Feng Yue was dumbstruck, her mind blank, her mouth wide enough to fit an egg.
She lowered her head and stared at the massive hole in front of her—Xu Mu had blasted straight through it.
Looking down through the hole, she could even see her hotel's storage room below.
Fortunately, no one was down there. Otherwise, the falling concrete could have seriously injured someone—then she'd not only have to compensate them but also shut down her business for rectification.
After the initial shock, she raised her head and looked at Xu Mu again.
Why did he suddenly seem like a stranger?
Was this really the same good-for-nothing playboy she used to know?
Though the face was the same, his expression, stance, and aura were completely different.
Feng Yue tried to recall—when exactly had he started to change?
She wasn't a martial artist and didn't understand such things, but even she could tell that his destructive power was terrifying.
That casual move earlier—attacking through the air—was far stronger than Lin Yan's abilities.
Of course, perhaps Lin Yan had merely been holding back when he showed his skills before.
"Brother Xu, you… hid it really deep," Feng Yue said in disbelief. She suddenly felt that Xu Mu had become unfamiliar, yet she didn't dislike the current him—in fact, she found this version more charismatic.
[Favorability +10]
Xu Mu himself was a bit stunned. He hadn't even used his full strength—he'd just given a simple demonstration, and yet the effect was so dramatic.
And this was only a Profound Rank technique. What would it be like if he used an Earth Rank or Heaven Rank one?
No wonder Meng Wanyue had been so shocked when he gave her a Profound Rank technique.
Xu Mu forced himself to remain calm. He'd been putting on this act all along; he had to keep it smooth until the end.
If he got frightened by his own power, that would be truly embarrassing.
He clasped his hands behind his back, expression calm and indifferent.
"I'll ask one last time—will you work for me? As long as you agree, I'll handle the Feng family for you."
"And if I refuse?" Feng Yue asked, looking at his side profile.
"Then I'll leave now. Whatever you do afterward has nothing to do with me."
Xu Mu turned toward the door. "You don't have to answer immediately. I'll give you a few days to think."
With that, he walked away without looking back.
Feng Yue stared blankly at the hole in front of her.
A martial artist like Lin Yan had only dared to send assassins against Xu Mu—perhaps Lin Yan had already realized something.
But she herself had been kept completely in the dark.
Suddenly, Feng Yue raised her head sharply toward the doorway.
Could it be that Xu Mu had approached her just to gather information?
Had he already known there was a mole from her side inside the Xu Group?
Otherwise, after Lin Yan failed, why didn't he target Xu Shou but instead went after this so-called useless heir?
"How terrifying…"
Feng Yue gasped, recalling that the surveillance footage in Lin Yan's possession had come straight from Xu Mu's mouth.
Maybe Xu Mu had deliberately let Lin Yan see it.
Feng Yue gave a bitter smile—so all along, the clown being toyed with was herself.
"Brother-in-law! Where did you go?"
Ye Yu had already been dragged out of the bar by Xu Mu. She'd been blocked by security guards and hadn't seen what happened upstairs.
"I saw someone upstairs secretly recording you with their phone," Xu Mu said casually. "I just went to talk to them."
[Favorability +10]
"What? Someone was recording me? Brother-in-law, are you okay?" Ye Yu asked with concern.
"I'm fine."
Xu Mu waved his hand with a smile. "Let's head back before your sister starts worrying."
"Okay!"
Ye Yu smiled and nodded, holding onto his arm.
Even she didn't quite understand why, but holding Xu Mu's arm felt strangely comfortable.
Back at the hotel.
When Xu Mu opened the door, Ye Tong and Meng Wanyue were watching TV.
"Sis! We're back! We brought you desserts!"
Ye Yu cheerfully carried the desserts over.
Xu Mu sat down on the edge of the bed, finally feeling the fatigue of the day—time for a rest.
After sitting for a bit, he decided to go to the bathroom first; once done, he'd send Ye Yu and Meng Wanyue back to their rooms.
Just as he stepped out of the bathroom, someone knocked on the door.
"Who is it?"
He asked and opened the door—outside stood a woman with dyed blond hair and a long dress.
She looked to be in her thirties—not ugly, but far from beautiful, though her figure was somewhat voluptuous.
"Who are you looking for?" Xu Mu frowned.
"Handsome, can you let me stay here for one night?" the woman said pitifully.
"What happened?" Xu Mu asked.
"My boyfriend keeps hitting me. I don't want to live with him anymore. He chased me here, said he'd ruin my face… I just want to hide here tonight."
As she spoke, she rubbed her eyes.
"Who's that?"
Ye Yu ran over—she'd heard a woman's voice outside.
Ye Tong and Meng Wanyue followed.
When the woman saw the three women behind Xu Mu, she froze completely.
What the heck—three of them?!
Was this man really that capable?!
A hotel suite… clearly, these four weren't here to play mahjong.
"You said your boyfriend hit you?" Ye Tong asked.
"Yes, he followed me here. I wanted to hide, but it seems… inconvenient here," the woman said, then quickly turned to leave. She figured these people must be "in the same line of work," and wouldn't fall for her act.
"Indeed, not very convenient," Xu Mu said, waving her off and closing the door.
"Let's help her," Ye Tong said softly.
"Most likely she's up to no good—probably a honey-trap scam. If she were really being chased, she should call the police first," Xu Mu replied calmly.
"What if she's telling the truth?" Ye Tong asked. Perhaps she was reminded of her own past.
"Fine. Let's make a bet," Xu Mu smiled. "If she's lying, you'll have to do everything I say tonight. But if you're right, I'll listen to you."
"Brother-in-law, I want to play too!" Ye Yu grabbed his arm and shook it.
"Go away—kids shouldn't butt in," Xu Mu said, rolling his eyes and prying her hand off.
"Hmph!"
Ye Yu puffed her cheeks and turned her head away.
"Then Ye Yu and I will bet together," Ye Tong said, pulling Ye Yu close.
Ye Yu nodded firmly—she also thought Xu Mu was just making excuses.
He didn't want to let that woman stay, probably because he was afraid they'd recall his old ways.
"Alright then. I'll take her in—but to another room."
Xu Mu took out his phone and started a video call with Ye Tong, then placed the phone in his shirt pocket, with the camera peeking out.
Once ready, he opened the door again.
The woman was already near the stairs, knocking on other doors.
"Miss, over here—you can hide in my room," Xu Mu called, waving her over as he opened the door to Ye Yu and Meng Wanyue's room.
"Handsome, you're not staying in that room?" she asked as she hurried over.
"We're just tourists here. They called me earlier to fix their computer," Xu Mu said casually. "Come in and hide for a bit."
"Thank you."
The woman nodded repeatedly.
Meanwhile, across the hall, the three girls stared intently at Ye Tong's phone screen.