The Wu Family banquet

Ye Fan spent an entire night engraving several formations into a jade pendant, giving it a measure of protective and health-enhancing power.

Ye Fan arrived at the Wu Family residence early and presented his gift.

Ye Fan had a terrible reputation, and the members of the Wu Family's collateral branches barely acknowledged him. His young nephew, Wu Haoqiang, however, followed him everywhere, eagerly waiting on him.

"Uncle, what else would you like to eat? I'll get it for you."

"Uncle, are your shoulders sore? Let me massage them."

"Uncle, what would you like to drink? Milk, juice, or coffee...?"

Wu Sihan frowned deeply as he watched his son fuss over Ye Fan like a model of filial devotion.

Tang Ning looked at Wu Sihan and said in some bewilderment, "Haoqiang really likes his uncle!"

Wu Sihan frowned and said sourly, "Doesn't he just? I have no idea what's gotten into the boy. He's never this attentive to his own father."

Tang Ning smiled. "Never mind. It's not a bad thing for Haoqiang and Ye Fan to be close."

Ye Fan glanced at Wu Haoqiang. "All right, Little Qiang, what is it? What trouble have you gotten into that you need my help with?"

Wu Haoqiang gave Ye Fan a disgruntled look. "Uncle, don't call me Little Qiang! It makes me sound like a cockroach!"

Ye Fan was speechless. His parents had chosen that name. That was the extent of their taste, so they could hardly blame him!

"I mainly wanted to thank you for the talismans, Uncle," Wu Haoqiang said.

Ye Fan said casually, "You paid for them, so there's no need to thank me. Did you use them up, though?"

"Dad threw away my four talismans. When I went looking for them, they were already gone," Wu Haoqiang said, full of grievance.

Ye Fan was speechless.

"Did that little girl of yours use hers?" Ye Fan asked.

"Nuannuan has an older brother who became mentally impaired after a fright. Nuannuan used the Illness-Expelling Talisman, and he came to his senses. But her parents said he recovered because their ancestors blessed him, and it had nothing to do with the talisman. Nuannuan's parents are just as stupid as my dad!" Wu Haoqiang said, shaking his head.

Ye Fan blinked. "You think your dad is stupid?"

Wu Haoqiang thought for a moment. "Actually, he's not stupid, just hidebound! That blockhead of his can't accept anything new. You can't really blame him, though. Older people are always more stubborn."

Ye Fan nodded. "Well said. You're far more enlightened than your dad."

"Uncle, I believe your talismans work. Draw me another one sometime," Wu Haoqiang said.

Ye Fan rubbed Wu Haoqiang's head. "I'll make you a protective jade pendant sometime."

"That would be great!" Wu Haoqiang said excitedly.

Wu Haoqiang looked at the people approaching and said unhappily, "The Liao Family is here."

Wu Sihan felt displeased at the arrival of the Liao Family. The Four Great Families of Cang City all maintained ties with one another. Back when Wu Ying married into the Ye Family, the Wu and Ye families had grown considerably closer, though their relationship had fallen apart soon afterward. Now that Liao Tingting had chosen Ye Zhize, it also meant the Ye and Liao families had joined forces, leaving the Wu Family out.

Liao He walked up to Ye Fan. "Young Master Fan, I'm very sorry about the broken engagement. But as you know, these aren't the old days. Marriage requires mutual affection now, and the gap between you and Tingting is simply too great..."

Wu Sihan's face darkened, and he tightened his grip on his wineglass, a sinister glint flashing through his eyes. Liao He's words sounded less like an apology than a show of force.

Ye Fan waved a hand impatiently. "Enough. Stop talking. This woman doesn't interest me. Breaking off the engagement was good for everyone. There's no point forcing a relationship."

Liao Tingting glared furiously at Ye Fan. "Ye Fan, who do you think you are? How dare you look down on me!"

Ye Fan glanced at Liao Tingting. "A shallow woman like you could never understand a genius like me."

Wu Sihan was somewhat speechless at Ye Fan's words, yet he also found them satisfying.

"Mr. Liao, it's been quite some time since Miss Liao and Ye Fan broke off their engagement. That's ancient history. There's no need to bring it up again," Wu Sihan said.

Liao Tingting glared at Ye Fan, then ignored him.

Once Liao Tingting walked away, Ye Fan enjoyed some peace again.

"Uncle, that woman doesn't know quality when she sees it. Don't bother with her," Wu Haoqiang said.

Ye Fan nodded. "How could an ordinary, painted-up woman like that ever catch my eye? A genius like your uncle needs someone of unparalleled beauty and grace."

Wu Haoqiang nodded. "Of course, of course... Uncle, do you have someone in mind?"

"Yes, a very lofty target. It'll be difficult, but your uncle has the courage to face challenges head-on," Ye Fan said smugly.

Wu Haoqiang was speechless.

Ye Fan lounged on the sofa as though he had no bones, and several members of the Ye Family approached.

The sight of the slovenly Ye Fan instantly infuriated Ye Hongwen.

"Pull yourself together a little!"

Ye Fan looked at Ye Hongwen. "You damned old man, do you know what it means to stick your nose where it doesn't belong? I'm no longer a member of the Ye Family, so stop ordering me around."

