Mu Zhi’an gently caressed Bai Ruoxi’s cool, smooth hand, his other hand holding a teacup as if lost in thought.

Beside him, Bai Ruoxi bit her lower lip. Unlike her usual haughty demeanor, she didn’t pull away from his touch. She stole a glance at him, then relaxed slightly.

After a long silence, she spoke, her voice soft. “Young Master Mu, have you made a decision regarding the Bai family?”

Mu Zhi’an, distracted by the pleasurable sensation of her touch, snapped out of his thoughts. He considered her question for a moment, then replied with a smile, “I need a bit more time.”

Bai Ruoxi, uncharacteristically, simply nodded, refraining from her usual insistent pleas.

Mu Zhi’an noticed her unusual compliance and studied her curiously.

She sat there, her ample bosom pressed lightly against the table, her slender fingers wrapped around a teacup. Two strands of hair had fallen loose, framing her delicate face, accentuating her breathtaking beauty.

However, a hint of worry, something he hadn’t seen before, clouded her brow.

He reached out and gently tucked the stray strands behind her ear. “Is something troubling you, Miss Bai?” he asked.

She glanced at him, but remained silent.

“Is it about the Bai family?” Mu Zhi’an chuckled, realizing the absurdity of his question.

Of course it was.

The precarious situation of her family was undoubtedly her biggest concern.

Bai Ruoxi shook her head slightly. She set down her teacup. “My worries are indeed related to the Bai family, Young Master Mu, but perhaps not in the way you imagine.”

She recalled her mother’s relentless probing over the past few days. Every night, the beautiful woman would visit her daughter’s room, lamenting the Bai family’s decline and subtly urging her to inquire about Mu Zhi’an’s decision.

It was because of her mother’s constant pressure that she had returned to the Mu Manor so early this morning.

And it was the reason for her current anxiety.

Mu Zhi’an looked at her intently. “It seems you’re not ready to share the source of your troubles, Miss Bai. That’s quite alright. You can tell me when you’re ready.”

Bai Ruoxi looked up at him, her voice soft. “Young Master Mu, is there truly no way you can help the Bai family?”

“I’ve already stated what I require in return for my assistance,” he replied with a smile.

“The Meridian Connecting Pill?” she murmured, her gaze dropping to her lap, her eyes filled with despair.

She looked up suddenly. “Would I… not suffice as—”

Mu Zhi’an placed a finger gently on her lips, silencing her. He shook his head, a playful smile on his face. “Miss Bai, you are a person, not a bargaining chip.”

If Wei Mengrou, who knew him all too well, had been present, she would have scoffed. You want both the Meridian Connecting Pill and Bai Ruoxi for free, don’t you? Why bother with the noble act?

But Bai Ruoxi was clearly taken aback.

She thought about her mother’s words, then Mu Zhi’an’s. A lump formed in her throat, and her eyes welled up.

One was a notorious playboy, the other her own mother. Yet, their words couldn’t have been more different.

Come to think of it.

Mu Zhi’an had said it before. She might have captivated him, but she hadn’t captivated the Mu family.

In other words, he had always seen her as a person, not a commodity to be traded. She had been the one misinterpreting his intentions.

Bai Ruoxi sighed softly and lowered her head.

Just half a month ago, she had been disgusted by Mu Zhi’an’s advances. His fawning behavior had irritated her. But now, she found herself not as repulsed by him.

She glanced at him, her eyes filled with a mix of emotions.

She still couldn’t understand why.

Was it because she needed his family’s help? Or had her perception of him truly changed?

Mu Zhi’an, oblivious to her thoughts, glanced at the curtain that separated them from the rest of the teahouse. He turned to Bai Ruoxi. “Miss Bai, would you mind asking the waiter to bring us a different type of tea? I’d like a change.”

Bai Ruoxi snapped out of her thoughts. “Of course,” she replied, rising to her feet and leaving the room.

Once she was gone, Mu Zhi’an poured himself another cup of tea. Then, he filled a third cup and placed it on the table.

“Why don’t you come in and have some tea?” he said with a smile. “You must have something important to tell me. Now’s the perfect time.”

After a moment of silence, the curtain was pulled aside, revealing the black-robed man. He glanced around the room, his gaze settling on Mu Zhi’an.

He stepped inside and, at Mu Zhi’an’s gesture, took a seat opposite him.

“You certainly know how to enjoy yourself, Young Master Mu,” the man said, his voice laced with a mix of admiration and sarcasm. “Spending time with courtesans, then cozying up to the most beautiful woman in Tianxuan City… Such skills are truly enviable.”

It’s called a two-pronged approach. Mu Zhi’an set down his teacup. “Just get to the point. Bai Ruoxi will be back soon.”

The black-robed man nodded. “Two days from now, I need you to lure Ye Yu to the Dragon Head Forest. I’ll handle the rest. Afterward, Miss Bai will be all yours.”

The Dragon Head Forest was located west of Tianxuan City. A vast expanse of woodland, it was named for its resemblance to a dragon’s head when viewed from the sky.

The forest was teeming with monsters, making it the perfect place to dispose of Ye Yu discreetly.

“Well, Young Master Mu?” the black-robed man pressed. “Have you made up your mind?”

I’m the one who’s wooing her. Why are you acting like you’re doing me a favor… Mu Zhi’an snapped out of his thoughts. He smiled and nodded. “Very well. I’ll find a way to lure Ye Yu to the Dragon Head Forest within two days.”

The black-robed man’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction. “You’re a smart man, Young Master Mu. I won’t disturb your enjoyment any longer.”

With that, he vanished into thin air, leaving behind a wisp of black smoke.

Mu Zhi’an took a sip of his tea, a smirk playing on his lips.

Did that guy really think he was an idiot?

Lure Ye Yu to the Dragon Head Forest, and he’d handle the rest.

It sounded simple enough. But what if he decided to double-cross him after taking Ye Yu?

The moment Ye Yu disappeared, rumors would spread throughout Tianxuan City: “Mu Zhi’an lured Ye Yu into the Dragon Head Forest and abandoned him.”

The disappearance of a talented young man at the hands of Mu Zhi’an would undoubtedly provoke the Ye family’s wrath.

Even though the Ye family was in decline, public opinion would be on their side. The Mu family’s reputation would suffer.

As Mu Zhi’an pondered this, Bai Ruoxi returned, carrying a teapot. She sat down beside him, her gaze sweeping over the room.

“Was someone here?” she asked softly, sensing something amiss.

She was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, after all. It wasn’t difficult for her to pick up on subtle clues.

One of the reasons she’d allowed Mu Zhi’an to hold her hand earlier was to play along with him.

“Yes,” Mu Zhi’an replied, quickly changing the subject. “I’m a bit parched. Could you pour me some tea, please?”

He wasn’t sure if the black-robed man was truly gone. Now wasn’t the time to discuss anything important.

Bai Ruoxi’s eyes flickered. She met his gaze, and understanding seemed to dawn. She glanced towards the door, then nodded.

It seemed whoever was eavesdropping outside hadn’t left yet.

Mu Zhi’an watched her pour the tea, her movements graceful and elegant. He couldn’t help but smile.

That black-robed man was taking too much credit.

I’m the one who’s wooing her. What does he have to do with it?

Acting all high and mighty, as if he was doing me a favor… Who the hell did he think he was?

As Bai Ruoxi was about to set down the teapot, Mu Zhi’an reached out and gently placed his hand over hers.

She looked at him, startled.

“I’m a bit tired,” he said with a smile. “Could you pour me a cup, please?”

Bai Ruoxi hesitated, then nodded. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

“…Of course.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay