Chapter 914 - 880: Following Procedure

Xiahou Mulan didn’t want the matter to escalate either, so she led Xu Chunliang up through the emergency exit. Xu Chunliang followed behind her. Despite the dim lighting, Xiahou Mulan’s long legs remained dazzlingly white, and he hadn’t expected her to wear her top with such charm.

Xiahou Mulan clearly sensed his burning gaze, but it was already impossible to switch positions with him midway through the climb.

The exit at the other end of the emergency passage led to Xiahou Mulan’s garage. Inside her garage were three cars she usually used: a Panamera, a Land Cruiser, and surprisingly, a new model of Li ONE.

Xu Chunliang quickly called Hua Zhuyue, telling her that the talk had gone very smoothly and that Xiahou Zun insisted he stay for dinner, so it would be a little while before he could return. He even found it amusing himself; pursuing Xiahou Zun’s meal might as well mean chasing after King Yan.

While Xu Chunliang was on the phone, Xiahou Mulan entered an electric car of the Li brand, changing clothes inside. Luckily, she had her sportswear in there.

After changing, Xiahou Mulan pushed open the car door and came out, seeing Xu Chunliang still bare-chested. Her beautiful eyes glanced at his chest, and she couldn’t help but feel a little flustered; this guy’s physique was really good, and his stamina was even more amazing. She tossed Xu Chunliang’s still slightly damp shirt back at him.

Xu Chunliang remarked, "I must say, you look pretty good in that outfit."

Xiahou Mulan replied, "Are you complimenting me or the outfit?"

Xu Chunliang answered, "Of course I’m complimenting you. You look even better without it."

Xiahou Mulan’s face turned red to her ears as she spat, "I’ll settle accounts with you later!" Actually, she hadn’t really thought about how to hold him accountable; she was already confused by this guy. It seemed their lives were destined to be nothing but a muddled affair.

Xu Chunliang said, "Don’t settle accounts later! My car is a government car and you wrecked it into scrap metal. How do I explain that to the department?"

Xiahou Mulan straightforwardly responded, "Pick one, I’ll compensate you."

Xu Chunliang said, "The car is a government vehicle; one thing doesn’t equal another. Even if you compensate with a Bentley, I can’t explain it away. This issue has to go through the proper procedures."

Xiahou Mulan thought to herself that this guy was being cheeky, asking her for compensation after wrecking the car. You were quite aggressive toward me earlier, yet have I sought compensation for my Profound Yin Body being harmed by you? The thought crossed her mind, but she couldn’t say it out loud.

"Then it’s settled with insurance; we’ll follow the proper procedures." Thinking of the day’s events, her heart felt somewhat disturbed: Cao Xinwei impersonated his father for years, having been in retreat for nearly five years. Now, the family’s business is under her control, and only major issues are discussed with him. In fact, Cao Xinwei isn’t particularly keen on money or power, as most of his energy is focused on cultivation.

Therefore, even if Cao Xinwei disappears forever, it won’t cause suspicion, as well as Yan Hong and Hongxiu, who are just minor roles and won’t draw much attention. The only one truly aware of the situation right now is Xu Chunliang.

Xiahou Mulan’s gaze fell onto Xu Chunliang.

Xu Chunliang realized something from her gradually waking gaze: "You wouldn’t want to kill me to silence me, would you?"

Xiahou Mulan glared at him and told the truth, "I wish I could tear you to pieces, but I can’t take you down." People say it’s the most frustrating thing to hate someone yet be unable to do anything about them, but Xiahou Mulan’s reason for frustration was that she didn’t hate him at all now.

Xu Chunliang laughed heartily, a wise person knows when to be adaptable.

Xiahou Mulan softly sighed and said, "Just pretend none of this ever happened."

It was the second time that day Xu Chunliang had heard a woman say that to him; the previous one was Hua Zhuyue. Though he and Hua Zhuyue were just starting their play and hadn’t reached the main theme yet, it’s different with Xiahou Mulan. Their work was already done.

The girl was so open-minded; what did he have to be troubled about? Xu Chunliang nodded and said, "Alright, I promise never to bring up this matter. We’ll act like we never met."

Hearing his agreeable reply, Xiahou Mulan felt somewhat displeased. Xu Chunliang, oh Xu Chunliang, are you pretending not to know me after pulling up your pants? Earlier when you were messing with me, you tried all sorts of tricks, leaving my heart racing. Now you’re going to turn your back on me? But on second thought, she realized she was the one who proposed it, so Xu Chunliang following her words wasn’t unreasonable.

Xiahou Mulan said, "We don’t have to act like strangers. I just mean for you to keep my secret; I... I might give you some kind of compensation."

Xu Chunliang grinned mischievously and said, "What kind of compensation?"

Xiahou Mulan thought he was certainly misconstruing her meaning. She couldn’t bring herself to look at Xu Chunliang’s smile directly now; his mischievous grin made her recall the previous scenes filled with chaotic emotions. She had to admit her perception of Xu Chunliang had changed; she didn’t hate him anymore, not because she didn’t want to, but because she couldn’t. Whether she admits it or not, their relationship has become quite deep.

"I’ll expel Wu Yuanyi from the family business and sever ties with him."

Xu Chunliang nodded and said, "It’s a deal." He extended his hand to Xiahou Mulan, who hesitated for a moment, then offered her hand, and the two shook hands.

