Ren San knocked on the door and entered Mu Chen's study, "Young Master, you have visitors."

"Visitors? Who are they?" Mu Chen asked, tilting his head.

"Chen Moran and Zhuang Yu," Ren San replied.

Mu Chen raised an eyebrow, puzzled, "Them? What do they want?"

Ren San shook his head, "I'm not sure."

Mu Chen thought for a moment, "Since they're here, let's meet them."

Ren San nodded, "Okay."

Seeing Mu Chen come out, Chen Moran's expression changed. He mocked, "Mu Chen, looking good! No missing limbs, even seem to have gained some weight."

Chen Moran had assumed that Mu Chen, having been rejected by Zhuang Yu and lost face, would be devastated. Yet, Mu Chen appeared lively and different from before.

Mu Chen looked at Chen Moran, "If you were hoping I'd be missing a limb or two, I'm afraid I have to disappoint you."

Zhuang Yu, witnessing the tense atmosphere, smiled awkwardly, "Mu Chen, Moran didn't mean it that way."

Mu Chen shrugged, "It doesn't matter."

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Zhuang Yu bit his lip, "About last time, I'm sorry."

Mu Chen shook his head, "Matters of the heart require mutual consent. It's right of you to reject me if you don't have feelings for me."

Zhuang Yu's eyes showed a hint of sadness.

Chen Moran frowned, "Mu Chen, Zhuang Yu was worried about you not showing up at the martial academy these days, so we came to check on you. Don't be so cold and ungrateful."

Mu Chen thought to himself, was he really being cold? At most, he wasn't as attentive and flattering towards Zhuang Yu as before.

Zhuang Yu looked at Chen Moran, then took his hand, "Moran, stop it."

Chen Moran smiled at Zhuang Yu, then shot Mu Chen a warning look.

Zhuang Yu's beautiful eyes turned towards Mu Chen, "Chen, do you know about the auction at Jiyue Auction House?"

Mu Chen nodded, "Yes, the annual big auction. I heard there'll be many good items this time. But I'm a bit short on funds, so I'll probably just look around."

Zhuang Yu smiled, "It's good to broaden one's horizons."

A trace of disappointment crossed Zhuang Yu's eyes. Mu Chen had really changed; if it were before, he would have eagerly asked which items Zhuang Yu was interested in.

Chen Moran said, "Recently short on funds? Can't be. Your father is an alchemist; you shouldn't be lacking yuan stones."

Mu Chen gave a wry smile, "My father is my father, and I am me. What's so strange about me being short on yuan stones?"

Chen Moran scoffed, "You really are useless. No yuan stones? There are ways to get some."

Mu Chen looked at Chen Moran, "Any suggestions, Chen?"

Chen Moran casually smiled, "Your father is an alchemist. Just take a couple of his pills to sell, and you'll have money."

Zhuang Yu's expression changed, "Moran, what are you talking about? Pills can't just be sold like that."

"Exactly! Chen, you're quite the joker. How could I just sell my father's pills?" Mu Chen replied, dismissing the idea.

Chen Moran laughed it off, "Just kidding."

Mu Chen looked down, a chill passing through his eyes. Was Chen Moran's suggestion a coincidence, or was it carefully orchestrated? It didn't seem like a mere coincidence.