Meeting an acquaintance? Or not...

[A/N: I managed to finish a chapter today. Enjoy.]

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Master Zhao burst into the room like a whirlwind, his white silk robes fluttering behind him as his footsteps echoed on the wooden floor. His eyes, usually serene, now burned with urgency.

"You!" He shouted, pointing at an assistant passing by in the corridor. His voice, usually so calm, now cut through the air like a blade. "Go fetch President Gu Yan immediately! It's an emergency!"

Just as the assistant opened his mouth to respond, Master Zhao changed his mind. "No, wait... Better I go do it myself."

Before the young man could react, the venerable master had already rushed forward, disappearing down the corridor like an arrow. The assistant stood frozen, mouth half-open, as the sound of hurried footsteps faded into the distance.

Meanwhile, still inside the room.

"Master Li, more composed, sat back down but couldn't take his eyes off Xiang Yun. "Tell me, Xiang Boy," he began, with a tone almost reverent. "Who is your master? Someone like you couldn't have learned all this by yourself, especially at such a young age."

Xiang Yun merely smiled enigmatically, "You're right. I do have a master," he continued.

"But my master travels all over. His knowledge is vast. He arrived in Glory City recently but doesn't want to show himself." He paused for a moment. "His name... I'm afraid no one would know it, even if I told you."

Master Li blinked, clearly disappointed. "A hermit, then? As expected. Only someone like that could create a monster like you."

Thinking of something, a mysterious smile appeared in Master Li's eyes. "Xiao Yun, you're thirteen now, right? Do you have a wife? If you want, I can introduce you to some of my granddaughters. They're all stunning beauties—"

Before he could finish his sentence, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed in the corridor.

The door opened and the person who walked in lead was different from the old man Gu Yan who Xiang Yun had expected.

Leading the way was the curvaceous and seductive Director Yang Xin. Although she was a woman, neither of the two Master Alchemists beside her showed any disrespect toward her. After all, she was a powerful existence in her own right.

At twenty-five, she was a dazzling sight: her blue robes, intricately detailed, embraced her silhouette, with silver embroidery shimmering in the light of the room. Her purple hair cascaded in waves over her shoulders, and her sharp, seductive eyes scanned the room with a mix of curiosity and authority.

She was known not only for her alchemical skills but also for her sharp intelligence and magnetic charm.

Just days ago, Yang Xin had received a mysterious letter from an unknown alchemist proposing an unusual cooperation: he would provide rare formulas, and she, as the Director, would organize the production and sale, splitting the profits 50%. The letter mentioned that her disciple would take the Master Alchemist exam as proof of his seriousness.

As soon as her eyes landed on the young man before her, she stopped, as if the air had become denser for a moment. Her mouth opened slightly in an involuntary "O," her eyes wide in surprise.

Those full and sensual lips moved gently, accompanying the rhythmic breathing that lifted her chest with subtle tension. She blinked once, trying to process what she was seeing.

Could it be him?

No... It couldn't be the same little boy she had known eight years ago.

But the math didn't lie. If she counted on her fingers, it all added up. When she met him, she was still an apprentice alchemist running errands everywhere. She had only been twelve back then.

Besides, his name was also similar to what she remembered.

The boy before her was taller, his posture more solid, exuding a sense of calm confidence. His face still held youthful traits, but his expression, posture, and even his gaze—serious and direct—didn't match someone only thirteen years old.

Eighteen? Maybe twenty? That's what anyone would assume just by looking at him.

It didn't matter if it was his expression, appearance, or even more, his knowledge in Alchemy. None of them seemed to match his true age.

Xiang Yun also kept his eyes fixed on Yang Xin but couldn't understand her current expression. At least, it wasn't the kind of expression he had expected from her.

"Director Yang, it's a pleasure to meet you." He quickly composed himself, stepping forward politely.

Yang Xin remained perplexed but soon smiled, taking a step closer and needing to look slightly upward to speak with him. "Boy, you seem to know my identity, but it seems you can't remember me. That's not very polite," she said with a light, playful tone.

The scene itself was curious.

Though she was older, Yang Xin was visibly shorter than Xiang Yun, which made her attempt to position herself as the adult in the conversation subtly humorous, yet strangely charming at the same time.

On the other hand, it was now Xiang Yun's turn to be perplexed by her words. In his memories, he really didn't remember meeting her before. At least not in this life.

Yang Xin noticed this and smiled faintly, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. "You don't have to look so bothered. I met you when you weren't even five years old yet, so it's not unexpected that you don't remember me."

"I'm sorry for that, Director Yang. I really don't recall it."

Xiang Yun was genuinely embarrassed this time. Even though he wasn't in this world back then, forgetting her still felt insensitive.

"It's alright, it's alright. Let's leave that in the past." Yang Xin smiled enigmatically, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of amusement and mystery.

She approached slowly, the fabric of her blue robes flowing gently with each step. "You must be that special disciple the so-called master mentioned, right? The same one who sent me that bold partnership proposal."

Xiang Yun tilted his head, keeping his gaze steady on hers. "Yes, exactly. That's why I came here." He smiled, calm.

"Ah, and if I may say... Director Yang, you look even more stunning now than the last time I saw you. You're truly... captivating."

Yang Xin let out a small laugh, leaning slightly toward him. Her light fragrance filled the air between them. "Look at that... and I thought you were all serious." Her fingers lightly brushed his hand, as if testing the waters. "If you keep flattering me like this, you're going to spoil me."

She looked at him for another moment, as if measuring his reaction, before turning with a provocative smile.

"Let's go, then. Follow this older sister to my office. I think we can discuss all the details of our cooperation in more... privacy."

Without waiting for a response, she began walking ahead, her hips swaying with a smooth, confident rhythm. It was impossible to say if she was teasing on purpose or if that was just her natural way. But the provocation was undeniably there.

The two then left together.

Meanwhile, both Master Li and Master Zhao exchanged glances, perplexed. They finally realized that this young man who had arrived not long ago was no ordinary person.

Xiang Yun silently followed her for a few seconds, observing every detail of the path, and of course, her body. The elegant posture, the way her hair danced lightly with her movements, those generous hips...

They soon arrived at a locked room.

She opened the office door with a fluid gesture and indicated the interior with a playful look. Xiang Yun didn't think much about it and entered, followed by Yang Xin, and then the door closed behind them.

Upon entering, Yang Xin first removed her coat, revealing a tight silk outfit underneath.

Without a trace of embarrassment, she stretched lazily, her arms lifting above her head, making her already generous breasts push out even further, pulling the fabric to its limit.

She seemed unconcerned about Xiang Yun's presence while she was unguarded. After all, to her, Xiang Yun, besides appearing a little more mature, was still essentially a thirteen-year-old boy.

What she didn't know was that, forgetting that he was only thirteen years old, Xiang Yun's entire body was essentially that of an adult. Of course, his instincts were too.

Xiang Yun looked at Yang Xin and had to admit that, at that specific moment, she was incredibly hot.

The blue silk fabric enveloping her body was so tight it seemed glued to her skin. It was thin, almost translucent under the soft light of the room, revealing without revealing, teasing more than it showed.

"Hmm..." She let out a light sigh, as if she didn't care whether he was watching her or not. "This coat really suffocates me. But it's much more comfortable in here, don't you think?"

She turned slightly to face him, intentionally tilting her body, allowing him a clear view of the curve of her breasts under the tight fabric, and the slit in her skirt revealing part of her toned thigh.