Sensing the intense killing intent from Long Yifan, Jasmine said in a serious voice,
"Don’t worry, our people already got a clue on Gu Aihan’s whereabouts. Once I find her, you can kill her."
Long Yifan nodded. Yet his cold aura prevailed.
Jasmine took a deep breath and reminded herself,
"But that doesn’t mean you were innocent, you know that, right?"
"Yes." Long Yifan nodded. He wouldn’t pin all the blame on Gu Aihan. If she was at fault for hiding the truth, then he was at fault for acting blind all these years.
Seeing how low his mood was, Jasmine decided to cheer him up and said,
"Okay, now don’t act like an abandoned puppy. I don’t understand why Gu Jin was so angry with you."
A hint of confusion appeared in Long Yifan’s eyes as he explained,
"Even I don’t know. Honestly, she was fine and even took the initiative to call me 3 times a day. But just because of my small statement, she suddenly became angry.
Sister...I only have seen her so angry for the second time. The first time, she was angry when I sided with Gu Aihan, and today was the second time.
She doesn’t feel many emotions, but today, she was definitely angry."
Jasmine listened before saying in a tentative voice,
"Brother, do you think...she panicked because she felt her guards going down? Maybe she realized that her heart was softening, and hence her mind triggered the past, resulting in her outburst?"
Long Yifan’s eyes widened slightly. "Her... guards going down?"
Jasmine nodded, her expression thoughtful.
"Think about it, Brother. Gu Jin... she’s not the type to let her emotions show. She always acts so cold and distant, but..."
She paused for a moment, then continued softly, "But she is colder toward you!"
Long Yifan: "..." Wow!
Jasmine laughed before saying,
"Okay, I was kidding. I mean to say, maybe there was a crack in the wall she was building around her heart and hence the outburst. It is a good kind of development.
Maybe if you go through more such outbursts, you will eventually win her over."
Long Yifan blinked. "More... outbursts?"
Jasmine nodded with a grin.
"Yup! Maybe if she gets mad at you a few more times, her walls will completely break."
Long Yifan looked horrified. "You want her to get angry again?"
"Well, it’s not like you can just walk up to her and say, ’Hey, Gu Jin! Can you let your guard down so I can love you?’"
Long Yifan’s face turned red. "S-Sister!"
"What?" Jasmine smirked. "I’m just being honest."
Long Yifan sighed, rubbing his temples. "But I don’t want her to be angry at me..."
"Brother," Jasmine said, her voice turning softer.
"Gu Jin isn’t angry because she hates you. She’s angry because she knows, if you continue to tag along, she will fell in love with you."
Long Yifan’s heart was beating with joy and his eyes turned bright.
Just a few hours ago, he had felt that the day couldn’t get any better, and just one hour before, he felt that the day couldn’t get worse, and now...now he felt that the day couldn’t be any better again!
The brother and sister chatted for a while, and soon, Gu Jin came out of the room.
Her expression was cold, and she looked as if she was back to her normal self.
Long Yifan and Jasmine turned silent.
"Jasmine, would you like to eat something?"
"Eh? Yes, for sure!" Jasmine said with a smile.
"Would I get some too?" Long Yifan asked.
Gu Jin didn’t reply; instead, she walked toward the kitchen.
Soon, three plates of spaghetti were made.
Long Yifan was thrilled and helped to serve the dishes while Jasmine and Gu Jin sat at the dining table.
Soon, they finished eating, and just then, the doorbell rang.
Gu Jin was about to check when Long Yifan stood up and said,
"I will see who is on the door."
Gu Jin didn’t move. If there was a servant to help her, why would she move?
Long Yifan opened the door and found a golden envelope.
A hint of confusion flashed in his eyes.
He picked it up and looked around.
Just then, Jasmine’s voice sounded,
"Yifan, who is at the door?"
"Hm..." Long Yifan locked the door and walked up to Gu Jin. "This invitation..."
Gu Jin instantly recognised it and snatched it away,
"Hm....Jin isn’t that invitation to the auction that is going to be held three days later?" Jasmine asked as she and Long Yifan exchanged look.
Gu Jin was surprised and asked,
"Yes." Jasmine nodded.
"Are you going to attend it too?" Gu Jin asked.
