Buying in Bulk

"Though you may hate me now, and perhaps seek revenge the moment I leave, those are matters for later." Mu Xiao rose, walked around the desk, and stopped beside Shangguan Yuanxin, looking down at her. "But don't forget, I hold the upper hand in this room right now. Your life or death depends on a single thought from me. If you want revenge, get through this crisis first... Miss Shangguan, I trust you understand that a wise man submits to the circumstances. This is also my final warning. I don't have time to play with you any longer."

Shangguan Yuanxin watched Mu Xiao approach with a face full of vigilance, yet she maintained her calm, composed demeanor without showing the slightest panic. She believed in her ability to handle things, and she believed that with the foundations of two great families behind her, she was not someone an ordinary person or a single family could shake—unless that person was a madman with no regard for his own life.

However, Mu Xiao's unconventional behavior and threatening words made Shangguan Yuanxin feel that this man was a "madman," and an incredibly calm one at that. Otherwise, he must have some hidden trump card and completely disregarded retaliation from the two great families to dare openly extort the Shangguan family's heir and the future daughter-in-law of the An Family.

"I don't know where your confidence comes from, but I want to tell you this: you will definitely pay for what you did today." Shangguan Yuanxin's voice was ice-cold.

She saw no change in Mu Xiao's expression. He did not even blink, as though threats meant nothing at all to him.

Shangguan Yuanxin understood that she would only suffer if this continued. Even ten Bauhinias were not worth more than her life.

In the end, Shangguan Yuanxin coldly gave him Bauhinia's correct account.

Mu Xiao opened the account details. The enormous figure displayed there satisfied him greatly, and then he smiled in an especially punchable way. "Thank you, Miss Shangguan, for your cooperation and generosity."

"No need!" Shangguan Yuanxin's exquisite face darkened as though water could drip from it. "I hope you live long enough to spend all that money before we find you."

"Don't worry. I'll spend it right away." Mu Xiao had already turned his attention to the light screen, his fingers moving swiftly as he replied casually.

Shangguan Yuanxin did not believe Mu Xiao could spend such an enormous sum of credits so quickly. Yet when her gaze unconsciously fell upon his light screen, she saw a dazzling stream of purchase orders, all for outrageously expensive medicines. The massive amount of credits was shrinking at high speed. Instantly, Shangguan Yuanxin's soft, alluring face turned utterly grim.

"What the hell is that madman trying to do?!"

Shangguan Yuanxin roared furiously in her heart.

Various types of genetic medicine, Chinese medicinal herbs of different ages, nutrient solutions containing different plant essences... Everyone knew such things could not be consumed and absorbed all at once. Nor were they miraculous pills that could turn someone into a "superhuman" just by stuffing them down. They merely had effects such as saving lives, preserving lives, and nourishing lives. Most people took them as supplements to condition their bodies, but no one would consume too many supplements at once. Otherwise, they would not be supplements—they would be poison.

Moreover, the higher the quality of these "supplements," the more outrageous their prices. Some rare medicines cost hundreds of millions of credits for a single plant, vial, or bottle. For example, the genetic medicine needed for "limb regeneration" cost at least two or three hundred million credits. Yet Mu Xiao's casually placed order included more than ten such doses, spending over three billion credits in one go.

At this rate, no amount of credits would be enough for him.

That was why Shangguan Yuanxin felt so stifled and furious. She believed Mu Xiao had come purely to disgust her and spite her. His true purpose was not money at all.

Shangguan Yuanxin could not calm herself and said icily, "I don't know why you would take such a huge risk to buy so many expensive medicines, but I can tell you clearly that after today, I have ways to return all of these medicines and ensure Bauhinia Group suffers no losses.

I advise you to state your true purpose. Otherwise, you won't have another chance to say it in the future." "Can you shut up and be quiet?" Mu Xiao did not even look directly at her and continued his mad shopping spree across the major online stores.

His dismissive attitude nearly made Shangguan Yuanxin cough up blood. But she quickly calmed down again. Seeing how focused Mu Xiao was, she thought he had not noticed her. Her thoughts stirred, and her finger silently traced an invisible character. Once she completed it, she could reactivate all the alarm systems he had shut down earlier.

The ring on Shangguan Yuanxin's finger was one of the miniature light computers capable of secretly activating the system.

Just as she was about to succeed, Mu Xiao spoke in the tone of an adult addressing a child, filled with helpless resignation. "You really don't know how to stop worrying people."

Then, Shangguan Yuanxin felt a flash of light strike her body. After an instant of piercing pain, her entire body went numb and limp. She could not even lift a finger, her body completely losing its ability to move, while her mind remained perfectly clear. A thought suddenly struck her.

"Paralysis Gun! What exactly are you trying to do to me?!" Shangguan Yuanxin's beautiful face, fair as congealed cream, turned deathly pale. Panic filled her heart as she truly felt something terrible might happen next. She did not even have the chance to fight desperately or kill herself, only to helplessly endure whatever abuse came her way.

