Feng Yue rolled her eyes. How could I not notice? Anyone with half a brain could tell Ye Yu liked Xu Mu.
Still, she kept her composure, smiling faintly. "I could see it in your expression—you like Xu Mu."
Ye Yu refused to let herself be cornered. She shrugged. "So what if I do? He's the person closest to me—besides my sister."
"I'm not talking about that kind of liking," Feng Yue said softly. "I mean love."
She pushed open the villa door. Inside, the layout resembled Xu Mu's home, though it was decorated much more warmly.
Ye Yu followed her in, realizing with alarm that despite her efforts to hide it, this woman had seen straight through her heart.
If Feng Yue ever used that against her in the future, what would she do?
"Don't talk nonsense," Ye Yu said flatly, folding her arms. "I don't like Xu Mu. He even made me sleep in a doghouse once."
"Oh? So you two play it that rough?" Feng Yue said teasingly, eyes gleaming.
"I…" Ye Yu hesitated, then said, "Just tell me what you're after. Why bring this up?"
"I want to help you. It's pointless to pine in secret—your love's one-sided. You and him are impossible."
Feng Yue went to the coffee bar, poured herself a cup, and continued.
"How could you possibly help me?" Ye Yu asked, no longer denying anything—she wanted to see what this woman's game was.
"Some things have to break the singularity," Feng Yue said, holding her cup and turning to face Ye Yu. "Xu Mu and Ye Tong are married—that's the singular bond. You could intervene, but you don't have the heart to do it."
She smiled knowingly. "Am I wrong?"
Ye Yu fell silent. She knew her sister too well—if she confessed to Ye Tong that she loved Xu Mu, her sister might feel hurt, but in the end, she'd probably accept it… maybe even step aside herself.
"You're right," Ye Yu admitted quietly. "She's my sister. I don't want to make things hard for her."
"Then let someone else break the singular bond. You just have to step in afterward."
Feng Yue crossed her legs and leaned back on the sofa.
"What do you mean?" Ye Yu frowned.
"Find a third party—say, that Wanyue girl from dinner today. Try to pair them up."
Feng Yue's tone was calm and calculating. "If she becomes another wife to Xu Mu, what do you think will happen?"
Ye Yu blinked in confusion. "Just tell me."
"If Meng Wanyue becomes his wife too, even if Ye Tong doesn't like it, her resentment will fall on Wanyue, not you."
Feng Yue sipped her coffee and set the cup down. "She'd see Wanyue as the one who broke the bond. When you step up after that—would your sister really refuse you?"
"This…"
"Your sister would probably welcome it. You're family—closer than anyone else. You could look after each other."
Feng Yue smiled meaningfully at Ye Yu.
"You—you don't also have feelings for my brother-in-law, do you? Trying to swoop in while you can?" Ye Yu asked suspiciously, pointing at her.
"Cough…" Feng Yue looked flustered, but quickly denied it. "Of course not! I'm only thinking of you."
"Yeah, right."
Ye Yu saw through her instantly—but she had to admit, the logic made sense.
Break the singularity.
If someone else upset the balance first, even if Ye Tong felt uncomfortable, she'd resent the first woman.
Then Ye Yu's entry would seem natural—acceptable, even.
After all, once there were already two, what harm would a third do?
"This damn brother-in-law," Ye Yu muttered. "What's so special about him that every woman likes him?"
She sighed—but deep down, she knew the answer. He's too good to ignore.
Meanwhile, Xu Mu sat on the sofa discussing Meng Wanyue's recent progress.
He learned she could now perform her new technique smoothly, though still with some roughness—already impressive, considering it was a Earth-Grade martial art.
After seeing her off, Ye Tong went to wash the dishes.
"Where's Xiao Yu? Why isn't she back yet?" she asked when she came out of the kitchen.
"Don't worry. She's just next door—nothing dangerous."
Xu Mu extended his perception and confirmed Ye Yu was still chatting with Feng Yue.
He couldn't imagine what those two had in common.
"Husband, that Feng Yue—isn't she the same bar owner from before?" Ye Tong asked, looping her arm through his.
"You already know?" Xu Mu raised a brow, then smiled. Of course—Ye Tong wasn't a fool.
"Yes, but I actually like her," Ye Tong said with a laugh.
Xu Mu gave her a long look, then led her toward the bedroom—for their usual remodeling session.
"Xiao Yu isn't back yet," Ye Tong blushed, her cheeks red. "She'll have to walk past our door."
"So what? Even if she stays in her room, she can still hear everything, can't she?"
Xu Mu tapped her forehead. "Besides, the noise comes from you."
Ye Tong's blush deepened to her ears. This man is impossible!
Looks like she'd have to accelerate her plan—to hear Xu Mu personally utter the sacred trinity of words:
I'm tired. I'm not in the mood. Next time, I'll make it up to you.
The next morning.
Xu Mu woke up, checked his system panel—and found he had enough Fate Points for two ten-draws.
He spun the wheel.
After provoking Dai Dongyang from the Dai family, he knew trouble was coming. The stronger he got, the safer he'd be.
[Ding! Congratulations, host obtained 20 Cultivation Points.]
[Ding! Congratulations, host obtained 20 Attribute Points.]
Xu Mu nodded. Back to normal rewards.
[Ding! Congratulations, host obtained Hall-Level Voice Actor Certificate.]
Voice actor? Seiyuu?
He hadn't expected that—but it was still a skill. The more he knew, the more paths opened up.
[Ding! Congratulations, host obtained Grade-7 Pill: Qi Sea Pill.]
Xu Mu sighed. This system sure loves Qi Sea Pills.
Maybe it knew he needed them. He decided to divide them up tomorrow.
[Ding! Congratulations, host obtained 30 Cultivation Points.]
…
…
[Ding! Congratulations, host obtained Grade-2 Pill: Ear Spirit Pill.]
The last wasn't a jackpot, but still useful.
He checked the voice-actor certificate—and was shocked.
It allowed him to perfectly imitate any voice—man, woman, child, or elder.
That would be invaluable for disguise later.
Just as he turned to study the new pill, his phone rang.
He glanced at the caller—Li Yun.
Xu Mu frowned, puzzled, and picked up.
"Auntie, calling so early—what's wrong?"
"Xiao Mu, help! Please help!" Li Yun's voice trembled with panic.
"Yingying—something happened to Yingying!"
"What happened?" Xu Mu's expression darkened.
"She… she might've hit someone with her car!" Li Yun's choked voice came through the receiver.