Ye Hongwen's approach had already drawn the discreet attention of many people in the hall. At Ye Fan's words, several guests watching secretly began to snicker.

"You insolent wretch," Ye Hongwen cursed before walking away.

"Uncle, you don't need to pay attention to him," Wu Haoqiang said.

Ye Fan rolled his eyes. "Who wants to bother with him? I'm a very busy man."

Liao He walked over to Ye Hongwen and patted his shoulder. "All right, calm down."

"That unfilial brat is useless, yet still so arrogant," Ye Hongwen said resentfully.

A sudden stir swept through the hall as Song Bohui, Jiang Hailin, Qian Yu, and Zhu Zhongqiu arrived together. The Song, Jiang, Qian, and Zhu families were Cang City's four rising great families. Though they were not as powerful as established families such as the Ye and Wu families, their influence was growing rapidly.

After entering the hall, Song Bohui and the others headed straight toward Ye Fan.

"Young Master Ye," Song Bohui greeted him respectfully.

Ye Fan looked at Song Bohui and blinked. "You're recovering nicely, Young Master Song!"

"Thanks to you, Young Master Ye, I'm doing quite well!" Song Bohui said with a smile.

"You really suffered an undeserved disaster, simply because you happened to look like that man." Ye Fan shook his head, then added, "Still, it's strange. That thing should have identified people by their aura, not their appearance."

Song Bohui's heart sank. While possessed by the female ghost, he had sometimes been able to speak with her. She had muttered the same name over and over. Later, Song Bohui had dug out the family genealogy and discovered that the name was actually in it. The faithless man who had betrayed the ghost was very likely the Song Family Ancestor.

"Young Master Ye, how should I nurse myself back to health?" Song Bohui asked.

Ye Fan rested his fingers briefly on Song Bohui's wrist and smiled. "It's not as bad as I thought. I'll write you a prescription sometime."

Song Bohui breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Young Master Ye."

Ye Fan glanced over the group. "None of you should engage in anything dangerous for the time being. Give yourselves some time to recover first."

"You're right, Young Master Ye," Song Bohui said with a smile.

They chatted about all sorts of things for a while, and the atmosphere was very congenial.

Qian Yu glanced at Ye Fan several times, his gaze rather strange.

Ye Fan looked at Qian Yu in puzzlement. "Is there something you want to say?"

Though Qian Yu was a wealthy young master, his passion for gossip burned hotter than that of even the most dedicated entertainment reporter. At the question, he said excitedly, "Young Master Ye, I heard you took liberties with Young Master Bai?"

When Qian Yu had encountered Ye Fan on the medicinal herb street that day, he had realized Ye Fan was interested in Young Master Bai. He had thought Ye Fan had given up, but later heard that Ye Fan and Young Master Bai had been in contact again.

"Took liberties? I didn't! I just want to court him!" Ye Fan said, shaking his head.

Qian Yu was speechless.

"You really don't like Liao Tingting anymore?" Jiang Hailin asked with a chuckle.

"I have no interest in a sullied, faded beauty like her!" Ye Fan said disdainfully.

Jiang Hailin was speechless. A sullied, faded beauty?

Tang Ning cast a bemused glance toward Ye Fan, then turned and walked over to Wu Sihan.

"Sihan, when did Ye Fan become friends with Song Bohui and that lot? They seem to be getting along quite well," Tang Ning said.

Wu Sihan thought, Ever since leaving the Ye Family, Ye Fan has taken to playing the mystical expert. Song Bohui and those fellows like watching people play the mystical expert. Aren't they a perfect match?

Though Wu Sihan felt Ye Fan's behavior was not quite proper, he had nothing to say about it when Song Bohui and the others did not seem to mind.

Holding his wineglass, Liao He kept glancing toward Ye Fan.

"Tingting, when did Ye Fan become friends with Song Bohui and his crowd?"

Liao Tingting shook her head. "I don't know either." She frowned, deeply unsettled. That wastrel Ye Fan was actually getting along well with Song Bohui and the others. Having abandoned Ye Fan, Liao Tingting found this extremely uncomfortable.

Wu Houxuan walked up to Wu Sihan. "Sihan, Elder Zhou is here. Come greet him with me."

"Elder Zhou actually came?" Wu Sihan could not help growing excited.

Zhou Jinzhi had once lived in Capital City, where he had enjoyed quite a reputation. His children were all abroad and ran very large businesses. Zhou Jinzhi had opened a jade shop in Cang City, but it was merely a hobby.

Many people had tried to establish a connection with Zhou Jinzhi, but none had succeeded. Wu Sihan had never expected Zhou Jinzhi to attend his grandfather's banquet.

Many people had invited Zhou Jinzhi to banquets without success. Wu Sihan had never expected him to come uninvited. Elder Zhou's willingness to attend was a tremendous honor for the Wu Family.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Wu Tengming, Zhou Jinzhi headed toward Ye Fan. Song Bohui and the others immediately made room for him.

Song Bohui looked at Zhou Jinzhi, puzzled. Elder Zhou had clearly come for Ye Fan. Could he and Ye Fan already know each other?