The smell was somewhat familiar, but I couldn't quite place where I'd smelled it before.

He frowned slightly but didn't ask any further questions.

Back at the villa, Jiang Zhixia instructed 666 to make some simple food. After filling her stomach, she said goodnight to Su Chen.

She needs to rest early today; she has an auction tomorrow.

Su Chen watched her turn and go back to her room, then lowered his eyes.

The unfamiliar smell has dissipated.

Perhaps it didn't disappear, it's just that he can no longer smell it.

Since her mental strength was downgraded, her ability to perceive her surroundings has been greatly weakened, and she can only occasionally smell the fragrance that belongs only to the princess.

Unfortunately, his weakened mental strength couldn't sense the calming effect.

He wasn't sure if the princess could really restore his mental strength, but it didn't matter.

With solid professional knowledge, anyone can become an excellent therapist.

It will just be a little harder than before.

Su Chen turned around and slowly walked back to his room.

The next day, before attending the auction, Jiang Zhixia rummaged through her belongings at home.

The male she bumped into in the dark alley gave her a clue: she couldn't openly use her status as the Third Princess to enter and leave the gray area.

He rummaged through the wardrobe, found a robe and put it on, then pulled out a silver ball mask that the original owner had bought at some point and put it on his face.

She turned around in front of the mirror, then nodded in satisfaction.

Very good, now even the queen probably won't recognize him.

Su Chen was slightly taken aback when he saw her outfit.

"Where is the princess going?"

"Oh, I'm going out to have some fun. If there's nothing going on at the research institute, don't go out. Just stay home and rest." Jiang Zhixia casually gave a couple of instructions, then picked up her bag and headed out.

Su Chen pretended not to realize that the princess was hiding something from him and didn't ask any further questions.

It's not his place to question where the princess goes or what she does.

He nodded gently: "Alright, Princess, please be careful on your journey."

……

Refusing the guards' accompaniment once again, Jiang Zhixia followed her memory and arrived at the dark street.

With the mask covering her face, she walked in confidently, not afraid of being alone, since the dark street was essentially designed to serve females.

The auction building was brightly lit, blurring the lines between day and night. Many females leaned against their male attendants, laughing with intoxicated pleasure.

Jiang Zhixia kept her eyes straight ahead, quickly walked through the lobby according to the instructions on her admission ticket, and stepped onto the elevator.

The venue was even more extravagant than the main hall.

The circular seating arrangement gradually rises to a central auction stage, where crystal chandeliers refract shimmering light, and a rich, lingering fragrance fills the air.

Jiang Zhixia found her seat and sat down. There were already many females sitting around her, each dressed in luxurious clothes, with one or two, or even three or four male servants by her side, chatting and laughing in hushed tones.

As a single female sitting in the middle, wearing a mask, she inevitably attracted some attention.

But Jiang Zhixia was fearless: Who cares, no one will recognize me anyway.

The auction has begun.

The first few items were normal auction items, such as rare crystals and some precious and rare jewelry and gemstones. Then, cages were brought up one by one.

The cages were filled with male slaves of various races, and the host enthusiastically introduced the merits of these slaves.

Jiang Zhixia rested her chin on her hand and waited listlessly.

Her purpose in coming today wasn't to buy anything; she wanted to see if she could meet the big shot, Ming Ye.

Finally, the auctioneer's voice suddenly rose:

"Next up—the special item of this auction!"

A huge silver cage was pushed onto the stage.

A cat-like boy, about fifteen or sixteen years old, was curled up in the cage. His fluffy ears drooped, and his cat tail obediently wrapped around his ankle. He timidly raised his eyes under the spotlight.

Many females sat up straight, and low gasps rose and fell throughout the hall.

Jiang Zhixia only glanced at it twice before shifting her gaze to the main seat on the side of the stage.

The highlight of each auction is that the boss of the underworld personally oversees the proceedings.

Sure enough, before the auction for the male cat began, a man dressed in a black robe walked up unhurriedly.

The auctioneer bowed: "Lord Mingye, may we begin?"

The man leaned back in his chair with an extremely arrogant posture, crossed his legs, and his large black hat covered most of his face. He slightly raised his chin, signaling the host to begin.

The silver mask flashed by, gleaming with a cold light.

Jiang Zhixia's eyes widened instantly!

Hey! Isn't that the male she bumped into yesterday?!

So he was Mingye?!

The auctioneer introduced the items from their lineage and class, and as soon as the auction began, the starting price was bid up from 300,000 to 500,000.

The females began to hold up signs.

"Five hundred and fifty thousand!"

"Six hundred thousand!"

"Six hundred and fifty thousand—"

The cat-like boy on stage had already bid over 800,000, and the females were raising their paddles enthusiastically.

Jiang Zhixia, however, stared intently at the man in the black robe.

Oh dear, I shouldn't have walked so fast yesterday!

The man in the black robe seemed to have noticed something.

He casually turned his head to the side, and his narrow eyes beneath the mask pierced through the layers of light and shadow, precisely capturing her gaze.

Ning Yi saw the masked female and noticed that her gaze was completely different from the lustful females around her. She clearly had a specific target in mind and was coming for him.

He narrowed his eyes slightly and didn't move.

Jiang Zhixia suddenly made eye contact with someone and hurriedly looked away.

She calmed down and refocused her attention on the important matter at hand.

If you want to talk to Mingye, you can't directly ask to meet her as a princess, as it would be easy for the royal family to find out.

The only chance right now is to photograph this cat-like boy and interact with him during the handover of the auction items.

