"Ah!"
Zhou Jian'an clutched his neck in agony. The cobra had sunk its fangs deep into it, its body coiled tightly around his chest, refusing to let go.
Before long, Zhou Jian'an's neck turned black and blue, his face contorted in extreme pain.
Li Yang sneered, "Patriarch Zhou, why did you do this? Those who do evil will perish by their own hand. I gave you a chance to leave, yet you used this trick against me."
"Now that you've been poisoned, you won't live for more than two hours. I advise you to seek medical attention quickly, or you'll truly breathe your last if you delay."
"Kid, you, you just wait! This old man won't let this go."
Zhou Jian'an had severely underestimated Li Yang's strength. Fearing the poison would enter his heart and prove fatal, he immediately got into his car and fled.
"Quick, take me to the hospital," Zhou Jian'an ordered Zhou Cai as soon as he got into the car.
"Dad, hold on. I'll get you out of here."
Zhou Cai had witnessed the entire battle clearly and never expected that even his father was no match for Li Yang.
To save Zhou Jian'an's life, he immediately drove them away.
After watching them leave, Li Yang opened the villa door and walked in.
When he arrived at Long Lingling's house, he saw Long Lingling massaging her grandfather's shoulders as soon as he entered. She had a fawning expression on her face, as if they were discussing something.
"Li Yang, you're finally here. Quickly explain to my father. He doesn't believe I sold the calligraphy and painting to you."
Upon seeing Li Yang, Long Lingling excitedly called him over, asking him to recount the events to her father.
It turned out that Long Lingling had bid on the painting because her grandfather liked it. When he returned home and learned it had been sold, his expression immediately soured.
Even though Long Lingling said it was Li Yang's idea, Long老爷zi didn't believe her. He thought Long Lingling had sold the painting because she felt her allowance was too little.
Li Yang, understanding the conflict between father and daughter, sat down and said with a smile, "Uncle Long, you've misunderstood Lingling. It was indeed I who asked Lingling to sell the painting to me."
"Did you really take the painting?"
Hearing Li Yang confirm it, Long Ye's anger subsided significantly. He greeted Li Yang with a smile, "I thought this little girl was deceiving me. Li Yang, since you're here, please sit down and make yourself at home."
"Lingling, why aren't you quickly making tea for Li Yang and entertaining him properly?"
"Hmph, so biased. I wonder who your real child is."
Long Lingling snorted in annoyance, then proactively made a cup of tea for Li Yang. She walked over and handed it to him, saying, "Li Yang, did you bring back the fake painting? I've already found someone, and it can be sent to Jiangcheng tonight."
"Yes, I brought it. You can let Uncle Long take a look."
As Li Yang spoke, he took out the fake painting from his person and handed it to Long Ye for inspection.
Long Ye opened the scroll and carefully examined its contents. He couldn't help but be surprised. Turning back, he asked, "Li Yang, you said this painting was fake just now? It looks no different from the original. Are you perhaps trying to fool me?"
"Uncle Long, this fake painting can indeed pass for the real thing. It's meticulously replicated, about eighty to ninety percent accurate. Unless someone is extremely proficient in calligraphy and painting, even an ordinary appraisal master would find it difficult to distinguish the genuine from the fake," Li Yang said with a smile.
"Heh, how miraculous. I never thought such a finely crafted replica could exist. It's clear that the person who could replicate this painting possesses exceptional artistic skill."
Long Ye's face lit up with even greater joy. He had never seen such an exquisite replica. Even if it were passed off as the original, it would be convincing enough.
Long Lingling was also deeply impressed by the fake painting, feeling it was indistinguishable from the original she had given to Li Yang today.
If Li Yang hadn't said it was fake, no one would have been able to tell the difference.
"By the way, Uncle Long, this card contains one hundred and fifty million. It's the amount transferred to me by the friend I sold it to," Li Yang then took out a bank card and handed it to Long Ye.
Long Ye smiled brightly and said, "You're too kind. We're such close friends, and it's just a piece of calligraphy and painting. What's the need for money?"
"Dad, that's not what you told me just now. Why are you so generous when it comes to Li Yang?" Long Lingling's eyes widened in disbelief upon hearing this, and she questioned him in a demanding tone.
"How can that be the same? Do you have the same capabilities as Li Yang? Don't think I don't know that you're always looking for shortcuts instead of working diligently. If you continue like this, when I get old, you won't be able to inherit my business."
"If I treat Li Yang well now, perhaps in the future, Li Yang can take care of me in my old age and help manage the Long family's business."
Long Ye's implication was that he had already set his sights on Li Yang as his son-in-law.
This was a clear case of forgetting one's daughter once a son-in-law was in sight.
"Heh, is that so? Dad, if that's the case, you really don't plan on letting me take over the company anymore? Does that mean you won't oppose whatever I do from now on?" Long Lingling suddenly had a flash of inspiration and asked with a smile.
"What do you mean?" Seeing the triumphant smile on Long Lingling's face, Long Ye felt as if a trap lay ahead, waiting for him to fall into it.
Long Lingling's eyes twinkled, and she said with a smile, "It's nothing much. I went to a stage play company this afternoon and applied for an actor position. I'll start working tomorrow."
"If you don't let me take over the company in the future, that would be wonderful. Then I can focus on being an actress."
"What did you say?"
Long Ye's heart clenched. His face immediately fell with displeasure. "You went for an actor interview behind my back? How many times have I told you, I don't agree with this. Do you know how chaotic the entertainment industry is?"
"You are the daughter of my Long family. You are destined to become a phoenix in the sky, not a mere 'phoenix girl' under some rich man!"
"Dad, what are you saying? Who told you that becoming an actor means becoming a 'phoenix girl'? I want to be a big star, the kind that everyone admires." Long Lingling said indignantly.
"Hmph, being a star? As long as you have enough talent, you can summon a crowd of big stars with a mere call. And do you know how much you have to sacrifice to become a star?" Long Ye asked with a cold snort.
"Of course, I know. I've been secretly memorizing lines and practicing acting day and night to improve my skills. Now that I finally have this opportunity, I absolutely won't give it up."
"Besides, Li Yang supports me. He accompanied me to the interview. You can ask him if you don't believe me!" Long Lingling said resolutely.
Li Yang was stunned!
So, the reason she dragged him along for an interview yesterday was to have a plausible explanation for Long Ye?
Was she overestimating him?
Even if he accompanied her, Long Ye wouldn't agree to this just because of him!