Sorry i forgot to up yesterday :v and still doesn't have much passion to continue translate this
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Xu Mu and Wang Biao left together. Once outside, Wang Biao bowed respectfully to Xu Mu.
"Brother Xu, I really have to thank you this time. If not for you, I would never have known her true colors."
"Now do you still think you're not good enough for her?" Xu Mu asked with a smile.
Wang Biao scratched his head, smiling honestly.
"Old Wang, you've probably heard about what's been happening with the Xu family lately, right?"
Xu Mu had his hands in his pockets, eyes watching the cars passing along the street.
"Which matter do you mean, Brother Xu?" Wang Biao asked curiously.
"Our return to Yang City," Xu Mu replied. "This time, we might come into conflict with one of the hidden clans. Their martial experts could pose a threat to us."
He turned his gaze to Wang Biao. "I trust you. So I've decided to make you a martial artist."
"Whatever Brother Xu asks of me, I'll do it."
Wang Biao's tone was solemn. After what had happened tonight, he owed Xu Mu another huge favor.
"Good." Xu Mu nodded and took out two pills—one Marrow-Cleansing Pill, and one Qi-Gathering Pill.
"Keep these two with you. Don't mix them up. When you get home, take the one on the left first. Your body will expel impurities. Wash up, then take the other one."
"I understand."
Wang Biao carefully separated the pills so he wouldn't confuse them.
"Alright, go on home. I'm heading back to sleep."
With that, Xu Mu walked to his car and drove off. Tomorrow, he planned to head to Yang City again to continue his arrangements.
When Xu Mu returned home, both Ye Tong and Ye Yu had gone back to their rooms.
Sensing them, he found they were both lying in bed scrolling on their phones.
He went upstairs, and when he entered the bedroom, Ye Tong greeted him softly, "You're back?"
"Mm." Xu Mu smiled and nodded.
After washing up, he lay down beside her.
That night, Ye Tong brought up his musical talent—a side of him she'd never known.
Earlier at nine, while browsing her Moments feed, she saw a post from Xu Shou:
"Every night I listen to my son's music, and I can't help but shed tears."
Attached was a piano piece titled Dawn.
Only then did she realize—the composer of Dawn was Xu Mu himself.
Checking further, she found reports of him performing live at a concert—the performance was breathtaking.
"Honey, how do you know so many skills? You're incredible," Ye Tong said in awe.
"Because I work hard," Xu Mu replied with a grin. "I've got a story of perseverance—want to hear it?"
Ye Tong's face flushed instantly. That didn't sound like a "story" to her at all.
The next morning.
After breakfast, everyone went their separate ways.
Xu Mu gave Meng Wanyue another day off and drove early to Yang City, intending to stroll around the antique market again—hoping to meet Dai Xingluo once more.
Arriving at the antique market, he parked by the road and walked in.
To stage a "coincidental" encounter, he expanded his sensory range to the fullest, scanning the crowds.
Her traditional Hanfu outfit made her easy to spot.
The market streets formed a grid—two horizontal, two vertical.
Following one street, Xu Mu finally sensed her presence—she was inside a shop called Ancient Treasures Past and Present.
The same old man as before sat behind the counter, examining porcelain with a magnifying glass.
Dai Xingluo, still dressed in Hanfu, lounged lazily in a rocking chair.
What surprised Xu Mu was that she was holding the Chilong Jade Pendant from before.
"Looks like that encounter wasn't a waste after all," Xu Mu murmured to himself.
He retracted his senses and walked toward her shop.
As he neared, he slowed down deliberately, pretending to browse the stalls on either side.
Soon he stood right outside her store—but with his back turned to it.
"Boss, how much for this polychrome porcelain?" he called out loudly, raising his voice a few notches to catch Dai Xingluo's attention.
"That's Qing Dynasty five-colored porcelain—two hundred thousand," the elderly stall owner said, raising two fingers.
"Two hundred thousand? But this looks like ordinary polychrome porcelain—why so expensive?"
Though Xu Mu was facing the porcelain, his senses were locked behind him—on Dai Xingluo.
Hadn't she noticed him yet?
"No bargaining. Two hundred thousand. Take it or leave it," the old man said curtly, waving him off.
His wares were genuine, though mostly common pieces—many copies existed, which made them less valuable.
"Two hundred thousand's too high," Xu Mu said again, hoping to draw her attention—but Dai Xingluo was still focused on the jade pendant.
"No bargaining," the old man repeated, uninterested in the sale.
Xu Mu hesitated—would walking directly into her shop seem too deliberate?
Just as he turned around—someone suddenly appeared right in front of him.
"Whoa!"
Startled, Xu Mu stumbled back, nearly toppling the stall behind him.
He'd only looked away for a second—and Dai Xingluo had already appeared at his back.
"It's you?" Xu Mu said, pretending to be surprised.
"You still dare to come here? Didn't you say you were afraid someone might harm you?" Dai Xingluo asked.
From inside the store, she'd heard a familiar voice but hadn't placed it—until she saw the back of his figure. Then she realized—it was the man who'd been on her mind ever since.
"I didn't come yesterday, did I? They can't stay here forever," Xu Mu said with a faint smile.
"Don't buy from that shop—it's too expensive," Dai Xingluo advised, glancing at the old man.
The stall was across from Li Zizai's Antique Shop, which she'd already inspected—real antiques, yes, but all overpriced.
"I wasn't planning to. Just browsing for bargains," Xu Mu said, studying her. He couldn't believe that such a serene, elegant woman—this classic beauty—was supposed to be the villainess of the story.
"Xu Mu?"
A clear, gentle voice called out.
Turning, Xu Mu saw a tall woman with long, straight black hair under a sporty cap walking toward them.
Her large peach-blossom eyes were bright and soft—utterly different from Feng Yue's seductive gaze. This woman's eyes radiated warmth, as if she could effortlessly draw people in.
It was Shen Wanning.
Xu Mu's heart jolted. What's going on?
In the original story, Dai Xingluo had tortured Shen Wanning nearly to death, which was what had provoked the Dragon King's wrath.
So why… were they meeting now, ahead of time?
"Xu Mu? What are you doing here?" Shen Wanning asked as she walked over.
Beside him, Dai Xingluo's eyes narrowed—the half-hidden gleam in them turned icy cold.