"What a bunch of trash!"

In the office of the Ping An Loan Company, the boss, Cao Huaibing, slammed his favorite teapot set to the ground, his face contorted with fury. A subordinate in charge of debt collection stood before him with his head lowered, not daring to breathe.

"Lift your head!" Cao Huaibing shouted.

The subordinate shakily raised his head, looking at Cao Huaibing in terror.

SMACK!

Cao Huaibing slapped the subordinate across the face, cursing, "You useless idiot! How could two grown men sent to collect from some old bastard get themselves killed? Why don't you just find a block of tofu and smash your head against it?"

With a few more sharp slaps, he sent a shower of blood from the man's mouth. Several teeth came loose, but the subordinate didn't dare utter a single word. He knew better than anyone that if he didn't let the boss vent his anger, his life would be hell.

"Investigate! I want you to dig deep and find out where that old bastard is hiding!" Cao Huaibing glanced at the subordinate and said coldly, "If you can't find him, don't bother coming back!"

The subordinate scurried out. Cao Huaibing wiped the blood from his hand, straightened his clothes, and walked toward the adjacent lounge.

"Young Master Qiao."

Cao Huaibing, who had just been a thunderstorm of rage, now stood trembling at the doorway, cautiously observing the young man sitting on the sofa.

It was Qiao Zishan, the sole son of River City's wealthiest tycoon, Qiao Jinghao!

Qiao Zishan was handsome with a slender build, the type countless girls adored. However, his face was somewhat pale. This was partly due to his usual overindulgence, but also because he had just been released after spending a day and a night in that sunless, gloomy place.

"Boss Cao is truly a major figure in our River City. Such an aura, such authority... even I feel a bit inferior," Qiao Zishan said, swirling the wine in his glass with a faint smile. His smile always carried a somewhat effeminate quality that detracted from his handsome features.

"Not at all, not at all," Cao Huaibing said, wiping away cold sweat. "In front of Young Master Qiao, I'm nothing. No, less than nothing."

"Alright, spare me the flattery. Just get the job done," Qiao Zishan replied nonchalantly.

"Absolutely! I guarantee I'll give Young Master Qiao a satisfactory answer in three days!" Cao Huaibing immediately pledged.

"One day."

Qiao Zishan held up a single finger. "I don't have that much time to waste here, so I'm only giving you one day."

Without waiting for Cao Huaibing to agree, Qiao Zishan stood up. "You told your man not to come back if he fails. Well, I have a similar requirement for you."

"If I don't see the person by this time tomorrow, don't you come to see me either!"

Qiao Zishan left, leaving Cao Huaibing alone to tremble in fear. He understood Qiao Zishan's meaning perfectly. If the task wasn't completed, he, Cao Huaibing, would have to kill himself to atone.

At this thought, Cao Huaibing whipped out his phone and called his men.

"Get everyone! No matter where that old bastard is hiding, you find him for me!" he bellowed into the phone.

It was no wonder he was so terrified. He had once accepted a large sum of money from Qiao Zishan on the condition that he would find a way to make Lin Mu's mother fall into massive debt, after which he would show up to collect and pressure her. The plan had come to him quickly and had been executed beautifully.

Yet, when he sent his men to collect, Mother Lin couldn't pay up. Even worse, his two subordinates had been killed. He hadn't dared to make a scene at the time. After quietly disposing of the bodies, he had his men search all over River City for Lin Mu and his mother. However, Lin Mu had entered the Qin Family as a live-in son-in-law, and on his mother's advice, had cut off all contact with her. No matter how much Cao Huaibing investigated, he couldn't find a trace of this.

But now, he felt he had a new lead.

If he couldn't find Mother Lin, he could look for her son, Lin Mu!

A ferocious glint flashed in Cao Huaibing's eyes. You'd better hope I never find you. If I do, I'll make you suffer!

***

「The next morning.」

Qin Luoli woke from her slumber and instinctively glanced at the space beside her. Seeing it empty, she felt a momentary pang of surprise.

Qin Luoli, what's wrong with you? That asshole was so horrid to you last night, and now you're hoping he's here?

Thinking about the previous night, Qin Luoli was filled with renewed anger. She was already furious after the assassination attempt and had laid in bed plotting how to kick Lin Mu out the moment he arrived. But he never came, not even by the time she drifted off to sleep.

As a result, she hadn't slept well at all and looked rather listless. Anyone targeted for assassination would be in a terrible mood.

Yawning, Qin Luoli left her room just as Lin Mu was coming down the stairs.

"You were up all night?" Qin Luoli was startled to see Lin Mu looking utterly exhausted, his eyes bloodshot. For the past few days, he had been acting like he was on steroids, full of boundless energy and shrouded in mystery. This was the first time she had seen him in such a state.

"Hm. Do you need something?" Lin Mu asked indifferently.

Seeing him revert to his cold, detached demeanor, the flicker of concern she had just felt was instantly extinguished.

This jerk! Why is he so dense?!

When Qin Luoli said nothing more, Lin Mu continued down the stairs. After an entire night of work, he had finally managed to concoct the elixir. His Cultivation Level hadn't recovered much, so the process had consumed a great deal of his Mana and Divine Soul, leaving him drained. Still, he was thrilled to have successfully crafted it. As soon as his mother took the elixir, her illness would slowly begin to heal.

"Xiao Mu, Luoli, you're awake?"

At that moment, Mother Lin emerged from the kitchen. "Quick, wash up and come eat."

She saw Qin Luoli yawning and Lin Mu with his bloodshot eyes. As a woman of experience, she smiled faintly, though a hint of concern touched her expression. "Xiao Mu," she said, "you must take care of your body. You may be young, but you need to practice restraint. Luoli is a girl, after all."

"What?" Lin Mu looked completely bewildered.

"Luoli," Lady Su said, shooting her son a look before turning to Qin Luoli. "Later, take me to the market. I'll buy some ingredients to make a nourishing meal for you and Xiao Mu."

"Huh?" Qin Luoli's mind was filled with question marks.

Suddenly, she grasped her mother-in-law's meaning. Her face flushed such a deep crimson it looked as if it might bleed, a breathtakingly beautiful sight.

"Mom, we actually..."

Just as Qin Luoli started to explain, Lady Su smiled and cut her off. "No need to explain. I'm an experienced woman, of course I know. Just try to control yourselves a bit more in the future."

Qin Luoli: "..."

Lin Mu: "..."

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