With a grim expression, Ye Fan turned his head to look at Elder Lei.
"In this round, I forfeit."
With the situation as it was, there was no way to salvage it, as he had no proof that the Nine Dragon Wall belonged to him.
Especially seeing Liu Yuan's smug gaze, Ye Fan understood that this was all Liu Yuan's doing.
No wonder he was so calm and collected, it was clear he had made all the necessary preparations.
Upon hearing Ye Fan's words, Elder Lei sighed helplessly. Although unwilling, in the current situation, this was the best decision.
"Since that is the case, then I shall announce..."
Before Elder Lei could finish, Liu Yuan raised his hand to stop him, saying, "Wait a moment."
Hearing Liu Yuan's words, Elder Lei was slightly taken aback, his eyes tinged with suspicion. "Young Master Liu, do you have any further objections?"
Liu Yuan then slowly walked forward, a faint cold smile on his face.
"Ye Fan's actions openly violate the rules of the antique trade. It seems too lenient to simply let it go, wouldn't you agree?"
His eyes held malice, and his smile was exceptionally cunning.
Finally having seized an opportunity, Liu Yuan was determined to twist the knife, to utterly destroy Ye Fan.
"Young Master Liu, this is merely an appraisal convention organized by the Antique Association, not a sale. According to your logic, isn't this going too far?"
Elder Lei's expression darkened, and his gaze towards Young Master Liu was filled with anger.
But Liu Yuan looked towards Zheng Zhiyuan.
"Chairman Zheng, you are the president of the Jiangcheng Antique Association. You owe us an explanation for this matter, don't you?"
This was clearly a threat directed at Zheng Zhiyuan.
For a moment, Zheng Zhiyuan's face contorted, unsure whether to advance or retreat.
Just then, Lin Yue slowly walked out.
A detached expression on her face, she glanced at Ye Fan.
Then she spoke coldly, "The appraisal convention concerns the entire Jiangcheng antique circle and holds great significance. The occurrence of counterfeit and shoddy goods here will have a considerable impact on the Jiangcheng antique trade."
With his hands behind his back, he adopted an air of seasoned calculation.
These words were akin to lighting a lamp for Zheng Zhiyuan in the darkness.
Zheng Zhiyuan immediately nodded in understanding.
"City Lord Lin is correct. Ye Fan's actions have severely impacted our Jiangcheng antique trade. I order Boguzhai to be immediately sealed pending further xử lý."
"Ye Fan is forbidden from engaging in appraisal work."
"All antique dealers in Jiangcheng are permitted to monitor him. If discovered, he shall be immediately expelled from Jiangcheng."
These orders completely severed Ye Fan's path in the antique trade, equivalent to his ruin.
Looking at Zheng Zhiyuan and Lin Yue, Ye Fan remained silent, his somber face etched with frost.
He knew that any explanation he offered now would be futile. Lin Yue, Zheng Zhiyuan, and Liu Yuan were already in cahoots.
"Let's go."
Calling to Sun Yilang, Ye Fan, with a grim expression, slowly left the scene.
Watching Ye Fan's receding back, Liu Yuan's lips curled into a smile.
"Ye Fan, you think this is the end? I told you, I will make sure you are disgraced, unable to live and wishing for death."
His cold eyes harbored vicious intent!
...
"Mr. Ye, what exactly is going on? How did that Nine Dragon Wall end up in Liu Yuan's possession?"
Sun Yilang's face was filled with astonishment, his eyes showing gravity.
This matter involved too much, preventing him from taking it lightly.
Ye Fan shook his head, not answering Sun Yilang, but said gravely, "Boguzhai will temporarily suspend business. You go there now and keep an eye on things, and also help me look after Liu Cheng. I will handle the subsequent matters."
Seeing Ye Fan's solemn expression, Sun Yilang knew Ye Fan was in a bad mood and could only sigh and nod.
With the situation as it was, everything depended on Ye Fan. All he could do was ensure there were no problems on the home front.
Seeing Ye Fan off, Sun Yilang drove directly back to Boguzhai.
Meanwhile, Ye Fan went to Tianyin Pavilion.
Seeing Ye Fan walk in, Shen Tianyin's eyes were filled with worry.
"Ye Fan, what should we do next? Why don't you come to Tianyin Pavilion? As long as Tianyin Pavilion doesn't go bankrupt, we won't fear anyone."
Her gaze held comfort as Shen Tianyin took his hand and said softly.
Ye Fan, however, wore a faint smile and stroked Shen Tianyin's head.
"Don't worry, I'm not that fragile. Besides, Boguzhai is only temporarily closed, and it will reopen before long."
Knowing that Ye Fan was comforting her, Shen Tianyin still nodded gently and nestled in his arms.
"Oh, Mr. Ye is quite cheerful. Your own shop has just been sealed, and yet you have the mood to be here flirting. Truly enviable."
As he spoke, Liu Yuan walked in slowly with a few of his subordinates.
Liu Yuan had his hands behind his back, adopting an arrogant posture, his eyes even brimming with schadenfreude.
Seeing Liu Yuan's demeanor, Ye Fan frowned. "You are not welcome here, please leave."
Given Liu Yuan's personality, he would never let him off easily. Ye Fan had anticipated this, but he hadn't expected Liu Yuan to be so impatient.
Upon hearing Ye Fan's words, Liu Yuan laughed instead of getting angry, and slowly walked in, sitting on the sofa.
"This Tianyin Pavilion should be the Shen family's property, right? What business do you have here with me, Ye Fan?"
Looking at Ye Fan with disdain, Liu Yuan's expression was excited.
In his eyes, Ye Fan was now a stray dog. He had come here to witness Ye Fan's pathetic state, and he was naturally exhilarated.
Shen Tianyin's face darkened, her eyes filled with anger.
"Tianyin Pavilion is closed today and regrets not being able to receive guests. Please leave."
But Liu Yuan pursed his lips and shook his head, his gaze fixed intensely on Shen Tianyin.
"Rumor has it that Miss Shen is of unparalleled beauty. It seems to be true. I have come today to compete with Miss Shen. I've heard that Tianyin Pavilion is one of the top antique establishments in Jiangcheng, so I've come for a contest. Here is a certificate from the Antique Association."
Saying this, he gave a signal to one of his subordinates.
The subordinate immediately stepped forward and placed a certificate signed by Zheng Zhiyuan in front of Shen Tianyin.
This was a privilege of the Antique Association, allowing two factions to conduct appraisal contests to determine their relative strengths.
"Why should I compete with you?"
After glancing at the certificate, Shen Tianyin said coldly.
But Liu Yuan smiled and said, "If Miss Shen refuses, I fear that once I leave this door, I will spread the word that Tianyin Pavilion is all talk and no substance. By then, I fear there will be no place for Miss Shen in Jiangcheng."
Liu Yuan said with a sinister smile, his demeanor extremely treacherous.
"You..."
Shen Tianyin was instantly furious, but utterly helpless.
Since Liu Yuan dared to propose a competition, he must have been well-prepared. And now, with Ye Fan unable to appraise, and only Elder Ji alone, it was unlikely they could defeat Liu Yuan.
Ye Fan's face also darkened. Liu Yuan was indeed cunning. Whether Tianyin Pavilion accepted the competition or not, the outcome was already decided.
If they refused Liu Yuan, once he spread the word, Tianyin Pavilion's reputation would be instantly ruined.
But if they competed and lost, Tianyin Pavilion would also face ostracism from its peers, and would then fall into painful struggles.
This was a dead end, a dilemma with no way out.