The Hidden Force (An Jin) Hound and the Marvelous Employee

Huo Xuan's heart skipped a beat, but his expression remained unruffled as he quipped, "I've done more than just one naughty thing." With that, he suddenly brushed his hand against Lin Yue's chest, prompting her to swat at him playfully with her delicate fists.

The car pulled into Hongfu Community, where Xiao Hei came bounding over, tail wagging eagerly. The dog had grown considerably—now tall enough to reach the hem of Huo Xuan's shirt when standing on its hind legs.

Huo Xuan patted Xiao Hei's head and took a closer look. The dog's coat gleamed jet-black without a single stray hair, its frame lean yet surprisingly heavy when lifted.

Enduring the slobbery licks, Huo Xuan examined Xiao Hei thoroughly—and was stunned to detect a surge of inner energy within the dog's body. How is this possible? Can a dog cultivate Hidden Force?

Lin Yue frowned as he doted on the dog. "Little brother, Xiao Hei's been running around everywhere. He's filthy!" She nudged the dog aside with her foot, preventing Huo Xuan from holding it.

Standing up, Huo Xuan asked, "Yue-jie, has Xiao Hei been acting strangely lately?" He couldn't wrap his head around a dog developing Hidden Force—it defied all logic!

His question jogged her memory. "Now that you mention it, Xiao Hei keeps sneaking out these days. Even the iron gate can't stop him."

Huo Xuan blinked. Sneaking out?

"Where does he go?" he pressed.

"How should I know? Last time, Auntie Liu sent her son to chase him, but he couldn't catch up. This darn dog runs faster than a rabbit. But he never stays out too long—three or four hours at most."

Perplexed, Huo Xuan wondered: What's Xiao Hei doing out there? Could this be linked to his Hidden Force?

Though baffled, he shelved the mystery for now—after all, Xiao Hei couldn't talk.

That morning, Huo Xuan spent most of his time with Lin Yue in her bedroom, discussing company matters. Naturally, he seized every opportunity to tease her—stealing kisses, caressing her curves—until she was breathless and nearly defenseless.

As they discussed company affairs, Lin Yue's eyes sparkled. "Little brother, we've recently acquired a prodigy at the company. I plan to groom her extensively."

Huo Xuan was taken aback—Lin Yue rarely praised employees. Even someone as exceptional as Wu Qingying hadn't earned such acclaim. For her to speak so highly of this newcomer was extraordinary.

His curiosity piqued, he asked, "Yue-jie, who is this employee that warrants such praise?"

Lin Yue smiled. "She's anything but ordinary. Initially assigned to front desk duties due to her striking beauty and poise, she sold two of our flagship pieces on her second day—totaling 130 million!"

Huo Xuan chuckled. "Beginner's luck. Nothing remarkable."

Lin Yue nodded. "I thought so too, so I transferred her to counter sales. That's when she truly astounded me. On her first day, she moved 80 million worth of jade! Heavens, this girl is phenomenal!"

Startled, Huo Xuan pressed, "How exactly did she manage that?"

"Curious myself, I reviewed the surveillance footage of her client interactions." Lin Yue sighed admiringly. "Turns out the girl is a genuine master!"

Huo Xuan's eyes widened. "Master? How so?"

With an incredulous expression, Lin Yue explained, "Here's her method: she greets customers with a smile, engages in small talk, then—here's the twist—offers them fortune readings."

"Fortune readings?" Huo Xuan immediately recalled the old swindler from his past. Grinning, he asked, "What's that got to do with sales?"

"Everything! Her accuracy is uncanny—she nails details about their children, ages, past misfortunes, family circumstances. Once clients are spellbound, she seamlessly recommends specific jade pieces, claiming they ward off calamities or dispel negative energy."

"Most buy on the spot without haggling." Lin Yue beamed. "Well? Isn't she a master?"

Huo Xuan scoffed. "Sounds like a master con artist to me."

"Don't dismiss her! I had my fortune told too—every word was true," Lin Yue insisted.

Now intrigued, Huo Xuan asked, "Yue-jie, what's her name?"

"Ge Xiaoxian. Just nineteen." Lin Yue's voice softened. "You'd understand if you met her. She radiates an ethereal aura, like a celestial maiden."

Huo Xuan froze. His mind blanked. Ge Xiaoxian?!

Ge Xiaoxian—granddaughter of the legendary Ge Laoxian, the girl bound to him by arranged marriage through their masters' decree. They'd crossed paths briefly on Wuling Mountain, where the old sage had tasked him with escorting her down. Instead, he'd descended alone.

And now, she'd tracked him down to Tianxing Jewelry. What does she want? Could she be here to expose their betrothal to Lin Yue?!

His mind reeled with shock, confusion, and a tinge of irritation. Lin Yue noticed his odd expression and asked, "Little brother, what's wrong?"

Snapping back to reality, Huo Xuan quickly replied, "Ah, I was just amazed by this employee. I'd love to meet her someday."

"Great! I'll take you tomorrow," Lin Yue said cheerfully.

But Ge Xiaoxian's sudden appearance left Huo Xuan unsettled—so much so that even his usual teasing of Lin Yue lost its charm. His thoughts were consumed by one question: How should I deal with her?

At 2 p.m., after using the golden light of his Buddha's Eye to tend to Lin Yue's health, Auntie Liu hurried in with news: Xiao Hei had run off again.

Huo Xuan immediately bolted out the door, determined to uncover the dog's destination. Outside, he caught a glimpse of Xiao Hei already far ahead, a tiny black speck bobbing in the distance.

He pushed his speed to the limit, his sprint so swift that passersby gaped, mistaking him for a professional athlete. Yet despite his efforts, Xiao Hei steadily widened the gap between them.

Not wanting to draw too much attention in broad daylight, Huo Xuan slowed his pace, tracking the dog by scent instead. After half an hour of pursuit, he froze in disbelief—he'd arrived at Jiangzhou University's gates.

And there, sitting calmly beside the old swindler's fortune-telling stall, was Xiao Hei. Tongue lolling, the dog stared dopily at passing students while the charlatan conducted his usual business.

But what truly stunned Huo Xuan was the girl standing beside the stall—a vision of ethereal beauty, as if sculpted from the essence of heaven and earth.

It was Ge Xiaoxian.