A servant quickly hurried off to prepare. In just a few minutes, a large basin of realgar wine was brought forth.
Elder Shen's face was gloomy. He casually placed the Su Hou Pearl into the wine basin. The next moment, the Su Hou Pearl once again emitted a lustrous glow.
Everyone around gasped. Only when they saw that the Su Hou Pearl, when immersed in the wine, remained unchanged did their suspended hearts finally relax.
Shen Shiyun, in particular, let out a sigh of relief and said proudly, "For Grandpa's birthday, I meticulously prepared this gift. The Su Hou Pearl, a treasure unparalleled throughout history, is the only thing worthy of Grandpa."
As she spoke, she looked at Ye Fan. "Unlike some people, whose hearts are not filled with this family at all, let alone Grandpa."
She would not miss any opportunity to suppress Shen Tianyin. Only by ensuring Shen Tianyin could never recover would she feel at ease.
Ye Fan, however, wore a faint smile. "Miss Shen is too hasty. Until the very end, no one knows in which direction things will develop."
His gaze was fixed intently on the Su Hou Pearl in the basin.
As he spoke, the fluorescence on the surface of the Su Hou Pearl began to gradually dim.
Almost everyone was stunned.
"This, what is happening?"
Even Shen Shiyun frowned, her face pale.
As for Elder Shen, his eyes were filled with anger as he stared motionlessly at the Su Hou Pearl.
The coating on the pearl's surface was fading faster and faster. Finally, it became visible to the naked eye.
"It seems I don't need to say any more. This so-called Su Hou Pearl is just ordinary pearls coated with fluorescent powder. You could probably buy it for five yuan on the street. Yet Miss Shen spent two hundred million. I don't know if Miss Shen has a problem with her brain, or if the Shen family is so wealthy they aren't afraid of being called fools behind their backs?"
An item worth a few yuan cost two hundred million. It was simply a colossal joke.
Shen Shiyun's face turned ashen, as if she could squeeze water from it. Her body trembled slightly as she pointed at Ye Fan. "This, this is impossible! It must be your doing. At the appraisal fair, you made Shen Tianyin compete with me. If you knew it was a fake, why would you let Shen Tianyin participate in the bidding?"
Her gaze, as if it could kill, fixed maliciously on Ye Fan.
Elder Shen's expression was equally frighteningly grim. Having weathered countless storms, what great tempests had he not witnessed?
Yet, as he aged, he still had to worry and labor for his descendants.
He had thought that by dedicating his life to cultivating Shen Shiyun, she could inherit the future of the family.
But now, it seemed Shen Shiyun's mind was too narrow.
But could Shen Tianyin manage?
The antique shop handed over to him by the family had been operating at a loss, meaning he lacked the ability to manage the family's industries.
His gaze shifted, settling on Ye Fan's face.
This was a promising young man. Although his background was not good, he was honest and upright. If he could assist Shen Tianyin, perhaps...
No one knew what Elder Shen was thinking at that moment.
Ye Fan coldly snorted, "Whether we participate in the bidding is our own business. Even if it's a fake, we might still bid because we like it. Miss Shen spent two hundred million of the family's money to buy a fake. I think the Shen family deserves a reasonable explanation. After all, it's Grandpa's birthday, and you've given Grandpa such a great gift. You are truly filial."
These words were meant for Elder Shen.
Indeed, upon hearing this, Elder Shen turned his angry gaze towards Shen Shiyun.
"You used the family's funds? Just to buy a fake?"
His voice, though not loud, carried an imposing authority that made Shen Shiyun tremble even more violently.
"Grandpa, I, I did not use the family's money. I bought this Su Hou Pearl with my own private savings. If I were to use family money for Grandpa's birthday, wouldn't that be like using Grandpa's money to show filial piety to Grandpa? Such a shameless act, your granddaughter cannot do."
Her response was smooth and practiced. She was still trying her best to please the old man.
It had to be said that Shen Shiyun indeed possessed some astuteness. She knew the priorities and avoided the crucial issues, striving for her greatest benefit.
"Bring me the family's accounts later. If family money was used, the entire Shen family might be implicated. At that time, even if I wished to protect you, I would be powerless."
Elder Shen said earnestly.
This matter was thus concluded. Regardless of whether Shen Shiyun had used the Shen family's funds, she would not receive too severe a punishment.
All of this seemed to be within Ye Fan's expectations.
Holding Shen Tianyin's hand, he said with a smile, "A heart like venom, a despicable and shameless person, yet holds great power. While those who are kind-hearted and capable are constantly suppressed. This is the sorrow of a prominent family. It is truly laughable."
...
After pulling Shen Tianyin away from the Shen family, Ye Fan released her hand.
"I did not intend to offend, but the situation was urgent, and there was no time to seek your opinion. Please forgive me."
Now that they had left the Shen family, Ye Fan no longer needed to pretend. He resumed his persona of being infatuated and oblivious to emotions.
This time, it was Shen Tianyin who acted with grace and smiled leisurely.
"It's nothing. No one knew that so many unexpected changes would occur today. Your handling of it was very good. Next, it depends on how Grandpa handles it. At worst, I'll give up Tianyin Pavilion. I have other businesses anyway, it's just starting from scratch."
If Ye Fan had not been there, she would not have left so easily today. Given Shen Shiyun's attitude towards her, she would have certainly detained her forcefully, then launched a conspiracy against her. In the end, she would have been forced to marry Zhou Youde.
Therefore, in Shen Tianyin's heart, she not only held no resentment towards Ye Fan but was filled with gratitude.
"However, after today's events, I'm afraid Shen Shiyun and Zhou Youde will both see you as a thorn in their side. You must be more careful in your actions going forward."
Ye Fan was unconcerned. "When the soldiers come, block them. When the water rises, dam it. It won't be easy for just the two of them to deal with me. It's still uncertain who will emerge victorious."
His expression was relaxed, showing no sign of panic. This composure made Shen Tianyin even more surprised.
Behind them, Jiang Zhitao quickly followed. "Brother Ye, daring to cause a scene at the Shen family, you truly live up to the title of being overbearing."
In front of Elder Shen, even he would have been respectful and dared not be the slightest bit presumptuous. Compared to Ye Fan's actions today, he felt utterly inferior.
"Why did you follow out as well? You represent the Jiang family. Do you mean your Jiang family wants to fall out with the Shen family?"