The image showed a fragment of a dragon-patterned compass.
She had already guessed that the item was unusual, but she hadn't expected Xu Donglai to be here for it.
"Whether it's money, goods, or something else, we can discuss it. Miss Chen, just say the word!"
Xu Donglai said with full confidence.
He had come for this, and was determined to obtain it.
He also couldn't imagine any reason for Chen Xing'er to refuse him.
This item held no value in the hands of someone who didn't understand it.
Chen Xing'er pondered, then looked at Chen Fan.
Chen Fan gave her a reassuring look, then turned to Xu Donglai and said, "Young Master Xu, Miss Chen has already given this item to me. It is now in my possession!"
Xu Donglai's gaze fell upon Chen Fan.
He had noticed Chen Fan when he entered, but hadn't paid much attention.
Now, he was greatly surprised.
"May I ask, who are you?"
Xu Donglai inquired.
The fact that he asked for a name only now showed that besides Chen Xing'er, he saw no one else.
"My name is Chen Fan!" Chen Fan said with a half-smile.
Xu Donglai was astonished.
The young man beside him had his pupils constrict.
That was Xu Dongsheng, the son-in-law of the Shao family.
How could they not know Chen Fan's name? They were even having people from the Shao family investigate Chen Fan's whereabouts, and had not expected to encounter him here.
Chen Xing'er also looked at Chen Fan with some surprise, not expecting him to say that.
Xu Donglai quickly composed himself, stood up, extended his hand, and said, "So it's Mr. Chen. I've long known of Mr. Chen's reputation. My apologies for not recognizing you!"
Chen Fan casually extended his hand.
After gripping Chen Fan's hand, a hint of coldness flashed in Xu Donglai's eyes, and he suddenly applied force.
A powerful force surged, intending to make Chen Fan lose his composure in the handshake.
However, Chen Fan's expression was placid, and he looked at Xu Donglai with a half-smile.
Gradually, the muscles in Xu Donglai's right arm tensed, and his facial muscles began to twitch.
He intended to give Chen Fan a show of force through the handshake, to make Chen Fan embarrass himself.
But no matter how hard he tried, Chen Fan's hand was like cast iron, unmoving.
Instead, Chen Fan's strength was becoming unbearable for him, the pain from his palm intensifying, to the point of being unable to endure it.
Chen Xing'er couldn't help but giggle.
She didn't like this Xu Donglai, finding him too pretentious.
Xu Donglai's face began to redden, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
He couldn't hold on any longer; continuing would lead to humiliation.
"Mr. Chen is truly... enthusiastic. You may let go now!"
Xu Donglai forced himself to say.
Chen Fan smiled, "Perhaps enthusiasm isn't enough for a distinguished descendant of a noble family like yourself, Young Master Xu?"
Fine beads of cold sweat had already appeared on Xu Donglai's forehead. He said helplessly, "It's enough, it's more than enough!"
Chen Fan then released his hand.
Xu Donglai lowered his right hand, his entire right arm trembling.
However, he had good control, enduring it forcibly, and said, "The fragment of the dragon-patterned compass is in Mr. Chen's possession. May I ask if Mr. Chen would be willing to part with it?"
"No!"
Chen Fan replied directly.
A shadow of gloom appeared in Xu Donglai's eyes.
Although this was his first meeting with Chen Fan, due to the Shao family, he had intended to confront Chen Fan to assert his dominance. However, he had arrived in Hangjiang too recently and hadn't had time to investigate Chen Fan's whereabouts.
The result was encountering him here.
He had intended to show Chen Fan who was boss, but instead, he was the one who received a display of dominance.
And now, he had been so resolutely refused by Chen Fan.
He was an extremely arrogant person, and couldn't help but feel displeased.
"Mr. Chen, perhaps you could name your price first?"
Xu Donglai said in a deep voice.
"No need." Chen Fan said with a placid expression, "I will not sell it."
"Ten million!"
Xu Donglai said.
