Chapter 7: Let the Bullets Fly

Ye Yu, once a genius and Bai Ruoxi's childhood sweetheart, had shown remarkable talent by advancing from Qi Condension to Foundation Establishment in under a year—a feat unmatched in Tianxuan City. However, half a year ago, his cultivation inexplicably fell, rendering him a waste, unable even to maintain his Qi Condensation status. His appearance outside the Mu family coincided with the news of Bai Ruoxi's visit, which had somehow reached him.

This situation piqued Mu Zhian's interest. Sipping his tea calmly, he reflected on how he had deviated from the typical supporting role. Unlike the original Mu Zhian, who would have succumbed to temptation and touched Bai Ruoxi during a moment of intimacy, he was now considering how to help the Bai family while simultaneously gaining Bai Ruoxi's favor. Although the current scenario didn't seem likely to trigger a dramatic twist, Mu Zhian knew that further observation was necessary.

"Miss Bai, don't you want to see your childhood sweetheart?" Mu Zhian asked with a smile.

Bai Ruoxi frowned slightly, responding softly, "Master Mu is joking. We just grew up together; our relationship isn't that close." Her discomfort at Mu Zhian's words was palpable.

"Is that so?" Mu Zhian replied, unfazed. He then called out, "Mr. Ren, let him in!"

As his voice echoed through the hall, an invisible barrier within the mansion faded. A young man in a plain robe hurriedly entered, a look of anxiety on his face. 

"Miss Bai, it's getting late. Since Master Ye is here to pick you up, let him take you back," Mu Zhian said smoothly.

"I can go back by myself," Bai Ruoxi replied, her frown deepening as she felt an inexplicable aversion towards Ye Yu.

The young man, now inside the hall, wasn't particularly handsome but had a delicate charm. He glanced at Bai Ruoxi before his gaze lingered on Mu Zhian, who was dressed in a black robe, exuding gentleness and handsomeness. 

"Ruoxi, don't worry, I will protect you!" he declared, his eyes filled with the confidence of his past genius self. Although others viewed him as a waste now, he knew he was close to regaining his former strength, just one step away from Foundation Establishment. 

Ye Yu had recently received an opportunity within his clan that reignited his confidence. Eager to showcase his once-proud cultivation skills to Bai Ruoxi, he was taken aback when she coldly replied, "I don't need your protection."

Once, she had regarded Ye Yu as a brother, but the revelation of their childhood engagement had soured her feelings. She despised the idea of her life being dictated by others, especially since she had never held any affection for Ye Yu.

Realizing her rejection, Ye Yu glared at Mu Zhian, accusingly stating, "He must have threatened you, right? Master Mu, have you gone too far?"

Ye Yu's eyes burned with hatred as he confronted Mu Zhian. It was clear to him that the first beauty, engaged to him as a child, had sought refuge in the home of this notorious playboy late at night. The thought of what might have transpired between them fueled his anger.

Mu Zhian maintained his composure, responding, "I didn't do anything from the beginning."

"You expect me to believe that? You threatened Ruoxi to come to the Mu family at night!" Ye Yu retorted, his disbelief evident. The entire Tianxuan City knew of Mu Zhian's pursuit of Bai Ruoxi, and with the Bai family in peril, it was unreasonable to think he hadn't pressured her for this meeting.

"What else can I say?" Mu Zhian smiled, unfazed. "Do you have anything else to add?"

Ye Yu clenched his fists, his voice cold. "Don't you have anything else to say?"

Mu Zhian pondered for a moment before smirking, "Are you talking about feelings? Very moist!"

Bai Ruoxi's eyes flickered with embarrassment as she recalled her earlier actions. She shot Mu Zhian a glare, filled with a mix of shame and anger, while Ye Yu's fury intensified. Unable to contain himself, he lunged at Mu Zhian, intending to punch him.

Before he could strike, Bai Ruoxi intervened, blocking Ye Yu's fist. "Master Mu was just joking. He didn't do anything to me," she insisted, her face displaying clear disgust.

