On the road in central River City.
Inside a moving Maybach, back seat.
Wei Ting was still feeling a bit rattled.
"Damn it. How could that guy be from the Ancient Martial Arts world? So now I came all this way for nothing?"
He was unwilling.
When he'd learned that a graphene patent was undergoing approval, he'd immediately used his connections to find the person behind it.
And the result?
He thought dealing with a grassroots entrepreneur would be easy.
Who knew this guy was suspected to be from an Ancient Martial Arts family!
This made Wei Ting somewhat fearful.
What he feared was the influence of Ancient Martial Arts families.
Wei Ting had once asked his father and learned that most Ancient Martial Arts families remained in seclusion.
But they weren't completely detached from modern society.
Those who emerged either held positions in the military, served as covert forces for the Dragon Kingdom's government,
or even controlled significant capital overseas.
Even families like his sometimes sought the protection of Ancient Martial Arts families.
Therefore, their power was the last thing you wanted to provoke.
Wei Ting had a headache, muttering to himself, "Great. Now I've potentially offended someone from an Ancient Martial Arts family."
Cooperating with Adrien Lefèvre now wouldn't help much either.
Those collaborative projects with Adrien...
Who knew how long it would take to see a return on investment?
Just as he was agonizing over this, his phone rang.
He pulled it out and saw it was Adrien. Frowning, he answered. "Mr. Adrien, what is it?"
Adrien's cheerful voice came through. "Mr. Wei, how did the talk go?"
He was worried about Lucas, afraid Lucas might have upset Wei Ting.
That way, he could still try to smooth things over.
Hearing this, Wei Ting was about to mock him, but reconsidered and replied, "It was fine. Went quite well."
Hearing his answer, Adrien on the other end perked up instantly.
"So, our collaboration..."
Wei Ting thought for a moment. "Let's revisit it later."
Although the project would take time, its future returns were promising.
His vision was still quite long-term.
Revisit it later?
Adrien was instantly displeased, but remembering the other's status, he could only force the feeling down.
"Alright. We'll prepare further then."
After saying this, Adrien wanted to find an excuse to hang up.
But then he heard Wei Ting ask, "Mr. Adrien, I heard you have a gathering in a couple of days?"
Adrien was taken aback, then nodded. "Yes."
"There is such an event."
It was a gathering for the young people of River City, the rich second-generation crowd.
But Adrien usually didn't attend these parties.
Because his mother didn't allow it.
Adrien had a mama's-boy personality. Whatever his mother said, he didn't dare oppose.
A proper mama's boy.
His mother generally forbade him from attending such gatherings.
Afraid he'd be led astray.
Gatherings among the rich second-generation—sometimes it's just boasting, or going to clubs to pick up girls.
Very few actually discussed business.
Of course, the obedient mama's boy, Young Master Adrien, naturally listened and didn't go.
Thus, he was quite famous in River City's upper-class circles.
Wei Ting immediately smiled. "I wonder if I could take a look?"
In River City's rich second-gen circle, he could surely find a suitable person to invest in, right?
And...
He could also gauge how much influence Adrien really had among this group.
Hearing this, Young Master Adrien hesitated for a moment before saying, "That... I'll need to ask my mother first before I can answer you, Mr. Wei."
Attending such a party wasn't a decision he dared to make on his own.
Hearing this, Wei Ting also smiled. "Alright. Let's leave it at that for now."
The call ended.
A look of disdain appeared at the corner of Wei Ting's mouth. "What a mama's boy."
Already twenty-five or twenty-six, and still so obedient.
Quite remarkable.
Meanwhile.
At the Bai Family Villa compound in River City.
In the living room, Claire Dubois looked at her grandfather incredulously. "What?"
"You want me to take him to the gathering the day after tomorrow?"
Old Master Bai glanced at his granddaughter, who was reacting so strongly, and said kindly, "Claire, it's a gathering for you young people. What's the harm in Fan'er going with you?"
He was now fully committed to nurturing Ye Fan.
Because he was worth the investment!
Aside from gratitude towards Ye Fan's master, he also felt Ye Fan was no ordinary person.
He matched his granddaughter well!
At least...
He was much better than that someone surnamed Lucas who wanted to secretly whisk his granddaughter away.
That one seemed unreliable at first glance.
Claire's beautiful eyes widened. She refused outright. "I refuse!"
"You want me, your granddaughter, to bring a man along? What will people think?"
She couldn't do it.
She thought arranging Ye Fan for the security department had already gotten rid of him.
But now...
Was her grandfather trying to push her towards him?
Lately, Old Master Bai hadn't been idle either, calling Claire now and then, asking her to consider having Ye Fan as her bodyguard.
Old Master Bai pretended to be stern. "What's wrong with bringing a man?"
"I'm not asking you to do anything with him. Just attend a young people's gathering."
"This matter is settled!"
Old Master Bai decided directly, giving Claire no chance to refute.
"Grandpa! Grandpa! You can't do this!" Claire said urgently.
However, Old Master Bai quickly made his escape.
Suddenly, only Claire and Ye Fan were left in the living room.
Claire glanced at Ye Fan and found he was also looking at her. She was immediately exasperated.
Good heavens.
What kind of world was this?
Ye Fan grinned at Claire. "Miss Claire, I'll be in your care."
Very good.
It seemed Old Master Bai still understood him.
For some reason, these past few days, Ye Fan had started to feel some special emotions towards Claire. He couldn't quite explain it himself.
Especially that time he saw Claire seeing Lucas off downstairs.
He'd felt a bit uncomfortable.
It was like something very important to him had been snatched away.
Plus...
Claire was indeed very beautiful, particularly captivating.
Hearing Ye Fan's words, Claire felt nothing but indifference. She rolled her eyes and left.
Not bothering with him.
Seeing this, Ye Fan fell into thought.
"Maybe... I should arrange some 'accidents' to improve our relationship?"
"Such a strained relationship isn't good."