Chapter Two: Ambitions of a Swan

Nie Yunyang sat by the window, gazing out at the vast, misty mountains in the distance. Though the night was deep and dark, he felt no trace of weariness.

Nearby, a group of freshly graduated high school students, both boys and girls, chatted animatedly. They expressed their joy at having been admitted to university and dreamed aloud of the bright life awaiting them in the big city.

Their youthful enthusiasm brought back memories of when Nie Yunyang left Chongqing himself—full of vigor and promise.

After living in Chongqing for over a decade, what was his greatest impression?

The mountain city was vast and breathtakingly beautiful. It was a playground for the wealthy and a refuge for the poor.

Nie Yunyang withdrew his gaze and struck up a casual conversation with the students. Each had been admitted to a prestigious university, and pride gleamed in their eyes.

In today’s society, the notion that education is useless was rampant, but Nie Yunyang detested such cynicism. For ordinary people to stand out in the vast sea of humanity, a certain level of knowledge was essential. While attending a good university might not guarantee fortune, it broadened horizons, honed character, and, like gold, one’s true value would eventually shine.

No matter how many books one read, how far one traveled, whom one met, or what one experienced, everything would eventually settle within and bear fruit.

Hours later, the train slowly pulled into the station.

Stepping onto the familiar soil of his hometown, Nie Yunyang took a deep, greedy breath. Though the air was no longer as fresh as in his childhood, it still invigorated him, filling him with a clear serenity.

“Chongqing, I have returned to your embrace once more.”

He spread his arms wide and shouted aloud.

The surrounding crowd glanced over, their eyes filled with ridicule. What kind of lunatic made a scene here?

His master had told him Chongqing was his feng shui treasure land, and Nie Yunyang believed it wholeheartedly. He was certain he would rise to prominence here.

Perhaps in the future, he would start a company, achieve financial freedom, marry and have children, play chess with friends, and appreciate the moon...

A sudden, piercing honk shattered his daydream.

Frowning, Nie Yunyang looked over to see a strikingly beautiful woman behind the wheel, her face full of impatience.

“Hey, I’ve been waiting for you a long time. Why are you daydreaming instead of getting in?”

The silver Audi A6 roared impatiently.

After a moment’s thought, Nie Yunyang got up and slid into the back seat. After all, he was penniless and had nothing to fear from anyone.

The woman pressed the accelerator, and the Audi A6 shot forward like a streak of lightning, quickly vanishing into the distance.

They arrived at Jinke Jiùqūhé, one of Chongqing’s most luxurious residential districts. To live here, where every inch of land was precious, meant belonging to the city’s elite.

The Audi A6 stopped before a sprawling villa surrounded by pristine white walls, complete with a private garden and an outdoor swimming pool.

The woman led Nie Yunyang inside and pointed to a nearby room. “Someone’s waiting for you in the study. Go on in by yourself.”

With that, she turned and left.

Nie Yunyang chuckled softly and walked straight to the study. He knocked on the door, but there was no response.

Minutes later, a middle-aged man’s voice called out, “Come in.”

Nie Yunyang opened the door and stepped inside.

The study was thick with smoke, making it hard to open his eyes.

On the sofa sat a slightly overweight middle-aged man, smoking. The ashtray was overflowing, and many cigarette butts littered the floor.

“Little Nie, long time no see.”

The man stubbed out his cigarette and stood to greet him.

Nie Yunyang smiled faintly. “Uncle Mu, it’s been almost three years since we parted at Longhu Mountain, hasn’t it?”

“You once said you’d come back to develop in Chongqing. At the time, I thought you were joking. I never expected it to be true,” the man said.

Nie Yunyang picked up the teapot on the table and poured tea for both of them. “Uncle Mu, a true man’s word is as heavy as a mountain, especially since you once helped me.”

“Good boy, I never misjudged you.”

The man patted Nie Yunyang’s shoulder, then shifted the topic. “By the way, when did you arrive?”

“Just recently. I came straight here after getting off the train.”

“Haha, I’ve been a bit busy lately. When things calm down, Uncle Mu will definitely host a welcome banquet for you.”

The man was Mu Bolin. When his business suffered setbacks, he went to Longhu Mountain to pray and met Nie Yunyang and his master there.

“Uncle Mu, you seem troubled. Is something wrong?” Nie Yunyang asked.

Mu Bolin sighed. “Life is full of hardships. But there is indeed something I need your help with. What do you think?”

“Uncle Mu, as long as it’s within my ability, I will do my utmost.”

