Two days later was the weekend. That morning, he received a call from Douglas, who told Mu Lin that he had reviewed the acquisition contract and already signed it, hoping that Mu Lin could come to the law firm to sign the contract in person.
After consulting with his two lawyers, Mu Lin arrived at Douglas’s law firm. This time, the receptionist clearly had received instructions from Douglas. Knowing that a large sum of money had flowed into the firm and it would not go bankrupt, her demeanor was completely different from when Mu Lin had last visited. As soon as Mu Lin arrived, she greeted him warmly and personally escorted him to Douglas’s office.
At that point, the lawyers and relevant personnel hired by the law firm were already gathered. Mu Lin once again consulted his own lawyers, and after receiving a definite answer, he signed the acquisition documents. Immediately afterward, $50 million was transferred to Douglas’s account to repay half of the bank debt upfront, $5 million was deposited into the firm’s account, and $42 million in checks were left with his lawyers. Once Link Accounting Firm audited the company’s finances and received Mu Lin’s approval and signature, the remaining amount would be paid directly to the bank, which was also a condition agreed upon by the bank.
Mu Lin didn’t want to deal with the bank directly. All the checks he used were banker’s drafts from a Swiss bank, which made Douglas, who had been trying to investigate Mu Lin’s background, somewhat cautious. This marked Mu Lin’s first asset acquisition since arriving in the U.S., and indeed, his first worldly possession. As for what would happen afterward, even Mu Lin himself wasn’t sure.
Although the legal system in the U.S. was relatively complete, there was always an underlying suspicion toward outsiders: “Those who are not of our kind will surely have different hearts.” Currently, Mu Lin’s biggest headache was the lack of people he could trust to manage the business. Since he needed to keep things confidential, he did not attend the celebratory banquet held by the law firm at noon and returned to his apartment to cook for himself.
In the afternoon, as soon as Mu Lin returned from the library to his dorm, Krystal was already waiting in the living room of his apartment. The three girls knew that Mu Lin’s younger sister was staying at Krystal’s house, so Krystal identified herself and was allowed to enter.
When Mu Lin saw Krystal, he suddenly remembered that he had promised to visit her house that evening. Mu Lin was a responsible person, but he had only recently started integrating into society and had very little experience interacting with women. He immediately greeted the three girls and left with Krystal.
While walking, he used his spiritual awareness to scan Krystal again—everything seemed normal. She had interacted with the three girls without any issues. So why had she said such strange things? As for the evening, he hadn’t yet decided what to do.
Meifang and Meizi were overjoyed when they saw Mu Lin return. Meizi immediately started her usual routine of rubbing his face. Mu Lin was an only child; as a child, he had been busy training, foraging for food, and studying, leaving him little time to play with other kids. After he had formed his core energy (yuandan), he was far more advanced in both knowledge and physiology than other children his age. The kids in the commune felt inferior and dared not play with him. Thus, his interactions with peers were minimal.
Since he had gained Meifang and Meizi as younger sisters, Meifang, being introverted, was somewhat reserved. Though she deeply loved Mu Lin, she wasn’t good at expressing it. Meizi, on the other hand, had a complex mix of feelings for him—part father, part brother. Because she was younger, she was especially close to him. From the bottom of his heart, Mu Lin cherished her. After indulging in some affectionate moments with Meizi, he began checking on the martial arts progress of the two sisters.
To ensure they could protect themselves, Mu Lin had taught them six forms of hand techniques, six forms of body techniques, and six forms of foot techniques, combined with appropriate breathing methods. If they practiced consistently, they would achieve a basic level of proficiency within two years.
Chinese martial arts differ from other countries’ combat techniques, which often show results in two or three months and reach a basic level within three to five years. Chinese martial arts require specific breathing methods to be effective. Those with poor talent may not see results even after three to five years of practice. Moreover, due to China’s long feudal history and the reclusive nature of its people, many martial arts techniques were passed down secretly in rural areas, and many supreme techniques were lost to history. Most martial arts practiced today are merely forms passed down through generations, while the corresponding breathing techniques have often been lost, which is truly a tragedy.
Normally, Mu Lin visited during the day, so it was unexpected for Daise and Bice to see him return in the evening. They clung to him, begging him to teach them “kung fu.” So Mu Lin taught them a set called “Ten Flowery Fist Techniques,” along with the corresponding breathing method. This martial art was something he had acquired during his travels. It wasn’t particularly strong in combat effectiveness. Since he hadn’t fully understood their personalities yet, he chose this set and warned them not to pass it on, or he would revoke their training.
