Fang Chu's hatred toward Xu Mu had only deepened.
He had met Lu Xueyao first, and during one of their chats, he'd mentioned that he was married.
From that moment on, he could clearly feel her attitude toward him change—what had once been admiration turned instantly into mere affection, like one might have for family.
So when he later met Zhao Yingying, he learned from his past mistake and never mentioned that he was married.
After all, he found his current wife disgusting.
Once his strength was restored, if her family dared to insult him again, he'd divorce her immediately.
If she apologized and was willing to stay as his woman, fine—but she had no right to interfere with him taking concubines.
He came from a hidden clan. Though his family had been annihilated and he was the only survivor, he was still a man of noble descent.
In hidden families, having multiple wives and concubines was perfectly normal.
Even outside of that, there were plenty of countries in the world where polygamy was legal.
He just had to switch his nationality, and his future harem would be perfectly legitimate.
Yet this Xu Mu kept ruining everything for him—again and again. It was beyond infuriating.
"Xiao Fang, you're married?"
Li Yun looked at him weakly.
"Yes, Auntie, I am."
He couldn't lie about it—such a thing was easy to verify, and a lie would only make things worse.
"I see… You never mentioned it before."
Li Yun nodded faintly.
"Well, you never asked," Fang Chu said, his expression awkward.
"Auntie, don't worry. Focus on recovering. You'll be fine."
Xu Mu genuinely respected women like her.
Running a breakfast stall in the morning, then working deliveries afterward—it was probably that kind of exhausting lifestyle that led to her illness.
"This money… it's too much…"
"Auntie, you heard what Yingying said earlier. The reason I bought all those clothes was because of her great service. She's a good girl."
Xu Mu smiled kindly. "And from her, I've learned what kind of person you are too. I really admire that."
[Favorability +20]
[Favorability +20]
Black text appeared above both Li Yun's and Zhao Yingying's heads.
"You flatter me," Li Yun said with a wry smile. "But thank you. I'll accept your help—for now. Once I recover, I'll pay you back as soon as possible."
"No rush," Xu Mu replied. "Let's pay the hospital first so they can start treatment right away."
He turned to Zhao Yingying. "Lead the way."
"Okay, Brother Mu," she said gratefully, guiding him out.
Fang Chu, left behind, sat there awkwardly—like he was sitting on pins and needles.
Damn it. He'd even spent twenty yuan on fruit to visit, and now they'd just left him there?
All because of that bastard Xu Mu.
"Xiao Fang, don't take it to heart," Li Yun said softly. "Every family has its hardships."
"I know."
Fang Chu nodded gently. At least Auntie was still kind—she hadn't disappointed him.
He had actually met Li Yun before her daughter.
He used to eat breakfast at her shop regularly, and had been instantly drawn to her—a mature, curvy woman with a soft demeanor.
That type—full-figured and shapely—was a man's ideal.
After asking around, he learned her husband had passed away. That was his chance.
Later, he found out she also had a beautiful daughter.
"If there's nothing else, you should get going," Li Yun said with a faint smile. "You still have to work and earn money for your family."
"Of course, Auntie."
Fang Chu nodded and left the room.
As long as Li Yun was on his side, he was confident he'd win over Zhao Yingying eventually.
He walked toward the billing counter, planning to speak with them before leaving—but as he arrived, he spotted Zhao Yingying and Xu Mu still waiting in line.
"Yingying."
He walked over quickly. "I'm heading out first."
She nodded lightly. "Okay."
Before leaving, he shot Xu Mu a glare. "Listen, don't play any tricks. If I find out you bullied Yingying—"
"Bro, seriously? You do it then! Why don't you come pay instead?"
Xu Mu stepped aside, giving him space at the counter.
"I…"
Fang Chu froze, at a loss for words.
"You're not even paying a cent. Who are you pretending for?"
Xu Mu gave him a look of disdain. "If I were you, I'd focus on cleaning up my own family mess first. Your life's a disaster, and you're trying to meddle in others'?"
He had already known who Fang Chu was since their first meeting.
A descendant of a hidden martial family—his clan destroyed, he barely escaped alive.
In his quest for vengeance, he'd found his family's old cultivation manual and trained alone.
At first, things went well. But blinded by impatience, he eventually suffered qi deviation and fainted.
He'd been rescued by his current wife's father, who, impressed by his manners and seeing he was an orphan, arranged for him to marry into their family.
An orphan son-in-law had its advantages—no conflicting interests, no family ties to split resources.
But after his father-in-law died, his wife and mother-in-law started treating him with open contempt, calling him useless.
They refused to let him manage any of the family business.
Fang Chu endured their insults only because his late father-in-law had once saved his life.
Xu Mu had principles.
In his eyes, Fang Chu was at least a little better than Lin Yan—because he still understood gratitude.
At least he remembered the man who had saved him.
So Xu Mu didn't want to bother with him too much.
But his patience had limits. If Fang Chu kept pushing him, Xu Mu wouldn't hold back.
"Brother Mu, don't be angry," Zhao Yingying said, grabbing his hand. Then she turned to Fang Chu, her face serious. "Fang Chu, I'm not a child. I know what I'm doing. You're acting strange today. Please just go home."
[Fate Power -10]
Fang Chu felt deeply irritated. Zhao Yingying had never spoken to him like this before.
She wasn't like Lu Xueyao, who was stubborn and easily angered.
Yingying had always been gentle and kind — this was the first time she'd scolded him.
And it was all Xu Mu's fault!
"Fine. I'll go. Call me if you need anything."
He turned and left.
Inside, rage simmered.
If it weren't for his qi deviation preventing him from using his strength, this so-called martial artist would've made that bastard pay dearly.
How dare he dig at his corner — not once, but twice!
Finally, it was Zhao Yingying's turn at the counter.
Xu Mu didn't hesitate—he paid the entire amount directly.
"Brother Mu, thank you. I'll write you an IOU."
Relieved now that her mother's treatment could begin, she spoke earnestly.
"No need for that," Xu Mu waved it off.
"T-then… Brother Mu, what do you want me to do?"
Zhao Yingying lowered her head, voice trembling slightly. "I meant what I said. Whatever you ask of me… I'll do it."