C2 A Dragon Does Not Live with a Snake

Chu Fann's voice quivered, "Uncle Ding, are you serious?"

"Starting today, you'll inherit the entire Chu family fortune in Yunhai City, and you'll officially become one of the family's heirs."

"Thank you, Uncle Ding."

Chu Fann inhaled sharply, feeling a twinge at the bridge of his nose. Little did anyone know, he had been waiting for those words for three years!

Three years prior, due to an obscure family assessment task, he was cast off to the Chen family, becoming their home-son-in-law.

During his time with the Chen family, he had strived tirelessly for their approval, only to be met with relentless humiliation.

To the Chen family, he was nothing but a failure from start to finish.

Except for Chen Mengyao, not a single person saw his worth.

Today, with the family assessment behind him, he was done being the useless one.

Chu Fann took another deep breath and bolted, heading straight for the renowned Citibank in the heart of the city.

Minutes later, he emerged from the bank, clutching a large black bag, feeling as though he was in a dream.

From inside the bank, a dozen pairs of eyes peered through the glass, their gaze fixed on Chu Fann's departing figure in astonishment.

"He withdrew a million in cash. Has he lost his mind?"

"Look at his shabby clothes. Are today's rich second-generations always this understated?"

"He used facial recognition for the withdrawal. Only families capable of such transactions have the clout to rival the world's top 100 corporations. He's no ordinary rich second-generation. Good thing we didn't cross him." The Citibank manager, having appeared seemingly out of nowhere, watched where Chu Fann had vanished.

The black bag did indeed contain a million in cash.

Chu Fann, with money in hand, made a beeline for Yunhai City's largest jewelry market, a hotspot for the affluent.

With the Chen family matriarch's 70th birthday on the horizon, and all the younger members scrambling for gifts, Chu Fann was determined not to be outshone.

He was ready to battle for his honor.

After three long years of being downtrodden by the Chen family, relegated to the very bottom rung, where even the household staff looked down on him, he was ready to rise.

Tomorrow, Chu Fann was determined to show these people exactly what he was capable of!

Even though he was set to leave the Chen family soon, after a three-year stint, he was intent on departing with grace and in a manner that commanded respect.

Upon arriving at the market, Chu Fann spotted Guo Chao's car at the entrance.

His fists tightened, his expression stoic.

"Chen Mengyu, for three years I've cared for you meticulously. I've regarded you as my future wife, hoping you'd see me differently. Yet in your eyes, I remain worthless!"

"Tomorrow, you'll see who I really am!"

With a deep breath, Chu Fann confidently strode in, a million yuan in hand.

The antique market was of moderate size, housing over a hundred merchants.

But the structure that truly stood out was a seven-story building with an ancient aesthetic, perched on the street corner.

Constructed with red bricks and green tiles, the building was a sight to behold, its Tang and Song dynasty architectural style exuding grandeur.

The Ivy Pavilion!

Within the entire market, the Ivy Pavilion boasted the most and the priciest treasures.

During his school days, Chu Fann had heard classmates boast that only those with a net worth starting at ten million could afford to shop at the Ivy Pavilion!

As a home-son-in-law in the Chen family, Chu Fann had never dared to even glance at such a place.

But now, without a second thought, he walked straight in.

Approaching the reception, a beautiful woman in a black business suit greeted him with a warm smile. "Hello, sir. How may I assist you today?"

"I'd like to apply for a membership card," Chu Fann stated. The Ivy Pavilion spanned seven floors, with the first two designated for tourists and the upper five for members only.

The tourist floors offered common items at low prices, many of which were imitations.

In contrast, the membership floors housed genuine treasures. However, gaining access required a membership card, and the cost was exorbitant by ordinary standards.

The receptionist gave Chu Fann a quick once-over. Despite her doubts about his ability to afford a membership, she maintained her professionalism. "Sir, our entry-level membership is the silver card, which comes with a fee of 100,000 yuan. Do you have that amount?"

"If you're ready, I can process your membership card right now."

Chu Fann shook his head.

The receptionist, a beautiful woman, paused briefly in surprise. "Sir, the silver membership is the most basic we offer. Without 100,000 yuan, I'm afraid you'll be limited to the bottom two floors."