Xiahou Mulan pressed her lips together, still troubled by the question in her heart but unable to ask it. Xu Chunliang had left her quite a lot; what if she got pregnant? Never mind, better not to ask. Judging by his cheeky demeanor, he wouldn’t take responsibility, so she’d better quickly buy emergency contraception.

Xu Chunliang didn’t immediately let go of Xiahou Mulan’s hand, nor did she hurriedly pull her hand back.

Xu Chunliang said, "There’s one more thing I’d like to ask you. Could you help me find out where Wu Yuanyi is hiding now?"

Xiahou Mulan shook her head and said, "Even if I’m not part of the Gate of Exhaustion anymore, I won’t betray him. That’s all I can do."

Xu Chunliang didn’t press her further. Xiahou Mulan had already made enough concessions. In fact, without the support of the Gate of Exhaustion, Wu Yuanyi’s financial resources had essentially been cut off. In this world, it’s hard to get anywhere without money, and without their support, it’s even tougher for him to retaliate against Hua Zhuyue.

Xu Chunliang didn’t stand on ceremony with Xiahou Mulan, driving off in a Land Cruiser. With over two hundred kilometers back to Dongzhou, he wasn’t in the mood to take the bus.

Xiahou Mulan watched him leave without turning back, and couldn’t hide the disappointment in her heart. After walking a few steps, she felt something unusual in her thigh, squatted down hurriedly. Just how many seeds had he left her with?

Hua Zhuyue obviously noticed the change in Xu Chunliang and curiously asked when she saw the car he drove over, "Where did this car come from?"

Xu Chunliang told her that Xiahou Mulan had crashed his Audi. The insurance was currently being processed, and so he’d temporarily borrowed the car. He also mentioned Xiahou Zun’s agreement to expel Wu Yuanyi from the Gate of Exhaustion.

Hua Zhuyue was quite curious about how Xu Chunliang managed to persuade Xiahou Zun and his daughter. Could it be just because of that guardian sand? She laughed, "Does Xiahou Mulan really think you did that to her?"

Xu Chunliang sighed, "Even the smartest women can get confused about these things."

Hua Zhuyue pointed at the hickey on his neck and said, "Maybe someone made it real by accident."

Looking in the rear-view mirror, Xu Chunliang felt he had been careless. Xiahou Mulan had seemed a bit wild earlier and left a mark on him. Xu Chunliang said, "This looks like something you left on me, doesn’t it?"

Hua Zhuyue said, "Nonsense, I never kissed you there."

Xu Chunliang said, "At that time, you were under the influence of Peach Blossom Curse, confused, and you randomly chewed me up. You probably don’t even remember."

Hua Zhuyue twisted his ear, "Well, Xu Chunliang, you dare blame Cao Mulan’s actions on me?"

Xu Chunliang said, "I’m wrong; I’m wrong. How about you try, try... ouch... Don’t bite, don’t bite!"

Back in Dongzhou, Xu Chunliang reported the car accident involving the public vehicle to his unit. His immediate supervisor was Pan Junfeng.

Pan Junfeng heard that the other party had admitted full responsibility, and the insurance process was underway, telling Xu Chunliang to submit a written report, although his trip to Qiaocheng had not been pre-approved.

It’s never too late to mend; Pan Junfeng showed unconditional support for Xu Chunliang, voluntarily aligning their stories. He defined Xu Chunliang’s trip to Qiaocheng as an official trip, stating that he had sent Xu Chunliang to investigate the local medicinal market, as Qiaocheng’s medical market was one of the top in the country, and given that they belonged to the Infectious Disease Hospital, the reason was extremely valid.

Xu Chunliang already saw that Pan Junfeng was a man of responsibility and courage, better than Yan Huaiyi in this aspect, which is why Xu Chunliang hadn’t immediately reported to Yan Huaiyi. Although he was sure Yan Huaiyi would have helped, Yan Huaiyi’s mental fortitude wasn’t as strong, and in crucial matters he might not have been as decisive as Pan Junfeng.

Pan Junfeng was willing to help Xu Chunliang not only because he admired his capability, nor because Xu Chunliang had done great things for the hospital, but also because Xu Chunliang hadn’t caused any loss to the hospital. The Mulan Herbal Cultivation Base was willing to compensate for the car accident’s damages.

Since the hospital didn’t suffer any losses, there was no need to amplify the situation, giving anyone the chance to use this incident to attack Xu Chunliang.

Pan Junfeng knew clearly that even without his help, Xu Chunliang could resolve the matter with his capabilities. So why not do a favor?

Though Pan Junfeng protected Xu Chunliang, the damage to the unit’s Audi A6 during his trip couldn’t be hidden, but they found an acceptable reason for it.

With a reasonable explanation, Director Yan Huaiyi was naturally willing to downplay the issue. He thought it’s fine as long as there were no casualties. Vehicular accidents can happen to anyone. He always believed the Audi A6 brought bad luck, and hearing it got totaled by a dump truck gave him a sense of relief; being scrapped was best, to avoid it constantly bothering him.

Yan Huaiyi assumed someone might play up the incident, but what surprised him was that no one in the Infectious Disease Hospital’s entire leadership protested the matter; even Secretary Sun Weimin didn’t comment.