Chapter 345 - Provocation

Hearing that Ye Fan was unwilling to go over and meet Long Aotian and Qi Ye, Zhao Shuaijiang couldn’t help but feel slightly astonished.

However, the next moment he understood, as Ye Fan was not an ordinary man; it was normal for him to have a bit of pride.

Moreover, he had observed Long Aotian’s excessive arrogance, yet Long Aotian purposely wished to get acquainted with Ye Fan and Hu Jing.

He believed that Long Aotian was mostly interested in Hu Jing.

Although he knew Hu Jing was not Ye Fan’s woman, tonight she was Ye Fan’s companion.

Such behavior of openly poaching someone’s companion was quite insulting.

Ye Fan and Hu Jing were invited by him to play, and as the host, he naturally didn’t enjoy seeing Ye Fan being bullied.

Therefore, he immediately smiled and said, “Haha, no worries.

I only came over because I had no choice but to say hello.

Continue with your game, and don’t worry about anything else.”

After saying that, he turned and went back to Long Aotian and Qi Ye.

After Zhao Shuaijiang turned around, Hu Jing quietly asked Ye Fan, “Will there be any trouble since we didn’t give face to those two?”

“Haha, don’t worry, of course there won’t be any trouble,” Ye Fan calmly said, “Some people always think they’re above everyone else, ruling over others as if it’s still the feudal society.”

“Let’s continue playing.”

Seeing how calm Ye Fan was, Hu Jing instantly felt at ease, smiled, and replied, “Alright.”

Then, the two continued playing snooker.

Qi Ye, seeing that Ye Fan and Hu Jing hadn’t followed Zhao Shuaijiang over, couldn’t help but feel surprised that there were actually people unwilling to get acquainted with him and Long Aotian.

Just now, he had heard from Zhao Shuaijiang’s mouth that those two weren’t from the Hua Hai high society circle but merely ordinary folks.

When Zhao Shuaijiang approached An Qifang and Long Aotian, he apologetically said, “I’m sorry, my two friends are not very keen on making friends, so…”

“What the hell!

Why are they acting all high and mighty?” Standing behind Qi Ye, Zhan Xin couldn’t help but exclaim.

Zhao Shuaijiang turned his eyes to Zhan Xin’s face and mildly countered, “Not liking making friends isn’t the same as acting high and mighty.”

Seeing Zhao Shuaijiang clearly favoring Ye Fan and Hu Jing, even Zhan Xin didn’t dare say anything more.

Qi Ye chuckled, then turned to Long Aotian and said, “Since that’s the case, Young Long, let’s find somewhere else to have fun.”

In his view, it was an honor for Ye Fan and Hu Jing that he and Long Aotian wanted to get acquainted with them.

Since they didn’t appreciate it, then so be it.

Were they supposed to beg to get acquainted with Ye Fan and Hu Jing?

A faint cold smile lingered on Long Aolong’s lips as he slightly shook his head and said to Zhao Shuaijiang, “You go call them over again.

I want to get to know them tonight.”

Zhao Shuaijiang’s expression immediately turned grim as he said calmly, “If you sincerely want to get to know them, why don’t you go over there yourself?”

Long Aotian’s expression turned cold, his gaze dangerously fixing on Zhao Shuaijiang.

“Shuai Jiang, how can you speak to Young Long like that?” Qi Ye immediately reprimanded Zhao Shuaijiang, then turned to Long Aotian with an apologetic smile, “Haha, Young Long, Shuai Jiang is a bit stubborn by nature, he didn’t mean any offense.

Please don’t take it the wrong way.”

Ye Fan, a master of concealed strength with exceptional hearing, plus Zhao Shuaijiang, Long Aotian, and others not being far away, could clearly hear their conversation.

Not wanting Zhao Shuaijiang to offend Long Aotian because of him, he turned and called out loudly to Long Aotian, “Long Aotian, if you want to get to know me, just come here yourself.

Why put on airs?

Oh, that’s right, you already know me, so why pretend not to?”

Long Aotian had encountered him twice before, particularly at the business summit party at Yun Qi Club where Li Zhaojun had personally introduced them.

