Chapter Seven: A Heart-to-Heart by the Riverside

Who exactly had Mu Bolin provoked?

This question had been lingering in Nie Yunyang’s mind. He had to find a way to investigate it thoroughly; otherwise, not only would he fail to protect Mu Qingyao, but he would also drag himself into the disaster. He did not fear challenges, but he refused to be a pawn in someone else’s game.

At that moment, he suddenly thought of a chubby man who navigated both the underworld and the legitimate world, known for knowing everything there was to know.

However, the most pressing matter was to shake off the tail following their car. While an Audi A6 couldn't compare to a top-tier sports car, it could still reach speeds of 240 kilometers per hour, making it easy enough to leave a Wuling Hongguang in the dust.

"Lackey, why are you driving so fast?" The violent jolts had helped Mu Qingyao sober up quite a bit.

Nie Yunyang gripped the steering wheel, eyes fixed on the road ahead. "Someone is following us!"

Upon hearing this, Mu Qingyao immediately became much more compliant. Nie Yunyang’s serious expression made her realize that danger was closing in. After merging onto the highway from an intersection fifty meters ahead, the Audi A6 wove through the traffic, constantly overtaking other vehicles, and soon lost the Wuling Hongguang.

Nie Yunyang chose an exit at random, left the highway, and circled around for a while before heading northwest of Chongqing along the beltway.

By the time Nie Yunyang arrived at the banks of the Jialing River, it was nearly midnight. He helped Mu Qingyao out of the car and into the riverside park. At night, the scenery was defined by the sound of the murmuring water, the distant city lights, and the passing cargo ships. Great rivers were nature’s own miraculous handiwork, inspiring a sense of awe.

"Nie Yunyang, thank you," Mu Qingyao said subconsciously, feeling the cool river breeze.

Nie Yunyang was stunned for a moment before a bright smile appeared on his face. "Miss, so you do know how to be grateful? Rare, truly rare."

"Get lost!" Mu Qingyao’s mood shifted faster than turning a page. She kicked off her high heels and hopped barefoot along the riverbank, looking like a cute sprite, her ethereal laughter echoing in the air.

Nie Yunyang kept a close watch on her, fearing she might slip and fall into the river.

Time passed, and eventually, Mu Qingyao grew too tired to run. She sat down next to Nie Yunyang, heedless of whether her expensive clothes were getting stained by dust and dirt.

"I was born in Zhen'an, Shaanxi. It’s a small county. In my childhood, my family was so poor that we only ate two meals a day. My clothes, my schoolbag, and my bedding were all patched; as long as they weren't broken, we wouldn't buy new ones. When I was in middle school, even my tuition fees were borrowed by my mother from our relatives," Mu Qingyao said softly, gazing at the river.

Nie Yunyang suddenly felt that the woman before him was no longer the spoiled socialite, but a simple girl who stirred a strong protective instinct within him.

"When I was ten, my father left to make his way in the world. He didn't want to spend his life in that poor county, so he went to major cities, determined to get ahead. He rarely came home, wandering outside except for the Lunar New Year, leaving my mother to care for my grandparents and me. It wasn't until he settled down in Chongqing and founded his company that our lives improved. But because of years of toil, my mother’s hair had turned gray."

"When I was nineteen, I got into a university in Chongqing, and my father brought my mother and me here. From then on, I became the child of a wealthy family; whatever I wanted, my father would buy it. But my mother and I still rarely saw him. At first, I thought he was busy with work and socializing, but later, I discovered he was keeping a mistress. I held my mother and cried, but she just said that life hadn't been easy for him."

"Later, my father's company grew larger, and he came home even less. Because of my studies, I couldn't always stay by my mother's side. In the end, she developed acute leukemia. She kept it from us, enduring the torture of the illness alone, while my father was still out living a life of debauchery. At that time, I was so furious I wanted to chop him to pieces!"

"After my mother passed away, I moved out of the villa. After graduation, I started an advertising design company."

Mu Qingyao hugged her legs and muttered to herself. Nie Yunyang listened in silence, looking at the girl with pity. So, that was the origin of the conflict between her and Mu Bolin. There was so much in life worth cherishing; if one became obsessed with material wealth, it would lead to spiritual emptiness and even regrets that could never be mended.

