At the moment, Xu Mu and Chen Xuan couldn't exactly be called enemies.
Of course, under normal circumstances, the protagonist rarely suffers losses.
If Xu Mu didn't interfere, this stall owner would probably be punished sooner or later anyway.
So why not step in first and make Chen Xuan owe him a favor?
"Don't buy it. That bowl's a fake—it's not even worth ten yuan," Chen Xuan said, trying to stop him.
But Xu Mu had already transferred the money.
The middle-aged man's face broke into a grin as he happily bagged up the broken shards.
"Boss, you're a generous one!" he said, handing the bag over.
Xu Mu said nothing, took the bag, and turned to Chen Xuan. "Let's go."
Chen Xuan hesitated briefly but still followed.
"At the Qin Family last time, you also noticed the parasitic worms, so you used Spirit-Suppressing Wood to try to kill them, right?"
As they passed a trash bin, Xu Mu casually tossed the bag inside.
"So you did know," Chen Xuan admitted with a light shake of his head. "When it comes to medicine, I'm far inferior to you. My master always said owing favors was bad, so since you helped me, let me buy you a meal."
"Sure."
Xu Mu nodded slightly—it was a good chance to talk.
Besides, he found Chen Xuan's temperament decent—unlike Lin Yan and those other protagonists who showed him instant hostility on sight.
Xu Mu was more passive by nature; if others hated him or tried to use him as a stepping stone, he might play along—but that didn't mean he enjoyed it.
Chen Xuan wasn't that kind of person, so Xu Mu was willing to try befriending him.
Leaving the antique market, Chen Xuan led Xu Mu to a nearby KFC.
"When I was on the mountain, what I liked most was when my senior sister brought me KFC. It tasted way better than my master's noodles."
Chen Xuan ordered a couple's meal and looked at Xu Mu. "Hope you don't mind."
"Of course not. Combo meals are a good deal," Xu Mu said, sitting by the window.
Chen Xuan sat across from him and looked at him calmly. "I don't know why, but when I first saw you, you really rubbed me the wrong way."
"I didn't provoke you, did I?" Xu Mu shrugged. It figured—they were destined as rivals.
"No. Maybe it's like my master said—it's jealousy. I'm jealous you're more handsome, and that your medical skill surpasses mine."
Chen Xuan rested his cheek on his hand, speaking honestly.
Xu Mu blinked in mild surprise.
The fact that Chen Xuan could self-reflect meant he wasn't a bad person at heart.
"I thought you were based in Jiangnan. What brings you to Jiangbei?" Xu Mu asked curiously.
"I came to annul an engagement."
"What? Annul an engagement?"
Xu Mu half-squinted. He'd read plenty of "broken engagement" novels before.
"You might not believe it," Chen Xuan continued, "but before my master passed away, he told me I had four fiancées."
He raised four fingers. "He said he and a few old friends arranged them during a drinking session."
"I believe you," Xu Mu nodded lightly.
No doubt one of them would be Jiang Huihui.
"But I already have someone I love—my senior sister."
As he spoke, the waiter brought their meal.
"The same senior sister who used to bring you KFC?" Xu Mu asked.
"That's right—she's my only senior sister."
Chen Xuan took a bite of his burger and continued.
His master had many friends, and they all admired Chen Xuan's talent. When they visited to drink, they'd often teach him one or two techniques.
Many even wanted Chen Xuan to become their disciple, but he always refused.
His master had only two disciples—Chen Xuan and his senior sister.
Since childhood, he had admired her deeply. No other woman ever caught his eye.
So when his master left him those four engagement letters, he hadn't even considered them—he was determined to break them off.
Unfortunately, he had to stay and guard his master's spirit after death, so he only came down the mountain recently.
Hearing his story, Xu Mu could already guess where the plot was going.
He'd read too many novels like this—and frankly, he didn't like them.
The author always claimed the story had only one heroine… yet the protagonist flirted with countless women.
And the worst part? In the end, he'd only marry the main heroine—leaving the supporting heroines heartbroken and alone.
And most of the time, it was the protagonist himself who led them on first!
They fell for him, and then he'd go, "Sorry, I only love my goddess."
Shameless!
If you're not going to marry them, why entangle them and waste their lives?
Xu Mu leaned back in his chair, crossing one leg over the other. "Bro, I think you're kinda acting smug."
"What do you mean?" Chen Xuan swallowed and looked up.
"You keep saying you only love your senior sister—but that's because you haven't met your other fiancées yet."
Xu Mu folded his arms. "If one of them turns out to be stunningly beautiful, will you still annul the engagement?"
"I will," Chen Xuan said without hesitation. "You don't understand—no one can compare to my senior sister."
"Well, I couldn't do that if I were you," Xu Mu said with a thumbs-up.
He'd already decided what he was going to do—
He was going to save the supporting heroines.
He would stop them from ever getting romantically entangled with Chen Xuan.
After all, Chen Xuan only loved his senior sister. Since he wouldn't marry the others, better to sever it at the root.
Of course, he couldn't meddle with every woman—but he could at least help Jiang Huihui.
If things went like in a typical novel, Chen Xuan would go to the Jiang Family to annul the engagement, some "accident" would happen, and they'd be forced into contact—until Jiang Huihui eventually fell for him.
But if Xu Mu stopped it at the source, the problem would be solved before it began.
"Brother, what if one day some woman really falls for you—what will you do?" Xu Mu asked with a grin, picking up his burger.
"Honestly, I don't know. I'm bad at rejecting people. How about you handle it for me?"
Chen Xuan laughed. "If any woman clings to me, I'll call you—you can take over."
"You've got jokes," Xu Mu chuckled, shaking his head.
"I'm not joking. I'll play the villain—you can play the hero."
Chen Xuan smirked. "Maybe my senior sister won't see me again because of these fiancées."
"Well, we'll see. If I can help, I will."
"Good brother!" Chen Xuan grinned. "Oh, right—take a look at these. Do you recognize any of them?"
He pulled four photos from his jacket pocket.
As Xu Mu flipped through them, he immediately spotted Jiang Huihui.
Though the photo was from a few years ago—she still had that heroic, energetic aura, her shoulder-length hair tousled freely.
Now, of course, her hair reached her waist.
"I know this one," Xu Mu said, pointing at the picture. "Her name's Jiang Huihui."
"Yes, that's the name!" Chen Xuan said, eyes lighting up. "Do you know where she is? I'd like to end that engagement as soon as possible."
"I don't have her number. Tell you what—let's exchange contact info. When I see her next, I'll call you."
Xu Mu pulled out his phone.
He felt it was too early for them to meet yet—he wanted to talk to Jiang Huihui first. After all, it wasn't something she could decide alone.
Chen Xuan nodded, looking a bit embarrassed. "You're really a good guy. I actually held a grudge against you before… what a disgrace to my master."
He even thought about just giving all four engagement letters to Xu Mu—he'd be a better match anyway.
With Xu Mu's abilities, he must be from a hidden family. Marrying four women wouldn't even be a problem.
Unfortunately, all four women's families had already met Chen Xuan personally.