Jasmine looked at Long Yifan, who nodded and said, "Yes. But why are you attending it?"
"I want to meet Ma Bence." Gu Jin said.
"Ma Bence..." Jasmine looked at Long Yifan with a meaningful gaze, who blushed.
"Why?" This time, Long Yifan was the one who asked the question.
Gu Jin glanced at Long Yifan and said in a calm voice,
"I need to ask Ma Bence something important."
Long Yifan’s heart skipped a beat. Ask me something? He forced himself to stay calm and act normal.
"Important?" Jasmine raised an eyebrow, clearly curious.
"Yes," Gu Jin nodded, her expression serious.
"Do you have any appointment?" Jasmine asked.
Gu Jin shook her head,
"I have a deal for him and hope that he can agree to meet me."
"I can arrange a meeting between you two." Long Yifan said.
Gu Jin’s eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at Long Yifan.
"You?" she asked, her tone suspicious.
Long Yifan coughed lightly and nodded. "Yes. I... uh... have some connections."
Jasmine’s eyes sparkled with amusement as she watched her brother struggle. Oh, this is going to be fun.
"Connections?" Gu Jin’s tone was flat, but her gaze was sharp.
"Yes..." Long Yifan rubbed the back of his neck. "I... I know someone who can get a message to Ma Bence."
Gu Jin studied him for a moment, her expression unreadable.
"Alright," she finally said. "If you can arrange it, I’ll owe you one."
Long Yifan’s heart skipped a beat. She’ll owe me one?
"Consider it done," he said quickly, trying not to look too eager.
Jasmine, meanwhile, was barely holding back her laughter.
"Brother," she whispered, leaning closer to Long Yifan, "are you sure you can arrange a meeting with Ma Bence?" Her eyes twinkled mischievously.
Long Yifan gave her a warning glance, but his face was already turning red.
"Of course," he mumbled.
"Good." Gu Jin’s cold voice interrupted their little exchange. "I’ll be ready."
"Jasmine," Gu Jin said, turning to her. "Are you coming to the auction too?"
"Of course!" Jasmine grinned. "I wouldn’t miss it."
Gu Jin nodded, her expression as calm as ever. "Then we’ll leave together."
Long Yifan swallowed hard. Leave together? With me? And she’s going to meet... me?
"Brother," Jasmine whispered again, her voice barely above a whisper. "You’re dead."
Long Yifan glared at her but said nothing.
..............................
The auction was held in a remote underground chamber beneath an ancient estate, hidden from prying eyes.
Only the elite were invited — powerful cultivators, influential merchants, and mysterious figures whose names were rarely spoken aloud.
Gu Jin stood at the entrance, her figure draped in a sleek black robe embroidered with subtle golden runes.
Her hair was tied up, revealing her elegant neck, and a thin, silver mask covered the upper half of her face, concealing her identity.
Her aura was calm, but her eyes gleamed with quiet confidence as she scanned the crowd.
On her left side was Jasmine.
"Miss Gu," a soft voice spoke beside her.
Gu Jin turned to see a middle-aged man dressed in an understated yet luxurious robe.
His aura was powerful, but his demeanor was respectful.
"I am here to escort you," the man said with a polite bow.
Gu Jin gave a slight nod, her expression calm as always.
"Lead the way," she said softly.
Jasmine followed closely, her eyes darting around with curiosity.
The chamber was vast, with intricate carvings of ancient symbols glowing faintly on the walls.
Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a dim, ethereal light across the marble floor.
Jasmine leaned closer to Gu Jin and whispered, "Jin... do you think Ma Bence is here already?"
Gu Jin’s eyes narrowed slightly, scanning the crowd.
"He should be," she murmured.
Long Yifan, who had been following them from a distance, wiped the sweat off his forehead.
Dressed in a deep blue robe with silver embroidery, Long Yifan stood near the edge of the crowd. A black mask covered his face, hiding his identity as Ma Bence.
Okay, stay calm. She can’t know it’s me.
"Miss Gu," the middle-aged man guiding Gu Jin suddenly stopped and gestured toward a private booth.
"Please, have a seat. The auction will begin shortly."
Gu Jin nodded and gracefully walked into the booth, followed by Jasmine.