Xu Mu had already driven to the Nangong estate. Seeing so many luxury cars parked here, he couldn't help sighing.
To think—even someone like Wei Jingzhi, that "high-class cleaner," never put on a display this grand.
He headed up the mountain with Meng Wanyue and Chen Xuan.
They'd taken only a few steps when a classical-style beauty stepped out of a nearby Mercedes AMG.
"Brother."
Dai Xingluo waved from afar.
Meng Wanyue's gaze went frosty at once. This woman again.
"Xingluo, why aren't you going up?" Xu Mu asked with a smile.
"I was waiting for you, of course."
She slipped her arm through Xu Mu's, then glanced at Meng Wanyue and said sweetly, "If I'd known she was coming, I wouldn't have."
Chen Xuan sighed inwardly. As expected of Brother Mu—women just flock to him.
"Alright, keep a low profile—remember what I told you," Xu Mu said, noticing Meng Wanyue's chilled look and pulling his arm back.
He'd already discussed it with Dai Xingluo over the phone: don't stick too close to him. Xingluo was one of his hidden cards. He'd told Jiang Huihui the same.
"Of course I remember, Brother. It's our secret—no one can know," Dai Xingluo said, deliberately glancing at Meng Wanyue.
Meng Wanyue didn't even acknowledge her. She wouldn't rise to the bait; as long as she knew she had a place in Xu Mu's heart, she was content.
They reached the mountaintop together.
Dai Xingluo stepped in first.
A beauty in classical dress suddenly appearing among the crowd drew every gaze at once.
When Dai Dongyang saw her, his face darkened. "What is she doing here?"
"You know her, Young Master Dai?" Fang Chu asked.
"My younger sister, Dai Xingluo," Dai Dongyang said simply. She was his rival, after all. His mother had specifically told him: if there's a chance, kill her.
Because Dai Xingluo was a disciple of a sect, his father and grandfather wanted to leverage that connection. If she returned to the Dai family, she'd directly threaten Dai Dongyang's position.
By now Xu Mu and the others had also arrived.
He scanned the crowd—many guests were already here—and at one glance spotted Zhang Que. He hadn't expected to see him.
Xu Mu was startled. What is he doing here? He's not here to kill someone, is he?
Either way, Xu Mu decided to go say hello.
He first had Chen Xuan and Meng Wanyue take seats, then walked over.
Xu Shou, who was chatting nearby, noticed Xu Mu sit down beside Zhang Que. His face instantly soured. Since when did my son know Zhang Que? No surprise—must've been that brat Zhang who approached Xu Mu first.
"Senior, what brings you here?" Xu Mu asked with a smile.
"To eat," Zhang Que said with a faint grin, cigarette between his fingers.
"Were you invited?" Xu Mu probed indirectly.
"I snuck in for a free meal," Zhang Que replied, smiling, without actually answering.
After a few casual words, Xu Mu returned to sit with Meng Wanyue and Chen Xuan.
He activated the Divine Eye to sweep the surroundings, trying to spot the assassin and prepare in advance.
"Kindred spirit! My kindred spirit!"
A cute little loli appeared in the distance, wearing a red princess dress and white stockings, coming from the rear—together with Jiang Huihui.
Nangong Yao ran over quickly, her twin ponytails bouncing like springs.
She climbed straight onto Xu Mu's lap. "Kindred spirit, long time no see."
[Favorability +5]
"It has been a while," Xu Mu said with a smile, then glanced at Chen Xuan. "Old Chen, this is Nangong Yao of the Nangong family."
"Hello," Chen Xuan greeted with a smile—though from his face, he clearly didn't recognize her.
Hands in her pockets and blowing bubbles, Jiang Huihui sat at Xu Mu's table as well.
Across the way, Dai Xingluo noticed yet another woman close to Xu Mu. Her face darkened, and she ignored Xu Mu's instructions; she stood up and came to sit here too.
Xu Mu was speechless. What are you all doing? Didn't I specifically tell you not to sit too close, so no one would think we're all together?
Just then, a sleek, long-haired beauty in a baseball cap sat down as well—Shen Wanning of the Shen family.
"Xu Mu, you're here too," she said, then shot a glance at Dai Xingluo and snorted. Their last encounter at the antique market had left Shen Wanning fuming at this tea-scented temptress—who'd have thought they'd meet again today?
Dai Xingluo noticed Shen Wanning as well and felt unconcerned. She could tell Xu Mu didn't seem interested in Shen Wanning. The ones to watch were the other women.
All around, the young men noticed Xu Mu's table.
Nangong Yao perched on him, plus Meng Wanyue, Jiang Huihui, Dai Xingluo, Shen Wanning—every one a stunning beauty.
They fumed in unison. Why are all the beauties sitting over there? And who are those two guys? Are they trying to make enemies of us all?
A young man in a suit with a long ponytail couldn't stand it any longer and strode toward Xu Mu's table.
Seeing this, Dai Dongyang smiled. "That's Zhao He of the Zhao family from Jiangnan—another hidden clan. Xu Mu's in for it."
Fang Chu nodded to himself. He'd heard of Zhao He. If Xu Mu was famous in Jiangbei's business world as a prodigal scion, Zhao He was just as notorious among Jiangnan's hidden families.
"Ladies, I am Zhao He. A pleasure to make your acquaintance," Zhao He said, sitting down with a smile.
Not a single woman at the table responded.
Zhao He's face twitched. He swept a glare over Xu Mu and Chen Xuan. "Are you two blind? Stand up and report your names!"
He was the type to "order off the menu"—he knew all the younger generation from the Jiangnan and Jiangbei hidden clans. He'd never seen these two—clearly nobodies not worth fearing.
"If you say 'stand,' and I just stand, where's my face in that?" Xu Mu said, patting Nangong Yao on his lap. "Besides, I can't exactly get up right now."
"Same here," Chen Xuan chuckled.
"Impudent! Do you even know who I am?" Zhao He thundered. With so many beauties watching, how could he swallow this humiliation?
"Brother Mu, is this guy brain-damaged? He doesn't even know who he is," Chen Xuan said, looking at Xu Mu.
"Don't tease him," Xu Mu replied mildly. "Maybe he thinks we're elders and is asking our names first."
"Pfft—!" Shen Wanning clapped a hand over her mouth, stifling a laugh.
Even Dai Xingluo couldn't hold back a smile.
"Mother—! Damn it!" Zhao He grabbed a chair and hurled it at Chen Xuan and Xu Mu.
Seated beside Xu Mu, Meng Wanyue struck out with one palm.
Boom!
The chair exploded to splinters, and Zhao He's body flew backward, crashing into the table behind him and smashing it to bits.
"Courting death," Meng Wanyue said coldly.
The surrounding chatter fell instantly silent.
Dai Xingluo narrowed her eyes. Gang Qi. So Meng Wanyue really was a strong rival.
"Argh! Damn you! I'll kill you! Tian Shuang—get them!" Zhao He roared, scrambling to his feet.