After chatting with Xiao Zhan and the others for a while, Yaphira was about to take her leave. Xiao Yan, who had been silent all along, now showed his hospitality as the host. Under the satisfied gaze of Xiao Zhan, he escorted Yaphira out of the family compound. As they walked out of the family gate, Xiao Yan still didn’t show any intention of returning. With his hands behind his head, he followed closely beside Yaphira, his eyes half-closed, lost in thought. Walking alongside Xiao Yan, Yaphira felt a bit nervous. Her jade-like hands were clenched tightly, filled with sweat. Her memory was extremely sharp, and she recalled the mysterious black-robed alchemist’s hands she had seen by chance at the auction—a pair of youthful, white, and vibrant palms, each wearing a black ring identical to Xiao Yan’s. With this coincidence, it wasn’t hard to guess why the mysterious alchemist had shown such favor to the Xiao family. Some mysteries seemed to be on the verge of being revealed. Biting her red lips, Yaphira secretly glanced at the young man beside her. Dressed in an inexpensive green robe, he was tall and athletic, with his hands behind his head, giving him a lazy look. His face, though youthful and somewhat innocent, had a subtle smile that made him seem more experienced than his years. After carefully observing Xiao Yan, Yaphira found it hard to believe that the same person who had intimidated her and Gunny at the auction was a mere seventeen-year-old. “Have you seen enough?” The young man beside her spoke softly. Yaphira slowed her steps and sighed, “You… should I call you sir or little brother Xiao Yan?” Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow and suddenly pointed to a spot nearby, “Go in there.” Yaphira looked in the direction he pointed and blushed. It turned out that the place he indicated was a well-known lovers’ hideout in Wu Tan City. Hesitating for a moment, Yaphira was about to suggest changing the location, but Xiao Yan had already swaggered in and sat down on a stone bench under a willow tree. Faced with Xiao Yan’s change in behavior, from polite to domineering, Yaphira could only shake her head in resignation. This transformation was too abrupt. She moved forward slowly and sat down across from Xiao Yan, her alluring eyes shining as she examined the young man. “Do you recognize me?” Xiao Yan asked, his words muffled as he chewed on a willow leaf. Yaphira brushed a stray lock of hair from her forehead, a casual gesture that made a nearby man stare. Pressing her lips together, she said with a bitter smile, “I’d rather believe I made a mistake.” Hearing this, Xiao Yan’s eyes narrowed, and he bit down hard on the bitter leaf. “Are you going to kill me to keep me quiet?” Yaphira asked timidly, but a glint of amusement flashed in her eyes. “I plan to rape you and then dispose of your body,” Xiao Yan replied menacingly. Blushing slightly at the crude joke, Yaphira shot him a playful glare. “Where did you learn such bad things, child?” Rolling his eyes, Xiao Yan stretched lazily, no longer hiding his identity. “The black-robed man who dealt with you before was indeed me.” “But the alchemist couldn’t have been you, right?” Yaphira smiled, her eyes sparkling. She was no fool. She knew Xiao Yan’s capabilities, and even if he were an alchemist, he couldn’t have created pills of the Gathering Qi Pill’s level due to his limited strength. “Too smart for a woman is not attractive to men,” Xiao Yan said, glancing sideways at her. “That’s just a silly notion held by some mediocre men,” Yaphira retorted, her tone dismissive. Rolling his eyes again, Xiao Yan didn’t want to waste time on this. He chewed on the bitter leaf and said, “You know why I’m here. Keep my identity a secret; it’s beneficial for both of us.” Licking his lips, Xiao Yan fixed a deep gaze on the charming beauty before him, “Don’t use this as leverage against me, or you’ll regret it.” “Do I look like a foolish, chesty woman?” Yaphira asked, raising her hands innocently. Xiao Yan stared intently at her ample chest for a moment before nodding, “Your chest is indeed large, but whether you have brains or not remains to be seen.” Being ogled by a much younger boy, Yaphira could only shake her head in exasperation. Ignoring his dual identity, just his handsome looks made it hard to dislike him. “What about our cooperation?” Yaphira asked, her voice tinged with nervousness; this was her most pressing concern. “Same as before. Refuse to supply the Jia Lie family, and I’ll pay you with five Gathering Qi Pills.” Shrugging, Xiao Yan’s calm words reassured Yaphira. “I look forward to our continued cooperation,” Yaphira said with a radiant smile, extending her hand gracefully. Nodding lazily, Xiao Yan took her delicate hand, but to her surprise, he released it immediately. Looking at the unpredictable young man, Yaphira sighed, “It’s hard to believe you’re only seventeen. I feel like I’m always being led by the nose.” Ignoring her comment, Xiao Yan waved and stood up, walking away. “Next time we meet, act like before, so we don’t raise suspicions.” Smiling, Yaphira nodded, “If you have time, bring the alchemist behind you to the Miteer Auction House. We always welcome guests.” Pausing, Xiao Yan touched his nose, “We’ll see.” Waving again, Xiao Yan left without looking back. Standing there, Yaphira watched the young man’s retreating figure, shaking her head with a bitter smile, “Such a little demon. I can’t understand why the Nalan girl broke off the engagement. Ah, Nalan Su will probably regret it until he spits blood.”
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