Feng Yue smiled bitterly, realizing that the clown was herself.

Feng Yue stood dumbfounded, her mind blank and her mouth hanging open wide enough to fit an egg.

She looked down at the gaping hole in front of her—Xu Mu had punched straight through it.

Peering through the hole, she could see the warehouse of her hotel below.

Thankfully, no one was down there, or the falling concrete might have injured a guest.

Otherwise, she’d not only have to pay compensation but also shut down for renovations.

After the initial shock, she raised her head to stare at Xu Mu, feeling an unfamiliarity she couldn’t shake.

Was this really the same good-for-nothing playboy from before?

Though his face was the same, his expression, posture, and aura were entirely different.

Feng Yue began to wonder—when had he started changing?

She wasn’t a martial artist, nor did she understand martial arts, but she could still recognize destructive power when she saw it.

Xu Mu had just casually struck from a distance, effortlessly surpassing anything Lin Yang had ever shown.

Of course, it was possible Lin Yang had merely been holding back, not using his full strength.

"Xu… you’ve hidden yourself well," Feng Yue murmured, still unable to believe it.

She suddenly realized Xu Mu felt like a stranger now.

Yet, she didn’t dislike this version of him. In fact, she found his current demeanor far more dignified.

[Affection +10]

Xu Mu himself was a little stunned. He hadn’t even used his full strength—just a simple demonstration—yet the effect was this overwhelming.

And this was only an Earth-grade technique. What would Heaven-grade or even higher be like?

No wonder Meng Wanyue had been so shocked when he gave her an Earth-grade technique.

Xu Mu forced himself to stay calm. He’d played the part this far—he had to see it through smoothly.

If he got scared by his own power, that’d be downright embarrassing.

Hands clasped behind his back, his expression cool and detached, Xu Mu spoke, "I’ll ask one last time—are you willing to work for me? If you agree, I’ll help you deal with the Feng Family."

"And if I refuse?" Feng Yue studied his profile.

"Then I walk away now. From this moment on, whatever you do is none of my concern."

Xu Mu turned and strode toward the door. "You don’t have to answer now. I’ll give you a few days to think it over."

Without another glance back, he left.

Feng Yue stared blankly at the hole in the floor, lost in thought.

Lin Yang, a martial artist himself, had only dared to send assassins after Xu Mu. Maybe Lin Yang had seen through him long ago.

While she had remained clueless.

Suddenly, Feng Yue snapped her head up, eyes fixed on the doorway.

Had Xu Mu gotten close to her just to extract information?

Had he known all along that she had a spy planted in the Xu Corporation?

Otherwise, why target this playboy after Lin Yang’s failure, instead of going after Xu Shou directly?

"How terrifying…"

Feng Yue sucked in a sharp breath, recalling the surveillance footage Lin Yang had—the very footage Xu Mu had mentioned.

Maybe Xu Mu had let Lin Yang see it on purpose.

A bitter laugh escaped her. So, the one being played like a fool all along… was her.

——

"Brother-in-law! Where did you go?"

Ye Yu had been pulled out of the bar by Xu Mu. The security guards had blocked her from seeing what happened upstairs.

"I saw someone on the second floor taking sneaky photos of you. Went to have a word with them."

Xu Mu tossed out a casual excuse.

[Affection +10]

"What? Someone was taking pictures of me? Brother-in-law, are you okay?" Ye Yu asked, concerned.

"I’m fine."

Xu Mu waved it off with a smile. "Let’s head back before your sister starts worrying."

"Okay!"

Ye Yu nodded cheerfully, clinging to Xu Mu’s arm the entire way.

She didn’t even know why, but holding onto him just felt… inexplicably comforting.

——

Back at the hotel.

Xu Mu pushed open the door to find Ye Tong and Meng Wanyue watching TV.

"Sis! We’re back! Brought you some desserts!"

Ye Yu trotted over, swinging the dessert bag.

Xu Mu chuckled and flopped onto the bed. After a whole day of running around, he could finally rest.

He sat for a bit, then excused himself to the bathroom. Once done, he planned to shoo Ye Yu and Meng Wanyue out.

Just as he stepped out, a knock came at the door.

"Who is it?"

Xu Mu called out before opening it.

Outside stood a woman in her thirties with bleached blonde hair and a long dress.

Her looks were average—neither ugly nor particularly pretty—but her figure was slightly plump.

"Can I help you?" Xu Mu frowned.

"Handsome, could you let me stay the night?"

The woman put on a pitiful expression.

Xu Mu eyed her skeptically. "What’s going on?"

"My boyfriend keeps hitting me. I can’t take it anymore. He’s chasing me, saying he’ll ruin my face. I just need a place to hide for tonight."

As she spoke, she rubbed her eyes as if holding back tears.

"Who’s there?"

Ye Yu bounded over, having heard a woman’s voice.

Ye Tong and Meng Wanyue followed.

When the woman saw the three women behind Xu Mu, she froze.

Damn. Three of them?

Was this guy some kind of superman?

Given the hotel’s king-sized bed, it was safe to assume these four weren’t here for mahjong.

"You said your boyfriend’s hitting you?" Ye Tong asked.

"Yeah. He’s coming after me. I just need to hide, but… looks like you’re all busy here."

The woman turned to leave. Clearly, these people were in the same line of work—no way they’d fall for her act.

"Yeah, not the best timing," Xu Mu said, waving her off before shutting the door.

"We should help her," Ye Tong said suddenly.

Xu Mu sighed. "Odds are she’s trouble—probably a setup. If she were really in danger, she’d call the police first."

"But what if she’s telling the truth?"

Ye Tong couldn’t explain why, but maybe it was because she’d been in a similar situation once.

"Fine. Let’s make a bet. If she’s a scammer, you do whatever I say tonight. If I’m wrong, I’ll do whatever you want."

Xu Mu smirked at Ye Tong.

"Brother-in-law, I wanna play too!" Ye Yu tugged at his sleeve.

"Buzz off. Kids shouldn’t meddle," Xu Mu scoffed, peeling her hand away.

"Humph!" Ye Yu puffed her cheeks and turned away.

"Then Ye Yu and I will team up against you," Ye Tong said, pulling her sister close.

Ye Yu nodded vigorously. She was convinced Xu Mu was just making excuses—afraid they’d compare him to his old self.

"Alright. I’ll let her stay in the other room."

Xu Mu took out his phone, started a video call with Ye Tong, and tucked it into his shirt pocket with the camera peeking out.

Preparations done, he opened the door again.

The woman was now knocking on another door down the hall.

"Hey! Over here! You can hide in my room," Xu Mu called, waving her over before unlocking the door to Ye Yu and Meng Wanyue’s room.

The woman hurried back. "Handsome, you’re not staying in that other room?"

"We’re just tourists in Yang City. Met them on the way. They called me over to fix their computer earlier."

Xu Mu finished speaking and turned to the woman, saying, "Come inside quickly and take shelter."

"Thank you," the woman replied with repeated nods.

Meanwhile, on the other side, the trio were all staring intently at Ye Tong's phone.