Xu Mu was a little surprised and asked curiously, "How did you find out?"
"I have Wei Jingzhi's contact — he told me. He said he's one of the judges for this marriage Tournament event," Xu Shou said with a smile. "He said he saw your name on the list."
"Xu Mu! How dare you! How has Ye Tong wronged you? You actually dare to take part in something like this?" Xu Ningbing, sitting beside Xu Mu, grabbed his neck and squeezed.
Under the force of the move, Xu Mu's face pressed into Xu Ningbing's chest. He was forcibly made to use face wash.
"A misunderstanding!" Xu Mu shouted at once, though he didn't struggle free and remained pressed there. "Let go of me!"
Only then did Xu Ningbing release him. "I'll give you a chance to explain."
Xu Mu pouted. Why was Xu Ningbing so obedient today? Didn't she usually love to contradict him? The more he let her go, the tighter she would squeeze.
He settled back on the sofa and told them everything that had happened. He also made sure to tell them that he had already brought Jiang Huihui home and informed Ye Tong about it.
Ye Tong had already agreed.
Xu Shou and Xu Ningbing fell silent, thinking the matter over.
"So that means for this marriage Tournament you'll be competing against disciples from sects?" Xu Shou asked, lighting a cigarette in puzzlement. "Who exactly is this Jiang Huihui?"
"She runs a fried-chicken restaurant. Doesn't seem to be from an out-of-sight noble family. Oh — her grandfather is called Jiang Sheng," Xu Mu said after thinking a moment.
"What?" Xu Shou's eyes widened; the hand holding his cigarette trembled. "Who is Jiang Mingzhuo to her?"
"Jiang Mingzhuo? I don't know. I only know her father's name is Jiang Xingjun," Xu Mu explained.
"Xingjun? I see." Xu Shou took a long drag, coughing theatrically. "Kid, if you promised someone, you'd better follow through."
"I'll certainly try my best."
Xu Mu suddenly looked at Xu Shou with curiosity. "You mentioned Jiang Mingzhuo just now — who is he?"
"I've met the man before. I heard his father is called Jiang Sheng," Xu Shou said with a smile. "The person I know might be Jiang Huihui's eldest uncle."
"Oh? You've heard of him?" Xu Mu asked in surprise.
"Jiang Sheng himself once said his eldest son was an unrepentant villain who caused the family to owe many debts," Xu Mu replied, smiling at Xu Shou.
"An unrepentant villain? Indeed — the reason I've heard of him is because he's notorious." Xu Shou took another drag, spun his executive chair, and stared out the window.
"Dad, we should go now," Xu Ningbing said.
"Mm, go get busy," Xu Shou replied softly.
Xu Mu and Xu Ningbing left together. While waiting for the elevator, Xu Ningbing suddenly asked, "What do you think is up with Dad?"
"He probably recognizes Jiang Mingzhuo. Hearing that name triggered memories," Xu Mu said with a smile.
He knew Xu Shou was no ordinary man — he must have been a master in his day. It was quite possible he'd met Jiang Mingzhuo before; maybe they were even enemies who had fought.
After all, Jiang Mingzhuo was a major villain. A man like Xu Shou — a devoted family man at home but a formidable figure outside — would naturally be at odds with him.
Xu Ningbing nodded; that seemed plausible.
They rode the elevator down. Xu Ningbing got off first; Xu Mu returned to his office. He'd just sat down to play his ten-draw when Jiang Huihui called.
Xu Mu answered immediately, smiling, "Huihui, what's up?"
"My grandfather is arranging with the sanitation department to provide a relic site as the venue," Jiang Huihui said. "If negotiations go well, the marriage Tournament should start tomorrow or the day after."
"That soon?" Xu Mu was surprised — it looked like Jiang Sheng didn't want to delay.
"Can you handle it?" Jiang Huihui asked over the phone, sounding nervous. "I'm really anxious now."
"Don't worry. I have two backup plans. I'll do my best to help you," Xu Mu said with a smile.
"All right, I'll let you know if there's any news." Jiang Huihui hung up.
Since the contest was imminent, Xu Mu knew he had to act. He messaged Chen Xuan and then drove to see him. Chen Xuan was Xu Mu's secondary contingency.
Outside a hotel, Chen Xuan walked over with a woven bag on his back.
When Xu Mu saw him he said, "Old Chen, this isn't a big deal — you can leave the woven bag at the hotel."
"I've got valuables inside; I'm afraid of losing them, so I prefer to keep it with me," Chen Xuan replied with a smile as he approached Xu Mu. "What's up, Brother Mu?"
"Jiang Huihui's marriage contest will begin in a day or two. I want you to take part," Xu Mu said directly.
"What? Me participate? No way! I finally got out of a marriage — how could I join this?" Chen Xuan waved his hands.
"You misunderstood. I want you to help clear out some of the masters. If we meet them, just lose on purpose," Xu Mu said, patting Chen Xuan's shoulder with a smile.
Relieved, Chen Xuan agreed, "You should've said that earlier — I'll help sweep the obstacles aside."
"That's all I needed to hear."
Xu Mu didn't say his true thought: if he lost, Chen Xuan might win. If one of their people won the contest, there would be lots of room to maneuver.
"By the way, you said you just got out of a marriage — won't Senior Jiang Sheng say something?" Chen Xuan asked suddenly.
"I thought of that too — he probably won't mind," Xu Mu said, patting Chen Xuan's shoulder. Since Jiang Sheng included painting as part of the contest, it showed he actually wanted Xu Mu to win. Whatever tricks Xu Mu used, Jiang Sheng wouldn't mind. Chen Xuan could simply enter under a false name.
"Do you like staying at the hotel? If so I won't find you another place," Xu Mu asked.
"Better to find a place. I can't practice at the high floors in the hotel," Chen Xuan said with a laugh. "I'd like to live in a village outside the city — rent is cheap and there's space."
"Get in the car — money's not problem." Xu Mu drove Chen Xuan to the eastern edge of Yang City. His villa was in the east; if Chen Xuan lived on the city's eastern edge it would be convenient.
Xu Mu sent a message to Wang Biao to find a small courtyard on the outskirts. When they arrived, they found rows of small courtyards.
He stopped in front of a two-story house that looked like a village home.
"How about here?" Xu Mu said after getting out. "It's got a yard and the hill nearby — good for cultivation."
"This place is perfect," Chen Xuan said as he hopped out with his woven bag, surveying the surroundings. "How much is it? I don't want to always be spending your money."
"Don't say that." Xu Mu grabbed Chen Xuan's shoulder and held him in place for several awkward seconds.
Chen Xuan felt embarrassed. "Brother Mu, what's wrong?"
"Nothing — just those few dozen seconds just now, the money my family makes would cover your rent for a year. Do you think I need you to pay me?" Xu Mu smiled.
"Damn, Brother Mu — you're awesome!" Chen Xuan gave a thumbs up.
"Hey — are these new neighbors?" a woman called from around a corner.
A woman in black stockings and a tight skirt swayed toward them. Xu Mu judged her age at about thirty–five, with a round face and a slightly plump figure. Yet with makeup and confidence she had some charm.
Xu Mu used his Divine Eye and read her status:
Name: Zhou Xia
Role: Disciple of the Yin-Yang Sect
Favorability: 20
Fate Level: 1 (max level 10)
Yin-Yang Sect?
Xu Mu had heard of the sect in the story: a lower-tier evil school that strengthens power through Yin-Yang dual cultivation.