Li Yun bit her lip and thought for a long while before finally standing up. "I… I'll think about it."
"Li Yun, miss this chance and there won't be another," Wu Shengqi said with a slow shake of his head. "Our group is huge—do you think I'd keep a special spot open just for you?"
He gave a cold snort. "I only came today because of Zheng Yan's face. Since you're unwilling, I'll be on my way."
"Wait, Manager Wu!"
Zheng Yan immediately called after him, then grabbed Li Yun's arm. "At our age, what's there to fuss about? Feelings are fake—money's what's real."
Li Yun shook her off. "Sorry, I can't cross that line."
From childhood, she'd always done well in school—but back then, society carried a toxic notion: 'It's useless for girls to study.'
In those difficult times, when every cent mattered, few parents were selfless enough to spend money raising a daughter only to have her marry into another family.
So when Li Yun got into university, her family forced her to quit and marry early instead.
Her parents spent their savings on her younger brother's education, though he amounted to nothing.
The man she married was chosen by her parents. She felt no affection for him—but in those days, love didn't matter. What mattered was simply getting by.
Her husband was an honest man, good for daily life.
The family lived simply until he died suddenly in a construction accident.
Afterward, her parents urged her to remarry.
When she was younger, she didn't dare resist—but this time, she refused.
Her reason was simple: if she ever married again, it would be to a man who truly made her heart move.
But such a man wasn't easy to find.
Besides, she didn't want her daughter to end up like she had.
She worked tirelessly, first moving her daughter Zhao Yingying to the best junior high in the county, then to Jiang City's No.1 High School, and finally to Jiang City University.
Day by day, life passed quietly. She found that being alone wasn't so bad.
Now, rising from her seat, she walked toward the door. She wasn't even forty yet—how could she be interested in some bald man in his fifties?
"I know a lot of people," Wu Shengqi said, slamming a hand on the table. "Believe it or not, one word from me and you won't find a single job in this city."
He'd even brought condoms—an entire box of them. The meal was ready, the prey was here—how could he let her walk away now?
"Then I'll just keep delivering takeout."
Li Yun's eyes flared with anger. Thankfully, she hadn't agreed. A man like this would only ruin her life.
"Li Yun! I went through all this trouble to introduce you, and this is how you repay me?" Zheng Yan shouted, getting to her feet.
"I came here looking for a job."
Li Yun's hand had just reached the door handle when Wu Shengqi suddenly stood up and grabbed her arm.
"You've got a college-aged daughter, right? Believe it or not, one word from me and she'll never get her diploma!"
Wu's eyes roamed over her body. "You've been married before—you're not some innocent girl. What's the harm in letting me have a little fun?"
"Let go of me! I'm calling the police!"
"You dare? I'll spend a few hundred thousand to make your daughter disappear! Go on—try me!"
His tone was ice-cold. He knew exactly where to strike—her weakness was her child.
Li Yun's eyes were red. The man before her was rich and well-connected. She wasn't afraid for herself—but for her daughter.
"Good. Be obedient—be my woman. You'll have a job, and money too."
Seeing her begin to falter, Wu Shengqi's lips curled into a cruel smile.
At that moment, the private room door burst open.
Bang!
Xu Mu's fist smashed into Wu Shengqi's nose, instantly drawing blood.
Thud!
Wu fell forward onto the table, sending plates crashing to the floor.
Xu Mu grabbed Li Yun's hand and pulled her to his side.
Before entering, he had already sensed what was happening inside.
Li Yun was stunned, her mind blank. She looked down at Xu Mu's hand clutching hers, then hurriedly pulled away.
"You brat! Do you know who I am? How dare you hit me?!" Wu bellowed, clutching his bleeding nose.
"You don't know me?" Xu Mu asked, genuinely surprised.
He recalled that when he and Meng Wanyue left the banquet earlier, he hadn't seen this man inside. Which meant—he wasn't even qualified to attend.
"Why the hell should I know you?" Wu shouted.
"If you don't, it just means your rank's too low."
Xu Mu stepped forward, grabbed him by the collar, and growled, "Touch her again, and you'll regret it for the rest of your life."
Then he turned to Li Yun. "Auntie, let's go."
Li Yun nodded instinctively, following close behind.
Looking at Xu Mu's tall, broad back, her heart was pounding uncontrollably.
[Favorability +30]
For a brief instant, she'd thought this man might be her fated one.
But no—he was far too young.
…
"Damn it!"
Wu Shengqi snarled through gritted teeth, clutching his nose. "Who the hell was that punk? I won't let him go!"
"Don't be mad, Manager Wu."
Zheng Yan hurried to his side, dabbing at his face with tissues.
Wu took a deep breath. "Let's go somewhere. I need to relax."
"Alright," Zheng Yan nodded quickly.
Wu cursed under his breath. He'd thought a debt-ridden single mother would be easy to manipulate—he'd even planned to "train" her and maybe play a little two-on-one game later.
Now that chance was gone.
…
Outside the hotel, the cool night air cleared Li Yun's head. "Xiao Xu, how did you know I was here?"
"Call it coincidence. I happened to overhear him on the phone outside the company."
Xu Mu briefly explained what had happened.
"What? You mean he and Zheng Yan were working together?"
Li Yun shivered. No wonder a classmate she hadn't spoken to in years suddenly reached out.
"When I heard you were here, I came straight over and caught the sounds from the private room," Xu Mu said—though in truth, he had sensed her presence from outside.
"You shouldn't have hit him. He's rich—a senior executive at a big company."
Li Yun sighed deeply.
"I don't care what kind of executive he is. He bullied you—he deserved that punch," Xu Mu said coldly.
Li Yun's body trembled slightly. Black text appeared above her head:
[Favorability +20]
She didn't know why, but in that moment, she suddenly felt that this man—was simply too outstanding.
"Come on, get in the car. I'm heading back to Jiang City anyway—I'll drive you home."
Xu Mu opened the back door and smiled at her.
"Alright."
Li Yun nodded. If not for Xu Mu, she would've been forced to find a cheap motel for the night and take a bus home tomorrow.
As Meng Wanyue turned the car toward the highway, they passed the Xu Group's local branch.
Li Yun pointed outside. "That's the company he works for—the one where he's an executive."
"What? He's from that company?"
Xu Mu frowned. That meant the man's job was as good as gone.
Anyone capable of such things didn't belong in their ranks—clearly, there were many parasites inside that branch.
"Auntie," Xu Mu said calmly, "I'll introduce you to a new job."