Eventually, the matter of Xu Fan becoming a disciple of Zen Master Wu Ming just fell through.

Now that they had descended from Qixia Mountain and gotten back into the car, Xiao Lan didn't start driving with previously seen anxiety. Instead, she sat in the driver's seat and stared unashamedly and directly at Xu Fan.

She seemed like a curious baby who couldn't wait to get a careful and clear look at this guy right now.

Xu Fan was also unusually patient, just letting Xiao Lan size him up, and even reminded her kindly in the end.

"Lan Sister, if it bothers you to look at me with clothes on, I can take them all off right now."

"Get lost."

This banter made Xiao Lan lose interest in unmasking the guy. No matter his identity, to her, he was still the little hoodlum brother who could make her happy.

Starting the Continental GT and heading back home, Xiao Lan gave instructions: "Alright, there's nothing else, you little rascal, hurry up and go to school."

No sooner had she spoken, than her phone rang in her pocket. After answering the call, Xiao Lan's face darkened.

"Lan Sister, what's wrong?"

Xu Fan couldn't hear clearly what was said on the call, but from Xiao Lan's expression right now, it obviously wasn't anything good.

"It's nothing, just a small matter in business..."

Xiao Lan sighed softly and glanced at Xu Fan.

She couldn't have imagined that despite trying to keep a low profile over the years, it was because of her foster brother Xu Fan that this war had been brought into the open.

"Phew, okay, you can go. I have some matters to attend to and need to leave first."

Taking a deep breath and forcing a smile for Xu Fan, Xiao Lan got ready to get back in the car.

With a bang, she closed the car door and, before she could let go of the forced relaxation on her face, she caught a glimpse out of the corner of her eye. Xu Fan, as if possessed, had followed her into the car.

"Didn't I tell you to go back to class?"

Xiao Lan glared at Xu Fan, her tone tinted with annoyance, but Xu Fan didn't care and, with a grin, said, "Lan Sister, when have I ever walked out halfway through playing hooky?"

"Today, I must stay with you all day."

Xu Fan might be a beast, but he was a beast with heart and loyalty.

As a man, how could he just walk away when Xiao Lan was in trouble?

She has always been sincere with me, so I obviously can't do any less.

That was Xu Fan's principle.

In the end, Xiao Lan couldn't argue with Xu Fan, and as the Continental GT drove off, he asked, "Lan Sister, does this have something to do with me?"

Xu Fan had a hunch, and he had guessed right.

This matter, Xu Fan, could be called the fuse.

In the past, Chen Longhu's pressure against her had been limited to threats and tripping her up under the table, but Xu Fan's repeated provocations finally exhausted this already narrow-minded man's already scarce patience.

What followed would be an overt clash, a war whose outcome Xiao Lan couldn't foresee.

Despite his luxurious life, Chen Longhu was still unsatisfied, he needed, even longed to climb higher.

In this, he needed to overcome Xiao Lan, and also, to seize that one thing she held in her hands.

Xiao Lan gripped the steering wheel, her eyes filled with worry, and she glanced at Xu Fan subconsciously.

...

Heading west, at last, the Continental GT stopped in the West City area of Jinling.

Jumping down from the car and seeing the vast market in front of him, Xu Fan couldn't help but frown.

"Uh, Sister Lan, does your family's supermarket really sell these things?"

The market before them was primarily a jade trading venue, which seemed incongruous with Xiao Lan's public role as a supermarket owner, prompting Xu Fan to tease her subconsciously.

"..."

Her already heavy heart felt somewhat lighter after Xu Fan's teasing.

Xiao Lan shook her head and said, "Who told you supermarkets can't sell these? Believe it or not, I might just put a few on sale tomorrow."

Of course, that was a joke. The market's main attraction was the trade of jadeite rough stones, also known as 'gamble stones.'

One cut can lead to poverty, another to wealth, or leaving one in simple hemp cloth. The price of good-quality rough stones could reach millions. How could such expensive items, typically toys for the rich, appear in a supermarket frequented by ordinary people?

After a heartfelt sigh, Xiao Lan then said, "Since I brought you here, Xu Fan, I won't hide it from you. The person giving me a headache today is none other than Chen Longhu."

"Hm? Sister Lan, what exactly is going on?"

Xiao Lan took a deep breath and explained, "I have a certain investment in the jade business, and recently, I heard that a batch of high-quality rough stones was arriving. Just as our Jade Firm was running low on jadeite, I specifically asked the Jade King from Diannan to help me select rough stones to fill the gap at the Jade Firm."

"But just now, I received news that the Jade King whom I brought in from Diannan has turned coat and is now working for Chen Longhu…"

"This…"

After listening to Xiao Lan's explanation, Xu Fan couldn't help but grimace, no wonder he hadn't seen Xiao Lan for a while.

Having a certain understanding of jade, Xu Fan grasped the severity of the situation.

Without access to good jadeite, the Jade Firm would lack the material to manufacture finished jade products. This was not just a problem of business alone.

In the jade trade, which is fiercely competitive, if this news were to spread and be confirmed, it could likely lead to the firm's closure…

Realizing the reason behind this, Xu Fan felt somewhat guilty.

When all was said and done, it all came down to him.

If he hadn't taken five million from Chen Longhu, he wouldn't have been so desperately cornered.

Now that Lu Jiuzhi was probably finished, Chen Longhu's casino business would no longer be thriving, and his actions were most likely an attempt to recoup the losses caused by Xu Fan…

After taking a deep breath, Xu Fan patted Xiao Lan on the shoulder and comforted her, "Come on, Sister Lan, don't be too sad. It's just one Jade King gone; without him, we can still pick rough stones."

"..."

Xu Fan was trying to comfort himself, but to Xiao Lan, it seemed a little too hasty.

She knew that none of the people around her had more understanding of rough stones than that renowned Jade King…

Xiao Lan had already imagined the outcome that awaited them.

No doubt, once this batch of rough stones arrived, most that turned out green would probably be snatched up by Chen Longhu!

And as for herself?

Xiao Lan could only smile bitterly. She feared not even the soup would be left for her...

Despite feeling despondent, Xiao Lan still led Xu Fan into the market at that moment.

"Sister Lan, you've arrived…"

After locating the place, a subordinate who had been waiting for a while greeted them as soon as he saw Xiao Lan approaching.

"Have you found any other reliable people?"

Upon hearing Xiao Lan's inquiry, the subordinate couldn't help but let out a bitter smile.

When it comes to gamble stones, even the most reliable person falls short in comparison to the Jade King...

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