Chapter 35: Clearing the Aftermath

Han Fucheng is dead?

This news was nothing short of a bolt from the blue. Before Nie Yunyang could even make his move, Han Fucheng had already been taken out.

Could it be that Han Fucheng had a sudden change of heart, was overcome with shame, and ended his own life? Impossible. Based on Nie Yunyang’s understanding of the man—a turncoat who would betray his master for personal gain and was driven by cowardice—he would never commit suicide.

What exactly had happened?

"How did Han Fucheng die?" Nie Yunyang asked.

"Ten minutes ago, just as he stepped out of the club, he was stabbed to death by a man with a knife. Several of his lackeys were slashed as well. The assailant was extremely agile; because I was too far away, I couldn't see his face clearly, but I can be certain he was a skilled fighter."

"Are you sure Han Fucheng is dead?" Nie Yunyang asked.

"He was stabbed six times, one of which went straight into his heart. Even if they rushed him to the municipal hospital, he wouldn't have survived."

Sun Yufan was dead, and now Han Fucheng was dead too. Nie Yunyang didn't care who the knife-wielding man was; the turmoil within the Mu family was finally coming to an end, and he could extricate himself completely.

However, before that, Nie Yunyang decided to have a serious talk with Mu Qingyao. Someone had to clean up the mess left behind.

Nie Yunyang fell silent for a moment, then said, "Brother Tan, go back to Jinke Jiuquhe. With both Sun Yufan and Han Fucheng dead, we are safe."

"That’s what I was thinking, too."

Tan Weibo hung up the phone. By the time Nie Yunyang parked his Porsche 911 in the garage, Tan Weibo had already arrived at the villa, and the two walked in together.

Mu Qingyao and Chen Jiong were eating dinner. Since Sun Yufan’s death, they had moved back to Jinke Jiuquhe; otherwise, the three men would have been crammed into the living room every day.

"You're back. Would you like to eat with us?" Seeing Nie Yunyang, Mu Qingyao greeted him with a smile.

Mu Qingyao’s previous words had been a confession to Nie Yunyang; as a woman with strong career ambitions, she was always bold in her affections. What kind of man does a woman need? In reality, it is enough to have someone who can shield you from the wind and rain during critical moments and ensure you suffer no grievances.

Nie Yunyang had never responded, but Mu Qingyao was in no rush. As long as he didn't explicitly reject her, she believed that with her charm, she would win him over sooner or later.

"I've already eaten. You finish your meal. I'll be in the study, and we can talk in a little while."

Nie Yunyang went upstairs alone; he lived in the bedroom next to Mu Qingyao's.

Tan Weibo, having spent the whole day staking out, was starving and urged, "Oh, braised pig trotters! My favorite. Bring a bowl of rice over here quickly."

"Auntie Zhang, hurry and serve the rice," Mu Qingyao instructed with a smile.

After taking a shower and changing into loose-fitting clothes, Nie Yunyang headed to Mu Bolin's study. In the eyes of the Mu family servants, he was already half the master of the house, especially since Mu Qingyao followed his every word.

After Mu Bolin’s incident, Nie Yunyang rarely visited this study. The last time he was here, he had been brought in by Chang Zhicheng to comfort Mu Qingyao.

Sitting on the sofa, Nie Yunyang fell into deep thought. Mu Bolin had started from nothing and endured countless setbacks and storms to reach his position. How much would he have to pay to become a powerful figure himself?

Nie Yunyang had only just returned to Chongqing when he waded into the murky waters of the Mu family, disrupting his own plans. Now, three paths lay before him:

First, stay at the Mu family and continue as Mu Qingyao's personal assistant.

Second, accept Cao Dahua’s olive branch and go to work at Jinchuan Trading Co., Ltd.

Third, strike out on his own and carve out a career in the Mountain City—which was clearly not an easy task.

Nie Yunyang hesitated, unable to decide which path to take.

Just then, Mu Qingyao pushed the door open. Nie Yunyang stood up immediately; after all, he was still her assistant and bodyguard.

"Hmph, as soon as you walked in, I smelled a strong scent of perfume. Have you been out messing around?" Mu Qingyao questioned.

Nie Yunyang was taken aback. "Do you have the nose of a dog? How are you so sensitive?"

"Don't try to change the subject. Are you going to be honest and confess?" Mu Qingyao persisted.

Nie Yunyang thought for a moment and said, "I went to Chongqing University today to see my younger sister, took her shopping, and then had dinner with a high school classmate—the one named Yuan Wei you met last time. We just had a few drinks, that’s all."

