Chapter 10: The Agreement
"By the way, I heard that young lady from the Nalan family—your fiancée—came today to break off the engagement?"
Ya Fei glanced at the list, then put it away and asked with concern.
"Mm, I made an agreement with her. Three years from now, I'll go to the Nalan estate to dissolve the engagement."
Xiao Yuan nodded as he replied with a smile.
"Oh? I heard she came in full force and even brought people from Yunlan Sect. Was it really as easy as you make it sound?"
Hearing Xiao Yuan's calm tone, curiosity flickered in Ya Fei's eyes. She leaned in a little closer and teased him with a smile.
As she approached, a sweet fragrance wafted over him.
But Xiao Yuan remained composed. He was no longer the inexperienced boy who would blush when facing a mature big sister like two years ago.
Over the years, he'd had many interactions with Ya Fei, and she often teased him. Now, such little tricks didn't faze him at all.
"Sister Ya Fei, your information network is surprisingly sharp. I'm quite impressed. But tell me—have you stopped caring about me? Why else didn't you show up today to help me out?"
Xiao Yuan neither stepped back nor leaned forward, calmly sitting in place with a mock expression of disappointment.
"Of course it's because I believe in you, little brother Xiao Yuan. From what I know about you, a girl like Nalan Yanran is no match for you."
Ya Fei leaned even closer and whispered softly.
At this point, their noses were nearly touching. Xiao Yuan could even catch the faint scent of lipstick on Ya Fei's lips.
Just as he was about to speak, Ya Fei suddenly pulled back and winked at him.
"Sister Ya Fei knows me so well. Why don't you try guessing what I told Nalan Yanran that made her relax and believe I was a self-aware good-for-nothing?"
Xiao Yuan, seeing her teasing gesture, knew she was "retaliating" for his earlier playful remarks and asked with a smile.
However, Ya Fei didn't play along. Instead, she frowned slightly and replied seriously:
"You're not a waste. Even if you could never cultivate Dou Qi in this life, I still believe you'd accomplish great things in other areas. Nalan Yanran might have decent talent, but she's rash and short-sighted. One day, she will regret breaking off the engagement."
At that, she noticed Xiao Yuan was looking at her a little strangely.
"Then I'll take that as a blessing from Sister Ya Fei. I may soon devote more of my attention to cultivation. Once the marketplace assessment concludes, I plan to hand over the management to the clan. With improvement in my strength, I'm sure there'll be more chances for us to work together."
Xiao Yuan said with a smile.
"Mm, I won't be staying in Wu Tan City much longer either. Perhaps… in three years, we'll meet again in the Imperial Capital."
Ya Fei nodded lightly in response.
"I think it'd be more accurate to drop the 'perhaps.' In three years, if Sister Ya Fei doesn't mind, I hope you'll accompany me to the Nalan estate."
Xiao Yuan met her alluring gaze and extended a solemn invitation.
"Eh?"
Ya Fei was briefly stunned. Was that… a confession?
"I think with that, Sister Ya Fei should be able to guess what I told Nalan Yanran, right?"
Then she heard Xiao Yuan follow up.
"Well then, I still have some business at the marketplace. I won't take up more of your time. Farewell."
Seeing the confusion on Ya Fei's face, Xiao Yuan couldn't help but chuckle. He stood up, poured her another cup of tea, and then turned and left.
It was a while before Ya Fei returned to her senses. She looked at the now-cold tea on the table, her cheeks slightly flushed.
That little brat—did he just push me forward to be his shield?
She picked up the tea and downed it in one go.
Still… not bad at all.
Ya Fei smiled softly as she stared at the cup in thought.
Three years from now, Xiao Yuan would definitely be a dragon among men.
And she too would no longer be just a provincial auctioneer in a small city.
—Xiao Family Marketplace—
Back in his office, Xiao Yuan worked skillfully through the paperwork.
Based on last year's marketplace earnings, the marketplace under his management was sure to be rated as a high-grade one in the upcoming evaluation.
So, all the preparations needed to be done in advance.
But his father was right—he really did need to begin stepping away from marketplace affairs.
"Someone come in."
Xiao Yuan called toward the door.
"Young Master!"
A servant quickly entered.
"Go find Deputy Market Chief Xiao Tong."
Xiao Yuan said as he kept writing.
"Yes, Young Master."
Moments later, a steady voice came from the door.
"Young Master, you called for me?"
Xiao Yuan looked up. At the door stood Xiao Tong, his thick beard as rugged as ever.
"Uncle Tong, come in and have a seat."
Xiao Yuan smiled warmly.
"Ah, yes."
Xiao Tong grinned and entered, sitting nearby.
"Uncle Tong, starting today, most of the marketplace operations will be handed over to you. Once the evaluation is complete, I'll be stepping down."
Xiao Yuan put down his pen and looked at him calmly.
Xiao Tong had been the original market chief and was a trusted aide of Xiao Zhan. When Xiao Yuan had first entered the marketplace three years ago, he had shadowed Xiao Tong.
Later, when Xiao Yuan showed extraordinary talent in management, Xiao Tong voluntarily handed over the position to him.
"Young Master?"
Xiao Tong looked puzzled. The young master had been doing an excellent job—why step down?
"Uncle Tong, I can cultivate now. So from now on, I'll be focusing on my Dou Qi training. You've always been capable—my strategies are nothing but simple tricks to you by now."
Xiao Yuan smiled as he explained.
"Really? You can cultivate, Young Master?"
Joy lit up Xiao Tong's face.
Those under Xiao Yuan had always felt regret over his inability to cultivate. Hearing this great news, he was sincerely happy for him.
"Yes. It happened last night. I hope Uncle Tong can help keep it secret for now."
Xiao Yuan nodded and spoke softly.
"Of course, Young Master. Leave the marketplace to me. You focus on your training—your coming-of-age ceremony is just around the corner. You must make the most of the time you have."
Xiao Tong stood and gave his solemn promise.
"Hehe, I trust you, Uncle Tong. I've finished writing the necessary documents—I'll leave them in your hands. If anything difficult arises, feel free to come find me."
Xiao Yuan smiled. After giving his final instructions, he left the marketplace.
Everything had been taken care of. It was time to return home and focus on cultivation.
One year from now would be the coming-of-age ceremony.
At the very least, he had to reach the seventh stage of Dou Qi to be considered acceptable.
But Xiao Yuan's goal was to become a Dou Zhe within a year—he even hoped to reach the threshold of Dou Shi.
(END CHAPTER)
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