Xu Mu used the reflection on the elevator doors to observe Shingū Fūka beside him.
He had to admit—her aura was exceptional. There was something ethereal about her, an almost otherworldly grace he'd never encountered before.
The elevator doors slid open.
Hands in his pockets, Xu Mu walked toward the hotel exit.
But the moment he stepped outside, Dai Dongyang appeared in the distance.
Xu Mu approached calmly, stopping right in front of him and meeting his eyes. "Waiting for me?"
"That's right."
Dai Dongyang raised a finger and suddenly pointed at Xu Mu's chest.
Then, with a cold smile, he said, "Come with me. I'll take you somewhere."
He was already making a move to grab Xu Mu—but Xu Mu stood firmly in place, completely unaffected.
"What are you poking me for? Courtesy demands reciprocity. Let me poke you too."
Xu Mu tapped a finger against Dai Dongyang's chest.
Dai Dongyang's eyes widened in disbelief. He staggered back, clutching his chest, and felt his suit fabric torn open—the spot Xu Mu had touched now ached sharply.
When he looked at his hand, there was blood.
His expression turned grim. "You… you're also an ancient martial artist?"
"Your body's too fragile," Xu Mu said casually. "It's like paper—poke it and it tears."
Xu Mu no longer feared the Dai family. If Dai Dongyang was seeking death, he wouldn't hesitate to oblige.
"Interesting. I'll remember you," Dai Dongyang said darkly, glancing down at the slow trickle of blood before turning to leave.
So, the man before him was a true expert. Still, his Dai family was a hidden clan—this wouldn't be the end of it.
Xu Mu chuckled lightly. At least Dai Dongyang had enough sense to retreat when he realized he wasn't a match.
But of course, he wouldn't let the matter go.
Xu Mu needed to prepare a foolproof plan.
Checking the time, he decided to drive home.
He'd planned to visit Meng Wanyue but ended up delayed by this little episode.
Instead, he sent her a message, inviting her over for dinner that night.
Perfect timing to test Ye Tong's double effect.
When he parked in the underground garage, he sensed that both Ye Tong and Ye Yu were already home.
Opening the door, he froze.
Besides Ye Tong and Ye Yu—there was another woman sitting on the sofa. Feng Yue.
So much for "boundaries."
On the coffee table were cherries and lychees.
The three women sat together, chatting and laughing.
The peaceful, harmonious scene left Xu Mu momentarily stunned.
Ye Tong was one thing—but Ye Yu being so calm? That was not normal.
"This must be your husband? As expected, so distinguished and handsome."
Feng Yue clasped Ye Tong's hand and looked at Xu Mu as if meeting him for the first time.
"That's right, this is my husband, Xu Mu," Ye Tong said with a gentle smile.
"Brother-in-law, you're back!" Ye Yu jumped up. "This is our new neighbor. She brought fruit to visit!"
Xu Mu gave an awkward smile. "Hello."
"I'm Feng Yue. Let's get along well as neighbors," she said, walking over and winking at him.
"Welcome," Xu Mu replied.
Just then, the doorbell rang again. He sensed it—it was Meng Wanyue.
Now it wasn't just three women—it was four.
He went to open the door and invited her in.
With four of them here, Xu Mu decided it was time to perform. Tonight's Fate Points would all depend on this.
"Wanyue, come sit!" Ye Tong waved her over warmly.
Meng Wanyue shyly sat beside her. Ye Tong took her hand, smiling so sweetly that she couldn't hide her joy.
Perfect—another teammate added to the ranks.
Ye Tong silently vowed to keep these women close and make Xu Mu pay for all his teasing someday.
"Wanyue, this is our new neighbor, Feng Yue," Ye Tong introduced.
"You're so beautiful," Feng Yue said sincerely. "I'm jealous of you young girls—I'm getting old."
"Not at all—you still look young," Meng Wanyue replied politely.
"I'll go cook," Xu Mu said. "Since there are more of you today, you can all taste my cooking."
"What? Mr. Xu can cook too? I'm so jealous! To live under the same roof with such a man—how lucky you are," Feng Yue said with admiration.
Her words were partly teasing, but the envy was genuine.
A master like Xu Mu, cooking at home—she never would've guessed.
Above her head, black text appeared:
[Favorability +10]
Ye Yu folded her arms proudly. Her adorable face beamed—praise for her brother-in-law made her happy too.
[Favorability +10]
Meng Wanyue snuck a glance at Xu Mu—why did he seem even more handsome today?
[Favorability +10]
Then above Ye Tong's head:
[Favorability +30]
Xu Mu almost laughed aloud. As expected of his wife—her double-effect ability was ridiculously strong.
If more women joined later, with Ye Tong's multiplier, wouldn't his Fate Points skyrocket?
"If the food isn't good, don't mind it," Xu Mu said with a grin. "It's just that with so many beauties here, it's hard to concentrate."
[Favorability +10]
[Favorability +10]
[Favorability +15]
[Favorability +35]
Nice!
The Fate Points were pouring in. Xu Mu couldn't help smiling as he hurried into the kitchen.
But before he could start cooking—the doorbell rang again.
"I'll get it!" Ye Yu hopped off the sofa.
Through the camera feed, she saw a familiar woman and opened the door.
A short-haired woman in a trench coat walked in—Xiao Ran, one of the Dragon King's subordinates.
Meng Wanyue immediately stood up. "Sister Ran."
"My, it's lively in here," Xiao Ran said with a smile as she entered.
Xu Mu stepped out of the kitchen holding a ladle. His brows furrowed at first, then relaxed into a polite smile.
"You're just in time—dinner's almost ready."
The frown had been for a reason—Xiao Ran's presence could only mean one thing: she was sent by the Dragon King, Ye Chen.
"I didn't expect you to actually know how to cook," Xiao Ran said.
"Then I must try your food."
Above her head appeared black text:
[Favorability +6]
And above Ye Tong's, the same number appeared.
"Sister Ran, what brings you here?" Meng Wanyue asked.
She had already decided—no matter what the Dragon King ordered, she wouldn't leave.
"My purpose is simple," Xiao Ran said, smiling at Ye Tong and Ye Yu. "I need a few strands of your hair—and a little of your blood."
"What do you want that for?" Feng Yue asked warily.
Xu Mu stepped forward with the dishes, his eyes narrowing slightly.
So it was happening already.
It seemed the Dragon King had discovered that Ye Tong and Ye Yu weren't related to him by blood.
Which meant the next move—Ye Chen would come to Jiang City to pursue Ye Tong himself.