Chapter 432 431: Thunder Fruit

"This should have been the perfect environment for thunder wood to grow, but unfortunately, the land beneath Thunder Marsh is just a tiny island. There's simply no way for trees to grow on a large scale."

Mu Lin paused. He hadn't expected this complication.

"But some trees do manage to grow, after all. We just need to go there and collect the scorched thunder wood. That will be enough."

Mu Lin thought for a moment. He felt that although Luo Wanqing made it sound effortless, it probably wasn't that simple in reality.

"This path is easy to talk about, but following it is extremely difficult. All the minor factions know about it, so there's no shortage of competition among them."

Mu Lin felt he understood. "So, do you have any information on Thunder Marsh? Give me a copy."

Luo Wanqing immediately got a file ready and sent it to Mu Lin.

Mu Lin took it and looked it over, getting a better picture of the situation.

A place like this was highly likely to produce a Thunder Fruit.

And without the interference of major powers, snatching one wasn't out of the question.

"I understand. Thank you, Miss Luo!"

It was getting late, and Mu Lin wanted to head back to the Li Family's home. 'Li Xue is probably going to flip out again,' he thought.

Suddenly, Zhou Qianfan called. "I've run into some trouble on my end and have to make a trip to Di Yang. The old man at home isn't doing well. Can you keep an eye on things for me?"

"If I don't make it back, help me take care of Zhou Ying."

Mu Lin said, "Uncle Zhou, relax. No one would dare touch you."

Zhou Qianfan asked, "You know what's happening?"

Mu Lin replied, "I overheard a little something, but don't worry. Our connections on this side are just as strong."

"Just relax. I'm here. The Zhou Family will be fine."

Zhou Qianfan said, "This is a cataclysmic event. I'll be lucky just to escape with my life."

Mu Lin didn't say more. The situation was still unclear, and telling Zhou Qianfan too much might only cloud his judgment.

If Zhou Qianfan made a wrong move, Mu Lin might not even have a chance to help.

Luo Wanqing drove Mu Lin to the entrance of the villa community but didn't go in. Mu Lin wouldn't have dared let her, anyway.

Mu Lin walked in alone. As he got closer, he saw Chen Jingyun on duty, and the two shared a smile.

After Mu Lin went inside, Luo Wanqing's car circled back.

She got out and walked up to Chen Jingyun.

Chen Jingyun glanced at Luo Wanqing and was immediately captivated by her beauty.

"Hello, miss. How can I help you?" Chen Jingyun asked with practiced ease.

Luo Wanqing smoothed her hair and said, "Are you very familiar with Mu Lin? I saw him greet you just now."

Chen Jingyun never expected her to ask about this. He said, "We're alright, just casually acquainted. Are you a friend of Mr. Mu, miss?"

Luo Wanqing smiled. "I... quite like him. I wanted to ask you, does he have a girlfriend?"

Chen Jingyun found this question to be incredibly complicated. Answering it was no less difficult for an inarticulate person like him than his interview for the security guard position had been.

'How should I handle this? And what does Mu Lin even think of this girl?'

'Does he want to develop a deeper relationship with her?'

It was a minefield of problems. Chen Jingyun could only try to muddle through.

"Maybe... I don't think so..."

Luo Wanqing said, "I heard that between Mr. Mu and Miss Lin..."

Chen Jingyun replied, "Their relationship is terrible. President Li has never given Mr. Mu a pleasant look."

"Mr. Mu once said that he only came to the Li Family to repay a debt of gratitude, and that he and President Li are not in a romantic relationship."

"Is that so?" Luo Wanqing's eyes gradually brightened.

"Thank you!"

Luo Wanqing got back in her car and said to Jiang Lan, "Buy a villa next to the Li Villa immediately."

Jiang Lan said, "Miss, are you kidding? The villas here are in high demand. They sold out long ago!"

"Then make a high offer. I'm sure no one will turn down a good price!"

For the sake of love, Luo Wanqing revealed her financial power for the first time.

But then again, for someone of her wealth, buying a villa was hardly a major expense.

Mu Lin pushed open the door and went home. Elder Li was already asleep, and Mrs. Li had made some food for him.

After eating his fill, Mu Lin took a long, thorough shower and carefully headed upstairs.

