"Brother Xu, congratulations."
Guo Xiao approached Xu Mu with a smile.
Her father was gone, and as a young woman she couldn't blend into Xu Shou's business circle.
So when she saw Xu Mu arrive, she hurried to greet him.
"Thank you," Xu Mu replied politely.
"With the weight-loss pill's great success, you'll surely open new opportunities in Yang City. When that happens, I hope you'll look after us local companies as well."
She raised her champagne glass and took a gentle sip.
"Don't worry. If there's a chance, I won't forget you, Miss Guo. A capable woman like you is bound to accomplish great things."
Xu Mu smiled, matching her politeness.
[Favorability +10]
"Then I'll thank you in advance, Brother Xu," Guo Xiao said, smiling.
At that moment, Fang Chu came over. He said coldly, "Wife, soon enough, I alone will make our family's business soar. We don't need anyone's help."
He could sense that the three-year deadline was approaching.
Once his power recovered, he wouldn't need to hide anymore. Running a small corporation would be child's play.
"Can you shut up? You're making us look ridiculous."
Guo Xiao glared at him frostily.
"It's fine," Xu Mu said with a light laugh. "Maybe he really does have the ability. I actually envy him—having a wife like you, Miss Guo."
[Favorability +5]
Guo Xiao's fondness for Xu Mu grew. Why hadn't she met such a refined man before?
If she had married into the Xu family back then, it would have been a powerful alliance.
But she was already married—and Xu Shou would never allow Xu Mu to wed a divorced woman.
Xu Mu sat at a table drinking with Su Ruiming, while Meng Wanyue stood quietly beside him.
In the distance, Xu Shou was chatting with various businessmen from Jiang City.
Xu Ningbing walked up to her father and whispered, "Dad, it's almost eight."
Xu Shou glanced at his watch and chuckled. "Looks like the Yang City big shots want to give me a little 'welcome test.'"
The surrounding businessmen all laughed knowingly.
They understood—Xu Group didn't need investors. By expanding into Yang City, they were here to take a share of the cake.
"Boss Xu, congratulations!"
Just then, three people walked into the hall.
Leading them was a middle-aged man with graying hair—Shen Hong.
Beside him was Shen Wanning, and behind them, a burly man clearly serving as a bodyguard.
"Patriarch Shen! Welcome, welcome."
Xu Shou glanced at his watch, then greeted them with a warm smile.
The surrounding businessmen followed along eagerly.
The Shen family was a true giant of the Jiangbei region.
Back when the Xu and Feng families had fought fiercely for position, they were only competing for the top five.
The Shen family, however, had always ranked third in Jiangbei.
His appearance wasn't unexpected—after all, the Xu family's weight-loss pill spokesperson was none other than the Shen family's young lady.
It was a mutually beneficial arrangement.
Thanks to the pill's success, Shen Wanning had shot up the trending charts several times, and her music was now widely known.
Her fanbase had nearly doubled.
"Shen Wanning? I'm your fan! Can we take a photo together?"
"I went to your last concert!"
A few excited young men rushed over, phones in hand.
Seeing this, Su Ruiming whispered, "Brother Xu, look! A celebrity! Want me to bring her over to keep you company?"
Xu Mu almost choked—was this guy brain-dead?
That's a textbook idiot sidekick move—trying to flirt with the daughter of Shen Hong? Did he want his ashes scattered to the wind?
"Keep a low profile. A real gentleman lets others approach him," Xu Mu said calmly, lifting his glass. "That's how you build real connections."
Su Ruiming gasped in admiration. "As expected of Brother Xu—wise words!"
As Shen Hong entered, a wave of new guests followed.
"Congratulations, Chairman Xu! Traffic was terrible, glad we made it in time."
"Boss Xu, returning to Yang City—let's work together more from now on!"
"Patriarch Shen! It's been a while!"
The hall buzzed with greetings.
Xu Mu merely shook his head slightly. These people had clearly been waiting outside, hesitant to enter until they saw what the local powerhouses would do.
If the top Yang City families turned hostile, they wouldn't dare show up.
But Shen Hong's arrival broke the stalemate.
With someone leading the way, the rest followed quickly—because the Xu family wasn't someone they could afford to offend either.
Xu Mu and Su Ruiming stayed seated, quietly drinking.
Then Shen Wanning, after politely refusing photos and autographs, walked over and sat beside Xu Mu.
Su Ruiming was stunned, his eyes sparkling with admiration.
As expected of Brother Xu—he'd charmed a celebrity just by being classy!
"Xu Mu, I wanted to thank you," Shen Wanning said calmly.
She assumed he had taken up music just to pursue her.
She couldn't deny his talent—but she disliked men of questionable character.
"It's nothing," Xu Mu replied with composed politeness.
"Uncle Xu, welcome to Yang City."
A voice sounded from the entrance. "Sorry, traffic was bad—I'm late."
Everyone turned—and saw Feng Jian, of the Feng family.
Many exchanged looks, eager for drama.
Feng Kang hadn't come. He'd sent his second son, who had no real authority. Clearly, the Feng family didn't take the Xu family seriously.
Xu Shou didn't seem angry. He smiled. "Why didn't your father come?"
"My father had matters to attend to. He sent me on his behalf," Feng Jian said evenly.
"Alright then, please, have a seat."
Xu Shou nodded pleasantly.
Feng Jian's eyes fell on Shen Wanning—and seeing her beside Xu Mu instantly soured his mood.
He walked over with a forced smile. "Wanning, you're here too."
"Mm."
Shen Wanning nodded curtly. She disliked Feng Jian even more than Xu Mu, so she stood and walked away.
"Xu Mu!" Feng Jian growled under his breath. "I warn you—get close to Shen Wanning again, and I'll make you regret it."
"Where the hell did this mutt come from, talking to Brother Xu like that?"
Su Ruiming slammed his hand on the table.
Xu Mu almost wanted to give him a thumbs-up—this idiot really didn't read the room.
The Feng family wasn't someone the Su family could afford to provoke.
Still, his outburst had the unintended effect of tying their fates together—
If the Feng family ever targeted the Su family, Xu Mu would have to step in.
"And who the hell are you?" Feng Jian glared, about to explode—
when a familiar voice rang out from the doorway:
"Boss Xu! You're being unfair! You invited all these Yang City companies but didn't invite the Dai family?"
A young man entered, smiling confidently, flanked by two middle-aged men.
Xu Mu looked at him and couldn't help but grin.
At last—the Dai family had arrived.
They were none other than the villain family from The Dragon King's Return.