Chapter 9: None of Them Are Easy Foes

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Looking at Long Aotian beside him, Su Tian felt a bit more trust toward him, but not much. In this society, he still couldn’t bring himself to trust anyone except his own parents.

However, he had no one else to rely on at the moment. He didn’t take Long Aotian seriously at all; even if he got betrayed, it wouldn’t matter.

In fact, Long Aotian had no intention of betraying Su Tian—he was eager to cling to his powerful ally and would never harm someone so formidable.

But there was one difficult issue now: this auction was by invitation only, meaning no one without an invitation or a ticket could get in.

Long Aotian glanced at his own shabby appearance, then at Su Tian’s—it was about the same.

“Big brother, what should we do…”

Su Tian gave him a sharp look. “If you have something to say, just say it. Why beat around the bush?”

So Long Aotian had no choice but to explain the situation: “Big brother, without an invitation, we can’t get into the auction. With the way we’re dressed, we’ll be kicked out at the gate. This auction isn’t simple; I’ve heard the four great families of Jiang City will all be attending. With my abilities, I definitely can’t afford to offend them.”

That was certain.

“Who are the four great families of Jiang City?”

“The Qin family, the Bai family, the Su family, and the Tang family. None of them are easy to deal with.”

Last time he saved Bai Ningbing’s grandfather. Could he ask the Bai family for help this time? No—he had a fair deal with them. If he asked Bai Ningbing abruptly, it might raise suspicions about his intentions.

At that moment, his phone in his pocket suddenly rang. He took it out and saw an unknown number.

But it was local.

He answered, “Hello, who is this?”

The person on the other end was clearly excited upon hearing Su Tian’s voice: “Brother Su! It’s me, Chen Ping. Don’t you remember me?”

Chen Ping? Su Tian searched his mind but couldn’t recall anyone by that name.

After a few seconds of silence and no response from Su Tian, Chen Ping hurriedly introduced himself: “I’m the one who got you out of the Black Prison and asked for your number.”

Hearing this, Su Tian remembered.

“Ah, it’s you. What’s up? What do you want?”

Chen Ping’s voice trembled slightly. To be able to contact someone as important as Su Tian was a huge deal for him.

Recalling his father’s words that he must build a good relationship with Su Tian—not necessarily as brothers, but at least to be one of the most useful people around him—he wanted to start by winning Su Tian over.

“Brother Su, here’s the thing: you’re in Jiang City now, right? We’re holding a big auction here with some great items. Want to come take a look?”

Su Tian frowned slightly and turned to Long Aotian: “How many auctions are there in Jiang City today?”

“Just this one.”

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Chen Ping held the phone, puzzled: “Hello? Brother Su, are you talking to me?”

“No problem. We’re on Pingjiang Road now. How about you come pick me up?”

Chen Ping immediately agreed, “Alright, I’m on my way.”

Before leaving, Chen Ping asked Su Tian to add him on WeChat. Seeing Su Tian agree so readily, Long Aotian cheekily pulled out his phone: “Big brother, why don’t you add me too?”

Su Tian had met Chen Ping only once; he was just a jailer in the Black Prison, not someone with much power there.

But someone capable of hosting an auction in Jiang City certainly had influence.

Soon, a luxury car pulled up in front of them. Long Aotian clicked his tongue twice. “That car’s worth at least ten million.”

Chen Ping got out from the passenger seat, and upon seeing Su Tian, walked over and bowed respectfully: “Greetings, Brother Su.”

Long Aotian said nothing. Anyone who treated Su Tian with such deference clearly showed he was far more than he appeared.

“Hm, you came pretty fast.”

Chen Ping opened the door for Su Tian to get in first. Long Aotian quickly followed, telling the remaining underlings to head back on their own.

Once inside the car, Chen Ping said, “I’m not at my hometown right now, but my grandfather has a courtyard house in the city center gardens with a nice environment. Brother Su, after we finish the auction today, come visit. Consider it a formal introduction. By the way, how are your uncles and aunts doing?”

Hearing this, Long Aotian quickly coughed to interrupt: “Brother, don’t ask questions you shouldn’t.”

Chen Ping wasn’t a fool either; seeing Su Tian’s face darken, he realized he had touched on a sensitive topic.

“Sorry, Brother Su, I didn’t know…”

Su Tian spoke softly, “It’s nothing. Doesn’t concern you.”

“Brother Su, our Chen family has some influence in Jiang City. If you need help, don’t hesitate to ask me. I want to help, no questions asked.”

Long Aotian clicked his tongue again, wondering why this guy was trying to steal his role.

But honestly, judging by his strength, Chen Ping was clearly more powerful. Even he knew a house in the city center gardens was priceless.

Looking at Chen Ping’s fate, Long Aotian sighed quietly. His own family had once been among the top in Jiang City, but by his generation, everything had declined.

Su Tian remained silent, so Chen Ping drove them quietly to the venue.

At the entrance, Chen Ping again got out to open the door for Su Tian.

Long Aotian stepped out and looked at the entrance: “Wow… Big brother, I’m not trying to sound ignorant, but this is the first time I’ve seen such a luxurious place.”

Without Chen Ping, they wouldn’t even get near the gate, let alone the car.

Chen Ping smiled, “Brother Su, just follow me.”

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Just as they were about to enter, the man at the gate looked troubled: “Young master… The old master said no outsiders are allowed inside. There are many important items at today’s auction. If anything happens, we can’t be held responsible.”

Chen Ping’s eyes flashed disdain: “Are you blind? How could Brother Su be an outsider?”

The gatekeeper looked aggrieved: “Young master, maybe you’re not talking about this gentleman, but the one behind him.”

Chen Ping and Su Tian turned to see Long Aotian standing behind them in a loud floral shirt and shorts, looking like a vagrant.

Long Aotian looked down at his clothes: “He means me?”

Chen Ping nodded: “Do you see anyone else?”

Long Aotian scoffed: “I won’t go in then. No big deal. You guys go ahead; I’ll wait outside.”

In Chen Ping’s eyes, Long Aotian wasn’t an important figure, so he didn’t mind.

Before they could enter, a red sports car pulled up from afar. A beautiful woman stepped out, dressed in a red bodycon dress, her hair in big waves, carrying a white handbag.

She frowned at Chen Ping at the gate, then walked over, looking disdainfully at Su Tian and Long Aotian standing nearby.

“Chen Ping, what are you doing?”

Chen Ping’s eyes lit up when he saw the woman: “Sister! Let me introduce you—this is Brother Su.”

The woman barely listened, cutting him off: “We’re running out of time. Hurry up and get inside.”

Chen Ping acknowledged with an “Okay,” then led Su Tian straight in. Long Aotian squatted outside, pulling out a pack of cigarettes from his shorts, sneering at the guards: “Tch, people like you don’t even deserve to tie my shoes.”

Once inside, the woman took them to the VIP seats, which were distinct from the other banquet seats.

They were on the second floor, right in the center, facing the stage.

From there, one could see the entire scene.

“What’s your sister’s name?”

Chen Ping smiled, “My sister’s name is Chen Ruoxi. Quite beautiful, right?”

No sooner had he spoken than the crowd below grew noisy. Su Tian looked closely and saw several people had entered from outside.

Chen Ping’s tone grew serious: “The heads of the four great families of Jiang City have arrived.”

…