"If you keep talking so much, I wouldn't mind doing some of the things you're thinking about to you." Mu Xiao deliberately swept his gaze over Shangguan Yuanxin's alluring, graceful, limp body and her proud, shapely figure. She seemed as though she had suddenly been bitten by a venomous snake. Her scarlet, moist lips pressed tightly together, while her beautiful eyes glared at Mu Xiao, trying to drive away his improper intentions with her gaze.

Mu Xiao turned his eyes back to the light screen and did not do anything improper to Shangguan Yuanxin. Only then did she temporarily relax, but she no longer dared provoke Mu Xiao with words, lest he find an excuse to unleash his beastly urges.

The spacious office fell into dead silence. Shangguan Yuanxin's mood grew increasingly panicked and dreadful. She had never faced such an unfavorable situation before, nor did she know what Mu Xiao was planning. She could only hope that the people outside would come in sooner...

After a long while, Mu Xiao finally spent all the vast funds Shangguan Yuanxin had provided. He directly purchased a huge pile of expensive medicines and supplies, then offered a high price for the online merchants to deliver everything to his residence within an hour.

After all, in the prosperous City of Magic, although there were many valuable goods involved, there was still enough capacity to deliver them all. Besides, transportation technology had already reached the point of remote item transmission, so delivery time was not much of an issue. The only issue was the high price.

When Shangguan Yuanxin saw Mu Xiao dismiss the light screen, her heart immediately rose into her throat. Forcing herself to remain calm, she said, "Now that you have achieved your goal, shouldn't you leave?"

As though remembering something, she added, "Don't worry. I won't make a move against you here."

Mu Xiao appraised the exquisite beauty before him with interest and thought to himself, That hit from the Electromagnetic Gun was low-output. It only paralyzed her body. Her consciousness is still very clear, so this will be easy...

"Don't worry. I'm not interested in your body, and you're not my type." Mu Xiao teased Shangguan Yuanxin. Seeing her deeply embarrassed and angry expression, he added, "But at a critical moment, I wouldn't mind making do with you and..."

"What exactly do you want?! Say it!" Shangguan Yuanxin was nearly driven mad by his taunts.

"I want control of this room's intelligent systems." Seeing that she had yielded, Mu Xiao stated his purpose. This time, Shangguan Yuanxin said nothing more and directly told him that the ring on her finger was the controller. He only needed to change the password to use it.

Mu Xiao removed her ring. With the password she provided, he smoothly changed it and gained control over the entire room's intelligent systems, as well as the weapon systems in the corridor outside.

Then Mu Xiao walked to Shangguan Yuanxin. Under her horrified gaze, he lowered his head and moved closer. Gradually, Mu Xiao's face came within an inch of her alluring yet proud, flawless face, delicate as congealed cream. The rich, fragrant scent emanating from her body lingered clearly beneath his nose.

"Listen carefully to every word I say now."

As Mu Xiao spoke, his warm breath brushed against Shangguan Yuanxin's smooth face. A girlish shyness flashed through her eyes, but there was more hurried unease, furious resentment, and hatred. She did not say any empty, powerless nonsense such as, "Touch me and I'll make you wish you were dead."

Instead, she remained silent and stared at Mu Xiao with eyes cold enough to freeze everything, as though she wanted to carve his appearance into her bones.

"I know you won't believe anything I say now, but I'm someone who distinguishes gratitude from grudges. I don't like owing favors without repaying them. So I promise you this: if you survive and meet me again, you may make one request within my ability. Consider it repayment for the huge sum of money you gave me this time."

Mu Xiao stood straight as a marker pole. Looking at Shangguan Yuanxin, who was gradually calming down, he continued, "I just ordered a large amount of food and some things you might need under your name. They're being delivered to No. 9 Warehouse at the company. If something happens, that may be a good safe place—provided you can make it there alive. I also won't take the two S-class robots in your room. You'll probably need them then. And you have a squad of bodyguards as well, so you should be able to get through this 'unforgettable day.'"

Shangguan Yuanxin's mind was filled with doubts, and a bottomless fear rose in her heart. It felt as though some unknown and terrifying event was about to happen, yet she hoped Mu Xiao was merely being mysterious to distract her from seeking revenge against him...

"What are you talking about?" Shangguan Yuanxin drew a deep breath, restoring her posture as a powerful businesswoman. "If our family is facing a great disaster and you know something, I can treat today's events as though they never happened. I can even agree to any reasonable request you make..."

Mu Xiao ignored her and continued on his own. "Next, I hope you cooperate with me in finishing the final act. Call your bodyguards in."

"I'm talking to you. Can't you give me an explanation?" The restless feeling in Shangguan Yuanxin's heart grew stronger, and her tone regained its usual authority.

"Oh, right. The room's weapons are under my control now, so I don't need you to do anything anymore." A gentle smile appeared on Mu Xiao's face. In a tone like he was coaxing a child, he said to Shangguan Yuanxin, "Go to sleep first. Rest well and prepare yourself to welcome the arrival of this new era."

"Wait..." Just as a bad premonition surged through Shangguan Yuanxin, she saw a gun-shaped object appear in Mu Xiao's hand. A flickering current of light landed on her body, bringing a sharper pain than before. In an instant, she lost consciousness.