Jiang Zhitao shrugged nonchalantly, "With such a major event occurring, who would still be in the mood for a mere birthday banquet? They all sent their gifts and then fled as if escaping.
Currently, only the direct relatives of the Shen family remain in the grand hall, likely intending to settle scores with Shen Shiyun.
Ye Fan couldn't help but sneer. Shen Shiyun was reaping what she sowed, but his words didn't seem to be a lie. If she had indeed used family funds, she wouldn't have appeared so natural.
But if that were the case, where did Shen Shiyun get such a large sum of money? The meager amount she picked up from the Shen family couldn't possibly support such lavish spending. Therefore, she must have a way of acquiring wealth. Could it be...
As he thought of a possibility, Ye Fan's mind became clear.
Seeing the constant changes on Ye Fan's face, Shen Tianyin quickly asked, "What's wrong?"
With a mysterious smile, Ye Fan glanced around. "Let's leave here first. We can talk when we're in a safe place."
...
Everyone headed to Tianyin Pavilion. Looking at the familiar environment of Tianyin Pavilion, Shen Tianyin's expression grew somber. Perhaps by tomorrow, this place would be repossessed by the family.
Seeing Shen Tianyin's low spirits, Ye Fan walked over and said lightly, "Life is unpredictable; no one knows what will happen tomorrow. However, your elder sister likely has some serious issues."
Hearing Ye Fan's words, Shen Tianyin was startled. She frowned in confusion. "Did you discover something at the Shen family just now?"
Ye Fan nodded in admission. "Remember the batch of fakes we discovered earlier? If I'm not mistaken, Shen Shiyun is likely the mastermind behind it."
"What?"
Shen Tianyin was stunned, her face filled with disbelief. Although she harbored resentment towards Shen Shiyun, she couldn't bring herself to believe it was true. After all, this was a matter that could significantly impact Jiangcheng's antique circle. Once exposed, not only would Shen Shiyun's future be ruined, but the Shen family would also suffer.
"How dare Shen Shiyun..."
Her beautiful eyes widened, Shen Tianyin was filled with shock.
Ye Fan gestured for her to speak quietly, then frowned. "It's just a guess. We don't have enough evidence yet. If Shen Shiyun wasn't lying today and truly didn't use Shen family funds, then where did she get such a large sum of money? Also, by being deceived at the appraisal fair and becoming a victim, no one would point fingers at her. Perhaps, this was all a carefully staged act by her."
If Ye Fan's suspicions were true, then Shen Shiyun's shrewdness was unfathomable.
Ji Nanshan, standing nearby, also had a grim expression. "If that's the case, then aren't people from the Jiangcheng Antique Association and the City Lord's Mansion colluding with Shen Shiyun? How could she possess such immense power?"
Indeed, counterfeit and fraudulent activities, without the protection of the City Lord's Mansion, could never form an industry chain. The fakes at the auction also had the support of people from the Antique Association. But even as the current face of the Shen family, Shen Shiyun probably couldn't command these two prominent entities, could she?
However, Ye Fan shook his head. "With sufficient profit, it's not difficult to build connections. No one would refuse to handle hot money."
He recalled the City Lord's Mansion steward, Lin Yang, whom he had met while dining with Jiang Zhitao. If someone from the City Lord's Mansion was secretly supporting her, then Lin Yang would be the most suspicious individual.
"This matter requires careful planning; we cannot act rashly. Moreover, we absolutely must not alert Shen Shiyun. We should act as if we know nothing. Once we gather sufficient evidence, we will strike them down decisively, eliminating the threat forever."
Ye Fan narrowed his eyes, a chilling glint flashing within them.
Ji Nanshan and Shen Tianyin both nodded. Although they found it hard to believe, they also knew that Ye Fan would not make a judgment lightly without certainty. This matter was becoming increasingly complicated...
The next morning, the Shen family sent someone to Tianyin Pavilion. The messenger conveyed the elder's message: Tianyin Pavilion, due to poor management and chronic losses, should have been repossessed by the family. However, considering Shen Tianyin's hard work over the years, the family had decided to allow her a chance to redeem herself. Ye Fan was specially appointed as the chief appraiser for Tianyin Pavilion. He was required to turn losses into profits within one year, failing which, the family would reclaim Tianyin Pavilion and expel Shen Tianyin from the Shen family as a warning.
This mandate was extremely harsh, yet it offered Shen Tianyin a glimmer of hope.
She sighed, "It seems grandfather is still taking all of Shen Shiyun's words to heart. Such harsh conditions must be her doing." Shen Tianyin's face was filled with anger, and she hated Shen Shiyun to the bone.
But Ye Fan shook his head. "Don't you see the elder's underlying good intentions?"
Shen Tianyin blinked. "Good intentions?" These conditions were nearly impossible to meet, and failure would result in her expulsion from the family. Where were the good intentions?
Ji Nanshan also sighed. "If Miss continues to stay in the Shen family, with Zhou Youde's personality, he will undoubtedly continue to pressure the Shen family to marry Miss to him. At that point, the Shen family will be in a difficult position. With Shen Shiyun manipulating things, Miss will eventually have no choice. However, if she is truly expelled from the Shen family, then all choices will be unrelated to the Shen family. This move by the elder, though seemingly heartless, is actually protecting Miss and the Shen family."
Indeed, with his extensive experience, Ji Nanshan immediately understood the elder's intentions.
"Perhaps this is the only solution the elder could think of that would satisfy both sides. It must have been difficult for him." At this moment, Ye Fan's respect for Old Master Shen grew. Regardless of his favoritism towards Shen Shiyun, Shen Tianyin was his granddaughter. Even a tiger wouldn't harm its cubs; he naturally wouldn't force his own granddaughter, hence this alternative measure.
Hearing their explanations, Shen Tianyin's eyes reddened, tears welling up. For so many years, she had never felt the love of family in the Shen household. Today, she finally felt it...
"The most important thing now is to manage Tianyin Pavilion's business well. Turning losses into profits within a year seems difficult, but it's not impossible. The elder only mentioned profitability, not a specific amount, which essentially leaves you a way out." This revelation suddenly enlightened Shen Tianyin, and a smile appeared on her face.
"In that case, I will have to trouble Elder Ji and Appraiser Ye." Ji Nanshan was one of the few Level 2 appraisers in Jiangcheng, and although Ye Fan had no official title, his appraisal skills surpassed Ji Nanshan's. With both of them present, Tianyin Pavilion would not make mistakes in acquiring items. Once their reputation was established, everything would fall into place.
Being appointed as Tianyin Pavilion's chief appraiser, Ye Fan gave a wry smile. This was not his original intention. He was a man accustomed to a leisurely life, always acting on his whims without constraint. However, once he joined Tianyin Pavilion, he would face considerable restrictions. But unfortunately, this matter concerned Shen Tianyin's future, so even though he was reluctant, Ye Fan had no choice but to brace himself and face the challenge.
After leaving Tianyin Pavilion, Ye Fan found Jiang Zhitao and asked for his help in buying a house. His sister, Ye Xuanyuan's, condition had improved, and she would be able to be discharged from the hospital in a few days. Without their own house, Ye Fan felt uneasy. Fortunately, he had some savings, and buying a house for his mother and sister would allow him to work with peace of mind. Jiang Zhitao readily agreed to this without hesitation; with the Jiang family's capabilities, buying a house was a simple matter.
Over the next two days, the house was secured. Ye Fan arranged for simple renovations, then picked up his sister from the hospital. They had a family dinner, and for the first time, Ye Fan felt a sense of home. On the third day, Ye Fan officially took up his post at Tianyin Pavilion as its chief appraiser...