Chapter 122: An Interesting Little Fatty (Sixth Installment)

“May I ask what brings you to see me, sir?” Murong Bai flashed a mischievous grin at Fang Xu, a look that reminded him of Hao Jian from a TV show in his previous life.

That expression was uncannily like Hao Jian’s, yet it made Fang Xu see Murong Bai as a moldable talent.

“I want to ask you— is the head of the Murong family truly unchangeable?” Fang Xu said, draping an arm over Murong Bai’s shoulder with a smile. The gesture startled Murong Bai.

Still, when Murong Bai heard Fang Xu’s words, he couldn’t help but freeze for a moment.

Then he began to stammer, clearly troubled by the question.

Fang Xu, knowing Murong Bai’s nature well, understood that such hesitation was typical. Murong Bai was the kind to sway with the wind, but that was not what Fang Xu needed.

He thought Murong Bai could be “trained” a little, which would help Murong Bai understand his true intentions.

“If you won’t tell me, that’s a pity. If the head of the Murong family isn’t fixed, I was even considering letting you get involved,” Fang Xu said bluntly.

After all, the villagers nearby couldn’t hear their conversation, and Murong Bai had already sent away his guards.

“What?! Sir, please don’t joke!” Murong Bai said nervously, staring at Fang Xu. Yet Fang Xu’s lips twitched into a faint smile.

For in that fleeting moment, Fang Xu caught a glimmer of excitement and anticipation in Murong Bai’s eyes. What did that mean? It meant Murong Bai harbored ambition.

If he was ambitious, then in Fang Xu’s mind, things might be much simpler.

“Of course I’m not joking. If you think I am, just consider it a joke,” Fang Xu said, then turned as if to leave.

He wasn’t really going; he intended to put some pressure on Murong Bai, to draw out his ambition. That would be beneficial for both of them.

“Sir, please wait!” Murong Bai hurried up and whispered into Fang Xu’s ear.

Murong Bai revealed that the headship of the Murong family was not strictly hereditary through the direct line; collateral branches were also possible. What mattered most was profit.

Why say that? Because the Murong family valued benefit above all. Whoever could bring the most value might become the next head.

Fang Xu smirked, realizing their thoughts aligned perfectly.

“Murong Bai, tell me honestly— do you wish to replace Murong Fu?” Fang Xu asked with a smile, but Murong Bai looked horrified.

“Sir… what do you mean?” Murong Bai stammered, while Fang Xu maintained his smile.

This unsettled Murong Bai deeply. Could it be that Fang Xu was testing him, like a cousin might?

“To be frank, I have some unpleasant history with your cousin, so I don’t want things to get complicated. You should understand that,” Fang Xu said. Murong Bai knew this well.

But was it really a test from his cousin?

“Brother Fang?! What are you doing here?”

“Young Master Fang?! What brings you here?” Suddenly, two familiar voices called from behind, interrupting Fang Xu’s words.

Fang Xu’s expression darkened instantly, while Murong Bai seemed to recognize the voices and looked toward them.

There stood Zhuge Jun and Shangguan Lian, the heirs of the Zhuge and Shangguan families, who were also holding Fang Xu’s arms.

Though Murong Bai was from a collateral branch of the Murong family, he was close enough to have met these heirs before.

“This… this…” Murong Bai was at a loss for words.

Zhuge Jun and Shangguan Lian only now noticed Murong Bai standing before Fang Xu.

“Brother Fang, who is this?”

“Young Master Fang, who might this be?” they asked, tugging on Fang Xu’s arms. With no choice, Fang Xu introduced Murong Bai.

For some reason, upon learning Murong Bai was from the Murong family, Zhuge Jun and Shangguan Lian looked at Fang Xu strangely.

“Ahem, this brother Murong Bai is different from Murong Fu. I find him interesting and potentially useful,” Fang Xu explained.

Under their intense gaze, Fang Xu felt a shiver run down his spine.

He had no choice but to admit that Murong Bai might prove useful.

Zhuge Jun and Shangguan Lian pondered this quietly, while Murong Bai grew nervous and even trembled.

Previously, he had only watched Zhuge Jun and Shangguan Lian from afar; he never imagined he would be so close to them now.

His heart raced wildly—as if he were a celebrity fanatic meeting his idols.

“You don’t mean to…?” Zhuge Jun reacted, clearly guessing Fang Xu’s intent and looking at him incredulously.

Shangguan Lian quickly caught on and shared the same disbelief.

Neither could imagine Fang Xu’s plan; it seemed reckless, even absurd.

But Fang Xu smiled at Murong Bai without answering their doubts.

If Fang Xu had considered the risks, why proceed? Because in his view, some things simply must be done.

And he wasn’t about to let a rare opportunity slip away.

(End of chapter)