Ya Fei's Olive Branch

The bell signaling the end of the auction transformed into a distant, muffled echo through the thick walls.

Inside the VIP room, that elegant, soothing fragrance still swirled languidly in the air.

Ya Fei reclined against the soft sofa, her fire-red qipao like flowing flames, outlining her mature curves to perfection.

She did not speak.

Those peach-blossom eyes, shimmering like ripples on water, simply gazed quietly at the youth opposite her.

Appreciation, curiosity, inquiry.

Various emotions intertwined and swirled in the depths of her eyes, eventually settling into a growing, intense interest.

This youth was like an ancient well with no visible bottom; every time you thought you had reached the end and reached down, you found only a profound, heart-palpitating darkness beneath.

She had originally thought that the high-stakes gamble of one thousand gold coins, which had trampled the Jialie Clan's dignity into the dust, was his limit.

Yet now, facing that purple-gold card representing a massive fortune of nine hundred gold coins, he remained as calm and unruffled as an ancient well.

It was as if this were not a sum of wealth enough to drive a Dou Shi mad, but merely a pile of meaningless numbers.

"It seems our cooperation this time has been a great success."

In the end, it was Ya Fei who spoke first. The deliberately cultivated seductiveness in her voice had vanished, replaced by the efficiency and equality of a top-tier businessperson.

With a flick of her slender hand, a card crafted entirely from purple gold and engraved with intricate magic patterns appeared between her fingers.

"As agreed, for the final price of one thousand gold coins, our auction house takes a ten percent commission."

The purple-gold card was gently pushed by her fair fingertips, sliding in an elegant arc across the smooth rosewood table until it stopped before Su Chen.

"Inside this, there are nine hundred gold coins."

Nine hundred gold coins.

This figure was enough to make any mercenary group in Wutan City turn green with envy, and enough for an ordinary family to live a life of luxury for several lifetimes.

At this moment, it had transformed into a light, thin card, lying there quietly and emitting a faint purple glow.

Su Chen's fingertip tapped lightly against the armrest.

Just once.

He did not immediately reach for the card, but instead raised his head, meeting Ya Fei's gaze calmly.

"I think our cooperation has only just begun."

Hearing this, Ya Fei's red lips curled slightly, forming a captivating arc.

She liked dealing with smart people.

Because it saved so much unnecessary probing and wasted breath.

"Of course."

She stood up, her lotus-like steps moving gracefully as she walked before Su Chen.

This time, she did not approach with that aggressive, seductive posture, but instead maintained a polite and respectful distance, bowing slightly.

"In fact, what I was about to discuss with my little brother is precisely our 'future' cooperation."

She paused, then sat back down on the opposite sofa. The smile in her peach-blossom eyes faded, revealing the sharpness and seriousness of a chief auctioneer.

"Just now, in the short time since the auction ended, my threshold has nearly been trampled down."

"Oh?"

Su Chen picked up the cup of tea that had long since gone cold and took a light sip.

"Liu Xi, the first-tier alchemist whom the Jialie Clan spent a fortune to invite, began refining a batch of 'Blood Coagulation Powder'—which he had failed to produce several times before—the moment he obtained that 'Rock Fire Seed'."

Ya Fei's fingertips tapped lightly on the sofa armrest.

"As a result, he succeeded on the first attempt, and the quality of the medicinal pills was top-tier."

"It is said that Master Liu Xi was ecstatic, clutching the pills and declaring in front of Jialie Bi that this fire is a divine object that every alchemist dreams of, and its value far exceeds a thousand gold."

"Now, Jialie Bi has already sent a formal request for an audience, his words earnest, hoping to meet the provider of the 'Rock Fire Seed' and negotiate a price."

"Then there is the Aoba Clan. Although their patriarch, Aoba Pa, suffered a setback at the auction, he is more anxious than anyone right now. He has even offered an irresistible price, hoping to buy the fire seed from the 'mysterious guest' who won it."

Ya Fei recounted the reactions of the city's two major clans without haste.

Every word invisibly elevated Su Chen's value.

"Of course, besides them, several other prominent alchemists and blacksmiths in the city have also sent people to express a strong desire for cooperation."

"It can be said that your 'Rock Fire Seed' has become the most sought-after treasure in the eyes of all the upper-class figures in Wutan City in just one night."

"A piece of... succulent meat that is enough to attract countless jackals."

When she spoke the last four words, Ya Fei's tone turned abruptly cold.

The air in the room condensed slightly along with it.

Su Chen set down his teacup.

The bottom of the cup collided with the table, emitting a crisp, light sound.

"So, Miss Ya Fei, what is it you wish to say?"

