"Brother-in-law! Ye Chen has really changed—I don't like him anymore!"
Ye Yu pouted. She was already calling him by name now, not "brother."
Xu Mu gently patted Ye Yu's shoulder. In the original plot, Ye Chen was the one who dealt with the villain Xu Mu. In Ye Yu's eyes back then, Ye Chen descended on rainbow clouds to save her like a white-horse prince—utterly worshipped. But now she was saying she didn't like him. It seemed all the effort hadn't been in vain.
"What did Ye Chen want with you?" Xu Mu asked, looking to Ye Tong.
This Dragon King still warranted vigilance—not only was his strength formidable, his identity was heaven-defying.
"He said he's letting others handle the overseas business and plans to open a new company here in Jiangbei," Ye Tong explained. "Yesterday he said he was looking for partners—it seems he even approached our Xu Group."
"What?"
Xu Mu's expression darkened. "Did they reach an agreement?"
"I don't know. When it comes to the company, Dad and my older sister definitely wouldn't tell me first."
Given Ye Tong's personality, she wouldn't ask them either.
"Alright, I get it." Xu Mu decided he'd stop by the company before going to see Jiang Huihui.
"I also asked my brother to explain what he said to you last time," Ye Tong continued, glancing at Xu Mu. "He claims you misheard him—that he never said anything like that."
"He's talking nonsense! I don't believe Brother-in-law would joke about something like that," Ye Yu said fiercely from the side.
After Xu Mu's conversation with Ye Chen that day, he'd returned to the car visibly upset. Ye Chen must have said something vile.
"Maybe he just blurted it out," Ye Tong said, though in her heart she believed Xu Mu hadn't lied. Besides, Ye Chen's personality had clearly changed—he seemed awfully domineering now. Perhaps he looked down on Xu Mu and let those words slip. On the call, she had made it very clear that Xu Mu was her husband and he must be respected going forward.
"Husband, it's almost noon—I'll make lunch."
Ye Tong didn't want to dwell on it; too much talk only hurt feelings. Still, she was firmly on her husband's side. If Ye Chen dared say anything like that again, she wouldn't forgive him.
"Then I'll head back," Feng Yue said with a smile, rising from the sofa.
"Stay and eat—we're all family," Ye Tong's pretty face peeked back out from the kitchen.
Feng Yue thought of her prior talk with Ye Tong. She truly couldn't make sense of it. Could what Ye Tong said really be true?
After the meal, Feng Yue left.
"By the way, why are you home today?" Xu Mu suddenly asked Ye Yu.
"Ugh, you don't care about me at all—you didn't even know my college entrance exam is over," Ye Yu sighed dramatically. "Poor me—no one loves me."
"I've been busy these days, haven't I? How'd you do?" Xu Mu laughed, draping an arm over her shoulder.
"Not bad. The people on both sides copied my multiple-choice answers," Ye Yu said blandly. "If they were junior-college level before, they probably made it to the undergraduate cutoff."
"Truly righteous, sir!" Xu Mu cupped his hands. "I thank you on their behalf."
"Hmph, I don't want verbal thanks." Ye Yu folded her arms and turned her face away.
"What do you want? I'll make it happen," Xu Mu said with a smile.
In the original plot, Ye Yu had a stroke of fortune during the summer after her exams. He wondered if his changes had altered her future too.
"I'll think about it carefully," Ye Yu said, glancing at Xu Mu.
"Take your time. Wife—come on! Into the room with me," Xu Mu said evenly, turning to Ye Tong.
"It's… broad daylight," Ye Tong's cheeks flushed crimson. With Ye Yu right there, she wished she could crawl into a hole.
"Who doesn't nap at noon?" Xu Mu chuckled.
Truth be told, he had a bit of pent-up fire after the past two days. His Judo Club had even gained a new member—Liang Yi. To say he felt nothing would be a lie. Not to mention at the hotel, he'd been sandwiched between Dai Xingluo and Meng Wanyue. Why had he lain face-up? Because he'd entered the "Wood" state—facing up was non-negotiable.
"No way! My sister and I have girl talk at noon—she's not going with you. Stop daydreaming in broad daylight!" Ye Yu immediately grabbed Ye Tong's arm.
"Daydreaming in daylight? Then not in daylight—" Xu Mu began to say.
Ye Tong and Ye Yu looked at each other, both faces scarlet.
"Stinky Brother-in-law! Bleh!" Ye Yu made a face, then dragged Ye Tong upstairs.
Xu Mu shook his head with a smile and didn't follow. If he "fought" now, there'd surely be another "battle" tonight. With Ye Tong's current level, she might not withstand it. He'd let her off for now.
He checked the time on his phone. He would head to the Xu Group first. As for that cultivation method—he'd study it during tonight's "battle."
…
Xu Group.
Xu Mu rode the elevator straight to the president's office. Regarding Ye Chen, he was actually more concerned about Xu Ningbing. Sensing ahead, he found her eating a salad in her office. Come to think of it, this was his first time visiting at lunchtime.
He didn't knock—just pushed the door open.
Xu Ningbing looked up, displeased. When she saw it was Xu Mu, her frown softened.
"Coming in without knocking is a bad habit," she said coolly.
"Why not eat in the executive dining room?" Xu Mu closed the door and took a seat on the sofa.
"If I sit there, everyone else gets uncomfortable," Xu Ningbing said, taking a sip of fresh juice. "What brings you here at noon?"
"Did someone come yesterday to discuss a partnership?"
"Yes. His name is Ye Chen. Word is he's done very well overseas," Xu Ningbing nodded. "Dad said he's from the Yang City Ye family—Ye Tong's younger brother."
"How did the talks go?" Xu Mu asked at once.
In the story, Xu Ningbing was the undisputed lead heroine. Even later on, she helped Ye Chen with her own formidable ability—Fate Level ten, unquestioned. Xu Mu's intention was to keep her interaction with Ye Chen to a minimum.
"We're still considering it. That Ye Chen talks like he's putting on a show—I don't like him. But his terms are tempting," she said, looking up at Xu Mu. "Dad said he's Ye Tong's brother; I'm guessing he'll approve in the end."
Leaning back, Xu Mu mulled it over and decided to veto it. Tying themselves to Ye Chen would do the Xu family no good. Even if he had altered parts of the plot, the general direction hadn't changed. Cooperate now, and it would only set conditions for Ye Chen to swallow the Xu family later. And he still needed time to build rapport with the COO, Xu Ningbing. Most importantly, if he moved against Ye Chen in the future, the Xu family would suffer losses because of that partnership.
"Sis, I've met him. I do not agree to cooperating with him," Xu Mu said to Xu Ningbing.