As the auction drew to a close, Xiao Yan slipped away under the pretext of needing some air.
He left the auction house with careful deliberation, wandering the surrounding streets for a few loops before ducking into a secluded corner. There, he pulled on the oversized black cloak he had purchased on the way, wrapping himself until his figure looked suitably bulky. Only then did he saunter back into the building.
Ever since identifying Xiao Yan as a fourth-tier alchemist, Ya Fei had stationed observers throughout the auction house. The moment he arrived, a neatly dressed maidservant who had been waiting for some time led him to the reception room with respectful efficiency, attending to his needs with quiet attentiveness.
Xiao Yan sat in the armchair in silence, lifting the teacup from the table for a shallow sip. He glanced sidelong at the slightly nervous young woman standing beside him and gave a small nod. Without his lips moving, Yao Lao's aged voice drifted out: "How much longer until the auction concludes?"
"Ah?" Startled by the sudden voice, the maid stole a furtive glance at Xiao Yan's cloaked figure and clasped her small hands together. Her face had gone pale. "Sir... the auction has already ended. Miss Ya Fei is currently handling the settlement procedures."
Watching the girl quake like a frightened rabbit, Xiao Yan felt a moment of bewilderment. He didn't think he was that terrifying. With a helpless shake of his head, he maintained his air of aloof silence.
The maid stood with her head bowed, silently relieved when Xiao Yan spoke no further. When she had first received the assignment, Master Gu Ni had issued a stern warning: she must satisfy any and every demand this mysterious guest made — no matter how extreme.
Having worked at the auction house for nearly a year, she understood exactly what "extreme" implied. Each time the cloaked figure opened his mouth, she trembled from head to toe, terrified that the next words out of his mouth would be *that* kind of request.
After more than ten minutes of anxious waiting, the sound of hurried footsteps outside the door finally brought her a deep breath of relief.
"Heh heh, sir — you've certainly arrived early. I trust Xue Li hasn't neglected anything?" Ya Fei glided into the reception room with the sinuous grace of a water snake, her waist swaying with every step. Her voluptuous figure, shown to full advantage beneath her attire, could drive a man of weak self-control to the brink of losing his composure.
*"Demon..."* Xiao Yan cursed inwardly again and shifted slightly backward in his seat, offering a small nod.
Seeing his acknowledgment, the maid let out another sigh of relief. She bowed respectfully and hurried out of the room.
Relieved that Xiao Yan seemed satisfied, Ya Fei allowed herself a small smile. "Sir, the auction has concluded."
"The Foundation Liquid from the last sale fetched an even better price than the previous batch," she continued, holding up a pale blue jade card between delicate fingers. "Seven bottles in total — the final tally comes to two hundred and eighty-five thousand gold coins. After taxes and fees, the balance is loaded onto this card."
Xiao Yan extended his hand and accepted the jade card. It was cool and smooth to the touch — clearly crafted at considerable expense. He ran his fingers lightly over its surface and nodded.
Ya Fei's gaze lingered on his hands — youthful, pale, and strong — and a curious, unreadable flicker passed through her eyes once more.
"This price... exceeds my expectations. I'm satisfied." Yao Lao's aged voice carried an unmistakable warmth.
Ya Fei's face brightened. She quickly set aside the strange feeling that had surfaced moments before. "If the sir ever needs to auction elixirs again, please don't hesitate to return to the Mitel Auction House. We'll always negotiate the best possible price."
"Those medicinal ingredients I requested — have you found them?" After a slight pause, Yao Lao's voice came again.
Ya Fei's narrow, elegant eyes curved into a graceful arc. Her response was soft and sweet: "Naturally, sir — the auction house has done everything in its power."
She clapped lightly, and Gu Ni personally strode in carrying a jade tray. He stopped beside Xiao Yan and set the tray gently on the table with a slight bow. "Sir, all the ingredients you requested are here."
Xiao Yan's eyes showed a flicker of genuine pleasure as he examined the herbs arranged on the tray. The Mitel Auction House's capability was impressive indeed. Procuring these ingredients on his own would have required considerable time and effort, yet the auction house had assembled everything in a single day — far exceeding his expectations.
"Very well... thank you." The moment Yao Lao confirmed that all the ingredients for refining Qi Gathering Powder were secured, his voice softened by a degree.
As someone who had navigated the auction house for years, Ya Fei detected the shift instantly. Joy surged through her. This business relationship had been a sound investment.
"I don't wish to take advantage of you," Yao Lao continued. "Please deduct the cost of the ingredients from the card."
When Xiao Yan moved to retrieve the jade card, Ya Fei quickly waved a hand. "Sir, these ingredients were sourced from our internal supply — far cheaper than what you'd find on the open market. Your two auctions have brought considerable prestige to our house. We wouldn't dare accept payment for this."
"As you wish, then. If I require more ingredients in the future, I'll trade elixirs for them." Yao Lao understood her intent perfectly — she was cultivating a relationship. Too shrewd to feign reluctance, he carefully lifted the ingredients from the jade tray and tucked them safely into his robes.
"Good. I have matters to attend to — I won't linger."
With everything settled, Xiao Yan rose to his feet, gave a casual wave, and strode toward the exit.
"Sir, allow Ya Fei to see you out." She exchanged a glance with Gu Ni, and both moved quickly to escort him, their manner impeccably hospitable.
Flanked by the two senior figures of the Mitel Auction House — one ahead, one behind — Xiao Yan stepped out of the reception room. He raised his head — and his stride faltered.
Directly across from the reception room door, three clusters of people were emerging from the auction hall, each eyeing the others with undisguised hostility. Xiao Yan's gaze swept across the groups, and he tugged self-consciously at his black cloak.
The cluster in the center — it was his own father, Xiao Zhan.
*Please... don't let him recognize me...*
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