49 Confirmations - 15.1

"The owner wants to see me? Now?" Fan Zhu Xia asked blankly as she stared at Ho You who had just arrived to inform them that they won the bid for the Golden Crystal Spirit Fruit and that the owner has one particular request; and that is to personally meet her.

Looking at the flabbergasted expression on Fan Zhu Xia's face, Ho You couldn't help but lightly chuckle as he replied, "Yes Miss Xia'er, that's right."

"But why?"

"This lowly one isn't exactly sure of the reason, after all, Ho You is but a servant here in the Thousand Treasure Pavillion but it is the Lord Owner who was the one who specifically ordered me to inform you of his request."

Falling silent, Fan Zhu Xia mulled things over before she felt a hand clamp over her shoulder and give her a reassuring squeeze.

"Little Xia, you should go ahead and meet this mysterious owner. Besides, if something happens, wouldn't I still be here to help you out?" Fan Yong Rui said with a grin.

"That won't be necessary, I don't think the Thousand Treasures Pavillion will do anything to harm me."

"Of course not! The Thousand Treasure Pavillion prides itself with our fair and unquestionable treatment of our patrons, we would never do any underhanded tricks, especially to our esteemed guest such as yourselves. Our Lord Owner would just like to make your acquaintance."

Sharing a look with Fan Yong Rui, Fan Zhu Xia remained puzzled yet she could do nothing but nod and say, "Very well. This miss will do as you say."

Meanwhile, Fan Yong Rui seemed to have thought of something and gave Ho You a pondering look with curiosity and amusement blooming in his eyes before he just chuckled and shook his head when Fan Zhu Xia gazed at him inquiringly.

"Then do you mind if I go on ahead? People are looking for me and this young master shouldn't keep them waiting. Will you just have someone come and inform me once you reach home?"

"En. I'll have someone do that. You go on ahead, I'll see you later."

Then with a mischievous glint in his eyes, Fan Yong Rui sidled up closer to Fan Zhu Xia before suddenly pulling her into his embrace and lowering his head to kiss her cheek before letting her go and lowly telling her in an ambigous tone, "Hurry back, I'll be waiting."

Momentarily shocked by his actions, Fan Zhu Xia did nothing but stare at him dumbfounded, not even moving even an inch away from Fan Yong Rui, making Ho You's brows frown slightly in concern before he managed to mask it, yet despite his speed, Fan Yong Rui still noticed, making him laugh as he got the answer to one of the questions on his mind, making him laugh.

His laughter brought Fan Zhu Xia made Fan Zhu Xia's face blush adorably as she stomped her feet before pushing Fan Yong Rui to the direction of the door, shooing him away.

"Remember, don't take too long, I might get jealous." Fan Yong Rui teasingly drawled with a smirk on his face, making Fan Zhu Xia so annoyed that she felt a vein would burst in her temple all because of Fan Yong Rui's annoying antics.

"Ehh, you jealous? What are you talking about? Just go already!" Fan Zhu Xia snappily replied to which Fan Yong Rui just laughed off as he waves goodbye before exiting the room, leaving the occupants in an awkward silence.

Everyone was stunned by what Fan Yong Rui had done and even Fan Zhu Xia was flabbergasted. She just didn't know what came over him, but she sure as hell going to find out later!

Clearing her thoughts, she cleared her throat before she spoke to get Ho You's attention.

"Ehem... Brother Ho, shall we go now?"

After that scene he just witnessed, Ho You's mind was a mess. What he just saw was a blatant display that Fan Yong Rui enacted in front of him to showcase his and the young miss' relationship but what bothers him is that he had no way of knowing just how much of it was a show and how much is the truth.

His head ached at the mere thought of what might happen if he reports this, after all, he can't just ask to verify the authenticity of what he just saw since that would be overstepping his line. Ho You knew that this would be very quite difficult to report to the Lord Owner, after all, who knows how that guy might react!

