Chapter Fourteen: The Reluctance to Leave One's Homeland

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In the past, Nie Yunyang couldn’t understand why his master always took him to meet strangers. These people hid deep within Longhu Mountain, living like ancient hermits, leading lives detached from worldly disputes, each with an extraordinary background. Whenever they met interesting individuals, his master would engage in long conversations. Nie Yunyang remembered a lama who had come from the Potala Palace; his master and the lama instantly bonded, sharing many late-night talks by candlelight.

Gradually, Nie Yunyang grew accustomed to this lifestyle. Besides, these people were fascinating—coming from all walks of life: merchants, officials, underworld figures, each from different social strata, many of them regional power players. Nie Yunyang enjoyed listening to their life stories. There were things he hadn’t understood before, but after stepping into society, he realized such invaluable experience couldn’t be bought with money.

When he met Mu Bolin, Nie Yunyang immediately sensed this man was no ordinary pilgrim seeking peace on the mountain; he was searching for himself. During that period, Nie Yunyang grew close to Mu Bolin, traveling many places and discussing numerous topics.

In Nie Yunyang’s eyes, Mu Bolin was a ruthless and cunning hero—willing to use any means to achieve his goals. To succeed, he would offend anyone and do all manner of unsavory things, ultimately earning glory. Yet, he never expected Mu Bolin’s final years to be so bleak.

It wasn’t until the study’s half-open door was pushed ajar that Nie Yunyang snapped back to reality. Mu Qingyao entered, dressed simply, her face pale and eyes bloodshot, though her emotions remained relatively steady.

“Miss,” Chang Zhicheng bowed slightly, addressing her respectfully. After Mu Bolin’s departure, the heavy burden of the Mu family rested on this fragile woman’s shoulders. No one knew if she could bear it.

Mu Qingyao looked at Nie Yunyang calmly and asked, “When did you return?” She didn’t know why, but after the family incident, the one she most wanted to see was this man before her.

“Not long ago,” Nie Yunyang replied. He wished to comfort Mu Qingyao but didn’t know how to begin.

Chang Zhicheng took a deep breath and said, “Young Master Nie, Mu Elder just left. There are many matters to handle, so I hope you can stay close to Miss during this time. Although Mu Elder is gone and all debts settled, I fear some may harm Miss.”

“Don’t worry. I promised Uncle Mu I would protect Qingyao and not let a single hair fall from her head,” Nie Yunyang said firmly.

Chang Zhicheng nodded. “Miss, I must get to work now.”

Soon, only Nie Yunyang and Mu Qingyao remained in the study. Their eyes met in silence.

Mu Qingyao had called him over a dozen times without response. At that time, her heart was desperate.

“Yunyang, how could he just leave me like this?” Her eyes reddened as she whispered.

At that moment, all her strength before others vanished; she broke down, crying uncontrollably.

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Nie Yunyang stepped forward and hugged Mu Qingyao tightly. “Uncle Mu left peacefully. There will be no more suffering in heaven.”

Mu Qingyao hated Mu Bolin, yet no matter what, he was her biological father. Although Mu Bolin never complained in front of his daughter, Mu Qingyao was no fool; she understood how hard his life had been.

Think about it: an ordinary man from a poor, remote village, enduring countless storms and paying immense costs to rise to the heights of power.

Her resentment stemmed only from Mu Bolin’s neglect of the family and his shortcomings toward her mother.

Still, Mu Qingyao knew without doubt that the person Mu Bolin loved most was her—more than anyone else.

Now, this father who loved her deeply had passed away, leaving her behind.

Her mother gone, her father gone—reunited in heaven, but she remained alone on earth, wracked with grief.

After an unknown length of time, Mu Qingyao finally stopped sobbing. Her tears had soaked Nie Yunyang’s clothes.

“Sorry, I lost control,” she said, releasing him with embarrassment.

Nie Yunyang shook his head. “It’s alright. I understand.”

They sat on the sofa in quiet conversation. Nie Yunyang gazed thoughtfully at the table, vaguely sensing the despair once in Mu Bolin’s eyes. Sometimes, living takes more courage than dying.

