Volume 3: Dragons Soaring and Phoenixes Dancing, Chapter 57: Riding the Dragon with the Phoenix

“Master, shall we head straight back to the villa?” Lin Yuyang, the capable right-hand man assigned to Chu Tianyu by Old Chen—a man with a rough appearance and explosive muscles—asked in a deep voice while driving.
“Hmm, not yet. Take me around the city first; I want to see Hong Kong’s night views. Oh, Brother Lin, let’s drop the formalities between us. No need for ‘master’ or such—we’re family. Just call me Brother Chu!” Chu Tianyu said.
“Master, that’s not proper. I…”
“Hehe, Brother Lin, don’t be modest. Old Chen has told me about you—you’re one of the hundred elite warriors trained by the Wutang, masterful in all thirteen combat arts. You not only single-handedly killed Tai Uncle, known as Hong Kong’s crime boss, but also successfully stole their political figures’ files through a scheme at the Taiwan Three News Agency. You’re also a strong candidate to succeed as the next head of the Wutang’s Hong Kong branch. You’re truly a hero—brave and wise despite your rough exterior. Since Tianyu is still young, it’s only natural to call you brother. Besides, I’ll need your help a lot during my time in Hong Kong…”
“Master, you’re too kind. Serving you is my duty. Moreover, your strength within the Wutang has earned you the title of Martial God! Master, do you know what the brothers in the Wutang desire most?” Lin Yuyang, seeing that this young master wasn’t as stern as rumored, gradually relaxed and started chatting with Chu Tianyu.
Chu Tianyu became interested and asked eagerly, “Hehe, what is it?”
“Well, they just hope to meet you, and… also take a look at your extraordinary skills!” Lin Yuyang replied shyly, though he was already in his thirties.
“Brother Lin, they probably want to spar, right? Hehe, the brothers in the Wutang have indeed been eager for some action these past years.”

“Yes, Patriarch. You know, this selection process to come with you on this mission—hehe—was even more intense than choosing a hall leader. If fighting doesn’t work, we have to go through three rounds of drawing lots. In the end, it was our good luck that allowed us to seize this opportunity. Patriarch, over the past few years, it’s always been those from Qianfeng who hold all the power, while we in the martial arts hall have skills but no chance to use them. All we ask is for a real fight, to take on those guys head-on. Hehe, Patriarch, please don’t mind us—we in the martial arts hall are rough folks; our words can be a bit too crude…” Chu Tianyu’s words seemed to strike a chord with him, prompting the burly man to talk freely before realizing he might have been rude and apologizing.

“Hehe, it’s good to be honest. What’s wrong with a man saying a few dirty words? I’m actually worse than you in this regard; I need to learn from you, haha…”

“Of course, it’s better to be straightforward. Um, hehe, I didn’t mean you, Patriarch. I just meant…”

Chu Tianyu smiled and interrupted the straightforward man, who was sweating slightly, saying, “Hehe, I understand. I’ll find a way to address the situation of our martial arts hall brothers. I really didn’t realize the full extent of things before. Well, enough talk. When we get back tonight, we’ll have a proper fight. I can’t let you draw lots three times for nothing, right? Hehe!”

“Really!? Patriarch, are you joking???” Lin Yuyang’s eyes turned green with excitement.

“A gentleman’s word…”

“Is unbreakable!” Lin Yuyang quickly added.

Haha, the two shared a knowing smile…

…

After relaxing a bit, Chu Tianyu didn’t bother looking at the night scenery outside the window. Instead, he fell deep into thought. Lin Yuyang, driving ahead, wisely stopped disturbing him and continued driving steadily. Yet, from his slightly raised eyebrows and rapid breathing, it was easy to tell he was filled with suppressed excitement.

Chu Tianyu took this opportunity to organize his thoughts. In fact, since returning to Hong Kong and connecting several events—especially today’s new discovery at the Ouyang family’s place—he had gradually clarified the whole situation in his mind.

It’s likely that Ouyang Boshu is collaborating with his grandfather again, secretly bringing in some advanced military technology. From Qianfeng’s investigations, several container ports have been cleared out, indicating that what’s being brought in this time is absolutely crucial. This partnership must be extremely dangerous or a last-ditch effort for the Ouyang family, which is why his grandfather sent experts from the Sixth Department of State Security to protect or assist them. That’s also why Ouyang Ziyi was secretly hidden in a seaside villa, leading to their unexpected encounter.

As for the so-called Hexin Society, given its background, it’s not hard to imagine why it’s been so active this time and why it’s even hired assassins—probably all related to the Ouyang family. Taking a bold guess, it likely plays the role of a local boss among the opposing forces, acting as a coordinator, information gatherer, assassin, or someone to divert police attention.

There must also be a real threat coming from Europe, which is the main reason Ouyang Boshu is so cautious. The Hexin Society, acting as this local boss, is probably just a small test for his second brother.

That’s roughly how things stand. As for some minor questions, such as exactly what Ouyang Boshu obtained this time and how his identity was exposed, Chu Tianyu no longer cares. All he needs to do now is wait for news from Old Chen. As long as he can find his second brother and secretly ensure his safety, he considers his mission in Hong Kong a success.

After thinking this through, Chu Tianyu stretched lazily and said with relief, “Brother Lin, let’s go back. Hehe, I really want to experience your master skills soon. I haven’t fought with anyone in ages. To be honest, my muscles are itching!”

“Haha, sure…”

……

In the early morning, Chu Tianyu, true to his habit of rising early, thought back to his sparring session with Lin Yuyang the previous day. “It was so refreshing! Brother Lin is truly extraordinary—his martial arts skills are at the peak. It allowed me to truly test my abilities after all this time. Aside from using only internal energy to control force and angle, I practiced all the moves. Even the Longquan sword eventually couldn’t withstand my strength and the recoil from Brother Lin’s body, breaking apart.”