"Lackey, I’ve said so much. I want to hear your story." Mu Qingyao’s eyes were red, and tear stains remained on her face.

Nie Yunyang frowned slightly. "I’m not a dog. I have a name."

"Fine. In exchange for your good performance today, I’ll make an exception and call you Nie Yunyang," Mu Qingyao replied.

Nie Yunyang took a deep breath. "I have no parents. Even my master has passed away."

"Are you an orphan?" Mu Qingyao asked.

"I suppose so." Nie Yunyang stretched and added, "It’s late. Let me take you back."

"No. Take me to the mountain top to see the sunrise," she insisted.

Nie Yunyang felt a headache coming on. This young lady was truly hard to please.

"Tsk, tsk. A lone man and woman, spending the night by the river? It seems you two want to be a pair of ill-fated lovers."

A burly man suddenly appeared, mocking them. He held a sharp boning knife, its blade gleaming with a chilling, lethal light under the moonlight.

Mu Qingyao quickly hid behind Nie Yunyang, clutching his arm. In this desolate place, it was indeed the perfect spot for a crime.

With a beautiful woman in his arms, soft and fragrant, Nie Yunyang wouldn't have minded a romantic date under normal circumstances. But his priority now was to deal with this uninvited guest.

"You were the one who sent people to follow us, weren't you?" Nie Yunyang let go of Mu Qingyao and stepped forward.

The man had two intersecting scars on his left cheek, looking quite ferocious. "Kid, your driving is good; you shook off those losers. Too bad I have connections. I checked the license plate and naturally found you."

"Are you here for money or for the girl?" Nie Yunyang asked.

The man smiled coldly. "Kid, I’m not interested in you. Leave the girl and get lost."

"Hmph, so you’re an enemy of the Mu family?"

The man toyed with the boning knife. "Kid, don't play the tough guy in front of me. Being a hero comes with a price. Look at you, all soft and pampered. If you lose an arm or a leg, you'll be a beggar for the rest of your life. Be smart, kneel down and call me 'Grandpa,' and I’ll let you go. Otherwise, feeding you to the fish in the river is a pretty good option."

"Sorry, Yaoyao is my girlfriend. If you want to hurt her, you’ll have to beat me first," Nie Yunyang said.

The man’s eyes narrowed, a cruel glint flashing across his face. "Kid, you’ve got guts. My name is Huo Kun. When you get to the underworld, remember to report my name."

With that, the man brandished the knife and lunged at Nie Yunyang, aiming a savage strike at his thigh. If the blade slashed an artery, even if it didn't kill him, he would be incapacitated, or worse, go into shock.

However, to protect Mu Qingyao, Nie Yunyang had no choice but to face him head-on. Judging by Huo Kun's agile movements and ruthless methods, he knew he was in for a brutal fight.

As they clashed, Huo Kun’s knife struck, slashed, and pierced like lightning. The dazzling, blinding attacks forced Nie Yunyang to dodge and weave, struggling to keep up. Huo Kun’s technique was not only fierce but his footing was rock-solid, leaving no openings.

Nie Yunyang calculated that if he tried to disarm him with his bare hands, he would likely lose an arm.

With a feint, Huo Kun struck. As Nie Yunyang dodged to the right, the knife sliced his left shoulder. Blood splattered, appearing vivid and eerie in the night.

"Damn it, almost got gutted," Nie Yunyang retreated a few steps, cursing.

Huo Kun was equally shocked. Since he began his career, he had always ended his targets with a single strike. Yet, this kid had traded dozens of blows with him and only sustained a minor injury. If he hadn't been holding the knife, he might have been the one forced to flee.

"I haven't taken a job in a while. I thought I’d just grab a rich girl for the bounty, but I didn't expect to run into such a tough nut. I’m impressed, honestly." Huo Kun tightened his grip on the knife and spat on the ground.

Nie Yunyang took off his jacket, rolled up his sleeves, and crouched into a stance. "Since you think so highly of me, let’s have some real fun tonight."

"Kid, bring it on." Huo Kun gripped the handle in a reverse hold, ready for battle.

Nie Yunyang licked his lips, his eyes burning like an enraged lion as he lunged toward his opponent.