The woman before him raised two delicate fingers, gracefully lifting the goblet from the table. She gave Wentworth a coquettish wink and purred,
"Come now, little brother. Let me offer you a toast. Welcome to China."
Their goblets clinked with a crisp chime. Wentworth gazed at her with eyes full of infatuation.
The two fell easily into conversation, sipping their drinks. The red-haired woman across from him possessed an almost otherworldly allure; every smile, every flutter of her lashes exuded effortless charm. She was, in every sense, captivating by nature.
Within minutes, Wentworth found himself drawn closer and closer to her, until they were nearly touching. The woman twirled a lock of her crimson hair between her fingers, gently brushing it across Wentworth's cheek as she whispered,
"My, little brother, why are you leaning so close to me? It's ever so warm…"
Wentworth, his eyes glazed with intoxication, whether from the drink or the woman, responded,
"Beautiful sister, maybe it feels hot because this place is so crowded… or perhaps… you're drawn to my masculine energy?"
At that, the red-haired woman laughed, delicately covering her lips with her fingers. She gave Wentworth a playful smack on the arm and teased,
"Oh my, such a cheeky boy! Teasing your sister like that, really, you deserve a spanking!"
Even that light touch seemed to send Wentworth into a daze. Though they were surrounded by people, to him, it was as if no one else existed. His eyes never left hers.
Satisfied, the red-haired woman stood and stretched lazily, her movements graceful and unhurried.
Around them, several men had been sneaking glances from the shadows of the bar. At her stretch, more than one goblet slipped from astonished hands and shattered on the floor.
Unbothered by the commotion, the woman leaned close to Wentworth's ear and whispered seductively,
"It's getting late, little brother. Come with me. I have something wonderful to show you."
"Of course! Absolutely!" Wentworth replied, nodding eagerly. "Let's go, right away!"
He stood at once and followed her, eyes fixed intently on the gentle sway of her figure as they exited the bar.
Outside, the red-haired woman glanced around cautiously before beckoning to him with a finger.
"This way, sweetheart. My carriage is just over there."
She led him toward a narrow alley where a sleek, charmed automobile sat parked under the shadows.
But before they could reach it, a stern voice echoed behind them.
"Xia He, your nerve's grown bold, hasn't it? Even targeting a client of the company? Quan Xing (All-Nature), Bone Scraper, Xia He!"
The red-haired woman, Xia He, turned calmly. Standing at the mouth of the alley was a sharp-featured young man in spectacles, none other than Xu San.
Xia He arched an eyebrow and smiled with feigned surprise.
"Well, well. That's the company for you, always working in pairs, one overt, one hidden. Mr. Xu San, long time no see. You're looking rather dashing these days, more masculine, too."
Xu San, however, regarded her with suspicion.
"Xia He, Wentworth Grindelwald is a highly valued guest of the company. Let him go now, and I'll see to it you're treated leniently by the authorities."
Xia He chuckled behind her hand, pointing teasingly at him.
"Oh Xu San, you really are no fun at all. If Xu Si were here, he'd at least flirt a bit first. Can't we talk about something besides work for once?"
"Besides…" she added, her voice turning sharp, "what makes you so confident you can stop me? After all, I am Quan Xing's Bone Scraper, Xia He!"
Xu San stepped into the alley, his tone cold and deliberate.
"I haven't forgotten. But don't forget where you are, this is Beijing. The moment that fool Xu Si left the bar, I knew something was wrong. When I saw you enter, I contacted the company immediately. Reinforcements will be here in ten minutes."
"And you," he said with finality, "aren't getting away in ten minutes."
No sooner had he spoken than a large stone bollard near the curb began to float slowly into the air, hovering beside him.
Xia He's smile deepened.
"Well, well, Xu San… looks like your mind magic has grown even stronger."
At that moment, Wentworth, still dazed and grinning foolishly, chimed in,
"Oh! I know this! That's the Levitation Charm, I can do that too! Watch me, Sister Xia He! Don't look at him, look at me!"
Wentworth drew his wand and pointed it at another stone bollard.
"Wingardium Leviosa!"
The second stone floated up gently into the air.
Xia He burst into laughter, covering her mouth again as she eyed him with amusement.
"What a curious kind of magic…"
Xu San, meanwhile, could barely contain his fury.
"Wentworth, you dim-witted fool! And to think you're supposed to be the leader of the Alliance! You fell for this nonsense so easily!"
Wentworth blinked, clearly registering something, then turned to Xia He with a wide, ingratiating grin.
"Sister Xia He, he just insulted me. May I go teach him a lesson?"
Still laughing, Xia He nodded eagerly.
"Be my guest, dear Wentworth. If you take care of him… I'll give you a very special reward tonight."
"I will! I will!" Wentworth declared, starry-eyed. "You said it, remember!"
He gave his wand a flick, and the floating stone flew straight toward Xu San.
Xu San's face darkened. "You little brat! You want a fight? I'll give you one!"
With a resounding bang, the two stones collided midair, shattering into dozens of shards that rained to the ground.
Yet some of those fragments hung eerily in midair.
Xia He frowned slightly. Xu San, now visibly sweating, raised his voice and shouted,
"Show yourself!"
At his cry, the suspended fragments exploded outward like shooting stars, scattering through the alley.
A deep, resonant voice answered with a chant:
"Amitabha."
From the shadows at the intersection of two alleyways, the flying stones abruptly shattered into dust. A bald monk emerged slowly into view.
"Brother Xu San," he intoned, "I see you knew I was here all along."
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This fanfic has been fully translated!