"Oh? You have a sister? Why didn't I know that?" Mu Qingyao asked, surprised.

Nie Yunyang offered a wry smile. "How long have we known each other? How could you possibly know about my private affairs?"

"That's true. It seems I need to spend more time getting to know you. You must tell me everything about your past," Mu Qingyao said, hooking her arm into his with an intimate gesture.

Nie Yunyang, helpless, could only stand there like a wooden statue, not moving an inch. However, judging by Mu Qingyao’s recent mood, she had moved past the grief of her father's death, which made him breathe a sigh of relief.

"Stop fooling around. Let's talk business," Nie Yunyang said.

Mu Qingyao stared at him with a resentful look. "What business? Does it have to be discussed now?"

"Han Fucheng is dead. He was stabbed to death on the street," Nie Yunyang said.

Mu Qingyao was startled. "When did this happen? How come I didn't know?"

"About an hour ago, right at the entrance of the company club," Nie Yunyang replied.

Mu Qingyao knew that Sun Yufan’s disappearance must have had something to do with Nie Yunyang, though he hadn't admitted it. But Han Fucheng? Could he have been taken out by Nie Yunyang or Tan Weibo as well?

She stared at him intensely, suddenly feeling a sense of fear and alienation. A more timid girl would have called the police long ago.

"Did you kill him?" she asked.

Nie Yunyang shook his head. "No. I don't know who wanted him dead, but he had so many enemies that it's no surprise he was taken out."

Hearing this, Mu Qingyao let out a long sigh of relief.

"Regardless of who wanted Han Fucheng’s life, it's good news for us. At least now no one will try to harm you. However, with Han Fucheng dead, someone needs to clean up the mess. It's best if you don't show your face," Nie Yunyang advised.

Mu Qingyao was confused. "What mess?"

"In Uncle Mu’s company, Han Fucheng managed the gray areas. Now that he’s dead, those unsavory matters need someone else to handle them. You’ve never been involved, so those people might not trust you," Nie Yunyang said earnestly.

In his view, Mu Qingyao only needed to focus on the bankruptcy and reorganization of Xinhai Technology Co., Ltd.

Mu Qingyao nodded. "Then who do you think is better suited to step up and handle the mess?"

"Chen Yunze. He was Uncle Mu’s capable right-hand man," Nie Yunyang said.

Mu Qingyao paused, surprised. "Why choose Uncle Chen?"

"You just need to invite him over; leave the rest to me," Nie Yunyang said.

"Alright, I'll listen to you."

Mu Qingyao called Chen Yunze right in front of Nie Yunyang. The call was answered quickly. She tactfully expressed her intention, saying she had been too busy lately to talk to him. She mentioned that when her father was alive, he always told her that Uncle Chen was the pillar of the company and that she should consult him whenever she encountered any problems.

In the end, Chen Yunze agreed to meet, setting the location at Jinke Jiuquhe for the following morning.

Mu Qingyao and Nie Yunyang looked at each other, surprised by how smoothly things had gone.

On the other end, as soon as Chen Yunze hung up, his subordinate said, "Boss, your foresight is truly divine. The moment Han Fucheng died, Mu Qingyao came looking for you."

"With Han Fucheng dead, who else but me can handle the company’s mess? Miao Xingyu may have strong business capabilities, but in other aspects, he is far inferior to me," Chen Yunze remarked.

The subordinate laughed and flattered him, "Boss, you are wise and powerful. Only you can stabilize the situation; no one else has the seniority or prestige. Now that Mu Bolin is dead and Han Fucheng—who fought you for years—has kicked the bucket, does that mean the Mu family’s foundation is now ours for the taking?"

"You fool, it’s not that simple," Chen Yunze snapped.

The subordinate immediately bowed his head, listening to the lecture.

"Han Fucheng was old and cunning, and he had Sun Yufan as his backer. Yet one was stabbed to death and the other vanished without a trace. Don't you think there’s something suspicious here? Xinhai Technology is a huge piece of fat, and countless wolves are eyeing it. Whoever acts too rashly will be torn to shreds by their competitors," Chen Yunze explained.

The subordinate suddenly realized the danger. "Boss, what should we do now?"

"For now, Mu Qingyao is the Chairwoman of Xinhai Technology. We will do exactly what she tells us to," Chen Yunze said, a wicked arc forming at the corners of his mouth.