Chapter 31: An Invitation from the Heavens

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“Your noble spirit commands great respect, and the design and arrangement of this Curio House are truly novel and intriguing. Might I trouble you, young sir, to introduce me to the mastermind behind it all?” Having dismissed that foolish fellow, Yan Ziyu turned to the refined scholar in white robes and smiled warmly.

The scholar sized Yan Ziyu up and down, then smiled in return. “I am Bai Yufeng. Please, miss, just call me Yufeng. This is hardly the place for conversation. If you don’t mind, why not accompany me upstairs for a cup of tea?”

Being seen through at a glance as a woman caused Yan Ziyu a moment’s embarrassment, but she detected no mockery in Bai Yufeng’s tone and quickly relaxed. “Very well, I shall trouble you, Mr. Bai.”

“This is my son, Rui’er. Rui’er, this is Uncle Bai.” Yan Ziyu graciously held her son’s hand and introduced him.

Rui’er, having recovered from his earlier fright, recognized the handsome gentleman before him who had just taught the villain a lesson. He immediately beamed, his soft, clear voice ringing out, “Hello, Uncle Bai! You’re amazing! Rui’er wants to be as strong as you someday, to fight bad people too!”

A flicker of surprise crossed Bai Yufeng’s eyes. He hadn’t expected such a strikingly dressed young man to have so large a child. Yet Rui’er’s charm won him over, and he scooped the boy into his arms as they ascended the stairs, chatting as if old friends reunited after a long time.

“Rui’er is truly delightful. Uncle believes you’ll be even more capable than he is one day. I have many interesting little things; after tea, shall I show you some?” Bai Yufeng chatted with Rui’er, their easy rapport astonishing even Yan Ziyu.

“Sure, sure! Uncle Bai is so kind! I have a present for you.” Rui’er pulled a treasured item from his pocket and handed it to Bai Yufeng.

“Wow, this little figure looks just like you, Rui’er. How adorable! I like it very much. In return, I’ll give you a gift—this jade pendant. Now we’re good friends.” Bai Yufeng was well pleased by Rui’er’s cleverness and accepted the gift, passing the jade pendant to the boy.

“Yes, we are good friends.” Rui’er nodded solemnly, proud to have made his first adult friend.

...

“Rui’er, you and Qiu He go next door and have something to eat. I need to speak with Uncle Bai,” Yan Ziyu said, her heart aching slightly as she watched her son happily chatting with a stranger, feeling as though he had been taken away.

Rui’er pouted, reluctant to part from his new friend. Bai Yufeng pinched the boy’s chubby cheeks, hung the jade pendant around his neck, and whispered a few words in his ear. Instantly, Rui’er beamed and followed Qiu He to the adjacent room.

Since Rui’er had been in Bai Yufeng’s arms the whole time, Yan Ziyu hadn’t noticed the exchange of the pendant, assuming they were simply deep in conversation and unaware of the gift.

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“May I ask if Mr. Bai could introduce me to the mastermind behind Curio House?” Yan Ziyu cut straight to the point, revealing her purpose.

Her heart was truly stirred. She had always believed herself utterly alone in this world—no one could understand her loneliness and isolation. Now, suddenly discovering someone from the same temporal origin, a fellow native, how could she not be excited?

Perhaps finding a compatriot would lead her to a way home. This world of deceit and treachery was unbearable—too exhausting, too bitter!

“May I ask your surname, miss?” Bai Yufeng did not answer her question directly but smiled faintly and returned the inquiry.

“I am Yan Ziyu. I apologize for troubling you earlier, Mr. Bai,” she replied. She sensed no malice from him and trusted her instincts. Moreover, from what she had discovered earlier in the third soul, she resolved that even if she could not befriend him, she must never become his enemy. If her suspicions were correct, this man was terrifying indeed.

“No matter. It was my fault for not scrutinizing carefully, allowing such scum to act recklessly before you and even harm Rui’er. I owe you my apologies.” Bai Yufeng poured a cup of tea and lifted it toward Yan Ziyu. “Please accept this tea as my gesture of apology.”

Faced with Bai Yufeng’s generosity and straightforwardness, Yan Ziyu smiled lightly and drank her tea.

“Forgive my impertinence, but Miss Yan mentioned several times just now that she wished to meet the Curio House’s owner. I wonder why? It seems you do not believe I am the owner. May I ask your reason?” Bai Yufeng’s curiosity was piqued. To the outside world, he was the undisputed proprietor of Curio House. For this woman to speak of seeing the ‘man behind the scenes’ was significant indeed.

“Mr. Bai, I think the mannequins in the cabinet upstairs would be more perfect with bow ties and veils. What do you think?” Yan Ziyu did not answer his question directly but instead referred to the pair of mannequins dressed in suits and wedding gowns on the second floor.

“You… you are…” Bai Yufeng’s face changed, shock overtaking him.

His leader had once said every design was unique, and if one day someone could point out its flaws, that person would be the one he had long awaited—ten years of searching, finally found!

Suppressing his excitement, Bai Yufeng fixed Yan Ziyu with an intense gaze before speaking.

“You… you can understand the design upstairs?” His voice trembled with a mixture of excitement and doubt.

Yan Ziyu nodded. “Indeed. I believe you have confirmed my identity. When might I meet that person? I am eager to see him. I believe he would be glad to see me as well.” She understood that no matter how accomplished one might be in a foreign world, loneliness persisted—always an outsider.

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“I’m afraid you will be disappointed, Miss Bai. Perhaps, as you say, my leader would very much like to meet you. But he is currently away on business, his whereabouts unknown, and I cannot reach him. Please be patient; once I contact him, I will inform him of your matter immediately.”

Hearing this, Yan Ziyu’s eyes filled with disappointment—she had not expected such news.

Just as Yan Ziyu prepared to leave, Bai Yufeng suddenly called after her, “If I am not mistaken, Miss Yan, you are the Princess Xiao, daughter of General Yan. Am I correct?”

“That’s right. I am the so-called timid, incompetent princess the world talks about. Please forgive my poor reputation, Mr. Bai.” Yan Ziyu candidly confirmed her identity. Curio House’s enterprises spanned the realm; investigating anyone was trivially easy. There was no point in hiding, nor could she.

Bai Yufeng did not mock her. His refined face broke into a warm, spring-like smile. He turned and took an invitation from a cabinet nearby. “The world is often foolish; you need not mind their words. If you truly are Princess Xiao, then this will be of great use to you.”

“An auction invitation? This is…” Yan Ziyu took the card and opened it, revealing bold letters with no other details.

“It is the annual Curio House auction. Here, rare treasures and exquisite antiques are sold. As long as you can pay, you can acquire anything you desire. The auction begins tomorrow evening. You must attend—there is something very important for you there. Missing it would be a great regret.” Bai Yufeng presented the invitation as a courtesy to his leader and shared a message of great importance.

“What could be so mysterious and vital?” Yan Ziyu’s curiosity flared. What matter could be so serious for Bai Yufeng to speak thus solemnly?

“I dare not say more here. I am very fond of Rui’er. Tomorrow, any items you bid for, Curio House will advance the payment for you. Don’t forget to repay once you have the means,” Bai Yufeng said with a teasing smile before departing.

After Bai Yufeng left, Yan Ziyu lingered, frowning as she studied the invitation.

What could be so crucial that she must attend, yet Bai Yufeng could not speak further? Half-explained words were most vexing—go and risk it, or stay and wonder.

In the end, she resolved to go. Little did she dream that this auction would turn her life upside down forever.