Seeing Han Muqing’s look of shock and admiration, Chen Feiyu felt a quiet sense of triumph inside.
Along the way, Chen Feiyu noticed that Han Muqing’s complexion was not looking well, and she had dark circles under her eyes—she had clearly stayed up late last night.
"Sister Qing, has something been troubling you lately?" Chen Feiyu asked with concern.
"It's nothing," Han Muqing forced a smile.
Chen Feiyu nodded and said, "You can talk to me if anything is the matter. No matter what the trouble is, I will do my best to help you solve it."
"Feiyu, thank you," Han Muqing said gratefully, 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, Chen Feiyu had just stepped out of the car.
"Feiyu."
Suddenly, Han Muqing's voice came from behind.
Chen Feiyu turned back to look and saw Han Muqing standing by the car, tossing her dark, beautiful hair, and smiling with alluring charm. "Why don't we bring our date forward? Tonight, I'll come pick you up."
Tonight? Could it be...
An ambiguous look appeared in Chen Feiyu's eyes.
"Little pervert, what are you letting your mind wander about?" Han Muqing gave a soft scoff 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, feeling even more eager for tonight's date.
Knowing that Chen Feiyu was coming to treat Uncle Zhong, Xie Anxiang had gotten up early and summoned Xie Yongguo and Uncle Zhong. Xie Xingxuan had originally scheduled a meeting for today, but she canceled it as well.
As soon as Chen Feiyu walked into the villa's main hall, Xie Yongguo and Uncle Zhong hurried forward in pleasant surprise.
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. Gujing Pill. It nourishes yin, strengthens yang, and fortifies the fundamental essence. One pill lasts for three years."
"In that case, thank you so much, Mr. Chen!" Xie Yongguo was overjoyed. Judging by his excited look, he practically wanted to swallow the Gujing Pill right then and there to test it out.
Xie Xingxuan helplessly covered her forehead.
Xie Anxiang chuckled and said, "Little friend Chen, that chronic ailment on my old brother here that you mentioned last time..."
"I remember," Chen Feiyu said with a wave of his hand, producing a crimson pill. Instantly, the entire main hall was filled with a rich fragrance, and everyone present felt their spirits instantly refreshed, making them look on in great astonishment.
Xie Xingxuan glanced sideways, staring curiously at the pill.
Uncle Zhong gasped 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 way he looked at Chen Feiyu was now filled with sheer disbelief, and he even changed his form of address to a respectful "you".
"What? A top-grade medicinal pill?" Xie Anxiang and Xie Yongguo were shocked as well.
Only Xie Xingxuan didn't know much about it, her pretty eyes filled with curiosity, but she knew very well that with her grandfather's self-control, for him to be excited to the point of losing his composure meant this pill was absolutely extraordinary!
Chen Feiyu casually handed it to Uncle Zhong and said, "This is the 'Little Xuanoyang Pill'. No matter what chronic ailment you have, eating it will make you full of vigor and vitality instantly."
"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 it.
Xie Anxiang and the others watched him anxiously.
The next moment, nothing seemed to happen, and a peculiar expression appeared on Uncle Zhong's face.
Xie Xingxuan let out a soft scoff, and looks of disappointment surfaced in the eyes of Xie Anxiang and the others.
Suddenly, Uncle Zhong's face flushed red, his eyes bulged wide, and a series of popping sounds burst from his body as an intense aura erupted from him.
Then, at a speed visible to the naked eye, the white hair on Uncle Zhong's head turned mostly black, and he looked at least ten years younger overall.
Shocked beyond measure, Xie Anxiang abruptly stood up.
"I... I've broken through to the Late-Stage Nether Penetration!" Realizing that he had broken through, Uncle Zhong was both shocked and delighted, throwing his head back in a hearty laugh as a powerful aura surged outward.
Xie Xingxuan was standing relatively close and felt her ears ache, her head buzzing with noise, and she almost collapsed to the ground.
With quick eyes and swift hands, Chen Feiyu stepped forward and covered her ears. Only then did she feel much better, raising her head to look at Chen Feiyu with a complex expression.
"Mr. Chen, I am truly grateful to you! Not only did you cure my chronic ailment, but you also helped me break through my bottleneck. Such great kindness cannot be repaid with mere words—if you ever need anything from me in the future, just say the word!" Uncle Zhong said gratefully.
With just a single pill, Uncle Zhong's martial arts cultivation, which had stagnated for nearly ten years, had broken through once more, and his vitality had been restored. One could easily imagine the depth of his gratitude!
Xie Anxiang and the others were likewise astounded by Chen Feiyu's miraculous abilities.
