Chapter 171: Valentine's Day

"Director Yang!" Young Master Song and Young Master Han greeted him. Behind them stood a group of followers—well, the second-generation heirs who were dependent on their families.

Every single one of them had a female companion, including Young Master Song and Young Master Han, whose companions were none other than their personal secretaries.

Yang Fan cast a few glances at the female companions led by Young Master Song and Young Master Han. With their sultry and fiery figures, they were well-suited to be mistresses.

With a teasing look, he signaled to Young Master Song and Young Master Han that they were all cut from the same cloth.

No wonder they shared such common hobbies!

"Young Master Han! Young Master Song!"

Another group of people approached. For Jiang Huai's grand wedding, all the prominent young heirs of Tianning had received invitations.

Naturally, Yang Fan's fame was beginning to draw attention now, though the main reason wasn't really him, but rather his wives.

Take the two right before them, Lin Ruo and Lin Xi—unrivaled, cold, and striking beauties. Ever since Young Master Han and Young Master Song ruined Jiang Tao's scheme last time, the entire circle of Tianning elites had begun keeping a close eye on them. Once they started watching, the people around them naturally came under scrutiny.

Naturally, people noticed the two gorgeous women first, and only then did they pay attention to Yang Fan!

Yet, even if anyone dared to linger for an extra glance or trail behind them for a while, they could instantly feel the biting chill radiating from the two women.

A local thug had once been crippled by Lin Ruo! Even more terrifyingly, a minor family that once attempted to harass these two beauties had been wiped out overnight. Combined with the complete silence maintained by the major families for reasons unknown, the elite circle now dared not discuss them casually.

Of course, Yang Fan knew nothing of these things! The reason the major families remained silent wasn't out of fear of Lin Ruo and Lin Xi, but rather because they were terrified of Yang Fan's other wife, Zhao Jing!

Therefore, everyone in the Tianning elite circle now knew that Yang Fan was a man not to be crossed. Offending Yang Fan wasn't the real issue; triggering the wrath of his wives meant things would get disastrously out of hand!

That was why, absent any direct conflicts of interest, they were more than happy to sit back and watch the show.

"Director Yang! Greetings, ladies!"

The crowd took just one glance and felt a chill run down their spines!

"Greetings to you all as well!" Yang Fan welcomed everyone indiscriminately.

"Director Yang, we were just planning to look for you together. We want to invest in film, television, and luxury goods too, but Young Master Song and Young Master Han refuse to bridge the gap for us. They're being quite ungenerous!"

The speaker was Young Master Bai of the Bai family. He was on par with Young Master Song and Young Master Han in terms of status, though from a different lineage.

The elite circle was divided into five main factions. The Jiang family was caught in an internal power struggle, with Jiang Huai being supported by the Han and Song families, while Jiang Tao intended to form an alliance through marriage with the Zhong family. Three of the five factions were thus entangled in the conflict, leaving the remaining two factions sitting on the sidelines to watch the tigers fight.

However, placing a bet on Yang Fan's side was entirely feasible! By investing on both fronts, whichever side ultimately triumphed in this power struggle, they would secure their profits.

Since they could not offer overt support, they had no choice but to hedge their bets on Yang Fan.

"You're more than welcome. I actually have a bone to pick with these two myself for failing to introduce Young Master Bai to me," Yang Fan said, casting a sideways glare at the two.

"Well then, shall we all head inside and discuss it?"

"On such a wonderful day, why talk about business? If you want to invest, just put your money in next year. Come on, let's all go inside! We drink until we drop today!"
……

The group had been blocking the entrance, but as they moved forward, the crowd finally dispersed.

Jiang Town—the Jiang family had genuinely transformed this place into a full-fledged town. There were recreational areas on both sides, while right through the middle flowed Tianning's Ning River, lending it the profound charm of an ancient water town.

And the wedding was to take place right on the river. How does one hold a wedding on a river? That was the unique specialty of Jiang Town: waterbeds!

With a river branching into multiple streams and converging again downstream, this unique geographical feature was undeniably captivating.

"Jiang Huai is really something else. With such a breathtaking scenic spot, he couldn't even spare a few admission tickets for me!" Yang Fan remarked.

