Xu Mu answered the phone and said, "Old man, you're really impatient—calling me at the crack of dawn to rush me?"
"I was just afraid you'd forget. You've seemed pretty busy lately," Xu Shou's voice came from the other end.
"I'll be there, but I won't be going with you this time. I'll head there with some friends," Xu Mu replied.
"Good enough."
After saying that, Xu Shou hung up.
"Morning, brother-in-law!"
A new day began with Ye Yu's cheerful voice.
[Favorability +10]
Right after, Ye Tong emerged from the bedroom—another identical Favorability indicator appearing above her head.
"Morning."
Xu Mu smiled at Ye Yu.
Ye Yu hopped over to the sofa, sat beside him, and winked. "Yesterday's 'renovation' ended kinda early, huh?"
At that, Ye Tong's cheeks flushed crimson, and she hurried off toward the kitchen.
"What? I can't take a break once in a while?" Xu Mu chuckled, rubbing Ye Yu's hair.
Training Xu Ningbing hadn't been physically tiring—mostly mentally.
Fighting techniques relied on instinct, and getting her to unlearn old reflexes wasn't easy.
After breakfast, the three went their separate ways.
Xu Mu called Meng Wanyue and learned she was already waiting at the neighborhood gate, so he drove over to pick her up.
Today she was dressed in black sportswear, her once lifeless eyes now carrying a new brightness.
Opening the passenger door, she sat down and greeted him. "President Xu."
[Favorability +10]
"Wanyue, we're heading to a hidden-clan family today. There might be a fight—stay sharp," Xu Mu reminded her with a smile.
"I understand," she nodded.
He drove toward Yang City. Jiang Huihui and Dai Xingluo didn't need pickup—they'd go on their own.
But he still had to bring Chen Xuan along.
After a long silence watching the scenery outside, Meng Wanyue finally spoke. "Yesterday, Sister Ran came to see me."
"Xiao Ran? What for?" Xu Mu asked curiously.
"I'm not sure. She seemed upset—she drank a lot."
Her hands intertwined on her lap, head lowered. "I think I know why… It must be because of the Dragon King."
Xu Mu thought back to what had happened before—could it be that Xiao Ran was beginning to lose faith in Ye Chen?
That was good news for him. He'd be more than happy to take her in.
She was loyal—she'd followed Ye Chen out of gratitude for saving her life, risking death countless times for him.
In the original storyline, she even died saving him midway through the plot.
A woman like that, if turned to his side, would be an enormous asset.
"Can't help it—she insists on following the Dragon King," Xu Mu said with a small shake of his head.
Hearing that, Meng Wanyue stole a quick glance at him, then quickly looked away. "President Xu, about… us… can I tell Sister Ran?"
"What about us?"
"The pills and the technique you gave me—those amazing ones," she explained.
Xu Mu grinned. "Wouldn't that just make her jealous?"
"No. I just want her to follow you too. When we were drinking, she mentioned that you once saved her life."
Meng Wanyue looked straight ahead. "Sister Ran is a really good person. I respect her more than the Dragon King himself."
"Fine, but keep the Earth-grade technique a secret," Xu Mu instructed.
She nodded.
After exiting the highway into Yang City, Xu Mu messaged Chen Xuan for the address and drove over, stopping outside a small inn.
Chen Xuan was wearing a faded brown T-shirt, black sweatpants, and carried a fertilizer-sack-style woven bag.
When Xu Mu parked, Chen Xuan immediately climbed into the back seat.
"Wanyue, this is Chen Xuan—an old buddy of mine," Xu Mu said with a grin. "Old Chen, this is Meng Wanyue—my family."
Meng Wanyue froze for a second at the word family.
[Favorability +15]
"Nice to meet you, miss. Brother Mu's my idol—pleased to work with you," Chen Xuan said, smiling.
Meng Wanyue only gave a polite nod.
"You've heard of the Nangong family, right?" Xu Mu asked.
He remembered Nangong Yao—in the original story, she was one of Chen Xuan's future lovers.
"Nope, never heard of them," Chen Xuan replied, shaking his head.
"I called you yesterday and you agreed right away—I thought you knew what it was."
Xu Mu glanced at him through the rear-view mirror.
"I said yes because you invited me… and, well, I like banquets," Chen Xuan laughed.
"Perfect—then we'll eat plenty today."
Xu Mu turned the wheel toward the Nangong estate.
The Nangong family was bustling today.
Every household in Nangong Village hung red lanterns and colorful decorations at their doors.
The patriarch, Nangong Ping, had one son and one daughter.
The son, Nangong Hua, was Nangong Yao's father.
The daughter, Nangong Zhu, was married to Ren Fuhai.
Of course, Ren Fuhai had married into the Nangong family—his future children would bear the Nangong surname.
Today's banquet was held outdoors, on a vast flattened mountaintop.
Their reception duties had already been assigned:
Ren Fuhai would welcome the businessmen, while Nangong Hua and Nangong Zhu handled the guests from other hidden clans.
"Congratulations, Master Nangong! The Dai family has come to pay its respects!"
Dai Dongyang's loud voice rang out from afar.
Beside him stood Fang Chu.
Seeing them, Nangong Hua immediately came forward. "Dongyang! Why didn't your father come?"
"Father couldn't make it—he asked me to bring the gift instead. It's a set of Tang-dynasty royal gold and silverware."
As he spoke, a middle-aged man stepped forward, holding a wooden gift box.
"Thank your father on my behalf."
Nangong Hua gestured to a servant, who hurriedly accepted the box with both hands.
The surrounding merchants murmured in awe—indeed, hidden families were generous beyond comparison.
"Come in, Dongyang!" Nangong Hua said with a smile.
As Dai Dongyang moved to enter, Fang Chu tugged at his arm.
Following Fang Chu's gaze, he saw two people—Xu Shou and Xu Ningbing.
Dai Dongyang's eyes immediately locked onto her. They said Xu Shou's daughter was beautiful, and now he saw for himself—it was true beyond measure.
An exquisitely stunning face, a tall graceful figure, and above all, that terrifying aura of power.
A smile spread across his lips. That woman, and the Xu Group—both will be mine.
Their arrival caught not only his and Fang Chu's attention, but also that of everyone nearby.
The Xu family had become a star enterprise in the Jiangbei region.
Especially with their newly released Yang Energy Pill, which had received zero negative reviews.
Everyone knew what that meant.
Men were notoriously picky about such things—if the effect were lacking, the backlash would be brutal.
Yet all the comments online were like, "Anyone who gets a box, may you live a long and blessed life."
Ren Fuhai came over smiling to greet them. "President Xu, please come this way."
Meanwhile, at a table on the edge of the venue, Zhang Que sat smoking, watching Xu Shou's approach with a faint grin.