"What I wish to say is quite simple."

Ya Fei straightened her posture, the breathtaking curves of her figure tightening with the movement, yet at this moment, no one would notice the allure; they would only be struck by the powerful aura radiating from her.

"An innocent man may be innocent, but his treasure is his crime."

"The item in your hands is no longer merely a curiosity; it is a gold mine capable of altering the landscape of Wutan City. A gold mine of this magnitude is something you cannot protect on your own."

"Although the Jialie Clan lost face this time, they will never let it rest. If they cannot succeed in the light, they will resort to the shadows. Kidnapping, threats, assassination... they are more proficient in these underhanded tactics than anyone else."

"You need an ally."

"An ally powerful enough to shield you from all the open spears and hidden arrows, one who can allow you to stand tall and earn your wealth in peace."

Her voice was resolute and forceful.

Every word struck like a drumbeat against the heart.

Su Chen did not speak.

He simply watched her quietly, waiting for what she had to say next.

Meeting his profound gaze, Ya Fei suddenly broke into a smile. It was like ice melting in the spring or a hundred flowers blooming at once, causing the light in the entire room to brighten.

"And my Miteer Auction House is your best, and only, choice."

She extended a slender, delicate hand across the table, pointing toward Su Chen.

"I, representing the Miteer Auction House, formally extend an invitation to you."

"Let us sign an exclusive supply agreement."

"From this day forward, all of your 'Rock Fire Seeds' must, and can only, be sold through my Miteer channels throughout Wutan City, and even in the surrounding Shimo City and Tanger City."

"In return..."

She withdrew her hand and held up three fingers, white as jade.

"First, the commission. We can reduce the original ten percent commission to five percent. Do not underestimate this five percent; when your future transaction volume reaches a terrifying figure, this five percent will be an astronomical sum."

"Second, settlement. We will prioritize the settlement of all your payments. There is no need to wait for the auction to conclude; as soon as the goods are appraised, we can pay the full amount on the spot."

"Third, and most importantly."

Ya Fei's expression became unprecedentedly serious.

She took a badge from her storage ring.

It was an exquisite badge crafted entirely from purple gold, cool to the touch, engraved with the complex Miteer Family emblem of an intertwined silver sword and auspicious clouds.

In the center of the emblem was an embedded red crystal the size of a grain of rice, flickering with an eerie light under the lamps.

"This is the Purple Gold VIP Badge of the Miteer Family."

Ya Fei placed the badge solemnly on the table, right next to the purple gold card.

"In all of Wutan City, there are no more than five people who possess one."

"With it, you may freely enter and exit any property owned by the Miteer Family within the Jia Ma Empire without prior notice."

"With it, you can unconditionally mobilize a squad of up to twenty guards from the auction house to protect your safety."

"And furthermore..."

Ya Fei raised her eyes, her peach-blossom eyes now sharp as blades.

"It tells every blind fly in this city that from today on, you, Su Chen, are under my protection!"

"Whoever dares to touch you is an enemy of me, Ya Fei, and an enemy of the entire Miteer Auction House in Wutan City!"

The final sentence was delivered with resounding impact.

It was no longer the shrewd calculation of a merchant, but the unquestionable dominance and promise of a top-tier power!

She had staked herself, and the reputation of the entire auction house, on this high-stakes gamble.

She was betting on the future of the young man before her!

Su Chen looked at the purple gold badge on the table.

He could feel the faint, cool sensation emanating from it, as well as the burning weight it represented—a weight capable of shaking the entirety of Wutan City.

This was no longer an olive branch.

This was a shield.

A sturdy shield forged by the Miteer Family itself, capable of weathering any storm!

He knew that he had already obtained everything he desired.

Without further hesitation, Su Chen reached out and tucked both the purple gold badge and the purple gold card into his robes.

This action was his answer.

"Happy to be in business."

He raised his head and spoke four words.

Ya Fei looked at him, and finally, a genuine, relieved smile bloomed on her face.

"Pleasure doing business with you."

She stood up and extended a hand, white as jade, toward Su Chen.

Su Chen also stood up and gently grasped that cool, soft hand.

They touched and parted instantly.

A commercial alliance capable of stirring the winds and clouds of the entire Jia Ma Empire in the future was quietly formed within this small VIP room.

"Oh, right."

Just as Su Chen was preparing to take his leave, Ya Fei seemed to suddenly recall something.

"That mysterious guest who won the 'Rock Fire Seed' asked me to pass a message to you before they left."

Su Chen's footsteps faltered slightly.

He turned around.

The smile on Ya Fei's face carried a hint of playfulness.

"They said..."

"This fire is good."

"But they want to see something better."