Chen Fan, too lazy to bother, shifted his gaze elsewhere.
"Thirty million!" Xu Donglai glanced at Chen Xing'er, then said in a deep voice, "Mr. Chen, are you unwilling to give face to the Xu family of West Ridge?"
"Face is earned, not given. If Young Master Xu wishes to throw his face on the ground, no one can stop you." Chen Fan said leisurely, his expression as cold as ever.
Xu Donglai's expression finally changed.
He stared at Chen Fan, his tone turning grim, "It seems more words are useless. Mr. Chen is quite arrogant. Do you know the price you will pay for refusing me?"
He could no longer hold back, and his words turned threatening.
Chen Fan didn't take his threat to heart at all and said calmly, "Young Master Xu, please leave!"
Xu Donglai was almost bursting with anger.
As the future heir of the Xu family, the young master of a century-old influential clan, he was actually being asked to leave by someone?
He had only been in Hangjiang for half a day. First, he had been rebuffed by Old Master Shao, and now he had been shamed by someone like Chen Fan, whom he didn't even take seriously.
His anger and resentment were understandable.
If it were Chen Xing'er, it would be different. Her status was significant, and even a century-old clan couldn't disregard influential families like the Chen family in the capital.
But who was this Chen Fan?
"Mr. Chen is indeed arrogant. We may meet again. I hope Mr. Chen will not regret his actions today!" Xu Donglai restrained himself and said sinisterly, "Let's go!"
Chen Fan saw no need to say anything further.
The group of four left Villa No. 1, got into their car, and sped away.
After they left, Chen Xing'er giggled and asked Chen Fan, "Aren't you afraid of Xu Donglai retaliating?"
"Are you going to protect me?" Chen Fan rarely joked.
"Beg me!" Chen Xing'er blinked and said, "I'll have the family send people to protect you in Hangjiang."
Chen Fan rolled his eyes, "You should return to the capital!"
"Return to the capital? I just arrived in Hangjiang and you want me to go back? Are you trying to drive me away?"
Chen Xing'er's fur bristled at his words.
Chen Fan said sternly, "That dragon-patterned compass fragment has attracted the contention of many people and forces. You handed it to me, and now you should return to the capital."
He had created this situation himself, but he hadn't known that Chen Xing'er was involved at first. Therefore, he now wanted Chen Xing'er to stay away from the trouble to avoid danger.
"Don't even think about it."
Chen Xing'er stood up and said, "This is so much fun, I'm not leaving."
She left Villa No. 1, and as she reached the door, she turned back and said with a smile, "I'll just take it as you being concerned about me."
Chen Fan also felt helpless.
However, the outcome was within his expectations.
If this girl were obedient and well-behaved, how would she have earned the reputation of the "Little Devil of the Capital"?
Shi Wenyan also left, but couldn't help but cast a deep glance at Chen Fan, her heart filled with curiosity.
Returning to the study.
Chen Fan retrieved a cloth bag from a hidden safe.
Two fragments of the dragon-patterned compass appeared in his sight.
Judging by their shapes and sizes, this item was supposed to be composed of nine pieces in total to form a complete compass.
Holding them in his hand, the cold texture brought a special sensation.
The ancient inscriptions on the compass, recognized by few, began to flow and wriggle under his gaze, as if they had come to life.
Meaning that was obscure and difficult to understand slowly emerged in his mind.
His entire demeanor also became somewhat ethereal, peculiar, and mystical.
After a moment, he smiled and put away the two fragments.
This item was too important to him. The achievements he had made today were greatly attributed to the first fragment he had obtained.
Of course, that was also the most important and fundamental piece among the nine fragments.
He was determined to obtain the other fragments as well.
Now that the third fragment was in Chen Xing'er's possession, it was not much different from being in his own hands.
The remaining fragments, however, were unknown. He wondered if the forces that had gathered in Hangjiang upon hearing the news held any of the remaining fragments.
Perhaps...