Chapter 188: Jiang Fan's Status

Could the important person Chen Luoyue mentioned be Jiang Fan himself?

"Jiang Fan, would you like to meet this senior?"

Liu Qingxian was tempted. However, considering the unpleasant history between Jiang Fan and Ling Guihai, she decided to respect Jiang Fan's opinion first.

Jiang Fan gave a wry smile. This "great senior" was most likely himself. Before he could figure out how to respond, Ling Guihai frowned slightly and said, "Junior Sister Liu, it might not be appropriate for him to go."

"My aunt said that senior holds a very high position and authority. Without proper status and standing, one wouldn't even qualify to pour him tea. Although Junior Brother Jiang somehow acquired the identity of Uncle Xia Chaoge, he is ultimately just a disciple without a spirit root. Taking him along might displease that senior."

How could he possibly share such a great opportunity with Jiang Fan? Only Liu Qingxian was qualified to accompany him and broaden her horizons, seeing Ling Guihai's powerful connections firsthand.

Hearing this, Liu Qingxian promptly said, "Then you can go by yourselves. I'll stay with Jiang Fan in the general seating area. Let's go." If Jiang Fan couldn't go, what was the point of her going?

This move made Ling Guihai's teeth itch with anger. Why did Liu Qingxian have to drag this burden along wherever she went? Helpless, he had no choice but to say, "Alright, then bring Junior Brother Jiang! However, Junior Brother Jiang had better restrain his words and actions. If he offends that senior and we are all expelled, that's fine. But if he gets punished by that senior, don't blame me."

Liu Qingxian's eyes lit up. She asked, "Jiang Fan, are you going?"

Jiang Fan didn't know whether to laugh or cry. That private room was originally prepared for him, so why couldn't he go? "Of course, I'm going. Let's go," Jiang Fan affirmed. This made Ling Guihai and the accompanying elite disciples roll their eyes.

Ji Ruyue glared resentfully at Jiang Fan's back. The incident where he publicly scorned her, causing her to lose all face, was etched in her memory. Now, gathered here again, seeing Jiang Fan benefit from Ling Guihai, she couldn't help but sneer: "I thought Xia Chaoge would have arranged a private room for him as his uncle. But it turns out he still has to freeload off Senior Brother Ling."

Ling Guihai found this very gratifying. The face he lost last time was now recovered. He feigned magnanimity and said, "Let's not dwell on past matters. I believe with Junior Brother Jiang's abilities, he could enter the private room even without me." This made the several elite disciples who were fawning over him even more indignant.

"Senior Brother Ling truly has a broad mind! He can be so tolerant of someone like Jiang Fan, who lives off others."

"Isn't that right? Last time he relied on Xia Chaoge to show off, and this time he's relying on Liu Qingxian to get into the private room."

"He looks so tough, but I didn't expect him to be so unhesitant when it comes to freeloading."

Ling Guihai silently cheered upon hearing this. The frustration he had held for days finally gushed out. "Jiang Fan, Jiang Fan, do you even deserve to compare yourself to me?" Ling Guihai sneered inwardly.

The group arrived inside the auction hall and headed towards private room number one. Wen Shengnan was in charge of reception. She naturally recognized Vice President Chen's nephew and smiled, "Young Master Ling." Ling Guihai immediately suppressed his arrogance. He hadn't forgotten his aunt's instructions. She had told him that whenever he saw Wen Shengnan in the future, he must be extra courteous, treating her as if she were the Vice President herself. She also stated clearly that Wen Shengnan had a powerful backer and must never be offended. Otherwise, it would bring trouble to the Ling family. Ling Guihai fully believed this, so he dared not show the slightest disrespect.

"Hello, Steward Wen!" Ling Guihai said respectfully.

