Ya Fei's Invitation

Xiao Zhan's private room fell silent.

The silence lasted a long time—long enough for Galie Bi to grow uneasy, long enough for everyone in the hall to hold their breath and wait for the final answer.

Then Xiao Zhan's voice rang out.

"You win."

Only two words.

Brief and decisive, devoid of any discernible emotion.

"Xiao Zhan, you ruthless bastard! Just you wait!"

Hearing this, Galie Bi finally relaxed slightly, though his voice carried irrepressible fury as it came from his private room.

He glared toward the Xiao Clan's private room. If looks could kill, Xiao Zhan would have already been sliced into a thousand pieces.

He took several deep breaths, trying to calm himself, but he could not suppress the rise and fall of his chest. Like an enraged bull, he snorted hot breaths through his nostrils.

He turned to Ya Fei on the stage.

"Miss Ya Fei, it should be over now, shouldn't it?"

Ya Fei's expression did not change in the slightest under Galie Bi's glare. She still wore that calm smile, a flawless, standard smile that no one could find fault with.

Yet deep within those seductive, lowered eyes lay an undisguised trace of mockery and amusement.

Under Galie Bi's intense gaze, Ya Fei brought down the small wooden hammer in her hand.

"Dong—"

"The Wind Scroll Art has been purchased by Clan Leader Galie Bi!"

The bell's chime echoed through the silent auction hall, crisp and lingering.

In the private room on the second floor, Xiao Yan watched the scene below conclude. The corners of his lips lifted slightly. The smile was so faint it was almost imperceptible, yet something clearly flickered in his golden-red eyes.

He slowly rose to his feet, stretched his slightly stiff shoulders, and smoothed out his robe.

"Let's go."

He took Xiao Xun'er's hand and walked out of the private room beside her.

After leaving the auction hall, Xiao Yan held Xiao Xun'er's hand as they made their way back along the corridor carpeted in dark red.

Bronze wall lamps were set into the walls on either side, their warm yellow light stretching the pair's shadows long as they slowly moved across the walls.

He had originally planned to return directly to the Appraisal Room and wait for the payment to arrive, then take the gold coins and leave.

But just as he turned a corner, a figure stepped out from the side and blocked their path.

It was a maid dressed in a plain-colored gown, around seventeen or eighteen years old. She had delicate features, her hair was arranged flawlessly, and a small silver brooch pinned to her collar showed that her status within the Miter Auction House was not low.

Her manner was respectful and humble. She bowed slightly with her hands folded before her, her posture so perfect it seemed measured with a ruler.

"Mr. Xiao Yan, Miss Ya Fei wishes to see you."

Xiao Yan was slightly taken aback. His steps paused as his gaze lingered on the maid's face for a moment, several thoughts rapidly passing through his mind.

It was not surprising that Ya Fei wanted to see him.

Any auction house manager with a brain would not miss the chance to befriend a youth capable of producing a second-tier medicinal pill for auction.

Moreover, his conduct in the Appraisal Room earlier—specifically demanding that Gu Ni come out, knowing the pill's value like the back of his hand, and carrying himself with neither servility nor arrogance—Gu Ni would surely report every detail to Ya Fei.

Ya Fei had only two reasons for wanting to see him: first, to meet this youth who had suddenly appeared; second, to inquire about the alchemist behind him.

He simply had not expected Ya Fei to move so quickly. The auction had only just ended, and before he had even left the auction house, her invitation had arrived.

This efficiency and decisiveness only confirmed his assessment of the woman—Ya Fei had made the Miter Auction House thrive in a place like Wutan City through far more than just her face and figure.

"All right."

Xiao Yan nodded, his tone calm. He was neither flattered nor deliberately reserved. He glanced sideways at Xiao Xun'er, and the girl gave a slight nod to show that she had no objections.

Following the maid through several corridors and around several corners, they finally stopped before an ornate wooden door.

The maid knocked gently. Only after hearing a voice inside say, "Come in," did she step aside and push open the door, clearing the way.

The private room was not large, but it was tastefully furnished.