"Brother Ho? Am I allowed to bring Min Sheng and Chun Hua when I go and meet the Lord Owner?"

Seeing the lack of reaction, Fan Zhu Xia's mouth twitched wryly, before she tried again and called out, "Brother Ho?"

Finally snapping out of his daze, Ho You coughed and gave a sheepish smile.

"Sorry Miss Xia'er. It's just that Ho You was taken aback by what he just saw."

Returning his smile with an exasperated one of her own as she shook her head softly and replying with a voice filled with resigned amusement.

"Just ignore him, he's just teasing. Anyway, shall we go?" Fan Zhu Xia smoothly asked, shifting the topic, leaving him no chance to query it further.

"Yes, let me go and bring you to meet him. He is the one who will be giving the Golden Crystal Spirit Fruit to you."

Nodding, the three of them; Fan Zhu Xia, Min Sheng and Chun Hua followed Ho You's lead until they were brought to a door of one of the private auction rooms that based from Ho You's explanation was the personal private room that the owner of Thousand Treasures Pavillion usually uses if he's here and wants to check out the auction. Upon arriving just outside, Fan Zhu Xia noticed that the door to the room was being guarded by muscular, stoic-looking men who both respectfully nodded and greeted Ho You quietly.

"Branch Leader."

"Branch Leader."

Hearing the simultaneous greetings, Ho You felt his eye twitch in slight annoyance, not at the guards but more at himself. How could he forget to instruct these two not to address him as such?

Looking at the problematic expression on Ho You's face, Fan Zhu Xia couldn't help but cock an elegant brow in amusement as she playfully asked, "Branch Leader? Are they referring to you, Brother Ho?"

"Please, Miss Xia'er, you jest... Compared to you're impressive background, how can this lowly one compare?"

Laughing, Fan Zhu Xia just waved a dismissive hand before responding with light tone.

"Ahh, details. What's status got to do with friends, right?"

"But of course haha... Then shall we proceed inside then?" Ho You said with a laugh, moving on from his slip.

"Lead the way, Brother Ho."

After seeing Fan Zhu Xia nod in agreement, Ho You made his way to the door and one of the guards opened it for him as he gestured to Fan Zhu Xia to follow him in.

"Min Sheng, Chun Hua, wait for me here. I'll be right back."

"Very well Young Miss."

"Of course, my lady."

The two simultaneously replied before stepping to stand on one side. Seeing this, Fan Zhu Xia made her way to Ho You's side who was waiting just inside the open door.

Once she entered, Ho You raised his hand to gesture for the guards to close the door making Min Sheng and Chun Hua lose sight of them as he lead Fan Zhu Xia deeper into the room, nearer the glass wall that overlooked the auction stage where a wall was erected in the middle of the room, serving like a divider where a slightly raised platform that was concealed by a curtain made of jade beads were to stand before a low table that was just in front of it.

Looking closely, Fan Zhu Xia managed to make out the silhouette of a form of a man reclining leisurely on the sofa but she couldn't make out the man's features due to him being partially concealed by the curtains.

Tamping down on her urge to talk, she let Ho You make the introductions as she just stared curiously, not even realizing that her gaze was being reciprocated by the man behind the beaded jade curtain's own inquisitive look as he stared at the young lady on the other side of the curtain.

"My lord, I have brought Young Miss Xia. Is there anything else that this one can assist you with?"

A second of silence passed before a low, enigmatic voice sounded from behind the jade bead curtains.

"You've done well Ho You. Go on out first. This one would like to have a moment with our guest first."

Staying silent, Fan Zhu Xia just returned Ho You's smile with a nod of her own as he went out before letting her gaze trail back to the silhouette of the mysterious owner of the Thousand Treasures Pavillion.

Smiling slightly, her eyes twinkling prettily with curiosity as she eyed the man before opening her mouth that was hidden behind her silk veil and her quiet, alluringly soft voice and spoke.

"May this young miss know what the elusive and mysterious owner of the Thousand Treasures Pavillion want with me?"