The asking price on stage has reached 900,000.

Jiang Zhixia glanced down at her bank balance; it was more than enough.

She took a deep breath, preparing to raise her sign—

"Bang!"

The lights in the entire venue went out without warning.

Jiang Zhixia's vision suddenly went black.

"ah--!"

"What's going on?!"

Screams erupted, and the venue descended into chaos.

"Don't panic! Please don't panic!"

The host's voice came from the stage, "There's been a brief interruption! This auction is temporarily suspended! Please remain in your seats—"

Jiang Zhixia held up the bidding paddle, looking completely bewildered.

What's going on?

Once her eyes had adjusted to the darkness, she quickly looked towards the main seat.

In the darkness, one could vaguely see the figure in the black robe standing up.

Ahhh, Asahi is leaving!

Jiang Zhixia jumped up, pushed aside the panicked females around her, and rushed towards the stage.

By the time she squeezed through the crowd and reached the side of the stage, the figure in the black robe had already disappeared behind the curtain.

She gritted her teeth and followed him down the corridor.

The backstage corridors of the dark alley twist and turn, and every side path looks exactly the same.

She ran for three minutes, and then she got lost.

Jiang Zhixia leaned against the wall and sighed deeply.

Never mind, we're probably not meant to be today.

She resigned herself to her fate and turned to find an exit to leave.

A glance towards the end of the corridor revealed a figure lying on the ground.

Jiang Zhixia paused in her steps.

Why does it look so familiar?

She tentatively took a few steps forward, and with the light streaming in from the window, she saw the face clearly. Then she felt as if she had been struck by lightning.

Second brother?!

The man sitting on the ground, leaning against the wall, looking distressed—isn't that Jiang Huai?!

Why is Second Brother here?

Jiang Zhixia froze.

Jiang Huai was very annoyed.

He and his subordinates came to retrieve Zeng Wenwen's spending records over the years. Just as they entered the database, the entire Dark Street network system was suddenly hacked.

Unfortunately, his vulnerable period arrived early.

I've been too busy lately, so my mental energy is bound to fluctuate abnormally.

He asked two subordinates to find him inhibitors while he leaned against the wall to catch his breath. When he looked up, he saw a petite female standing at the other end of the corridor.

Jiang Zhixia hesitated for a moment, wondering whether she should run away.

My second brother looks like he's in a lot of pain, like he's injured. And since I'm wearing a mask, he probably wouldn't recognize me.

Just as she was pondering whether to pretend to be a stranger and go up to ask her second brother what was wrong, she saw Jiang Huai look up at her.

He narrowed his eyes, surprised yet certain: "Jiang Zhixia?! What are you doing here?"

Jiang Zhixia looked shocked: "??!"

Holy crap! It's pitch black, and I'm wearing a mask, how did my second brother recognize me?!

She turned and ran!

Jiang Huai pointed a finger and yelled at the top of his lungs, "You brat! You dare try to run away! Come here!"

Jiang Zhixia: "..."

With a mournful face, she pulled back the foot she had stepped out with.

He awkwardly touched the mask on his face, unable to believe that he had been exposed so easily.

"...Second brother, you have a good eye."

Jiang Huai leaned against the wall, panting heavily, his forehead covered in sweat. He looked at her with exasperation, "What are you doing here?"

Jiang Zhixia moved over step by step, shrinking her neck guiltily.

Jiang Huai took a couple of breaths, reached out and tapped her head, gritting his teeth, "You wait, when we get back I'll definitely have my older brother teach you a lesson!"

"No, no, no!" Jiang Zhixia quickly begged for mercy, "Second Brother, you can't do this! I just came to broaden my horizons, I didn't do anything!"

"Broaden your horizons? Broaden your horizons at a slave auction?" Jiang Huai laughed angrily. "Are you bored? What kind of slaves do you want? Your family can't find you any, why come to a place like this—hiss!"

Before he could finish speaking, he groaned, covered his head, and leaned back against the wall.

Seeing that he didn't look well, Jiang Zhixia asked worriedly, "Second Brother, what's wrong?"

Jiang Huai closed his eyes, looking weak and listless. "It's the peak season for infection. I've sent someone to get some inhibitors. Just stay quiet, I'll take you out in a bit."

Jiang Zhixia felt as if she had been struck by lightning.

The vulnerable period?!

She instinctively took a half step back.

She needs to stay away from Jiang Huai! She and Jiang Huai aren't blood siblings!

She had just lifted her foot when she suddenly stopped.

and many more.

During their fertile period, males will unconsciously release their spiritual energy to attract females if there are females around who can comfort them.

She slowly lowered her head, sensing herself.

The little white flower did not react.

There was no response from mental energy.

Even if she and Jiang Huai are not very compatible, she will still feel a sense of repulsion.

But there was nothing there.

She looked up and stared at Jiang Huai.

"Second brother, can you smell anything?"

Jiang Huai squinted his eyes and looked at her with a puzzled expression. "What do you mean by smelling so good? I feel terrible. Let your second brother rest for a while. Stop making a fuss."

Jiang Zhixia hesitated for a moment, then slowly reached out and grasped Jiang Huai's wrist.

Jiang Huai didn't think much of it, assuming she was scared, and gently patted the back of her hand.

"It's okay, don't be afraid, they'll be here soon."

Jiang Zhixia didn't say anything.

After a long while, she let go, completely stunned and speechless.

Jiang Huai was unaware of her spiritual power.

She and Jiang Huai are siblings!

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