Chapter 21: Chen Fan, Who Are You Really?

Chen Fan let out a soft chuckle, feigning grievance as he said, “You were the one who told me to drink, so why are you scolding me now?”

“You… pervert!” Xia Xin’s cheeks flushed red. Realizing she was in the wrong, she simply decided not to argue anymore.

Upon hearing this, the people around them cast peculiar glances at Chen Fan.

This must be the very definition of a public embarrassment!

With a darkened expression, Chen Fan said, “If you’ve got nothing else, I’ll be on my way. After all, I still have to busy myself with the three tasks your uncle set for me if I want to marry you. It’s no joke how difficult those are.”

Though he truly enjoyed these sweet moments with Xia Xin, now that her stance was clear, he felt it best to go remind Xuanwu—otherwise known as Chu Yunfei—lest they slip up somewhere.

Seeing Xia Xin stay silent, Chen Fan stood up to leave, but a reluctant voice sounded behind him, “Do you want to go have hotpot?”

Chen Fan turned around, looking at Xia Xin in astonishment. “Are you serious?”

Under Chen Fan’s gaze, Xia Xin grew a little shy. Turning her face away, she said, “It looks like you’re not interested. Just forget what I said.”

“Of course I want to! Why wouldn’t I?” Chen Fan nodded happily.

Seeing this, Xia Xin emphasized, “Don’t get any ideas. I’m just thanking you for introducing Leng Shuang to me. She really helped a lot, so I’m treating you to hotpot.”

“Yes, yes, I won’t overthink it, future wife!” Chen Fan grinned and nodded.

In an instant, Xia Xin noticed the looks around them turning teasing and sweet. Her face flushed crimson, and she shot Chen Fan a fierce glare before hurrying out of the milk tea shop.

After lunch, Chen Fan and Xia Xin walked together to the underground parking lot of Meiting Group.

Even though Chen Fan repeatedly stressed at lunch that there was no need to give Leng Shuang a gift, Xia Xin felt that since she had received help, she had to reciprocate. It wouldn’t do to do nothing at all.

So, after a bit of discussion, they decided to head to the department store a kilometer away to buy a set of clothes as a gift.

Arriving at the parking lot, Chen Fan walked alongside Xia Xin. As they went, he happened to glance to the side and noticed three vans parked nearby, with people seemingly inside.

Chen Fan frowned slightly and asked, “Do you usually see vans parked here?”

Xia Xin thought for a moment and shook her head, indicating she’d never seen them before.

This made Chen Fan’s heart skip a beat. “Not good, there’s danger. Hurry, take the elevator upstairs!”

With that, he quickly grabbed Xia Xin’s hand and dashed toward the elevator.

Xia Xin, not understanding, thought Chen Fan was just making an excuse to take advantage of her. She shook him off and snapped, “Chen Fan, can you stop playing these childish tricks? I’m not some naïve little girl—you can’t fool me that easily!”

“I really… Can’t you think better of me?” Chen Fan was exasperated.

He was about to forcibly lead Xia Xin away, but it was already too late. From all directions, a group of fierce-looking men surged forth, quickly surrounding them.

Xia Xin was dumbfounded. She noticed the men were all wielding steel pipes, baseball bats, and even machetes. The overwhelming pressure made her instinctively edge closer to Chen Fan.

Chen Fan tugged at Xia Xin’s sleeve, asking with feigned innocence, “A childish trick, huh? Don’t hide behind me now—be brave and face them yourself. Let’s see if you’ll have any clothes left by the end.”

“How was I supposed to know there was actual danger?” Xia Xin said, feeling guilty. If she hadn’t been so self-righteous, they could have made it to the elevator and escaped.

She cautiously peeked over Chen Fan’s shoulder, counting at least thirty on the other side, and whispered, “Chen Fan, can you take them?”

“Take them? You should be asking whether I’ll survive this, and whether you’ll be dragged into an alley…”

“If I really get humiliated by them, I’ll haunt you for the rest of your life—even as a ghost.”

“Xia Xin, can you be reasonable for once? You’re the one dragging me into this mess!”

“Have you ever seen a girl be reasonable? I don’t care—if you let anything happen to me, I’ll haunt you as a ghost and never let you go.”

By now, the group had stopped about a meter away from them.

A burly man stepped forward, his tone vicious. “Chen Fan, someone hired me—Black Dog—to teach you a lesson. If I break your arm, he’ll pay me a hundred grand for each one. A leg goes for two hundred grand. Your head? That’s a million!”

“But I’m a kind man. Give me one point one million now, and I’ll let you and your lady friend go. How about it?”

At this, Xia Xin immediately urged, “Chen Fan, just give them the money!”

“You really are naïve!” Chen Fan gave a bitter smile, raising his voice. “Do you really think if we pay him, he’ll let us go? People who do this sort of thing have no conscience. He’ll take the money, then come after us anyway, and get another million for my head. That’s two million in one go—why should I make it easy for him?”

His words left not just Xia Xin, but even the others present in stunned silence.

The previously amiable Black Dog’s expression turned sinister. He glared at Chen Fan and said coldly, “You’re a sharp one, I’ll give you that. But you’re also the most reckless man I’ve seen on the brink of death!”

He was about to signal his men to attack when Chen Fan called out, “Wait!”

Black Dog assumed Chen Fan had changed his mind and sneered, “What, finally scared? Ready to pay up?”

Chen Fan only smiled, saying nothing. He snapped his fingers with his right hand. Almost immediately, Xia Xin, who was standing just behind him, felt a wave of dizziness and slumped against his back, falling fast asleep.

This move left Black Dog and his men momentarily bewildered!

Chen Fan gently propped Xia Xin against a car tire, his gaze soft as he looked at her sleeping face. He pinched her cheek and murmured, “Silly woman.”

“Chen Fan! Enough with the love show. Are you paying up or not?” Black Dog roared in anger.

Chen Fan closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them again, the warmth had vanished, replaced by a chilling coldness. He stood up slowly, leveled his icy gaze at Black Dog, and said, “I’ll ask you only once: who sent you?”

The pressure in his voice bore down on Black Dog, making him feel as if not answering would mean certain death.

Black Dog was deeply shaken. How could Chen Fan’s aura change so drastically in an instant? Even with over thirty men at his side, he was still deeply unnerved.

Frowning, Black Dog retorted, “Chen Fan, just who are you really?”