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"Xiaobai, I feel like such a failure. Li Xunhuan avoids me whenever he sees me now!" Tang Ruoyou complained to Li Mu. "My confidence is completely shattered!"

While Li Mu was busy managing the Martial World Daily and recruiting renowned heroes, making waves across the jianghu, Tang Ruoyou's task—to build a basic connection with Li Xunhuan—kept hitting walls. The contrast left her utterly dejected.

"That shouldn't be the case!" Li Mu looked at her in surprise. "Didn't I teach you exactly what to do?"

"I followed your instructions!" Tang Ruoyou huffed. "I invited him for tea, made small talk, and occasionally hinted at my admiration. But after a few meetings, he started dodging me! That emotionally clueless block of wood!"

"Given Li Xunhuan's refinement and character, he wouldn't act so rudely—especially with my reputation backing you." Li Mu frowned. "Tang Ruoyou, did you overstep somehow?"

"Of course not!" Tang Ruoyou's eyes flickered with unease.

Sigh.

Li Mu stared at her solemnly. "If you did or said anything inappropriate, tell me now. This affects whether both of us can return home."

Tang Ruoyou avoided his gaze, muttering awkwardly, "Well… I thought progress was too slow, so I… upped the flirting a tiny bit. I swear, just a little!"

"Flirting?" Li Mu's eyes bulged.

Tang Ruoyou held up her pinky finger, forcing a laugh. "Just a few lines! Who knew he'd be so sensitive?"

A bad feeling crept into Li Mu's chest. "What. Did. You. Say?"

Tang Ruoyou stammered, her face flushing. "Like… 'Use your flying dagger to cut my hand, then cut yours—then we'll be a couple!'*…"

Li Mu: "…"

"And… 'Your smile holds no wine, yet I'm drunk as a dog…'"

Li Mu's temple twitched, imagining Li Xunhuan's reaction.

Tang Ruoyou fidgeted, fingertips tapping. "'I want to ask for directions… to your heart.'"

Li Mu: "…"

"'Do you know the difference between you and a monkey? One lives in a cave, the other lives in my heart…'"

Li Mu burst into incredulous laughter. "Any more?"

Tang Ruoyou hung her head. "Lots!"

"Go on."

"'Do you know the difference between you and the stars? They light up the night sky, but you light up my soul…'"

"'A thousand blossoms bloom in the east wind—I'd rather bloom in your home…'"

"'What's your zodiac? A dragon? No, you belong to me…'"

"'Guess where my heart is? On your side…'"

By the end, Li Mu's face was pitch-black.

This wasn't "a tiny bit" of flirting. This was forcing it!

Li Xunhuan, I salute your patience for enduring her this long!

Tang Ruoyou whispered timidly, "Li Xiaobai… Did I do wrong?"

Li Mu glared. "What do you think?"

"But my friends said these lines work wonders in modern dating! I studied them!"

"Sis, this is the Ming Dynasty, not the 21st century! You're spamming ancient scholars with pickup lines from TikTok! Why not quote Nalan Rongruo's poetry instead? 'If life were as beautiful as our first meeting…' or 'Love's shadow lingers where moonlight meets flowers…' So elegant! Why embarrass us both?"

Tang Ruoyou blinked. "You never told me! Plus, I don't understand those poems. What if I messed them up?"

"Fair point." Li Mu massaged his temples. "My mistake. Stay indoors from now on. I'll handle everything."

Tang Ruoyou pouted. "Better!"

Li Mu took a deep breath. Clients first—even clueless ones. For the mission, endure!

Tang Ruoyou side-eyed him. "I saw your coverage of Lin Xian'er. Next up, Lin Shiyin, right? My failure isn't my fault—Li Xunhuan's still hung up on her!"

Li Mu gave up explaining. Every strategy for The Flying Dagger crumbled around Tang Ruoyou. She was a walking complication.

"Patience. Your turn's coming." He forced a smile. "Rest now, alright?"

Once she left, Li Mu collapsed into his chair, exhausted. Tang Ruoyou was a liability. His only hope was to scrap "emotional groundwork" and force a ruthless plan.

Time was running out. The Martial World Daily's credibility relied on leaking real jianghu secrets from the novel. But his intel was nearly depleted. Soon, he'd have to fabricate stories like a tabloid—a death blow to his authority.

Finish the mission before the well dries up.

In this world, Li Mu had crafted an invincible persona using his "100% Disarm" skill, gold teleportation, and plot foresight. To Xingyun Manor, he seemed untouchable.

But his true weakness was Tang Ruoyou. If she failed, so would he.

No more risks. Time to cut losses and act.