The Feng family of today has long since rotted from the inside out. From the highest echelons to the lowest ranks, everyone is steeped in greed.
As the saying goes, if the upper beams are not straight, the lower beams will be crooked. With a young master like Feng Xiao, how could the people below be upright?
Therefore, Ye Fan's words held some truth. A family like this, even if he were to take it over, would merely be a rotten husk, destined for ruin. Rather than letting it linger on its last breath, it was better to shatter it now and rebuild.
After contemplating this, a glint reappeared in Feng Ting's eyes.
"Perhaps, you are right."
He sighed, acknowledging Ye Fan's assertion with resignation.
Seeing that Feng Ting had finally accepted his viewpoint, Ye Fan nodded with satisfaction. It seemed Feng Ting was not a stubborn person, which would make matters much easier.
"Now, I need the second young master to provide me with some information. What are the Feng family's businesses under Feng Xiao's control, and what are their specific situations? I believe you, having fought with Feng Xiao for so many years, should be thoroughly familiar with these matters."
This was the primary reason he had sought out Feng Ting.
He had already reached an agreement with the Grand Elder. As long as he could make the Feng family bleed significantly, the Wang family would immediately take action. Therefore, everything depended on him securing victory in this first stage.
Understanding this, Feng Ting no longer held back. He gave Ye Fan a phone number.
"This is my confidant. You can contact him for anything, Brother Ye. This way, you won't have to infiltrate the Feng family. After all, Feng Xiao still holds sway there. If you are discovered, Brother Ye, it could be dangerous, and I, too, would be harmed by him."
Memorizing the phone number, Ye Fan nodded. Feng Ting's words were sensible.
Doing so would indeed carry too much risk, especially now that Feng Xiao was beginning to be wary of him. If he were caught with any leverage, he might truly find himself in a passive position.
After a brief conversation, Ye Fan rose to take his leave and, under the cover of night, scaled the wall to depart the Feng family compound.
Outside, Chang Jun had been waiting for a long time. Upon seeing Ye Fan emerge, surprise was evident on Chang Jun's face.
This was, after all, the Feng family's residence. In Jiangnan City, the Feng family was an absolute power, one of the top contenders. Yet, Ye Fan could come and go as he pleased from such a prominent family, which truly astonished him.
"Mr. Ye, was everything settled?"
Despite his admiration for Ye Fan, he hoped such risky behavior would be less frequent in the future.
If Feng Xiao were to discover him, Ye Fan's life would be in danger, and he himself would inevitably face severe punishment.
Therefore, he did not wish for Ye Fan to take such risks.
Ye Fan smiled slightly. "Everything has been settled. Take me back."
Ye Fan was quite satisfied with the night's proceedings. He felt that everything was in place for his actions, and now all that remained was for him to make his move.
Meanwhile, in Feng Xiao's villa, a subordinate stood respectfully before him.
"Master, my subordinates report that Ye Fan and Elder Wang had a very pleasant conversation. Furthermore, when Ye Fan left the hotel, Elder Wang personally escorted him away by car. It seems Ye Fan has completely pledged his allegiance to the Wang family."
Feng Xiao's expression gradually darkened, and the wine glass in his hand froze mid-air.
"No wonder Old Man Wang has been protecting Ye Fan so meticulously. So, Ye Fan has already joined him. But does he really think that with the addition of just one Ye Fan, his Wang family can reign supreme in Jiangnan City? A mere Ye Fan, I have countless ways to make him disappear from this world forever. At that time, I'll see what Old Man Wang can do to me."
His grip on the wine glass tightened, veins bulging on the back of his hand, clearly indicating the extent of Feng Xiao's anger at this moment.
Seeing their master in such a state, his subordinates were too terrified to utter a word.
Everyone knew their master's temper. Once provoked, he was an unstoppable force, like a volcano colliding with the Earth. To anger him at such a time would lead to certain death.
"Master, allow me to handle this matter. I guarantee that Ye Fan will disappear from Jiangnan City without a trace."
The subordinate quickly volunteered.
He understood Feng Xiao's temperament. If he remained silent at this moment, Feng Xiao would surely become enraged. Conversely, if he offered to take on the task, Feng Xiao would likely praise him, or at least offer some reward.
As expected, upon hearing his subordinate's words, Feng Xiao paused for a moment but then a smile appeared on his face.
"Good. You are indeed an elite of my Feng family, possessing courage and responsibility. Since you volunteer, this matter is entrusted to you. Upon successful completion, you will receive a generous reward."
The subordinate quickly nodded, respectfully acknowledging the order, and then retreated.
Despite his respectful demeanor, he was inwardly cursing.
In the past, their master was always generous with his rewards. This time, he had to wait until the task was completed. You're so rich, yet you're still so stingy. No wonder you were humiliated by that bumpkin from a small place like Jiangcheng. You deserve it!
If Feng Xiao were to know these thoughts, he would likely be so enraged that he would spit blood.
However, no one was foolish enough to voice such sentiments in front of Feng Xiao.
...
The next morning, Ye Fan changed into a new outfit. A long gown of silk and cotton, a dark blue robe, was worn by Ye Fan as if it were a work of art.
Even the handsome Chang Jun, upon seeing it, could not help but marvel. Ye Fan and the robe were truly a perfect match.
Chang Jun held a box and followed Ye Fan as they slowly entered "Xiao Ran Pavilion," a shop on Jiangnan City's antique street.
It was just one of the antique shops under Feng Xiao's control. Although not the largest in Jiangnan, it still ranked within the top ten.
For his first move, Ye Fan was not foolish enough to target the most important antique shop.
If he were to strike at the core from the outset, it would undoubtedly provoke a furious backlash from Feng Xiao.
Therefore, Ye Fan devised a plan of gradual erosion, intending to nibble away at Feng Xiao's businesses step by step.
Upon seeing the two enter, a shop assistant immediately came forward to greet them.
"Are you two looking to sell an item? Then you've come to the right place. Our Xiao Ran Pavilion is one of the premier antique shops in Jiangnan. Not only do we have a good reputation, but our appraisers are also experts with many years of experience in appraisal. They will never make a mistake. Fortunately, our chief appraiser, Old Wu, is here today. As long as the item you have meets a certain value, Old Wu will personally examine and appraise it."
From the outset, the shop assistant lavished praise upon Xiao Ran Pavilion, causing both Ye Fan and Chang Jun to frown.
This Xiao Ran Pavilion didn't even rank in the top three under Feng Xiao's management, let alone in the entirety of Jiangnan City.
If one were unaware, upon hearing the shop assistant's words, they might think they had stumbled into the Jiangnan Antique Association.
Casting a cold glance at the assistant, Chang Jun said with a sullen face, "Have Old Wu come out. Tell him a treasure has arrived and see what price he offers."
Seeing Chang Jun's expression instantly turn grim, the shop assistant was taken aback and dared not speak further. At this moment, he realized that these two gentlemen were likely not to be trifled with, and a single mistake could bring trouble upon himself.
However, their immediate request for Old Wu to come out might displease him.