I already reach 400 yesterday, so expect another 10 bonus either today or tomorrow
~~~~~
Even so, Fang Chu had no choice—she'd plainly asked him to leave. If he kept lingering, he'd only make everyone dislike him more.
"Auntie, I'll get going then. Please take care of your health."
He gave Zhao Yingying a brief smile and turned to leave.
After stepping outside and pulling the door shut, his eyes turned cold. He would definitely make time to investigate Xu Mu's identity.
His three-year term was almost up anyway. During this window, Xu Mu might win Zhao Yingying over—but a woman like Li Yun? He'd never truly get her. That meant Fang Chu still had a chance.
Seeing that everyone else had left, Xu Mu smiled at Li Yun. "Auntie, since you're fine now, I won't impose."
But Li Yun stepped forward, took Xu Mu's hand, and pulled him back to sit on the sofa. Zhao Yingying sat on his other side.
Xu Mu kept a calm face, though he was a bit flustered inside. He glanced left and right. What are they trying to do?
"Xiao Xu, be honest—your medicine isn't cheap, is it?" Li Yun asked, her expression uneasy.
She wasn't highly educated, but she did have a junior-college diploma. A surgery costing hundreds of thousands might not even cure her—yet this single pill had fixed everything. She'd read news stories before: the cancers of many rich people always seemed curable. Could this pill be one of those legendary medicines?
Xu Mu hesitated. From the look on her face, spinning a random tale wouldn't fly. He could only speak to its value.
"Auntie, to tell the truth, this pill is worth about one million."
He kept his tone even. "It's a joint development by top medical experts at home and abroad. Because it's so expensive, it never circulated on the market."
[Favorability +20]
[Favorability +40]
Watching the black text pop above their heads, Xu Mu wondered why Li Yun's Favorability had jumped even higher.
"One million… how many breakfasts would I have to sell to earn that…" Li Yun let go of his hand and lowered her head in a daze.
Because her chest was… formidable, her face almost touched it when she bowed.
Zhao Yingying's expression wasn't merely tense—it was fearful. One million, plus the 15,000 Xu Mu had lent before—how could the two of them ever repay such kindness?
"Xiao Xu, if I'd known the price beforehand, I would never have taken it. It's far too precious."
Li Yun sighed deeply.
"Auntie, please don't feel pressured. The pill is my gift to you—there's nothing to repay," Xu Mu said with a light wave and a smile.
[Favorability +30]
The black text appeared again above Li Yun.
"No—I will repay it. Otherwise my conscience won't sit right!"
Li Yun was a strong woman. Her husband had been gone for over ten years. With her looks and figure, she could easily have remarried; there was no need to work herself to the bone. Yet she chose to raise Zhao Yingying alone.
"Auntie, I really admire you. From now on, be kinder to yourself—don't overwork."
Xu Mu looked at her earnestly.
Li Yun flinched, hurriedly avoiding his gaze. She didn't even know why—but she suddenly felt moved to tears. Not even the man people once introduced her to had spoken to her like this.
[Favorability +50]
"I should go. Yingying, take good care of your mom. Go back for a follow-up at the hospital in a couple of days. If you need money, call me."
Xu Mu glanced at his phone, then turned to leave.
"Mu-ge, I'll walk you out," Zhao Yingying said gratefully, following him.
[Favorability +20]
After getting into his car, Xu Mu still felt it was all a little unbelievable—he'd earned so manyFate Points from Auntie Li Yun today, while Zhao Yingying's gave him a few dozen less.
…
Driving to the company, he had barely sat down in his office when Xu Shou called, asking him to drop by.
He took the elevator to the top floor and knocked on the chairman's door. Hearing Xu Shou's voice, Xu Mu pushed it open with a smile.
Inside were Xu Shou and Xu Ningbing. She glanced at him, cool and stunning as always. "What did you do?" she asked flatly.
"What do you mean?"
Xu Mu crossed his legs on the sofa. "Spell it out."
"Our weight-loss drug's ingredients had already more than doubled in price. Then last night, on top of that, they surged by another twofold. Clearly, someone is sweeping the market," Xu Shou said with a faint smile. "The biggest price spikes are actually in the components we replaced and no longer need."
"Heh, long story short—Lin Yan got my fake formula and started hoarding," Xu Mu chuckled. "Let's see how much they lose this time."
"Our own drug is ready to enter production. It'll be on the market soon," Xu Shou said, then looked at Xu Mu. "I'm planning to get a celebrity for endorsement. I'll leave the choice to you."
"Why a celebrity? My sister is prettier than most of them," Xu Mu said, glancing at Xu Ningbing.
Her office attire traced her figure; the front buttons were stretched tight. Paired with that icy face, not many stars could compare.
Xu Ningbing unconsciously lifted her chin like a proud swan.
[Favorability +5]
"Ningbing is indeed beautiful," Xu Shou said, "but we still need a celebrity to boost name recognition quickly."
"You're a young man—you'll have opinions on this. The matter's yours."
"Got it," Xu Mu nodded. Looked like he needed to pick some well-regarded options.
He was pragmatic—he definitely wouldn't hire top-tier traffic stars. Brands who go for those are usually compensating for a lack of core product strength, relying on fandom to pay the bill.
The Xu Group's weight-loss drug had true core competitiveness: others couldn't make it, and its results were excellent. What they needed was exposure—to let people hear about it fast.
After bidding farewell to Xu Shou, Xu Mu returned to his office. He thought of someone—Zhou Henning. That guy should know a few people in the entertainment industry. Perfect—let him introduce a few candidates.
…
Noon.
Flavor Foods Lab.
"How is it? What's the situation with those volunteers?" Lin Yan asked Li Feipeng.
"Mr. Lin—perfect! The drug is real. We rushed a few pills out last night and gave them to several people. It's already noon, and none of them are hungry at all," Li Feipeng reported excitedly. "No diarrhea, sleep quality's good—everything's normal."
"Good! Looks like it's genuine." Lin Yan clapped hard. "I've heard the Xu Group's drug is about to launch. We must beat them to market. I'll put all the money I've saved over the years into this—fastest production possible."
"I'm in too!" Li Feipeng echoed.
…
Meanwhile—
Xu Mu had arranged to have lunch with Meng Wan in the company cafeteria.
Just then, his phone lit up with an incoming call. The note on the contact read: Feng Yue.
Xu Mu sneered. This woman still dares to call me?