At this moment, inside the Xie Family villa's main hall, the way they looked at Chen Feiyu had completely changed. If they had previously valued him purely for his potential, then now, the skills Chen Feiyu had displayed were enough to earn their genuine respect.
Although Xie Xingxuan was not a martial artist herself, seeing the obvious changes in Uncle Zhong made her understand the miraculous nature of the pill, filling her with even greater curiosity toward Chen Feiyu.
Chen Feiyu said calmly, "I said before that I would cure your chronic ailment. I, Chen Feiyu, always honor my word in everything I do; there's no need to be so overly courteous."
Xie Anxiang and the others nodded inwardly. A young man of such extraordinary bearing would undoubtedly achieve great things in the future.
Then, Xie Anxiang asked cautiously, "Little friend Chen, may I ask who refined this medicinal pill?"
Chen Feiyu smiled faintly and said, "Right in front of your eyes."
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 him, he didn't look like an alchemist.
Now, having received a definitive answer, stormy waves raged within the hearts of Xie Anxiang and the others.
Advanced 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 attention of every major family. To have all these titles gathered in one person—and such a young person at that, who still had immense room for growth—meant that making a name for himself across the entirety of Huaxia was only a matter of time.
Suddenly, Xie Anxiang felt that the proudest thing in his life might not be his military career and brilliant achievements, nor his deep roots in Mingji City and the creation 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 surprising people over and over again?*
"Little friend Chen, if I may be so bold, can this 'Little Xuanoyang Pill' be refined again?" Xie Anxiang asked nervously.
Xie Yongguo, Uncle Zhong, and the others immediately perked up their ears; this was also the question they cared about most.
After all, the effects of the "Little Xuanoyang Pill" were simply too formidable. If more could be refined, the Xie Family could nurture even more experts and secure vastly greater benefits for themselves.
The Xie Family might even rise 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 everyone's tense gazes, Chen Feiyu slowly shook his head.
Xie Anxiang and the others could not hide their disappointment.
"Of course. After all, the 'Little Xuanoyang Pill' is a top-grade medicinal pill. To be able to refine even one, and for it to fall right into the hands of our Xie Family, is already supreme fortune; I shouldn't be greedy," Xie Anxiang said with a forced smile.
Chen Feiyu rolled his eyes inwardly. In truth, the "Little Xuanoyang Pill" was a complete failure in his eyes, which was why he naturally wouldn't continue refining it—hence the head shake.
Naturally, Chen Feiyu wouldn't voice such a thought.
"Although I won't refine anymore, I do still have more 'Little Xuanoyang Pills' right here." Amidst everyone's disappointed expressions, Chen Feiyu slowly spoke up.
"What?"
Everyone was practically petrified.
Xie Anxiang immediately pressed on, "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 contain the 'Little Xuanoyang Pills'? Heaven bless the Xie Family! To think there are still more pills! With these, the Xie Family can reach new heights—this calls for a major celebration!" Xie Anxiang said excitedly.
Chen Feiyu curled his lip and said, "Who said there's only one? So uncultured. There are ten more inside."
"Ten... ten?"
In their excitement, Xie Anxiang and the others leapt to their feet.
Uncle Zhong rushed over eagerly, opened the cap to take a look, and then said to Xie Anxiang in shock, "Old Brother Xie, there really are ten!"
Xie Anxiang was so moved that tears of joy welled up in his old eyes.
Chen Feiyu rolled his eyes, secretly holding them in contempt for being so uncultured that mere failed products could make them this excited. If they were to see a genuine "Xuanoyang Pill", wouldn't they go crazy with excitement?
Suppressing the excitement and thrill in his heart, Xie Anxiang asked cautiously, "Little friend Chen, I am willing to offer one hundred million to buy all ten 'Little Xuanoyang Pills'. What do you think?"
After finishing, Xie Anxiang looked extremely nervous, afraid that Chen Feiyu might refuse.
Chen Feiyu was taken aback. *What? These pieces of junk can sell for one hundred million?*
Thinking Chen Feiyu was unwilling, Xie Anxiang immediately added, "Three hundred million... No, five hundred million! I am willing to offer five hundred million RMB to buy all ten 'Little Xuanoyang Pills'."
"Alright, it's a deal!" Chen Feiyu said, feeling deeply thrilled inside. Not long after descending the mountain, he had made over five hundred million RMB, plus a bayfront villa. *Tsk tsk, awesome!*
Xie Anxiang laughed heartily, feeling that he had gotten an absolute bargain. Then, terrified that Chen Feiyu might go back on his word, he hurriedly had Xie Yongguo put the "Little Xuanoyang Pills" away while mentally planning the uses for these ten pills.