Mu Bolin hesitated, then said, “You know the business world is a battlefield. I’ve made many enemies and fear they might retaliate against my daughter. So, I want you to protect her until the danger passes.”

“Uncle Mu, you really trust me that much? Besides, even if you trust me, your daughter might not agree,” Nie Yunyang said, half laughing, half crying.

Mu Bolin’s face was drawn and bloodshot. “I’ve spent most of my life in the business world, and I pride myself on recognizing talent. I rarely misjudge a person, especially not you. As for Yao Yao, with such a great threat looming, she won’t have the luxury to refuse. You will accompany her as her assistant.”

Just then, someone knocked on the door. It was the villa’s butler, Guo Cheng, announcing, “Master Mu, a distinguished guest has arrived.”

“Bring him to the study. Also, send Yao Yao here,” Mu Bolin instructed.

After the butler left, Mu Bolin looked at Nie Yunyang. “Little Nie, I have some matters to attend to, so I won’t keep you company. You must be hungry after the train ride. Go eat something in the kitchen. When my daughter arrives, I’ll have someone call you.”

“Alright, Uncle Mu,” Nie Yunyang smiled and left.

The dining room was on the east side of the villa. The chef prepared a filet mignon and a bowl of spicy noodles for Nie Yunyang to fill his stomach.

Usually, Nie Yunyang ate quickly while reading the latest news, but now he chewed slowly, quietly observing those around him.

Whether it was the chef in the kitchen, the gardener in the yard, or the cleaning staff, he watched them attentively.

Half an hour later, a tall, alluring woman passed by the dining room. Nie Yunyang recognized her instantly—it was the female driver who had picked him up at the train station.

“So late at night. What does the old man want with me this time?” she muttered unhappily as she headed toward the study.

Her long black hair cascaded over her shoulders. She wore a white T-shirt that accentuated her ample curves, a black mini skirt revealing slender, alabaster legs, and red high heels. Around her neck hung a count’s diamond necklace; on her wrist, a Van Cleef & Arpels rose gold watch; and a Chanel shoulder bag completed her look—a true embodiment of a wealthy socialite.

Shortly after she entered, a housemaid came to fetch Nie Yunyang. “Young Master Nie, the master has summoned you.”

As Nie Yunyang approached the door, he overheard an argument inside.

“What assistant nonsense! You just want to spy on me!”

“How dare you speak to your father like that? If you don’t accept it, I’ll freeze your credit cards, take back your house and car, and you won’t be allowed to go anywhere. You will stay at home obediently.”

Nie Yunyang pushed the door open. Mu Bolin immediately smiled. “Come in, Little Nie. This is my daughter, Mu Qingyao. You two should get to know each other.”

“I’m Nie Yunyang. Nice to meet you.”

He extended his hand warmly, but Mu Qingyao had no intention of shaking it and stepped back, the atmosphere instantly tense.

Mu Bolin’s face darkened. “This girl is spoiled rotten and rude to outsiders. Little Nie, I’m entrusting your daughter’s safety to you. The butler will give you a monthly salary of 100,000 yuan. If it’s not enough, you can ask him for more. Qingyao lives in Longhu Huamanting, and I have a place across in Rongcheng Huafu. The butler will hand you the keys later. The place is fully furnished—you just need to move in.”

Nie Yunyang went to find the butler. Mu Bolin continued trying to persuade Mu Qingyao.

When Nie Yunyang received the keys, Mu Qingyao had already left the study. Upon seeing him, she frowned, “Country bumpkin, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and drive me home.”

Guo Cheng chuckled helplessly. Nie Yunyang didn’t mind; arguing with a spoiled socialite was a waste of time and energy.

Mu Qingyao usually drove the silver Audi A6. She tossed the keys to Nie Yunyang and plopped into the passenger seat, glaring at him.

Nie Yunyang seldom drove but was skilled enough to navigate smoothly through the traffic.

Twenty minutes later, they arrived at Longhu Huamanting. Nie Yunyang accompanied Mu Qingyao upstairs.

“Pick me up at eight sharp tomorrow morning. If you’re even a minute late, you can get lost,” she spat, slamming the door behind her.

Nie Yunyang’s expression was complicated. The thought of living with this headstrong young lady every day made his head ache.

After going downstairs, he didn’t head to Rongcheng Huafu but instead drove the Audi A6 to the banks of the Jialing River to enjoy the night view.

Gazing at the distant skyscrapers, he lit a cigarette and exhaled smoke, murmuring, “One day, I will become the overlord of this city...”