Influenced by Bruce Lee’s movies, the two girls swore solemnly that they would never share it with anyone. Their expressions while making the vow were quite convincing, making Mu Lin chuckle inwardly. He thought about how powerful movies could be.
When it was time for dinner, Bice couldn’t help but ask Krystal, “Mom, Daniel usually comes during the day. Why is he back so early tonight?”
Krystal replied without hesitation, “Daniel is part of our family, the person closest to Mom. Isn’t it better that he came back earlier? Don’t you girls welcome him?”
“Of course we do, but Mom, you’re not…” Daise thought for a moment and didn’t finish her sentence.
“Not what?” Krystal asked. “Nothing at all. Alright, I’m done eating, Mom.” Daise got up from the table and went back to the living room, followed by the other girls. Mu Lin quickly finished his meal and left the dining room. This time, Krystal didn’t say anything.
Back in the living room, Mu Lin started checking the four girls’ studies. Because Meifang and Meizi had thinner foundations, he always gave them extra lessons. Fortunately, they were talented and hardworking, determined not to become a burden to their brother. Combined with Mu Lin’s effective teaching methods, the two had now caught up with Daise and Bice.
Mu Lin deeply understood that “genius” was composed of 99% effort and 1% talent. As a child, he had spent most of his time searching for food, studying, and training, which led to his current modest achievements. Seeing his sisters striving hard, he felt comforted.
Meifang was now in the same class as Daise, and Meizi happened to be in the same class as Bice. Upon hearing that Meifang and Meizi had never attended school before and yet had academic performance comparable to their own, the two girls couldn’t sit still anymore and joined the group seeking Mu Lin’s guidance.
After cleaning up the dining room, Krystal came into the living room and saw Mu Lin teaching the four girls. She said to him, “You all keep studying. I’ll go back to my room first. Oh, and Daniel, come sleep with me later.”
Hearing Krystal’s words, Mu Lin’s face turned red. Although he had cultivated his yuandan and had good self-control, he had no actual experience in relationships. Thus, Krystal’s words embarrassed him deeply in front of the four young girls.
Daise, being older and more mature due to her Western upbringing, had already learned about human physiology in school and understood the relationship between men and women. Seeing Mu Lin’s blushing face, she asked, “Wow, Daniel! When did you start sleeping with Mom? We didn’t know! Does this mean you’re going to marry Krystal?”
Before Mu Lin could answer, Bice also asked, “Daise, are you sure Daniel is going to marry my mom?”
Mu Lin felt regret surge in his heart. Who would have thought treating an illness would result in a lovesick girl? If only he had known…
He looked over and saw Meifang’s face darken and Meizi’s eyes welling with tears. Meizi, trembling, asked in Chinese, “Brother, are you going to marry Auntie Krystal? Are you going to leave us?”
Seeing the expressions on Meifang and Meizi’s faces, Mu Lin’s heart ached. He quickly comforted them in Chinese, “It’s not what you think. She’s been acting like this ever since I healed her, and I don’t know why. Don’t worry, Meizi. How could your brother ever abandon you? He promised to protect you forever unless you leave him.”
Hearing this, Meifang and Meizi slowly regained their composure. Meizi ran into Mu Lin’s arms and unleashed her “special technique”: “Brother is the worst! You always scare me and Sister!”
Mu Lin helplessly thought to himself, Who’s scaring whom? Every time, he ended up being the victim of her “special technique.”
At this point, Daise and Bice grew impatient. “What are you all talking about? Speak in English so we can understand!”
Mu Lin replied in English, “We were talking about your mom. Right now, Krystal and I won’t get married, and we haven’t slept together or had any intimate relationship. It’s not what you think. Remember, I’m only 15, not even of legal age. How could I marry Krystal? I only see her as my older sister.”
Mu Lin thought to himself that this was a side effect of the healing, and he couldn’t tell Daise and Bice the truth. If they found out, where would that leave the reputation of this “master physician”?
He quickly whispered in Chinese to Meifang and the others, “You two mustn’t tell them or Auntie anything about this, or it will cause trouble for your brother.”
Meizi immediately replied, “Okay, we won’t tell them. As long as you still want us, it’s fine even if you marry Auntie Krystal.”
Mu Lin broke out in cold sweat. He had made a mistake. He shouldn’t have healed her completely. But if he had only healed her halfway, would he still be considered a master physician? Mu Lin was troubled.
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