Xu Mu had always been thought of as a good-for-nothing, yet everything that had happened lately kept overturning Mu Qingying's perception of him.
Scenes flashed through her mind like a film reel—every one of them with Xu Mu's figure in it.
When Su Yaya had her first public performance, Mu Qingying couldn't attend because of work.
But she had watched the livestream from school, and Xu Mu's performance on stage had completely stunned her.
Not only that, but recently, the background music for the Xu family's weight-loss product commercial—performed by Shen Wanning—had gone viral.
The composer's name? Still Xu Mu.
And just last night, her father had told her that Xu Mu was also skilled in traditional painting.
Even Old Wei, who had studied national painting for decades, was left speechless by Xu Mu's talent.
Mu Qingying had never realized he had so many strengths.
Yet he was already married—quietly, without a word.
"Ye Yu has been a bit distracted lately. Her class ranking dropped from top three to fifth. The college entrance exams are coming soon; she can't afford to slack off,"
Mu Qingying said, reading mechanically from the notes she'd prepared in advance.
Her voice was steady, but her thoughts were drifting far, far away.
"I understand," Xu Mu replied calmly.
Mu Qingying, a little absent-minded, continued reading through her script and talking with other parents.
The parent-teacher meeting ended quickly.
She reminded the parents that since senior students had evening study sessions, the meeting was scheduled on a Friday so parents could take their children home afterward—
giving them three days off including the weekend.
Xu Mu left with the rest of the parents without sparing her a second glance.
Mu Qingying clenched her fists, lowering her head behind the podium.
She didn't even understand why—her heart felt strangely heavy.
Xu Mu called Ye Yu and learned she was on the school's sports field, so he walked over.
When he arrived, he spotted her waving from afar.
Hands in pockets, Xu Mu strolled over and rested a hand on her shoulder.
"Let's go home. Three days off."
"Okay."
But just as Ye Yu nodded, a basketball flew from the nearby court—straight at Xu Mu's head.
Xu Mu caught it with one hand and turned toward the court.
A tall young man in a basketball uniform, buzz-cut and cold-faced, was walking over.
He stood at least 1.85 meters—several centimeters taller than Xu Mu.
"Take your hand off her," the young man barked.
Only then did Xu Mu realize his hand was still resting on Ye Yu's shoulder.
He was about to move it away when Ye Yu suddenly leaned against his chest.
"Zhang Chen! What does it have to do with you?" Ye Yu glared at him in annoyance.
Xu Mu immediately understood from the plot—Ye Yu was the campus sweetheart, admired by countless boys.
Her bright, lively personality, plus a hint of cleverness, made her the type most boys dreamed of.
Lu Xueyao, by contrast, was beautiful but cold and quiet, which made her harder to approach.
This guy, Zhang Chen, was clearly one of Ye Yu's admirers.
"And you are?"
Zhang Chen's face darkened when he saw Ye Yu pressed against Xu Mu.
Catching her pleading look, Xu Mu chuckled. "Can't you tell?"
"Xiaoyu, you've fallen so low? What's so great about this old man?"
Jealousy twisted Zhang Chen's expression.
Old man?
Xu Mu blinked for a second—then realized that compared to these barely-adult high schoolers, he was an "old man."
"My boyfriend's way more handsome than you," Ye Yu said, wrapping her arm around Xu Mu's.
Zhang Chen's family was wealthy—but nowhere near the Xu family's level.
Of course, Ye Yu had never told anyone her sister was married to Xu Mu of the Xu Group.
Zhang Chen had always used his money and status to pester her endlessly, and she'd had enough.
Today was the perfect chance to make use of her brother-in-law.
When it came to being a "rich wastrel," Zhang Chen was still an amateur.
"Handsome? So what? If his face gets wrecked someday, then what?"
Zhang Chen sneered.
"No problem. The Xu family has money—we'll just have it fixed," Xu Mu said evenly.
"Xu family… you—you're Xu Mu?"
Zhang Chen froze. No wonder the man looked familiar—it really was Xu Mu, the infamous Xu family heir.
He was still a student himself and had never met Xu Mu before, but he'd seen him in passing.
So this really was the guy.
Zhang Chen's heart burned with anger. You old bastard—college girls weren't enough for you, so now you're after high schoolers? Shameless!
But he didn't dare say it aloud. Xu Mu was someone he couldn't afford to provoke.
No wonder he'd once seen Ye Yu getting into a Lamborghini after school—it must've been Xu Mu's car.
"You know me?" Xu Mu asked mildly.
"I've just… heard of you."
Zhang Chen faltered, then his eyes lit up—he realized he still had one advantage.
"Xiaoyu, I was just scouted by the provincial basketball team. If things go well, I could even make the national team! Compared to him, I've got a real future!"
He grinned proudly at her.
So what if Xu Mu was rich? Aside from money, what did he have?
"Oh, good luck making it to the NBA then," Ye Yu said dryly and tugged Xu Mu's hand to leave.
"Hold on," Xu Mu said, stopping. "You said you've got a better future than me? I don't think so."
He looked at Zhang Chen with a smile. "Basketball, huh? I can play too."
"Let's go," Ye Yu muttered, rolling her eyes. "You can't outshow him."
Her "stupid brother-in-law" really had a strong competitive streak.
Zhang Chen hadn't been bluffing—he'd actually been selected for the provincial team and was one of the school's best players.
Aside from cooking—and that other thing—her brother-in-law didn't have much else to brag about.
"Brother Xu, are you saying you want to compete with me?"
Zhang Chen twirled the basketball on his fingertip, smirking. "Come on then. One-on-one, best of five. I'll even spot you three points. Whoever loses stays away from Ye Yu forever. You dare?"
"We don't dare!" Ye Yu quickly grabbed Xu Mu's hands, trying to pull him away.
Her brother-in-law was too impulsive—what if he fell for the provocation?
"I dare."
Xu Mu's voice was calm but resolute.
Ye Yu facepalmed. She honestly wanted to smack him.
"Good!"
Zhang Chen grabbed the ball and jogged toward the court, shouting, "Clear the court! Move it!"
The others knew him well and stepped aside without complaint.
"Brother-in-law…"
"Relax," Xu Mu said, smiling. "I know a little about basketball."
He walked toward the court with an easy stride. "This time, your brother-in-law will take care of this annoying pest for you."
Ye Yu watched his confident back. Somehow, her airheaded brother-in-law looked… kind of cool.
[Favorability +10]
On the court, Zhang Chen dribbled confidently.
"So, Xu Shao, half-court or full-court?"
"Full-court, of course."
Xu Mu's smile was faint but steady.
Zhang Chen sneered inwardly. Full-court? Perfect.
With Xu Mu's untrained body, he wouldn't even be able to keep up—let alone defend.
He'd make sure everyone saw just how wide the gap between them really was.
Ye Yu clenched her fists nervously.
If Xu Mu really lost… what would she do?