Chapter 48

"Feifei, hearing that you're having your seventeenth birthday, I specially came from Haizhou." The middle-aged man was refined and scholarly, like a respected university professor. He first smiled apologetically at his daughter, then looked at Xu Mother with a gentle expression: "It's natural for a father to be present at his daughter's birthday."

Under his gentle gaze, Xu Mother's expression softened, and her tone carried a hint of resentment: "Do you still remember us? Why don't you go find your legal wife?"

The middle-aged man quickly stepped forward, pulling Xu Mother into his arms and soothing her with soft words. Xu Mother made a symbolic struggle, then cried on his shoulder.

Xu Rongfei's eyes also shimmered with tears as she rushed to the two of them, crying and calling out to her parents.

"Is he Feifei's father? Wasn't it said that Feifei comes from a single-parent family?"

"I heard that when Feifei was young, her father abandoned them and ran away to another place, even marrying into another family. I didn't expect him to come back now."

"Judging by his father's appearance, it seems he's doing well! I wonder if Feifei will finally have a better life."

Seeing this scene, everyone began to whisper to each other.

Only Chen Fan's gaze bypassed the refined man and fell on an old man with a withered face standing behind him. The old man's arms were covered in prominent veins, like black dragons, and his eyes were half-closed, occasionally shooting out a sharp light. The surrounding bodyguards all looked at the old man with a hint of fear.

"Another internal strength martial artist, and one who has reached the peak of internal strength, not inferior to Lin Bao and Old Wei." Chen Fan was surprised. What kind of background does Xu Rongfei's father have to have a peak internal strength martial artist as his bodyguard?

At this moment, someone suddenly called out in a surprised voice: "Feifei's father, why does he look a bit like Lord Ao?"

"Lord Ao? Which Lord Ao?" Everyone blinked, indicating they hadn't heard of this person. Is there a Lord Ao in Chuzhou?

Han Yun, who had the broadest knowledge and followed Old Zheng, suddenly exclaimed: "Xu Ao from Haizhou!"

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned.

If the name Lord Ao was unfamiliar, then Xu Ao from Haizhou was a household name! Haizhou is a county-level city near Zhonghai and Jinling, and it is the most economically developed and largest city in northern Jiang, making it the top city in northern Jiang. Xu Ao is the top figure in Haizhou, and even in northern Jiang.

Xu Ao, along with Xing Zhong from Tianhe and Old Wei from Chuzhou, are all well-known figures in northern Jiang. In comparison, Zhou Tianhao is just a minor figure.

"It's said that Xu Ao has the backing of a major family in the south, with deep roots. I didn't expect him to be Xu Rongfei's father?" Li Yichen's expression changed, and he looked at Xu Rongfei differently.

Previously, Xu Rongfei was just a girl with an ordinary background, pretty, and barely part of Chuzhou's upper society. But now, she has become Xu Ao's daughter. If this news spreads, the number of people in Chuzhou who would dare to provoke her would be few.

"However, Xu Ao is said to have a family. Is Feifei his... illegitimate child?" Zhang Yumeng whispered.

"Not necessarily. It's said that Xu Ao's son is only ten years old. It's likely that Feifei came first, and Xu Ao divorced and remarried later." Han Yun shook his head.

But regardless, she is Xu Ao's daughter. If Zhou Tianhao had known this, he wouldn't have dared to force her to drink with him.

After comforting the crying mother and daughter, Xu Ao walked over with a smile.

"Everyone is Feifei's good friend, I guess some of you have already recognized me. I am Xu Ao from Haizhou. Feifei has been well taken care of by all of you these years."

Upon hearing Xu Ao introduce himself, everyone quickly stood up, saying they didn't dare to.

Xu Ao's gaze fell on Chu Minghui, and he smiled: "Minghui, how is Commander Chu?"

"Thank you, Uncle Xu. My father is in good health." Chu Minghui stood up, his demeanor respectful.

It seemed he had known Xu Ao's identity for a while and was familiar with him.

Xu Ao nodded in approval.

At this moment, he looked around and suddenly asked: "Who is Chen Fan?"

Everyone was startled and their gazes involuntarily fell on Chen Fan, who was sitting in the corner, with a mix of schadenfreude in their eyes.

This was the father-in-law coming to settle accounts with his daughter's boyfriend.

Chen Fan stood up and calmly nodded at Xu Ao: "Hello, Uncle Xu. I am Chen Fan."

Seeing this, Xu Rongfei's expression changed, and she pouted, pulling on Xu Ao's arm: "Dad, why are you picking on Big Brother Chen as soon as you arrive? He's a good person."

