In a quiet private room on the top floor of the Mittel Auction House, warm sunlight streamed through the open windows, filling the space with a gentle golden glow.
The soft scent of jasmine tea floated in the air, mixing with the aroma of freshly steamed dumplings and sweet pastries arranged neatly on the table.
Despite the delicious spread, neither of them had eaten much.
A bowl of porridge sat untouched, and the fresh fruit still glistened with morning dew, but not a single piece had been taken.
Ya Fei sat beside Ye Chen on a cushioned seat, curled up comfortably against him.
Her red robe was slightly open at the collar, revealing a glimpse of smooth, fair skin.
Her silky hair flowed over her shoulders, and her long lashes fluttered as she looked up at him from his embrace.
"Brother Ye Chen," she said softly, her voice calm but clear, "you didn't come all the way to Wutan City just to see me… did you?"
Her tone was playful, like someone testing their lover's honesty, but her eyes were sharp and serious.
Even while resting in his arms, she was observant and clever.....hard to fool.
Ye Chen let out a sheepish laugh and scratched the back of his neck. "Haha… you always see through me, don't you?"
Ya Fei tilted her head, a teasing smile on her lips. "That's because I know you too well. So, tell me the real reason."
Ye Chen sighed and finally replied, "You know the Xiao family here in Wutan City, right?"
"Of course," she said casually, picking up her teacup. Her eyes lit up with interest.
"Well… their third young master, Xiao Yan, is actually engaged to Nalan Yanran."
Her hand froze mid-air. Ya Fei blinked in surprise. "Xiao Yan? That useless guy everyone talks about?"
She turned to face him fully, stunned. That was the last thing she expected to hear.
Nalan Yanran....the talented young genius of the Nalan family.
Famous for her beauty, strength, and pride.
A woman known to be cold, distant, and admired by many.
And she was engaged… to Xiao Yan? The boy people in Wutan City mocked and laughed at?
The thought made Ya Fei burst out laughing. "That icy princess from the capital… matched with him? That's too funny!"
She set the teacup down, shaking her head in disbelief. "No wonder you're here.
Let me guess....you're here to help her cancel the engagement, right?"
Ye Chen gave her a small, quiet smile. "Yeah, that's right."
But as soon as he admitted it, the smile on Ya Fei's face slowly disappeared.
The light in her eyes dimmed.
"She's not even coming herself?" she asked, her voice sharper now. "It's her engagement, isn't it?"
Her fingers tapped softly on the table. "So she stays back to protect her perfect image, and sends you to handle the mess?"
The teasing tone was gone.
To outsiders, Ye Chen had no reason to get involved with this.
He wasn't related to the Nalan or Xiao families. But here he was....traveling all this way to help.
Just for Nalan Yanran.
Ya Fei bit the inside of her cheek and looked away. She didn't want to admit it, but her chest tightened when she heard Nalan Yanran's name.
She had always suspected something between them. Now, it was clear....
Ye Chen still cared about that woman.
Under the table, her hands clenched slightly in her lap. "You're too good to her," she muttered.
And when she realized that Nalan Yanran was still technically engaged to another man, a strange sense of satisfaction rose in her heart.
So what if Nalan Yanran was more powerful?
So what if she was a top disciple of Yun Yun, and the pride of the capital?
In Ya Fei's eyes, she had already lost something important.
Because Ya Fei believed that true connection mattered.
Not just beauty or talent. Who a person chose.
Who they gave themselves to. Who they stayed loyal to.
And Nalan Yanran had already made a choice once.
Even if she regretted it now, that bond still existed. To Ya Fei, that couldn't be erased.
No matter how perfect Nalan Yanran seemed....she was no longer worthy of standing beside Ye Chen.
Ya Fei slowly leaned forward and poured him a cup of tea with graceful hands.
Her movements looked calm, but there was a quiet tension beneath her skin.
She handed him the tea, her gaze sharp and bright. "I hope she understands the kind of man she's asking for help.
Not everyone is lucky enough to have someone like you."
She smiled sweetle....but behind that smile, there was something deeper. Something that hinted at jealousy, pride, and a quiet warning:
Nalan Yanran might still have Ye Chen's attention for now…
But Ya Fei wasn't going to let him go so easily.
Read more 100+ Chapter And Olso Other Fanfic 100+ Chapter
Join now ... patreon.com/HeavenlyYinYang