Paintings and calligraphy by famous masters hung on the walls, celadon vases stood in the corners, and the tables and chairs were all crafted from fine rosewood, carved with delicate patterns.

The most eye-catching feature was by the window—a broad rosewood table stood there, holding a complete tea set. Steam still curled from the spout of the teapot, indicating that its owner had just brewed tea and was awaiting her guests.

Two figures had already been waiting inside.

Ya Fei stood beside the table, her crimson dress blazing like fire and making her appear even more alluring beneath the warm yellow light.

She wore a perfectly measured smile—not the professional, hook-laden smile she had used on the auction stage, but one gentler and more sincere.

Gu Ni sat in the chair to her lower left. Clad in green, with white hair and beard, his aged face was glowing with health.

The instant he saw Xiao Yan enter, a complicated glint flashed through his eyes—scrutiny, curiosity, and a trace of awe that even he himself had not noticed.

"Mr. Xiao Yan and Miss Xiao Xun'er have arrived."

Ya Fei stepped forward to greet them. Her voice was no longer the soft, bone-melting sweetness she had used on the auction stage, but had shifted into a more dignified and appropriate tone. "Please, have a seat."

Xiao Yan nodded without exchanging pleasantries. Holding Xiao Xun'er's hand, he walked forward and took a seat in the guest's place.

Xiao Xun'er sat beside him, quiet as an orchid. Her hands rested folded in her lap, her gaze directed calmly ahead. She neither looked around curiously nor deliberately avoided anyone. Her composed and unruffled bearing made Ya Fei look at her twice more.

Ya Fei returned to her own seat, facing Xiao Yan across the table.

Gu Ni sat to her lower left, leaning forward slightly with both hands resting on his knees.

The fragrance of tea drifted through the air between them.

Ya Fei lifted the teapot and personally poured a cup of tea each for Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er.

Her movements were elegant and fluid. With a gentle turn of her wrist, tea flowed from the spout without spilling a drop, tracing a graceful arc through the air.

The cups were filled to seven-tenths, neither too much nor too little.

"Mr. Xiao Yan, speaking of which, this is Ya Fei's first formal meeting with you."

She set down the teapot, folded her hands over her lap, and looked at Xiao Yan with a smiling, sincere gaze. "Actually, when Mr. Xiao Yan became a Dou Practitioner at the age of nine, Ya Fei had wanted to visit your household.

At that time, all of Wutan City was saying that the Xiao Clan had produced a genius not seen in a hundred years—a nine-year-old Dou Practitioner with limitless prospects.

Ya Fei thought then that if she could become acquainted with someone like you, it would surely be one of life's greatest fortunes."

She paused slightly, and her smile gained a touch of self-mockery.

"Unfortunately, the auction house was extremely busy at the time, and Ya Fei simply could not spare the time. I was never able to make the visit. Later... later, the matter was set aside."

Those words were cleverly phrased.

They expressed both her appreciation and regard for Xiao Yan, while also providing a reasonable excuse for why she had not approached him earlier—it was not snobbery; she had simply been too busy.

As for how much truth and falsehood that excuse contained, it did not matter.

What mattered was that she spoke with sincerity in her voice and honesty in her eyes, making it difficult for anyone to resent her.

"Later, Ya Fei heard that Mr. Xiao Yan had recovered his strength and was greatly surprised. Now that I have seen you today, Mr. Xiao Yan is truly a distinguished young man of remarkable appearance, even more outstanding than the rumors suggested."

As she spoke, her gaze rested on Xiao Yan's face for a moment, carrying just the right amount of appreciation.

After saying that, she raised her teacup and took a light sip. She looked at Xiao Yan over the rim, waiting for his response.

She considered those words flawlessly delivered.

She had expressed her regard for Xiao Yan, laid the groundwork for her past "absence," and finished with several perfectly timed compliments.

By the usual rhythm of social conversation, Xiao Yan should have exchanged a few polite words now—something like, "Miss Ya Fei flatters me," or "I do not deserve such praise"—before the two sides continued their conversation in a friendly atmosphere.