Today, Mu Qingying was dressed in a tracksuit — the two bold characters "Dragon Nation" across her chest looked particularly three-dimensional, to the point that the lettering itself was slightly distorted.
As usual, her hair was tied in a simple ponytail, showing off her pretty oval face.
While Ye Tong observed Mu Qingying, Mu Qingying was also sizing up Ye Tong.
That graceful, elegant aura of a refined lady was something ordinary people could never imitate.
Her hair was tied up in a neat bun, her features were delicate, her eyes soft and gentle like flowing water.
What stood out the most were Ye Tong's legs — from the waist down, it was all legs: straight, long, and flawless.
Mu Qingying couldn't help but sigh inwardly. What a beautiful woman. No wonder Xu Mu married her.
"Sis! This is our new homeroom teacher, Miss Mu Qingying!"
Ye Yu didn't bother introducing Xu Mu — of course, he knew her already.
"Hello, Miss Mu. I'm Ye Yu's sister. Welcome."
Ye Tong smiled and reached out her hand first.
Mu Qingying returned the handshake, then glanced at Xu Mu. A pang of guilt rose in her chest.
Originally, she'd thought the Dai family was just an ordinary business clan.
But after that gathering, she'd learned the truth from her father.
The Dai family was a hidden aristocratic family — the kind with terrifying power. Her father, Mu Yuansheng, said that the Dai family could easily wipe out the Xu family.
That was why, when Dai Xiao had said those words, her father hadn't known how to respond.
And Mu Qingying… had redirected all that pressure onto Xu Mu.
She was a straightforward person — when Xu Mu had pursued her in the past, she'd rejected him bluntly, never one to hide her thoughts.
But now, because of her, the Xu family might face disaster — and she truly didn't know what to do.
The guilt had kept her awake for nights.
"Oh, this is my husband, Xu Mu," Ye Tong said with a polite smile — though she knew Mu Qingying already recognized him, she still made the formal introduction.
"I know him," Mu Qingying said with a light laugh.
"Have a seat," Xu Mu said, gesturing toward the sofa. "So, what's this home visit for? Don't tell me Ye Yu's been dating at school and her grades are slipping?"
"Stupid brother-in-law! I'm not dating anyone. A bunch of kids who aren't even mature yet," Ye Yu puffed up her cheeks in protest.
"Listen to yourself — as if you're so grown-up," Ye Tong teased, tapping Ye Yu's forehead.
"Recently, a few teachers have mentioned that Ye Yu hasn't been very focused in class," Mu Qingying said. "She's one of our top students and part of the school's key development program. Based on her current performance, she's practically guaranteed admission to Yanjing University. But she mustn't let things slide now, not in the final semester."
Ye Tong immediately grabbed her sister's hand. "What's going on with you lately?"
"I…"
Ye Yu didn't know how to explain.
Lately, she really had been distracted — even during exams, her mind wandered.
She didn't know why, but lately she kept daydreaming about marrying Xu Mu herself.
In those fantasies, they all lived happily together as one big family.
Sometimes she even imagined a villain — that would be Lu Xueyao — coming to ruin their happiness, only for her and her sister to team up and make Xu Mu utterly dependent on them.
And in those fantasies… there were sometimes shameful scenes.
Like, Xu Mu being so powerful — but she and Ye Tong teaming up to "defeat" him, leaving him trembling at the sight of them.
Sometimes Ye Yu would even burst into laughter thinking about it.
She suspected there was something seriously wrong with her.
"Xiaoyu, are you hiding something from us? You're not really in love, are you?" Ye Tong asked curiously.
"I'm not! And even if I was, it'd be with Brother-in-law—"
As soon as she said it, Ye Yu froze, her cute face flushing red. She hurriedly corrected herself: "I mean, with someone like Brother-in-law!"
Mu Qingying was stunned. Rumor had it Xu Mu was uneducated and had a poor character.
But if that were true, would Ye Yu — who lived under the same roof — speak of him like this?
That could only mean one thing: Xu Mu was actually an outstanding man.
[Favorability +10]
The more she realized that, the more hollow she felt inside.
Why had she judged him solely by others' words back then?
"Teacher, I know all the subjects well," Ye Yu said, looking at Mu Qingying. "Last time's mock exam wasn't the real one anyway. And I only dropped two spots — that's within normal fluctuation. I'll take the next one seriously."
After all, mock exams were just practice. If it were the real college entrance exam, Ye Yu definitely wouldn't be daydreaming about… those kinds of things with Xu Mu.
"Well then, if that's the case, I'm relieved."
Mu Qingying exhaled softly, then turned to Xu Mu. "Could I… speak to you privately for a moment?"
"Just say it here — we're all family," Xu Mu said with a smile.
[Favorability +10]
[Favorability +10]
Black text appeared above both Ye Tong and Ye Yu's heads.
Clearly, Xu Mu was trying to show that there was nothing improper between him and Mu Qingying.
Mu Qingying glanced at Ye Tong, then looked back at Xu Mu. "I really didn't know Dai Xiao had that kind of background. I'm sorry."
Xu Mu's expression was calm. He'd already guessed that was why she came today.
"Dai Xiao? What happened?" Ye Tong asked — as a Yang City native, she'd heard the name before.
Mu Qingying bit her lip, then told them everything.
By the time she finished, her eyes were shimmering with tears.
[Favorability +20]
After listening, Ye Tong's affection for Xu Mu rose even higher.
Dai Xiao was infamous in Yang City — everyone knew his name carried trouble.
But because he was from a hidden clan, no one dared cross him.
Xu Mu, however, had stood up to him without fear — for Mu Qingying's sake.
Truly, her husband was a man among men.
"I don't know how to make it up to you. The Mu family isn't as strong as the Xu family, let alone the Dai family. We can't even offer you basic help…"
Mu Qingying's voice choked with emotion, her chest rising and falling — causing the two "Dragon Nation" characters on her tracksuit to heave right along with her.
Both Ye Tong and Ye Yu noticed.
Good heavens.
Then they turned to look at Xu Mu — no wonder he'd pursued her before.
"Mu Qingying, don't dwell on it," Xu Mu said calmly. "Our Xu family may not match the Dai family, but we're not that fragile either. I just couldn't stand seeing someone like him bully you."
[Favorability +20]
Mu Qingying's body trembled slightly as more black text appeared over her head.
"Oh my, Brother-in-law is so heroic," Ye Yu said, glancing slyly at Mu Qingying. "Teacher, since you can't repay him properly, why not just marry him? I bet he'd be thrilled."
Ye Tong folded her arms, sinking into thought — actually considering the idea.
"Ye Yu… what nonsense are you spouting?"
Mu Qingying's expression turned awkward as she glanced at Ye Tong, the actual wife.
And to her shock, Ye Tong was quietly nodding to herself.