After a while, the unhurried sound of footsteps came from outside.
Immediately afterward, two figures pushed the door open and entered.
"Little brother, I heard you were looking for me?"
As a fragrant breeze wafted in, a soft, sultry giggle slipped into Xiao Yuan's ears, making his heart give an involuntary little shiver.
Phew, that voice...
He looked up, and a stunningly beautiful face immediately entered his field of vision.
Mm, this must be Ya Fei Mittal, one of the must-eat picks on the Battle Through the Heavens list, right?
She really does embody mature allure. What a rare little enchantress.
No wonder she's so popular in the Imperial Capital and Wutan City.
But my Xun'er is still better.
For some reason, though, when she saw him, a look of astonishment appeared on her face.
Wait, why is she looking at me like I'm a monster? Did I scare her? That can't be right. Even if I'm not drop-dead gorgeous, I'm still a handsome, dashing young man, aren't I?
Ding! Congratulations, you have obtained one Youth-Preserving Pill. Youth-Preserving Pill Grade: None Effect: Preserve your beauty and stay forever young.
The reward from the system made Xiao Yuan's face darken.
He felt like this Dog System was calling him shameless, but he had no proof.
Little did he know, Ya Fei had been plunged into deep shock because she'd heard his thoughts.
What was going on?
That voice had clearly come from the young man in front of her, but he hadn't even opened his mouth!
Could it be some kind of voice transmission technique?
The Dou Qi Continent was full of strange things, and as a businesswoman, Ya Fei naturally knew that.
But if it was a voice transmission technique, those words just now had been far too bold and explicit.
It felt more like... this young man's inner thoughts?
The Xun'er he'd just mentioned must be Xiao Xun'er. She'd had the good fortune to meet that girl once.
She really was a beautiful young woman.
But hearing herself so bluntly compared unfavorably to a young junior left Ya Fei feeling a little indignant.
And what was this "must-eat list" from Battle Through the Heavens?
Though her mind was full of questions, her excellent professionalism quickly helped her suppress them.
With a graceful sway of her slender waist, she sat down directly across from Xiao Yuan.
"Little friend, this is Miss Ya Fei, the chief auctioneer of our Auction House and also the person in charge here."
Although Gu Ni had very much hoped Xiao Yuan wouldn't go astray, things had already come this far, so he still introduced him to Ya Fei Mittal.
Now he could only hope Xiao Yuan would come to his senses on his own.
"Pleased to meet you, Miss Ya Fei."
Xiao Yuan greeted her politely.
But he noticed that she seemed to be studying him with an interested gaze.
Especially her charming, smiling face, with those long, limpid eyes that seemed to be tempting him every moment.
His gaze drifted discreetly over her elegant, slender neck, only to nearly plunge into the deep, creamy-white cleft of her breasts.
Tsk, does she really have to be this seductive?
Xiao Yuan politely looked away, but his reaction only made Ya Fei's smile grow broader.
So when Xiao Yuan was about to introduce himself, she spoke first:
"Pleased to meet you, little brother..."
"You must be that little genius of the Xiao Clan, the one who made a name for himself throughout Wutan City and forced the eldest daughter of the Nalan Family to change the person named in her engagement. May I ask why you've gone out of your way to see your big sister?"
Her sweet, delicate voice was just as bone-meltingly sultry as before.
Xiao Yuan didn't answer. Instead, he took a deep breath, as if to calm himself, then glanced at Ya Fei across from him and at Gu Ni.
Ya Fei understood at once and turned to look at Gu Ni.
"Master Gu Ni..."
"All right, I understand. Miss Ya Fei, I'll leave this to you. I have other business to attend to."
Gu Ni immediately caught her meaning and took the initiative to leave the Appraisal Room. But just as he closed the door, a faint sigh could be heard outside.
"Little brother, now that it's just the two of us, can you tell me?"
Ya Fei propped her cheek on one hand. Her smiling, autumn-bright eyes rested on him, while her ample bosom rose and fell in a breathtaking curve.
Every frown and smile of hers radiated a practically lethal allure.
But this time, Xiao Yuan remained unmoved. He shook his head.
"Miss Ya Fei, what I want to discuss with you is a deal big enough to shake Wutan City. Are you sure you want to talk about it here?"
A moment of confusion appeared between Ya Fei's willow-like brows.
She hadn't heard any inner thoughts from the young man across from her, but when she saw the calm in Xiao Yuan's eyes, she understood.
"All right, all right. You really are a little rascal, despite being so young. You could've said so earlier, instead of putting your big sister through all this."
The words sounded like a complaint, but they were more like a playful pout.
Then Ya Fei rose with a giggle and led him out of the Appraisal Room.
Along the way, everyone at the Auction House stared at the pair in astonishment.
They had never seen Miss Ya Fei personally escort anyone before.
Naturally, Ya Fei paid no attention to them.
Xiao Yuan, meanwhile, had his attention fixed on the woman's figure ahead of him.
Ya Fei wore a fitted red cheongsam that day, with a high slit that gave tantalizing glimpses of her legs. The close-fitting fabric perfectly outlined her graceful curves.
Her waist swayed like a water snake, alluring and bewitching.
Every movement was naturally seductive.
But most captivating of all were her long, black-stockinged legs, paired with red high heels.
Tsk, tsk, tsk. Those legs can give Cousin Xiao Yu's a run for their money. But their styles are different. Cousin Xiao Yu's legs are all about being toned and long, while this woman's are just as long but more on the voluptuous side.
She's practically born with the perfect body for a mature woman. There's something special about her.
Xiao Yuan silently appraised her.
Little did he know, every word of his thoughts reached Ya Fei's ears.
Ya Fei wasn't as easily angered as that little girl.
After working as an auctioneer for so many years, she'd met all kinds of customers and heard even more obscene remarks.
If anything, Xiao Yuan's appraisal in his thoughts made a sly glint flash through her eyes.
Like a hunter who'd fixed her sights on prey.
Soon, Ya Fei brought him to a place that resembled a reception room.
This time, she even specifically instructed the servants to prepare tea.
"Little brother, can you tell your big sister what kind of business you want to discuss now?"
Ya Fei personally poured him a cup of hot tea, then slid it over to him.
Xiao Yuan took it. He'd only had a sip when Ya Fei's sweet, alluring voice sounded again.
"If little brother wants to talk about a business worth tens of billions, your big sister won't say no either~"
Pfft!
At her words, Xiao Yuan nearly spat out the tea in his mouth, but managed to hold it back at the last moment.
Why does this woman turn every conversation into something suggestive?!
So this is the kind of person you are, Ya Fei?!
Xiao Yuan complained silently as he sipped his tea, trying to forget the scenes his imagination had conjured. Then he tossed the bag he'd brought with him in front of Ya Fei. "Please take a look at these first, Miss Ya Fei."