Chen Feiyu nodded and said, "You can tell me if anything is bothering you. No matter what's on your mind, I will do my best to help you solve it."
"Feiyu, thank you," Han Muqing said with gratitude, a spark of light returning to her eyes.
A warm smile appeared at the corners of Chen Feiyu's lips.
After dropping Chen Feiyu off at the entrance of the Xie family villa, he had just stepped out of the car.
"Feiyu."
Suddenly, Han Muqing's voice came from behind.
Chen Feiyu turned around to see Han Muqing standing by the car. Tossing her dark, beautiful hair, she smiled charmingly and said, "Why don't we move our date up? I'll come pick you up tonight."
Tonight? Could it be...
An ambiguous look appeared in Chen Feiyu's eyes.
"Little scoundrel, what are you letting your mind wander about?" Han Muqing lightly scoffed and drove away.
"I didn't say anything at all. How did you know my mind was wandering?" Chen Feiyu asked with a playful smile, looking forward to tonight's date even more.
Knowing that Chen Feiyu was coming to treat Uncle Zhong, Xie Anxiang had summoned Xie Yongguo and Uncle Zhong early in the morning. Xie Xingxuan had even cancelled a meeting she originally had scheduled for today.
When Chen Feiyu walked into the villa's living room, Xie Yongguo and Uncle Zhong eagerly greeted him.
After exchanging pleasantries, Chen Feiyu got straight to the point. He took out a porcelain bottle, placed it in front of Xie Yongguo, and said, "Here, the Essence-Consolidating Pill. It nourishes yin, strengthens yang, solidifies the root, and nurtures the origin. One pill lasts for three years."
"In that case, many thanks, Mr. Chen." Xie Yongguo was overjoyed. Judging by his eager expression, he looked as though he wanted to swallow the Essence-Consolidating Pill right on the spot to test it out.
Xie Xingxuan helplessly covered her forehead with her hand.
Xie Anxiang chuckled and said, "Little friend Chen, what you said last time about Old Brother Zhong's chronic illness..."
"I remember." Chen Feiyu gave a grand wave of his hand and produced a crimson medicinal pill. Instantly, a rich fragrance filled the entire living room. The people present even felt a surge of vitality, prompting them to look at it in amazement.
Xie Xingxuan glanced sideways, staring curiously at the pill.
Uncle Zhong said in shock, "A top-grade medicinal pill? This is actually a top-grade medicinal pill? In all my years, I've only ever seen one inside a major family in Yanjing. Mr. Chen, this is..."
The look in his eyes as he gazed at Chen Feiyu was now filled with incredulity, and he even changed his form of address to the respectful "you".
"What? A top-grade medicinal pill?" Xie Anxiang and Xie Yongguo were also shocked.
Only Xie Xingxuan, lacking full understanding, looked on with curiosity in her beautiful eyes. Yet she knew very well that with her grandfather's self-restraint, for him to be stirred to the point of losing his composure meant this pill was definitely extraordinary!
Chen Feiyu casually handed it to Uncle Zhong and said, "This is the 'Little Xuanming Pill'. No matter what chronic illness you have, taking it will instantly make you as vigorous as a tiger."
"Th—thank you, Mr. Chen." Uncle Zhong took it with trembling hands, as if afraid someone would snatch it from him, and immediately popped it into his mouth and swallowed.
Xie Anxiang and the others watched him anxiously.
The next moment, nothing happened at all, and a peculiar expression appeared on Uncle Zhong's face.
Xie Xingxuan let out a soft sneer, and disappointment surfaced in the eyes of Xie Anxiang and the others.
Suddenly, Uncle Zhong's face flushed red, his eyes bulged wide, and a cracking sound echoed from his entire body as a powerful aura erupted from him.
Then, at a speed visible to the naked eye, the white hair on Uncle Zhong's head turned significantly darker, and he suddenly looked at least ten years younger.
In profound shock, Xie Anxiang abruptly stood up.
"I... I've broken through to the Netherworld Access Realm Late-stage." Realizing he had broken through, Uncle Zhong was both shocked and delighted, throwing his head back in a long laugh as a formidable aura surged outward.
Xie Xingxuan was standing relatively close and felt her ears sting, her head buzzing with a ringing sound that almost caused her to faint on the spot.
