Feng Family Manor.
The entire estate was decorated for celebration, lanterns and banners everywhere. By the time Xu Mu and his group arrived, the place was already packed — the parking area outside was full of cars.
As soon as Xu Shou stepped out of his car, several people approached him.
"Chairman Xu! It's been too long!"
"Boss Xu, remember me? Back in Yang City, we worked on several projects together!"
…
As the saying goes — when you're successful, everyone around you suddenly becomes a good friend.
Now that Xu Corporation's slimming pill was selling nationwide, it had become a sensation. Even without intentional scarcity marketing, every new batch sold out the moment it hit the market. After all, diet pills had to be taken long-term — at least a month per course to show results.
Xu Shou smiled warmly, neither arrogant nor distant.
Xu Mu and Xu Ningbing followed behind. Xu Ningbing stayed close to Xu Shou's side, while Xu Mu drifted ahead into the manor.
"Brother Xu!"
A familiar voice called. A blond-headed youth came running up excitedly — Su Ruiming.
Xu Mu was surprised. How was this guy still alive and kicking after offending both Feng Jian and Dai Xiao last time?
"You too?" Xu Mu asked with a laugh.
"My dad got an invitation from the Feng family out of nowhere," Su Ruiming said, shaking his head.
Xu Mu thought for a moment, and the reason clicked. Feng Kang had recently partnered with Lin Yan, and Lin Yan's "white moonlight," Su Yaya, was from the Su family. Most likely, Lin Yan had told Feng Kang to invite them.
The two walked into the manor together.
A large lawn had been set up with white round tables and chairs, and in front stood a small stage about half a meter high with a large LED screen behind it.
Xu Mu didn't bother walking up — his Divine Eye scanned effortlessly through the area, locating the control booth behind the screen. There, a staff member sat at a computer that could control both the visuals and the sound system.
He tightened his grip on the USB drive in his hand. All he'd have to do was plug it in and play the video. The only question was — who should do it?
After thinking it over, he decided on Feng Jian.
There was no need to hire someone for secrecy — once that video was out, Chen Cai would immediately know who was behind it. Better to expose everything openly and let the world see.
Just then, a lively voice rang out.
"My kindred spirit!"
A girl with twin ponytails dashed toward him, wearing a frilly black gothic dress — black stocking on the left leg, white on the right. Her round face was impossibly cute, and her ponytails bounced rhythmically as she ran.
"Kindred spirit!" she called, placing a hand dramatically over her left eye. "You really don't have any sin left in you."
"That's all thanks to you," Xu Mu said with a smile.
[Favorability +10]
Nangong Yao beamed. "No, no, I was only doing what I should."
At that moment, chatter rippled through the crowd — Ren Fuhai had arrived, and people immediately got up to greet him.
The "working emperor" of the Nangong family — everyone in Jiangbei knew the name.
At Xu Corporation's banquet, Xu Shou had only invited a few close business partners from Yang City. But the Feng family was different. Yang City was their stronghold, and nearly every top local business leader was here today.
They all knew what it meant when Ren Fuhai showed up.
Xu Mu and Su Ruiming took seats at one of the tables, and the little loli Nangong Yao didn't leave. Instead, she clung to his sleeve and sat right in his lap.
Xu Mu shook his head slightly. This little girl really had no sense of danger around him.
"Kindred spirit, what are you looking at?" Nangong Yao asked softly, noticing he was scanning the area.
"I'm checking who here carries the aura of sin — so we can purify them," Xu Mu said casually, making something up.
"I'll help too!" she said seriously, covering one eye again as she looked around.
By midday, the number of guests had nearly doubled. Xu Mu spotted several members of the Chai family, including Chai Xiongtiao — the same man from whom he'd once rescued Feng Yue.
Suddenly, Xu Mu sensed someone staring daggers at him. Without turning, he used his perception to check — it was Chen Cai.
Her eyes were icy cold, filled with murderous hatred. If she could, she'd devour him on the spot. Yet the moment other businessmen approached her, she switched instantly to a warm, social smile.
Meanwhile, Xu Shou entered with Shen Hong of the Shen family, both surrounded by flattery and greetings. The manor was buzzing with chatter and laughter.
Not long after, a tall man in a tailored suit and neatly parted hair walked out from the villa.
He looked about thirty-five or thirty-six — his eyes, sharp and fierce, were almost identical to Feng Kang's.
Xu Mu recognized him immediately — Feng Rui Li, Feng Kang's eldest son.
In the story, Feng Rui Li was essentially a younger version of his father — ruthless, cunning, and capable. Even his stepmother Chen Cai was wary of him.
"President Feng, long time no see!"
As soon as he appeared, many people went to greet him enthusiastically.
Xu Mu stayed calm. His name was known here, yes — but mostly in a notorious way. No one dared get too close.
"Damn, Brother Xu, look!" Su Ruiming suddenly pointed toward the entrance. "It's Feng Yue!"
Xu Mu turned — and sure enough, it was her.
Today, Feng Yue wasn't wearing one of her usual alluring cheongsams but a sleek, form-fitting black dress.
He'd met many beauties, but when it came to "peach-shaped charm," Feng Yue was still unmatched. The dress perfectly outlined every curve of her body.
Men across the courtyard were stealing glances. She was, without doubt, a walking temptation.
Beside her were several elegant women, ranging from their thirties to fifties, chatting and laughing together — clearly friends.
Xu Mu noticed Chen Cai striding in their direction.
He frowned slightly, lifted Nangong Yao from his lap, and followed at a distance. Chen Cai definitely wasn't going over to "welcome" Feng Yue.
Su Ruiming saw Xu Mu moving and quickly followed.
"Madam Feng!"
The women greeted Chen Cai politely. Their husbands might be rich, but few could match the Feng family's wealth.
Chen Cai smiled at them briefly before turning her cold gaze on Feng Yue. "Who allowed you to set foot in our Feng household?"
Feng Yue kept her fury in check. To her, Chen Cai ranked even higher than Feng Kang on the Feng family's list of people she hated most.
When her mother had taken her and left the family years ago, Chen Cai still hadn't stopped targeting them — constantly finding ways to make their lives miserable.
It was no exaggeration: her mother's depression and death at forty could be traced back to this very woman.
"It's the Feng family's anniversary," Feng Yue said evenly. "As a member of the family, why shouldn't I be here?"
"Because you're unworthy."
Chen Cai turned to the women around her and sneered, "Do you know who her mother was? Back then, to climb into the Feng family, she drugged and seduced my husband. Like mother, like daughter — can she possibly be a good person?"
Hearing that, Feng Yue's mind went blank with rage.