Although he wasn't as thoughtful as Ye Fan, he wasn't foolish either. Especially after following Ye Fan for so many days, he had learned a lot.
Shaking his head again, Ye Fan sighed.
"We can't be sure yet, but one thing is certain: our City Lord Lin is far from as simple as he appears."
Lin Yue gave Ye Fan the impression of being amiable and very considerate.
If he were just an ordinary person, such a demeanor would indeed be improper.
But he was the City Lord of Jiang City. How could anyone who held such a position be ordinary?
Without a strong hand, how could he have secured this position?
Shen Bao took two steps back in disbelief, his gaze towards Ye Fan now carrying a hint of peculiarity.
"No, it absolutely couldn't be City Lord Lin."
Lin Yue had shown him great favor. If it weren't for Lin Yue, he would probably have been expelled from the family long ago.
Therefore, in Shen Bao's heart, Lin Yue was not just a superior, but as important as a father.
He dared not doubt Lin Yue, much less could he.
But Ye Fan patted his shoulder, "Second Brother, loyalty is a good thing, but blind loyalty is not encouraged. Lin Yue has indeed shown you great favor, but that doesn't make him a good person. Remember, hearts are hidden behind faces. Without sufficient evidence, no one can say for sure who has made a mistake."
Looking calmly at Shen Bao, these words came from the bottom of his heart, and Ye Fan had never been so sincere.
In their brief time together, Ye Fan had gained a preliminary understanding of Shen Bao.
He was meticulous in his work and delicate in his thoughts.
However, his weakness was being soft-hearted. If he wanted to achieve great things, he needed a sufficiently strong heart.
Only then could he make the best choices when faced with decisions.
Indecisiveness would only hinder a bright future.
Upon hearing Ye Fan's words, Shen Bao's heart trembled. He looked up at Ye Fan intently.
He had taken these words to heart, and they had brought him immense shock.
Staring at Ye Fan, he remained silent for a long time...
Returning to the Tianyin Pavilion, seeing Shen Bao's haggard expression, Shen Tianyin was filled with worry.
"Ye Fan, my second brother..."
Ye Fan shook his head, "Some things can only be learned through personal experience. Second Brother has had a smooth sailing life all these years, and his unyielding spirit has long since been worn down. Therefore, he still needs to be tempered."
These words were spoken with great maturity. If anyone else had said them, they might have been looked down upon, but coming from Ye Fan, they sounded so sincere.
Ji Nanshan nodded silently from the side. The second young master had indeed been too fortunate these past few years. Such a life could ruin his future.
Shen Tianyin fell into thought but quickly looked up at Ye Fan, "In these years, my second brother has also endured much grievance. You only see his bright and glorious side, but you don't see the pain he hides deep within his heart. Ye Fan, I beg you, help my second brother. He is the only family I have in this world."
Her eyes reddened. At this moment, Shen Tianyin no longer looked like the strong businesswoman she was. She resembled a little girl who had been wronged by her neighbors, a sight that made one's heart ache.
With a helpless bitter smile, Ye Fan gazed intently at Shen Tianyin.
"Some things, he must bear himself. If he can overcome them, he will undoubtedly become an extraordinary person in the future. But if he cannot, then it is fate, and no one can do anything."
Ye Fan's words, though seemingly heartless, came from his genuine feelings.
As the second young master of the Shen family, if Shen Bao's achievements were only this much, it would be far too insufficient.
Understanding Ye Fan's good intentions, Shen Tianyin no longer pleaded, but her eyes were filled with a hint of pity.
At this moment, Elder Ji walked over slowly, "Brother Ye, what are your plans next? Since the commotion at Bogu Zhai last time, your legend is now circulating throughout Jiang City. Several of my old friends have asked me to pass on a message, requesting a meeting with you. They have something they need help with."
A man's reputation precedes him. Currently, Ye Fan was the most famous and respected figure in Jiang City's antique circle.
Hearing Elder Ji's question, Ye Fan's lips curved into a faint cold smile.
"I heard Boss Sun has fallen into a mountain of debt recently. Why don't we do a good deed and help him repay his debts?"
These words caused Ji Nanshan to pause slightly, and he exchanged glances with Shen Tianyin.
"Help him repay his debts? Brother Ye, did I hear that correctly?"
Their relationship with Sun Yilang was like fire and water, with no possibility of reconciliation. At this moment, shouldn't they be kicking him while he was down and taking advantage of the situation?
Could it be that after this incident, Ye Fan had changed his ways?
Seeing Ye Fan smile without answering, he beckoned to Ji Nanshan, "Let's go see Boss Sun. But before that, we need to spread some word."
...
Bogu Zhai had long lost its former glory. Previously, it was bustling with people and constant customers.
But now, its entrance was deserted. The two remaining shop assistants were sleeping soundly on the counter, completely unaware of Ye Fan and Ji Nanshan's arrival.
"Cough cough."
Ji Nanshan coughed and looked at the two assistants, feeling a sense of desolation.
When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter. Sun Yilang had fallen, and Bogu Zhai had also completely declined.
"What are you doing here? If you want to buy or sell antiques, go to Tianyin Pavilion at the street corner. Don't disturb my sleep."
Hearing the cough, one of the assistants grumbled angrily without even lifting his head.
Ye Fan shook his head. With such assistants, Bogu Zhai likely had no chance of rising again.
"I heard Boss Sun met with misfortune today, so I came specifically to offer my condolences. What? Isn't Bogu Zhai welcoming?"
Ye Fan said coldly.
The two assistants looked up impatiently, "I said you f***ing..."
Before he could finish his sentence, he saw Ye Fan's icy gaze.
"You're, you're Mr. Ye?"
The day he had caused a scene at Bogu Zhai, Ye Fan had shone brightly, and almost everyone in Bogu Zhai had seen him.
Therefore, upon seeing it was Ye Fan, the two assistants were stunned.
"I don't like saying the same thing twice, understand?"
His aura erupted instantly, and an icy chill enveloped the two assistants.
Let alone the two of them, even Sun Yilang himself would not have gained any advantage in terms of aura against Ye Fan.
"We, we'll go inform the boss right away."
The two quickly hurried upstairs.
Ji Nanshan chuckled, "Brother Ye is truly a standout in Jiang City now. Even these small fry are scared stiff upon seeing him."
Ye Fan sighed, "I'd rather they welcomed me warmly than be feared by them. However, some people are asking for trouble, and if I don't eliminate them, heaven would not forgive me."
His domineering and confident expression, the resolute look on his face, made Ji Nanshan tremble inwardly.
It seemed Ye Fan was becoming increasingly formidable. From when he first met him, he had been somewhat restrained, but now, his domineering aura was fully displayed.
Could this be the bearing of a natural king?