Chapter 102 - Pestering

Two days later, Selene arrived at the Leyan family's homestay, dressed to the nines and looking like a vision of elegance. The maids looked at her in awe, whispering among themselves about how beautiful she was. The young lady had come to pick up her date for the auction, her eyes searching for the charming man she had invited.

Leyvi, who had been informed of Selene's arrival, walked out to greet her, wearing his best attire, which was still a far cry from Selene's grandeur. He had never been one for flashy clothes, preferring the shirt, jacket, and jeans he always wore. But today, he had made an effort, sporting a clean, well-tailored outfit that Anda had picked out for him.

Anda said that he had to at least match Selene appearance so that people wouldn't think she picked up a street bum.

Selene's eyes lit up when she saw Leyvi. He looked surprisingly handsome, the stark contrast to his usual attire highlighting his strong features and giving him an air of refined masculinity. She couldn't help but feel a bit nervous. "You look... amazing," she said, her cheeks flushing pink.

Leyvi smiled at Selene's compliment but for some reason, he felt like he was getting into a big trap. He looked at Anda and she had a sly smile showing on her face.

"The more handsome and charming my husband looked, the more women will fall for him." She murmured. Anda had already imagined a flock of young ladies swarming Leyvi wanting to flirt with him.

Leyvi had a headache. He had indeed fallen into a big trap. Anda was using him as bait to attract more girls.

But before he could say anything, Selene took the initiative and approached Anda. "Madam Leyan, I hope you don't mind me taking your husband for the auction." She spoke with a mix of shyness and confidence.

Anda waved her hand dismissively. "Don't call me Madam, call me Sister Anda. After all, if you are going to be a part of our family, we should be less formal." She said with a warm smile.

Selene was surprised but happy. "Thank you, Sister Anda." She replied, feeling more comfortable with the casual address.

"The one gardening over there with big bosom is Lilian, Leyvi's second wife, and the one standing beside Leyvi looking like a secretary is Layla, his third wife." Anda introduced. "Sister Selene, it might be a bit harder to capture my husband's heart now because I've been pushing a lot of women to him recently, so I wish you good luck," Anda whispered to her ear.

Selene was stunned. Pushing women to him, not the other way around? Selene looked around and saw the maids and Miss Fisherwomen were talking and laughing with each other, everyone seemed relaxed and happy.

Anda's welcoming attitude was a stark contrast to what Selene had anticipated. She had been expecting Anda to be a jealous and possessive wife, but instead, she was met with a warm embrace. It was a bit overwhelming but in a good way.

The Leyan family's dynamics were vastly different from what Selene had experienced in the Goldstone household. Her mother had always maintained a cold and hostile demeanor towards her father's other wives and concubines, treating them as enemies, always fearing she would lose her status and affection.

And so, Selene found Anda's welcoming and open nature to be both refreshing and a bit unsettling. It was as if she had stumbled into a warm and loving family where everyone shared and cared for each other, rather than the cutthroat competition she had expected.

After Anda and Selene exchanged some more words, Leyvi and Selene got into the fancy carriage she brought and departed to the Alchemy Association Headquarters. Leyvi felt awkward the whole time. He felt like a young lady being picked up on a date.

"Sister Anda is really nice. I thought that she would hate me." Selene said, trying to start a conversation.

"Hahaha, if you treat her well and she likes you, she would be super nice, but if you become her enemy, she would ruin your life," Leyvi said, recalling the bandit and the people who got banned by her previously.

"Really? Thank goodness she seems to like me," Selene said, visibly relieved. 

"So.....Why do you like me anyway? I don't think that I've ever met you before. You even brought your father last time." Leyvi chuckled as he said the latter part. They were sitting facing each other in the carriage, so Leyvi stared into her eyes.

"Hehe, you still don't recognize me?" Selene giggled. The next moment, she used her Qi and channeled it to her hair, making it float and wiggle above her head.