“Yunyang, I regret it so much now. I regret not listening to you, not reconciling with father, not seeing him one last time.”

Only now did Mu Qingyao truly understand why Nie Yunyang had urged her to cherish those around her.

“Don’t blame yourself. I know you loved him deeply, and he would forgive you,” Nie Yunyang said.

“I just want to sleep. I wish this were all a dream—a cruel joke by fate—and when I wake, everything would be as before.”

“Silly girl, if you’re tired, then rest well.”

So Mu Qingyao leaned on Nie Yunyang’s shoulder, closed her eyes, and soon fell asleep.

After she slept, Nie Yunyang gently laid her down on the sofa to make her more comfortable.

Leaving the study, Nie Yunyang stationed a bodyguard at the door to prevent disturbances, then went to find Chang Zhicheng to ask if any help was needed.

Chang Zhicheng didn’t hesitate to assign him a pile of tasks.

At one in the afternoon, Yuan Wei and the others finally woke up and immediately called Nie Yunyang. He told Chang Zhicheng he needed to step out briefly and to inform Mu Qingyao when she woke that he would return soon.

Back at Yuan Wei’s house, Hou Yueping was chatting with Zhuang Zhengqing. Seeing Nie Yunyang, he smiled and said, “Boss, why did you come so late? Were you hiding some mischief from us?”

“I’m innocent. Don’t bring up things you don’t understand,” Nie Yunyang replied.

Yuan Wei had just finished showering and was drying his damp hair with a towel. “Boss, you left in such a hurry earlier. What happened?”

“A friend had some trouble at home,” Nie Yunyang said.

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Yuan Wei paused and said, “Boss, if you ever get into trouble, remember to come to me.”

“Don’t worry—I can handle it,” Nie Yunyang assured him.

Zhuang Zhengqing rubbed his temples. “You guys should cut back on drinking. My head’s splitting, and I have to rush back to Guiyang this afternoon. I envy you three—you can meet up anytime.”

“Third Brother, if you want to gather someday, we’ll come right away,” Hou Yueping said.

Yuan Wei snorted. “You’re full of nonsense. Last time I went on a business trip to Chengdu to see you, I gave you a heads-up, and you still stood me up.”

“Second Brother, that’s unfair. I was really busy and forgot to pick you up—not intentional. The company’s been a mess, and if I don’t handle it well, the old man will skin me alive,” Hou Yueping protested.

Nie Yunyang drank some water. “Fourth Brother’s right. Now you all have your own careers and get busy to the point of exhaustion. But don’t forget—you live for your own happiness, not for others.”

“Ha, Boss is giving us a motivational speech again,” Yuan Wei joked.

Zhuang Zhengqing stood up. “Alright, it’s getting late. Let’s go eat. Fourth Brother and I have to leave soon. We’ll meet again when we have time.”

“Let’s go. I’m starving,” Hou Yueping urged.

Leaving Dongyuan Hushan Yue, they found a restaurant nearby for dinner. Afterwards, Yuan Wei sent Zhuang Zhengqing and Hou Yueping to the nearest high-speed rail station.

“Boss, where do you want to go now? I can drive you. If you’re free, we can find a place to relax,” Yuan Wei offered.

Nie Yunyang waved him off. “Maybe next time. I have things to handle today.”

“Where to then?”

“Nearby.”

“Boss, no need to be so formal.”

Yuan Wei pulled Nie Yunyang into his Mercedes.

Unable to refuse, Nie Yunyang had Yuan Wei drive him to Jinke Jiuchu River.

After Yuan Wei left, Nie Yunyang returned to the villa. Seeing Mu Qingyao still asleep, he continued helping with the arrangements.

For the next three days, Nie Yunyang assisted Mu Qingyao in managing Mu Bolin’s affairs. He saw both her fragile and strong sides.

Although the Mu Corporation had many matters to settle, Mu Qingyao insisted on making a trip back to Zhen’an, Shaanxi, to transfer her parents’ ashes home for burial, fulfilling Mu Bolin’s last wish.

Every Chinese heart holds a deep bond with their homeland...