Feng Yue glanced at Xu Mu and covered her mouth with a laugh. "Brother Xu, you say no with your mouth, but your body's pretty honest—you changed lanes in an instant."
Xu Mu looked a little embarrassed and coughed lightly. "I mainly don't want you getting handsy."
"It's your mind that's dirty. I said 'reward me,' so what were you thinking of? You didn't actually think I'm some desperate woman who serves you and calls that a reward for me, did you?"
Arms folded, Feng Yue shot him a cool look. "I meant a gift. Even taking me out for a meal would do."
Hearing that, Xu Mu also felt a bit sheepish.
Put that way, he had overthought it—especially since Feng Yue's words were always hard to read.
"Come on. I haven't eaten yet either. What do you want?" Xu Mu asked with a smile.
"I'll go with Brother Xu. Whatever you want me to eat, I'll eat," Feng Yue blinked at him playfully.
"How about braised chicken rice?"
Xu Mu chuckled.
"No."
Feng Yue rolled her eyes.
"I've got a place in mind—let me take you there," Xu Mu said, stepping on the gas.
…
He drove to a row of street stalls in Yang City—no tourist spot, just an old neighborhood street.
Compared to other areas of steel and glass, this place felt more alive.
It was a little past one in the afternoon; plenty of workers were still eating.
Looking around, Feng Yue smiled. "I thought Brother Xu was taking me to some fancy restaurant—turns out it's a street stall."
"What, you don't like it?" Xu Mu asked.
Seeing the people around them eating, he thought of his old self.
After graduating, he was just a low-paid office worker. The women at the company ordered delivery; he went to diners to save money.
These street-stall "junk foods" were a luxury back then.
"It's not that—I like it."
Feng Yue wasn't some sheltered socialite. She'd lived through hard days and clawed her way up.
That said, liking it was one thing; eating it alone was another. With wealthy ladies, it was always fancy restaurants or places good for photos.
Today, she finally had company.
Xu Mu bought two starch sausages first and handed one to her.
Taking it with a smile, Feng Yue said, "Thanks, Brother Xu."
One bite and it was that familiar taste—no meat, and that was the charm.
Watching Xu Mu chow down, she couldn't say why, but he suddenly seemed a bit more attractive.
[Favorability +10]
Led by Xu Mu, they ducked into a small eatery and ordered a few skewers and clam-vermicelli.
Beautiful women do draw eyes—especially someone as naturally alluring as Feng Yue. Even in casual clothes, she was instantly locked onto by the men nearby.
"Today's on me. Order whatever you want," Xu Mu said, smiling with a skewer in hand.
Feng Yue smiled and picked one up as well, eating with refined grace.
Xu Mu couldn't fathom how this woman managed to look sultry even while eating.
Just then, a few men drinking in the distance kept glancing over, chuckling among themselves.
Soon, a buzz-cut youth in a tank top came over with a glass of liquor. "Hey, beauty, can we add you on WeChat?"
Xu Mu actually admired men with this kind of shamelessness.
He used to be like most people around—seeing a pretty woman, he'd just whisper with friends and never dare approach.
Maybe because of that, before he transmigrated he'd never even dated.
Feng Yue looked at the boozy man and kept her smile. "You'll have to ask my husband."
Xu Mu added, "Buddy, pick another target. This one's already taken by me."
The buzz-cut man looked unhappy.
Fueled by alcohol, he kept pressing Feng Yue. "At least share a drink with me? My bros are watching—give me some face."
"I have to drive later," Feng Yue refused with a smile.
"Not giving me face, huh?" His expression darkened. "It's not like I'm asking you to drink poison."
"Man, you're drunk," Xu Mu said, standing and placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't you touch me! Believe it or not, I'll—owww!"
The man let out a howl; the arm holding his glass suddenly drooped like a noodle.
The other drinkers shot up from their seats and started toward Xu Mu.
Xu Mu pushed the buzz-cut back toward them and said mildly, "Your friend's drunk."
"You punk—"
"Are you ready to risk your lives? Because for my woman, I am," Xu Mu cut them off, face calm.
They looked into his steady eyes, then at their buddy's limp arm—and instantly sobered up.
They didn't know why, but even though he stood there alone, seemingly full of openings, they had the feeling that if they made a move, they'd be finished.
"Let's go."
They propped up the injured man and left the eatery.
Xu Mu sat back down—and saw favorability points popping above Feng Yue's head in succession.
She didn't know why either. She knew Xu Mu could've taken them all out easily.
But when he said, "For my woman, I dare," her nose stung a little.
"Are you still the Brother Xu I used to know? In a scene like that, shouldn't you have shown off and floored them all?" she asked curiously.
"A gentleman uses words, not fists," Xu Mu said, glancing up at her. "I'm enjoying our vibe right now. I don't want irrelevant people ruining it."
[Favorability +10]
Feng Yue's eyes sparkled. "Brother Xu… you really are getting better at putting on a show."
…
After they ate, Xu Mu drove Feng Yue back to the address she'd given.
She didn't try to keep him this time. When she saw he really was leaving—and hadn't made any improper requests—he only reminded her to be careful.
She'd hinted before that she wouldn't refuse him if he wanted—but he never took advantage.
"Xu Mu, Xu Mu… if you don't covet my body, why are you still so good to me?" Feng Yue's eyes reddened slightly. "I really don't understand you…"
[Favorability +20]
…
Xu Mu had hoped to get home early, but a highway accident caused a jam.
He would've arrived a little after four; instead, he got home at six.
Back at the villa, Ye Tong and Ye Yu were watching TV.
"Brother-in-law, perfect timing—the homeroom teacher just said she's almost here," Ye Yu hopped off the sofa and whispered as she came over. "Excited? Gonna see the goddess you used to chase?"
"Want me to spank you?" Xu Mu raised his hand.
Seeing the familiar palm, Ye Yu froze—but it didn't land on her face; it landed on her butt.
Her panic turned to embarrassment in an instant. For a second, she thought Xu Mu had turned back into his old self.
"Sis! Look at your man—taking advantage of me!"
Ye Yu ran to complain to Ye Tong.
Ye Tong only smiled and said nothing. A little taking advantage was fine.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it!"
Ye Yu dashed off, and moments later she returned with Mu Qingying.
Seeing Mu Qingying, Ye Tong couldn't help a soft gasp—so big.
She couldn't stop herself from glancing down at her own. No wonder Xu Mu had once pursued her.