Ye Fan’s cry resounded, causing faces like Zhao Shuaijiang’s and An Qiye’s to show a sudden flash of expression.

Long Aotian haughtily snorted lightly, his gaze fixed on Ye Fan as he took steps toward him.

Zhao Shuaijiang, An Qiye, and the others snapped to their senses and quickly followed.

However, Zhao Shuaijiang moved briskly ahead by a few steps, surpassing Long Aotian, and reached Ye Fan and Hu Jing first, turning to face Long Aotian, An Qiye, and the others alongside Ye Fan and Hu Jing.

Zhao Shuaijiang was no fool.

He had guessed that the relationship between Ye Fan and Long Aotian was probably not good.

Ye Fan was not only his friend but also his guest for the evening.

If he sided with Long Aotian and bullied Ye Fan tonight, once news of this spread, he could forget about mingling in the Hua Hai social circles in the future.

Therefore, he made a swift decision to stand by Ye Fan.

Although this might attract Long Aotian’s resentment, it could not be helped.

Hu Jing also sensed that things were probably not good between Ye Fan and the influential Long Aotian.

As Long Aotian approached with a group of people, she couldn’t help feeling a bit frightened and clung to one of Ye Fan’s arms.

Ye Fan felt Hu Jing clutching his arm tightly and turned his head slightly to whisper in comfort, “Don’t worry, it’s just a worm, nothing serious.”

Standing beside them, Zhao Shuaijiang heard this and admired Ye Fan’s spirit while deeply worrying for him.

The Long family from Sijiu City was not easily provoked, otherwise, he wouldn’t have lowered his head in front of Long Aotian just a moment ago.

At this time, Long Aotian had reached Ye Fan, wearing a proud look and disdainfully said, “Someone as insignificant as you, who would remember you?

And I’m not interested in making your acquaintance either.”

Then, his gaze shifted to Hu Jing, speaking condescendingly, “Miss, you’re very pretty and sexy.

How about we get to know each other?”

He obviously wasn’t truly jealous over Hu Jing causing a scene with Ye Fan in public.

He wanted to use Hu Jing as a catalyst to escalate the conflict with Ye Fan and then corner Ye Fan into a trap.

He had his designs on Li Zhaojun, so naturally, he could not tolerate Ye Fan’s presence.

Especially knowing that Ye Fan, a worthless ex-soldier and low-level office worker, could freeload off Li Zhaojun made him particularly annoyed.

“I…” Hu Jing was a bit stunned, puzzled about how she got dragged into this.

Though she was usually clever and competent, facing Long Aotian—who could make Zhao Shuaijiang, already lofty in her eyes, run errands—was an immense pressure for her.

Seeing this, one of Long Aotian’s followers immediately ingratiated himself, saying, “Miss, Young Master Long isn’t just any influential figure.

The Long family of Sijiu City can make the whole nation tremble with a single stomp.

Since you’ve caught the young master’s eye, why not greet him promptly!”

Hu Jing regained her composure and responded, “Sorry, I already have a boyfriend, so thank you for your kind offer, Young Master Long.”

Ye Fan calmly told Long Aotian, “Did you hear that?

If you have any shame, please leave on your own.”

Long Aotian deliberately ignored Ye Fan, continuing to focus on Hu Jing, “Not necessarily.

Even married people can divorce, let alone just having a boyfriend.

You can easily break up right now.”

Ye Fan’s gaze grew icy as he shielded Hu Jing behind him and coldly said to Long Aotian, “Long Aotian, forcing a woman into a corner like this, don’t you feel any shame?”

“Ha ha, Ye Fan, I thought you were always hiding behind a woman,” Long Aotian returned his gaze to Ye Fan’s face, sneering contemptuously.

Then, he purposefully continued, “However, swan meat isn’t for just any toad to eat.

If you’re a man, you should have the capabilities to protect the women around you.”

“Do you dare to gamble a few rounds with me?

I won’t use my influence to bully you, ten to one odds.

If you lose, leave immediately, allowing this beauty to make the right choice!”