Xu Mu set the dishes on the table, debating whether to stop Xiao Ran.
After thinking it over, he decided not to.
If he interfered, Ye Chen definitely wouldn't let it go—and might even suspect Xu Mu had known all along.
Better to let things play out naturally.
With Ye Tong's Favorability already maxed, he didn't believe Ye Chen could steal her away.
"Hair is fine, but why do you need blood?" Xu Mu asked Xiao Ran.
Ye Tong and Ye Yu both looked over, waiting for an answer.
"Our boss found an important lead," Xiao Ran said. "But I can't tell you yet. Once the investigation is confirmed, my boss will explain it personally."
She didn't reveal more because, for now, Ye Chen only had a hypothesis.
He'd already obtained conclusive evidence that their birth times didn't match, so he wanted DNA tests to see whether the three of them were blood-related.
"Have Ye Chen call personally," Xu Mu said.
Xiao Ran nodded—fair enough. Asking for someone's blood without cause would naturally raise suspicion.
She dialed and handed the phone to Ye Tong.
Xu Mu went back to bring out more food; soon the table was filled with delicious dishes.
Ye Tong finished the call on the living-room sofa, then returned the phone to Xiao Ran at the table.
"What's the situation?" Xu Mu asked, feigning ignorance.
"Lately my little brother's been investigating our parents," Ye Tong explained. "But he found we three might not share the same mother."
"What? Not the same mother? That old man had other wives?" Ye Yu jolted.
"Not you," Ye Tong said, taking a seat. "When Mom had you, I was old enough to remember—her big belly is clear in my mind.
So it's likely just me and Ye Chen—same father, different mother."
She took it in stride. No matter who she once was, now she was Xu family's daughter-in-law.
Still, thinking back, it did seem possible.
She remembered her father often telling stories about powerful hidden clans that kept traditional customs—
men marrying multiple women. Maybe he'd already had such ideas back then.
"All right, let's eat first," Xu Mu said to the group. "Try my cooking."
Xiao Ran picked up her chopsticks. "Then I won't stand on ceremony."
She took a bite of sweet-and-sour crispy pork. After just two chews, her eyes widened.
[Favorability +6]
"Delicious! Worth the reputation!"
She gave repeated thumbs-up.
Ye Tong's head also showed a Favorability prompt.
Feng Yue, curious, tasted a piece—and drew a sharp breath. She'd followed rich ladies to many high-end restaurants,
but Xu Mu's flavors surpassed most of them.
"So good I almost want to marry into this big family—eat like this every day? I'd even be willing to be the mistress."
Feng Yue beamed.
[Favorability +10]
"Great, great—welcome to join us," Ye Tong said, then looked at Meng Wanyue.
"Wanyue, you too. We can all sleep together—there's plenty of room."
Ye Yu didn't react; she knew her sister was joking.
But Feng Yue and Meng Wanyue were stunned.
Especially Feng Yue—she'd just been testing Ye Tong with that line, to see her reaction.
And this was the reaction? It was like Ye Tong wanted her to come.
Even knowing Ye Tong was teasing, Meng Wanyue's face still looked a bit unnatural.
"Enough joking, let's eat," Xu Mu reminded.
Ye Tong sneaked a glance at him. She wasn't joking—she was serious.
Her grand plan could only be carried out by herself.
A strong ox can plow one mu with ease—
But ten mu? A hundred?
Even the strongest ox would drop dead from exhaustion.
After dinner, Xiao Ran took out four clear sample bags, labeled for Ye Tong and Ye Yu.
The sisters cooperated, each providing several strands of hair.
Xiao Ran produced a small blade, nicked each of their fingertips, and collected a little fresh blood.
"Done. I won't intrude any longer," Xiao Ran said, sealing the bags.
"I'll see you out, Sister Ran," Meng Wanyue said, following.
"I'll go," Xu Mu patted Meng Wanyue's shoulder, then followed Xiao Ran outside.
At the villa entrance, Xiao Ran smiled. "No need to walk me out—my car's just ahead."
"Injured again?" Xu Mu asked, hands in his pockets.
She paused for a beat, then chuckled. "As expected of the Divine Doctor."
"You still haven't healed from last time and you got hurt again. Can't you cherish yourself a little?"
Xu Mu frowned, his tone a little stern.
Xiao Ran's smile slowly faded. No one had really said something like that to her before.
[Favorability +20]
"Learn to refuse. If Ye Chen gives you dangerous assignments again, just say you need to recuperate."
"You don't understand. Ye Chen saved my life," she said, shaking her head.
"I didn't save you?" Xu Mu countered. "If I hadn't acted last time, how long do you think you would've lived?"
He was overstating it—her previous injuries weren't truly fatal.
But he meant to say it that way; a loyal woman like Xiao Ran needed to feel she owed him.
[Favorability +10]
Xiao Ran started to speak, swallowed, then stayed quiet.
Thinking it over—Xu Mu had a point. She'd coughed blood and her body had been terribly weak—maybe a prelude to death.
"Come, let me check your injuries," Xu Mu said, taking her hand and closing his eyes to sense.
Staring at his face, Xiao Ran murmured, "I'm a little jealous of Ye Tong."
"What's there to be jealous of?" Xu Mu asked lightly.
"She has such a good man," Xiao Ran smiled.
"Stop teasing." Xu Mu let go, took out his phone. "Let's add contacts. I'll send you an herbal prescription.
It's only external trauma this time—some conditioning will do."
"As expected of the Divine Doctor—this time it is external trauma," Xiao Ran said, exchanging contacts. "I'm off."
Hands in her trench-coat pockets, she hurried away.
Even she didn't know why—why did she feel uneasy staying near Xu Mu?
Was it his sense of security making her let her guard down?
Xu Mu watched her go and shook his head.
If he could win over one of the Dragon King's right-hand women, that would be a tremendous boon.
Just as he turned back toward the villa, Feng Yue and Ye Yu came out together.
"Brother-in-law! I'm going to Sister Feng Yue's place to hang out. I'll be back in a bit," Ye Yu said with a smile.
"Okay," Xu Mu replied, though inwardly he grew more curious.
What common ground did these two schemers find?
They headed for the neighboring villa.
The moment Ye Yu stepped in, she asked with guarded eyes: "How did you figure it out?"