Chapter 118: Probing
Faced with Leif’s not-so-friendly tone, Chen Ran didn’t mind at all.
“It was an accident. Our team encountered a group of sneaky bandits when we were passing by a mountain. We followed them to their lair and wiped them all out, and accidentally rescued Miss Eva. So we brought her back to Diya City.”
Chen Ran’s tone was humble as he continued, “It is my good fortune to be able to rescue Miss Eva. Because Miss Eva was homesick, I brought her home immediately after settling my brothers’ lodgings, so that you could be at ease, uncle.”
Looking at Chen Ran’s honest expression, his words and actions were not at all pretentious, and his demeanor was not like he was lying. His clothes also had the look of someone who had been on the road. This couldn’t help but make the very vigilant Leif’s brow relax a little.
“You’re very thoughtful,” Leif’s tone softened a little. “Thank you very much for saving my daughter. Although I, Leif, am not a good person, I don’t owe anyone anything. Name your price, to thank you for your hard work on this journey.”
“Father!” Upon hearing this, Eva’s expression flashed with displeasure. She went up and shook her father’s arm. “Father, he was being kind. How can you treat him like this!”
Chen Ran still maintained that neither servile nor overbearing tone and said, “Uncle, you’ve misunderstood. I didn’t bring Miss Eva back for any reward, only to make her happy. Please rest assured, uncle. I have no other intentions.”
“One hundred thousand gold coins. I can give it to you right now if you want,” Leif said with a gloomy brow, making it impossible to see what he was thinking. He had a pair of thick eyebrows and large eyes, and his decisive statement really had a bit of a big shot’s fierce aura.
“Father!” Eva said, unrelenting. “He brought me back out of kindness and was even injured for me. How can you draw a line with him like this? I won’t have it.”
But Leif’s expression was still somewhat indifferent.
However, Chen Ran also made his position clear at the right time. He took out a card from his clothes, the VIP diamond card of the Imperial Bank that he had gotten in Xilan City. When the people present saw this diamond star card, the way they looked at him couldn’t help but change.
“I know you are worried about Miss Eva, uncle, and are afraid of being schemed against by someone with ulterior motives. But I am truly sincere and did not come for a reward. I’m sure this card can also explain a little about my current situation,” Chen Ran said, flashing the diamond VIP card sincerely. “To be honest, on the way here, Miss Eva and I fell in love at first sight. I came this time hoping that you would give us your blessing, uncle. Of course, I am not plotting anything. I have some family assets, enough to take care of Miss Eva and not let her be wronged. I came this time just to see the world in Diya City and see if I can make a name for myself.”
“Oh, you are quite thoughtful,” after seeing the diamond card that Chen Ran had shown, Leif’s tone couldn’t help but soften a lot, and he was no longer as standoffish. After all, although there were many rich people in Diya City, there was probably only one person as young as Chen Ran with a diamond card. His identity was worth considering, and a hint of interest appeared in his eyes. After all, in a place like Diya City, besides power, it was a world that looked at money.
Leif turned his head, looked at Ina beside him, and asked gently, “Is that so?”
Eva blushed and nodded shyly. “Jeral is very outstanding. Do you think your daughter is the kind of person who would fall in love with someone so easily?”
“Alright, I understand,” Leif said, waving his hand and saying to a maid at the side, “Take the young lady down to rest first. I have something to discuss with Jeral.”
Eva confirmed again in a low voice, “Father, then our matter…”
“I will consider it. But before that, I need to talk to him first. You’ve just come back. Get some good rest,” Leif said, patting his daughter’s silky hair with the utmost fatherly care.
“Mmm,” after getting the confirmation, Eva finally relaxed. She waved at Chen Ran with an affectionate look in her eyes, then left with the maid for the time being.
In the hall, only a few people, including Chen Ran and Leif, were left for the time being.
A few maids prepared some tea and snacks and placed them on the coffee table. Leif crossed his legs and asked Chen Ran, “What do you do? Who is in your family?”
Chen Ran replied, “Uncle, I was an orphan before, with no parents. I was fortunate enough to have a mentor and learned some skills in making magic items. After many years of hard work, I have accumulated this family fortune.”
“Oh, you started from scratch?” Hearing Chen Ran’s introduction, the interest in Leif’s eyes grew even stronger. “To have a diamond card certified by the Imperial Bank in just a few years of hard work, it seems you are quite capable. This makes us old guys who have been working hard for so many years feel ashamed.”
“You’re being too serious, uncle. I’m just an inexperienced young man. I was just a little lucky. I still have a lot to learn in the future.”
Leif nodded in satisfaction. He extended two fingers, and the maid behind him very understandingly handed him a cigar and lit it for him. He took a puff and slowly exhaled a cloud of smoke.
“A person who can earn a million gold coins without a sound. Logically, a young man of your age should be full of youthful vigor. I remember when I earned my first pot of gold, I was so proud, as if the whole continent knew how great I was. It was only after many years that I gradually calmed down. What’s rare is that you are still so calm. You didn’t even have a single overreaction to my probing before. I quite admire you for that.”
“You’re too kind, uncle,” Chen Ran returned a smile. “It’s just a good start. Compared to your current ability, uncle, I still have a long way to go.”
After a few exchanges, the old and the young gradually opened up.
“Tell me, what are your plans for coming to Diya City this time?”
“I heard that Diya City is a good place. Those with ability all like to come here to make a name for themselves. I think I have some ability, so I also want to come here to see the world.”
“Indeed. Compared to many places, Diya City can provide you with many things you want: status, women, all kinds of toys and interesting things, which make people want to stay. But here, it’s not as easy as you think to stand out. I want to ask, how much are you prepared for?”
“Of course, I’ve long heard of the name of the Demon Capital. I don’t like to fight unprepared battles. Since I’m here, I’m definitely fully prepared,” Chen Ran’s tone was sonorous. At the same time, he humbly asked Leif for advice, “I wonder if you have any advice, uncle?”
“For my daughter’s sake, I won’t hide anything. Here, if you really want to climb to the top, money, connections, manpower, and means are all indispensable. I also started from scratch. After suffering countless losses, I gradually rose to prominence with a pair of iron fists, fighting for power and territory with others. I was even assassinated several times. It was not easy to get to my current position.”