"You've got it wrong," Chu Fann said, his face betraying no emotion as he glanced at the receptionist. "I'm not interested in a silver card. I want a diamond card."

"A diamond card?" The receptionist gasped, taken aback. The fee to open a diamond card was a steep one million yuan, and judging by Chu Fann's modest attire, she doubted he had the means.

At the Ivy Pavilion, the fee for a silver card was one hundred thousand, for a gold card two hundred fifty thousand, for a platinum card five hundred thousand, and for a diamond card one million. The legendary supreme card, whispered about in hushed tones, commanded an opening fee of ten million! And this money was exclusively for spending within the Ivy Pavilion's walls.

Even tycoons with net worths in the billions would think twice before committing to a one-time charge of a million yuan for a card.

But Chu Fann, without a moment's hesitation, had requested a diamond card, understandably throwing the receptionist off her stride.

"Sir, how would you like to pay?" the receptionist asked with a polite smile, despite her lingering doubts about his ability to produce such a sum.

"In cash."

"Cash?" she echoed, visibly taken aback once more. It was uncommon for patrons to pay in cash here, especially the million yuan that Chu Fann needed to fork out.

Before she could fully process the situation, Chu Fann placed a black plastic bag on the counter and slid it toward her. "You can count it," he said simply.

"Alright."

The receptionist, still slightly bewildered, pulled the bag closer and opened it. As she peered inside, her eyes widened in shock, and her hands involuntarily trembled.

The black plastic bag was brimming with banknotes!

Membership card in hand, Chu Fann was about to depart when two figures suddenly materialized before him.

It was Chen Mengyu and Guo Chao.

Chen Mengyu was still sweetly clasping Guo Chao's hand, the pair radiating happiness.

Upon seeing Chu Fann, the sweetness that had graced Chen Mengyu's face vanished, replaced by a wave of irritation.

Her annoyance only deepened at the sight of the black plastic bag in Chu Fann's grasp. She strode up to him and demanded, "Who told you to deliver food here? Do you even realize where you are?"

Chen Mengyu was seething. She hadn't anticipated Chu Fann showing up to deliver food to someone else. She was convinced he was doing it to spite her, to make her look foolish.

Chu Fann's brow furrowed. "I'm not here for a delivery."

"If not for delivery, then are you here to shop?" Guo Chao stepped forward, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

He was convinced that Chu Fann was trailing them out of fear of being labeled as Chen Mengyu's secret lover.

"Mr. Guo, cut the act. He can't afford anything here," someone chimed in.

Chu Fann remained silent, but Chen Mengyu quickly retorted with contempt, "He can't afford a single thing in this place."

With a frown, Chu Fann decided he'd had enough. Without further explanation, he turned on his heel and walked away.

"Stop right there!" Chen Mengyu called out, her anger flaring as Chu Fann dismissed her.

"What now?" Chu Fann asked, barely containing his frustration.

"At Grandma's birthday celebration tomorrow, I'll be requesting to end our engagement."

"And then?"

"Then, I expect you to accept it without causing a scene," Chen Mengyu stated icily. She knew that if Chu Fann made a fuss at the feast, it would ultimately reflect poorly on her.

"You're overthinking it," Chu Fann scoffed. While Chen Mengyu might assume he'd resist, he was quite certain that she'd be the one reluctant to break off the engagement.

"You're well aware of your own thoughts," Chen Mengyu shot back with a look of disdain.

At that moment, Guo Chao, growing impatient, cut in. "Mengyu, you don't need to waste words on him." Taking her hand, he suggested, "Let's leave him be. We should hurry to the fourth floor and choose a gift for Grandma."

With a smug grin, Guo Chao pulled out a gold card from his pocket and flaunted it in front of Chu Fann.

Chu Fann simply smiled, offering no comment.

"Come on, Mr. Guo, let's not waste any more time. Just the sight of him gets me so irritated," Chen Mengyu said affectionately as she looped her arm through Guo Chao's.

Guo Chao gave a nod, then cast a challenging glance at Chu Fann. "The bottom two floors here are filled with bargains. You might want to take your time picking something out. I'll be escorting your fiancée to the Treasure District," he taunted.

The pair then made a beeline for the third floor.

Shaking his head with a chuckle, Chu Fann trailed behind them.