Giving Ya Fei a Little Shock

Early the next morning, Xiao Yan got out of bed and went straight to Hai Bodong's residence. Together, they headed for the Mittel Auction House.

Ya Fei had learned of Xiao Yan's return to the city the day before, and an excitement she could barely contain had risen in her heart.

But when she heard that he had spent the entire day wandering around Wutan City with two girls instead of coming to see her, that excitement quietly turned into a disappointment she could not quite explain.

She knew there was nothing between her and Xiao Yan, yet she could not shake the gloom that had settled over her.

She had been distracted all evening, failing even to hear her maid call her several times.

The feeling lingered into the next morning.

Only when a servant reported that Xiao Yan had arrived at the Mittel Auction House did her spirits suddenly lift.

She hurried to the mirror and carefully straightened her appearance. Once she was satisfied that everything was in place, she nodded and made her way to the lounge, her supple waist swaying.

Inside, Xiao Yan and Hai Bodong were leisurely sipping the fragrant tea the servants had brought them.

"Elder Hai, Ya Fei, the woman in charge here, has helped me quite a bit..." Xiao Yan told Hai Bodong over his tea.

Hai Bodong listened closely, growing more delighted with every word.

He had never expected this junior of his clan to have done so well for herself, earning so much goodwill from Xiao Yan already.

He made up his mind that, once he returned, he would have that good-for-nothing Mittel Tengshan reward Ya Fei handsomely.

The crisp click of high heels drew nearer, and the lounge door slowly opened.

"Little brother Xiao Yan, you're such a busy man. I'm flattered you found the time to visit me yourself today."

Before she appeared, her alluring voice reached Xiao Yan and Hai Bodong, carrying a faint note of jealousy beneath its charm.

Ya Fei's long legs, sheathed in black stockings, stepped into the room first. Then came her fitted qipao, and finally her captivating face.

They had not seen each other in some time, and her mature allure seemed even stronger than before.

Every smile and glance carried an effortless appeal. She was almost impossibly seductive.

Had Xiao Yan's self-control been any weaker, she might have had him wrapped around her finger from the moment they first met.

"Sister Ya Fei, don't tease me." Xiao Yan set down his cup and smiled.

He had no better way to handle someone so naturally alluring. All he could do was try not to look too flustered.

After entering, Ya Fei's gaze shifted to Hai Bodong, who sat beside Xiao Yan.

One look was enough to give her a strong feeling that this old man was no ordinary person.

It was not a judgment she could explain, but instinct honed by a lifetime in business and countless encounters with people.

"Sister Ya Fei, let me introduce you. This is Elder Hai, a Dou Huang expert," Xiao Yan said when he noticed where she was looking.

A Dou Huang expert! Ya Fei clapped a hand over her mouth in shock.

A Dou Huang stood among the most powerful figures in the entire Jia Ma Empire.

How could she not be stunned to find someone of that stature sitting right in front of her?

The name "Elder Hai" also sounded strangely familiar, though she could not remember where she had heard it.

Coming to her senses, Ya Fei quickly curtsied. "Ya Fei greets Elder Hai."

"Excellent. You've managed this auction house well. With your abilities, I'd say you could manage the entire family someday." Hai Bodong gave her the highest praise without hesitation.

He had been pondering how to draw closer to Xiao Yan, and Ya Fei's arrival had given him an idea.

From Xiao Yan's opinion of Ya Fei and the way the two interacted, the wily old man had already devised a splendid plan.

Ya Fei would be the key to it.

Ya Fei sensed there might be more to his words, but she did not dwell on it. She simply smiled modestly. "You're too kind, Elder Hai. I'm still young, and I have much to learn."

Seeing her humility, Xiao Yan chimed in. "No need to be modest, Sister Ya Fei. If Elder Hai says you can do it, then you can."

He paused, then added casually, "After all, Elder Hai is the Supreme Elder of your Mittel Family."

"Supreme Elder!" Ya Fei's beautiful eyes widened as she stared at Hai Bodong in disbelief.

At the same time, the haze in her mind cleared. She finally understood why "Elder Hai" had sounded so familiar.

Wasn't the Mittel Family's Supreme Elder, who had vanished countless years ago, named Hai Bodong?

Ya Fei had never imagined that the legendary figure she knew only from family stories would be sitting before her, much less praising her so highly.

What made her even more curious was the nature of his relationship with Xiao Yan.

Before long, she had her answer: master and servant.

Hai Bodong openly acknowledged that Xiao Yan was his master. He then told Ya Fei in all seriousness that, from now on, Xiao Yan's orders would take precedence over his throughout the Mittel Family.

One astonishing revelation after another struck Ya Fei, leaving her mind blank. For a moment, she could hardly tell whether she was dreaming.

When they had finished talking, Xiao Yan took out a Medicinal Herb List he had prepared and handed it to Hai Bodong.

"Elder Hai, please make a trip back to the Imperial Capital. Tell the family about Sister Ya Fei's situation here, and help me gather the medicinal herbs on this list."

Hai Bodong accepted the list with both hands and nodded solemnly.

Xiao Yan smiled and added, "The list includes the main ingredients for an Emperor's Extreme Pill. Once you've gathered everything, I'll refine it for you myself and help you advance further."

An Emperor's Extreme Pill! As a Dou Huang expert, Hai Bodong knew its reputation well.

A pill at the peak of the sixth grade could raise a Dou Huang's strength by one or two stars. It could also greatly strengthen the body and reinforce its foundations.

Such effects were enough to make any Dou Huang expert envious.

Hai Bodong was no exception.

His eyes flashed with excitement. He carefully tucked away the list, then promptly turned and left to make preparations.

Watching Hai Bodong depart with renewed energy, Xiao Yan lifted his teacup and took another small sip.

He had already decided what to do next: remain with the Xiao Clan to improve his alchemy while waiting for Jia Nan Academy to begin recruiting, and quietly help the clan build its strength.

If he could help Little Purple break through to Dou Zong before he enrolled, so much the better.

With a Dou Zong guarding the Xiao Clan, he could leave for Jia Nan Academy with true peace of mind.