Chapter 85

It won't be long before the meal is served. At the dining table, apart from Aunt Tang occasionally speaking to him, only Xu Rongfei engaged him in conversation, while the others chatted among themselves.

As they chatted, the topic turned to the most famous person in Chuzhou recently.

"Uncle Jiang, have you heard of Master Chen?" Zhang Yumeng asked, blinking her big eyes.

"Master Chen?" Jiang Haisan put down his chopsticks and said, "You've heard of him too?"

"Of course, in the past few months, he has been talked about as if he were a god. In the upper circles of Jiangbei, who hasn't heard of his name?" Zhang Yumeng said with a delicate snort.

"Indeed, this person was only somewhat famous in Chuzhou before, but in the past one or two months, he has become a prominent figure in Jiangbei," Yang Chao nodded and said, "According to my father, when business leaders and big shots from other places come to eat, the first thing they say to Tian Sheng is, 'Your Chuzhou has produced Master Chen, that's impressive!'"

"Outside, he is talked about as if he were a god, they say he can walk on water, catch bullets with his hands, and kill people with a punch from a distance, even more powerful than the martial arts experts on TV," Jiang Churan frowned and said, "Even in school, many of my classmates discuss him, it feels like a case of hearsay."

"Right, a few months ago, Master Chen seemed to be just someone who knew a bit of magic, how did he suddenly become so powerful?" Yang Chao also wondered.

"Regarding this question, I think asking Little Fei is enough," Jiang Haisan said with a smile.

"Ah, ask me?" Xu Rongfei blinked her big eyes, looking dazed.

"Exactly, the information about Master Chen, your father should be the most informed," Jiang Haisan nodded and said.

Seeing Xu Rongfei's puzzled face, he continued, "I'm not sure if Master Chen is as powerful as you've heard, since I haven't seen it with my own eyes. But recently in Jiangbei, he is the most prominent figure. The big shots in various cities of Jiangbei all respect Master Chen."

He paused and added, "Including Zhou Tianhao from our city and Xu Ao from Haizhou."

After hearing Jiang Haisan's words, everyone's expressions changed.

Zhou Tianhao and Xu Ao were not just small-time hooligans on the streets.

Who among them wasn't a major figure in their region or even all of Jiangbei?

In terms of skills, background, and capabilities, they were basically the top figures in their respective cities. Their backing was very strong, like local snakes, even the most powerful dragons from other regions wouldn't easily provoke them.

If so many big shots respected Master Chen, wouldn't he be the top leader of the underground world in Jiangbei?

Ordinary people might feel these matters were far from them, but those born into wealthy and official families like Yang Chao and Li Yichen knew how powerful this hidden force was. It could be said that half of the entertainment venues, transportation industry, construction companies, maritime trade, high-interest loans, underground casinos, and docks in Jiangbei were controlled by these people.

If someone could integrate all these forces completely, they would instantly become the top figure in Jiangbei, even able to rival the Wei family.

"No wonder some say, 'Tang Yuanqing in Jiangnan, Master Chen in Jiangbei,'" Li Yichen said thoughtfully. "These two people are considered the prominent figures of our Jiangnan Province."

"I haven't heard of Master Chen, but Tang Yuanqing is a famous figure who has been well-known for decades," Aunt Tang suddenly interjected.

"Mom, you also know Tang Yuanqing?" Jiang Churan was surprised.

"Of course, we both have the same surname, Tang," Aunt Tang smiled. "To be precise, I am a distant relative of Tang Yuanqing. When your grandfather was alive, he once took me to Jinling City to meet him."

"Tang Yuanqing's business is vast," Li Yichen added. "The Tang Group's industries span the cities of Jiangnan and southern Dongjiang Province. It is said that all the ships on the Yangtze River for hundreds of miles belong to the Tang Group. In terms of assets, even the wealthy Zheng family in our city is not as rich as him. Only Shen Shoufu can surpass him, but his hidden power is not much less than Shen Shoufu's."

"Shen Ronghua," at the mention of his name, everyone fell silent.

Shen Ronghua, the chairman of Wanrong Group!

In Chuzhou, he is a legendary figure comparable to Old Wei.

It is said that he started as a small contractor and eventually became the richest man in Chuzhou and even Jiangbei. The Wanrong Group has long expanded beyond Chuzhou to the entire Jiangnan Province and even half of China.

Most of Shen Ronghua's industries have been moved to Jinling, but the headquarters remains in Chuzhou, so he still holds the title of the richest man in Chuzhou. For someone with a net worth of tens of billions, everyone can only look up to him.

"Shen Ronghua?"

Chen Fan, who was listening, paused.

How could he be unfamiliar with this name?

The father of Shen Junwen, the founder of Wanrong Group, one of the top ten richest people in China in the future, and also one of Chen Fan's biggest enemies in his previous life.

"Figures like Master Chen, Tang Yuanqing, and Shen Ronghua are rare in Jiangnan," Yang Chao sighed. "I wonder when we will reach that level."

