Xu Fan didn't want to see Xiao Lan scammed, but the one scamming Xiao Lan was a famous appraiser from Jinling who Xiao Lan trusted immensely...

Under such circumstances, Xu Fan guessed that speaking up probably wouldn't make any difference.

At the same time, Xu Fan was also curious about what Shu Yan's purpose was for deceiving Xiao Lan, so he kept silent for the moment and watched patiently to see how things would unfold.

Soon, Shu Yan came out from inside the shop, carrying a long box and starting to pack up the painting.

At that moment, a series of footsteps could be heard approaching from outside the shop.

"Hmm? Lan, you're here too?"

A man dressed in a suit and leather shoes entered the Qingzhu Zhai, followed by his bodyguards.

Xu Fan watched from the side, taken aback.

It had been a very long time since their last meeting at Chen Longhu's restaurant, and he hadn't expected to encounter him here again.

Xu Fan didn't have a favorable impression of Chen Longhu, and his sudden arrival made Xu Fan raise an eyebrow, wondering if this incident could be related to Chen Longhu.

His untimely presence made it hard for Xu Fan not to be suspicious of him.

"Little Tiger, what a coincidence, huh?"

As Chen Longhu approached Xiao Lan, Xu Fan let out a sly laugh and stepped directly in front of Xiao Lan.

Chen Longhu frowned repeatedly, obviously not too fond of the nickname Little Tiger.

"Heh, quite the coincidence."

Chen Longhu hummed perfunctorily.

To Chen Longhu, Xu Fan was just lucky, if it weren't for the Flying Eagle Gang suddenly falling on hard times, this guy would have been dead long ago!

"Little Tiger, you didn't come here to get into some 'foul play' with Shu Yan, did you? Lan, I think I've stumbled upon something scandalous here!"

At this moment, Xu Fan added another teasing remark, glancing back and forth between Chen Longhu and Shu Yan, causing Chen Longhu to become noticeably anxious.

"Kid, what nonsense are you spouting!"

"Tsk tsk, nervous, are we? Surely there isn't an actual affair between you two?"

Chen Longhu was now like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, and Xu Fan squinted his eyes, feeling that his guess was likely correct—Shu Yan's scam on Xiao Lan must have something to do with Chen Longhu!

"Brother, you shouldn't spout nonsense, I have a wife and children. This gentleman only came to buy something," Shu Yan stepped in, smiling as he explained.

Upon hearing this, Xu Fan couldn't help but snort; this guy really knows how to act, doesn't he?

"Xu Fan, stop joking around, Shu Yan runs an antique store, it's normal for anyone to come here," Xiao Lan chimed in, defending Shu Yan.

"Alright, it's getting late, let's get going," Xiao Lan said, picking up the packed painting and urging Xu Fan to leave with her.

Xu Fan grimaced, this naive girl was being cheated and yet she was helping to count the money for the scammer...

"Hmm?"

Suddenly, his gaze swept over to a painting hanging on the wall to the side, and Xu Fan's eyebrows shot up.

He hadn't expected to find such good stuff inside Qingzhu Zhai...

After a moment of thought, Xu Fan walked over to the painting.

"Hehe, Mr. Shu Yan, how about you give me this painting as a gift?"

"Xu Fan, you this..."

At that moment, Xiao Lan didn't know the painting she held was a fake; she just thought Xu Fan was being unreasonable.

Xu Fan smiled and explained, "Sister Lan, I'm accompanying you to wish someone a happy birthday today. I can't just go empty-handed, can I?"

"You bought that painting, and Shu Yan has made a full two million off of it. A buy-one-get-one-free deal isn't too much to ask for, is it?"

"..."

Xiao Lan shook her head with a laugh and a cry, this guy, acting like he's at a vegetable market, even expecting a buy-one-get-one-free deal...

Feeling somewhat apologetic, Xiao Lan then glanced over at Shu Yan.

Shu Yan shook his head generously and said, "Sister Lan, don't worry about it. Since your friend likes it, just take it. After all, it's just a slightly better fake, not worth much."

After saying this, Shu Yan took on the demeanor of an elder and began to educate Xu Fan, saying, "Young man, the antiques industry has many intricacies. It's not as simple as you think. Many people believe they are experts, but in fact, they are amateurs who cannot see the value. This painting is worth at most five thousand yuan. You've been led astray."

"Heh, that's not necessarily the case."

Xu Fan narrowed his eyes and hummed, not caring about the other's insinuation that he couldn't tell the real from the fake, and then took down the painting and started packing it himself.

By taking this painting, the two million Sister Lan spent was not a loss, but a gain.

"Okay, Sister Lan, let's go first."

It was likely that Chen Longhu was here to attend the birthday banquet too.

Xu Fan was not in a hurry. He would wait until the banquet to see what this guy was up to. Then, taking Xiao Lan with him, he left Qingzhu Zhai.

...

"Hmph, all this joy over something worth a few thousand yuan? What a bumpkin!"

After Xu Fan and Xiao Lan had left, Chen Longhu couldn't help but sneer.

"Shu Yan, where's the thing I asked for?"

He immediately got down to business, and after Shu Yan acknowledged, he brought out a painting from inside the shop.

"Hehe, Mr. Chen, this is the genuine article you requested."

Shu Yan walked up to Chen Longhu, smiling and unrolled the scroll for him.

If Qin Lan were here, she would have been incredibly shocked—as the painting Shu Yan was holding was identical to the one she had just taken!

After looking at it, Chen Longhu nodded in satisfaction, a cold smile curling the corner of his mouth.

"Hmph, if there are two identical paintings, then one must be fake. Xiao Lan, with so many people present later, I'd like to see how you explain yourself to Uncle Yao."

...

Unaware of the dark plot Chen Longhu had laid, Xiao Lan was now leading Xu Fan to Uncle Yao's villa.

It was almost eleven o'clock, and the villa was already filled with guests who were chatting in the courtyard.

Not only that, but those who couldn't attend in person had sent gifts through others.

Even Old Master Guan had someone deliver a gift on his behalf.

Xu Fan quietly observed from the side, thinking to himself that this Uncle Yao must be quite a respectable figure in the Jinling area.

Soon, under everyone's expectant gaze, an elderly man in traditional attire, supported by a group of people, came out of the villa's main gate.

The old man moved with a dignified grace despite his age, his white hair betraying his years, but his back was still straight! Each movement he made exuded an air of nobility!

As he walked out, everyone approached him, offering their congratulations one by one.

Following that, they started to present their carefully prepared gifts.

Xiao Lan watched with a slight smile and then said to Xu Fan, "Xu Fan, let's go, too. We should head over."

Xu Fan nodded and followed Xiao Lan, his gaze searching through the crowd. He quickly spotted Chen Longhu.

Chen Longhu, with a smile, glanced at Xu Fan and then quickly walked over to Uncle Yao!

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