Provoking the Feud Between the Feng and Dai Families

However, as Xu Mu recalled the events of last night, he couldn't help but feel that Chen Cai had been nothing but trouble.

If it weren’t for her, he might have overheard Feng Kang and Lin Yang’s plans.

He began reviewing the surveillance footage from after they left the study last night.

But the study remained pitch-black—they never returned.

Just then, a knock sounded at his office door.

Through his heightened senses, Xu Mu recognized Meng Wanyue and called out, "Come in!"

"President Xu."

Meng Wanyue pushed the door open, stepped inside, and placed a stack of documents on his desk.

"Wanyue, from now on, just walk right in when you come to my office. I have no secrets from you."

Xu Mu said with a smile.

[Affection +10]

Meng Wanyue gave a slight nod, her mood inexplicably lifting at his words—that he had no secrets from her.

That morning, Xu Mu was deep in thought. He still had some Marrow-Cleansing Pills left and was considering whom to use them on.

As for the Qi-Gathering Pills, he already had candidates in mind: Ye Tong, Ye Yu, and Xu Ningbing.

The remaining Qi-Gathering Pills should be enough to push them into the late stage of the Mingjin realm.

But breaking through from Mingjin to Anjin? A mere handful of Qi-Gathering Pills wouldn’t be enough for that.

Around 11 a.m., Xu Mu called Meng Wanyue over, planning to have lunch together.

Before leaving, he glanced at the surveillance feed again—and froze. The study door was wide open.

"Wanyue, hold on. Let’s eat later."

Xu Mu sat on the sofa and motioned for her to join him.

Meng Wanyue approached, tilting her head to look at his phone screen.

The camera only captured the study’s interior, not the outside.

But with the door open, faint voices could be heard drifting in.

---

Meanwhile, at the Feng Family Manor.

Dai Xiao lounged on the living room sofa. Before long, Chen Cai descended the stairs in a flowing dress.

"Madame! Where’s Feng Jian? I came to hang out with him."

Dai Xiao glanced up at Chen Cai, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Chen Cai smirked inwardly but kept her expression neutral.

"That boy Feng Jian is always running around. I have no idea where he is. I’ll call him in a bit."

As she spoke, Chen Cai walked to the villa’s entrance and addressed the guards. "Step back for a moment. I need to speak privately with Young Master Dai."

"Yes, ma’am!"

The two guards bowed and retreated to the lawn outside.

Chen Cai took a seat on the single sofa across from Dai Xiao, smiling faintly. "Young Master Dai, how is Xu Mu doing?"

"Xu Mu is alive and well."

Dai Xiao leaned back, his face darkening. "But my bodyguard isn’t."

"What?"

Chen Cai’s smile vanished.

She knew Dai Xiao’s bodyguard was a powerful martial artist. Could Xu Mu be one as well?

"Don’t jump to conclusions. Xu Mu just got lucky. When my man was about to strike, a janitor happened to be nearby."

Dai Xiao clenched his fists, his voice dropping to a growl. "Zhao Fei served me for over a decade. This doesn’t sit right with me."

As Feng Kang’s wife, Chen Cai had heard of the janitors—enforcers who maintained balance among martial artists.

She never expected Xu Mu would escape unscathed because of one.

"Young Master Dai, I’m sorry."

She sighed deeply.

"Sorry doesn’t cut it. I need compensation."

Dai Xiao smirked, checking his watch. "If I recall correctly, Feng Kang should be home soon, right?"

Chen Cai understood his implication and nodded faintly.

Feng Kang, no longer young, followed a strict routine: work in the morning, return for lunch and a nap, then head back to the office by 3 p.m.

Unless something came up, he never deviated.

"Come on, show me the study."

Dai Xiao stood and strode toward the study.

Chen Cai took a deep breath and followed.

Once inside, she closed the door behind her.

But Dai Xiao chuckled and nudged it open just a crack.

Through the gap, the villa’s entrance was clearly visible.

"Did you forget what I told you? I need to see Feng Kang’s face to feel satisfied."

Dai Xiao grinned at Chen Cai. "And you’ll stay right here."

"Young Master Dai, you really are a villain." Chen Cai shook her head with a wry smile.

"Bad boys get all the love."

Dai Xiao suddenly asked, "By the way, you’re sure there are no cameras around?"

"Relax. I had professionals sweep the entire villa after Xu Mu threatened me."

Chen Cai had made sure of it—no hidden surveillance.

"Good. Now stand by the door, back to me."

Dai Xiao’s smile widened.

---

At the same time.

Xu Mu and Meng Wanyue watched through the pinhole camera feed.

Meng Wanyue’s eyes widened, and she stole a glance at Xu Mu, who was entirely focused.

"Ahem… President Xu, is this really worth watching?"

"I’m just strategizing how to use this footage to maximize the feud between the Feng and Dai families."

Xu Mu replied with complete seriousness.

"As expected of President Xu, always thinking ahead."

Meng Wanyue nodded emphatically, chastising herself for having impure thoughts.

---

Feng Family Manor.

Feng Kang’s car pulled into the driveway, and he walked toward the villa.

Through the door crack, Chen Cai spotted him approaching on the stone path.

She whispered urgently, "Stop! Feng Kang’s here!"

"I see him! I’ve been waiting!"

Dai Xiao’s grin stretched wider as Feng Kang drew nearer.

Once Feng Kang stepped inside, Dai Xiao quietly shut the study door.

Feng Kang, hearing the sound, frowned and headed toward the study.

When he pushed the door open, he found Chen Cai seated at the desk, scrolling through her phone, while Dai Xiao flipped through a book.

"Welcome home, dear."

Chen Cai smiled up at him.

Dai Xiao looked up as well. "Chairman Feng."

"Young Master Dai, what brings you here at noon?"

Feng Kang’s tone was calm.

"I came to pick up Feng Jian for an outing. He should be back soon."

Dai Xiao closed the book and slid it back onto the shelf. "Hope you don’t mind me killing time in your study."

"I believe you’ve said that before, Young Master Dai."

Feng Kang smiled. "Books are meant to be read. Help yourself anytime."

"Darling, I’ll tell the chef to serve lunch."

Chen Cai stood up.

"No need. I’ve already instructed them. Keep Young Master Dai company—I have a call to make."

With that, Feng Kang left the study.

Dai Xiao shot Chen Cai a triumphant look.

---

Xu Mu saved the video and closed his phone.

"Alright, let’s go eat."

With this footage, even without Dai Xingluo’s help, he could make the Dai family pay dearly.

Especially now that Feng Kang had ties to Lin Yang.

If he could pit Lin Yang against the Dais? That would be a dream come true for Xu Mu.

Xu Mu smiled, thinking to himself that all he had to do now was wait for the Feng family's twenty-ninth anniversary.