Even if his family's hotel were to be upgraded to five-star, it would still be worlds apart from these three.

Their assets are in the tens of billions, not to mention the vast hidden power and background behind them, which cannot be measured by money alone.

"Little Chao, if you take over the family hotel in the future and promote Tian Sheng to the entire Jiangnan and even China, opening a branch in every major city, you will have the qualifications to be mentioned alongside them," Jiang Haisan pointed out.

He then said to Li Yichen, "Yichen, I heard you ranked in the top fifty in the city in the recent mock exam. This score is enough to get you into Jinling University. If you can enter the student council of Jinling University and become the vice president or even the president, with this capital, you can enter politics. In less than fifteen years, you can reach your Uncle Jiang's position."

Li Yichen smiled modestly and said, "I am far from Uncle Jiang. My father often says that if Uncle Jiang had a bit more luck, his achievements would not be lower than his."

Jiang Haisan laughed heartily. "Really? Deputy Mayor Li is flattering me."

Then, Li Yichen glanced at Jiang Churan across the table and said with a smile, "Compared to Jinling University, I prefer to go to Zhonghai."

"Oh?" Jiang Haisan looked at him and Jiang Churan meaningfully. "Ranran's dream is to study at Zhonghai University, you can work hard for it."

His words had a double meaning.

Li Yichen nodded solemnly in response, "I will work hard."

"Dad!" Even with Jiang Churan's cold personality, she couldn't bear it, and let out a delicate snort, her gaze involuntarily turning to Chen Fan.

Seeing Chen Fan drinking water with his head down, a hint of sadness flashed in her eyes.

"Ha ha." Jiang Haisan shook his head with a smile and continued, "As for Feifei, her future achievements are limitless, but the entertainment industry is full of是非 (troubles), you need to protect yourself."

"But I might be overthinking it, with your father supporting you, you probably won't encounter such problems in the next ten years."

"Thank you, Uncle Jiang." Xu Rongfei smiled sweetly.

After commenting on everyone, Jiang Haisan's gaze finally fell on Chen Fan, and he shook his head slightly without saying a word.

Li Yichen, Yang Chao, and others found it amusing in their hearts, knowing that Chen Fan was not even qualified for Jiang Haisan's comments. How could they say, "Study hard, get into a second-tier university, and find a job that pays three to four thousand a month after graduation?"

That would be even more laughable.

Soon, the guests and hosts enjoyed the meal, and the banquet ended.

Before leaving, Chen Fan asked Jiang Churan if the villa keys were still with her.

Jiang Churan was taken aback for a moment, then ran upstairs to get the keys.

"What villa keys?" Zhang Yumeng asked curiously.

"They are... the keys to the villa on the hilltop," Aunt Tang said hesitantly. "Xiao Fan entrusted them to Ranran."

When Jiang Churan told her about this a few months ago, she had taken it as a joke. At the time, Jiang Haisan had mocked the boy, saying he was a hopeless case.

"Hilltop villa? Could it be the Cloudy Mountain Villa No. 1 developed by Wanrong Group?" Li Yichen was slightly stunned.

"That's the one," Aunt Tang nodded, her face turning a bit red.

"It is said that the villa alone cost tens of millions to build, and the selling price might be even higher," Li Yichen looked at Chen Fan with a smile that wasn't quite a smile. "And after it was built, it was given to our Chuzhou's Third Master Wei by Shen Shoufu. How did it end up in Little Brother Chen's hands?"

Aunt Tang sat there awkwardly, not knowing what to say.

Jiang Haisan sneered and shook his head, Zhang Yumeng gloated, and Yang Chao felt secretly pleased.

Since their family's hotel was to be upgraded to five-star, Yang Chao's fear of Chen Fan had long disappeared. With Zhang Yumeng often whispering in his ear, he naturally found Chen Fan increasingly annoying.

Chen Fan said calmly, "He has already given the villa to me."

"Given to you?" Li Yichen didn't say anything, but his eyes were full of disdain, as if looking at a fraud.

The hilltop villa was worth tens of millions, and might even be worth over a hundred million in the future. Could Third Master Wei easily give it away? If he had given it to the famous Master Chen of Jiangbei, they might believe it. But to give it to you, Chen Fan?

It was simply laughable!

However, Li Yichen didn't plan to expose him on the spot. An opponent at Chen Fan's level was no longer in his sights.

Jiang Churan handed him the keys coldly.

As Chen Fan was about to leave with the keys, Zhang Yumeng suddenly called out, "Brother Chen Fan, why don't we go with you to see Villa No. 1?"

Her words caused a cold silence in the room.

Chen Fan turned around and saw Zhang Yumeng's seemingly sweet but clearly malicious smile, and Jiang Churan's worried face beside her.

PS: Thanks to Grandpa Mu for the 2000, thanks to Evil Tianhuang for the 1000, thanks to Emperor War, Demacia, Invincible Wind, and Silent Years for the donations. Here is the third update. A good week has started, please give me your votes. O(∩_∩)O

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