Just as Meng Wanyue's lips were about to touch Xu Mu's cheek, she suddenly froze.
What was she doing?
Was this really her?
She hesitated, deciding to pull away — but before she could, Xu Mu subconsciously wrapped an arm around her neck, pulling her tightly into his embrace as he turned over, trapping her in his arms.
Meng Wanyue was stunned. She tried moving, but his grip was firm; she couldn't break free.
In the end, she gave up struggling.
"Wife…"
The word slipped from Xu Mu's lips in a sleepy mumble.
Only then did Meng Wanyue realize — he'd mistaken her for Ye Tong.
But then her eyes widened.
Xu Mu's hand had become unexpectedly… active.
What could she do? She felt utterly helpless.
Still, she couldn't help but marvel — so this was what Xu Mu and Ye Tong were like in private?
When Xu Mu woke up, he felt more refreshed than he had in days.
He'd been so tense back in the ruins that the relaxation of being home had knocked him straight out.
"Wife, that feels… wrong…" he murmured drowsily — then froze.
Wait. Wife?
Ye Tong wasn't even home yet — she was still at work.
He sat up sharply, realizing who was next to him.
Meng Wanyue's face was red as a cooked crab, her cheeks practically glowing.
Xu Mu quickly released her, his tone serious. "So that's how it is, Meng Wanyue. I treat you like family, and you try to take advantage of me?"
"I— what?!"
Meng Wanyue's mind went blank. You're blaming me?!
Was this even human speech?!
Still, she couldn't bring herself to argue — because, well… she had almost kissed him.
"Relax, Wanyue. I'm joking."
Seeing her lower her head in embarrassment, Xu Mu quickly reached out and held her shoulders.
He really hadn't noticed anything strange; at home, with her nearby for protection, his guard had naturally dropped.
"It's all a misunderstanding," Meng Wanyue said hastily, standing up and buttoning her blouse. "Mr. Xu, please — don't let Sister Ye find out about this."
"Something's off," Xu Mu muttered, rubbing his nose in thought.
Meng Wanyue nearly fainted. He's actually sniffing?!
"W-what's wrong?" she asked nervously.
"Nothing," Xu Mu said with a smirk, dropping the topic.
He'd just been wondering — he'd fallen asleep lying face down, so how exactly had she ended up in his arms?
But since it had already happened, there was no need to dwell on it.
Checking his phone, he saw that Ye Tong would be off work soon, so he and Meng Wanyue went downstairs.
Handing her the Earth-rank technique, Xu Mu smiled. "Wanyue, you can't refuse this time, right?"
"But…"
She still looked hesitant. This was an Earth-rank technique — a priceless treasure.
Even if she gave up her body a hundred times over, it would never compare to this gift.
"Wanyue, let me ask you seriously," Xu Mu said, his tone calm.
"Whose side are you on?"
"I'm yours, Mr. Xu."
Before, she might have hesitated. But now? No doubt at all.
Xu Mu had given her too much — not just power, but something deeper: security.
And perhaps even something like… love.
Not romantic love, exactly, but the kind of care and warmth she'd never known before.
Ever since childhood, until she met Xu Mu, she'd never experienced anything like it.
To her, it was enough. She'd already decided — she would follow him for the rest of her life.
"If you're mine," Xu Mu said gently, "then there's nothing wrong with me helping you grow stronger."
He handed her the black metal tablet. "I want you to be free — so strong that no one, not even I, can bind you."
[Favorability +20]
Dark text appeared faintly above her head. Her eyes grew moist.
Clutching the technique with both hands, Meng Wanyue nodded firmly. "Mr. Xu, I won't let you down."
"Go," Xu Mu said. "Earth-rank techniques are hard to master. Take the next few days off — I'll call when I need you."
She nodded obediently and left.
Xu Mu stretched lazily, then paused, noticing his hand.
He wasn't sure when exactly it had happened, but… it had a faintly milky fragrance.
He sniffed. "Weird…"
Then, shaking it off, he lay back on the sofa and opened his system interface.
The numbers made him sit bolt upright.
Name: Xu Mu
Identity: Villain's Holy Body, HR Manager of Xu Group
Realm: Early Mystic Art Realm
Physique: 640
Spirit: 640
Cultivation Points: 195 / 800
Fate Power: 1032
Over a thousand Fate Points! That meant he was already around Level 10 Fate.
Still, there was a long way to go before catching up to the Dragon King.
He was content, though — steady growth suited him fine.
He didn't even want to imagine what would've happened if the original villain Xu Mu had met Lin Yan.
He tapped "Draw." The wheel began to spin.
Ding! Congratulations, Host — obtained a Seventh-Grade Elixir: Qi Sea Pill.
Xu Mu stared blankly. He'd just given one to Meng Wanyue — and now got another?
Where were these when he'd actually needed them?!
Ding! +30 Cultivation Points.
Ding! +20 Attribute Points.
He nodded in satisfaction. Steady gains were fine too — they built a stronger foundation.
During his last fight with Lin Yan, he'd been sent flying by a single strike enhanced with a forbidden pill, crashing into a tree hard enough to snap it in half.
But aside from a bit of pain at impact, he'd gotten right back up, unscathed.
Ding! Congratulations, Host — gained title: Intermediate Alchemist.
Xu Mu clenched his fist. "Perfect."
A very good ten-draw.
Not only another Qi Sea Pill but also an upgraded alchemy rank — that meant once he gathered the right ingredients, his pills would be even stronger.
He spent his newly earned points, feeling his body strengthen once more.
Then he checked his stats again:
Name: Xu Mu
Identity: Villain's Holy Body, HR Manager of Xu Group
Realm: Early Mystic Art Realm
Physique: 680
Spirit: 680
Cultivation Points: 335 / 800
Fate Power: 1032
Xu Mu smiled. His panel looked more impressive than ever.
Just then, he sensed movement — Ye Tong was home.
She stepped through the door, smiling warmly. "You're back early today."
"You seem in a good mood," Xu Mu said, gesturing for her to come closer. "Something happen?"
"Yeah," Ye Tong said happily. "My brother called — he's back in the country."
"Ye Chen?"
Xu Mu's eyes narrowed slightly. Judging from Ye Tong's bright smile, he knew this so-called "brother" could be a problem.
Even if she only saw him as family… he wasn't sure Ye Chen felt the same way.
"Mhm, that's him," Ye Tong said, still smiling.
"What does he want?" Xu Mu asked calmly.