C16 Prepare a Plan in Advance

"Allow me to introduce myself—I'm the owner of the Ivy Pavilion, Faang Ying."

Faang Ying's allure was on par with that of a celebrity. She exuded confidence, grace, and poise. As she spoke, a delicate scent wafted from her lips, causing Chu Fann's cheeks to flush with warmth. Thankfully, Mengyao was right by his side, helping him to quickly regain his composure.

"Hello, I am indeed a Chu."

No sooner had Chu Fann spoken than Mr. and Mrs. Wang pushed their way forward.

"What's the meaning of this? We're loyal patrons, yet you overlook us to attend to him?" Mrs. Wang was baffled by her behavior.

"Mrs. Wang, you're mistaken. As a longstanding customer, you should be aware that only diamond VIPs are entitled to my personal service. You're not diamond VIPs, are you?"

"If you require assistance, my staff is at your service. I'm confident their professional training will ensure a satisfactory experience for you." Faang Ying's response was polite yet firm, as she made her stance clear without yielding an inch.

The Ivy Pavilion had grown into a substantial enterprise, boasting dozens of diamond VIPs and even more platinum VIPs. Faang Ying had no intention of diminishing her worth or compromising her principles over such matters.

"Boss Faang, we get your message loud and clear. You opt to snub us in favor of this pauper. It's a shame, really—if only you knew that the diamond card he's holding isn't his, and that it doesn't have a single cent to its name. Would you still stand by your words?" Mrs. Wang was livid, her arms folded across her chest as she scoffed with disdain, her confidence seemingly unshakable as she anticipated Faang Ying's composure to crack.

Much to her dismay, Faang Ying maintained a serene smile.

"Each of our diamond cards is meticulously linked to the owner's personal details, making unauthorized use impossible. Moreover, Mr. Chu registered his diamond card just a few days ago, so it most certainly belongs to him," Faang Ying said with a tilt of her head and a smile. "Isn't that right, Mr. Chu?"

Chu Fann nodded instinctively.

"And why is the balance on the diamond card zero? Did he manage to spend a million in just a few days? Do you take us for fools?" Mrs. Wang challenged, her eyes bulging with incredulity.

"Mr. Chu has purchased a bronze bracelet from the Warring States period. Now, do you both understand?" Faang Ying said with a smile.

The pair were visibly shocked. He had actually spent a million on a bronze bracelet. How could he afford such extravagance?

As Chu Fann observed their stunned expressions, he casually walked past them and picked up a jade bracelet from the counter. "Boss Faang, since you're here, this should be easy to resolve. I'm interested in purchasing this jade bracelet today. Whether you want us to bid or set a new price for it doesn't matter to me."

"Also, Mr. and Mrs. Wang, are you planning to bid against me? If not, I'm prepared to pay 300,000 yuan for it."

Mrs. Wang's lips were dry, and she remained silent for a long while.

Mr. Wang chuckled awkwardly and gestured for Chu Fann to proceed, clearly indicating he had no intention of competing for the bracelet.

After all, anyone who could drop a million yuan on a whim at an antique market was not someone he could, or would, want to provoke.

With the situation smoothly resolved, Faang Ying's smile broadened.

"There's no need for you to pay 300,000 yuan, Mr. Chu. As a new customer of Ivy Pavilion, you can have the jade bracelet for just 120,000 yuan. Let's be friends," she offered, taking the bracelet from Chu Fann's hands, wrapping it herself, and handing it back to him. "I'm looking forward to Mr. Chu's continued patronage of my business."

Chu Fann accepted her offer, and with Mengyao by his side, they made their way to the front desk, chatting and laughing.

Chen Mengyao trailed behind them, her face a mask of bewilderment.

Had Chu Fann not been leading her, she might not have found her way at all.

Chu Fann had once spent a million here, and today he nearly spent another three hundred thousand. Plus, he was a diamond vip of the store. Mengyao's perception of Chu Fann was completely upended. Where was all this money coming from?

At the front desk, she watched as Chu Fann topped up his account with another two hundred thousand. After paying 120,000 for the bracelet, his diamond card still boasted a balance of eighty thousand.

