Jiang Huihui wasn't in casual clothes today; she wore a loose cleaner's uniform.
Her long hair fell freely, setting off that valiant, dashing face.
She parked her e-scooter in front of Xu Mu and blew a bubble with her gum.
"Why the outfit today?" Xu Mu leaned on his car, curious.
"Just finished a mission this morning—haven't changed yet," Jiang Huihui explained.
"Tell me about the marriage tournament," Xu Mu went straight to the point.
Jiang Huihui nodded.
According to her, her grandfather Jiang Sheng had once promised some old friends that his granddaughter's fiancé would keep mourning for three years. When the three years ended, he would come down the mountain and marry Jiang Huihui.
That promise gave her a few years of buffer—until a few days ago, when someone pressed Jiang Sheng about why the agreed time was long past and yet she still wasn't married. They even complained that Jiang Sheng was looking down on them, deliberately dragging his feet to keep her from marrying out.
With no choice, Jiang Sheng told them the truth: Chen Xuan had broken off the engagement.
He then promised to pick an auspicious day soon and hold a marriage tournament for Jiang Huihui.
"Hmph! Sounds nice on the surface, but they're just greedy for our Jiang family's Heaven-Grade technique!" Jiang Huihui snorted, eyes cold.
"Heaven-Grade technique?" Xu Mu was a bit surprised—then everything made sense.
No wonder they were so fixated. Jiang Huihui was the only descendant left. Whoever married her would, in effect, gain access to that Heaven-Grade art. Even if she didn't pass it to her husband, chances were high she'd pass it to their child—meaning the art would still land in the husband's clan.
"Besides the technique, they're greedy for your beauty too," Xu Mu said with a smile.
[Favorability +10]
Jiang Huihui took out a stick of gum and handed it to Xu Mu, expression flat. "I won't force you. Are you coming or not?"
"I'm coming. I keep my word," Xu Mu said seriously, taking the gum.
[Favorability +10]
Her face didn't change, but the Favorability above her head said enough.
"What are the events? Did your grandpa decide?" Xu Mu asked.
"He did. One hundred points total—eighty for combat." She gave Xu Mu a long look. "Can you handle it?"
"A man can't say he can't," Xu Mu chuckled.
It made sense; this world valued power. If Jiang Sheng set combat too low, the others would revolt.
"Then painting—ten points," Jiang Huihui added. A hint of blush rose to her cheeks. "There's a reason—everyone knows my grandpa loves painting."
When announcing this event, Jiang Sheng privately told her those ten points were basically for Xu Mu. That was about all he could do.
"That's only ninety. What's the rest?" Xu Mu asked. As for the painting ten—he fully intended to pocket them.
"The last ten are for a bonus skill. My grandpa and several judges will score whoever's special skill is stronger," she said. "Aren't you a doctor? That's a powerful skill."
"Got it," Xu Mu nodded with a smile. In truth, he had more than medicine up his sleeve.
So—eighty for fighting, plus twenty for other stuff. Painting would be a cakewalk. He wouldn't even need a perfect combat score to take first. That said, for a Heaven-Grade technique, top prodigies from sects might show up. He'd still give it his all.
"Since you agreed, I'll submit your name," Jiang Huihui said, taking out her phone.
"Go ahead," Xu Mu nodded. "But I've got one problem. If I do win… what then?"
"I already told Grandpa—if you win, I'll be 'taken,' but we don't need to rush the wedding," she said with a small smile. "We can postpone it a few years."
"Good. Then there's one last hurdle." Xu Mu looked at her. "You have to come home with me. I need my wife's consent."
"What? You need your wife's consent?" Jiang Huihui's face darkened.
"She's my wife. If I keep her in the dark and go join some other woman's marriage tournament, she'll be hurt when she finds out," Xu Mu said gently.
[Favorability +10]
Jiang Huihui rated him even higher in her heart. She knew: in sects and hidden clans, unless the wife's status was very high, men rarely sought their wives' opinions. Xu Mu's wife was from the Ye family of Yang City—and that family had already fallen. By status alone, she shouldn't be "exalted."
Yet he still respected her. She hadn't misjudged him—Xu Mu was, indeed, a good man.
"Alright! I'll tell her myself—say it's a fake marriage. I believe she'll agree," Jiang Huihui said, nodding firmly.
"Why don't we go now? She happens to be off today," Xu Mu suggested.
"Okay," she agreed. She wasn't one to dawdle; the sooner resolved, the better.
She parked her scooter at the branch office and rode in Xu Mu's car back to Jiang City.
On the way, nerves crept up on her. "What if she refuses?" she asked.
"I don't know either," Xu Mu said with a slight shake of his head.
"Forget it—then I'll use my ultimate move. With just one action, I'll make her surrender," Jiang Huihui said, clenching her fist and blowing another bubble.
…
Jiang City.
After arriving, Jiang Huihui specially bought fruit and a case of milk.
Xu Mu drove into the villa community and parked in the garage.
Jiang Huihui carried the fruit in one hand and the milk in the other, refusing Xu Mu's help.
They opened the villa door.
Ye Tong and Ye Yu had finished their noon nap and were on the sofa watching TV.
"Brother-in-law! You're back!" Ye Yu said—then spotted Jiang Huihui at his side, and her cute face suddenly turned serious.
"Husband, who is this?" Ye Tong stood and looked over Jiang Huihui. Even in a work uniform, her beauty wasn't hidden.
Jiang Huihui studied Ye Tong as well—this woman seemed intellectual and likely easier to talk to.
She took a deep breath, handed the fruit and milk to Xu Mu—then went into a smooth knee-slide and hugged Ye Tong's long, straight leg.
"Big Sister, save me! Please, I'm begging you—save me!"
Head tilted up, she pleaded.
Xu Mu was stunned. She'd threatened before to kneel to him but always found an excuse—too many people around, wrong timing, etc.
Yet in front of Ye Tong, she knelt this smoothly, this naturally?
Ye Yu was also dumbfounded. What on earth was happening here?