"Why are you staring at me like that?"

In the car, Lin Mu felt a little flustered under Qin Luoli's gaze and couldn't help but turn away.

Qin Luoli turned his head back toward her, seriously sizing up the face that was both familiar and strange.

"Tell me honestly, how did you do it?"

Her tone was extremely serious, as if she wouldn't let him off the hook until he gave her a satisfactory explanation. Naturally, she was referring to what had just happened. Lin Mu had simply bowed, and Qiao Zishan's coffin had cracked open.

Everyone had been startled, and Qin Luoli was no exception.

"COUGH, COUGH." Lin Mu cleared his throat, blinked, and said, "If you kiss me, I'll tell you."

"Pah!" Qin Luoli couldn't help but spit in disdain, her pretty face blushing slightly.

However, she hesitated for a moment, then met his eyes. "If I kiss you, you'll really tell me?"

Lin Mu nodded solemnly. "I'll spill everything!"

"Fine!"

Qin Luoli leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.

"There, now tell me!" she urged, grabbing his arm while trying to suppress her embarrassment. She was genuinely curious. That scene had been so thrilling, it was like a Heavenly God had descended.

A trace of soft warmth still lingering on his cheek, Lin Mu said seriously, "How did I do it? Of course, it's because... I'm the Divine Doctor!"

Qin Luoli was left speechless, her mind going blank for a moment.

"You're teasing me!"

Seeing the mischievous glint in his eyes, she instantly knew he had played her and started pummeling his chest with a flurry of playful punches. After their little tussle, Qin Luoli rested in his arms, her eyes half-closed. "But you were really handsome back there."

The memory of Lin Mu fearlessly facing that crowd, enraging Qiao Tianhao and Chen Ruoping until they fainted, and making everyone look at him as if he were a devil or a deity made her heart pound wildly. When he took her hand and led her away, she had felt utterly dizzy.

In that moment, Lin Mu had been so handsome, so imposing. At the thought, a sweet smile touched her lips. She subconsciously wrapped her arms around his neck, her eyes filled with love.

RING! RING! RING!

The ringing phone made the two of them, who had been drawing closer, instantly pull apart.

After straightening her messy hair, Qin Luoli looked at her phone, and her brow furrowed.

"It's a call from my first uncle," she said, glancing at Lin Mu. They both understood the call's implication.

"Answer it." Lin Mu seemed indifferent.

Qin Hongbo was undoubtedly calling about him having enraged Chen Ruoping to the point of fainting.

Sure enough, as soon as she ended the call, she turned to Lin Mu with a helpless expression. "First Uncle wants us to go back. It's an order from the Old Madam."

Lin Mu pondered for a moment before nodding. "Then let's go."

***

When the pair returned to the Qin Family Old Residence, many of the family elders had already arrived. Just as they stepped through the main gate, a mocking voice drifted out from inside. "Oh, look who's here! Our family's two great celebrities!"

It was Chen Xinlan. She and Qin Hongbo were standing at the doorway, as if they had been deliberately waiting for them.

"Qin Luoli, look at the mess you've made!" Chen Xinlan glared darkly at her, grinding her teeth as if she wanted to tear her to shreds.

"Auntie, what could I have possibly done to make you so angry?" Qin Luoli asked, feigning ignorance.

As expected, Chen Xinlan exploded, pointing a finger at her. "You still have the nerve to ask? Don't you know what you've done, you little bitch?"

"Such a foul mouth. Did you forget to brush your teeth before you left home?" Lin Mu glanced at Chen Xinlan impassively, but his calm tone sent a shiver down her spine.

She suddenly remembered the last time at the hospital, when Lin Mu had... Recalling that vivid memory, Chen Xinlan's expression became unnatural, and her throat felt itchy.

"First Uncle, if there's nothing else, we'll head inside," Qin Luoli said with a smile, linking arms with Lin Mu and walking toward the main hall, completely ignoring Chen Xinlan.

This infuriated Chen Xinlan, who muttered resentfully under her breath, "You little bitch, you'll get what's coming to you!"

Suddenly, Lin Mu turned his head and gave her a deep look.

Chen Xinlan's face paled, and she quickly covered her mouth, her eyes wide with terror.

He heard me even though I whispered... Is this little bastard a devil?

***

In the main hall, the Old Madam was dozing in the main seat. Qin Hongshu and the others were seated below. No one spoke; the atmosphere was quiet.

However, many people couldn't help but glance subconsciously toward the Old Madam, or more precisely, toward the tall young man beside her. He appeared to be in his late twenties, with a tall build and handsome features, bearing a slight resemblance to Qin Hongshu.

When Qin Luoli entered the hall, her eyes immediately fell on the young man, and her expression subtly changed.

"Luo Li, you're back?" the young man greeted her with a warm smile, then nodded at Lin Mu.

Lin Mu scanned the room and noted that most of the people present were Qin Family elders; Qin Yan was one of the few from the younger generation. Surprisingly, Qin Hao was also there. Upon seeing Lin Mu, Qin Hao's gaze held a complex mix of fear, hatred, and schadenfreude. Qin Yan, however, gave Lin Mu a slight shake of her head, as if trying to warn him about something.

Noticing the young man's gaze was fixed on him, Lin Mu whispered to Qin Luoli, "Who is that?"

In a complicated tone, she replied, "His name is Qin Ming. He's my second uncle's son, two years older than me."

Lin Mu raised an eyebrow, a flicker of understanding in his eyes.

"Cousin Qin Ming was studying medicine abroad. I don't know why he's back," Qin Luoli added, equally confused.

"You're here?" the Old Madam said, opening her eyes. She glanced at Qin Luoli and beckoned. "Luo Li, come here."

"Yes, Great-grandmother," Qin Luoli replied with a smile. She gave Lin Mu a meaningful look before walking over.

"Cousin Qin Ming, when did you get back? You should have told me so I could have picked you up," Qin Luoli said.

Before Qin Ming could reply, a sarcastic voice cut in. "How could we dare bother our family's big boss? You're so busy with work and causing trouble at other people's funerals, we wouldn't dare ask you to pick anyone up."

Qin Hao smirked. "Isn't that right, Cousin Qin Ming?"

Qin Ming shook his head with a wry smile. "Luo Li, don't listen to his nonsense. I didn't tell anyone I was back."

"Then let me treat you to a meal sometime, Cousin. Consider it my apology," Qin Luoli said with a smile.

"Alright," Qin Ming's eyes lit up. "After so many years abroad, I've really been craving food from home."

The two chatted warmly, appearing to get along splendidly.

However, something feels amiss, Lin Mu thought. But now isn't the time to ask about it.

"Alright, have a seat," the Old Madam said with a slight cough. She glanced at Lin Mu. "You too, Lin Mu. Don't just stand there, sit."

"Thank you, Old Madam." Lin Mu found a seat next to Qin Yan.

"Lin Mu, be careful. Someone is targeting you and Luo Li," Qin Yan whispered in a complex tone, wary of being overheard.

Lin Mu's brow furrowed. He sensed something and looked up, just in time to see Qin Ming flash him a toothy grin.

Lin Mu returned the smile, though a chill settled in his heart.

I don't care if they target me. But if anyone dares to harm Luo Li, I'll slaughter them all, be they gods or buddhas!

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