Quick-witted, Chen Feiyu stepped forward and covered her ears. Only then did she feel much better. She raised her head to look at Chen Feiyu with a complex expression in her eyes.
"Mr. Chen, I am truly grateful to you! Not only did you cure my chronic illness, but you also helped me break through my bottleneck. Such great kindness is hard to repay in words—if you ever need anything from me in the future, just say the word!" Uncle Zhong said with deep gratitude.
With just a single pill, Uncle Zhong's martial arts cultivation, which had stagnated for nearly ten years, had broken through once again, and his vitality had been renewed. One could easily imagine the depth of his gratitude!
Xie Anxiang and the others were likewise struck with wonder at Chen Feiyu's miraculous abilities.
Right now, inside the living room of the Xie family villa, the way they looked at Chen Feiyu had completely changed. If previously they merely valued Chen Feiyu's potential, now the skills he had displayed were enough to earn their genuine respect.
Although Xie Xingxuan was not a martial artist, seeing Uncle Zhong's dramatic transformation made her realize just how miraculous the pill was, fueling an even greater curiosity about Chen Feiyu.
Chen Feiyu calmly said, "I told you before that I would help you treat your chronic illness. Whatever I, Chen Feiyu, say, I always follow through on. There's no need to be overly courteous."
Xie Anxiang and the others nodded inwardly. A young man of such extraordinary bearing was bound to accomplish great things in the future.
Then, Xie Anxiang asked cautiously, "Little friend Chen, may I boldly ask who refined this medicinal pill?"
Chen Feiyu smiled faintly and said, "Far away yet right in front of you."
Xie Anxiang and the others were utterly dumbfounded.
Although he knew there was a high possibility that Chen Feiyu had refined it himself, the pill was simply too miraculous, and Chen Feiyu was far too young; no matter how one looked at it, he didn't fit the image of an alchemist.
Now, having received a definitive answer, stormy seas churned within the hearts of Xie Anxiang and the others.
Outstanding medical skills, a martial arts master, an alchemist...
Any single one of these awesome identities, if brought out into the world, would be enough to command the serious attention of every major family. How much more so when all these titles were concentrated in a single person? And this person was still so young, with even greater room for growth in the future—making it only a matter of time before he shook the entirety of Huaxia.
Suddenly, Xie Anxiang felt that the proudest thing in his life might not be his military career and his glorious achievements, nor his deep roots in Mingji City and the founding of a major family, but rather meeting Chen Feiyu!
Xie Xingxuan blinked her curious eyes, thinking to herself, Chen Feiyu, just what kind of person are you? Why do you keep bringing people surprises over and over again?
"Little friend Chen, if I may be so bold, can this 'Little Xuanming Pill' be refined again?" Xie Anxiang asked nervously.
Xie Yongguo, Uncle Zhong, and the others immediately perked up their ears. This was a question of paramount concern to them as well.
After all, the efficacy of the 'Little Xuanming Pill' was simply too formidable. If more 'Little Xuanming Pills' could be refined, the Xie family could nurture a greater number of experts, bringing even more benefits to the family.
The Xie family might even rise on the strength of this to become a prominent family comparable to the Zhao Family in the Provincial Capital.
Therefore, Xie Anxiang and the others could not help but care deeply.
Amidst the nervous gazes of everyone present, Chen Feiyu slowly shook his head.
Xie Anxiang and the others could not entirely conceal their disappointment.
"True enough. After all, the 'Little Xuanming Pill' is a top-grade medicinal pill. To be able to refine even one, and have it fall precisely into the hands of our Xie family, is already supreme fortune. I shouldn't be greedy and ask for more," Xie Anxiang said with a forced smile.
Chen Feiyu rolled his eyes. In truth, the 'Little Xuanming Pill' was an utter failure in his eyes, so naturally he had no intention of refining any more of them; that was why he had shaken his head.
Naturally, this was not something Chen Feiyu would voice out loud.
"Although I won't refine any more, I do happen to have more 'Little Xuanming Pills' right here." Amidst everyone's disappointed expressions, Chen Feiyu slowly spoke up.
"What?"
Everyone was practically petrified.
Xie Anxiang immediately pressed, "Little friend Chen, is this true?"
