Dai Xingluo thought for a moment and realized things weren't that simple.
Earlier, when that girl Ye Yu called Xu Mu brother-in-law, she had instinctively let down her guard.
But thinking deeper — Ye Yu was related only to Ye Tong.
She had no real relation to Xu Mu.
Which meant… she could also be a rival.
From what Dai Xingluo knew, there were indeed cases among hidden clans or sects where powerful men married sisters.
And there were advantages to that.
After all, she had always worried that women from hidden families could never truly unite.
But if the two women were sisters, it might actually prevent that issue altogether.
"Brother, this one's good — try it!"
Dai Xingluo picked up a piece of crispy pork and placed it in Xu Mu's bowl — right on top of the piece Ye Yu had just served.
Ye Yu's eyes narrowed.
Just as she suspected — this woman's relationship with her brother-in-law was definitely not "just friends."
She glanced at Ye Tong, who was still smiling and eating, completely unconcerned.
Ye Yu sighed inwardly. Sister… can't you tell?
Looks like she'd have to guard her brother-in-law herself.
Xu Mu kept his head down, quietly eating. Both Ye Yu and Dai Xingluo were troublesome — better to stay low-key and avoid letting them clash.
"Brother, Sister Ye Tong's cooking is so good! Try this one, ah~"
Dai Xingluo held a cube of beef up to Xu Mu's lips.
Xu Mu noticed Ye Yu glaring coldly at him and coughed lightly. "I'll do it myself."
"Ah, you dislike using the same chopsticks as me. Sigh… I really overestimated our relationship."
Dai Xingluo sighed dramatically.
"Eat it. She's offering it to you," Ye Tong said with a gentle smile, nudging Xu Mu's shoulder.
Xu Mu froze. What's that supposed to mean? Is she teasing me?
Before he could say anything, Dai Xingluo pressed the piece of beef right to his lips, rubbing it against them.
"Sister already said it's fine."
Xu Mu had no choice but to open his mouth and eat it.
"Good, right?" Dai Xingluo asked with a bright smile.
"Well, it is my wife's cooking," Xu Mu said awkwardly, glancing at Ye Tong — who was smiling back at him.
Now he was completely lost. What the hell is going on?
"Brother-in-law! I can't reach that dish over there!"
Ye Yu finally couldn't hold back anymore — did they really think there were no other people in the house?
"I'll get it for you."
Xu Mu hurriedly picked up a piece for her.
But before he could drop it into her bowl, Ye Yu leaned forward, opening her mouth. "Ah~"
What the—?!
Xu Mu cursed under his breath, but still followed her cue and fed it directly to her.
Ye Yu smiled brightly, showing two adorable dimples. "Sister's cooking really is delicious!"
Dai Xingluo clenched her fists. This little brat is no pushover.
"Brother…"
"Brother-in-law…"
Xu Mu froze at their double call, then quickly set his chopsticks down. "I'm full."
He got up and sat on the sofa.
If this followed the novel's original plot—
Dai Xingluo would have been killed by the Dragon King, and Ye Yu would eventually become part of his harem and a future powerhouse.
But now, Xu Mu had changed the outcome.
Dai Xingluo wouldn't die — and her current strength far exceeded Ye Yu's.
If this continued, the two might end up as rivals.
Xu Mu rubbed his forehead. In novels, he had always envied those protagonists with massive harems, all living in harmony.
But reality… wasn't that simple.
Just dealing with Dai Xingluo and Ye Yu was already giving him a headache.
If one day Xu Ningbing joined the mix, his house might literally explode.
Ye Yu and Dai Xingluo glared at each other — the air between them crackling like lightning.
After finishing their meals, both girls walked toward Xu Mu.
"Brother-in-law, do you even know what 'avoiding suspicion' means?"
Ye Yu sat beside him, pointing at Dai Xingluo. "Is she really your friend? You two are way too close!"
"I agree," Dai Xingluo added sweetly. "Brother should be more careful — look, she's holding your hand."
Ye Yu, instead of letting go, gripped even tighter and stuck out her tongue. "Bleh~ We're not the same!"
"Oh? How are you different? You're still a child?"
Dai Xingluo sat down on his other side, smiling. "Your sister is Brother's wife — you're not."
"I…"
"Or is it that you like Brother too, and want to be his wife?"
Dai Xingluo asked with a teasing grin. "Aren't you ashamed, betraying your sister like that?"
"You—!"
Ye Yu's cheeks turned scarlet. She glanced at Xu Mu and quickly released his hand.
She had hidden her feelings so well… did this wicked woman really see through her?
If her sister found out, how would she ever face her again?
"Xingluo! Enough nonsense!"
Xu Mu scolded sharply, then pulled Ye Yu into his arms. "Our relationship isn't something you can stir up!"
[Favorability +20]
Ye Yu blushed even deeper, her heart pounding.
Her biggest fear wasn't Xu Mu — it was Ye Tong.
She knew Ye Tong was gentle and easygoing, but that didn't mean she didn't have a temper.
She worried this whole mess might drive a wedge between them as sisters.
"Look! I just said a few words, and Brother's already like this. Fine, I'll admit it's my fault," Dai Xingluo said, feigning guilt.
"Hahaha, it feels like our home's getting livelier by the day."
Ye Tong walked over with a bright smile. "Xingluo, why don't you stay tonight and rest here?"
Dai Xingluo froze. Wait—this is moving too fast, isn't it?
"Sister, I still have things to do. I'm afraid I can't stay tonight."
She shook her head. Ye Tong's warmth was overwhelming — she needed time to process this.
Originally, she'd come here planning to drive Ye Tong away and take her place.
But after seeing what kind of person Ye Tong was… she wasn't sure anymore.
She needed to go back and investigate properly.
If Ye Tong really wasn't faking it — if she was genuinely this kind —
then Dai Xingluo would acknowledge her.
But no one else could ever have Xu Mu.
"That's a pity. Next time then — come by often," Ye Tong said kindly.
"I will, Sister."
Dai Xingluo waved to Xu Mu. "Goodbye, Brother."
Xu Mu nodded.
After she left, Ye Tong started tidying the table, humming a little tune — clearly in high spirits.
Xu Mu and Ye Yu exchanged looks. Something's off.
Ye Tong was way too cheerful.
Was she humming to mask her anger?
Both of them began to wonder if they had somehow upset her.
Xu Mu suspected it was because of Dai Xingluo.
Ye Yu, on the other hand, feared her sister had figured out she liked Xu Mu too.
Xu Mu sighed deeply. Looked like tonight, he'd have to… "repay" Ye Tong properly.