Lu Xueyao nodded; she didn't know why either.
Ever since Xu Mu helped her last time, it felt like she'd "awakened." Compared to studying, she liked these so-called jianghu matters more.
Hands in his pockets, Xu Mu stared at Lu Xueyao, thinking.
Maybe this girl could actually be useful.
"Brother Xu Mu, don't be mad. I know I was wrong. I'll distance myself from them and study hard before graduation."
Seeing Xu Mu still glaring at her, Lu Xueyao panicked a little. "Or… we could get a room. You can 'discipline' me however you want."
Xu Mu was helpless. This girl really did want to get a room—she brought it up every time they met.
"I'm not angry. I'm worried about your safety. I'll give you two things—take them separately when you get home tonight."
Xu Mu took out a Qi-Gathering Pill and a Marrow-Cleansing Pill from his storage space.
That was his thought just now: since she truly likes this sort of thing, give her a bit of power and see how far she can go.
If she could become a queenpin of the local underworld, that would certainly benefit Xu Mu.
"Brother Xu Mu, what are these?" she asked curiously.
"Power-ups. I'll send you the exact instructions later. Just know I won't harm you."
With that, Xu Mu waved. "I've got things to do, I'm off. From now on, do what you like—as long as it's not illegal, I'll support you."
[Favorability +20]
Only after watching Xu Mu get in the car did Lu Xueyao put the pills away.
She trusted Xu Mu completely. Even if these two pills had serious side effects, if Xu Mu told her to take them, she wouldn't hesitate.
—
Xu Mu leaned back in the rear seat and shut his eyes for a quick rest.
For now, his strength was steadily rising.
His fight with Lin Yan had made that clear.
A protagonist's powerful Fate can indeed turn danger into safety.
But as long as your strength is great enough, you can still crush the protagonist.
If that held for Lin Yan, it would hold for the Dragon King, too.
Unknowingly, Xu Mu fell asleep—after a sleepless night, he needed a nap.
When he opened his eyes, the car had already stopped.
He rubbed his eyes and looked outside—they'd arrived at the Yang City branch office.
"Wanyue, why didn't you wake me?"
"I saw you sleeping soundly, Mr. Xu," Meng Wanyue said from the front seat.
"Fair enough." Xu Mu stretched and got out.
He pulled out his phone and called the Feng family. After only a few rings, Feng Jian picked up.
"Brother Xu, you've reached Yang City?" Feng Jian asked excitedly.
"Yep. Come to our branch office—I'll give you the medicine first."
"Great!"
Xu Mu entered the lobby with Meng Wanyue. Li Yun spotted him from afar and hurried over.
She was still in her black office uniform, front buttons pulled tight—like something terrifying was about to burst its seal as she walked.
"Xiao Mu," Li Yun asked with concern, "the chairman called me last night—are you alright?"
"I'm fine. My phone just died yesterday," Xu Mu said casually, not bothering with details.
Li Yun nodded. She'd been worried sick last night and barely slept.
After they chatted briefly, Xu Mu's phone buzzed—Feng Jian again. Xu Mu headed outside, asking Meng Wanyue to wait in the car.
Feng Jian jumped out of his Aston Martin and ran over.
"Brother Xu! Where's my medicine?"
Xu Mu handed him the three pills he'd casually refined earlier.
Feng Jian immediately produced a small bottle and carefully put them away.
Today is not the day for "bare-handed heroics." After holding back so many days, he planned to go a thousand miles in a day.
"Oh right— I secretly gave my mom a kiddie smartwatch so she can make calls. I'll dial it now; you can talk to her directly."
He called, then handed his phone to Xu Mu.
"Hello, Feng Jian—"
"It's me," Xu Mu cut in.
Hearing that voice, Chen Cai trembled with excitement.
She hadn't expected Feng Kang to be so bold—to actually dare kill Dai Xiao.
Which meant he might well finish her off next.
She was scared.
She didn't trust Feng Ruili—that man did everything for payback and transactions. If he helped her, what benefit could she offer him?
None.
But Xu Mu was different. If he rescued her, she could help him dig up Feng Kang's dirt.
That would be a fair exchange.
"Xu Mu, please save me. I know I was wrong—I never should've threatened you back then."
Her voice was choked with tears. Xu Mu was the only lifeline she could think of.
"Madam, how am I supposed to save you?" Xu Mu smiled. "The Feng household is heavily guarded—and they've basically become a hidden-world clan. Am I supposed to walk to my death?"
"You'll think of a way! If you could plant cameras in the Feng house without anyone knowing, you can definitely get me out, right?"
Her voice quavered.
"Even if I get you out, what good does that do? Feng Kang is dying to see you dead. Do you have the ability to dig up dirt on him for me?"
"I can."
"I really can! I still have contacts with people who used to work for him. I can collect things."
That did move Xu Mu a bit.
He glanced at the still-grinning Feng Jian and said evenly, "If I get you out, will your son be in trouble?"
"He won't."
Right now, Chen Cai only wanted to live; she wasn't thinking about anyone else.
"Alright then. I'll get you out. Sit tight and wait."
Xu Mu hung up and tossed the phone back to Feng Jian. "Your mom wants me to rescue her."
"Rescue…?"
Feng Jian's face fell. If his mom ran, Feng Kang would never spare him.
"Well? Yes or no?" Xu Mu asked.
Feng Jian was truly torn. Whatever else, she was still his mother. Strict as she was, much of what she'd done was to help him fight for the family inheritance.
"Brother Xu… could you rescue her a bit later?"
"What's wrong?" Xu Mu asked, puzzled.
"I want to go to a club and really cut loose. I might not get many chances after this."
He was dead serious.
Xu Mu had no words. Finally, he gave him a thumbs-up.
This guy must really be pent up.
"Oh, did your family get a new arrival? A woman—great figure, face covered in acne marks?"
"Yeah," Feng Jian said. "Heard she showed up this morning, then went out."
He remembered it vividly. From the back he thought she was a stunning beauty; one look at the front and the feeling vanished.
"I'm going to rescue your mom now," Xu Mu said suddenly.
"Bro—Brother Xu… you and my mom… don't tell me you also… have something going on?"
Feng Jian could barely get the words out.