Still, she didn't feel repelled. The young man was indeed handsome, and over the past two years in Utan City, Xiao Jian was her only true friend… just a little playful teasing between them had already become routine.
The spacious guest hall was softly lit, golden rays spilling through the carved windows.
Yafei sat elegantly on the sofa, a trace of amusement flickering in her eyes as she crossed her long legs with practiced grace.
"Alright, tell me… why the sudden visit?"
Her tone was half-joking, half-curious.
"Ah, short on funds!" Xiao Jian rubbed the back of his neck with a helpless smile before straightening.
"I suddenly gained cultivation ability last night, so I need some cultivation resources.
For professional matters, it's best to leave it to professionals… hence I've come to you, Yafei."
His words grew heavier toward the end, revealing a seriousness beneath his casual demeanor.
"Really? Xiao Jian, you can cultivate now?"
Yafei's eyes widened in genuine surprise before a radiant smile bloomed across her face. "Congratulations! That's no small achievement.
Tell me what materials you need, and I'll arrange everything for you immediately."
"All listed here. Yafei, please prepare them for me.
No rush; once ready, send someone to notify me, and I'll come get them."
Xiao Jian calmly handed her a neatly prepared list, showing that he had been planning this visit for some time.
Yafei accepted the parchment, scanning it quickly before setting it aside.
Then, with a subtle lift of her brow, she asked,
"By the way, I heard that the lady from the Nalan family, who was betrothed to you, came today to break the engagement?"
"Yes. I made an agreement with her: three years from now,
I'll go to the Nalan residence to formally end the engagement."
Xiao Jian's voice carried no bitterness; instead, there was a faint smile, calm and self-assured.
"Oh? I heard she came with quite an air of authority and even brought people from Yunlan Sect.
Was it really as easy as you make it sound?"
Yafei leaned in slightly, curiosity gleaming in her eyes.
Her perfume drifted gently in the air as she drew closer, testing his composure with a mischievous smile.
But Xiao Jian sat firmly, calm and collected. He was no longer the shy boy who once blushed in her presence.
Years of interaction with Yafei had sharpened his poise, leaving him unmoved by her subtle games.
"Yafei, I'm surprised your information is so accurate.
So, you didn't step in today to help me… does that mean you didn't take me seriously?"
His tone feigned a hint of disappointment, though his eyes betrayed a quiet amusement.
"Of course not. I trust you, Xiao Jian..
From what I know of you, a little girl like Nalan Yanran could never be your match."
Her words were soft, almost intimate, as she leaned closer still.
Now, their noses nearly brushed, and Xiao Jian could catch the faint sweetness of lipstick on her lips.
The atmosphere tightened for a brief moment, like a string drawn taut.
But just as he was about to respond, Yafei suddenly pulled back, winking playfully.
"Since you understand me so well," she teased, "
guess what I told Nalan Yanran that made her let go and trust that I'm… self-aware enough to be a 'useless' person?"
Xiao Jian chuckled, recognizing her little "revenge" for his earlier teasing.
But Yafei, instead of laughing it off, grew uncharacteristically thoughtful.
She tilted her head, a rare trace of seriousness crossing her flawless face.
For the first time tonight, the playful game between them seemed to hint at something deeper, something unspoken lingering between their words.
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