Seeing where Xiao Ran's other hand rested, Xu Mu immediately straightened his posture and said righteously,
"Then I won't look. Men and women shouldn't touch casually."
"Then… my injury?" she asked hesitantly.
"Can't treat it," Xu Mu said firmly. "Traditional medicine relies on observation, listening, questioning, and pulse-taking. If I can't even see it, I can't make a diagnosis."
He waved a hand and sank back into the sofa.
Xiao Ran's expression grew slightly awkward. After a moment, she said,
"Then how about I take a photo for you? I can censor the… key area."
"No. A photo affects judgment accuracy. I must see it with my own eyes—and work on it directly. You're not coughing blood anymore, right? Then it's nothing serious. Just avoid strenuous activity."
Xu Mu leaned back casually.
According to the plot, Xiao Ran suffered frequent injuries in the early arcs, though the Dragon King always treated her well—
personally searching for rare spiritual herbs and treasures to heal her.
What Xu Mu needed to do now was treat her before the Dragon King did—
so she would owe him a favor.
"What if I have to do strenuous activity?" she asked.
As the Dragon King's right hand, she often undertook deadly missions, battling top-level opponents—
"not moving" was impossible.
"It'll make your lungs worse. You'll cough blood again, then develop severe pulmonary damage. Eventually, even mild exertion will leave you breathless—your physical function will decline."
Xu Mu explained evenly.
Xiao Ran froze. He was exactly right.
Ever since her last bout of coughing blood, she had noticed her endurance dropping sharply.
Before, she could fight for long stretches; now, even a short chase left her dizzy and lightheaded from lack of oxygen.
If things went on like this, as Xu Mu said—she'd soon become useless.
Her fists clenched. She couldn't accept that.
"You're anxious again," Xu Mu said quietly.
"Cough! Cough, cough!"
She quickly pulled out her handkerchief, covering her mouth as another violent fit overtook her.
It took quite a while before she regained her breath.
"President Xu… can this injury be cured?"
By now, Xiao Ran fully believed he was some kind of divine physician.
Every symptom he'd mentioned matched her condition perfectly.
"I don't know," Xu Mu said, shaking his head lightly. "I haven't observed it yet."
"You're a divine doctor. I'll cooperate fully," she said earnestly.
After all, plenty of male doctors worked in obstetrics—nothing strange about it.
"No. I said already—men and women shouldn't touch casually. I'll need my wife's consent first," Xu Mu said solemnly.
[Favorability +10]
[Favorability +5]
The +10 came from Ye Yu, whose Favorability had just turned positive.
As for Xiao Ran, her own Favorability icon floated up as well—just as Meng Wanyue had described. This Xu Mu really was something else.
"Brother-in-law! You're a divine doctor? Then check me too—I think my period came early this month," Ye Yu chimed in mischievously.
Xu Mu put on a serious face. "Let me see the wound."
"You—! You shameless brother-in-law!" Ye Yu blushed scarlet and spat at him.
Just then, the villa door opened and Ye Tong walked in, smiling.
"You're back," Xu Mu said, rising to greet her.
"Mm. You're home early today," she said, then glanced curiously at the short-haired woman. "And who's this?"
"Hello, I'm Xiao Ran. You might not know me, but you certainly know my boss—his name is Ye Chen."
Xiao Ran smiled politely.
"Ye Chen… my brother?" Ye Tong's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Sis! My brother isn't dead!" Ye Yu cried from the sofa.
Even she was surprised at how happy she felt. Back when the Ye family still stood, she'd despised that brother the most.
But now, after losing everything—after their family's fall—just knowing he was alive filled her with warmth.
Maybe because Ye Tong had been her only family left… and now, there was one more.
Ye Tong could hardly believe it herself. Her brother—alive?
"You're not lying to me, are you?" she asked Xiao Ran.
If he was alive, why hadn't he contacted them in all these years?
Back then, Ye Chen had gone missing at the border. Even after the family filed a report and offered a reward of tens of millions, not a trace of him was found.
"I understand your doubt—but I have proof."
Xiao Ran took out her phone and opened a foreign messaging app, placing a video call.
After half a minute, it connected.
A man's cold, detached voice came through:
"Xiao Ran, how many times have I told you—don't call me directly. Message me first. I'll reach out when I see it."
"Dragon King, this time it's special. Take a look—guess who this is?"
She turned the camera toward Ye Tong.
On the screen, Ye Tong saw a familiar yet unfamiliar man.
He sat in a leather chair, wearing a black trench coat, hair slicked back in a mature style.
Though younger than her by a year, his eyes carried the weight of countless battles.
"Chen!" Ye Tong's eyes welled up. "You're alive?"
Ye Yu ran over. "Brother! You're still alive?"
Xu Mu stayed out of the camera's view. He could see Ye Chen clearly on the phone screen, though the other couldn't see him.
He activated the Divine Eye—but couldn't penetrate it.
It seemed the Divine Eye only worked face-to-face.
Ye Chen's gaze flickered slightly, but his expression stayed calm.
"Big Sis, Ye Yu, I'm alive and well. How are you two? How's the Xu family treating you?"
"The Xu family's been very kind," Ye Tong said softly. "When our company faced financial trouble, they helped us.
After our parents went missing and the Ye Group collapsed, they also suffered losses—but still took us in."
"The Xu family did well. And Xu Mu—how's he treating you?" Ye Chen asked.
"My husband's been wonderful."
Ye Tong glanced at Xu Mu and smiled. "He even cooks for us. His culinary skills are amazing."
Xu Mu smiled faintly on the side.
All that effort was paying off.
Still, according to the story, the Dragon King would later seize control of the Xu family—
using it as a springboard to enter Yang City and eventually dominate Jiangbei's entire economy.
That entire arc was extensive, and Xu Mu doubted the Dragon King would ever truly spare the Xu family.
What he needed was to grow stronger—only strength could protect what was his.
"That's good."
Ye Chen nodded. "Sis, I'm busy for now, but I'll return soon to see you both. I'll also look into our parents' disappearance."
"Alright." Ye Tong nodded gently.
The call ended.
"Now you believe me?" Xiao Ran smiled, slipping her phone away.
"I want to know… what has my brother been doing all these years? If not for his face, I'd hardly recognize him," Ye Tong said with confusion.
Seeing him again felt strange—so calm, so distant.
"It's better if my boss tells you himself when he returns," Xiao Ran replied.
Then she bowed respectfully.
"Miss Ye, I'd like to ask your husband for a favor."