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**
In a room that was simply decorated yet still exuded an air of luxury—
After both parties had taken their seats as host and guest, the woman in the crimson robe waved her hand to dismiss the maid before personally pouring tea.
"Mr. Wei, it's been two years. I never expected to meet you again here in the imperial capital. Ya Fei is truly overjoyed." The woman in the red robe smiled sweetly as she bent over to pour tea. As she leaned forward, her full and ample chest pressed against the fabric of her robe, appearing even more round and firm, an alluring sight that was impossible to ignore.
She was none other than the chief auctioneer of the Mittel Auction House's branch in Wu Tan City back then—Ya Fei.
"Didn't expect to run into Miss Ya Fei in the imperial capital. It really is quite the coincidence." Wei Yang nodded calmly.
"After completing my family training, they saw that I performed well, so they transferred me back to the imperial capital to take over some responsibilities."
Ya Fei smiled brightly and sat down gracefully across from him, crossing her legs to one side. "Speaking of which, in a small place like Wu Tan City, the only reason I was able to achieve results that satisfied my family so quickly was thanks to you, Mr. Wei. If it weren't for your support, there's no way I would've made such a strong impression."
"Our deal was mutually beneficial. Nothing more. No need to speak of support." Wei Yang waved his hand casually.
Upon hearing that, Ya Fei pressed her soft red lips together slightly. A trace of disappointment flashed through her eyes, but she still smiled gently. "Mr. Wei is too modest. With your status, if you wanted someone to do business with, people would be lining up to throw themselves at the opportunity. Why would it ever fall to someone like me?"
As she spoke, she placed her hands gracefully over her abdomen and leaned forward slightly to show her gratitude.
However, that small gesture, combined with her already taut robe due to her seated posture, caused the fabric to slip slightly. In an instant, a deep, snowy-white cleavage line that made one's breath catch appeared right in front of Wei Yang's eyes.
Wei Yang quickly and forcefully turned his gaze away, not daring to look again.
Because out of the corner of his eye, he could already feel Xian'er's gaze starting to take on a rather dangerous edge.
Wei Yang couldn't help but curse inwardly. Tonight… I'm definitely going to have to explain this one. No idea if I'll even get to sleep in the same bed...
What the hell is wrong with Ya Fei today?
No awareness at all! Can't she see someone's sitting next to me? What's she flaunting that figure for? Isn't she just getting me into trouble?
…
Noticing how Wei Yang had immediately looked away, Ya Fei's heart sank. She couldn't help but feel bitter, frustrated, and defeated.
How many times had this happened now?
The beauty she had always been so proud of was being completely and blatantly ignored by this man.
Yes—ignored!
In all her twenty-something years of life, this was the first time she had encountered someone like this.
He didn't even offer the basic courtesy of a polite rejection—just flat-out ignored her.
She couldn't understand it. Did he really find her that unattractive?
Of course, she'd noticed the presence of Xian'er and Qing Lin beside him—but so what?
In a world where individual strength could override everything, the privileges of the strong naturally differed from those of ordinary people.
That was simply how she saw the world.
Back when Wei Yang ignored her, Ya Fei didn't feel too bad. But today, things were different—because today, he had other women with him, and they were clearly close to him.
It was as if some kind of nerve inside her had been hit, making her act just a little irrationally.
Was it because she liked Wei Yang that much?
Probably not.
But… she did have quite the favorable impression of him.
For reasons she couldn't explain, she was simply drawn to this mysterious man.
The more he ignored her, the more her competitive spirit flared.
So, it turns out he's not disinterested in women at all. He's just not interested in me... That was the thought currently swirling in Ya Fei's mind.
She glanced at Xian'er and Qing Lin across from her. She didn't believe they were any more beautiful than she was. That was the confidence she held.
The only real difference… was probably in cultivation talent.