Wen Shengnan was pleased with his politeness and said, "No wonder Vice President Chen instructed you to attend to the important person in private room number one. With such humility and courtesy, I imagine serving this important person shouldn't lead to any blunders. However..." She glanced at the crowd behind him and asked, "Are all these your friends? There are too many people; you can't bring them all in." One person is enough for serving tea and water. Who would like so many people crowded into a private room?

Ling Guihai was not surprised. In fact, he never even considered bringing them all into the private room to meet that important person. That was an opportunity meant only for him, Ling Guihai. Why should he share it with anyone else? The reason he brought such a large group with him was naturally to let them witness his distinctiveness firsthand, making them intensely envious of him. Wen Shengnan's action was entirely within his expectations. So, he put on a troubled expression and looked at the elites behind him: "Everyone, it was my oversight. What should we do now?"

What *could* they do? Many elites were filled with disappointment but couldn't vent their frustration. After all, Ling Guihai's intentions were good; it was just that Steward Wen didn't permit it. Ji Ruyue suppressed her disappointment and forced a smile, saying, "Senior Brother Ling, there's no need to blame yourself. This isn't your fault. We'll just sit in the general seating area."

Liu Qingxian also showed disappointment in her eyes and turned around, saying, "Let's go."

Jiang Fan scratched his head and said, "If you want to go, then go." He parted the people in front of him, walked up to Wen Shengnan, and said, "It's alright. If they want to go in, just let them all in."

Only then did Wen Shengnan notice that Jiang Fan was among them. She immediately smiled and changed her tone: "Alright, alright, you can all go in. Just remember not to be noisy."

Uh— While delighted, the elites couldn't help but look at Jiang Fan in surprise. What just happened? Why did Steward Wen let them in as soon as Jiang Fan spoke?

"Why are Junior Brother Jiang's words more effective than Senior Brother Ling's?"

"That shouldn't be right, should it? Could Junior Brother Jiang have another impressive identity he hasn't revealed?"

"How strange. Ling Guihai's aunt is Vice President Chen; by all accounts, this should be Ling Guihai's territory. Why are his words less effective than Junior Brother Jiang's?"

They whispered among themselves. They cast gazes of awe towards Jiang Fan. Combined with his identity as Uncle Xia Chaoge, their perception of Jiang Fan was now entirely different.

Ling Guihai found their words grating. He scoffed, "Steward Wen saw my dilemma and was already planning to let us all in. Jiang Fan just seized the opportunity before I could even speak. Do you really think his words carry weight at the auction house? Don't you consider who I am, and what his status is?"

With that explanation, the doubts in everyone's minds were resolved. Ji Ruyue's charming face glowed again. "That's exactly what I thought," she said. "We were able to come in all thanks to Senior Brother Ling, and not because of some guy with no spirit root!"

Many disciples nodded in agreement. They crowded around Ling Guihai and entered private room number one.

Liu Qingxian was surprised. "Ling Guihai may be annoying, but he truly has some influence at the Heavenly Secret Pavilion's touring auction house," she said. "He actually brought so many people in. Isn't he worried about displeasing that senior?"

Jiang Fan shrugged. "As long as they're not noisy, it's fine."

As the two stepped inside, Chen Luoyue rushed over, asking, "Shengnan, has Young Master Jiang arrived?"

Wen Shengnan nodded. "Yes, he just went in." The burden in Chen Luoyue's heart was lifted. In her view, all the other VIPs present today were less important than Jiang Fan. Arranging the best private room for him was a way of establishing a good relationship.

"By the way, where is my nephew?" Chen Luoyue looked around and frowned. "I went through so much trouble to get him this opportunity to show himself in front of Young Master Jiang. And he's not here yet? Instead of waiting for Young Master Jiang in the private room, does he intend to make Young Master Jiang wait for him?"

Wen Shengnan chuckled, covering her mouth. "Young Master Ling also went in."

Chen Luoyue finally breathed a sigh of relief. "That's more like it. Go get my treasured fine spirit tea. I'll personally take it in."

"Yes, Vice President," Wen Shengnan said, scurrying away immediately.