"Naturally. Would I lie to you?" Chen Feiyu produced a small blue-and-white porcelain bottle and placed it on the sandalwood table.
"Could it be that these are 'Little Xuanming Pills'? Heaven bless the Xie family! To think there is another bottle of 'Little Xuanming Pills'! The Xie family will surely rise to a new height—we must celebrate with three large cups of wine!" Xie Anxiang said excitedly.
Chen Feiyu curled his lip and said, "Who said there's only one? So lacking in vision. There are ten more inside."
"T—ten?"
In their excitement, Xie Anxiang and the others sprang to their feet.
Uncle Zhong rushed over eagerly, opened the bottle cap to take a look, and then said to Xie Anxiang in shock, "Old Brother Xie, there really are ten!"
Xie Anxiang was so excited that old tears welled up in his eyes.
Chen Feiyu rolled his eyes, feeling a silent wave of disdain in his heart. Truly uncultured—getting this excited over a mere failed product. If you were to lay eyes on a genuine 'Xuanming Pill', wouldn't you go crazy with excitement?
Suppressing the agitation and excitement in his heart, Xie Anxiang asked cautiously, "Little friend Chen, I am willing to offer one hundred million to buy all ten 'Little Xuanming Pills'. What do you think?"
Having said this, Xie Anxiang looked extremely nervous, as if afraid Chen Feiyu might refuse.
Chen Feiyu was taken aback. What? These worthless pieces of junk could sell for one hundred million?
Thinking that Chen Feiyu was reluctant, Xie Anxiang immediately chimed in, "Three hundred million... No, five hundred million! I am willing to offer five hundred million Huaxia yuan to buy all ten 'Little Xuanming Pills'."
"Deal!" Chen Feiyu said, a wave of intense excitement surging within him. He had just come down from the mountain not long ago, and already he had made over five hundred million Huaxia yuan, plus a bayfront villa. Tsk tsk, awesome!
Xie Anxiang laughed heartily, feeling that he had scored the bargain of a lifetime. Then, fearing that Chen Feiyu might go back on his word, he hastily had Xie Yongguo put away the 'Little Xuanming Pills' while mentally making plans for how to allocate the ten pills.
His second son and grandson served in the military; giving them two pills to enhance their strength would solidify their standing within the armed forces.
He would take another two pills to rope in powerful experts and make them pledge their loyalty to the Xie family.
He would take one for himself; who knows, it might restore his vitality and make him a dozen years younger.
The remaining five would be kept as family heirlooms!
Xie Anxiang believed that it wouldn't be long before the Xie family's influence climbed to yet another level, becoming an existence comparable to the prominent families of the Provincial Capital!
Tonight, he decided he must drink three large cups of wine to celebrate!
Chapter 33: A Date with Han Muqing
Chen Feiyu shook his head inwardly. To think the Xie family was supposed to be a major family; getting this excited over a mere 'Little Xuanming Pill' truly showed they had never seen the world.
Actually, this couldn't really be blamed on Xie Anxiang; it was simply because alchemists were extremely rare in this world, and alchemists capable of refining top-grade medicinal pills were scarcer still.
Every single alchemist was a figure fought over by various major families, possessing immense influence.
"Little friend Chen, what is your bank account number? I'll transfer the money to you right now." Although excited, Xie Anxiang was an old fox after all and hadn't forgotten business.
After Chen Feiyu recited the number, five hundred million Huaxia yuan was soon deposited into his account.
Looking at the long string of digits following the decimal, even with Chen Feiyu's steadfast state of mind, he couldn't help but feel his heart blaze with warmth.
The feeling of being rich was truly motherfucking awesome!
Xie Xingxuan had been sitting to the side the entire time. She could never have imagined that Chen Feiyu, who had been a diner waitress's companion—no, a small eatery's employee just days ago, would amass assets worth hundreds of millions in the span of a few short days.
Perhaps Chen Feiyu was a true hidden dragon that would one day soar into the heavens.
Had she encountered him a little earlier, perhaps her heart might have been stirred as well.
But now...
Thinking of her current predicament, Xie Xingxuan let out a quiet sigh.
In the evening, at the bayfront villa.
Chen Feiyu sat in the living room, watching television out of boredom, when his cell phone suddenly rang. It was a call from Han Muqing.
