Chapter 50: The Dust Settles

Heroes truly emerge from youth. Ni Jie now viewed Nie Yunyang in a completely different light. Although he had not completely uncovered Nie Yunyang’s background, pulling off such a feat at this age proved he was far from ordinary.

Furthermore, Nie Yunyang was meticulous and seasoned in his actions, leaving not a single flaw.

Yet, even the most meticulous plans have loopholes. Ni Jie had sent a subordinate to tail Nie Yunyang, which successfully verified his inner suspicions.

However, what baffled Ni Jie endlessly was why someone as unfathomable as Nie Yunyang would choose to work as an ordinary employee at Grand View Garden.

The hidden reasons behind this were well worth a thorough investigation.

Meanwhile, after Nie Yunyang and Tan Weibo departed, Nie Yunyang gave Mu Qingyao a call. Mu Qingyao mentioned there was an authentic Sichuan restaurant nearby and subsequently texted him the address, telling them to take a taxi over.

Breaking out in a cold sweat, Nie Yunyang was eager to have a drink to calm his nerves. Throughout the ride, he and Tan Weibo chatted extensively.

Nie Yunyang himself didn't mind; at worst, he could simply go on the run. What worried him was dragging Tan Weibo down with him, which would weigh heavily on his conscience.

The restaurant was poetically named Warm Spring Blossoms, though it remained to be seen how the food actually tasted.

Mu Qingyao and Chen Jiong were already waiting inside a private dining room, chatting idly.

Today, Mu Qingyao wore a white woolen sweater paired with black jeans, her soft, long hair cascading down her back. Every look and smile exuded nobility and elegance.

"You're done with your business?" Mu Qingyao asked in pleasant surprise upon seeing Nie Yunyang.

Nie Yunyang nodded and took a seat beside her. Tan Weibo tactfully sat across from them, taking the seat next to Chen Jiong.

In the eyes of both Tan Weibo and Chen Jiong, although Nie Yunyang and Mu Qingyao were not officially a couple, their relationship remained remarkably intimate.

Chen Jiong had known Nie Yunyang for many years and knew that Nie Yunyang had once dated the campus belle from his high school days—a woman named Xiao Xi, rumored to be a goddess in the hearts of countless men, possessing not only a prominent family background but also exceptional looks, intelligence, and emotional quotient.

Even so, the Mu Qingyao before him was certainly no less impressive than Xiao Xi. Perhaps, for Nie Yunyang, she was the better choice.

Mu Qingyao did not press Nie Yunyang about where he had gone. She understood that every man had his own secrets, and it was unwise to pry too deeply.

"I've never had Jiangxi cuisine before and didn't know what to order, so Brother Chen said we should wait until you arrived before choosing," Mu Qingyao said with a smile, pouring Nie Yunyang a cup of hot tea in the process.

Chen Jiong called over the waiter and began ordering: crispy roast pigeon, tea-blood fried duck, hand-torn tofu, stone-monster stewed in mountain spring water...

"Do you have Tao Ling wine?" Tan Weibo asked.

The waiter smiled faintly and replied, "Yes, we do. Would the distinguished guests like a bottle?"

"Then bring one bottle," said Tan Weibo.

Before long, the dishes and the wine were served, steaming hot and emitting an enticing aroma.

After tasting the food, everyone agreed it tasted quite authentic. Tan Weibo even guessed that the chef must have been poached directly from Nanchang.

While savoring her food in small bites and waiting for Nie Yunyang and the others to enjoy their drinks, Mu Qingyao finally asked, "Have you secured your leave?"

"All set. Besides, since I just started work, there aren't too many tasks to handle yet," Nie Yunyang replied.

Hesitating for a moment, Mu Qingyao lowered her voice and said, "I'm troubling you yet again."

"From the sound of it, you treat me like an outsider," Nie Yunyang said with mild displeasure, before changing the subject. "Besides, I'm not doing this solely for you, but also for Elder Qiu and Chang Zhicheng. I hold them in high regard."

Mu Qingyao lowered her delicate head. "I understand."

She had always trusted Nie Yunyang implicitly. Moreover, she realized she had already fallen deeply in love with the man before her.

After a hearty meal, Mu Qingyao drove Nie Yunyang and the others back to Jinko Quqihe. Once she returned from Chaiping, she planned to move back to Lakefront Garden, and the villa here would be put up for sale.

