Ye Fan smiled indifferently and turned to look at Zheng Zhiyuan.
"Thank you, President Zheng, for corroborating for me. However, individuals like Liu Yuan, who are arrogant and conceited, are truly detestable. I am ashamed that our Jiangcheng has such a disgrace."
Ye Fan's demeanor was righteous and indignant.
Zheng Zhiyuan frowned slightly, his expression cold. He knew Ye Fan was acting, putting on a show for him.
"Ye Fan, how did you know Liu Yuan was acquainted with the big-bearded man?"
Zheng Zhiyuan suddenly looked up, fixing his gaze on Ye Fan, and asked in a deep voice.
Although Ye Fan had appeared low-key before, looking back now, it seemed as though he had deliberately implicated Liu Yuan. During the appraisal, he had asked Liu Yuan to step in. The big-bearded man's reaction had been different then, and when Liu Yuan declared it a fake, the big-bearded man had reacted even more intensely, his face filled with disbelief. Subsequently, Liu Yuan attempted to silence the witness. All of this pointed to one conclusion: Liu Yuan and the big-bearded man had known each other for a long time.
Upon hearing Zheng Zhiyuan's question, Liu Yuan's lips curved into a cold smirk.
"President Zheng is indeed brilliant. I do know that Liu Yuan and the big-bearded man are acquainted, but President Zheng doesn't need to know how I know."
With that, he gave Shen Bao a meaningful glance. Shen Bao immediately understood.
"Disband."
He then led the enforcers away quickly. Elder Lei left with them, a faint smile on his face. He had to admit, Ye Fan had handled this exceptionally well. Not only had he captured the big-bearded man and his associates, but he had also dealt with Liu Yuan and his gang, and in the process, had asserted dominance over Zheng Zhiyuan. It was a triple victory, and his respect for Ye Fan grew.
"What do we do next?" Shen Bao asked Ye Fan from inside the car.
"Interrogate the big-bearded man and let him and Liu Yuan's gang continue to misunderstand each other." Ye Fan sneered, his eyes narrowed.
Seeing the coldness flash in Ye Fan's eyes, Shen Bao nodded with a smile. Without much rest, upon returning to the hotel, Ye Fan went directly to the room where the big-bearded man was being held.
"Brother Li, we meet again." Ye Fan sat down opposite the big-bearded man and smiled.
The big-bearded man gritted his teeth, his eyes burning with rage, wishing he could cut Ye Fan into a thousand pieces.
"Who exactly are you? Why are you trying to harm me?" The big-bearded man roared angrily, his face dark. If anyone outside heard the commotion, they would have come to investigate.
Ye Fan shook his head, his smile fading.
"Brother Li, you must be mistaken. It's not me who is harming you, but Liu Yuan. He was the one who identified the goods you were carrying as fakes, and he was the one who wanted to silence you. I'm the one who saved you, so you should be calling me your savior."
His face was adorned with a gentle smile, and even his brows seemed to carry a hint of amusement. Hearing Ye Fan's words, the big-bearded man frowned. Ye Fan's reasoning was sound. If Ye Fan hadn't saved him in that critical moment, he would have surely met his end. The anger on his face gradually subsided.
Seeing the change in the big-bearded man's expression, Ye Fan smiled slightly and then sighed, asking, "Can we talk now? What conspiracy is there between you and Liu Yuan?" Now that he had clarified things with the big-bearded man, he was sure the latter understood the implications.
Indeed, after hearing Ye Fan's words, the big-bearded man's brow furrowed slightly. After a long pause, he sighed and looked at Ye Fan, slowly speaking.
"We were never the ones supposed to meet you. We were all hired by Liu Yuan to impersonate those people and deliver counterfeit bronze artifacts to you."
The big-bearded man's words stunned Ye Fan, his face filled with shock.
"You mean you weren't sent by the higher-ups at all? Then, where are those people?" Shen Bao asked, frowning.
The big-bearded man shook his head. "I don't know where those people are. Liu Yuan just notified me to come directly. I think those people have been detained by them," the big-bearded man ventured.
"If that's the case, Liu Yuan is indeed extremely cunning. But does he really think he can do as he pleases? How laughable." A hint of icy coldness flashed in Ye Fan's eyes, and his face was now filled with sternness. Without a doubt, Ye Fan had decided to kill Liu Yuan. Someone like Liu Yuan, driven by greed and willing to resort to any means to achieve his goals, would only disrupt the Jiangcheng antique market if left alive. Killing him would be a permanent solution.
Knowing Ye Fan's murderous intent, Shen Bao's expression also turned cold. Seeing their reactions, the big-bearded man sighed inwardly. It seemed Liu Yuan had indeed picked a fight with the wrong people. If this matter escalated, it would not be easily resolved. Afterward, the big-bearded man recounted the entire incident in detail before Ye Fan and his companions left.
"I can't believe it, Liu Yuan actually planned to double-cross us, using this operation to make a fortune. Fortunately, we got out early, otherwise, his scheme would have succeeded," Shen Bao said angrily, his eyes flashing with indignation. Liu Yuan's actions had undoubtedly angered him. Anyone would be furious in such a situation.
Ye Fan glanced at him and then said calmly, "Let's go and pay a visit to this Young Master Liu." The two walked directly towards the room where Liu Yuan was being held. After being apprehended, Liu Yuan and his four companions were all confined to separate rooms, with enforcers guarding the doors to ensure absolute security.
Pushing open the room door, they saw Liu Yuan sitting on the sofa with a grim expression.
"What? You want to let me out now? That won't be so easy. You owe me an explanation for what happened today, or you won't get away with this easily," Liu Yuan said coldly, glaring at Ye Fan and Shen Bao, and shouting in anger.
Ye Fan frowned at Liu Yuan's arrogant demeanor and then glanced at Shen Bao. Seeing Ye Fan's gaze, Shen Bao understood. He stomped his foot, and in an instant, he was in front of Liu Yuan, raising his hand and delivering a fierce slap.
*Slap!*
The slap stunned Liu Yuan. His eyes filled with hatred, and he flew into a rage.
"You dare hit me? You dare hit me? I'll kill you!" He lunged at Shen Bao with flailing arms.
But at that very moment, Shen Bao raised his foot and fiercely kicked Liu Yuan in the stomach, then followed up with another slap. This time, Liu Yuan was dazed, blood trickling from his lips, his eyes red.
"Still want to kill me?" Shen Bao asked coldly, looking at Liu Yuan.
Liu Yuan's body trembled violently. His blood-red eyes were filled with terrifying rage.
"You'll die a horrible death..." Before he could finish speaking, Shen Bao's fist slammed into him. A barrage of over a dozen punches rained down like raindrops, completely breaking Liu Yuan.
"Stop! I won't dare anymore." Covering his head, Liu Yuan surrendered.