After chatting idly with Xiao Zhan and the others for a while longer, Ya Fei rose to take her leave. Xiao Yan, who had maintained a silence at her side, now stepped forward to play the part of the hospitable host. Under his father's approving gaze, he accompanied Ya Fei all the way out of the clan compound.
Once they passed through the main gate, Xiao Yan showed no sign of turning back. He clasped both hands behind his head and fell into step beside Ya Fei, his eyes half-lidded, apparently lost in thought about something.
Walking alongside Xiao Yan, Ya Fei felt a growing tension within her. Her delicate hands, clenched tightly together, were damp with perspiration. Her memory was exceptional—at the auction, she had once caught a fleeting glimpse of the mysterious black-robed alchemist's hands: youthful, pale, and brimming with vitality. And upon those very same white hands, she had spotted a black ring identical to the one Xiao Yan now wore. With this tantalizing coincidence as a starting point, and considering why that mysterious alchemist had shown such favor to the Xiao Clan, the answer seemed almost ready to reveal itself.
Gently biting her lower lip, Ya Fei cast a covert glance at the young man beside her. He wore an unremarkable blue robe, his tall, athletic frame moving with a languid grace as he walked with his hands behind his head. His handsome face, though still carrying the softness of youth, bore a faint, elusive curve at the corners of his mouth that made him look nothing like an innocent boy devoid of worldly experience.
Studying Xiao Yan closely, Ya Fei still found it hard to believe that the person who had left both her and Gu Ni completely cowed at the auction house was nothing more than a handsome youth of perhaps seventeen.
"Seen enough?" Just as Ya Fei was wearing a look of helpless amusement, the young man at her side spoke in an even tone.
Her steps slowing slightly, Ya Fei sighed softly. "Should I... call you Elder? Or Xiao Yan, little brother?"
Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow, then jerked his chin to the side. "In there."
Ya Fei followed his gaze, and her cheeks flushed a faint pink. The place Xiao Yan had indicated was, in fact, one of Wutan City's most popular rendezvous spots for couples.
She hesitated for a moment, intending to suggest they find another location. But Xiao Yan had already sauntered inside with a bold stride and taken a seat on the stone bench beneath a weeping willow's emerald canopy.
Watching Xiao Yan's thoroughly uncharacteristic boldness—a stark contrast to his earlier deference back at the clan—Ya Fei could only shake her head in resignation. This transformation in demeanor was a bit too dramatic.
With measured steps, she glided forward and sat across from him. Her captivating, elongated eyes sparkled with curiosity as she appraised the youth before her.
"Figured it out?" Xiao Yan reached out, plucked a willow leaf, and began chewing on it. The words came out slightly muffled.
Ya Fei brushed aside a strand of hair that had drifted across her forehead. The casual grace of the gesture caused a man nearby to stare slack-jawed. She pressed her lips together and replied with a bitter smile: "I would actually rather believe I was mistaken."
At this, Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed slightly, and he bit down hard on the bitter leaf in his mouth.
"You're not planning to silence me permanently, are you?" Seeing Xiao Yan's expression, Ya Fei adopted an exaggeratedly timid tone, though a glimmer of amusement flickered through her eyes.
"I'm planning to ravish you, then dump the body." Xiao Yan said with a vicious growl.
Hearing such crude words, Ya Fei's cheeks turned faintly pink. She gave him a coquettish glare and chided: "Where does a little kid learn such improper things?"
Xiao Yan shrugged and stretched lazily. Now that his identity had been uncovered, he saw no point in beating around the bush: "The black-robed figure who negotiated with you before—that was indeed me."
"But the person actually doing the alchemy wasn't you, was it?" Ya Fei's eyes shimmered with knowing amusement. She was no fool. She knew perfectly well what Xiao Yan's level of strength was. Even if he were an alchemist, given his current cultivation, there was no way he could refine a medicine of Qi-Gathering Powder's caliber.
"A woman who's too clever won't find a man who wants her." Xiao Yan shot Ya Fei a sidelong glance—she had guessed the truth almost perfectly—and his lips curled in a pout.
"That's just what mediocre men think." Ya Fei arched her delicate brows, her tone laced with disdain.
Rolling his eyes, Xiao Yan had no patience for this pointless debate. Chewing the now-dissolved bitter leaf in his mouth, he said evenly: "You should know why I'm looking for you. Help me keep my identity secret—everyone benefits."
Licking his lips, Xiao Yan fixed a long, penetrating gaze upon the alluring beauty before him. "And of course—don't mistake this for something you can use as leverage against me. Otherwise, you'll regret it."
"Do I look like one of those busty, brainless fools?" Ya Fei spread her hands in a show of innocent bewilderment.
Xiao Yan studied Ya Fei's ample bosom with great seriousness for a moment, then nodded. "The bust is certainly impressive. Whether there's a brain behind it—that remains to be seen."
"..."
Being ogled with such earnest deliberation by a boy several years her junior left Ya Fei at a loss—half-amused, half-exasperated. Setting aside Xiao Yan's dual identity for the moment, even just his handsome, youthful features made it difficult to harbor any ill will toward him.
"Then... what about our partnership?" Ya Fei watched Xiao Yan with a trace of nervousness—this was the question she most wanted answered.
"As before. You refuse to supply the Jie Lie family with ingredients, and I'll compensate you with five Qi-Gathering Powders." Xiao Yan shrugged, and his casual tone made Ya Fei breathe a sigh of relief.
"Hehe, I very much look forward to our continued cooperation." Ya Fei extended her graceful hand with poise and assurance, her lips curving in a dazzling smile.
Xiao Yan gave a lazy nod and clasped that delicate hand. To Ya Fei's surprise, the contact was fleeting—he released her hand almost the instant he touched it.
Watching this young man whose behavior defied all predictability, Ya Fei couldn't help but sigh. "It truly makes one wonder whether you're really only seventeen. I've realized I've been following your lead this entire time."
Xiao Yan waved off the comment, rose to his feet, and headed for the exit. As he walked, he called over his shoulder: "From now on, when we meet, keep up the same attitude as before. That way, no one will suspect anything."
Ya Fei nodded with a smile and said softly: "If you have the time, you might invite the alchemist behind you to visit the Mitel Auction House as our guest. We would be honored to welcome them at any time."
Xiao Yan's stride faltered for just a moment. He rubbed his nose and replied in a noncommittal murmur: "We'll see when there's time." He gave another wave behind him and walked away without a trace of hesitation.
Standing rooted in place, Ya Fei watched the young man's retreating figure grow smaller in the distance. She shook her head with a wry smile and murmured under her breath: "What a little monster. I truly cannot understand why that girl from the Nalan family broke off her engagement with him. Sigh—Nalan Su is probably going to regret this until he spits blood."