"Feiyu, come on out. I'm outside your door."
Chen Feiyu's spirits lifted, and a smile unconsciously bloomed at the corners of his lips.
Arriving outside, he saw Han Muqing leaning against her car door, wearing sunglasses and smiling brightly as she looked at him.
It was clear Han Muqing had dressed up with great care. Abandoning her usual black professional attire, she wore a striped off-the-shoulder top that bared her smooth, flawless shoulders, making her look exceptionally striking. On her lower half, she sported deep blue cropped trousers that accentuated her long legs, and on her feet were a pair of crystal high-heeled sandals that revealed ten slender, delicate toes.
A mature charm suffused with allure!
Chen Feiyu's eyes lit up. He walked over with a smile and bantered, "Dressed up so prettily, I almost thought you were going on a blind date."
Han Muqing was pleased by the remark. The corners of her lips curved into a charming smile as she cast a sultry, side-long glance at him and chided, "You have a glib tongue. Come on, Older Sister is taking you out to eat to shut that mouth of yours."
After the two got into the car, they drove all the way toward the downtown area.
Initially, given Han Muqing's status and position, Chen Feiyu thought she would treat him to a grand feast.
As a result, when Han Muqing parked the car by the roadside food stalls, Chen Feiyu's jaw nearly dropped in astonishment.
"What, are you unhappy?" Han Muqing chided playfully.
Chen Feiyu chuckled and said, "Not at all. Sister Qing is treating me to dinner; I'm thrilled to pieces."
"Consider yourself quick-witted. Let's go, the food at this stall is very famous." Han Muqing took off her sunglasses, took the initiative to link her arm through Chen Feiyu's, and walked toward the food stalls as if they were a couple.
Han Muqing was a top-tier goddess to begin with. As soon as she appeared, many of the big rough men inside the food stall turned to look at her, their expressions full of amazement and, toward Chen Feiyu, envy and jealousy.
"Hmph!"
Chen Feiyu suddenly put his arm around Han Muqing's waist, sweeping a warning gaze across the surroundings as if declaring his territory.
Instantly, the surrounding gazes turned unfriendly.
Han Muqing's body stiffened slightly before relaxing, and she chuckled, "Little brother, you're quite overbearing."
"That's only natural. How could I let anyone else harbor thoughts about my woman?" Chen Feiyu snorted. Holding Han Muqing close, he led her without further ado to a nearby square table and sat down.
Han Muqing shot him an annoyed look and said, "I wasn't aware—when did I become your woman?"
"Even if I'm not right now, I will be in the future." Chen Feiyu said with utmost confidence.
"How naive." Han Muqing shook her head with a light chuckle, her cheeks slightly flushed.
The two ordered some skewers and beer. After two glasses of alcohol went down, Han Muqing's cheeks flushed red, adding an even more enchanting glow to her beauty.
"You know, five years ago when I had just graduated from university and came to Mingji City all alone, my very first paycheck went toward eating at these roadside food stalls." A trace of reminiscence surfaced in Han Muqing's eyes.
There was alcohol, there was a story, and there was a beauty.
Chen Feiyu said nothing, quietly listening.
"No one knows how much effort I put in. Two years later, Old Master Xie appreciated me and gave me a special promotion to become the general manager of the Mingji Trade Building. You know how it is—a single, attractive woman sitting in a high position is naturally prone to malicious gossip. Even daughters of privilege like Xie Xingxuan and Su Yingxue were no exception.
It took me three years to ruthlessly triple the profits of the Mingji Trade Building, step by step shutting the mouths of those people who only knew how to gossip behind my back.
Now, I've become the president, and the rumors and gossip that had gradually faded away are flaring up among the employees once more. They say I climbed to where I am by selling my body, and during meetings, some even use their seniority to openly ridicule me..."
A bitter smile crossed the corner of Han Muqing's lips as she picked up her glass and gulped down the beer in large mouthfuls.
Chen Feiyu said with heartache, "Is that why you've been in a bad mood these past two days?"
"That's only one of the reasons... Wait, in your eyes, is your older sister that fragile, unable to withstand other people's gossip?" She gave him an exasperated look before continuing, "It's mainly about things in the business world. The Wangxing Trading Company belonging to the Li family has been crossing us at every turn, messing up quite a few of my business deals. What a total pest, hmph!"