"I'm not picking on him. I've just heard his name so much this month that my ears are ringing." Xu Ao gave Chen Fan a half-smile, then turned to the others: "Don't stop because I'm here. Continue celebrating Feifei's birthday."

Soon, Xu Ao sat at the head of the table.

Naturally, Xu Rongfei sat on his left, and Xu Ao specifically called Chu Minghui to sit next to his daughter. Even though he didn't say anything to Chen Fan, his actions clearly showed his stance.

Everyone was silent, but more than one person was eager to see Chen Fan's reaction.

Xu Ao was refined and gentle, making everyone quickly forget his status as a top figure in northern Jiang. They soon relaxed.

"Xu Auntie, I heard that a 'Master Chen' has recently emerged in Chuzhou's upper circles, and he's very powerful?" Zhang Yumeng suddenly asked, curious.

Xu Mother worked at Chuzhou TV and was well-connected, making her a well-informed person in Chuzhou.

She nodded: "Yes, there is such a Master Chen."

"It's said that Old Zheng and Old Wei, among others, highly praise him. Even Master Qi, who has been famous in Chuzhou for years, says he has real magic and great power, not inferior to the masters in Hong Kong."

"Is there really such a thing as magic in this world?" The group of teenagers were half-believing, half-doubting.

"I'm not sure about that," Xu Mother frowned. "Only the top tycoons in Chuzhou have met Master Chen. Since they all speak with one voice, it's clear that Master Chen has real abilities."

Just as everyone was about to ask more, Xu Ao suddenly spoke: "Speaking of Master Chen, I know a bit more about him."

The table immediately fell silent, and everyone's gaze fell on Xu Ao. This was a top figure with a status equal to Old Wei, and the information he knew was certainly much more than what Xu Mother and the group of teenagers knew.

"Have you heard of Xing Zhong from Tianhe City?" Xu Ao asked calmly.

"Yes, I heard he's the chairman of Yuanhai Group, with a fleet running routes to Japan and Korea, and even has overseas connections. He's almost untouchable in Tianhe City." Chu Minghui showed off his knowledge.

"Exactly." Xu Ao nodded in approval.

Chu Minghui looked at Chen Fan smugly after receiving Xu Ao's praise.

Chen Fan lowered his head and ate, ignoring his provocation.

Xu Ao continued: "Xing Zhong brought a high-level expert from Zhongzhou to Chuzhou to set up a trap for Old Wei. Unexpectedly, Old Wei also had a high-level expert who immediately saw through it and used magic to defeat the person Xing Zhong brought."

"Xing Zhong then slunk back to Tianhe City, and it's said he even paid the expert 45 million yuan."

"45 million yuan!" Everyone gasped.

For their age, their daily pocket money was just a few thousand to ten thousand yuan. What was 45 million yuan? It was almost half of Zhang Yumeng's family's wealth.

"Master Chen must be very capable. Otherwise, why would Xing Zhong, such a powerful person, slink back to Tianhe City and hand over 45 million yuan?" Li Yichen sighed. "Even if Xing Zhong is very rich, 45 million yuan would still be a significant loss."

"Indeed." Everyone nodded, their eyes filled with admiration.

A word that could make the famous Xing Zhong from northern Jiang leave Chuzhou and pay 45 million yuan. Such a person was beyond their imagination. Even their parents seemed inferior to Master Chen.

"I wonder what kind of person Master Chen is. If I could marry him, it would be great." Zhang Yumeng looked dreamily.

"Maybe he's an old man. And if you marry him, what about Yang Chao?" Jiang Churan teased.

"Hmph, if he had even half of Master Chen's abilities, I wouldn't have this thought." Zhang Yumeng glanced at Yang Chao, unamused.

Yang Chao could only laugh awkwardly, not daring to argue.

Seeing everyone praising the unseen 'Master Chen,' only Han Yun looked at Chen Fan in the corner, feeling a sense of awe.

'How many of you know that the real Master Chen is sitting right here?'

'This is a secret only I know, even Xu Rongfei doesn't know. I must seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.'

Thinking of this, Han Yun's gaze on Chen Fan became even more eager.

PS: Thanks to Zi Wang Ting, Xingkong zhi Buliao, Zhezhu er Danran, Youming v Xuejun, Yan Shen, Bu Zhi Juanlian Hechu, De Dao Xingfu de Zhu, Qiqian Xingyu, Huangfu Junlan, Chami Huakai, q62552217, Kanshi Wen, and Hai shang de Lantian for their support. The plot is a bit calm recently, so I won't ask for recommendations. I'll wait for the climax. O(∩_∩)O

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