"Senior Huo, hello."
Mu Xiu greeted him with a polite smile, but the light in her eyes betrayed her excitement.
Huo Bingye looked at her lazily, one hand tucked into his pocket. His posture was relaxed, yet the dangerous aura surrounding him could not be concealed in the slightest.
"Little Xiu," he drawled, his voice low and unhurried. "How have you been?"
"I'm good, Senior."
There was unmistakable admiration in her eyes.
Back at the military base, Huo Bingye was a legend. A top-notch soldier. A Lieutenant General at such a young age. A true prodigy. His achievements were enough to make anyone look up to him.
She was no exception.
Standing beside her, Pei Qianhao's eyes narrowed slightly.
"I won't introduce you two again since you're already familiar with each other," he said calmly.
But the faint squint in his eyes when he looked at Huo Bingye carried an unmistakable trace of warning… and jealousy.
Huo Bingye's lips curved faintly, as if amused.
Pei Qianhao pulled out a chair and gestured toward Mu Xiu.
"Sit."
His tone was gentle, yet commanding.
Mu Xiu touched the tip of her nose awkwardly. She wasn't used to him being this attentive—especially with so many powerful men staring at them.
She could feel their sharp gazes examining her.
"Eldest brother," Qi Lian suddenly spoke, flashing his white canine teeth mischievously. "Aren't you going to introduce her to us?"
Pei Qianhao glanced at him indifferently.
"There's no need to ask too much," he replied lightly. "I brought her."
The words were ambiguous.
Everyone at the table immediately understood the deeper meaning.
"Hello, I'm Mu Xiu," she said politely, offering a small nod.
The moment her name left her lips, the atmosphere shifted.
The men exchanged subtle glances.
"Which Mu family are you from?" Li Jingyan asked directly—the question all of them were thinking.
Before she could answer, a sudden commotion erupted near the entrance.
Voices rose.
Heads turned.
Mu Xiu instinctively looked toward the source of the noise.
Her breath hitched.
Her father.
And her elder brother.
They walked in with imposing composure, their presence commanding immediate attention. Business elites hurried forward to greet them respectfully.
"As usual," Rong Yan clicked his tongue playfully, "the Mu family always steals the limelight."
Mu Xiu shot him a sharp glare.
Rong Yan instinctively took two steps back.
"Eldest brother, what's wrong with your woman?" he grumbled exaggeratedly. "It was just a casual remark, but she took it personally."
Pei Qianhao only smiled faintly.
He didn't correct the words your woman.
"The Mu family has always been outstanding," Li Jingyan commented thoughtfully. "From the First Young Master to the Third."
"Of course," Qi Lian added. "After eldest brother, Mu Ling is ranked second as the most successful and handsome bachelor."
Mu Xiu's eyes sparkled.
Her lips curved upward unconsciously, pride filling her expression as she watched her father and brother socialize effortlessly among the elites.
That was her family.
Her chest swelled slightly.
Across the hall, Mu Ling was engaged in conversation with several business partners when he suddenly felt an intense gaze on him.
He frowned and turned his head.
And froze.
His eyes landed on Mu Xiu.
Sitting beside Pei Qianhao.
Wearing an elegant evening gown.
Not the simple, professional attire of a bodyguard.
His jaw tightened instantly.
His sister.
His precious sister.
Dressed like that… sitting among those men… beside the president himself.
Mu Ling's expression darkened.
He clenched his teeth.
Pei Qianhao.
That cunning fox.
He was clearly using tricks to steal his sister right under their noses.
And that foolish girl…
She didn't even seem aware.
Across the room, Pei Qianhao felt the hostile gaze and looked up calmly.
Their eyes met.
Two powerful men.
Neither willing to retreat.
The air between them grew tense despite the distance.
Mu Xiu, completely unaware of the silent battle unfolding, was still smiling faintly.
Mu Ling walked to his father and whispered a few words into his ears, Mu Linfeng frowned then he whispered a few words back to Mu Ling who nodded his head in understanding.
Mu Xiu saw the exchange between her father and brother, she wondered what they were talking about. Her gaze was intently on her father and brother that she didn't notice the strange expression on the faces of Li Kin and the others.
Only Pei Qianhao sipped his wine quietly without any expression, Wu Ling came and whispered a few words to Pei Qianhao who nodded in understanding
"Let's go over there" he said stretching out his hand.
"Can I stay behind?"she asked softly because her intuition told her that Mu Ling saw her and he would come to her.