Chapter 39: Fleeting Time Like Water

Cao Weihua was a man who had risen from the countryside. At the age of ten, he encountered a wanderer and was taken in as a foster son, beginning a life of grave robbing during which he acquired many genuine skills.

After his master passed away, Cao continued to travel the country until he was thirty, when his team unearthed nine pieces of Yuan dynasty underglaze red porcelain from an ancient tomb on the Loess Plateau. Each piece, if placed at an auction, could fetch over ten million; even in the black market, this undamaged collection was worth a fortune.

In the ensuing internal conflict, his partners turned on each other. Cao, being the last to leave the tomb, escaped the carnage. After burying his companions, he took the porcelain south to Guangzhou, sold it to a fence, and walked away with forty-nine million. From then on, Cao washed his hands of the trade, took his vast wealth to Chongqing, and founded the Jinchuan Trading Company, turning his attention to the antiques business.

However, he was deeply superstitious. Having broken into hundreds of ancient tombs, he felt perpetually burdened by resentment and bad karma. To avoid implicating others, he remained single, fearing retribution if he were to have a family. Later, at a friend’s suggestion, he traveled thousands of miles to Longhu Mountain to ask a Celestial Master for a blessing. It was then that he met Nie Yunyang, and the two became fast friends despite their age gap.

Though he had amassed a fortune and built a significant enterprise, Cao remained low-key, never mentioning his grave-robbing past to outsiders. Now forty-five, his greatest headache was wondering who would inherit the company he had labored so hard to grow. Over the years, he had trained many potential successors, but none had met his standards. As for Shen Hui, Cao did not want her to be tainted by the karmic repercussions of his life; he only hoped she could live a peaceful and happy life. After all, once one stepped onto this path, one’s life would be filled with endless risks. Originally, he had planned to wait until Shen Hui married, hoping to groom her husband if he proved honest and reliable. Unfortunately, the girl had a penchant for free spirits, and her few romances had all ended in failure. Slowly, Cao abandoned the idea of finding a successor, intending to let nature take its course—until he met Nie Yunyang.

Ten years ago, when Cao first met Nie Yunyang, it was in a courtyard on Longhu Mountain. The walls, built of bluestone, looked crooked and unconventional, and the yard held only two old houses with red tiles and white walls. In the height of summer, under an osmanthus tree, a white-haired old man lay on a recliner, waving a fan and listening to a tune. In the open space before him, a young man was practicing Tai Chi, his movements vigorous and agile. Besides them, there was a large yellow dog, a tabby cat, and a hen laying eggs. The scene left Cao deeply moved; his greatest wish had always been to live such a reclusive life. Using the excuse of asking for water, he entered the courtyard and struck up a conversation with the old man. Upon learning the man was a Celestial Master, he immediately knelt and kowtowed.

When Nie Yunyang returned to the mountain city, Cao had wanted to recruit him. Unfortunately, Nie became embroiled in the affairs of the Mu family. To repay the debt of the Celestial Master’s guidance from years ago, Cao had to step in and help Nie resolve many troubles. In the process, Cao saw the brilliance in the young man. To his surprise, the boy had now come to him of his own accord. How could he refuse such an opportunity? Cao was overjoyed, though he kept his composure on the surface.

"I can take you into Jinchuan, but I must understand your true intentions. Otherwise, even if I made you general manager, you wouldn't be satisfied," Cao said.

Nie Yunyang shook his head. "I am still young and lack experience. Even if I were manager, the others wouldn't be convinced. It is better to start from the bottom."

"If you want to gain experience, then start from the bottom. I opened a club last year called 'Jinxiu Huating' that caters to the wealthy and powerful. If you're interested, go work there."

"When do I start?" Nie asked.

Cao laughed heartily. "Whenever you're ready."

"Don't reveal our relationship, lest others grow resentful," Nie cautioned.

Cao puffed on his cigar. "Do you think I need you to teach me that?"

"Just a reminder. I don't want to be too conspicuous," Nie replied.

Just then, a servant entered the living room. "Mr. Cao, lunch is ready."

"We've been talking for so long I'm starving. Come, join me for lunch."

Cao set down his cigar and led Nie toward the dining room. "I'm game, but do you have any five-star Guizhou Moutai?" Nie asked.

Cao grinned. "If I had that, I would have drunk it already. Do you think there would be any left for you?"

"Forget it then. Remember to buy a few bottles of Feitian Moutai; I'm sure I'll be coming over to mooch off you often," Nie said.

"Damn, you're long-winded. Are we eating or not?"

"Eating, of course."

The two walked off with their arms around each other, looking less like mentor and protégé and more like partners in crime. Throughout the afternoon, Nie stayed in the mansion. Cao was particularly entertaining at the table, plying him with drink until Nie had finished ten glasses of white liquor.

"You old fox, your skin is thicker than a city wall. Damn it, one lapse in judgment and I’ve stepped onto a pirate ship!"

"You brat, have some respect. Don't forget, I'm your boss now."

"I haven't started working for you yet."

"Kid, if you don't listen to the elders, you'll suffer later. You still have a lot to learn..."

Drunkenly, they tried to head to the bedrooms but collapsed onto the sofa in the living room, falling into a deep sleep. The servants didn't dare move them and simply covered them with blankets to keep them warm.

When Shen Hui returned home at eleven that night—she never stayed out late unless necessary, fearing her uncle would worry—she was stunned by the sight. The two men, one old and one young, were sprawled across the sofa. She knew her uncle rarely drank to excess. Why had he done so today? And why was he so drunk with Nie Yunyang? Who exactly was this young man, to be valued so highly by her uncle?