Early the next morning, the group set off once more for Xianyang. This would likely be one of the last times they could fly on Mu Bolin's private jet, as the aircraft was the property of Xinhai Technology Co., Ltd. and could be sold at any moment.

By the time they reached Xianyang, it was already noon. Deciding not to trouble Wei Yi, Nie Yunyang headed straight to the Public Security Bureau after lunch.

The municipal leaders attached great importance to the case, and coupled with Wei Yi's backing, the police department was extremely cooperative. They had already confirmed the identity of the bodies as the missing Chang Zhicheng and the others. Due to the severe degree of decomposition, however, cremation was necessary, and everything proceeded according to procedure.

Nie Yunyang reviewed the photographs and confirmed they were indeed Elder Qiu and his companions.

Mu Yin's ashes had already been claimed by the elders of the Mu family and were scheduled to be buried the next morning, while the urns of Elder Qiu and Chang Zhicheng remained at the funeral parlor. Nie Yunyang and Mu Qingyao personally retrieved the urns and temporarily placed them in their hotel.

Afterward, Nie Yunyang accompanied Mu Qingyao to attend Mu Yin's funeral. Mu Qingyao offered a substantial sum of money as compensation to the elders to comfort her cousin's departed soul.

Busy from the afternoon until the following morning, Mu Qingyao felt deeply depressed. How could she not grieve when so many people had died because of her?

Fortunately, Nie Yunyang remained by her side. Whenever exhaustion overtook her, she would fall asleep right in his arms.

Once Mu Yin's funeral concluded, Nie Yunyang and the others boarded a plane back to Chongqing that very afternoon. Mu Qingyao had long since entrusted someone to select a burial plot. Because Elder Qiu and Chang Zhicheng had no surviving relatives, their burial took place the very next day.

As Elder Qiu and Chang Zhicheng were finally laid to rest, Nie Yunyang heaved a long sigh. This matter had finally come to a close, though the process had been extremely tortuous and they had paid a heavy price. He hoped no similar tragedies would ever happen again.

With these matters settled, the heavy stone in Mu Qingyao's heart finally landed. During this period, she had experienced a great deal and grown immensely.

That afternoon, Mu Qingyao did not go to the office, choosing instead to rest at the villa, while Nie Yunyang returned to Grand View Garden.

Upon seeing Nie Yunyang, He Lei called him into her office and unleashed a furious reprimand.

Looking helpless, Nie Yunyang offered a bitter smile. "Manager He, I know I was wrong. Please don't fly into such a rage; be careful not to hurt your health."

"Yunyang, you were arranged by Director Dai, and Grand View Garden has never had employees with special connections—you can be considered the very first. But you took leave the moment you started working. If others see this, they're bound to have opinions. I hope you'll work hard in the future and not let Director Dai down," He Lei said, exasperated yet caring.

After a moment of reflection, Nie Yunyang said, "Manager He, I know you have my best interests at heart. Don't worry, I will throw myself entirely into my work."

"I hope your actions match your words. Go back to your duties now."

He Lei waved her hand, signaling for Nie Yunyang to return to his post.

If Nie Yunyang continued to act on his own whims, she would voice her concerns to Dai Zhenxuan and state that Nie Yunyang was unsuited for the job. No matter how much favoritism Director Dai showed this kid, he couldn't afford to ruin Grand View Garden's reputation; if the big boss behind the scenes lost their temper, everyone would be packing their bags.

When Nie Yunyang stepped outside, Miao Ye was already waiting for him. "Got chewed out?"

"That's corporate life for you. It's only right to let the boss vent some steam," Nie Yunyang remarked.

Miao Ye patted him on the shoulder. "You'll get used to it. Manager He has a sharp tongue but a soft heart, and she always focuses on issues rather than people. However, the other deputy managers aren't as kind-hearted as she is. Many of them have strong opinions about you, a fresh intern. I don't know where the rumor started, but word is that you were planted here by Director Dai, and some people are planning to use you to establish their own authority."

Hearing this, Nie Yunyang knitted his brows, never expecting that his mere arrival at Grand View Garden would step on someone else's toes.

Still, he didn't care. With Cao Weihua standing behind him, if any trouble arose, he would simply let that big boss handle it.

All afternoon, Nie Yunyang busied himself following behind Miao Ye, until those women in black uniforms made their grand arrival. Entering the private room, they directly requested Nie Yunyang by name to serve them, leaving many others thoroughly baffled.