CHAPTER 288: CHAPTER 288: WHO IS WATCHING EVERYTHING

"Miss Xia, my brother and I need to excuse ourselves for a moment!" Song Ke said and hurriedly dragged Song Yi away.

Xia Mian squinted slightly, watching the Song Family brothers rush off into the distance, and murmured, "He doesn’t seem to know anything."

Lu Zechuan nodded slightly, "Perhaps, he really doesn’t know!"

It’s uncertain what exactly was hung in the basement of Jufang Pavilion.

Fortunately, Song Yi hung that mirror on the basement wall, or else in the eyes of those lurking in the shadows, Jufang Pavilion might have no secrets left.

Xia Mian acknowledged with a nod and continued walking to find Gu Zhi and Xia Weizhang.

Their constitutions weren’t particularly strong either; now that she had made elixirs to enhance physical strength, she might as well help them improve.

When Xia Mian arrived at Xia Weizhang’s room, he had just finished practicing a set of cultivation techniques.

Since meeting the wealthy Song Ke, Xia Weizhang had come to appreciate the taste of easy gains, successfully scoring two bargained treasures at the auction, using them to refine his strength.

Seeing Xia Mian enter, Xia Weizhang immediately smiled broadly, "Cousin!"

Xia Mian nodded and tossed him a pill, "This can enhance your constitution, give it a try."

Xia Weizhang’s face brightened with joy, "Thanks, cousin!"

He knew Song Ke had gathered a bunch of herbs for Xia Mian to refine elixirs!

As soon as Xia Mian got the herbs, she went to Song Yi to arrange a place for alchemy, and once the elixirs were done, she came to him, generously giving him one, this generous cousin was indeed kind!

"Take it now, I’ll keep watch outside for a while." Xia Mian gently said, exiting Xia Weizhang’s room.

In the younger generation of the Divine Clan, valuable members weren’t plentiful; Xia Weizhang was fairly competent in both mind and cultivation, so for the clan’s development, Xia Mian could only strive to elevate the younger generation’s strength.

After leaving Xia Weizhang’s room, Lu Zechuan stood outside, glancing sideways at her, "You’ve worked hard."

Since entering the Mystical World, Xia Mian had been spinning like a top, constantly occupied, never idling.

Xia Mian smiled, "Not at all."

Speaking, Xia Mian reached the corridor, leaning her hands on the railing, gazing downstairs, "I’m sorry for keeping you here for so long."

Lu Zechuan raised a hand to tidy a stray lock of hair at her temple, "What nonsense!"

Xia Mian said no more.

In the real world, Xia Mian had only Song Juan as a relative; now Song Juan had gone with Xia Zhun to the Three Thousand Worlds to start anew, leaving her solo, with no one to worry about nor to be worried over.

Lu Zechuan was different, in the real world, there were still people concerned about him.

Letting Lu Zechuan be stuck with her in the Mystical World felt unfair to him.

"We are engaged now, it’s only natural for us to be together as one; wherever you are, I naturally will be." Lu Zechuan’s voice was low and seductive, softly echoing in Xia Mian’s ears.

Xia Mian’s eyes unwittingly showed mirth.

"Isn’t it almost New Year’s?" Lu Zechuan looked downstairs, suddenly saying, "In this world where seasons are blurry, I nearly forget the date."

Xia Mian raised her wrist, glancing at her watch, which showed the date: December 10.

If she weren’t carrying some modern equipment, she almost forgot she was a modern person.

"Twenty days left." Xia Mian said softly.

Only twenty days until the New Year’s day in the New Calendar, but who knows where they’ll be when the time comes.

Lu Zechuan murmured a low acknowledgment, his gaze drifting lightly to Jufang Pavilion’s entrance.

A familiar figure rushed in from the outside, heading directly to the second floor.

Xia Mian squinted her eyes slightly, recognizing the person as Xie Chengming from the auction.

Xie Chengming’s face bore urgency; upon seeing Xia Mian, he looked as if he’d seen a savior, "Miss!"

Xia Mian squinted her eyes, "What has Mr. Ming so anxious?"

Xie Chengming glanced around before speaking softly, "Miss, to be honest, our auction tonight is hosting a major event."

Xia Mian’s eyes examined him, "And? You fear someone might disrupt?"

Xie Chengming smiled awkwardly, "With our manager absent, no one can truly hold the fort."

Xie Chengming organized his words, continuing, "Miss, please assist us by supervising tonight’s auction. After its conclusion, we’ll ensure you’re duly compensated!"

Xia Mian turned her head slightly to glance at the room behind her, her eyes briefly shifting, "Mr. Ming is being too formal; we are friends after all. If friends need help, I’ll naturally lend a hand."

After a pause, Xia Mian continued, "Please return now, Mr. Ming, I will certainly come over later!"

Xie Chengming’s face immediately lit up with gratitude, "Thank you, Miss!"

Xia Mian offered a slight smile, her expression so enigmatic it was hard to decipher, "See you tonight."

Xie Chengming seemed to have lifted a heavy weight from his heart, breathing a sigh of relief.

With Xia Mian promising to oversee the auction, Xie Chengming felt more secure.

"Did the auction house obtain some treasure, sparking envy?" Xia Mian asked quietly, raising an eyebrow, her query suggestive.

Xie Chengming chuckled bitterly, "Miss, the Mystical World is a realm where the strong rule the weak; although we have skilled people at the auction house, it’s prudent to be cautious."

Xia Mian nodded understandingly, "I see."

Xie Chengming gave a slight salute to Xia Mian before quietly withdrawing.

Xie Chengming’s figure hurriedly exited Jufang Pavilion, disappearing from sight, yet Xia Mian squinted her eyes gently.

Something seemed amiss.

Unable to pinpoint the issue, Xia Mian decided not to dwell on it, instead going to find Gu Zhi, intending to give him an elixir.

Gu Zhi would undoubtedly face a tough battle when he returned to the Gu Family; without strong qualifications, contested struggles would be futile!

But Gu Zhi’s attitude was completely different from Xia Weizhang’s when presented with the elixir.

Gu Zhi’s face showed no delight; instead, there was a hint of resistance.

Xia Mian furrowed her brow, "You don’t want to enhance your qualifications?"

Gu Zhi pressed his lips together, sighing softly, "From Song Ke, I learned that the Gu Family practices the Heartless Dao."

Xia Mian raised an eyebrow, "So? Are you afraid that increasing your qualifications will make you heartless?"

Gu Zhi didn’t speak, merely lowering his head slowly, "Miss Xia, if I don’t want to return to the Gu Family... could I stay with you?"

If the Gu Family practiced the Heartless Dao, Gu Zhi feared he might end up as a stepping stone in their power struggles should he return.