Like a pebble tossed into the sea, Xu Fan's insignificant comment did not stir any waves in the hall.

Although the Ke Family was not as deeply rooted in Shanghai as the Li Family, it could still be considered a burgeoning elite household. Li Qinghe, a woman of the Li Family, was engaged to the now-famed Ke Longxiang of Shanghai. Using the term "a match of equal social standing" to describe their marriage was by no means an overstatement.

What right did Xu Fan—a likely goner by tomorrow, a mere passing dragon from Jiangnan—have to make such a statement?

The onlookers standing by could not help but sneer upon hearing this.

Ke Bancheng and Ana, with more pronounced mockery on their faces, found Xu Fan ridiculous. Could he really believe that his few words could sever the marriage alliance between the two families?

What a joke.

"Hehe, young man, betrothal decisions are made by the parents and the matchmaker. This marriage of Qinghe is a decision I personally made; how dare an outsider like you make ignorant comments?"

Old Master Li looked at Xu Fan with indifference. His interaction with the young man had left him without any favorable impression.

He disliked those who overstep boundaries, especially a young man who might threaten the Li Family's position in Shanghai.

With a cold glance at Xu Fan, he huffed, "Young man, you are not welcome here. Please leave."

"Ridiculous..."

Seeing the stubborn stance of the old man, Xu Fan could not help but let out a cold laugh.

Li Qinghe, a star now famous throughout the north and south of Huaxia, was someone Xu Fan hadn't taken the time to understand, not even her on-screen work.

But his intuition told him that this woman was not willing to accept a marriage arranged by others.

In a sense, she was similar to Xia Xiaodie...

Thinking about his current relationship with Xia Xiaodie, Xu Fan couldn't help but laugh at himself.

"I will take my leave."

Glancing at Li Qinghe, who stood beside her grandfather like a soulless body, Xu Fan turned and walked straight toward the exit of the banquet hall.

...

After leaving the Eastern Hotel, leading Zhou Zhanlong and Hu Busan, and guided by Lingyan Pavilion's subordinates stationed in Shanghai, the trio visited a few of Lingyan Pavilion's businesses in the city.

Compared to native Shanghai powerhouses like the Li Family and Ke Longxiang, Lingyan Pavilion's presence in the city was virtually negligible.

Moreover, after having written off Xu Fan as dead, the Ke Family-led Shanghai clans had unhesitatingly struck, leaving Lingyan Pavilion in Shanghai with just a few remaining pawns, now even more vulnerable...

This sight couldn't help but greatly disappoint Zhou Zhanlong and Hu Busan, who had been looking forward to making a splash.

There's an old saying that even a mighty dragon cannot defeat a local snake, and given such an inauspicious start, they found it hard to imagine how they could take anything from the powerful families of Shanghai.

As dusk approached, Zhou Zhanlong and Hu Busan left with Xu Fan from a company affiliated with Lingyan Pavilion.

"Master, it's about time to head to the airport," Hu Busan reminded him, sounding somewhat dejected.

Today's journey was meant only for declaring war; they had planned to return to Jinling around this time from the outset.

Not to mention, given the current situation, it was indeed necessary to return and thoroughly strategize on the next steps.

"You two go back first. I still have some matters to take care of. I'll return in a few days," Xu Fan said, taking a deep breath.

"This... Master, could that be..."

Hearing Xu Fan's decision, Hu Busan hesitated, feeling reluctant to accept it.

Today's journey can be said to have offended the Li Family and the Ke Family to death. This is always someone else's turf, and Xu Fan, staying here alone, might be too dangerous...

"Master, then I'll stay with you!"

Zhou Zhanlong actually didn't have those concerns and patted his chest, volunteering to stay as well.

"It's not worth it."

Xu Fan shook his head and directly rejected Zhou Zhanlong's kind offer.

He looked at Zhou Zhanlong seriously and said, "You two might encounter some trouble on the way back later. Stay by Hu Busan's side, both of you be careful and don't get into trouble."

"Hmm, I understand."

Zhou Zhanlong was brash, but he could think clearly about this issue.

Compared to Xu Fan, whose martial prowess far surpassed his own, Hu Busan was the one who needed to worry more.

Not to mention other people, just the Ke Family alone wouldn't allow the three of them to return to Jinling easily...

"Okay, you guys go ahead and leave."

After giving his instructions, Xu Fan sent the two off to the airport, then drove around Shanghai by himself.

When night fell, he parked the car in the center of Shanghai.

It was not that he had nowhere to go in Shanghai; Miaomiao lived in Shanghai, and his plan to stay temporarily included meeting with her.

It's just that now was not the right time.

Getting out of the car, the endless bustling neon lights met his eyes. Leaning against his car, Xu Fan searched around and quickly set his sights on a bar called MUSE.

It was no less grand than the Night Intoxication Bar, and in Shanghai, it was considered fairly large. Xu Fan took a deep breath and walked straight in.

His purpose in visiting the bar was always simple: places like this, where all sorts gathered, were often the best to gather information.

Xu Fan estimated that after entering, he could get a rough understanding of the situation in Shanghai.

As soon as he entered the bar, his ears were completely engulfed by heavy metal music. The dazzling lights flickered nonstop, and on the dance floor, men and women in various outfits twisted their bodies wildly to the rhythm of the music, yearning for a sliver of peace for their souls.

Xu Fan scanned the scene briefly, then sat down alone at the bar, ordered a drink, and quietly watched the chaotic dance.

He didn't strike up a conversation and casually sipped his drink while listening to the chats of the people around him.

"Tsk, coward..."

"With that kind of courage, you dare to come here trying to pick up girls?"

The bar area was often the battlefield for those enthusiastic about one-night stands. A few men, dressed as lavishly as peacocks, looked at Xu Fan, who was quietly enjoying his drink, and couldn't help but snicker.

In their view, taking a woman from here to bed was not as simple as just buying a drink and sitting around.

Only by making a move could they stir up the loneliness hidden deep within the hearts of the women who entered Muse.

Sitting idly by would leave them with no chance at all.

Xu Fan smiled and didn't pay too much attention to the disdain of these guys. Instead, he sifted through the various pieces of information he had just heard.

Sifting out the true from the false, he managed to gather quite a bit of useful information.

In a moment's time, the whiskey in his glass was finished, and Xu Fan placed the glass down, preparing to order another.

At that moment, someone sat down beside him and snapped his fingers at the bartender inside the bar.

"Excuse me, two whiskeys, please."

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