Chapter 175: Chapter 175

Yan Wumei’s heart was in turmoil.

If she refused Xu Hao’s offer, she’d be missing out on a golden opportunity to break through to the next martial realm. That would be a real shame.

What if those two rival factions hired even stronger experts? With her current strength, she wouldn’t stand a chance.

The result? The Red Rose  would be torn apart, and her sisters would suffer a miserable fate.

That was the last thing Yan Wumei wanted.

Finally, gritting her teeth, she made her decision.

After all, things between her and Xu Hao had already gone this far. Taking the final step wouldn’t be such a big deal…

As long as she kept it hidden well—ensuring neither Su Wanqiu nor her best friend Xu Feiyan found out.

Once she resolved her thoughts, Yan Wumei felt a wave of relief wash over her.

Only then did she realize… she didn’t actually dislike the idea of being with Xu Hao.

A big part of it was due to Xu Hao’s daily advances—she’d already grown accustomed to him lingering at her door.

Blushing, Yan Wumei gave a shy nod.

[Ding… Yan Wumei is flustered. Emotional Points +753…]

Xu Hao acted overjoyed, stepping forward to scoop her up, ready to carry her off to the study.

Yan Wumei was startled and quickly broke free, glancing around warily.

Xu Hao’s wife and daughters were all home—if they went to the study, things would spiral out of control!

She had no intention of getting caught in the act by the whole family.

“Uncle Xu… can we not do it at home?”

Xu Hao inwardly sighed in disappointment. If they went to the study, he could’ve harvested a huge wave of Emotional Points.

But no matter. There was no rush.

First, he needed to fully conquer this female lead.

Releasing her, Xu Hao put on an apologetic expression.

“Sorry, Wumei, I got too excited. How about… we go to a hotel?”

Yan Wumei’s face burned.

Why was Xu Hao so eager?

Didn’t that prove she was attractive?

But after some thought, a hotel wasn’t safe either. Xu Hao was too famous—someone might recognize him.

Home was still the safest option.

Just… not the Xu residence.

“Let’s… go to my place.”

A triumphant glint flashed in Xu Hao’s eyes.

Yan Wumei stayed for lunch at the Xu household.

Normally, given her ambiguous relationship with Xu Hao, eating with the family would’ve been awkward enough.

But today, the guilt was especially intense.

After all, tonight she’d be crossing the final line with Xu Hao.

She didn’t know how to face Su Wanqiu or the Xu sisters.

Su Wanqiu, observing her behavior, smiled brightly.

It seemed her daughter’s best friend would soon be joining their big family.

After the meal, Xu Feiyan approached Yan Wumei, curiosity written all over her face.

“Yan-jie, why do you seem so off today?”

Yan Wumei forced a calm tone.

Xu Feiyan nodded firmly.

“You’re acting way too polite. That’s not like you. Did you do something to feel guilty about?”

She said it half-jokingly.

“Hah… of course not! What makes you think I’m guilty?”

Yan Wumei laughed it off, though her heart was pounding.

The last thing she wanted was for her best friend to find out about her and Xu Hao.

Back when Xu Feiyan was still part of the Red Rose , the two had been inseparable—closer than sisters.

They’d often share a bed, confiding in each other.

Even their occasional arguments were just playful banter, never taken seriously.

Yet after tonight, that pure sisterly bond would be tainted.

“Since when do you act so formal with us? We’re family!”

Xu Feiyan rolled her eyes, not suspecting a thing.

In her mind, with her stepmother around, Xu Hao wouldn’t dare make a move on another woman.

Besides, she trusted Xu Hao’s character.

And Yan Wumei wasn’t the type to fool around either.

Not wanting to dwell on the topic, Yan Wumei changed the subject.

“Like I’d let you treat me as an outsider! Anyway, where’d you run off to this morning? I’ve already reached Dark Force Peak. If you don’t work harder, you’ll never catch up!”

“I went shopping—bought some uniforms. Yan-jie, you have no idea how competitive the others have gotten just to get Dad’s guidance.”

Then, belatedly processing Yan Wumei’s words, her eyes widened in shock.

“Wait—Yan-jie, you… you broke through to Dark Force Peak?!”

After eating those strength-boosting candies, she’d felt her bottleneck loosening.

She’d even made a bet with Yan Wumei on who’d break through first.

