Chapter Fifteen: Never Retreat

Mu Bolin’s funeral was conducted quietly. Although many suggested a grand ceremony, Mu Qingyao declined. Both Nie Yunyang and Chang Zhicheng agreed with her decision.

Still, news of Mu Bolin’s passing caused quite a stir in Chongqing. As the chairman of Xinhai Technology Co., Ltd., he was a significant figure.

Those familiar with Mu Bolin’s affairs were not surprised by the outcome—after all, he had crossed the powerful Xue family.

Moreover, the interests Mu Bolin was entangled with were extensive. Had he lived, many influential figures would have been restless.

The next day, Nie Yunyang and Chang Zhicheng would accompany Mu Qingyao to return Mu Bolin’s remains to Zhen’an, Shaanxi, for burial.

Mu Qingyao did not plan to invite many people to accompany them. Besides them, there was an elderly man named Qiu Wei, who had served Mu Bolin for many years.

The night before their departure, the senior executives of Xinhai gathered at the Mu family villa by Jinke Jiuqu River. Though Mu Bolin had passed away, someone had to clean up the mess he left behind.

“Qingyao, I think you should hold off on returning home. With Mu’s passing, someone must step up to manage the company’s problems. The bank is already pressing for repayment, and our finances are on the brink of collapse. If we don’t find a solution, bankruptcy is inevitable,” said a middle-aged man named Chen Yunze, a capable lieutenant who had built the company alongside Mu Bolin.

“Chen’s right. The company has been in trouble for some time, but Mu ignored it. Now, with pressure from the bank and partners, we’re standing at the edge of a cliff—one wrong move and it’s all over,” added Miao Xingyu, the general manager in his thirties, a strong pillar of the company.

If not for his steadfast support, the company would have already entered bankruptcy.

Marketing director Deng Jinming hesitated before saying, “I think we can delay company matters, but we must not postpone Mu’s funeral. He worked hard all his life and deserves a proper rest.”

“There’s a saying: the dead are supreme; only in burial can they find peace. But the company is on the verge of collapse...” Voices rose in heated debate.

In the living room, a weary Mu Qingyao sat silently on the sofa, watching the quarrel coldly without uttering a word.

Nie Yunyang and Chang Zhicheng stood behind her. They had long heard about these people. The last to speak was Han Fucheng, the company’s vice chairman, second only to Mu Bolin in status.

Han represented the company’s old guard, while Chen Yunze belonged to the emerging faction. The two sides were fiercely vying for power and profit.

Miao Xingyu was a moderate, siding with no one, but he generally had the final say in internal affairs.

“Everyone, stop arguing. Let’s hear Qingyao’s opinion first,” Han urged, pushing back the disputes.

Mu Qingyao’s expression was impassive. “I’ve decided. We’ll return to Zhen’an tomorrow morning. As for the company’s troubles, I entrust them to all of you uncles.”

“Alas, I fear the company won’t last more than a few days,” Miao sighed.

He wasn’t worried about his job but lamented that the company Mu Bolin painstakingly built was falling apart.

However, Mu Qingyao had no interest in Xinhai. She only wished to return her parents’ ashes home for burial; everything else could wait.

Seeing her resolve, the others had no choice but to comply.

***

After the executives left, only Mu Qingyao, Nie Yunyang, and Chang Zhicheng remained in the living room.

Chang Zhicheng spoke bluntly, “Miss, these people are untrustworthy. Mu always suspected there were traitors inside the company, or things wouldn’t have deteriorated so badly.”

“Could it be Miao Xingyu?” Nie Yunyang guessed.

Chang sneered, “No, not Miao. He’s pragmatic and knows his limits—that’s why Mu trusted him as general manager.”

“Actually, I want to know if you expect any danger on the trip to Zhen’an,” Nie Yunyang asked.

