Half an hour later, Jun Ruowang left the Chen family, protected by guards and bodyguards.
Chen Fan, on the other hand, stayed for another hour, playing two rounds of chess with the old gentleman before leaving the Chen family.
Even if observant individuals noticed his meeting with Jun Ruowang, they wouldn't pay much attention. It was normal for someone of Jun Ruowang's stature to visit an honored elder like Old Mr. Chen.
No one knew that during their half-hour chat, they had discussed many things, deciding on numerous arrangements for the next two to three days.
Upon returning to Chen Xing'er's siheyuan, Chen Fan saw two girls in pajamas sitting on the sofa, watching television while munching on snacks.
Chen Xing'er, with no regard for decorum, had her legs propped up on the coffee table.
"Tianjiao gege!"
Cao Wan, however, seemed a little embarrassed and quickly stood up to greet him.
Chen Fan nodded and chided Chen Xing'er, "Chen Xing'er, you're a young lady, mind your manners. Look at Wan'er, then look at yourself. Don't you see the huge difference?"
"I say, you're not home all day, and you come back just to lecture me?"
Chen Xing'er rolled her eyes and said, "Meeting a brother like you is truly my misfortune."
Cao Wan smoothed things over, "Tianjiao gege, have you had dinner? If not, I can make something for you."
"Thank you, Wan'er, I've already eaten," Chen Fan replied.
"As a brother, you don't even care if your little sister has eaten, while you're out having fun?" Chen Xing'er complained.
"Are you still a three-year-old child that I need to take care of your meals?"
Chen Fan, too lazy to argue, said, "Wan'er, this girl has caused you trouble. Please be more tolerant. I'll treat you to a meal to thank you when I'm done with my business."
"Tianjiao gege, you're too kind," Cao Wan said with a sweet smile.
Chen Fan smiled, exchanged a few more pleasantries, and then entered his room to slowly meditate and absorb the knowledge from the Dragon Pattern Compass.
The next morning, Chen Fan called Xiang Jingzhu, arranging for her to investigate the whereabouts of Yin Ya Zi and his two companions.
Before he could finish the call, he saw Chen Xing'er, exquisitely dressed, walking out hand-in-hand with Cao Wan.
Putting down his phone, Chen Fan asked, "Chen Xing'er, where are you two going?"
"What, are you in charge of where I go now?"
Chen Xing'er giggled and said, "I'm going on a blind date. Do you want to come and vet the guy?"
Chen Fan's face darkened, "What blind date?"
Cao Wan chuckled and said, "Tianjiao gege, we're going to an art exhibition."
Though he wished to stop Chen Xing'er from leaving, he knew she wouldn't listen. He shook his head helplessly and said, "It's not very peaceful in the capital these days. Be careful, and call me if anything happens."
"Got it, you nag," Chen Xing'er mumbled.
Cao Wan sweetly agreed, "Okay, Tianjiao gege."
"Be careful, and come home early if there's nothing else."
Chen Fan added again.
Chen Xing'er waved her hand, pulling Cao Wan along as they drove away.
Chen Fan then called Qi Wu, asking him to arrange for someone to guard the place. The Brotherhood acted without any scruples, so he had to be prepared.
Shortly after, Ye Yunchen called, urging him to go to the Wang mansion. Chen Fan then drove out.
Half an hour later, Chen Fan and Ye Yunchen met outside an old alley.
"Brother Chen."
Ye Yunchen, holding a box, walked up to him and said, "You're finally here."
"What are you holding?" Chen Fan asked.
"Some antiques. Since we're asking for something, we can't go empty-handed," Ye Yunchen said helplessly. "As long as we can get that Jade Ruyi back, we're willing to pay ten times its value, but I'm afraid the Wang family might not agree!"
Chen Fan remained noncommittal and said, "Let's go in then."
Given the Wang family's background and status, whether they would return something didn't depend on the price offered, but rather on whether the person could impress them. Of course, Ye Yunchen knew this, otherwise, he wouldn't have brought Chen Fan along. As for whether the Wang family would give face, that was another matter.
The two entered the alley and soon came to an ancient mansion, stately and grand in its traditional style.
"This Wang mansion, during the previous dynasty, was said to be a prince's residence," Ye Yunchen said.
Chen Fan didn't pay much mind to it and gestured for Ye Yunchen to knock on the door.
The door opened quickly, and a Wang family disciple with a composed expression looked at Chen Fan and was taken aback.
"Is Shuhuan-xiong here?" Ye Yunchen said, "I arranged to visit him yesterday."
"Gang Leader Ye, and Mr. Chen… please come in."
The disciple stepped aside, signaling someone to report their arrival. "The two of you will be served tea in the front hall. My young master will be here soon."
Chen Fan and Ye Yunchen waited in the front hall.
A moment later, the person who had gone to report returned and said, "Young Master requests that you both proceed directly to his entertainment room."
Entertainment room? Both Chen Fan and Ye Yunchen were somewhat surprised by this.
Following the guide disciple, they arrived at a room in the back courtyard. Upon entering, they found a rather large space. Unlike the exterior's traditional decor, this room was furnished in a modern, electronic style.
Around a semicircular console, several people sat with their backs to the door, wearing headphones and rapidly operating computers, shouting loudly.
Chen Fan, with his photographic memory, recognized the person in the center at a glance. It was none other than Wang Shuhuan. He was playing a game, deeply engrossed.
The Wang family disciple guiding them appeared somewhat embarrassed. This situation was undoubtedly a bit humiliating. The young master of the prestigious Wang family, himself a master of the Hua Jin level, was addicted to video games?
"Young master, they've arrived…" the guiding disciple whispered to Wang Shuhuan.
Wang Shuhuan continued typing furiously on his computer, ignoring him completely. On the screen of the top-of-the-line computer, a team battle was underway, reaching a critical juncture.
The Wang family disciple gave Chen Fan and Ye Yunchen a wry smile and stopped urging.
"Quick, quick, attack!"
"I'm CC'd, Lao Hei, use your ultimate!"
"Damn, be careful, Second Brother, he's coming…"
"I'm down, hold on…"
"…"
In the intense battle, various notification messages appeared, showing the death toll of heroes on both sides. Finally, all five screens went dark.
"Honestly, you guys are too weak!" Wang Shuhuan removed his headphones, looking displeased. "Mingcong, what happened? You guys focused fire on the tank, and we got wiped out. Won't Yaozai and the others laugh their heads off?"
The others also removed their headphones and turned around, revealing their young faces, looking somewhat helpless.
"Young Master Wang, the enemy hero Shi Jia drew aggro, so it's not entirely our fault!"
"Young Master Wang, don't be upset, let's have another round!"
"…"
Wang Shuhuan was still indignant. He typed a line and said, "I have something to attend to. Wait for me to handle it."
With that, he turned around, nodded at Chen Fan and Ye Yunchen, and said, "My apologies, Mr. Chen, Gang Leader Ye. This is just my hobby, forgive my rudeness."
"I didn't expect Young Master Wang to have such a hobby," Ye Yunchen said, a little unsure how to phrase it, with a smile.
"Serve tea to the two gentlemen," Wang Shuhuan stood up and said, "I am truly sorry. You two coming here, I should have rolled out the red carpet."
"However, I don't have much acquaintance with either of you, so I won't be overly polite. If you have something to discuss, please state it directly."
"I had no opportunity to play games when I was in Langya. Only by coming to the capital can I play to my heart's content. Please excuse my behavior!"