Seeing Xu Mu stand up, Meng Wanyue also started to rise.
But Xu Mu pressed her shoulder and had her sit back down. "I'll go alone."
With that, he left together with Jiang Huihui and Nangong Yao.
Compared to the bustle of the banquet, it was much quieter outside.
Under the streetlights, only a few security guards could be seen standing in the distance.
Jiang Huihui glanced at Xu Mu and said evenly, "That guy just now was Dai Xiao—someone from a hidden-world clan."
"He's the embodiment of evil, always bullying people," Nangong Yao said, covering her left eye and deliberately lowering her voice.
"I know."
Xu Mu nodded lightly.
"If you run into danger, remember to call me," Jiang Huihui said, then swung a leg over an electric scooter.
Nangong Yao climbed on behind her, wrapping her arms around Jiang Huihui's slender waist.
"Huihui, you're so good to me," Xu Mu said with a smile.
"Don't overthink it. It's just my job."
Jiang Huihui took a piece of bubble gum from her pocket, tore the wrapper, popped it into her mouth. "We're off."
"Goodbye, my kindred spirit!" Nangong Yao waved to Xu Mu.
Watching the two ride away, Xu Mu smiled faintly.
According to the original plot, the struggle between the Dragon King and the Dai family ran for many chapters, so Xu Mu knew the Dai clan's internal situation well. He had more than one way to deal with them.
He turned back to the banquet hall. Just as he sat down, Mu Qingying came over with a wineglass and took the spot Nangong Yao had vacated.
Mustering her courage, she spoke first. "Xu Mu… thanks for helping me out back there."
As she spoke, she drained her red wine in one go.
Sitting nearby, Guo Xiao heard this and nodded to herself. So Mu Qingying wasn't Xu Mu's girlfriend after all.
"We're all from Jiang City. I didn't want to watch him bully our own," Xu Mu said, deliberately adding, "Though I may have stirred up a big problem. He's Dai Xiao of the Dai family—by assets, they're number one in Jiangbei."
Mu Qingying's beautiful eyes trembled. No wonder her father had been so tense.
She truly hadn't recognized him; she seldom came to Yang City. Before college she'd studied in Jiang City, then went to Yanjing, so she knew more people there than here.
She hadn't expected his family to be that formidable. Didn't that mean even the Xu family might not be a match?
Regret washed over her face. Why had she looked toward Xu Mu at that moment? Hadn't she dragged him into this?
But Xu Mu hadn't denied it—instead he let his good buddy claim it and helped her out of the situation.
Thinking of this, black text floated above her head:
[Favorability +20]
Beside them, Guo Xiao looked at Xu Mu with open admiration. She really hadn't misjudged him. Facing Jiangbei's number-one Dai family, he wasn't cowed and had the courage to protect a fellow from Jiang City—how charismatic.
[Favorability +10]
"Xu Mu, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have looked at you just now," Mu Qingying said anxiously, tears welling up.
If the Dai family targeted the Xu family because of her, she had no idea what she would do.
"What's the use of apologizing? It already happened."
Xu Mu waved it off. "I'll figure something out."
…
Xu Mu didn't plan to keep eating. Judging by the time, Ye Tong should already be home.
He said goodbye to Su Ruiming and got ready to head back with Meng Wanyue.
Su Ruiming couldn't leave yet—his father, Su Weiye, was still drinking with Xu Shou. The two had previously reached a verbal agreement to cooperate in Yang City.
When Xu Mu and Meng Wanyue reached their car, a nearby BMW 5 Series was backing out.
A middle-aged man's voice drifted to Xu Mu:
"Did Li Yun agree… Can't you threaten her with the job? Forget it, I'll head over now."
Xu Mu only caught the sentence in fragments before the car pulled away.
Once they were in their own car and on the road back to Jiang City, Xu Mu reclined in the passenger seat, but the more he thought about it, the more off it felt. True, "Li Yun" was a common name—but earlier, Li Yun had specifically said she was coming to Yang City to look for work.
He decided to call and make sure.
When the call connected, Li Yun's voice came through. "Xiao Xu, what is it?"
"Auntie, are you in Yang City?" Xu Mu asked.
"Yes, I'm having a meal with my friend. A company leader is coming by later," Li Yun said.
"Which restaurant?"
"I'm at Huayang International Hotel, having Japanese food…" Li Yun broke off, then apologized. "Xiao Xu, I'll hang up first—my friend says the manager is about to arrive. I'll call you back in a bit."
Staring at the ended call, Xu Mu hesitated, then looked at Meng Wanyue. "Turn around."
He hadn't caught the whole earlier sentence, but one keyword had been very clear: threaten.
Since he'd heard it, he couldn't just do nothing.
…
Elsewhere.
Li Yun's phone was switched off by her classmate Zheng Yan.
"Show some respect when the manager comes," Zheng Yan said, handing the phone back.
"Okay."
Li Yun nodded softly, then hesitated. "Do you think he'll help us? I don't want it to turn into paying a bribe just to get hired."
"Relax—he's not short of money."
Zheng Yan shook her head with a smile.
Ten minutes later, the private room door opened. In came Wu Shengqi.
Both women hurried to their feet, smiling broadly.
"Manager Wu, you're here."
"Sorry—was just dining with some of Jiangbei's top businessmen," Wu said, puffing his chest a little. "If you're not worth a few hundred million, you don't even get a seat at that table."
"As expected of Manager Wu—knowing so many big shots."
Zheng Yan fawned. "Please, sit, sit. We haven't touched our chopsticks. We were waiting for you."
"Go ahead and eat."
Wu sat down first, smiling at Li Yun while playing dumb. "So—why did you call me over?"
"We were hoping Manager Wu could make an exception. My family's in a tough spot, and I really need this job," Li Yun said, her face earnest.
"Zheng Yan tells me you've been on your own?" Wu asked with a smile.
"Mm. My husband died young. It's just me and my daughter," Li Yun nodded.
"What a coincidence. I'm on my own too—just one son at home," Wu said, throwing Zheng Yan a meaningful look.
Zheng Yan caught on immediately and clapped. "Perfect match! Li Yun, you and Manager Wu are made for each other. If you two get married, you'll have a son and daughter right away!"
"No, no, there's no need for that. I've been on my own for years; I'm used to it. And besides, I'm not worthy of Manager Wu," Li Yun said, shaking her head.
"Li Yun, you're so beautiful—you're more than worthy," Wu said, popping a piece of sushi into his mouth. "I hear you're in debt. At your age, what good jobs can you even find?"
"Manager Wu is right," Zheng Yan chimed in, tugging Li Yun's arm. "At your age, who hires you for anything but manual labor? Starting your own shop takes capital—do you have it?"
"I didn't say we should marry right away," Wu said with a lazy grin, eyes roaming over Li Yun. "Before marriage, there has to be a trial period—some time to… 'adjust' and see if we're a fit."
"Little Li, you don't want to miss this job, do you?"