The door to Li Xue's room was still open. Mu Lin wanted to walk past, but her icy gaze forced him to step inside.

The air froze. Li Xue's eyes seemed to be interrogating Mu Lin.

'I can't just keep running around outside all the time,' Mu Lin thought, then said, "I found the medicine."

Li Xue was scrolling on her phone, not even looking at Mu Lin. "What medicine?"

Mu Lin said, "The medicine to cure Elder Li's illness."

Li Xue shot to her feet, stunned. "Are you serious?!"

"So you were out looking for medicine for Grandpa?"

Mu Lin replied, "Not entirely, but finding the medicine was definitely my top priority."

Li Xue was overjoyed but refused to show it in front of Mu Lin. She pursed her lips and said:

"How much did you spend? I'll pay you back every single cent!"

Mu Lin said, "It didn't cost much."

He had stolen all this Spirit Medicine from Elder Deng, so it really hadn't cost him a cent.

"Don't give me that! Don't think you can make me owe you a favor this way!"

Mu Lin sighed. "Sixty million."

Li Xue was completely taken aback. Mu Lin called *this* "not much money"?

'Did he get hit by a car, or what?'

But Li Xue couldn't say anything. The cost wasn't an issue when it came to their last hope.

"Fine. Come to my office tomorrow, and I'll process the payment."

Mu Lin said, "Since I can cure Elder Li, shouldn't we tell him about the fake certificate? That way, you'll be free to marry someone you actually like."

'Are you that desperate to divorce me?' Li Xue thought.

'I, Li Xue, sleep next to you every night. Is that such a hardship for you?'

A fire of anger flared up inside her.

"I'll tell him, don't you worry!"

'This isn't just about the fake marriage,' Mu Lin thought. 'It's also about protecting the Li Family.'

The current situation with the Ning and Feng families had become a fight to the death. They could make a move against him at any time.

The Li Family would almost certainly become collateral damage.

Severing ties sooner would be safer.

That was what Mu Lin was thinking.

But Li Xue said resolutely, "Grandpa has always wanted us to get married. If you confess to him tomorrow, the first thing he'll do isn't even scold me, but go to the Civil Affairs Bureau to get a real certificate made! You think he'll give up? Dream on!"

Mu Lin was stunned for a moment. 'Li Xue really does know her elders better,' he thought.

"Then we'll do it your way. We'll go at your pace."

It didn't make much difference to Mu Lin personally, but sleeping next to Li Xue like this all the time was truly unfair to her.

After all, he really couldn't give her anything.

Mu Lin carefully sat on the bed, wanting to sleep, but Li Xue pointed to a fist-sized pouch on the floor by the nightstand and said:

"What is that? Why did you put it here?"

Mu Lin said, "They're talismans someone was selling at a stall under an overpass. They looked to be of good quality, so I bought a bunch."

Li Xue said, "Be careful not to get scammed. Making money isn't easy; you can't just waste it like that!"

Li Xue originally wanted to make a snide remark about Mu Lin being naive, but then she thought about how much he had helped her and decided it wouldn't be right to say that.

So she just sighed, turned over, and went to sleep.

Her mind was filled with Mu Lin's suggestion to come clean, and she grew incredibly irritated.

'This Mu Lin is going to be the death of me,' she fumed internally.

She felt like she could kill him.

In the middle of the night, Li Xue's phone suddenly rang.

She immediately grabbed it. "Hello."

The voice on the phone was panicked. "President Li, come to the west side warehouse, quickly! It's on fire! Chairman Li has been burned!"

Li Xue leaped up in shock, sitting on the edge of the bed and waking Mu Lin.

"How's my dad?"

"Half his body was on fire! We put it out, but he's badly injured."

Mu Lin was already awake. Seeing Li Xue so agitated she looked like she might faint, he immediately moved to her side.

He had heard the entire phone call.

"Stop wasting time. Send the address. We're on our way."

The person on the other end of the line was very surprised to hear a man's voice next to Li Xue.

But the address was quickly sent to her phone.

Li Xue was at her wit's end, unbearably panicked.

Mu Lin picked up his bag and then scooped Li Xue into his arms.

Li Yinhe was in trouble; it was only right for her to be there.

Li Xue's face turned beet red, and her heart was pounding. "You... put me down! I'll drive!"