Xu Mu hadn't even finished speaking before Xu Shou hung up the phone.
"What the—? What's going on?"
He muttered, noticing that Ye Tong beside him had already opened her eyes.
Ye Tong was a light sleeper; normally, whenever Xu Mu got up in the morning, she woke up too.
But lately, afraid he'd drag her into another "lesson," she'd had to pretend to still be asleep.
Today, though, things were different—no need to fake it.
"Was that your dad calling?" she asked softly.
"Yeah. He wants me at the company right now—and it's only seven in the morning," Xu Mu sighed helplessly.
"Go on, maybe it's something important. I'll get up and make you something quick to eat." Ye Tong started to rise.
"No need. You rest these few days—I'll just grab something on the way."
Xu Mu gently pushed her back down.
[Favorability +20]
"Alright, be careful on the road," Ye Tong nodded lightly.
Compared to before, his Fate Points gain yesterday was smaller—but she needed rest too. He couldn't keep "harvesting" endlessly.
After a quick wash, Xu Mu drove off toward the company. Breakfast could wait.
Arriving at the building's underground garage, he parked, took the elevator, then transferred to the one leading to the top floor.
He knocked once on the office door; hearing voices inside, he stepped in.
Four people were already there—those from yesterday's manor meeting: Xu Shou, Xu Ningbing, Chen Bei, and Wang Weiliang.
As soon as he entered, Wang Weiliang rushed over and grabbed Xu Mu's arm."Young Master Xu! A genius—an absolute genius! You're a medical prodigy!"
Xu Mu scratched his head, eyeing the dark circles under Wang's eyes. "Don't flatter me too much, Mr. Wang, or I'll get arrogant."
Beside them, Xu Ningbing looked at him deeply. So, this man had been hiding his strength all along.
[Favorability +5]
Chen Bei was just as stunned. Who could've guessed that the once hopeless fool would shine so brightly in medical science?
"Alright, Old Wang—tell him what you just said," Xu Shou said, smiling from his chair.
Wang nodded eagerly. "Young Master Xu, out of the formulas you gave me yesterday, two could also produce slimming medicine. The cost is lower, but the effect isn't as good as our original one."
"One is about the same as ours—minor differences—but the last one is incredible. After changing a few ingredients, the cost dropped further, and the effect improved!"
Wang spoke excitedly, eyes practically glowing.
Xu Mu nodded slightly. In truth, he wasn't a medical expert—only proficient in pharmacology.
By analyzing the prior materials and methods, he had replaced them with others of equal or superior efficacy.
Some substances were hard to extract, but he had ways around that.
"Young Master Xu," Wang continued, "even that fake formula you gave me—it worked."
He went on, animated, "Based on the test results, using that method produces a medicine identical in effect to ours at first. But after about half a month, the body develops antibodies—causing rebound and complete ineffectiveness."
"It won't harm the body, right? Our goal's to punish Qian Gang and his lot, not innocent customers," Xu Shou asked from his seat.
"Rest assured, Chairman. These pills are nutritionally rich—harmless, really. They just won't reduce weight long-term. They're basically like those health supplements sold on the market."
"That's good," Xu Shou nodded with satisfaction.
"Oh—also," Chen Bei spoke up suddenly, "Chairman, last night right after I got home, Qian Gang called. He wants to treat me to dinner today."
"Heh. Looks like Old Qian's getting restless."
Xu Shou gave a cold chuckle. "Old Chen, take this fake formula with you. You'll handle the rest."
"Understood, Chairman. I'll get it done," Chen Bei said with conviction.
Xu Shou dismissed both him and Wang Weiliang—especially Wang, who hadn't slept all night. Given his age, Xu Shou insisted he go home and rest.
Once they left, only the Xu family trio remained.
Xu Mu pondered whether he should let Xu Ningbing know about enhancing Xu Shou.
In the original plotline, Xu Ningbing had dreamed of becoming a martial artist.
It was the Dragon King who had initiated her into the path of ancient martial arts, earning her lifelong gratitude.
If she learned of this now, she might turn toward him instead.
However, with her Favorability still in the negatives, Xu Mu had no intention of empowering her yet.
After thinking it through, he decided she should know. That icy demeanor—he'd like to see her stunned for once.
Though, in the original story, her personality had always been cold, even toward the Dragon King.
"Dad, I'll get going first," Xu Ningbing said, ready to leave. She didn't want to linger. She could already guess what was coming next: more praise for Xu Mu. She wasn't interested.
Xu Shou nodded.
Just then, Xu Mu took a red plastic bag from his pocket and walked up.
"Old man, I made this elixir for you. Once you take it, you'll step directly into the Ancient Martial realm."
Ningbing's hand froze on the doorknob. She'd already cracked the door open—but upon hearing that, she slowly closed it again.
Ancient Martial?
Xu Mu knew about that?
And he said just one pill could make someone step into it?!
She turned back sharply, just in time to see Xu Mu pull a black pill from that cheap plastic bag.
"Who gave you that thing?" Xu Shou frowned.
"If it were from someone else, I'd never let you try it—too dangerous. But this elixir's my own creation," Xu Mu replied calmly. "I even added heavenly herbs and treasures—cost me quite a bit."
"I appreciate the thought, son, but you should keep it for yourself."
Xu Shou chuckled, shaking his head. "I'm too old for this."
"I've already taken mine—this one's made from the leftovers. Come on, take it. Would your son ever harm you?"
He pushed the pill toward Xu Shou's mouth.
"Xu Mu! Don't give Dad such flashy nonsense! What if he gets sick?" Xu Ningbing scolded, brows furrowed.
"It's fine."
Xu Shou accepted the pill and swallowed it anyway—after all, it was his son's gift.
He chewed a few times, then gulped it down.
Immediately, Xu Mu activated the Divine Eye to check his father's stats:
Name: Xu Shou
Role: Chairman of the Jiangbei Xu Group
Favorability: (Maxed)
Fate Level: 1 (Max 10)
Strength: 46
Speed: 49
Endurance: 45
Defense: 48
Xu Mu currently had 154 Fate Points, and he began adding to Xu Shou's stats—boosting his Strength first.
He increased it to 50.
Originally, he expected Xu Shou to immediately enter the Internal Force stage like he had. But nothing happened.
So he kept adding. He'd always intended to use his accumulated Fate Power to strengthen others.
He added another ten points—raising Xu Shou's Strength to 60.
Then, black text appeared before his eyes:
[Detected meridian damage — requires 100 Fate Points to repair.]
Xu Mu froze.
Meridian damage?
So his father really did have a hidden past!