Ye Yu remained unconvinced. "Ruoxi, if you're being bullied, tell me. No matter how powerful the Mu family is, they can't be unreasonable!"

"He was just teasing you. Master Mu is not that kind of person," Bai Ruoxi said, suppressing her anger.

Mu Zhian, contemplating whether to assist the Bai family, realized that if he allowed Ye Yu's actions to sway his decision, the consequences would be dire.

Ye Yu sneered, "Who in Tianxuan City doesn't know Mu Zhian's reputation? He wouldn't hesitate to threaten Ruoxi to come to the Mu family at night!"

Bai Ruoxi, now fully enraged, retorted coldly, "Then how can I make you believe it? Check my body."

Though she was innocent, Bai Ruoxi felt deeply frustrated by the unfounded accusations. She didn't want to appear angry in front of Mu Zhian.

Ye Yu was taken aback, unable to comprehend why Bai Ruoxi would say such a thing. She looked stunning in her elegant dress, and the sight of her slightly flushed face made him swallow hard. Bai Ruoxi noticed his gaze and felt even more repulsed.

"Don't come near me again," she said coldly, pushing him away.

"Ruoxi, even if the Bai family is in trouble, we can find a solution together. I'm different now; I don't have to submit to him. I can help you," Ye Yu urged desperately.

Before he could finish, Bai Ruoxi turned to him, her voice icy. "I only want to give it to Master Mu voluntarily; what does it have to do with you?"

Ye Yu was stunned, his jealousy igniting. Bai Ruoxi had never spoken to him so harshly before, and her coldness tonight was a stark contrast to their past. He realized that her attitude had changed because of Mu Zhian.

In a fit of anger, Ye Yu grabbed a teacup and hurled its contents at Mu Zhian. Unbothered, Mu Zhian raised a hand to signal Wei Mengrou, who was attempting to intervene, allowing the tea to splash onto him. Wei Mengrou, hiding in the shadows, suppressed her urge to stop the chaos, watching the scene unfold with cold detachment.

"What are you doing?!" Bai Ruoxi exclaimed, her eyes widening as she rushed to Mu Zhian's side, wiping the tea stains from his clothing with a handkerchief.

Turning to Ye Yu, she glared at him, her voice sharp. "Get out of here!"

"I'll take you home," Ye Yu insisted, looking lost.

"Master Ye, we aren't even friends; I don't need you to take me home. I can go back by myself," Bai Ruoxi replied coldly.

Her words conveyed two messages: she was asserting her independence and signaling to Mu Zhian that Ye Yu was irrelevant to her.

Mu Zhian watched as Bai Ruoxi knelt before him, gently patting her head with a smile. "Miss Bai, you can go home tonight; I won't be in the way."

As Ye Yu and Bai Ruoxi departed, Mu Zhian casually picked up the handkerchief Bai Ruoxi had used to wipe him down, folding it and placing it on the table. He then glanced sideways, addressing Wei Mengrou.

"Sister Mengrou, where are you going?" he asked.

Wei Mengrou, who had been about to leave the mansion, paused and replied, "Madam instructed me before leaving Tianxuan City that the young master must not be wronged in any way. I will go teach Ye Yu a lesson."

After a brief pause, she added, "Even if I don't take action, the young master will likely order me to do so later."

Mu Zhian's notoriety was well-known in Tianxuan City; he had offended many, and some had attempted to retaliate against him in the past. While a few succeeded, they faced severe consequences from Wei Mengrou. Over time, she had grown accustomed to handling such matters. However, to her surprise, Mu Zhian simply shook his head.

"It's late; Sister Mengrou should also get some rest. Don't worry about this minor issue," he said.

Wei Mengrou was taken aback. "You won't let me teach him a lesson?"

Typically, Mu Zhian would be agitated in such a scenario, urging her to take action against Ye Yu. But today, he remained calm. 

After considering the situation, Wei Mengrou realized that Mu Zhian had deliberately stopped her from intervening earlier. "What is he thinking?" she wondered, observing him more closely.

As Mu Zhian wiped the tea from his clothes with the handkerchief, he stood up, stretching with a smile. "Don't worry; you'll understand in due time."