"The Li family?" Chen Feiyu rolled his eyes and said, "Li Tongwei?"
"So you know him too? That's right, it's him. What a despicable villain!" Han Muqing said with lingering resentment.
A flash of murderous intent crossed Chen Feiyu's eyes. The last time Li Tongwei tried to scheme against him, he hadn't even settled accounts with him yet; now, with old scores and new grudges combined, it seemed it was time to settle them properly.
"Yo-ho, little beauty, how about keeping us brothers company for a drink?"
Suddenly, four hoodlums reeking of alcohol sauntered over and bantered lewdly with Han Muqing.
Many people nearby sucked in a breath of cold air. They had already recognized these four as local thugs who were formidable fighters, and practically no one dared to provoke them.
Han Muqing frowned, making no effort to conceal her disgust, and snapped, "Get lost!"
"Haha, the little beauty is quite fiery. Daddy loves this type best! Today you'd better make daddy happy, otherwise don't even think about leaving this place!" a punk with dyed yellow hair said viciously.
Han Muqing stood up, her gaze icy cold, and swung her hand to land a crisp slap across the yellow-haired punk's face.
"Fuck! You dare hit me? I'm going to waste you!" The yellow-haired punk flew into a rage, reaching out to strike Han Muqing across the face.
Suddenly, a hand shot out from the side and grabbed him in a tight grip.
It was Chen Feiyu.
The yellow-haired punk raged, "Damn it, let go of me right now, or I'll slaughter your whole family!"
Chen Feiyu's expression was frosty, cold intent blooming in his eyes as he said, "If you flirt with my woman, you'd better be prepared to pay the price!"
Chen Feiyu applied force to his grip. With a sickening "crack," the yellow-haired punk's wrist fractured, and his right hand went completely limp.
"Quick, beat him to death!" The yellow-haired punk roared in a mix of pain and fury.
The other three thugs flew into a rage, grabbing iron pipes and lunging straight at Chen Feiyu.
"Feiyu, watch out!" Han Muqing covered her small mouth in a cry of alarm.
Dealing with petty thugs like this was naturally nothing to worry about for Chen Feiyu. He whipped out three rapid kicks, moving faster than his attackers, and struck each of their shins in turn.
With three consecutive "crack, crack, crack" sounds, the left legs of all three hoodlums fractured simultaneously, and they collapsed heavily to the ground, struggling in vain to get back up.
The surrounding onlookers sucked in a collective breath of cold air, shocked by Chen Feiyu's ruthlessness.
Suddenly, the yellow-haired punk sneaked forward clutching an iron pipe, a vicious look in his eyes, and swung it fiercely toward Han Muqing's forehead.
If that blow landed, even if she survived, her face would be permanently disfigured.
Han Muqing's face drained of color; she tightly closed her eyes as if accepting her fate.
The next moment, Han Muqing felt herself pulled into someone's embrace. Opening her eyes, she saw Chen Feiyu standing right in front of her, using his own back to shield her from the iron pipe. For a split second, Chen Feiyu even furrowed his brow.
He must be in terrible pain.
Han Muqing felt as though her heart was melting. With a heartbroken expression, she stroked Chen Feiyu's face, tears welling up in her eyes.
A warm smile curved the corners of Chen Feiyu's lips as he said, "Be a good girl and watch me avenge you."
"Mn, I trust you," Han Muqing murmured infatuatedly.
Naturally, this was all intentional on Chen Feiyu's part. Given his abilities, he had well over a hundred ways to both deal with the yellow-haired punk and keep Han Muqing completely unharmed.
Yet no matter which of those methods he chose, none compared to stepping directly into the line of fire.
The trope of rescuing a damsel in distress might be cliché, but it always worked like a charm.
Chen Feiyu turned around, the smugness in his eyes glaringly obvious. Following that, he let out a cold laugh and threw a punch straight ahead.
The yellow-haired punk didn't even have time to react before Chen Feiyu's fist sent him flying, knocking him out cold on the ground.
"Alright, settled. In the future, if anyone dares to bully you, I'll avenge you just like this. How about that?" Chen Feiyu smiled at Han Muqing.