His second son and grandson served in the military; he would give them two pills to boost their strength so their standing in the military would be even more secure.
He would take another two to rope in powerful experts and make them swear allegiance to the Xie Family.
He would take another one for himself—who knows, it might restore his vitality and make him a dozen years younger.
The remaining five would serve as heirlooms of the family!
Xie Anxiang believed that it wouldn't be long before the Xie Family's influence rose to yet another level, becoming an existence comparable to the prominent families in the Provincial Capital!
Tonight, he decided they would drink three full toasts!
***
Chapter 33: A Date with Han Muqing
Chen Feiyu shook his head secretly. To think the Xie Family was a prominent family, yet they got this excited over a mere "Little Xuanoyang Pill"—they really hadn't seen the world.
Actually, this couldn't really be blamed on Xie Anxiang. Alchemists were simply too rare in this world, and alchemists capable of refining top-grade pills were scarcer still.
Every single alchemist was someone that major families competed to recruit, wielding 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 the business at hand.
After Chen Feiyu recited the number, five hundred million RMB arrived in his account shortly after.
Looking at the long string of digits at the end, even with Chen Feiyu's steadfast state of mind, he couldn't help feeling a surge of heat in his chest.
The feeling of having money was damn well awesome!
Xie Xingxuan had been sitting to the side the entire time. She could never have imagined that Chen Feiyu, who had been a snack shop attendant just days ago, would amass hundreds of millions in assets within such a short span of time.
Perhaps Chen Feiyu was a true dragon lying dormant, bound to soar into the heavens one day.
If she had met him a little earlier, perhaps she would have felt her heart flutter 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 was sitting in the living room, watching television out of boredom, when his phone suddenly rang. It was a call from Han Muqing.
"Feiyu, come on out. I'm outside your house."
Chen Feiyu perked up, a smile appearing on his lips of its own accord.
Arriving outside, he saw Han Muqing leaning against the car door, wearing sunglasses and smiling warmly as she looked at him.
It was clear that Han Muqing had dressed up meticulously. Breaking away from her usual black professional suit, she wore a striped off-the-shoulder top on her upper body, exposing her smooth, flawless shoulders, which looked very charming. On her lower body, she wore royal blue cropped trousers that made her legs appear very slender, and on her feet, she stepped into a pair of high-heeled crystal sandals, revealing ten slender toes.
A mature allure infused with charm!
Chen Feiyu's eyes lit up. He walked over with a smile and teased, "Dressed up looking so pretty, I almost thought you were going on a blind date."
Han Muqing was pleased by the remark. The corners of her lips curved into an alluring smile, and she shot him a coquettish, reproachful glance loaded with feminine charm. "Smooth-talking brat. Come on, Sister Qing 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 city center.
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 a roadside night market food stall, Chen Feiyu's jaw dropped in utter astonishment.
"What, aren't you happy?" Han Muqing scolded playfully.
Chen Feiyu chuckled and said, "How could that be? Sister Qing is treating me to dinner; I'm too happy for words."
"Good thing you know how to talk. Let's go, the food stalls around here are very famous." Han Muqing took off her sunglasses and took the initiative to link her arm through Chen Feiyu's, walking toward the food stall like a pair of lovers.
Han Muqing was already a top-tier goddess. As soon as she appeared, many of the big rough men inside the food stall turned to look at her, their expressions filled with sheer amazement—along with envy and jealousy toward Chen Feiyu.
"Hmph!"
Chen Feiyu suddenly put his arm around Han Muqing's waist, sweeping a defiant gaze across the surroundings as if declaring ownership.
Instantly, the surrounding gazes turned unfriendly.
Han Muqing's body stiffened slightly before relaxing, and she chuckled seductively, "Little brother, you really are overbearing."
"Naturally. The woman of Chen Feiyu—how could I let anyone else harbor thoughts about her?" Chen Feiyu snorted, pulling Han Muqing close and unceremoniously sitting down at a nearby square table.
Han Muqing shot him a reproachful look and said, "Since when did I become your woman? I certainly didn't know about it."
"Even if you aren't now, you will be in the future." Chen Feiyu said with total confidence.
"How naive." Han Muqing shook her head with a soft smile, 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 greater radiance to her beauty.
"You know, five years ago, when I had just graduated from college and came to Mingji City all by myself, the very first paycheck I received was spent eating at this exact food stall." A hint of reminiscence surfaced in Han Muqing's eyes.