In her twenties and only just barely stepping into the realm of a Dou Zhe, Ya Fei couldn't help but feel a bitter sting in her heart, a storm of emotions rising within.
Cultivation talent—that had always been her sore spot.
If only she'd had even half of Nalan Yanran's talent, her status within the family wouldn't be as awkward as it was now.
She would undoubtedly be hailed as one of the imperial capital's prodigies, not just a woman with a beautiful reputation.
Of course, if she knew that even a peerless beauty like Queen Medusa failed to stir much interest from Wei Yang, perhaps her heart would feel a bit more at ease.
The atmosphere in the VIP room suddenly turned oddly quiet and eerie.
Wei Yang remained silent. Xian'er and Qing Lin were silent as well.
Even Ya Fei, the host, surprisingly said nothing.
It was unclear whether she was simply sulking or deep in thought.
The silence grew awkward.
Wei Yang frowned inwardly. What's with this woman today?
Could it be… that time of the month?
This was completely unlike the usually composed and shrewd Ya Fei.
"Miss Ya Fei, I came here today for a transaction," Wei Yang finally reminded her.
Let's just get this over with and leave. I'm not buying anything from this woman again. She's got issues.
"Ah? Oh, sorry. I was just thinking about something and got lost in thought."
Ya Fei smiled apologetically, then took a light breath and returned to her usual calm and focused expression. "May I ask what you need this time, Mr. Wei?"
Wei Yang glanced at Xian'er and said warmly, "You go ahead."
"Alright." Xian'er nodded.
Since she was preparing to participate in the Alchemist Grand Meeting, she needed to acquire the ingredients for the pill she intended to refine.
With a flip of her hand, Xian'er produced a sheet of white paper and handed it over. "Do you have these herbs in your auction house?"
Ya Fei accepted the list, gave it a brief glance, and couldn't help but show a flicker of astonishment and surprise on her beautiful face. She asked, "May I ask this young lady's name?"
Having seen countless people, Ya Fei could tell at a glance that Xian'er was no longer a maiden. For some unknown reason, a trace of sourness rose in her heart.
"My surname is Ye," Xian'er replied bluntly.
"So it's Miss Ye." Ya Fei nodded with a smile.
Xian'er narrowed her eyes slightly and stared at her without speaking.
Wei Yang's gaze quickly scanned the list, and upon seeing the herbs listed, he too felt surprised. This girl Xian'er… she wants to refine that kind of pill?
Now that's interesting.
The pill Xian'er intended to make—it just so happened…
Wei Yang stroked his chin, involuntarily recalling the scene from the original story during the final battle of the Alchemist Grand Meeting.
…
"These herbs, while not particularly high-grade—they're all Tier 4—are rather rare and not your everyday materials," Ya Fei said after carefully reading the list again, smiling.
"Mm." Xian'er nodded slightly, then asked softly, "Can your auction house help me gather them all?"
Supporting her chin with a jade-like hand, Ya Fei thought for a moment before shaking her head and apologizing, "Sorry, Miss Ye. Because the imperial capital is currently preparing to host the Alchemist Grand Meeting, many alchemists have flocked here recently."
"This has caused our auction house's herb stock to deplete rapidly, even with prices rising due to demand."
"So I'm afraid I won't be able to gather everything on this list at the moment."
When it came to business, Ya Fei quickly returned to her usual capable and professional demeanor.
"How many can you get, then?" Xian'er asked, frowning.
"It would be difficult to gather them all, but I think collecting the majority of the herbs on this list shouldn't be a problem," Ya Fei said after some thought.
"Only the majority? Fine. I'll find another way for the rest," Xian'er replied.
"However, Miss Ye, these herbs are relatively rare Tier 4 materials. Even before, each of them would fetch a price of at least fifty thousand gold coins at auction—and they were usually priceless when they did appear."
"With the upcoming Alchemist Grand Meeting, their prices have increased even more. Would that be acceptable to you?" Ya Fei asked with a smile.
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