How is this possible?!
Chen Fan—how did he get in?!
The head bodyguard had clearly said just moments ago that Wei Jingxiong was busy with something important today and wouldn't be receiving any guests.
So why had Chen Fan just been let in while they were still stuck outside like a pair of pitiful fools—unable to even step into the estate, let alone meet the legendary Wei Jingxiong?
What the hell was going on?!
Chen Yicui's face had gone pale. She couldn't make sense of any of this.
And so, in her frustration, she directed all her anger at Zhu Hongyi.
"What the hell is wrong with you?!"
She snapped at him.
"I… I don't know either! How did that guy even get in…"
Zhu Hongyi replied helplessly.
"Chen Fan is just a cast-off from our Chen family. A useless loser who can only live off Xia Mengmeng—how did he get in? You're a legitimate heir of the Zhu family, for heaven's sake!"
Chen Yicui seethed.
"Wait… what did you just say?""Chen Fan's mooching… is from Xia Mengmeng?"
Zhu Hongyi's jaw practically hit the ground.
He'd seen Xia Mengmeng before—the beloved daughter of the Xia Corporation, stunningly beautiful, with a background far superior to Chen Yicui's.
Earlier, when Yicui had said Chen Fan lived off a woman, he'd assumed it was some sixty-year-old sugar mama. But now she was saying it was Xia Mengmeng?
That kind of freeloading was on a whole other level.
If he could land someone like Xia Mengmeng, he'd be grinning in his sleep. He'd even cut ties with the Zhu family for that.
"Who asked you about that? I'm asking why you couldn't get us inside!"
Chen Yicui shouted, snapping him out of his daze.
"Damn… Chen Fan is a legend, a role model… a god, even."
But Zhu Hongyi was no longer listening. He was completely absorbed in his newfound adoration for Chen Fan.
"Hey! Zhu Hongyi, did you hear me? Didn't you say you could get us in to see Wei Jingxiong? Then why the hell are we still stuck here?!"
Yicui roared again.
"Would you just shut up already? It's not like this is my fault! If you've got the guts, go get in yourself!"
Zhu Hongyi snapped back, finally losing patience.
"You… what kind of attitude is that?!"
Chen Yicui was stunned. Wasn't Zhu Hongyi supposed to be her loyal pursuer? How dare he speak to her like this?
"You what? Just leave already. I don't want to see you. I'm staying right here to wait for my idol to come out. I'm going to offer myself as his loyal little follower…"
Zhu Hongyi stared toward the gates of the estate, eyes shining with worshipful admiration.
At that moment, he didn't care about Chen Yicui anymore. If he could just learn even a tenth—no, a fifth—no, a single percent of Chen Fan's ways, that would be enough.
Forget this green tea girl with average looks. He had a new goal now.
"You!!"
Chen Yicui was trembling with rage.
First, she'd been publicly humiliated by Chen Fan. Now, her own admirer was turning on her for the sake of that loser?
She couldn't take it anymore.
"You just wait!!"
She screamed, hailing a cab and storming off in fury.
Left behind, Zhu Hongyi remained rooted to the spot, his eyes fixed longingly on the estate gates, waiting for his idol Chen Fan to come back out.
Inside the estate, Chen Fan followed the head bodyguard deep into the compound.
The guard had already notified the household via walkie-talkie.
Upon hearing that the new owner of Wangjiang Pavilion had arrived, Wei Jingxiong himself came out to greet him.
When Wei Jingxiong laid eyes on the youthful Chen Fan, he was visibly surprised.
"The new owner of Wangjiang Pavilion—Chen Fan."
Chen Fan introduced himself.
"Wei Jingxiong. CEO of Wei Security."
Wei replied, extending his hand.
Chen Fan reached out as well, and the two men shook.
However, the moment their hands met, Wei suddenly exerted force—a subtle challenge, a test of dominance.
Truth be told, he hadn't invited Chen Fan—no, the owner of Wangjiang Pavilion—out of kindness.
As a powerful figure in Jiangzhou, Wei Jingxiong had already set his sights on Wangjiang Pavilion, the city's top-tier restaurant. Acquiring it would greatly boost his business empire.
Today, he was testing the waters. If Chen Fan lacked strength, he'd make his move.
But Chen Fan showed no reaction. Calm and composed, he increased his grip in return.
Wei Jingxiong may have climbed to the top through ruthless struggle, and his physical strength was impressive—but he was no match for a top-tier combat master like Chen Fan.
In that moment, Chen Fan knew he'd made the right call in acquiring those elite fighting skills from the system earlier.
As soon as he applied pressure, Wei Jingxiong sensed something was wrong.
He didn't want to lose this test of strength. He redoubled his effort—but no matter how hard he squeezed, Chen Fan remained utterly unaffected.
Soon, Wei was gritting his teeth, his arm trembling slightly—but still losing ground.
Chen Fan, meanwhile, stood there effortlessly—like a mountain.
"Mr. Chen, your strength is... extraordinary. I concede."
Wei Jingxiong finally relented, acknowledging defeat.
He had clearly underestimated this Mr. Chen. Regardless of anything else, the man's strength and skill alone were not to be taken lightly.
Only then did Chen Fan release his grip.
Round one: Chen Fan wins.
"Please—this way."
Wei gestured politely, inviting Chen Fan inside.
In the living room, a man with silver-rimmed glasses and a refined demeanor awaited them.
"Let me introduce my assistant—Mr. Lu Zhen."
Wei said.
Chen Fan had heard of Mr. Lu before. Though called an "assistant," he was more like Wei Jingxiong's personal strategist.
Chen Fan nodded in greeting, and Lu Zhen returned the gesture.
After they took their seats, Wei wasted no time beginning his true test.
The handshake was just the appetizer. Now came the real course.
"Mr. Chen, what do you think of my estate?"
Wei Jingxiong asked casually.
"Quite impressive."
Chen Fan nodded. In truth, the estate was impressive—Chen Fan wouldn't mind having one like it someday.
"You flatter me. It's rather ordinary, really. Not large enough. I'm planning to buy out the surrounding two kilometers and expand."
Wei said casually.
"Mr. Lu, how much would that cost?"
He turned to his assistant.
"Rough estimate—about 1.5 billion."
Lu Zhen replied after a quick calculation.
"Only 1.5 billion? Pocket change. That's just a few months' profit for our group."
Wei said grandly, flaunting his wealth.
Chen Fan didn't respond—but in his heart, he scoffed.
"1.5 billion? That's nothing. I make more than that in a day."
Noticing that Chen Fan remained unimpressed, Wei Jingxiong decided to switch tactics.