"Shameless..."

Not until Xu Fan looked at her in such a way did Xiao Lan realize that the clothes she was wearing were somewhat revealing.

Xu Fan was still looking at her, and feeling the audacity of his gaze, Xiao Lan couldn't help but blush.

She grabbed a pillow and covered her white, smooth thighs that the hot shorts left exposed.

"Forget it, I'll let you off this time."

She thought to herself that she was just too loose-lipped, always bringing up what should not be mentioned. If this guy really came to experiment on her in person, she wouldn't be able to stop him.

"I've come to talk about serious matters."

It was time to discuss these things with Xu Fan. Xiao Lan now looked at him seriously, ready to start explaining.

"Okay, Lan Sister, go ahead."

Xu Fan instantly stopped frolicking and sat beside her, waiting for her to make things clear.

"Back then, when my brother came to Jinling, he had nothing—no resources, connections, or money."

"He couldn't even be sure where his next meal would come from, let alone dealing with the likes of Lingyan Pavilion."

Having lived through those hard times and reflecting on that period now, Xiao Lan's face was filled with a wistful expression.

She remembered how her brother had almost been attacked to death in order to protect her from being bullied.

Had it not been for her brother's martial arts skills, not to mention Lingyan Pavilion today, the two siblings would have died on the streets of Jinling years ago.

"Actually, when it comes down to it, my brother owes Xia Hengzhou a considerable favor."

"Hmm?"

Hearing this, Xu Fan raised his eyebrows—it seemed Xia Hengzhou was indeed associated with Xiao Tianfang.

"I don't quite remember how my brother met Xia Hengzhou, but he truly provided significant aid to my brother."

When Xiao Tianfang first arrived in Jinling, all he had were his martial arts skills.

Amid the clan politics of Jinling, he didn't have the power to stir up much trouble.

Seemingly convinced that Xiao Tianfang would rise to prominence one day, Xia Hengzhou extended his support when Xiao Tianfang needed it most.

He provided assistance in terms of connections and money, as much as possible.

It could be said that he helped Xiao Tianfang get through the hardest time.

Without him, Lingyan Pavilion as it was known today wouldn't exist.

Xiao Lan reminisced, explaining the past events to Xu Fan as thoroughly as she could.

At this point, she smiled and said, "Not many people know about the camaraderie between Xia Hengzhou and my late brother, and as for the reasons, I believe you don't need me to explain, right?"

Xu Fan nodded, indicating that he understood.

For great achievements, countless sacrifices must be made; Lingyan Pavilion rose from obscurity to its zenith, causing numerous family clans to fall at its feet.

If those people knew that Xia Family helped in this, they would gain no advantage from it.

Both Xia Hengzhou and Xiao Tianfang naturally knew this fact.

"As Lingyan Pavilion grew increasingly powerful, my brother went from being unable to fill his stomach to a person of high status."

"Even the Xia Family couldn't compare to Lingyan Pavilion."

"But my brother knew to remember his roots, and he always kept Xia Hengzhou's kindness in mind."

After the old patriarch of the Xia Family retired, Xia Hengzhou took over and wielded the family's power. Whether it was securing authority or developing the family, Xiao Tianfang provided the utmost help.

He never dared forget the kindness he had received in those days, and he always regarded Xia Hengzhou as his brother.

Hearing this, Xu Fan became somewhat puzzled.

Xiao Tianfang's death, what exactly happened?

"Lan Sister, was your brother's death because he offended someone?"

Xu Fan reasoned that Lingyan Pavilion's rapid rise must have inevitably offended others and wondered if that was the cause.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Lan smiled and shook her head.

"Back then my brother indeed crossed many people, but his skills were not such that those people could kill him."

"The reason he died, can only be said, is because he was too sentimental."

"Hm?"

Listening to Xiao Lan's explanation, could it be that Xiao Tianfang's death was related to Xia Hengzhou?

"Sister Lan, what exactly happened?"

Without waiting, Xu Fan couldn't help but ask.

Xiao Lan smiled and said, "Not many people knew about the relationship between Xia Hengzhou and my brother, one of them included Xia Hengzhou's personal guard."

"Xia Sanjiu?"

Xiao Lan nodded and said, "Xia Sanjiu could be said to have watched Lingyan Pavilion grow step by step. In the early days, some of Xia Hengzhou's support came through him."

"This man has quite the ambition."

"Right now, many people are drooling over my brother's position, and he is one of them."

At that time, Lingyan Pavilion had already changed and wasn't something Xia Sanjiu could shake on his own.

In order to rise to a higher position, Xia Sanjiu sought out Xia Hengzhou.

He wanted Xia Hengzhou to help him take the position in Lingyan Pavilion.

While talking to Xu Fan, Xiao Lan couldn't help but laugh and say, "Xia Sanjiu really does understand my brother well. Xu Fan, if Xia Hengzhou had agreed back then and just opened his mouth, I'm sure, my damn brother would have definitely given up the position to Xia Sanjiu."

Listening, Xu Fan couldn't help but smile bitterly. From his point of view, it would have been the same.

Someone sentimental would make such a choice.

After all, the reason Xiao Tianfang had that position was greatly related to Xia Hengzhou's help.

Hearing Xiao Lan speak, Xu Fan started to understand why Xia Hengzhou kicked Xia Sanjiu out of the Xia Family.

Just then, Xiao Lan continued, "It can also be said that Mr. Xia treated my brother decently; he did not agree to Xia Sanjiu, and not only that, but he also drove the guy away."

"But the trouble started because of that guy's escape."

At this point, thinking of her brother's tragic death, Xiao Lan couldn't help but clench her fist so tightly that her fingernails buried deep into her flesh without her noticing.

It took her a while to come back to her senses.

Looking at Xu Fan, she said, "Xu Fan, you are well acquainted with the Xia family,I don't know, have you ever seen a bronze box at their place?"

"Bronze Box?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Fan furrowed his brows.

Could it be that all these matters are related to that box?

"Yes, I have indeed seen it, but Sister Lan, the things inside that box, they're all just some trinkets..."

Xu Fan nodded and promptly began to explain to Xiao Lan.

After listening, Xiao Lan smiled and shook her head.

"Things in the box can change, but the box itself, do you think it looks like an ordinary item?"

Xu Fan shook his head.

Indeed, that box was not a Mortal Grade item; the secret compartment inside that required the Jiuyang Warm Jade to activate was not something that an average person could develop.

"Sister Lan, what exactly is the significance of that box?"

Looking at Xiao Lan, Xu Fan couldn't help but ask.

Xiao Lan let out a breath and said with a smile,"Do you still remember, when you went to Shanghai, I once told you that, when the time comes, I'd ask you to meet someone for me?"

"Of course."

Xu Fan nodded his head. Sister Lan rarely asked him for anything, and he had always kept that matter in mind.

Xiao Lan sighed and said, "That bronze box, was from that person, to my brother..."

"You could say, that person, could be considered my brother's mentor."

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