Chapter 38: Never Visit Without a Purpose

Cao Weihua rarely visited the Jinchuan Trading Company. It was only because of a few major business deals requiring his personal negotiation that he had to go into the office these days.

Ordinarily, Cao stayed in his garden villa at Vanke Eling Peak. Having made his fortune in the antique trade, he always felt that living in those grand, modern mansions felt strange—lacking any sense of home.

From the outside, the garden villa looked quite ordinary, but the interior was a world of its own, filled with bronzeware, porcelain, and calligraphy and paintings by famous masters. An ordinary person would never be comfortable living here, as the energy was far too heavy, but Cao Weihua’s unique destiny made him well-suited for such an environment.

After parking his Porsche 911 in the garage, Nie Yunyang was led inside by a servant. Before he even entered the room, he could hear the sound of laughter from within.

Inside the living room, besides Cao Weihua, there was a man in his thirties chatting away, while a woman with skin as fair as jade was brewing tea for them. The man was dressed in vibrant, polished attire, his every gesture radiating a bold, heroic quality; otherwise, he would hardly have been sitting there with Cao.

Seeing Nie Yunyang arrive, the man tactfully rose to his feet. "Since Brother Cao has a guest, I’ll take my leave. Let's have a drink together another day."

"Why the rush? Stay for lunch," Cao urged.

The man shook his head. "I have arrangements with some elders today; I really can't stay."

"I won't keep you then. We'll catch up later," Cao replied without pressing further.

Just then, Nie Yunyang walked in, and Cao called out, "Yunyang, come over here. Let me introduce you."

As Nie walked over, the man paused. Cao introduced them: "Yunyang, this is my brother, Feng Junxi. Say hello to your brother Feng."

"Brother Feng," Nie greeted him with a calm, respectful tone.

Feng Junxi nodded. "Hello."

"Junxi, this is my nephew, Nie Yunyang. He just arrived in Chongqing not long ago; please look after him in the future. You young people should get along well—I'm getting old," Cao said.

"Brother Cao, you’re too kind. 'Looking after' is just a formality between us." Feng reached into his pocket and handed a business card to Nie. "Yunyang, let’s keep in touch. I’m an old friend of Brother Cao’s; if you need anything, don't hesitate to reach out."

Nie bowed slightly and took the card with both hands, noting that it was simple, containing only a name and a phone number. After putting the card in his pocket, Feng smiled and said, "Brother Cao, I'm off."

"Shen Hui, help me see Junxi out," Cao instructed the beautiful woman nearby.

The woman smiled with reserved grace and gestured, "Brother Feng, please follow me."

Nie teased, "I call you uncle, and he calls you brother, yet you ask me to call him brother too—isn't that taking advantage of him?"

"You brat, can you be serious for once instead of just running your mouth? So, did you finally find time to visit this lonely old man today?" Cao asked.

Nie sat on a stool and poured himself a cup of tea. "Uncle Cao, I’ve come today because I have a favor to ask."

"Don't, don't. I can't help you. With the mess involving Sun Yufan and Han Fucheng, isn't it enough trouble already? Now the Wei family is starting to suspect me—all because of your 'good deeds'." Cao spoke with a hint of irritation. In the Mountain City, to be targeted by the Wei family was a misfortune of the highest order.

Nie chuckled. "Sun Yufan was my doing, but Han Fucheng’s death has nothing to do with me."

"You didn't have Han Fucheng taken out?" Cao looked surprised. When he learned of Sun Yufan’s disappearance, he had correctly guessed it was Nie. But when Han was stabbed to death, he had been furious; this was Chongqing, and he feared Nie’s recklessness would bring disaster upon them all.

Nie shook his head. "Actually, I’m just as puzzled as you are. I wonder who the hero is that did the public a service!"

"Then who could it be?" Cao frowned, sensing the situation was far deeper than he thought.

At that moment, the woman in the cheongsam returned. Nie teased, "Not bad, Uncle Cao, hiding a beauty in your golden house. I am truly impressed."

Shen Hui was a classic Southern girl—refined features, a slender build, and an elegance like an orchid in a secluded valley. Hearing Nie’s words, her face darkened in displeasure.

"Nonsense. Ah Hui is the daughter of my brother. After her father passed away, she has been under my care. By seniority, you should call her sister," Cao scolded firmly.

Nie quickly slapped his own cheek. "Sister Ah Hui, forgive my loose tongue. Please don't take it to heart; I apologize."

"It's fine," Shen replied. Clearly not one to dwell on Nie’s behavior, she turned to Cao: "Uncle, I’m heading to the school." She was a dance instructor at the Chongqing School of Arts and had afternoon classes.

"Go on, be careful on the way. Are you coming back for dinner?" Cao’s gaze was filled with genuine, paternal affection.

"No, I’m going to a friend’s place tonight," Shen said with a gentle smile.

"Alright, if you get tired, call home and I’ll have the driver pick you up."

"Okay, Uncle, I'm going now." After changing in her room, Shen departed.

"So, what do you think? My brother's daughter is quite something, isn't she? Want me to play matchmaker?" Cao asked.

Nie paused. "Uncle Cao, you’d be pushing her into a fire pit. A 'loser' like me, with no car and no house, how could I ever be worthy of such a fairy?"

"At least you have some self-awareness," Cao remarked.

Nie sipped his tea, trying to ease the awkwardness. "I wouldn't come to your door without a reason. If I said I was just here to return a favor, you wouldn't believe it even if you died."

Cao lit a cigar and took a puff. "Out with it then. What’s on your mind?"

Nie took a deep breath. "To be honest, I’ve come to ask you for a job."

"Aren't you a personal bodyguard for the Mu family? I heard your charge is a great beauty, living in a mansion and driving luxury cars. Isn't that life comfortable enough?" Cao asked.

Nie set his cup down. "It's comfortable, but it's not for me."

"So you want to come work as my subordinate at Jinchuan Trading?"

Nie nodded. "In this vast Mountain City, there’s nowhere else I’d rather go."

"Are you sure about this?"

"I am."

"Very well. I suppose I’ll take you in, you brat!"