Xu Mu had just been wondering why Fang Chu, with nothing better to do, had invited Lu Xueyao over.
Now he understood the reason.
"Fang Chu, what do you mean by that?"
Before Xu Mu could respond, Lu Xueyao spoke up first.
"You're married too, aren't you? Didn't you say that if your grandmother passed away, you'd take care of me? But now that it's Brother Xu, suddenly it's not okay?"
[Fate Power -5]
Fang Chu's face darkened—this girl was becoming more and more insolent.
One day, he swore, he'd make her regret it—make her kneel before him.
Originally, he'd wanted to dig a hole for Xu Mu, but Lu Xueyao's unexpected outburst had shoved him into it instead.
Zhao Yingying and Li Yun exchanged uneasy glances; both looked uncomfortable.
Especially Li Yun—she had once thought Fang Chu was genuinely devoted to her daughter, that his concern went beyond friendship.
But now she learned he was already married—and apparently not just interested in her daughter.
In contrast, Xu Mu was completely different.
When she had once mentioned entrusting Zhao Yingying to him, Xu Mu had been forthright in saying he was already married.
And this time, he had just as openly stated that Lu Xueyao was his younger sister.
He didn't hide things like Fang Chu did.
"Since everyone's here, let's eat," Li Yun said with a smile, switching on the hotpot burner.
"Auntie, let me pay for tonight. After all, I brought an extra person," Xu Mu said, patting Lu Xueyao lightly on the back.
"Oh, that won't do. It's just hotpot—we can handle it," Li Yun waved her hand, smiling. "Everyone, dig in, don't be shy."
Xu Mu nodded and turned to Lu Xueyao. "Aren't you going to thank Auntie? You came at just the right time today."
"Thank you, Auntie," Lu Xueyao said obediently.
Fang Chu picked up his chopsticks, feeling completely out of place.
Why did it look like everyone else here was part of one big family?
He decided to probe a little. "Xu Mu, what line of work are you in?"
Both Li Yun and Zhao Yingying looked up with interest—they were curious too.
"I help with my family's business," Xu Mu replied with a smile.
At that, everyone nodded in understanding. Helping with the family business—so his family owned something substantial.
No wonder he was so well-off.
"What about you?" Xu Mu asked back, looking at Fang Chu.
"Uh…"
Fang Chu's face burned with embarrassment. His current situation was pathetic, and he knew it.
So he lied. "I used to run a small business, but it went under. I'm between jobs right now."
Other than Xu Mu, no one else knew the truth.
The others, seeing his modest demeanor, took his words at face value.
The meal itself wasn't lively, but by the end, all three women's impression of Xu Mu had improved even more.
In short—he was clearly wealthy, yet humble and grounded.
Li Yun, who had worked in an office before, had dined with rich people.
Most couldn't sit down five minutes before bragging about their glorious exploits.
But Xu Mu? He'd lent them over a 15 thousand yuan, given medicine worth a million, and never once brought it up.
Li Yun couldn't help sighing. What a pity he'd married so early.
"I'll go to the restroom," Zhao Yingying said, smiling apologetically to Xu Mu before standing up.
"I'll come too," Lu Xueyao added, following her out—wanting to chat a little.
Xu Mu poured himself another drink, when suddenly shouts erupted from outside—one of the voices sounding distinctly like Lu Xueyao's.
He and Fang Chu immediately stood up and rushed over.
At the restroom entrance not far away, a drunk, crew-cut middle-aged man was pointing angrily at Lu Xueyao.
"You little brat, you dare curse at me?" he barked.
"Serves you right for being handsy!"
Lu Xueyao was holding Zhao Yingying's hand, tension written all over her face as they both stepped back.
When she saw Xu Mu coming, she visibly relaxed.
"What happened?" Xu Mu asked, walking up.
Zhao Yingying still looked shaken.
Lu Xueyao quickly explained, "That guy put his arm around Yingying's shoulder, saying he was lost and needed her to show him to the restroom."
Li Yun hurried over then, and upon hearing this, immediately pulled her daughter behind her.
Seeing this, Fang Chu's lips curled into a smirk.
Finally—it was his turn to shine.
Even though he was still unable to use his Qi due to deviation, he could at least handle a few thugs.
"Get lost!" he shouted, striding forward and glaring coldly at the man. "A few drinks and you think you're invincible?"
"Kid! I don't hit women—but a man like you needs a lesson!"
The drunk swung a wild punch toward Fang Chu.
Fang Chu sneered. He caught the man's wrist easily and punched him square in the face.
Bam!
Blood spurted from the man's nose as he collapsed to the ground.
Fang Chu turned back, face calm, adopting a lofty air of superiority.
"Yingying, are you alright? Trash like that should stay where they belong—on the ground."
He was surprised himself—his act was perfect.
"I-I'm fine," Zhao Yingying stammered.
"Brother Wolf! Something happened to Brother Wolf!"
A voice shouted from another private room.
Within seconds, over twenty burly men poured out from three nearby rooms.
They ran up, helping the crew-cut man off the floor.
A lean, dark-skinned man glared at Fang Chu. "You did this?"
"I…"
Fang Chu froze.
In his current state, taking down a few guys was one thing—but twenty? Impossible.
Without his Qi, his strength was that of a normal person—and worse, he was still recovering from injury.
If the place were spacious, he could at least move and fight tactically.
But this was a cramped hotpot restaurant—no room to maneuver.
He glanced at Xu Mu. The three women obviously couldn't fight.
As for Xu Mu…
Before he could think further, the gang charged.
Fang Chu swung desperately, flooring a few of them—but those men immediately clung to his legs, immobilizing him.
More grabbed his arms.
Now he was completely pinned down—a helpless fish on the chopping block.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
Fists rained down on his face in a blur.
"Stop! I'm calling the police!" Li Yun cried, panicked.
There were three women and Xu Mu here—no way they could take on so many.
"You're with him, huh? Fine—the women stay behind and apologize to Brother Wolf. The men, get on the floor!"
The lean man turned his gaze toward Xu Mu and the others.
Five or six of the thugs advanced with leering smiles.
"Let's get out of here!" Xu Mu said sharply.
Li Yun grabbed Zhao Yingying's hand and headed for the stairs—her motherly instinct kicking in to protect her daughter first.
Lu Xueyao followed close behind.
"You think you're getting away?"
The lean man lunged at Xu Mu, throwing a punch at his jaw—
but Xu Mu caught it effortlessly.
Boom!
With one knee strike to the chest, the man was sent flying, crashing into several of his own men and knocking them down like dominoes.
The others froze for a second—then rushed at Xu Mu all at once.
Seeing that, Fang Chu took the opportunity to bolt down the opposite staircase.
"You're running already? Not going to fight beside me?" Xu Mu called after him.
"So this is the descendant of a 'hidden clan,' huh?"
Fang Chu didn't answer—he was too busy fleeing, praying Xu Mu would end up bruised too.