Zhou Yan had just left Private Room Six when he saw that the area outside was swarming with people. Dian Wei and Yang Zai Xing immediately drew their weapons upon seeing the crowd, suspecting that someone intended to harm Zhou Yan. However, the heads of the four merchant guilds also happened to be emerging from their own private rooms and arrived at the scene. Seeing Zhou Yan's subordinates about to act, they quickly addressed him, "Little Brother Zhou Yan, those are our people. Rest assured, we mean no harm."
Zhou Yan saw them and asked, "What is the meaning of this, sirs?"
"We feared you might be disturbed by others or that someone might intend to harm you, so we sent these people to protect you."
Only then did Zhou Yan understand their intentions and smile, "Thank you."
Seeing that the four men still had something to say, Zhou Yan quickly asked, "If you have something on your mind, please speak your minds."
"It's nothing major, we just wanted to invite you to a meal. I believe Brother Zhou Yan won't refuse, will you?" The four had discussed it beforehand and agreed to invite Zhou Yan together, hoping to foster a good relationship, which would benefit them all.
"Naturally."
Zhou Yan indeed had no reason to refuse. He had a general idea of why they were being so enthusiastic. After all, he had spent lavishly, bidding on everything at the auction, and his wealth exceeded trillions. Such astonishing financial power had already stunned them.
"Wait a moment."
The City Lord of Shangyang City, who had arrived late, hurried to Zhou Yan's side. He was slightly surprised to see Zhou Yan. However, the City Lord quickly regained his composure. He had already guessed that Zhou Yan was the person from Private Room Six. He had previously speculated that Zhou Yan's background was extraordinary, and now he was utterly convinced that Zhou Yan possessed a formidable backing. Such backing was immeasurably more powerful than the so-called Du family from overseas. Don't mistake the Du family's influence overseas for their standing on the entire Canglan Continent; the Du family was merely average.
The City Lord of Shangyang City quickly approached Zhou Yan with a smile, cupping his fists, "Ah, this City Lord also wishes to befriend Little Brother. Might I trouble you to grant me this favor?"
The City Lord of Shangyang City had no conflict of interest with Zhou Yan. Furthermore, given the respectful tone, Zhou Yan would likely need to conduct transactions here in the future. Making friends with the City Lord would undoubtedly save him a lot of trouble. With this in mind, Zhou Yan naturally did not refuse. He smiled and nodded towards the City Lord of Shangyang City, "Naturally. I, myself, enjoy making friends the most. If the City Lord of Shangyang City wishes to befriend me, I would certainly be most pleased."
Upon hearing Zhou Yan's words, the City Lord of Shangyang City breathed a sigh of relief and quickly said, "I saw from the start that Little Brother was no ordinary person. Let's go, let's go. I'll host this time, don't you dare try to snatch it from me."
"Since the City Lord of Shangyang City wishes to treat us, we shall not refuse." The four merchant guild leaders were also happy to give the City Lord face.
"Let's go, let's go." The City Lord of Shangyang City, with a smile, led everyone away.
As they left, the City Lord of Shangyang City couldn't help but compare Du Xun with Zhou Yan, finding Du Xun utterly inferior to the low-key Zhou Yan. Look at Zhou Yan; there was no arrogance, he was polite and courteous, never boasting about his power. This was truly formidable.
However, as they were leaving, they encountered Du Xun and Du Mei ahead. Upon seeing Zhou Yan, Du Xun immediately became displeased and blurted out, "How is it you, this guy."
The City Lord of Shangyang City overheard this and immediately addressed Du Mei, "Du Xun, how are you speaking to Little Brother Zhou? Du Mei, quickly take Du Xun back to his residence, now!"
"Yes."
Upon hearing the City Lord of Shangyang City, Du Mei guessed that the person from Private Room Six must indeed be Zhou Yan. Although Du Mei also wished to befriend Zhou Yan, she chose to obey the City Lord's command and escort Du Xun away first. Otherwise, Du Xun would undoubtedly sabotage the City Lord's efforts to forge a connection with Zhou Yan, and then Du Mei's own aspirations to befriend Zhou Yan through the City Lord would be dashed.
Zhou Yan completely ignored Du Xun, treating him as if he were air, and simply walked past him. Being ignored and treated as if he were nonexistent made Du Xun feel incredibly uncomfortable, akin to swallowing something foul.
After leaving Du Xun behind, the City Lord of Shangyang City sincerely apologized to Zhou Yan, "Little Brother Zhou, I am truly sorry for the trouble Du Xun caused you previously. Please rest assured, I will ensure such incidents do not happen again. I hope you will be magnanimous and overlook Du Xun's transgressions."
Hearing this, Zhou Yan chuckled inwardly. The City Lord of Shangyang City must have mistakenly believed that his background was stronger than the overseas Du family. However, Zhou Yan had no intention of pointing this out. He nodded and replied, "You jest, City Lord. If I were to remember such trivial matters every day, wouldn't I be utterly exhausted?"
"Brother Zhou is broad-minded. You must have a few extra drinks later, consider it an apology," the City Lord of Shangyang City quickly said.
"Please!"
"Please!"
...
Although Du Xun harbored ill feelings towards Zhou Yan, seeing the City Lord of Shangyang City scold him in such a manner, and observing the four others surrounding Zhou Yan with such deference, he seemed to understand something. He turned to Du Mei and asked, "That guy, could he possibly be the one from Private Room Six?"
After everyone had left, Du Mei also felt a surge of anger. If not for Du Xun, she too could have joined the City Lord of Shangyang City in befriending Zhou Yan. "Do you think there's any other possibility that would make the heads of Shangyang City's four merchant guilds and the City Lord so respectful? Do you have the ability to bid on everything at the auction?" Du Mei glanced at Du Xun, then turned and left without looking back.
Du Mei realized, upon comparing Du Xun with Zhou Yan, that Du Xun was truly worthless. Zhou Yan was exceptionally low-key. If not for the reveal of his immense wealth at the auction, who would have known he possessed such terrifying liquid capital? Could this be something an ordinary person could possess?
"I..." Du Xun wanted to say that he could, but he realized he truly couldn't! That was nearly five trillion in liquid capital! The total funds Du Xun could access were barely over two hundred and fifty billion! There was simply no comparison. The other party's ability to deploy such vast liquid assets made him, the so-called young master of the overseas Du family, seem insignificant. Du Xun finally understood that Zhou Yan's status was indeed far superior to his own. It was no wonder that during their previous conflict, Zhou Yan had been so confident and uttered such arrogant words; it was all true.
(Author: Today is Qingming Festival. I went home to sweep graves and am tired.)