Xu Feiyan had been stuck at Dark Force Initial Stage for a while, while Yan Wumei had only recently reached Dark Force Advanced Stage—her breakthrough should’ve been harder.

Yet somehow, Yan Wumei had surpassed her!

“How’d you get so strong so fast? Did Dad give you private lessons?”

“No wonder I keep seeing you two coming out of the villa together…”

Yan Wumei’s lips twitched.

The reason she and Xu Hao left the villa was for their “study sessions.”

But calling them “private lessons” wasn’t entirely wrong—after all, each session did boost her strength slightly.

Seeing Yan Wumei stay silent—effectively admitting it—Xu Feiyan grew indignant.

“Dad’s so biased! He gives you private lessons but leaves me out!”

“No way—I’m getting my own special training too!”

Without another word, she dashed off to find Xu Hao.

Yan Wumei wanted to stop her, but Xu Feiyan was already gone.

Those kinds of “lessons” won’t work for you…

Xu Feiyan found Xu Hao and pouted.

“Dad, you’re unfair!”

“You gave Yan-jie private lessons and helped her reach Dark Force Peak! I want special training too!”

She tugged at his arm, putting on her best pitiful look.

Our girl has grown up…

But making a move on his daughter now was still too risky.

If word got out, who knew what chaos it’d cause?

It might even trigger the early return of that invincible protagonist son…

The daughters he’d already won over were one thing, but if the others found out, they’d fight him to the death.

So Xu Hao just smiled.

“What private lessons? I teach Wumei the same way I teach all of you.”

“I don’t believe you!”

Xu Feiyan shook her head vigorously, still pulling at his arm.

“I want special training!”

“Alright, alright, you’re shaking me dizzy. Here—take this.”

Xu Hao handed her a strength-boosting snack.

Xu Feiyan’s eyes lit up, and she immediately stopped fussing.

It was leftover from the ice cream reward he’d drawn earlier—useless to him now, so he might as well give it to his daughter.

Yan Wumei excused herself, claiming she had matters to attend to.

Before leaving, she shot Xu Hao a look—half-shy, half-teasing.

Xu Hao responded with an encouraging nod.

Yan Wumei planned to take the Realm-Breaking Pill tonight to advance.

Which meant she’d also fulfill her promise to Xu Hao.

To avoid raising suspicions, she decided to go home first—Xu Hao would come to her place later.

The afternoon passed in a blink.

Red Rose  (Hong Qiangwei), her eyes filled with reluctance, had no choice but to obediently drive the car to Xu Hao.

She respectfully opened the door for him.

Xu Hao got in and gave Yan Wumei’s address.

With that, Red Rose  started the car, leaving the Xu estate behind.

Meanwhile, Yan Wumei didn’t head straight home after leaving—instead, she went to the Rose Nightclub.

For days, she’d been wholly focused on improving her strength, leaving the Red Rose  and nightclub affairs to her subordinate, Xiao Qi.

Only now, after her breakthrough, did she finally have a moment to breathe.

With Xu Hao’s promise to help her break through to the next martial realm, Yan Wumei felt completely at ease.

It was like seeing a rainbow after the storm.

Now, she finally had the peace of mind to handle her affairs.

As she walked through the nightclub, sisters and staff greeted her warmly.

“President Yan, hello!”

In high spirits, Yan Wumei nodded in acknowledgment.

“Oh my god, the Queen actually acknowledged me! Am I dreaming?”

“It’s not a hallucination—I even saw her smile!”

“President Yan has been through so much. With those two factions teaming up against her, she’s been like a ghost these past few days—she must’ve been preparing for their attack.”

“Thank goodness! She looks relaxed. She must’ve found a solution.”

“The Queen is stunning, especially when she smiles. No wonder she’s my top goddess!”

The staff buzzed with excitement.

To them, even a simple nod or smile from Yan Wumei felt like a rare blessing.

“Brother Yan, did you see that? I just greeted President Yan, and she nodded at me!” A chubby man rushed over to a young man, grinning.

When his friend didn’t respond, the chubby man frowned.

The young man—Luo Yan—was staring blankly in the direction Yan Wumei had left, his face twisted in anguish.

“Brother Yan, what’s wrong? Weren’t you always the most excited to see her? Why do you look like you just got dumped?”