As they stepped out of the Ivy Pavilion, Chen Mengyao quickly intercepted Chu Fann, her expression not one of joy, but rather thick with skepticism and bewilderment.

During their time inside the Ivy Pavilion, she had repeatedly tried to convince Chu Fann not to buy back the jade bracelet, the price of 120,000 far exceeding what she had imagined. Yet, Chu Fann hadn't given her a single opportunity to speak; he had simply gone ahead and purchased the bracelet.

"Chu Fann! You lied to me! Where did you get that kind of money?"

"I hit the lottery jackpot, over a million. But I've nearly spent it all," Chu Fann explained hastily, noticing Mengyao's irritation.

"Really?" Chen Mengyao's skepticism lingered as she narrowed her eyes and huffed softly.

"My word is true. You know I'm not well-off, which is why I've always played the lottery, hoping to strike it rich one day. I never imagined my dream would actually come true," Chu Fann said, spreading his hands in a gesture of honesty.

"If you're aware of your financial situation, you shouldn't be so reckless with money. With over a million, you should be investing in a house, especially since real estate prices have been soaring these past two years!" Chen Mengyao expressed her disappointment with an impatient stomp of her foot.

"We can think about buying a house later. I've got my whole life ahead of me to take things one step at a time," Chu Fann replied, moving closer to take her hand. He gently slid the jade bracelet onto her delicate wrist and continued, "Out of everyone in the Chen family, you're the only one who's truly been kind to me. I've taken note of everything over these past three years. Sometimes I wonder why the old man who brought me to the Chen family didn't make you my fiancée."

"I was only fifteen three years ago. If I had become your fiancée then, you would have been breaking the law," Chen Mengyao retorted with a blush and a playful scold.

Watching Chen Mengyao's laughter, Chu Fann couldn't help but join in. She was only fifteen back then, but now she was eighteen, and in just three days, she would be celebrating her eighteenth birthday. The timing couldn't be more perfect.

"In just three days, you'll turn eighteen. By a twist of fate, that's also when I plan to leave the Chen family; my three-year stint is up," Chu Fann said, his lips pressed together in a thin line.

"Don't worry about it too much. I'll go back and plead on your behalf. I can arrange for you to stay with the Chen family," Chen Mengyao offered, though the thought caused her a twinge of pain.

"I'm well aware that I'm not liked by the others in the Chen family. Rather than linger where I'm not wanted, I'd prefer to make a clean break. Besides, your sister and I have called off our engagement; it's only right that I move on," Chu Fann said with an easy smile before driving Mengyao back to school.

"Ming Xi, what's the most prestigious, opulent, and fitting venue for a birthday celebration in all of Yunhai City?"

Chu Fann posed the question from the passenger seat of a sumptuous Bentley, while Ming Xi pulled over to the curb. Dressed in a purple low-cut dress and adorned with an elegant headband, she exuded both innocence and allure.

She was holding a property deed and a sales contract for the Yunxia Mountain villa she had purchased for Chu Fann. Setting the contract aside at his inquiry, she asked, "Second Young Master, is it your birthday that's approaching?"

"I'm planning a birthday party for a friend," Chu Fann explained, rubbing his hands together.

"Is this friend a man or a woman?" Ming Xi inquired, a playful smile on her lips as she leaned in closer, her scent so overwhelming that Chu Fann instinctively retreated into his seat.

"A female friend."

"Is she the woman you're fond of?" Ming Xi's eyes twinkled like crescents.

After a brief silence, Chu Fann nodded.

"Got it," Ming Xi said, her smile fading as she propped her chin in her hand and snapped her fingers. "The Cloud Top Golden Palace is Yunhai City's most lavish hotel, surrounded by tourist attractions and topped with an open-air stargazing platform. It's the epitome of luxury. Plus, a major celebrity is set to perform there in three days. Celebrating a birthday there would surely be an unforgettable experience."

"Can you take care of the arrangements?" Chu Fann asked, looking at Ming Xi, only to see a look of wistfulness in her eyes.

"I might be willing to help you, but the fact that you chose to celebrate someone else's birthday really stings," Ming Xi said, her hand pressed to her chest, a light frown creasing her brow. She leaned into Chu Fann's embrace. "Second Young Master, just make me happy this one time, and I'll grant your wish. Deal?"