Young Master Xu, You're Getting Better at Pretending

Feng Yue glanced at Xu Mu and covered her mouth, laughing softly. "Xu Shao, you say you don't want it, but your body’s being pretty honest—switching lanes in an instant."

Xu Mu felt a bit embarrassed and cleared his throat. "I was mainly worried you'd go overboard."

"That's just you being dirty-minded. I said 'reward me,' and what were you thinking? You don’t actually think I’m some desperate woman who serves you, and that’s my reward, do you?"

Feng Yue crossed her arms and gave Xu Mu a faint glance. "I meant a gift—just treating me to a meal would be fine."

Hearing that, Xu Mu felt a little awkward.

So it turned out he had overthought things.

Mainly because Feng Yue was the kind of person whose words were never easy to read.

"Come on, I didn’t get to eat today either. What do you want to eat?" Xu Mu asked with a smile.

"I’ll follow your lead. Whatever you want me to eat, I’ll eat," Feng Yue winked at him.

"How about some braised chicken with rice?" Xu Mu suggested with a chuckle.

"Nope," Feng Yue rolled her eyes.

"I just thought of a place. I’ll take you there now."

Xu Mu stepped on the accelerator and drove off.

...

They arrived at a street food stall in an old neighborhood of Yang City. It wasn’t a tourist spot, but an area full of everyday life.

Compared to the steel-and-glass buildings elsewhere, this place had a more lived-in vibe.

It was just past one in the afternoon, and many working folks were still here having their lunch.

Feng Yue looked around and smiled. "I thought Xu Shao was going to take me to some fancy restaurant. Didn’t expect a street stall."

"What, you don’t like it here?" Xu Mu asked.

Looking at the diners around them, he was reminded of his own past.

After graduation, he was just a regular office worker. His female colleagues always ordered takeout.

To save money, he usually ate at small restaurants.

Coming to a street stall and eating “junk food” was a luxury in itself.

"It’s not that, I actually like it."

Feng Yue wasn’t some delicate lady from a wealthy family; she’d also lived through tough times and climbed her way up bit by bit.

But liking it or not, she didn’t want to eat this kind of food alone.

When she was with those rich ladies, they’d always go to upscale restaurants or places with good photo ops.

Today, she finally had someone to share the moment with.

Xu Mu first bought two skewers of starch sausages, handing one to Feng Yue.

She took it and smiled. "Thanks, Xu Shao."

The first bite brought back old memories—the real charm was that there was no meat.

Watching Xu Mu eat heartily, she somehow felt this man had gained a little extra charm.

[Affinity +10]

Following Xu Mu’s lead, they moved on to a small eatery and ordered some grilled skewers and clam vermicelli.

No doubt, a beautiful woman around always caught people’s attention.

Especially someone like Feng Yue, naturally enchanting; even in casual clothes, she was instantly the focus of many men’s eyes.

"I’m treating today. Order whatever you want," Xu Mu said with a grin, holding a skewer.

Feng Yue smiled and took a skewer herself, eating with a refined grace.

Xu Mu couldn’t understand how Feng Yue could be so charming even while just eating.

At that moment, a few men drinking nearby glanced their way, occasionally laughing out loud.

Before long, a young man with a buzz cut, wearing a tank top, walked over holding a glass of wine. "Hey beautiful, can I add you on WeChat?"

Xu Mu actually admired this kind of shameless guy.

He used to be just like most people around—when seeing a beautiful woman, he would only whisper quietly to his friends, never daring to approach and start a conversation.

Maybe because of this personality, he had never been in a relationship before.

Feng Yue, noticing the man reeking of alcohol, kept smiling and said, "If you want to ask, ask my husband."

Xu Mu chimed in, "Bro, pick another target. This one’s already mine."

The buzz-cut guy felt a bit annoyed.

Fueled by alcohol, he pressed on, "Come on, beautiful, have a drink with me, alright? My buddies are watching. Just show some face."

"I have to drive later," Feng Yue declined with a smile.

"No face, huh?"

The buzz-cut man’s expression darkened. "It’s not like I’m asking you to drink poison."

"Bro, you’re drunk," Xu Mu stood up and grabbed the man’s shoulder.

"Don’t touch me, damn it! You wanna see what happens? Awooo!"

Suddenly, the buzz-cut man let out a howl, and the entire arm holding the glass went limp like a noodle.

The guys drinking with him nearby all stood up and started walking toward Xu Mu.

Xu Mu pushed the buzz-cut man toward them and said calmly, "Your friend’s drunk."

"Kid..."

"Are you willing to risk your life? For my woman, I am!"

Xu Mu cut off their conversation, expressionless.

The few men looked at Xu Mu’s steady gaze, then at their friend’s limp arm, and instantly cooled down.

They didn’t understand why—he was alone and clearly vulnerable—but somehow they felt that if they made a move, they’d be taken down.

"Let’s go."

They helped their injured friend and left the small restaurant.

Xu Mu sat back down and noticed that above Feng Yue’s head, “affection points” appeared continuously.

Feng Yue didn’t know why. She knew Xu Mu’s strength; he could easily handle those guys.

But when Xu Mu said, “For my woman, I am,” she felt a strange lump in her throat.

"Are you still the Xu Shao I used to know? In that scene just now, shouldn’t you have shown off and knocked them all out?"

Feng Yue looked at Xu Mu curiously.

"A gentleman uses words, not fists."

Xu Mu glanced up at Feng Yue. "I’m enjoying how things are between us right now. I don’t want outsiders ruining the vibe."

[Affection +10]

Feng Yue’s eyes sparkled. "Xu Shao... you’re really getting good at pretending."

...

After they finished eating, Xu Mu followed the address Feng Yue gave and took her home.

This time, Feng Yue didn’t try to hold him back. She realized Xu Mu was really leaving and didn’t bring up anything inappropriate.

She just reminded him to be careful.

Even though she had hinted before that she wouldn’t refuse if Xu Mu wanted.

"Xu Mu, oh Xu Mu! If you’re not after my body, then why are you so good to me?"

Feng Yue’s eyes were a little red. "You’re making me... a little confused..."

[Affection +20]

...

Xu Mu had hoped to get home earlier, but an accident on the highway caused a traffic jam.

What should have been a trip home by around four o’clock ended up taking until six.

When he arrived at the villa, Xu Mu found Ye Tong and Ye Yu watching TV inside.

“Brother-in-law, you’re just in time. The homeroom teacher said they’re arriving soon,” Ye Yu jumped down from the sofa and approached Xu Mu, lowering her voice. “Aren’t you excited? Finally seeing the goddess you once chased after?”

“Want me to smack you?” Xu Mu raised his hand.

Seeing the familiar gesture, Ye Yu froze for a moment—but the slap didn’t land on her face; it landed on her backside instead.

Her initial shock instantly turned into embarrassment. For a split second, she had thought Xu Mu had reverted to his old self.

“Sis! Look at your man, taking advantage of me!”

Ye Yu immediately ran over to Ye Tong to complain.

Ye Tong just smiled silently. A little extra attention was harmless.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

“I’ll go get it!”

Ye Yu dashed out again, and soon returned with Mu Qingying.

Ye Tong couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise when she saw Mu Qingying. “Wow, she’s impressive.”

She instinctively glanced down at herself, realizing why Xu Mu had once pursued her.