There was alcohol, there were stories, and there was a beauty.
Chen Feiyu didn't speak; he just listened quietly.
"No one knows how much effort I put in. Two years later, Old Master Xie appreciated me and promoted me out of turn to general manager of the Mingji Trade Building. You know how it is—a single, pretty woman sitting in a high position is naturally prone to malicious gossip, and even the two young heiresses, Xie Xingxuan and Su Yingxue, were no exception.
I spent three full years stubbornly tripling the profits of the Mingji Trade Building, step by step forcing all those people who only knew how to gossip behind my back to shut their mouths completely.
Now, I've become the president, and the rumors and gossip that had gradually faded away are spreading among the employees again. They say I climbed to where I am by selling my body, and even in meetings, some people lean on their seniority to openly mock me..."
A trace of bitterness appeared at the corner of Han Muqing's lips. She picked up her glass and gulped down the alcohol in big swallows.
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 big sister that fragile, unable to withstand other people's gossip?" She shot him a playful, reproachful look before continuing, "It's mainly matters in the business world. The Li Family's Wanxing Trade has been opposing us at every turn, ruining a lot of my business. What a troublemaker, hmph!"
"The Li Family?" Chen Feiyu's eyes rolled as he said, "Li Tongwei?"
"So you know him too. That's right, it's him. What a despicable villain!" Han Muqing said with lingering hatred.
A hint of murderous intent flashed in Chen Feiyu's eyes. Li Tongwei had plotted against him last time, and he hadn't settled accounts with him yet; now, with old grudges and new ones combined, it seemed time to settle them properly.
"Well, well, little beauty, how about keeping us brothers company for a drink?"
Suddenly, four hoodlums reeking of alcohol sauntered over, leering teasingly at Han Muqing.
Many people around them drew sharp breaths. They had already recognized these four as local thugs who were formidable fighters, and practically no one dared to provoke them.
Han Muqing frowned, showing undisguised disgust, and said, "Get lost!"
"Haha, this little beauty is quite spicy! That's just the type I like. Today, you'd better make us happy, or don't even think about leaving this place!" a man with dyed yellow hair said viciously.
Han Muqing stood up, her gaze icy, and without a word of warning, she slapped the yellow-haired man across the face.
"Damn it, how dare you hit me! I'll bloody kill you!" The yellow-haired man flew into a rage, reaching out to strike Han Muqing across the face.
Suddenly, a hand shot out from the side and gripped him fiercely.
It was Chen Feiyu.
The yellow-haired man yelled furiously, "Damn it, let go of me, or I'll slaughter your whole family!"
With a cold expression and a frosty glint in his eyes, Chen Feiyu said, "If you're going to flirt with my woman, you'd better be prepared to pay the price!"
Chen Feiyu applied force to his hand. With a "crack", the yellow-haired man's wrist fractured, and his right hand hung limply by his side.
"Quick, beat him to death!" The yellow-haired man roared in pain and fury.
The other three thugs flew into a rage, grabbing iron pipes and rushing toward Chen Feiyu.
"Feiyu, watch out!" Han Muqing cried out in alarm, covering her mouth with her hand.
Chen Feiyu naturally didn't take such petty thugs seriously. With lightning speed, he lashed out with three successive kicks, striking first despite being slower to move, landing separate blows on their shins.
With three crisp "crack" sounds, the left legs of all three hoodlums fractured simultaneously, and they collapsed to the ground, struggling in vain to get back up.
The surrounding onlookers all drew sharp breaths, shocked by Chen Feiyu's ruthlessness.
Suddenly, the yellow-haired man stealthily picked up an iron pipe, a vicious look in his eyes, and swung it 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 squeezed her eyes shut, as if resigning herself to her fate.
The next moment, Han Muqing felt herself pulled into an embrace. Opening her eyes, she saw Chen Feiyu standing right in front of her, using his own back to block the iron pipe for her. For a split second, Chen Feiyu even furrowed his brows.
He must be in a lot of pain.
Han Muqing felt as though her heart were melting. With heartache in her eyes, she gently stroked Chen Feiyu's face, tears welling up.
A warm smile curled the corners of Chen Feiyu's lips as he said, "Be a good girl and watch me get revenge for you."
"Mn, I believe you," Han Muqing said infatuatedly.
Of course, this was all intentional on Chen Feiyu's part. With his strength, he had well over a hundred ways to both deal with the yellow-haired man and protect Han Muqing from harm.
Yet no matter which method he chose, none compared to directly stepping into the line of fire.
The trope of saving a damsel in distress might be cliché, but it always worked like a charm.