Xu Mu glanced to his left, then to his right.
Fierce. Dominant.
But the two women standing beside him were completely different types.
The most direct contrast was that Sister Yun had a soft, voluptuous figure, while Xu Ningbing possessed flawless proportions.
At first glance, Xu Ningbing's presence was simply more overwhelming.
It all came down to contrast — her slender waist made her curves seem even more striking.
Xu Mu's imagination started running wild again. What if he were to experience both women's Water-Fusion Technique at the same time?
Would even his nearly one-thousand physique be able to endure it?
"Wasn't she working at the Yang City branch?"
Xu Ningbing glanced sideways at him.
"Her daughter was framed," Xu Mu replied. "I've already found the evidence. I was going to ask Dad to arrange a lawyer to help her. The people who set up her daughter are the same ones who smeared our Xu family earlier."
Hearing that, Xu Ningbing frowned.
"No need to bother our father. Come to my office. I'll sign the approval myself."
"Thank you, President Xu."
Sister Yun's face filled with gratitude.
To her, whether it was the chairman or the president — they were both towering figures she could only look up to.
President's Office
It was Sister Yun's first time entering the Xu Group's head office, and she couldn't help feeling nervous.
She had heard plenty of stories about Xu Ningbing — the "Iron-Blooded President," known for her decisiveness and no-nonsense authority.
And indeed, just from her aura alone, Sister Yun could tell she wasn't an ordinary woman.
A short while later, there was a knock at the door.
"Come in," Xu Ningbing said calmly.
The door opened, and a middle-aged man in a business suit and black-rimmed glasses entered with a polite smile.
"President, you called for me?"
"This is Li Yun, the supervisor from our Yang City branch. Her daughter was framed. You'll assist her fully," Xu Ningbing said evenly.
"Understood."
The man nodded.
"Xiao Mu, President Xu — thank you both."
Sister Yun's voice trembled with emotion.
"Sister Yun, go ahead and handle your business," Xu Mu said with a grin, waving her off.
"Alright."
Sister Yun's cheeks flushed slightly. Being called "Sister Yun" in front of others made her feel oddly shy.
[Favorability +10]
She left the office with the middle-aged man to explain the case in detail.
As soon as the door closed, Xu Mu turned to his sister.
"Sis, I've got something good again — want it?"
"What is it?"
Xu Ningbing instantly rose from her chair and, in the blink of an eye, appeared beside him, clutching his arm.
"Weren't you all cold and dignified a second ago? That changed fast."
Xu Mu sighed helplessly.
She must have been jealous earlier, seeing him get close to another well-endowed woman.
"I'm the president. Of course I have to act imposing in front of outsiders."
Xu Ningbing pressed closer, hugging his arm.
"So, Xiao Mu, what is it?"
Feeling the softness against his arm, Xu Mu cleared his throat.
"Nothing much — just a Qi Sea Pill."
He took out a gleaming pill.
"Another one?"
Xu Ningbing's eyes went wide as she quickly took it from him.
[Favorability +15]
She already knew from their father how rare Qi Sea Pills were — even in powerful hidden sects, only geniuses or those with deep backgrounds could afford them.
To think that Xu Mu had given her several already!
"So, do you like it?" Xu Mu teased.
"I love it."
She nodded vigorously.
After giving her the pill, Xu Mu excused himself.
He still needed to meet Meng Wanyue.
He planned to bring her along for the upcoming ancient ruins expedition — exploring such places alone was inefficient. It was better to have capable allies searching together.
He called her on the way and learned she was training in a forest outside the city.
When he arrived, Meng Wanyue wiped the sweat from her brow and greeted him.
"President Xu, what brings you here?"
"I came bearing gifts," Xu Mu said, taking out three Qi Sea Pills. "Take one every three days and see how far your realm improves."
"President Xu… three Qi Sea Pills? These are Grade-7 pills…"
Meng Wanyue was stunned — that level of pill was priceless.
"Just take them."
Xu Mu caught her hand and placed the pills in her palm.
[Favorability +20]
Her eyes turned red with emotion. She had never met a man willing to invest so much in her.
"Manager Xu! I'll definitely grow stronger!"
"I believe you. I'll be counting on you from now on."
Xu Mu patted her back lightly.
"Yes!"
Her gaze was firm. She was no longer the same woman she used to be — she now had her own faith and ambition.
Even if Ye Chen ordered her to leave Xu Mu, she wouldn't obey.
She'd rather become his enemy.
Later, Xu Mu drove toward Yang City.
On the highway, he messaged Dai Xingluo, learning that she was, as usual, at the antique shop.
He decided to visit her next — he'd recently had a run-in with Dai Dongyang, and it was the perfect chance to hear her thoughts.
If her answer pleased him, he planned to give her not only a Qi Sea Pill but also the Fire Phoenix Sword.
Inside the Antique Shop
Li Zizai was dusting porcelain with a feather duster, while Dai Xingluo sat at a table in a flowing hanfu, long hair cascading over her shoulders.
A delicate begonia hairpin shimmered in her hair as she brewed tea with graceful movements.
Xu Mu paused at the doorway, momentarily mesmerized — she looked like a celestial maiden straight out of an ancient painting.
But beneath that beauty was a dangerously unstable personality.
"Xingluo."
He smiled as he entered.
She lifted her eyes slightly, then lowered them again.
"I was beginning to wonder which of your little sisters you were amusing yourself with, big brother. You've ignored me for days."
"I've been out treasure hunting. I brought something special for you."
He sat down across from her.
"Hmph. Maybe it's just something the other girls didn't want, and you're using it to fob me off?"
Her gaze dimmed with hurt.
Xu Mu didn't answer — he simply took out two Qi Sea Pills and placed them before her.
Her hands froze mid-pour; her eyes went wide.
Then she lowered her head and smiled softly.
"Then it seems little sister was wrong to doubt you."
[Favorability +10]
Off to the side, Li Zizai could only sigh with envy.
Two whole Qi Sea Pills! If only he were a woman…
"Of course it was your fault," Xu Mu said lightly, folding his arms.
"Big brother, let me pour you some tea."
She smiled sweetly, handing him a cup.
"That's better."
Xu Mu accepted it, then asked casually,
"A few days ago I had a conflict with someone — Dai Dongyang."
Hearing the name, Dai Xingluo's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Did big brother kill him?"