"Miss Ya Fei, why don't you just say what you want?" Xiao Lei watched as Ya Fei leaned so close she was almost in his face, and could only raise his left hand between them.
Her eyes were fixed on him the whole time. How was he supposed to follow his principle of looking at her eyes first, then her legs?
Xiao Lei wasn't foolish enough to think Ya Fei had suddenly started acting so flirtatiously because she'd fallen in love with him.
In his previous life, Xiao Lei often said that if a girl fell for you out of nowhere and couldn't wait to discuss the mysteries of life with you, you shouldn't assume it was love!
Because it might be AIDS!
Although he'd shown off his talent, it certainly wasn't enough to make Ya Fei act so flirtatiously with him.
At his words, Ya Fei didn't rein herself in. Instead, she came right up beside him, pressed her face close to his, and leaned toward his ear.
"Little Brother Xiao Lei, what are you saying? I'm only admiring your talent. Why would I have anything to trouble you with?"
"How could I dare?"
Ya Fei's rich, magnetic voice echoed in Xiao Lei's mind. He could clearly feel the warm breath from her mouth brush against his ear.
Damn, what a fox! Xiao Lei could only curse inwardly. If he didn't have strong self-control, his little head might have taken charge of his big head, and he'd have fallen at Ya Fei's feet and done whatever she wanted.
Shaking his head, Xiao Lei pushed Ya Fei away to stop her from putting on another show.
"Looks like Miss Ya Fei isn't being very frank. If we can't be honest with each other, why waste time here?"
Xiao Lei wasn't stupid. Ya Fei was definitely trying to use him. He just didn't know how, or whether there'd be anything in it for him. That was why he'd come all this way.
But if she wasn't even willing to say what she wanted, there was nothing to discuss.
As for getting up to something with her here?
Impossible. This was the Mittal Auction House, Ya Fei's territory!
She might be acting eager now, but what if she waited until they were halfway through—or had only just started taking off their clothes—then suddenly shouted that he'd assaulted her and had people come tie him up? Wouldn't that screw him over?
"Xiao Lei will be going now. Goodbye!"
Xiao Lei said it, then made a show of getting up to leave. Back in his previous life, this trick had never failed him when haggling!
"Wait!" Seeing this, Ya Fei hurriedly called out to stop him. She must have sensed some sort of special rule at work.
"I'd like to make a deal with you, little brother Xiao Lei." Ya Fei pressed him back into his seat with her delicate hands, then leaned close to his ear again.
"Miss Ya Fei, you're joking. I'm dirt poor. The only thing of any value I had was a house, and I've already returned it to the clan. I'm so broke I'm about ready to beg in the streets. What could you possibly want from me?"
After arriving in the Dou Qi Continent, Xiao Lei had been left with nothing and not a penny to his name.
"Isn't what big sister wants right here?" Ya Fei kept her voice sultry, stirring up trouble beside Xiao Lei's ear.
At her words, Xiao Lei immediately sprang up and faced her as if he were guarding against fire, thieves, and bandits.
"I'm telling you, I sell my skills, not my body. Don't even think about it!"
Ya Fei: ??? Never mind. Better to speak plainly!
"I admire your cultivation talent and want to invest in you."
At her words, Xiao Lei understood at once. He knew Ya Fei's situation. It seemed she wanted to use him to break free from her family's control.
But although Xiao Lei was short on resources right now, he knew he wouldn't be for long. He had plenty of resources he could seek out himself, and he could always join Jia Nan Academy.
But Ya Fei had something he urgently wanted.
"Tell me what you want. Don't beat around the bush. I'll be leaving Wutan City soon, and I don't have time to play games with you."
The easiest person in Wutan City for Xiao Lei to copy—and the strongest—was Xiao Zhan. As soon as Xiao Yan broke through to Dou Zhe and Xiao Lei got the Flame Mantra from him, he'd leave right away and continue looking for someone else to copy.
Ya Fei pondered for a long time. She didn't have much capital, so she couldn't afford to make many bets. Besides, this was her first time meeting Xiao Lei.
Forcing herself to place a bet now would really test her nerve.
"Xiao Lei said he'd be leaving Wutan City before long. How long is 'before long'? Or is he just trying to throw me off and make me anxious?"
Countless thoughts collided in Ya Fei's mind. After a long while, she finally made up her mind.
"I'm actually a member of the Mittal Family. I volunteered to come to Wutan City to prove my worth, so the family wouldn't use me for a political marriage. My terms are simple: help me escape my family's control, and if you agree, I'll do everything I can to help you!"
Ya Fei seemed to have made up her mind, but who knew how much of what she'd said was true? Fortunately, Xiao Lei didn't need to know.
"Deal. For now, I need you to invite Master Gu Ni over. I've admired his alchemy for a long time!"
Ya Fei: ???
He hadn't asked for money, pills, or a Dou Technique. Instead, the first thing he wanted was to meet Guni. Since when had alchemists become so charming?
"I'll go invite him right now. But first, I should warn you: Master Gu Ni is an alchemist. Be careful not to offend him!"
"Enough, enough. I know. Hurry up and go," Xiao Lei said impatiently.
At that, Ya Fei was even more inclined to question her entire existence. Here she was, a young, beautiful woman, full of charm, and he couldn't care less—yet he was excited over some old man who made pills!
He even seemed eager to get started!
Could it be?
Ya Fei could only hope it wasn't what she thought...
So Ya Fei studied Xiao Lei with a strange look for a while, then clicked away in her high heels to fetch Guni.
Before long, Ya Fei returned with a middle-aged man!
Guni's face glowed, and a trace of the unique arrogance of an alchemist shone through his old face.
"Master Gu Ni, this is the Xiao Lei I told you about. He wanted to meet you. He's also a genius of the Xiao Clan, having reached four-star Dou Zhe at just sixteen."
Ya Fei was respectful toward Guni. There was no denying that alchemists in this world held an absurdly lofty status.
"Oh, I see. I've heard about you, young friend Xiao Lei. Your talent is as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns throughout the entire Jia Ma Empire! I wonder what you wanted to see me about. If you want pills refined, that's easy enough. We only need to follow the rules of the alchemist."
Alchemists were arrogant, but they weren't idiots. Xiao Lei had exceptional talent, while Guni would probably never amount to much more than he had already. So Guni's manner was still fairly amiable.
"Senior Guni, I've long admired the honor of alchemists. I came here only to learn a little about alchemists from you."
"So that's how it is!"
Guni and Ya Fei thought the same thing at almost the exact same time.
Ya Fei slapped her forehead, embarrassed by a certain suspicion she'd had earlier.
"So you're interested in alchemy, young friend. No problem. Let me see whether you have a talent for it."
"Miss Ya Fei, please wait somewhere else." Xiao Lei brazenly turned the tables and sent Ya Fei packing from the Mittal Auction House.
Ya Fei rolled her eyes at him. There was nothing she could do, so she clicked away in her high heels once more.
Then Xiao Lei promptly opened the system and aimed it at Guni.
Before you continue