Lin Fan walked into the grand hall, his eyes sweeping left and right. He saw some people Li Si was greeting, all shrouded in dark energy above their heads, some as severe as Li Si himself.
"This is far-reaching," Lin Fan muttered softly to Zhou Yi as he looked around. "Sister Zhou, you'd best distance yourself from Li Si as soon as possible. He's being crushed by misfortune; he likely won't survive this calamity."
"Ah?" Zhou Yi was startled, her chest heaving noticeably. She hastily covered her mouth, trying to conceal her shock.
"Sister Zhou, you must heed my words. This is no trivial matter!" Lin Fan cautioned, a hint of worry in his voice.
"I know, Xiao Fan. You wouldn't harm me." As Zhou Yi spoke, she began to ponder if she had any leverage over Li Si from their past collaborations. If so, she'd need to find a way to clear it up quickly.
"Him too..." Lin Fan's gaze inadvertently fell upon Long Yun, and he saw faint dark energy swirling above Long Yun's head.
"Xiao Fan, what were you about to say?"
"Nothing. It seems something big is about to happen in our Yunqing City or Shimenzhen."
Just then, Long Yun, who was engaged in a lively conversation with several bosses, keenly noticed Lin Fan's gaze. Long Yun paused for a moment upon seeing Lin Fan, then offered a wry smile and cupped his hands in greeting, showing respect. Lin Fan smiled back and returned the gesture.
Long Yun stood up and said to the group, "I have something urgent, so I must leave."
"Master Long, we haven't finished discussing the feng shui and divination you were explaining. Don't rush off."
"Is there anything more important than our Real Estate Association's year-end gathering?"
"Don't worry, Master Long, when the project breaks ground, we'll certainly invite you to lend your discerning eye." The portly middle-aged men tried to detain Long Yun.
Long Yun gave an awkward smile. "There is a master here, so I wouldn't dare to show off my meager skills." With that, he hurried away.
"Hey, Master Long, what's going on?"
"Master Long..."
"That's strange. What master? Isn't he the best at feng shui around here?" The men were baffled and looked around, wondering who could command such respect from Long Yun.
Lin Fan felt a mix of amusement and helplessness. *I'm not here to steal your business, is there any need for this?*
"Xiao Fan, can you take another look for me?" Zhou Yi was still feeling uneasy. She tugged at Lin Fan's sleeve and pointed to a man with a ruddy complexion and slicked-back hair, surrounded by a group of people. "I'm negotiating a big project with him. Can you take a look for me?"
"Sister Zhou, you're asking for help from the heavens when the earth is in distress!" Lin Fan chuckled helplessly. "I don't understand business matters, and besides, I wouldn't dare to claim absolute accuracy."
Zhou Yi shook Lin Fan's arm urgently. "Xiao Fan, stop playing coy. I don't believe anyone else, but I believe you!"
"He... he's probably beyond saving." Lin Fan shook his head. The dark energy above that man's head was similar to Li Si's. He wondered if they were suffering from the same affliction.
"Ah?" Zhou Yi gasped. "Then I'll have to find a way to cancel the cooperation."
Just then, Lin Fan noticed, in an inconspicuous corner, a middle-aged man drinking alone, ignored by others. Above his head, purple energy swirled, indicating extraordinary fortune.
"Sister Zhou, who is that?" Lin Fan pointed to the man's location.
Zhou Yi glanced over and said dismissively, "That's Deputy Director Li. Don't mind him; he's a stubborn old fool nobody bothers with."
"He's about to be promoted, and likely several levels up." Lin Fan stated calmly.
"What?" Zhou Yi exclaimed in disbelief. "That's impossible..." She paused, then her eyes widened. "Xiao Fan, are you serious?"
Lin Fan chuckled. "Why would I lie to you?"
Zhou Yi's shock gradually turned into a gleeful smile. Although Deputy Director Li held a modest position and was often ostracized by colleagues, he worked in a crucial department. If he were to be promoted several ranks, he would immediately become a highly sought-after figure.
"Xiao Fan, I believe you." Zhou Yi suppressed her excitement and began to consider how to curry favor with him. Fortune favors the bold, and it's always easier to add to existing prosperity than to offer help in times of need. If she could establish a good relationship with him now, the future benefits would be immense.
"Sister Zhou, it's getting late. When will you send a driver for me?" Lin Fan glanced at the wall clock; it was past midnight, and he was growing impatient.
"Xiao Fan, I won't forget your kindness. As long as I have food, you'll never starve." Zhou Yi held Lin Fan's hand and said sincerely.
Lin Fan smiled. "If you ever encounter any trouble, Sister Zhou, feel free to come to me."
"Mhm." Zhou Yi nodded, taking his words to heart. She personally escorted Lin Fan out of Lanxi Residence and arranged for a Rolls-Royce to take him to the bus station. The driver was already on their way.
Twenty minutes later.
Lin Fan arrived at the bus station, but the chauffeur hadn't arrived yet. While waiting, Lin Fan dialed Wang Ying's number.
"Xiao Fan~" Wang Ying's delighted voice came through the receiver. "How did you know we're about to have our holiday?"
Lin Fan gave an awkward smile. "I... I guessed." He had no real way of knowing when Wang Ying's holiday would start.
"I know you're not calling for that reason. You don't really care about me, do you?" Wang Ying, sensing the awkwardness in Lin Fan's tone, knew he was lying.
"Uh, Sister Wang Ying, after I left last time, did your father say anything?" Lin Fan changed the subject.
"What? Why do you sound a little scared?" Wang Ying asked playfully.
"No, not at all." Lin Fan chuckled. "What's there to be afraid of? Even if your father objects, it's too late now."
"You're terrible!" Wang Ying pouted playfully. "He just asked about your relationship with Tian Mengyao, and... and he kept inquiring about your background."
"What did you say?"
"I said we're friends~" Wang Ying sighed with a hint of frustration. "I'll have to come clean with my family after the New Year at the earliest."
"Anytime is fine. I have no objections." Lin Fan said with a smile. He had met Wang Ying's father once and suspected that the elder gentleman wouldn't readily agree to his daughter marrying him. This was also his preference; he only truly wanted to marry his sister-in-law, and others could only be secondary. Life is short, and it passes by in a blur. As long as one is happy, that's all that matters!
Wang Ying asked glumly, "Xiao Fan, you must have called for a reason, right?"
"Yes, I do." Lin Fan took a deep breath and asked, "Do you still remember Li Si?"
"Of course, I do. What about him? Did he offend you?" Wang Ying's voice was filled with concern, and she was already considering how to help Lin Fan get revenge. Others might fear Li Si, the local bully, but she didn't. With a little effort from her connections, she could make Li Si's life miserable.