Chang’s expression turned serious. “If everything were peaceful, Old Qiu and I wouldn’t be accompanying you. Mu offended too many enemies in life; they won’t miss an opportunity to strike now. Your situation is truly perilous.”

Nie Yunyang’s mood darkened. Sometimes blessing comes disguised as misfortune; this time, he must do his duty without faltering.

Suddenly, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen and was taken aback.

With many watching, he had no choice but to answer. “Old Cao, what’s the matter?”

“Yunyang, you’re in trouble. Come find me quickly,” Cao Weihua said in a low voice.

Frowning, Nie asked, “Where should I meet you?”

“Lobby of the Radisson St. George Hotel,” Cao replied swiftly.

After hanging up, Nie looked at Mu Qingyao. “I have some matters to attend to.”

“Go ahead,” she smiled slightly and asked, “Will you come back tonight?”

Nie nodded. “Yes, it shouldn’t take long.”

“That’s good,” she said with relief.

Nie Yunyang drove his Audi A6 straight to No. 22 Nanbin Road in Nan’an District.

After a long silence, Chang asked, “Miss, how well do you know Nie Yunyang?”

At such a critical time, Chang trusted no one but Old Qiu. Had Mu Qingyao not insisted, he would have dismissed Nie long ago.

“He was assigned as a bodyguard by my father. There’s nothing to worry about,” Mu Qingyao said firmly.

Though they hadn’t known each other long, she trusted Nie completely.

Chang took a deep breath. “Miss, I suspect he might be a spy sent by our enemies. We must be cautious.”

“Impossible. Just the night before last, he was injured protecting me from a killer named Huo Kun,” Mu Qingyao replied.

Chang’s face changed drastically. “Miss, what’s the killer’s name?”

“Huo Kun,” she repeated.

Chang fell into deep thought. Since even their trusted operatives had been deployed, it seemed the Xue family intended to uproot the Mu clan entirely.

But Nie defeating a professional assassin showed his exceptional skill—no wonder Mu valued him so highly.

“Old Chang, this young man is reliable,” Old Qiu said calmly as he entered from the garden, trimming plants.

***

In the lobby of the Radisson St. George Hotel, Cao Weihua paced anxiously like a cat on a hot tin roof. He hadn’t expected Nie to cause such trouble, and now he had to clean up after him.

Mu Bolin’s suicide had ended it all.

Now, many were eyeing Xinhai Technology’s assets greedily. They could not let Nie Yunyang fall into the trap.

“Old Cao, what’s with the sudden urge to chat?” Nie asked as soon as they met.

Cao’s face darkened. “You brat, with disaster looming, you still joke with me?”

“What trouble could I possibly have?” Nie asked.

Cao’s expression grew grave. “Yunyang, sever ties with the Mu family quickly. This is Chongqing, not Longhu Mountain. You’re tough, injuring Xue’s men. Had I not vouched for you, you’d already be fish food in the Yangtze.”

“Uncle Cao, Mu Bolin is dead. Are the masterminds really planning to wipe us out?” Nie asked.

Cao sighed. “Yunyang, business is war. Anyone who survives the battlefield has enemies everywhere. Mu was a big shot here but chose suicide because too many forces were involved—both lawful and underworld figures watching closely.”

“But Mu Qingyao has nothing to do with this. There’s a code: misfortune should not harm wife or children,” Nie said.

Cao shook his head. “Yunyang, you’re naïve. Mu’s death means no one cares about his daughter anymore. His people are scheming over company assets, and outside wolves are eager to take their bite.”

Nie lowered his head, knowing Cao spoke the truth.

“Do you know what the best outcome is for everyone?” Cao asked.

Clenching his fists, Nie ground his teeth. “Only the total downfall of the Mu family benefits all parties.”

“Looks like you’re not stupid. It’s not too late to withdraw now,” Cao advised.

Nie’s eyes gleamed with resolve. “Uncle Cao, you know me. No matter the danger, I will never retreat!”

Cao was speechless. Apparently, his words had no effect at all...