"This place is nothing short of a marvel. And this is just normal times; usually, you get a panoramic view of breathtaking landscapes and gorgeous women, complete with a one-stop shop for dining, entertainment, and leisure. It's the ultimate embodiment of carefree bliss!"

"Darling, let's come here for an experience next time!" Yang Fan said, pulling Lin Ruo and Lin Xi close.

"You can come by yourself. With us around, how are all those little fan-girls supposed to flirt with you?"

Yang Fan looked slightly awkward.

Spotting Jiang Huai rushing around frantically, he gave a vigorous wave.

Jiang Huai hurried over promptly and said, "You guys finally made it! I honestly thought you weren't coming."

"When Brother Jiang Huai gets married, of course your little brother has to be here!" Young Master Bai declared.

"Here, Brother Jiang Huai, happy wedding!" Yang Fan handed over a red envelope.

It was just a token gesture anyway; was Jiang Huai ever going to be short of this little money?

"I've got my hands full over there, so I won't be able to look after you all. If you need anything, just call someone!" Jiang Huai rushed off in a flurry.

"Does a wedding really call for all this? You're a young master from a prominent family, do you really have to run around doing everything yourself?" Young Master Han muttered.

"That's because you don't understand. Marriage is a form of personal growth!" Young Master Song laughed.

"Oh, cut it out, you idiot. Since when did you learn to sound philosophical?"

"The two of you should be tying the knot soon too, right?" Young Master Bai chimed in.

"We're in no rush!" Young Master Song waved his hand dismissively.

"Hey, you two better work harder. Since ancient times, countless mistresses have successfully taken the wife's seat through making a scene, crying, throwing tantrums, and threatening suicide. If they won't marry you, go storm their family homes!"

Young Master Bai pivoted to chat with the secretaries of Young Master Song and Young Master Han.

"Young Master Bai, stop trying to wreck other people's relationships!" Yang Fan couldn't help interjecting. This guy was purely trying to stir up trouble where peace prevailed!

Young Master Bai smiled knowingly. Everyone understood—with Yang Fan's three wives and four concubines, a well-fed man naturally had no empathy for the starving.

As they stood about chatting casually, Jiang Tao suddenly appeared across the way within the crowd. Yang Fan's gaze narrowed.

"That eldest Miss Zhong is truly head over heels for Jiang Tao, isn't she?"

Meanwhile, Zhong Ziyan had also spotted Yang Fan. The mere sight of him caused her to struggle against Jiang Tao's embrace.

"What, seeing your beloved? The man has two women in his arms already. With his harem of wives and concubines, you probably wouldn't even rank in the top ten!"

"Mind your own business!" Zhong Ziyan said with disgust.

Jiang Tao had indeed managed to investigate the events of that day, but against Yang Fan, he was currently powerless.

However, the person standing behind him would take care of it.

"No rush, we have plenty of time. See those wives of his? Sooner or later, they'll all be my playthings!"

"In your dreams!"

"Whether it's a dream or not, you'll find out very soon. Now, I'm going to take you over to say hello to your beloved!" Jiang Tao laughed.

"You're despicable!"

"Let's go!" Embracing Zhong Ziyan, Jiang Tao strode right over.

"Oh, look who it is! Young Master Bai, Young Master Han, Young Master Song! And Director Yang Fan as well! Come, let me introduce you. This is Zhong Ziyan. I'm sure everyone knows her—the eldest young lady of the Zhong family!"

"Of course we know her. Don't worry, at the next auction, we guarantee we'll outbid you one dollar at a time!" Young Master Song said dismissively.

The crowd burst into laughter. Who knew where Jiang Tao had picked up such thick skin, but he remained completely unfazed.

"Well now, Director Yang, I heard you and Ziyan are old acquaintances?"

"And?" Yang Fan asked.

"And now she's being held right in my arms!"

"So what? It would only take me a single word, and she'd dare to slap you across the face before running back into my arms. Even if she were nothing more than a mistress to me, she'd never marry you! Just look at yourself—what a pathetic failure of a life you've lived!" Yang Fan said with a smile.

The gazes of Lin Ruo and Lin Xi sharpened instantly.