This was undoubtedly a long and arduous process.
After all, with no clues about the forces behind the scenes, their tracks would likely never be found based on mere speculation.
But Ye Fan was not in a hurry. As long as the Wang family remained here and pressure continued to be applied to the City Lord's Mansion, the hidden forces would eventually reveal themselves.
And once they showed their hand, Ye Fan would seize them firmly, giving them no chance to breathe.
Ye Fan returned to Bogu Studio, continuing his study of antiques.
Of course, the Wang family members outside and the secret agents of the Ghost Market sent Ye Fan a continuous stream of news daily, all concerning the City Lord's Mansion and Jiang City.
...
On the other side, after returning to Jiang City, Liu Piaoxu swept through the other three major families with lightning speed.
With her years of preparation and the element of surprise, the Dark Alliance was no longer fragmented as it had been, but had been consolidated by Liu Piaoxu.
One day, after reviewing the messages he had received, Ye Fan got a call from Liu Piaoxu, inviting him to the Liu family for a meeting.
Ye Fan was stunned when he received the call. Three days had passed since his return, and Liu Piaoxu couldn't have been unaware of his return. Yet, she hadn't contacted him urgently, and only called him today, proposing the Liu family as the meeting place.
It was clear this woman was doing this deliberately, intending to use him for her own purposes.
Shaking his head helplessly, though he knew Liu Piaoxu's intentions were not pure, Ye Fan still agreed to the appointment.
The Liu family was still the Liu family. The difference was that last time Ye Fan had entered stealthily, but this time, Liu Piaoxu personally welcomed him.
"You specifically invited me here, do you need something?"
Ye Fan walked over, his expression blank.
This woman had shocked him immensely, and each time, she gave him the feeling that he had never truly known her.
The repeated shocks made Ye Fan feel increasingly estranged from Liu Piaoxu.
Most importantly, this woman had flirted with him in front of Shen Tianyin, something Shen Tianyin had always held against him.
Therefore, Ye Fan couldn't help but treat her with caution and vigilance.
"The Liu family has the deepest grievances with you, so naturally, I invited you here to personally witness me becoming the head of the Liu family. Otherwise, you might not be at ease."
Her thinking was always one step ahead, as if she could read Ye Fan's mind.
Casting a look of admiration, Ye Fan smiled leisurely, "Liu Yuan is dead. The one who can lead the Liu family is naturally only you. However, the old master of the Liu family is still in good health, I fear he won't abdicate."
With a cold snort, Ye Fan strolled inside as if walking through an unbothered garden.
All the Liu family members he saw on the way saluted them respectfully, clearly indicating that Liu Piaoxu had given them special instructions beforehand.
"There are things one should do and things one shouldn't. Nowadays, even if the old master doesn't want to yield, he has no choice. He listened to Liu Yuan's sweet talk, causing the Liu family to suffer heavy losses. Someone must bear this heavy price."
As she spoke, a cold glint flashed in Liu Piaoxu's apricot-shaped eyes.
When this woman became ruthless, she was incredibly terrifying.
Without dwelling on this matter, Ye Fan thought of something else.
"By the way, how did you impersonate Wang Qingfeng for so long? Although your disguise skills are excellent, even if the appearance can be imitated, personality and temperament cannot. Did you and he..."
Before Ye Fan could finish his sentence, Liu Piaoxu shot him a fierce glare.
But then she sighed softly, "My mother's surname is Wang, and the Wang family has no male heirs in the younger generation. Therefore, I am Wang Qingfeng, not impersonating him."
This time, even the experienced Ye Fan was stunned in place.
Liu Piaoxu was Wang Qingfeng. It turned out that for so many years, he had been two identities, constantly switching between them.
Powerful, too powerful!
"So, Liu Piaoxu and Wang Qingfeng never appeared together. If Liu Yuan and the others had been more observant, they would have noticed the problem. But it's of no consequence now."
Liu Piaoxu stopped in her tracks and looked at Ye Fan.
"Whether I am Liu Piaoxu or Wang Qingfeng, the Dark Alliance is already under my control."
A cold smile appeared on her stunningly beautiful face, her sensual red lips curving upwards, forming a gentle arc.
Her appearance was cold yet not devoid of emotion, alluring and seductive.
Even Ye Fan's heart couldn't help but quicken its pace.
"Put away your allure. I am not your target."
Looking at her with a helpless expression, Ye Fan said coldly, then strode into the main hall.
Watching Ye Fan's back as he pretended to be unfazed, Liu Piaoxu chuckled, "Let's see how long you can maintain this."
This smile was truly captivating, possessing the beauty that could overthrow cities and nations, sink geese, and shame flowers, subtly captivating the soul...
The old master's study seemed to have anticipated this day, so when Ye Fan and the others entered, the old master was very calm.
He was not surprised by Ye Fan's appearance, and finally, his gaze fell on Liu Piaoxu's face.
"I thought Liu Yuan was a promising talent, but I didn't expect my old eyes to be so clouded, nearly plunging the Liu family into an abyss. Now, entrusting the Liu family to you, I can finally rest easy. I know I've always suppressed you over the years, and you must resent me. Therefore, no matter what decision you make today, grandfather will have no complaints. I only hope you can restore the family and make it eternally prosperous."
This man, who had diligently served in the position of family head for decades, sacrificing his energy and effort for the family's development to the point of being betrayed by everyone.
His words at this moment were enough to move anyone.
Ye Fan sighed, "People in this world are burdened by obsession. Spring comes and goes, and old age arrives."
"Grandfather, do you regret it?" httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Liu Piaoxu stared into the old master's cloudy eyes and asked coldly.
Now, everything in the Liu family was in his control, including the old master's life or death, which was within his power.
The old master's footsteps as he walked out suddenly paused, and he slowly turned his head to look at Liu Piaoxu.
After a long moment, he let out a long sigh, but said nothing. Then, he left the study without looking back.
Even though he knew he was wrong and regretted it, he couldn't bring himself to say it in front of his own granddaughter.
All his unspoken words ultimately melted into that long sigh.
"Now that Miss Liu is in charge of the Liu family and is also the actual controller of the Dark Alliance, what are your plans next?"
Ye Fan chuckled, breaking the silent atmosphere.
Liu Piaoxu slowly walked up to him, looked up at him, and her delicate lips parted, releasing a faint fragrance.
"I want to make you the king of Jiang City."
Her voice was not loud, but her tone was exceptionally firm.
This time, even Ye Fan was stunned, looking at her with confusion, "Why?"
Liu Piaoxu smiled slightly, "Because my man must stand above ten thousand people."