Chapter 90: Secretly Photographed by Paparazzi

"Just these guys? Didn’t last time teach you a lesson?" Lin Fan glanced at the group of thugs, showing no regard for them whatsoever.

"Don’t get cocky! These people are nothing like the thugs from before. They all know real martial arts—each one is a Taekwondo expert, real fighters with ring experience. They could kill a man with a single punch. They’re not just loafing street punks." Bai Jiahao certainly hadn’t forgotten the humiliation he suffered last time. That’s why this time, he’d specifically sought out seasoned fighters, each one a tough character. He didn’t believe Lin Fan could turn this bunch into whimpering dogs as easily as before.

"How about... we have a little go, then?" Lin Fan’s brow furrowed. But just as he was about to use the Gold Armor prop card, a sharp voice called out from behind.

"Bai Jiahao, you’re getting bold, aren’t you? If you dare show any disrespect to Mr. Lin, I’ll teach you some manners on your father’s behalf!"

Lin Fan turned to see a young man in a tailored suit, slightly chubby yet refined in appearance, striding over with a hostile expression. Behind him followed a burly, broad-shouldered bodyguard, radiating an intimidating aura that made everyone instinctively wary—even Lin Fan felt the overwhelming presence and authority emanating from this bodyguard.

"So it’s Young Master Wang. My apologies, truly!" The instant Bai Jiahao saw him, his face changed dramatically. He even took a step back, forcing a smile of deep apprehension.

Lin Fan had seen this man before on local news through WeChat—this was none other than Wang Silai, the only son of Hang City’s richest man, Wang Jianguo. He was a rich second-generation whose low profile made even Lin Fan feel he paled in comparison.

In the world of the wealthy, young men like Bai Jiahao—privileged heirs and playboys—were common. But true elites like Wang Silai and Su Xuanmo, who possessed both talent and humility, were rare indeed; one could hardly find their like in a generation. Especially Wang Silai, whose online reputation was impeccable—he was nothing like the usual spoiled rich kids. Well-read, brilliant, and exceptionally educated, he’d been admitted at age fifteen to the nation’s most prestigious university as a prodigy.

Wang Silai was a true genius. Married for years, there wasn’t even a trace of his wife’s information online. He kept his background discreet, never showed off, and often engaged in charity work. Even an upstart like Lin Fan had to respect him.

Tonight’s charity auction was sponsored and organized by the Imperial Luxury Group, Wang Silai’s family business.

"Let me be clear: Mr. Lin is a friend of the Wang family. If you dare trouble him, your Bai family will pay dearly. Learn your place!" Wang Silai said sternly. Then, turning to Lin Fan, he continued, "Mr. Lin, here’s my card. If you ever need help, feel free to contact me. As long as it’s within my power, I’ll do everything I can."

As his words fell, Bai Jiahao’s face turned a ghastly shade, and without another word, he grabbed his hired fighters and bolted.

Wang Silai, now smiling warmly, handed Lin Fan a business card.

Lin Fan accepted it without ceremony, thanked him, and said calmly, "Honestly, he doesn’t scare me. Last time, the thugs he hired were no match for me—I had them in pieces. These fighters wouldn’t be much different..." He glanced at the retreating Bai Jiahao, suppressing a laugh. That man truly never changed—an utter clown, bullying the weak and fleeing from the strong. When faced with someone tougher, he tucked his tail and ran faster than anyone.

Of course, Lin Fan knew Bai Jiahao wasn’t really afraid of Wang Silai personally, but rather the power behind him. Rumors online claimed that Wang Silai’s wife was the daughter of a high-ranking official in the capital—someone with immense influence.

"Are you a martial artist yourself, Mr. Lin? You really can’t judge a book by its cover. So accomplished—perhaps I should learn from you," Wang Silai joked.

"You flatter me. I’m just showing off a little," Lin Fan replied with self-deprecation. He knew he couldn’t be compared to a genius like Wang Silai. Even as a guest of the Wang family, he wouldn’t dare put on airs. After all, money was all he had—no real power or influence. In Wang Silai’s eyes, he was just a pawn to be moved at will.

He hadn’t even seen Wang Silai’s presence at the event tonight—proof of just how inconspicuous the man was. People like him were the most formidable.

After a few polite exchanges, they parted ways.

But what Lin Fan didn’t expect was that, not long after setting off, he sensed someone tailing him.

"Has that guy still not learned his lesson?" Lin Fan thought angrily.

At a red light, he deliberately turned back to look and discovered that his pursuer wasn’t Bai Jiahao or any thug—it was a paparazzo! He caught sight of the man clutching a camera, snapping candid shots of him.

"What’s going on? Why would a paparazzo be following me? Could it be that the footage of me with Li Li was leaked online, and now the paparazzi are interested in me?" Lin Fan mused, considering the possibilities.

He’d seen plenty of gossip news and had even read online guides about identifying paparazzi. The man trailing him fit the description exactly: wearing a mask, bundled up, driving a modest car worth about a hundred thousand, and usually working in pairs.

Even back at the coastal villa, Lin Fan noticed the paparazzo had tailed him all the way to the outskirts of the villa district—further proof he was being targeted for candid shots.

Soon after he got home, Lin Fan received a message from Zhang Yi. Opening it, he found a photo of himself with Li Li—arms around each other, laughing and chatting—and a pointed question as to why he was with a famous actress.

Lin Fan explained immediately that he’d attended a charity auction, and as for befriending Li Li, he was hoping to sign her with Starlight Live to boost the company’s profile. He even admitted that he lived next door to Li Li.

"I can’t believe you actually live next door to her! What else are you hiding from me? Are you keeping a mistress somewhere?" Zhang Yi’s reply nearly made Lin Fan drop his phone in shock.

Worried, he quickly checked her favorability rating in the system. Sure enough, Zhang Yi’s approval had dropped another five points, back to fifty-five. Clearly, she was jealous again.

"There’s no mistress! I only bought this villa a couple of days ago. If you don’t believe me, come check the deed. If you like, I can even add your name to it!" Lin Fan replied, thinking quickly.

After a while, Zhang Yi messaged back, "I’m not coming over. Who knows what you’d try."

"I wouldn’t do anything, just want you to see the villa. It has a pool, a garden, and sits right next to the canal, with beautiful views. To be honest, living here alone feels lonely. I wish there was a lady of the house. Would you like to be that person?" Lin Fan sent a message with a deliberately flirtatious tone.

"As if! Go find another woman. You’ve got so many beautiful streamers at your company—any one of them is prettier than me."

Although her favorability had dropped, Zhang Yi’s replies came with more emojis than ever.