Chapter 19: The Folding Fan!

Nangong Tian was on the verge of madness.

Normally, with his usual way of handling things, someone blocking the road? He’d just have the driver get out and give them a swift kick to clear the way. But when he saw Chen Fan’s face, all his temper instantly vanished.

Damn, that’s his junior apprentice brother!

Indeed, Nangong Tian was also from Kunlun Mountain. However, he and Chen Fan did not share the same master. Outsiders all referred to the old man—Chen Fan’s teacher—as Master Xuan Yi. Daoist Xuan Yi: whenever he made a move, he became a legend. As for Nangong Tian’s master, he was known as Master Xuan Er. He was Chen Fan’s martial uncle, but by seniority, Nangong Tian was still Chen Fan’s elder apprentice brother.

“Uh, boss.”

“They’re blocking the way.”

The driver was stunned; it was the first time he’d seen Nangong Tian so worked up! Could the boss possibly have been moved by the young couple’s romance?

“Go around, stay out of their way,” Nangong Tian ordered quietly. “And don’t disturb them.”

“If you go up to them now, I’m afraid you might not make it back alive.”

With his keen eyesight, Nangong Tian could see at a glance that Li Youran was crying her heart out. He could tell immediately that his junior brother had just reunited with this lady. This was the perfect moment for reminiscing after years apart!

If the driver went up and tried to tell Chen Fan to move… Well, based on the feelings between him and Chen Fan as fellow disciples for so many years, Nangong Tian himself would probably be fine… but the driver might need to be replaced.

So, while Chen Fan remained oblivious, the Rolls-Royce Phantom quietly backed away and left.

“Fourth Sister, are you planning to go to the Treasure Pavilion?”

“Shall we go in together?”

“I just happen to want to pick up a few things myself.”

Chen Fan grinned. After all, it had been ages since he’d seen his fourth sister; buying her a gift would be just right. Since she liked antiques and calligraphy, why not get her something she’d enjoy?

As for money?

All Chen Fan had was the old man’s bank card. Presumably… there was money in it? Surely the old man’s lifetime savings would be enough to buy an antique or two!

“Xiao Fan, what do you want to buy?” Li Youran was taken aback by Chen Fan’s suggestion. Did her little brother also like antiques now?

“Let me tell you, there’s an auction at the Treasure Pavilion today,” she said. “They’re featuring a set of amber and beeswax prayer beads. We can take a look, but I’m afraid the price will be sky-high.”

Since Chen Fan was interested, Li Youran naturally decided to take him inside. Otherwise, she would have just taken him straight home.

“Alright.” A sky-high price, old man! I have no idea how hard you worked during your life or how much you managed to save. Please don’t let it turn out that I can’t even afford a set of beads!

Chen Fan estimated that the old man’s card should have at least nine figures. After all, with the old man’s skills, whenever a wealthy man needed protection, he’d pay handsomely! Surely those clients would offer exorbitant prices.

“Eldest Sister and Second Sister really aren’t being fair,” Li Youran grumbled, clenching her petite fists, her cheeks puffed in indignation. If Meng Rongrong and Shao Zining could see her now, they’d be delighted!

Heh, Fourth Sister, don’t say that! It’s not just you—when we saw Xiao Fan, we were all a mess.

As they spoke, they walked into the main hall of the Treasure Pavilion. Entry to the auction required proof of funds.

Li Youran smiled politely at the staff, taking a business card from her purse.

“Elite Member of the International Appraisal Association.”

Those were the words Chen Fan caught sight of. The staff member froze, then his face filled with awe.

“So it’s Miss Li. My apologies for not welcoming you properly.”

Li Youran gave a faint smile and led Chen Fan inside.

Chen Fan drew a sharp breath. He had to admit, being escorted in by his sister without hindrance felt wonderful…

They found a random spot to sit. Li Youran received her number: 36.

“Xiao Fan, if you see anything you like, just tell me,” she said gently. “I’ll bid for it for you.”

Her eyes roamed up and down, sizing him up. Xiao Fan seemed even more handsome than when he was a boy… Handsome, indeed. She wondered which lucky girl would end up with him in the future.

“Mm-hmm.” Chen Fan nodded. Outwardly, he couldn’t possibly object to Li Youran’s kindness.

But inwardly, he couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching him. It was a kind of intuition—an innate sense, like what he’d felt during the fire at the Red Twin Orphanage years ago, when he’d known immediately there was an old man watching him through the flames.

But Chen Fan couldn’t find who was watching him now. He wasn’t too worried, though, as it seemed this person didn’t mean any harm.

“Fourth Sister, have you had any contact with people from the Continental Domain lately?” he suddenly asked.

Li Youran bit her lip, thinking for a moment. “Recently? I don’t think so. I’m not always in Huajiang, but I’ve been in the country. People from the Continental Domain do come by now and then for exchange programs… Why do you ask, Xiao Fan?”

Chen Fan shook his head slightly, brushing off the question.

“It’s nothing. I’ve just been interested in Continental Domain culture lately.”

A slight curve appeared at the corner of Li Youran’s lips as she eyed him with suspicion.

“Really?” she asked, her tone rising.

Chen Fan nodded vigorously.

Li Youran couldn’t help but laugh. “Xiao Fan, you haven’t changed at all. I still remember—when you lied as a kid, you’d always scratch your head. And you’re doing it now.”

She could see right through him and was about to press for more. Continental Domain? Why was Xiao Fan so interested in that lately? Had he spent the last fifteen years there? But he’d been just a little boy…

“Actually, I’m thinking of dating a girl from the Continental Domain,” Chen Fan blurted. “I’m drawn to the exotic charm.”

He relaxed, shrugged, and put on a frank expression.

Li Youran smiled gently, ruffling his hair. “Well, that’s a reason I can accept. The women from the Continental Domain are indeed something else—great figures and stunning looks. Just wait, if I meet any outstanding ones, I’ll introduce you.”

She would never say such things to anyone else, but with Chen Fan, she spoke freely.

Soon, the auction began. Since Li Youran had told him about the amber and beeswax prayer beads as the highlight, Chen Fan quickly noticed that most people were there for that item. The earlier lots were interesting but nothing special—calligraphy, ceramics, none of which caught his interest.

But then, a folding fan was brought out, and Chen Fan inhaled sharply.

The host was a young lady, dressed provocatively but not indecently. Where her figure was meant to impress, it did, stirring up the crowd with ease.

“This folding fan was acquired by the owner of the Treasure Pavilion by chance,” she announced. “As for the price, our Pavilion cannot appraise it. However, its condition is truly excellent. Whether it holds any special fortune is up to each of you to decide.”

“The starting bid is one hundred thousand, with each increment no less than ten thousand.”

The crowd was in an uproar.

Good heavens! Have they gone mad? A shabby fan for a hundred thousand? What are they, vampires?