"I must be seeing things, is he calling Shangguan Hongyu?"
"Definitely not, who dares speak to Shangguan Hongyu like that? They must be tired of living!"
"Exactly, acting like he's Brother Lou Wang himself, that tone!"
"All show and no substance, who is he trying to scare!"
...
Chu Fan's actions didn't intimidate the crowd; instead, they found it amusing.
Despite trying not to mock him, they couldn't help themselves.
They had seen arrogance before, but never this much.
As far as they knew, no one in the entire Shanhai City dared to speak to Lou Wang in such a manner.
Even in the Dragon God Kingdom, only the Five Great War Emperors had the qualification.
Chu Fan, by all appearances, was nowhere near that league.
"Kid, you're putting on quite an act!"
"What a shame, no matter how well you fake it, it's still fake and can never become real."
With his grandfather backing him, Nan Baishan became even more brazen.
"If you don't believe me, just wait ten minutes!"
"If Shangguan Hongyu isn't here in ten minutes, then this porcelain is a fake, and I'll smash it on the spot."
Chu Fan felt it was a waste of words to say more to such ignorant people.
"Smashing it is inevitable, but why should we wait ten minutes for you?"
Nan Baishan paused slightly and sneered, "Waiting isn't impossible, but it requires a price."
"Oh, what price?"
"If Shangguan Hongyu doesn't appear here within ten minutes, you must kneel and apologize to all of us, admitting you're hypocritical and bought a fake antique for the sake of face."
Chu Fan nodded and retorted, "And if he does come?"
Nan Baishan's brow furrowed, showing clear hesitation.
"You can't have all the benefits. What if Shangguan Hongyu arrives within ten minutes?"
Chu Fan pressed further.
A sudden silence fell over the scene.
Chu Fan's composure stirred a hint of unease in their hearts.
Could he really summon Shangguan Hongyu?
Or was he still just bluffing?
"Tell us what the price is."
"Whatever you say!"
Nan Ziyun stepped forward, his tone firm, ready to play along with Chu Fan's game.
He knew very well the stature of Shangguan Hongyu.
If Chu Fan had called with a pleading or even a calm tone, he might have hesitated.
But Chu Fan had used a commanding tone.
Ordering Lou Wang to appear within ten minutes?
Who did he think he was?
Based on this, Nan Ziyun was convinced that Chu Fan was merely posturing and feigning calm.
If they wanted him to lose face, they had to agree to his terms.
Corner him until he had no other option.
"Since I say what the price is, then the price is set."
"That's very simple!"
"The two of you, father and son, must kneel and kowtow to me three times whenever you see me, in any situation from now on."
Chu Fan's reasoning was simple.
Since Nan Baishan so desperately wanted him to kneel,
He would make him kneel every time he saw him for the rest of his life.
Nan Ziyun narrowed his eyes, exchanged a look with his son, and then nodded, "Fine!"
The countdown began immediately.
Eight minutes passed in the blink of an eye.
As no news came from the dispatched security personnel, Nan Ziyun and Nan Baishan began to feel smug.
Qin Xue was anxious and wanted to speak up to help, but Nan Zi'an held her back.
"Little Xue, a man must stand on his own!"
"Little Fan is no longer a child."
"Since he dared to agree, he should know the consequences."
"You also know his personality; you can't always protect him, as it would only harm him."
"Even if he loses today, it's alright. Everyone here is family, so it won't be too embarrassing. I'm more worried about this happening outside, as the repercussions would be significant!"
Listening to her husband's counsel, Qin Xue sighed helplessly and gave up struggling.
She had long tried to warn Chu Fan about his habit of boasting, but it had never worked.
He would learn from his mistakes.
It was also a good opportunity to curb Chu Fan's arrogant demeanor, lest he suffer a major setback outside in the future.
"Why isn't he worried?"
"Why isn't he the least bit anxious?"
Nan Baixuan frowned, utterly perplexed.
If it were her, with the agreed-upon time about to expire and still no news from Shangguan Hongyu, she would already be restless.
Yet Chu Fan, from beginning to end, acted as if nothing was amiss.
As the time drew near, Nan Baishan stood up and said with a smile, "Kid, time's up. Where is your Shangguan Hongyu?"
Victory within his grasp, his address to Chu Fan had changed.
Chu Fan looked up at the sky, "Why the hurry? Aren't there still thirty seconds left?"
"Haha, fine, we'll wait another thirty seconds for you!"
"So you know what it means to refuse to shed tears until you see the coffin."
Nan Baishan was surprised by Chu Fan's tenacity, thinking he was trying to make a last-minute comeback.
The roads outside the Nan residence were already manned by Nan family security.
If Shangguan Hongyu were truly coming, he would have been notified by now.
Even if he arrived, it would take at least twenty seconds to travel from the main gate to this location.
Rumble...
With ten seconds remaining, a roaring sound came from the sky. Chu Fan stood up and smoothed the creases on his shirt.
Nan Baishan instinctively assumed Chu Fan was admitting defeat and stepped forward, pointing to the ground in front of him, "Kneel here."
"Who told you I was going to kneel?"
Nan Baishan's eyes widened, "Are you trying to go back on your word?"
Chu Fan chuckled, "Someone like you isn't worth me resorting to trickery!"
"Then why aren't you kneeling?"
Nan Baishan couldn't understand what Chu Fan was up to.
"Shangguan Hongyu has already arrived, so why should I kneel?"
Shangguan Hongyu has arrived?
Everyone present stood up, looking around.
"Kid, stop struggling, it's useless!"
"If Shangguan Hongyu is here, where is he?"
Chu Fan gestured upwards with his chin. A helicopter was rapidly approaching.
"Look, it's right there!"
The entire crowd gasped.
"Shangguan Hongyu really came?"
"Impossible!"
"Maybe the helicopter is just passing by, and he's making a last desperate attempt."
The sudden appearance of the helicopter made Nan Baishan and Nan Ziyun tense up.
"Please don't be!"
"It must be just passing by!"
Nan Baishan prayed silently.
But reality soon dealt him a heavy blow.
As the helicopter hovered above them, the timer reached exactly ten minutes.
Then, to everyone's astonished gaze, Shangguan Hongyu was lowered by a rope from the helicopter.
There was no choice, the elder was in a hurry.
To avoid being abandoned by the elder, Shangguan Hongyu, despite his fear of heights, had to endure the hardship.
Thud.
Nan Baishan collapsed onto the ground, his face ashen as if his father had died.
Shangguan Hongyu had indeed arrived.
The Nan family members, looking at the landed Shangguan Hongyu, stared at Chu Fan with eyes full of fear.
Their understanding of the world had been shattered, leaving them disoriented.
Shangguan Hongyu, upon landing, still had trembling calves.
But he didn't bother with that and rushed to Chu Fan's side, asking nervously and respectfully, "Sir, did I, did I arrive late?"
Sir?
Shangguan Hongyu's demeanor was nervous and cautious, like a child who had made a mistake and feared punishment.
Everyone present felt their hearts leap out of their chests.
"You're right on time!"
"Thank you for your trouble!"
Chu Fan, for once, raised his hand and patted Shangguan Hongyu's shoulder.
Shangguan Hongyu chuckled happily.
Chu Fan stepped forward, looking at Nan Ziyun, whose face had turned ashen and whose entire body was trembling.
"Now, you can kneel."