You The Guilt is Grave

Xu Mu watched as the man approached from a distance—Dai Xiao, the eldest son of the Dai Family's patriarch.

According to the plot, after the Dragon King seized control of the Xu Family, he set his sights on Yang City. His primary adversary? The Dai Family.

The Dai Family was nothing like the Feng Family—in fact, the two were worlds apart.

As Feng Yue had previously mentioned, Feng Kang of the Feng Family had married a woman from a reclusive, ancient lineage.

But the Dai Family? They were a reclusive, ancient lineage themselves.

Unlike the Xu Family, which had its fingers in every industry, the Dai Family operated only one company: Dai Holdings.

Yet this single company controlled numerous major enterprises, dominating nearly half of Jiangbei's economy.

Dai Xiao was a powerfully built man, dressed in a tailored suit, his hair cropped short in a crew cut, a black earring glinting in his left ear.

His gaze was imperious, exuding the aura of someone accustomed to authority.

Xu Mu knew all about his character.

The man was shameless, indulging in nightly revelries across Yang City.

But he was no fool—he had plenty of skills to back up his arrogance.

Feng Jian had originally intended to cause trouble for Su Ruiming, but the moment he spotted Dai Xiao, he hurried over, bowing respectfully. "Young Master Dai."

Dai Xiao barely spared him a glance before turning his attention to Xu Shou, a faint smile playing on his lips.

The surrounding businessmen all greeted him deferentially.

The Dai Family ranked first in Jiangbei’s financial hierarchy—countless small and mid-sized enterprises would claw their way through hell just to secure their investment.

"Welcome! It’s not that we didn’t invite you—we just didn’t dare assume the Dai Family would grace us with your presence," Xu Shou said with a practiced smile, though he knew full well that the Dai Family’s arrival was anything but friendly.

"If you don’t invite us, how would you know we wouldn’t come?"

As Dai Xiao spoke, his eyes landed on Xu Ningbing standing beside Xu Shou. His expression shifted to exaggerated surprise. "And this must be Miss Xu Ningbing?"

"Correct."

Xu Ningbing remained composed.

Dai Xiao’s gaze swept over her figure, lingering shamelessly on her chest before he remarked, "Truly, the rumors don’t do you justice."

Then his attention snapped to Mu Qingying nearby, his eyes widening again.

He strode over. "And who might this young lady be?"

"Ah! Mr. Dai, this is my daughter, Mu Qingying," Mu Yuansheng introduced with a polite smile.

Mu Yuansheng had a square jaw, a faint trace of stubble lining his face.

"So the Mu Family of Jiang City breeds beauties too. Impressive."

Dai Xiao smirked, turning back to Mu Qingying. "Miss Mu, are you married?"

"No. Why?" she replied coolly.

"A fortune-teller once told me my destiny lacks thunder. Who knew I’d find four bolts of lightning at this little gathering?"

Dai Xiao chuckled before locking eyes with her. "Let’s be honest—I’ve taken a liking to you."

The declaration sent a ripple of shock through the Jiang City businessmen.

But the Yang City crowd barely blinked—this was just Dai Xiao being Dai Xiao.

When he fancied a woman, he declared it outright. With so many eyes watching, few dared refuse him.

Arrogant as he was, Dai Xiao wasn’t stupid.

For instance, he’d never spoken like this to Xu Ningbing.

The Xu Family was currently the golden goose. Rumor had it that not just the Dai Family, but other reclusive lineages were eyeing their weight-loss drug.

For now, he wanted cooperation—not conflict.

But the Mu Family? Different story.

Though prestigious in Jiang City, they barely scraped the top five.

Beneath his notice.

"Young Master Xu! That guy’s stealing your thunder. Acting all high and mighty," Su Ruiming muttered, glaring across the room.

"Keep it down."

Xu Mu’s eyes narrowed. The plot had minor deviations, but the broad strokes matched his expectations.

Originally, Dai Xiao wasn’t supposed to meet Mu Qingying until after the Dragon King’s return.

His attempt to claim her would’ve ended with the Dragon King swooping in as the hero.

"Ah, Mr. Dai, you must be joking. Weren’t you already married?" Mu Yuansheng forced a smile, struggling to keep his composure.

"Surely a man like you understands how the Dai Family operates. No marriage certificate? Then I’m free to wed properly."

Dai Xiao’s grin never wavered.

Mu Yuansheng’s expression darkened. He’d heard the stories—Dai Xiao’s nightly escapades, his abuse of the Dai Family’s power.

Mu Yuansheng had only one daughter. Handing her over to this man? Unthinkable.

From her father’s reaction, Mu Qingying grasped Dai Xiao’s influence. Even Xu Shou treated him with deference.

Not wanting to put her father in a tougher spot, she said, "I’m sorry, but while I’m unmarried, I do have a boyfriend."

"A boyfriend isn’t a husband," Dai Xiao countered.

"But to me, he is my husband."

Mu Qingying’s voice turned icy. "Please refrain from further remarks."

"I’d love to know who he is. Daring to compete with me?"

Dai Xiao’s stare bore into her.

"That’s private. I owe you no explanation."

Mu Qingying averted her eyes.

At a nearby table, Fang Chu observed the scene silently.

If his wife hadn’t been beside him, he’d have stepped in for the stunning beauty.

Her figure was unreal. Imagine having her and Li Yun flanking him—surrounded by peaks, soaring to heaven!

Too bad his three-year restriction wasn’t up yet.

Mu Qingying’s gaze darted around, searching for help—until it landed on Xu Mu.

"The hell? Why me?"

Xu Mu muttered under his breath.

His mind was busy strategizing how to make the Dai Family bleed the Dragon King dry later.

But now, every eye in the room followed Mu Qingying’s line of sight straight to him.

"If I recall correctly, you’re Xu Mu?" Dai Xiao’s attention locked onto him. "Don’t tell me you’re Miss Mu’s boyfriend?"

"That’s right! She’s Young Master Xu’s girl! Got a problem with that?"

Su Ruiming slammed the table, rising to his feet as he glared at Dai Xiao.

"Damn it!"

Su Weiye nearly fainted from rage.

You idiot! Do you even know who you’re provoking?

Not even the Xu Family could stand against the Dai Family—let alone the Su Family.

Nearby, Feng Jian barely suppressed a laugh. Xu Mu was finally getting his comeuppance.

Challenging Dai Xiao over a woman? Suicide.

Fang Chu smirked, settling in for the show. From Guo Xiao, he’d learned the Dai Family’s true nature.

A reclusive lineage? Xu Mu wouldn’t walk away unscathed.

Both Xu Ningbing and Shen Wanning frowned. Since when was Xu Mu involved with Mu Qingying?

Especially Shen Wanning—wasn’t he studying music to win her favor? How did Mu Qingying enter the picture?

Xu Mu cursed inwardly. Su Ruiming, that blundering fool, had just dropped a disaster in his lap.

But backing down now would shame the Xu Family name.

As Xu Mu rose to his feet, another voice cut through the tension from outside.

"What’s all the commotion about?"

The speaker was a middle-aged man wearing gold-rimmed glasses, holding a document bag in his hand. "Boss Xu Mu, you’ve returned to Yang City—why didn’t you notify our Nangong Family?"

Standing beside him was a little girl dressed in a gothic-style dress.

She looked about seven or eight years old, wearing one black stocking on one leg and a white one on the other.

Her face was round, adorned with twin pigtails, giving her an undeniably adorable appearance.

"You! You’re steeped in sin! Behold as I purify you with holy light!"

The little girl covered her left eye with one hand while pointing accusingly at Dai Xiao with the other, her voice dripping with childish charm.