Chapter 243: Different Methods for Different Women

Star City District 13.

Inside a hidden underground base.

"Leader!" Zhao Chaoyao greeted him, his tone respectful yet fanatical.

"Mhm. How is the base coming along?" Su Mu asked mildly.

"Everything is proceeding according to your instructions. Miss Duanmu's laboratory was finished first. The rest is still under construction, but we expect to complete it within a month."

"Good. You've done well."

That casual praise left Zhao Chaoyao flushed with excitement.

With Zhao Chaoyao leading the way, Su Mu slowly headed toward the laboratory. Along the route, numerous researchers in white lab coats and guards in black body armor paused to salute him.

He had mobilized resources across all of Star City to construct this exclusive base for the Seven Deadly Sins in record time. His primary reason for doing so was Duanmu Qing.

As support personnel, Duanmu Qing's greatest value lay in brewing Transcendent Potions. She desperately needed a safe, hidden workspace, so Su Mu had chosen to locate the base in Star City District 13, his own stronghold.

Although he had planted people across every industry in Star City during his recent expansion, nowhere was as secure as District 13. Here, even the stray dogs on the street had to bark "Leader" when they saw him.

Currently hard at work refining a Transcendent Potion, Duanmu Qing wore a white lab coat that completely swallowed her petite frame. Her usual shoulder-length hair was tied back in a ponytail, and heavy black-framed glasses rested on her delicate face. Her expression was solemn and focused.

Paired with her baby face, however, she gave the distinct illusion of an elementary schooler trying to solve a complex math problem.

Catching the sound of footsteps, Duanmu Qing lifted her small head. Her eyes widened slightly upon seeing Su Mu, and a joyful expression spread across her face. "Mr. Su."

Su Mu smiled and nodded. "I'm not disturbing you, am I?" he asked gently.

"No, not at all..."

Bang!

Duanmu Qing accidentally poured too much from the vial in her hand. A glass flask full of green liquid on the lab bench shattered instantly, sending a plume of thick green smoke billowing into the air.

"Ah!" Duanmu Qing cried out in alarm. She scrambled frantically to clean up the spilled liquid on the table, her face flushing red with embarrassment.

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Su. I..."

"You aren't hurt, are you?" Su Mu's gentle voice drifted softly into her ears.

"N-no... I'm not hurt," Duanmu Qing stammered.

Ever since Su Mu rescued her, she had always been a bit unnatural around him, acting somewhat timid and bashful—especially when he smiled.

"That's good. Take a break for now. You don't need to push yourself so hard," Su Mu said. "I just heard from Zhao Chaoyao that you're only sleeping six hours a day. That won't do. Everyone in District 13 answers to me. Whenever you want to relax, you can go out and have fun instead of cooping yourself up in this laboratory all day."

"O-okay... Mr. Su." Perhaps her days on the run had made her overly sensitive, leaving her at a complete loss when faced with his sudden care. She couldn't help but lower her head, afraid to meet his eyes.

"By the way, Mr. Su, did you come here for a specific reason?" Duanmu Qing asked, changing the subject.

Su Mu nodded. "There is indeed a very important matter I need your help with. But seeing your current state, forget it. You should rest first."

Duanmu Qing's head snapped up, a trace of anxiety in her voice. "I can do it! Mr. Su, you saved my life and helped me get my revenge. I've always wanted to repay you. I know I'm too weak to help you with much, and brewing potions is the only thing I'm good at. If I can help with that, please, just give the word!"

A look of hesitation flashed across Su Mu's face. "Well, alright. I currently need a Follower of Strength Transcendent Potion. Also, those materials on mithril activation I gave you earlier? I need to put them to use now. Can you..."

"I won't have any problems!" the young girl's crisp voice rang out through the laboratory.

"Mhm, just don't force yourself. Things here are different from the Federal Pharmaceutical Company. No one is going to force you to do anything. If you feel tired, stop and rest. No one will blame you."

"I understand, Mr. Su. I'll make sure to get plenty of rest," Duanmu Qing promised earnestly. In her heart, however, she was already planning to work through the night for the time being so she could be of help to Mr. Su.

"I won't interrupt your work any longer, then."

His psychological manipulation complete, Su Mu left the base. As soon as he was gone, Duanmu Qing erupted with an astonishing work efficiency that far surpassed anything she had displayed at the company.

Facts proved that no matter how hard you forced someone to work, it was never as efficient as having them take the initiative themselves.

Bronze Coffin Company.

"If it isn't the famous Mr. Pride. How do you have the free time to come back?" Nangong Mengli's lips curled up slightly, tracing a captivating smile.

"My business is finished, so naturally, I came back." Su Mu casually accepted the hot tea she had brewed and smiled.

"Your business this time was certainly no small matter. The president of a Federal Pharmaceuticals branch was killed by the Seven Deadly Sins. I'm suddenly starting to feel like I've boarded a pirate ship. If they find out I'm Envy of the Seven Deadly Sins, things will go very badly for me."

"Do you regret it?"

"Mhm." Nangong Mengli nodded. Her smile bloomed like a brilliant spring flower as she whispered, "I regret not boarding it sooner."

"I came back this time because I need your help with something."

"I know, but can we not talk about it right now?"

"No."

"..." Nangong Mengli was speechless.

"Alright then. What are your orders, our Lord Leader of the Seven Deadly Sins?"

"After Murong Yun died, you took over all of the Murong Family's assets, right?"

Getting down to business, Nangong Mengli's expression turned serious. "Yes. I faced some resistance from the other children, but I've already dealt with it."

"Good. I plan to use the Murong Family's power to open the largest club in Star City."

Nangong Mengli was taken aback. "A club? What kind of club? One specifically meant for gathering Transcendents?"

Su Mu smiled slightly. "No, a high-end club strictly for the men and women of high society. Here, they'll be able to encounter the unattainable loves they've always desired or missed out on. It won't matter who it is, or even if they aren't human. I've already chosen a name for it: Dream Fulfillment Club."

"Dream Fulfillment Club?" Nangong Mengli furrowed her brow slightly. "Opening a club is easy enough. The Murong Family's assets already include ready-made venues; it's just a matter of changing the name. But what is your goal in doing this?"

Su Mu shrugged. "To let all the lovers in the world finally be together, of course. To fulfill their dreams."

Amused, Nangong Mengli blinked. Her curved eyelashes fluttered lightly like butterfly wings, giving her an enchanting, lively beauty. "Then can you fulfill my dream first?"

"Of course. I'll give you Membership Card 001."