
Chiyano was also furious. He stared at Chen Fan with anger.
However, Shen Tinghao's followers saw this as an opportunity and began to persuade him.
Shen Tinghao was in a dilemma, whether to agree or not.
"This guy is simply too arrogant. Mr. Chiyano, since you've already lost, make him pay a price!" one follower said indignately.
"Yes, Mr. Chiyano, play the game!" another follower, seeing Shen Tinghao's predicament, actively urged Chiyano.
Chiyano gritted his teeth, his expression shifting, and he picked up his cue to break.
He knew that according to the original wager, he had already lost. But he was shameless enough.
Since he was already losing so badly, accepting Chen Fan's humiliating terms, and if it meant obtaining what Young Master Shen desired, then losing face was acceptable, better than gaining nothing.
He gritted his teeth and struck the ball with all his might.
With a snap, the cue ball plunged into the pile of red balls.
Immediately after, with a crack, the cue stick in his hand shattered.
He had struck with such ferocity in his anger that he had even broken his high-quality cue.
The exploding pile of red balls scattered slightly, but all the red balls seemed to be blocked by an invisible net. They moved only a short distance before stopping.
"Good, again!" Chen Fan said with a smile.
Discarding the broken cue, Chiyano switched to another and continued.
With a snap, he channeled his internal energy, attempting to overcome Chen Fan's obstruction.
But it was ultimately in vain.
The second shot, the third shot…
Chiyano was determined to aim in the same direction, seeking only to sink the red ball he had chosen.
However, on the fourth shot, Chen Fan, resting his hand on the table's edge, lightly tapped his finger.
The red ball suddenly spun and veered off to the side.
Chiyano's eyes turned red.
He was renowned in the martial arts world of Sakura Country, a master in his own right. Here, he was being toyed with by Chen Fan in such a manner, completely demoralized.
He was on the verge of tears. If his fellow disciples were to find out, he would become a laughingstock, and might even be ordered to commit seppuku…
He started anew, continuing to strike the ball, shot after shot.
Directly until the final, tenth shot missed, Chiyano was close to tears. He dropped his cue, looking like he had lost his parents.
Chen Fan smiled and said, "Mr. Chiyano, it seems your supposed expertise is nothing more than this!"
Chiyano gritted his teeth, but ultimately dared not make any threatening remarks.
Wu Chaoyang laughed heartily and applauded, "Wonderful, truly wonderful."
"With so many balls on the table, even a three-year-old could sink one or two by chance. Isn't this kid even worse than a three-year-old?" he mocked Chiyano without any reservation.
"Young Master Shen, this time, you won't insist, will you?" he asked, winking at Shen Tinghao.
Shen Tinghao turned and walked towards the exit.
"Hey, Young Master Shen, don't forget the bet you lost. I don't believe you're going to renege, are you?" Wu Chaoyang reminded him.
Shen Tinghao's body stiffened. He turned back and stared intently at Chen Fan, saying, "When it's time to settle, call me. Remember, the conditions must not harm the interests of the Shen family."
Chen Fan smiled and said, "Young Master Shen, rest assured, I won't ask you to do anything that harms the Shen family's interests."
Shen Tinghao snorted, then said, "We'll see."
With that, he walked out and left.
Chiyano, with a crestfallen face, quietly followed, too ashamed to stay in Chen Fan's presence for even another second.