Hearing that, Feng Yue sighed softly. "If I'd known, I wouldn't have said anything."
"Take me back. And you should return to Yang City soon—I want the Beauty Pill on the market as quickly as possible."
Xu Mu folded his arms and looked out the window.
Feng Yue paused, then asked, "You trust me that much? No contract? Aren't you afraid I'll deny everything later?"
"At least until I've dealt with the Feng family for you, you'll stick with me."
Xu Mu cracked the window to feel the outside air.
"Even after that, I'm still your woman. My body isn't reinforced concrete."
Feng Yue recalled his move from last night—if she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, she wouldn't have believed it.
"Unless you push me to the limit, I won't take lives."
Xu Mu glanced at her. "Head back early, and be careful this time. If you get caught again, I'll be very annoyed."
"Should I take that as Brother Xu showing concern for me?"
Feng Yue smiled faintly.
Xu Mu didn't answer—he only nodded.
[Favorability +5]
Feng Yue opened her door. "You drive. I'll take the passenger seat."
Before Xu Mu could reply, she'd already gotten out and moved around to his side.
He wasn't sure why, but he unbuckled, got out, and switched to the driver's seat.
Both buckled up, and Xu Mu pulled a U-turn to head back to the company.
"Brother Xu, what am I to you… right now?"
Feng Yue looked over as he kept his eyes on the road.
"What do you mean?" Xu Mu asked.
"A subordinate? A friend? Or…"
She swept up her black, wavy hair; her peach-blossom eyes brimmed with allure. "A woman?"
Xu Mu's throat moved. But the memory of her drinking with other men at the bar put him in a foul mood.
He had his answer. "For now… let's say 'woman.'"
"If you'd drop the 'for now,' I'd be happier. Still, thank you—for pulling a woman back from the brink."
She slipped off the black hair tie from her wrist, gathered her loose waves into a simple ponytail, and revealed a flawless profile.
"Don't describe yourself like that. It cheapens you," Xu Mu said, glancing her way.
[Favorability +5]
"I was never 'high-class' to begin with. I'm just a woman filled with hatred. Ever since that night with you, I decided to go dark."
She set a hand on his thigh. "To be honest, I even crammed a bunch of 'little movies' lately—to please men better."
"Where'd you get the sources?"
"If Brother Xu wants them, I'll send them."
Feng Yue giggled behind her hand.
"So I really am 'one of your own,' huh? You'll say anything to me."
Xu Mu felt helpless—and suddenly had the sense that this woman wouldn't be easy to handle.
"Want to try… right now?" Her eyes curved like crescent moons.
"I'm driving."
With Feng Yue, Xu Mu felt oddly on the back foot—like he was the passive one.
Suddenly his eyes widened; he gripped the wheel hard.
Does this woman want to become a martial artist too—and start 'sparring' in a moving car?
Even in the car, she dared to "brandish spear and staff."
—
At last, Xu Mu pulled up in front of the Xu Group building.
He'd broken out in a cold sweat during that drive.
He wasn't afraid of a crash—he was a martial artist—but he was afraid he might lose control and hit someone else.
"Feng Yue, try that kind of dangerous stunt again and I'll have to punish you."
"Aren't you a martial artist, Brother Xu? Afraid of car accidents?" she teased.
"What about you? What if something happens to you?" Xu Mu shot back.
Feng Yue froze a moment, then lowered her head like a chastised child and fell silent.
Above her head, black text appeared:
[Favorability +10]
"Alright, head back. If you run into trouble, call me."
Xu Mu patted her shoulder.
"Mm."
She nodded lightly.
After getting out, Xu Mu watched her drive off.
"Sigh… saving face and suffering for it. Dangerous—but thrilling," he muttered, then headed back into the company.
He had barely warmed his office chair when Xu Shou summoned him.
Taking the elevator to the top floor, he knocked and heard a voice from within.
He entered and found Xu Ningbing there as well.
Her gaze toward him was different now—no longer the old coldness, but a gentler look.
"What did you need me for?"
Xu Mu sat on the black leather sofa.
"You made your sister a martial artist too?" Xu Shou asked with a smile.
"That's right. We're preparing to enter Yang City. I'm worried the hidden families will target us, so we need to secure our safety first."
Xu Mu nodded.
"I'd like to meet that 'elder' you mentioned. He handed over a cultivation technique so casually—we should thank him properly," Xu Shou said.
"That's difficult. The old man doesn't even use a phone; he usually contacts me on his own."
Xu Mu improvised. After all, that "elder" didn't exist.
"Very well. If you see him next time, ask whether he's willing to meet me," Xu Shou said, not expecting much—some seniors were eccentric.
"Okay," Xu Mu replied.
"One more thing—developed a new medicine today?" Xu Shou asked, chuckling.
Xu Ningbing looked over too, unable to believe how monstrous her little brother's talent was.
"That's right."
Xu Mu crossed one leg over the other.
"Mr. Wang called me," Xu Shou said, laughing. "He's planning to test it on himself—try it out with his wife tonight."
Xu Mu couldn't help but laugh as well. Old Wang Weiliang, still so diligent.
"Try it with his wife? What kind of medicine is it?" Xu Ningbing asked, curious.
She only knew he'd made a new drug—she didn't know what for.
"A tonic for men," Xu Mu said bluntly.
"You—"
Xu Ningbing shot him a glare. "Gross! What do you research all day!?"
Even so, her Favorability didn't drop.
"Ningbing, don't say that," Xu Shou chided gently. "That market is enormous—bigger than weight-loss.
A man can tolerate being fat, but not being ineffective."
She pursed her lips but didn't deny it.
"Alright, to business," Xu Shou said, pressing both palms to the desk as he stood.
"Starting tomorrow, we'll move the main production of the slimming pill to Yang City."
Reclining on the sofa, Xu Mu thought: So it begins.
"Tomorrow night, our Yang City branch will host a banquet. I'll invite friends from both cities. You two must attend," Xu Shou added, looking at Xu Mu.
"It may turn into a fierce battle."
Xu Mu could guess as much. A show of force from Yang City's business circle was inevitable.
—
After work, Xu Mu drove Meng Wanyue home. With his perception, he sensed Xiao Ran wasn't there—she must have left.
Just as he was about to head home, his phone rang.
He glanced at the screen—Zhao Yingying.
He answered. "Yingying, what's up?"
"Brother Mu, are you busy right now? If not, could you come by my place?" came Zhao Yingying's voice over the phone.