The chubby man suddenly gasped, pointing at Luo Yan with admiration.

“Holy crap! Brother Yan, don’t tell me you confessed to President Yan? You absolute legend!” He even gave Luo Yan a thumbs-up.

“Half the city’s in love with her, but how many actually have the guts to confess? And here you are, a true warrior!”

Luo Yan’s forehead twitched.

The chubby man patted his shoulder sympathetically.

“Don’t take it too hard, man. Getting rejected is normal—especially by someone like President Yan. She’s the most beautiful woman in the city, the underground queen! You’re already braver than most just for trying.”

Luo Yan stayed silent.

If only it were just a rejection.

His heart ached for Yan Wumei.

These people idolized her, yet none of them knew what she’d really been doing these past days—locked away with that man.

Ever since that humiliating day when he’d been pinned to the wall, Luo Yan had stopped following Yan Wumei to the Xu residence.

She was too far gone, completely under Xu Hao’s spell.

And with his own strength still sealed, Luo Yan could only watch helplessly as Xu Hao took advantage of her.

Even now, just imagining it—

Dragging her into the villa…

Her stumbling out afterward, disheveled…

It made his blood boil.

Luo Yan gritted his teeth, fists clenched so tightly his veins bulged.

A violent aura radiated from him.

These past days, he hadn’t been idle.

He’d been working tirelessly to regain his strength.

Though not fully recovered, he’d already reached the Dark Force realm again.

A few more days, and he’d be back at his peak.

But even the mid-stage of the next realm wouldn’t be enough.

He needed to reach the pinnacle—only then could he make Xu Hao pay a thousandfold for the humiliation he’d suffered.

Luo Yan took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.

But curiosity gnawed at him.

Why was Yan Wumei at the nightclub today instead of the Xu residence?

And why did she look so… happy?

The anti-gang crackdown would end tomorrow.

With the Red Rose’s feud with the Green Dragon Hall and Tyrant Alliance, they’d surely strike the moment the coast was clear.

Yet Yan Wumei wasn’t worried at all.

Since she hadn’t released her aura, Luo Yan didn’t know she’d already reached Dark Force Peak.

Nor did he believe she could break through so quickly.

So what was making her so cheerful?

Luo Yan racked his brain but couldn’t figure it out.

Soon, Yan Wumei left the office and drove off—likely heading home.

By seven, dusk had settled.

Luo Yan grew increasingly restless.

Why wasn’t Yan Wumei panicking about the impending attack?

The more he thought, the more agitated he became.

A sense of foreboding crept over him.

His instincts—honed through years of life-and-death battles—had never failed him.

If they were screaming now, he couldn’t ignore it.

Yan Wumei’s good mood meant she’d found a solution.

She couldn’t have grown strong enough on her own.

She asked Xu Hao for help.

And knowing that bastard, he’d demand a price.

A horrifying thought struck him.

Is tonight the night Xu Hao finally claims her?

Luo Yan’s heart twisted.

Yan Wumei was his woman—he’d decided that the moment he first saw her.

No way would he let some scum like Xu Hao have her!

She couldn’t sacrifice herself just to survive the gangs!

His strength was returning.

Once he regained his peak, crushing those two factions would be child’s play!

Luo Yan sprinted out of the nightclub, heading straight for Yan Wumei’s high-end apartment complex.

But as he reached the entrance, he froze.

A familiar car was pulling in.

The answer hit Luo Yan like a punch to the gut.

He’s here for Yan Wumei.

Luo Yan’s vision turned red with rage.

He’d suspected Xu Hao would make his move, but tonight?

Of course—with the gangs attacking tomorrow, Xu Hao wouldn’t give Yan Wumei a chance to back out after solving her problems.

Luo Yan wasn’t fully recovered yet.

He stood no chance against Xu Hao.

But even so—he couldn’t just stand by and watch her walk into the tiger’s den!

With a burst of speed, Luo Yan dashed into the complex.

Just as he reached Yan Wumei’s villa, a red-clad figure flashed beside him.

A sharp kick sent him crashing to the ground.

Gritting through the pain, Luo Yan looked up—and his pupils shrank to pinpricks.

Before he could react—

The red figure loomed over him, cold amusement in her eyes.

Luo Yan’s blood ran cold.

This changes everything.