"Wait… you just finished eating!"
Ye Yu pouted unhappily as she watched the two of them head upstairs again.
"Early to bed and early to rise—it's good for your health," Xu Mu's voice drifted down.
Back in their room, Xu Mu quickly showered, then sat on the bed.
He couldn't explain what Ye Tong had said earlier—if he did, she would know he'd been hiding in that room.
He could only prove himself through actions.
"Husband, I'm going to take a bath first," Ye Tong said softly, lowering her head as she shyly stepped into the bathroom.
Xu Mu lay back alone, quietly waiting.
Inside the bathroom, Ye Tong clenched her fists and swore to herself that she'd make Xu Mu pay for tonight.
She didn't know why, but Xu Mu seemed to be getting stronger and stronger lately.
Forget it—better get some sleep.
Otherwise, she might be dragged up in the middle of the night to "listen to a piano duet."
The next morning.
Xu Mu got up early—today was important, and he couldn't afford delays.
Over breakfast, he told Ye Tong and Ye Yu about the upcoming trip.
If all went smoothly, it would take a day or two; if not, maybe longer. He assured them not to worry.
Ye Tong nodded lightly, telling him to come back soon.
Ye Yu clenched her small fists, a new thought forming in her heart—she wanted to grow stronger too, so she could help Xu Mu.
After breakfast, Xu Mu sent a message to Meng Wanyue, then went to pick her up.
Today, Meng Wanyue wore sportswear, a baseball cap, and a backpack—she could've easily passed for a high schooler.
"Manager Xu," she said softly from the passenger seat, hugging her bag, "I brought water and food, just in case."
"As expected of Wanyue, always so thoughtful," Xu Mu said with a smile.
Meng Wanyue's cheeks flushed as she lowered her head, resting her chin on her backpack.
[Favorability +20]
Xu Mu then swung by the hotel to pick up Chen Xuan.
As usual, Chen Xuan came out carrying his urea-woven sack—but this time, it looked heavier than before, bulging with supplies.
"Brother Mu!" he greeted cheerfully as he climbed into the backseat.
"What's in the bag this time?" Xu Mu asked curiously.
"Mostly food and water," Chen Xuan said. "And a handy weapon."
"Why don't I get you a backpack instead? Easier to carry," Xu Mu suggested, eyeing the worn sack.
"No need. I'm used to this bag—it holds more than a backpack," Chen Xuan shook his head.
Xu Mu didn't press it. He messaged Dai Xingluo and Miao He to confirm their meeting point, then started driving toward the destination.
Even though he didn't need a pack, he decided to buy one for show—since there were more people this time.
They stopped by a convenience store where he bought a simple backpack and some basic supplies.
When they arrived at Lihua Village, Xu Mu noticed there were even more vehicles than before.
Just as Xia Sihan had said, someone must've leaked the information—whether intentionally or not.
To his surprise, after just one day away, many villagers had hung signs in front of their houses reading "Paid Parking."
Xu Mu thought for a moment and decided to park at one of the paid lots.
Many of his enemies knew his car; it was better to leave it somewhere secure.
"How much?" he asked an old man puffing on a tobacco pipe.
"One yuan per hour," the old man grinned. "You can park in my yard—guaranteed no scratches."
"I'll give you five hundred," Xu Mu said. "I'm renting your whole yard—only my car can park there.
If I don't come back in three days, add one hundred yuan per extra day. I'll pay the rest when I return."
"Deal!" The old man's eyes lit up. "Once you leave, I'll lock my gate tight. No one'll even see the car, let alone scratch it!"
As a retired farmer living on a tiny monthly pension, this was a fortune to him.
He'd copied the others in the village who'd started charging for parking—he never expected to earn this much so soon.
Xu Mu nodded, satisfied—that was exactly what he wanted.
He parked the car in the man's yard, transferred the money, and left with his companions.
He called Dai Xingluo and Miao He again; both said they were almost there.
Before long, a woman in traditional Hanfu with a hairpin appeared in the distance—a graceful beauty, sword at her waist.
Today, Dai Xingluo looked less like a gentle lady and more like a wandering heroine.
As she approached, she glanced coldly at Meng Wanyue. "If I'd known she was coming, I wouldn't have bothered."
At the Nangong family banquet last time, Dai Xingluo had realized this girl was a strong rival—powerful, not to be underestimated.
It seemed Feng Yue had been right: Xu Mu's admirers weren't just ordinary women—some were masters themselves.
If she wanted to win him by force, she'd need allies.
Still, Dai Xingluo was confident.
Aside from Feng Yue, she had one very powerful supporter—Xu Shou.
As long as Xu Mu's father approved of her as a daughter-in-law, her place would be secure.
"Let's exchange contacts," Meng Wanyue said coldly. "If I come next time, I'll message you in advance—so you can stay home."
"Sorry, I don't add strangers," Dai Xingluo smiled sweetly. "Only family—like my brother."
She hooked her arm around Xu Mu's, smiling like a flower.
Xu Mu coughed awkwardly. "Xingluo, there are people around—maybe tone it down."
"Ah, of course. I know I'm not as interesting as my other sisters. Brother never has me in his heart anyway," she sighed dramatically, releasing his arm.
"Behave yourself," Xu Mu said, glancing awkwardly at Chen Xuan.
Chen Xuan looked utterly serious. So many women… no wonder his head hurts.
Thank goodness he only liked his senior sister.
Still, with Xu Mu's harem growing, maybe he could just hand over some of his unknown fiancées to him—one more or less wouldn't make a difference.
"Xu Mu!"
A voice called from afar. From a silver-gray Wuling Hongguang, Miao He jumped out.
She was in denim shorts, her long legs wrapped in black stockings that shimmered faintly under the morning sun.
A pale blue blouse and silver hair covering one eye gave her a mysterious, alluring look.
But surprisingly, she wasn't wearing the trademark black teardrop makeup beneath her visible eye today.
With a backpack slung over one shoulder, Miao He strode toward them.
"Brother, you won't even explain yourself anymore? Forget it—if I say more, I'll just sound petty," Dai Xingluo said coldly, her hand resting on her sword hilt as she eyed Miao He with growing hostility.
"Oh, right—let me introduce you," Xu Mu said with a smile. "This is Miao He. She's the one who found the location of the ancient ruin."
"Let's get going," Miao He said flatly. She'd already been waiting too long.
Xu Mu nodded. As they headed toward the site, he glanced at Dai Xingluo. "Xingluo, don't you have a backpack?"
Everyone else—Xu Mu, Meng Wanyue, and Miao He—carried one.
Chen Xuan had his woven sack.
Only Dai Xingluo had nothing but her sword.
"I have Brother, don't I?" she smiled sweetly. "Or… does Brother not want to share?"
"Of course I'll share," Xu Mu said—then suddenly turned his gaze into the distance.
His senses had picked up several presences ahead.
If they kept moving, they might run into them. He hesitated but said nothing.
Their group's strength wasn't weak—they had no need to be afraid.
After crossing a small hill, they spotted several people below.
Dai Xingluo's eyes turned frosty.
The group below also looked up.
A long-haired woman smirked. "Well, look who it is. Isn't this our dear Junior Sister Xingluo?"