"Huh?" Leyvi was confused. A few seconds later, he remembered, "Ahh! You are The Last Hairbender!" No wonder he vaguely felt that she seemed familiar but couldn't recognize her when she came with her father.

Selene nodded with a proud smile, it proved that her disguise was a success. "Yes, that's me. I wore a mask because I didn't want people to recognize me." She halted her Qi and her hair returned to normal.

"So you like me because you lost to me?" Leyvi assumed.

"No, because you made me laugh at that time. I like a man who can make me laugh." Selene didn't hide the reason.

Leyvi was dumbfounded. That could attract women? Then why don't clowns have a harem? Leyvi doesn't believe being funny can attract women.

Selene giggled at seeing Leyvi's stunned face.

"Ehem...What are the things usually being auctioned anyway? This is my first time going to one." Leyvi changed the subject.

Selene nodded, happy to explain. "At the Alchemy Conference's exclusive auction, the items are usually rare ingredients and materials, rare demonic beasts, rare spirit weapons, or artifacts. Ah, sometimes special fire would be auctioned too. It's where the wealthiest and most powerful families come to show off their wealth and bid for the most precious goods. Oh, most of them were probably showcased in yesterday's exhibition."

"I see. The things from yesterday's exhibition." Leyvi recalled various expensive things he saw when he accompanied Anda to the exhibition yesterday. There are famous pill cauldrons, alchemy-related spirit artifacts, alchemy-related items that famous alchemists used in the past, new alchemy techniques, and more.

If possible, he wanted to get a new cauldron for Anda. He could buy a new one from a store but it wouldn't be special. An exceptional one would usually appear in an auction.

Selene and Leyvi made their way to the Grand Hall of the Alchemy Association building after they arrived. Since the auction was an event for the rich and powerful, the atmosphere was suffused with opulence and prestige.

The grandiose architecture, the gleaming marble floors, and the chandeliers that hung from the ceiling like diamond-studded constellations all reflected the wealth and influence of the elite.

The Grand Hall was packed with many people, from the ostentatiously dressed young masters and young ladies to the stern-faced elders with their eyes gleaming with greed. The air was thick with anticipation, the murmur of countless hushed conversations, and the occasional cackle of laughter as the participants eagerly awaited the start of the auction.

As Selene and Leyvi made their way through the hallway, a figure emerged from a corner and approached them. His eyes were drawn to Selene's grace and cuteness. He sailed over with a charming smile, his gaze lingering on Selene's form before finally meeting her eyes.

"Miss Selene, what a pleasure to see you here!" Ori Oregano, the alchemy prodigy of the Medicine Valley, greeted her warmly. Despite his young age, his reputation as a charmer and flirt preceded him, and he was known to have a soft spot for short pretty women. "I didn't expect to find you at such an exclusive event. It seems fate is playing a hand in bringing us together."

Selene frowned, annoyed by the guy who interrupted her first date with someone she liked. "Who are you?" She asked.

"Ah, pardon my rudeness. I am Ori Oregano, the alchemy prodigy of the Medicine Valley, you must have heard of me, Miss Selene." He introduced himself, his eyes still glued to Selene.

"I see, so you are the young prodigy people have been talking about," Selene replied without showing much interest.

Ori proudly smiled. "Would you like to attend the auction together?" He shamelessly asked.

Leyvi, noticing that Selene was uncomfortable with Ori's pestering, struggled internally. Should he step in? Leyvi sighed, he had just made that 'Don't Be A Busybody' motto two days ago and now it came to haunt him so quickly. Medicine Valley, that was one of the three big Alchemy Sects in the South Region.

Selene's eyes glinted with a hint of irritation. "I'm sorry, but I've already made plans with someone," she said firmly, standing her ground.

"Oh, is that so? This must be your brother, Victor Goldstone. That's weird, I heard he was short too. How about we go together?" The handsome Ori Oregano didn't give up and continued to push his luck.

Leyvi knew he couldn't stay silent anymore. This brat was too annoying.