Feng Yue, Have You Heard the Story of the Farmer and the Snake

Xu Mu first examined this person to see if she had any significant identity—perhaps a female lead from some novel.

At any rate, she wasn’t the heroine in The Dragon King’s Descent.

Nor did she have any connection to the Dragon King.

After checking the information, Xu Mu smiled. The "Eye of the Gods" function was incredibly convenient.

It instantly revealed who was behind the mischief.

Name: Feng Yue

Identity: Owner of Moonlight Bar, female lead of The Return of the Soldier King.

Favorability: -50

Destiny Level: 7 (Max: 10)

The Return of the Soldier King—wasn’t that Lin Yang’s story?

Since she was the female lead of that novel, coupled with Lin Yang’s relationship with Xu Mu, her summoning him here was likely a ploy to team up with Lin Yang against him.

Still, Xu Mu had to admire this woman’s acting skills.

With such a low favorability, she had hidden her hostility so well that even Xu Mu had been fooled.

Based on the memories of the original villainous Xu Mu, he could instantly tell that Mu Qingying, Ye Tong, Ye Yu, and even his own sister Xu Ningbing all despised him.

But he hadn’t seen through Feng Yue. He had assumed she merely saw him as a cash cow.

He’d expected her favorability to be no lower than -10, but it was actually -50.

Her Destiny Level was 7, which suggested she played a significant role in the early interactions with the protagonist.

But by the mid-to-late stages, she’d likely fade into the background.

"It’s rare for you to call me first," Xu Mu remarked as he walked into the room and settled onto the sofa.

Feng Yue closed the door behind her, muffling the noise from outside. With a sway in her step, she approached Xu Mu, a smile playing on her lips.

"Young Master Xu, it’s just that you used to visit so often. Suddenly going silent for days felt… unusual."

Her fingers trailed along the slit of her qipao, exposing the full, heart-shaped curve of her thigh before she sat beside him.

Xu Mu smirked. Something’s off here. He wasn’t the same gullible rich kid anymore.

"Cut to the chase. What do you want?" he asked.

Admittedly, this woman in her thirties was alluring.

She was nothing like Ye Tong.

If he had to compare, Ye Tong was like home-cooked meals—simple, wholesome, something you could savor every day.

But Feng Yue? She was fast food.

Delicious.

Yet lacking in substance. A few indulgences, and you’d grow tired of it.

But after a few days without, you’d crave it again.

That had been the mindset of the original Xu Mu.

His pursuit of Feng Yue hadn’t been for marriage—just a fleeting, physical encounter.

Perhaps Feng Yue had sensed that, which explained her abysmal favorability.

"What do you mean, Young Master Xu? Can’t I just chat with you?" Feng Yue batted her lashes.

"If there’s nothing important, I’ll take my leave. I’ve been busy lately," Xu Mu said, standing up.

"Oh? Too busy for me? Then go ahead. I wouldn’t dare interfere with Young Master Xu’s grand affairs."

Feng Yue crossed her arms, accentuating the curves of her chest.

This reverse psychology should reel him in, she thought smugly.

"Alright. Next time you pull this, you’re reimbursing my travel expenses."

Xu Mu shoved his hands into his pockets and strode toward the door.

Feng Yue froze.

What the—?

He’s actually leaving?

If not for his face, she’d have thought he was an imposter.

Wasn’t Xu Mu supposed to fawn over her the moment she acted upset?

As his hand gripped the doorknob, she blurted out, "Wait, Young Master Xu! I—I just wanted you to try a new wine I got. That’s all."

"What wine?" Xu Mu glanced back.

"Louis XIII Rare Cask. A once-in-a-lifetime find. I paid over 600,000 for this bottle, and only through a friend’s connection."

She walked to the bar, retrieving a bottle from a black wooden case. "Let me mix you a drink, Young Master Xu."

"Will it cost me?" Xu Mu asked.

"You’re joking, right? After all your patronage, how could I charge you? I assume you’ve already covered tonight’s tab for everyone?" Feng Yue smiled faintly.

"Nope."

"…What?"

Feng Yue stiffened. Lin Yang had ordered all her premium stock.

And Xu Mu hadn’t paid?

This is a total loss!

No way. If Xu Mu didn’t pay, I’ll make Lin Yang cover it. My money didn’t fall from the sky!

"Times are tight. I’m broke," Xu Mu said with a shrug.

"Ha. Very funny, Young Master Xu. With the Xu Corporation’s skyscraper towering over Jiang City, you’re hardly strapped for cash."

She began mixing the drink.

"True. But my allowance’s dried up this month. Next month’s funds haven’t arrived yet."

Xu Mu leaned against the bar, watching her.

Feng Yue’s lips twitched, but she kept working. Just as she reached for an additive—

Xu Mu stopped her hand. "Don’t add anything. A wine this fine only needs ice. Anything else would disgrace it."

She faltered. Something about him felt different.

But she couldn’t pinpoint it.

Xu Mu lifted the glass, inhaled the aroma, and remarked coolly, "Feng Yue, have you heard the fable of the Farmer and the Viper?"

"Of course. Why bring that up?"

A flicker of tension crossed her face before vanishing.

"Some creatures have no conscience. They’re beasts—unfit for human reasoning."

Xu Mu met her eyes. "I have a friend. I frequented her business daily. I admit, I had… desires. But I never forced her. Yet she exploited my affection, stringing me along, milking me for money. She could’ve rejected me outright—but she never did."

He took a sip. "Tell me. Am I pitiful?"

"…You are," Feng Yue murmured.

"But that’s not the worst of it. This friend later conspired with another man—against me. I wondered, What did I ever do to her? Then I realized: some creatures are simply beasts."

He slammed the glass onto the bar, making Feng Yue flinch.

"The wine’s excellent. But I’m driving tonight—can’t drink."

Xu Mu spat the sip onto the floor and turned to leave.

At the door, he paused and glanced back with a smirk. "Don’t misunderstand. That friend wasn’t you."

With that, he walked out.

Feng Yue stood frozen behind the bar.

Her vision blurred.

When she touched her face, her fingers came away wet.

Tears?

That good-for-nothing actually moved me to tears!

But…

He wasn’t wrong.

Xu Mu had treated her well. Like others, he’d openly adored her.

And she’d resented it. She’d even questioned herself—

Are all my suitors trash because I’m a terrible person?

Now, after Xu Mu’s words, she understood.

She wasn’t a good person.

Maybe Xu Mu was socially inept, thinking money alone could win her over.

But he had never forced her, nor had he ever crossed the line.

On the contrary, he was her benefactor.

When she first arrived in Jiang City, she was targeted by someone, and it was Xu Mu who stepped in to help her.

Yet now, she was conspiring with others to go against him.

How was she any different from the Feng family she despised?

"I’m truly despicable," Feng Yue murmured under her breath.

Just then, the door swung open, and Lin Yang walked in with a frown.

"What happened? Why did Xu Mu leave?" he asked immediately. "Did you give him the sedative I prepared for you?"