Now without the “prop” of a sword, it didn’t affect Chu Tianyu’s mood. Just as he was about to go out for a run, he heard a knock at the door.

When he opened the door, it was actually Ouyang Ziyi. There she stood, her long hair fluttering in the morning breeze, dressed in white sportswear that highlighted her snow-like skin. Especially the part of her neck visible above the collar, combined with her slightly upturned chin and rosy lips, formed a perfect curve that was truly stunning…
Chu Tianyu was both surprised and not surprised. He was surprised that she had come so early, while he wasn’t surprised because after last night’s dinner, Ouyang Ziyi hadn’t contacted him at all, not even by phone. But given her personality, once she made up her mind, she surely wouldn’t let him be at peace.
“Hehe, good morning!” Chu Tianyu said with a smile.
“Mm, good morning,” Ouyang Ziyi replied unusually calmly.
“Wanna come in and sit?”
“No, judging by your outfit, you’re going out for morning exercise, right? Let’s just talk outside.”
“No problem!”
The two ran side by side without saying another word. Ouyang Ziyi seemed lost in thought, while Chu Tianyu focused on regulating his breathing during the run, waiting for her to speak first.
“W-Were you the one practicing sword dancing yesterday?” Ouyang Ziyi asked, slightly out of breath after stopping the jog.
“Mm, yes! Why?” Hearing her strange question, Chu Tianyu was puzzled.
“You know martial arts? You seem so delicate, but you’re not out of breath at all after running like this, and your pace is even. No wonder the person I sent to investigate you said you exercise every day—it seems true!” Ouyang Ziyi pressed on.
“Martial arts? Hehe, I did join the school’s martial arts club and learned some sword skills for a few days. I’m not sure if that counts,” Chu Tianyu replied cleverly.
“Mm, never mind that. Let me ask you—can you handle two or three strong men up close?” Ouyang Ziyi continued in the same tone.
“Well, I can’t fight…”
Before Chu Tianyu could finish, Ouyang Ziyi interrupted immediately, “Can you do me a small favor?”
“What kind of favor?” Chu Tianyu asked.
What kind of favor? Ouyang Ziyi didn’t answer right away. Instead, she suddenly stared into Chu Tianyu’s eyes. After a long while, she continued, “Chu Tianyu, no matter what happened between us before, and whether you’re the third young master of the Chu family or just an ordinary Chu Tianyu, I only know that you said last time that we’re still friends!”
“Yes, I did say that—we’re ‘honest’ friends!” Chu Tianyu emphasized the word “honest” heavily.

Ouyang Ziyi raised her face, lifted her eyelids, and her expression shifted, as if telling Chu Tianyu, “I knew you’d say that,” before asking, “What confession do you want?”
“You know the answer!” Chu Tianyu replied calmly, unfazed.
It seemed Ouyang Ziyi had thought it through carefully. She met Chu Tianyu’s gaze once again with a calm and composed expression. Her clear eyes allowed Chu Tianyu to see his own reflection clearly.
At the same time, he heard her calm yet firm words: “It’s simple. I like you!”
Chu Tianyu was shocked. Then Ouyang Ziyi continued, “If the confession you want is the reason why I like you, I can ‘confess’ that it’s not because you’re the son of the Chu family, nor because you have a powerful grandfather. All of that has never mattered to me, Ouyang Ziyi. What matters to me is our encounters along the way, my curiosity about you in the teahouse, my attraction to you during my investigations, and the cuteness of falling in love with you as our relationship deepened… So, the confession you want—let me say it again—are just four simple words: I like you!”
Chu Tianyu was utterly stunned. He never expected Ouyang Ziyi to say such a straightforward thing. Even though he had managed to calm himself down, he was now at a loss, confused.
It wasn’t that he doubted the sincerity of her words. Even without Chu Tianyu’s profound skills and keen intuition, an ordinary person could see the sincerity and passion in her eyes.
What caught Chu Tianyu off guard was how suddenly her confession came. It was like someone you’ve never really liked and thought had ulterior motives suddenly telling you that they’ve been pursuing you, teasing you, because they’ve fallen in love with you. Such a drastic change made it impossible for anyone to accept or adjust immediately.
Moreover, no one had taught Chu Tianyu about matters of the heart. He hadn’t gone through the systematic learning, exposure, and understanding process that others had. His relationship with his fiancée, Qin Nianran, showed his carelessness and impulsiveness. If his masters and grandfather had known about his situation in this regard, they might have sighed, “Sigh, we’ve taught him so much about fighting crime, saving humanity, and stabilizing the country, but somehow we missed teaching him about these matters of the heart.”

Actually, it’s not their fault. Chu Tianyu’s three mentors were either monks or Taoists, with one being a fanatical Confucian who pursued martial arts. Who could talk to Chu Tianyu about such matters? Even his grandfather, Chu Fangshan, was satisfied to know that the Chu family had produced an extraordinary talent. As for matters of love and affection, given his age and status, how could he possibly care?

Facing Ouyang Ziyi’s eyes, Chu Tianyu really wanted to say something, even just a word, but at that moment, his mind was completely blank; he couldn’t say anything at all.

“I wasn’t sure before whether I really liked you. I was just defiant, determined to embarrass you. But in the process, I somehow ended up falling for you in a clichéd way. After breaking up with you last time, I stopped pestering you because I didn’t know if my feelings were real or not. It wasn’t until I returned to Hong Kong and such a big thing happened at home that I wanted to talk to someone. I thought of my family, my closest cousin, and my childhood friends, and then I was surprised to realize that the person I really wanted to talk to was you, Chu Tianyu!” Ouyang Ziyi spoke slowly, but each word struck Chu Tianyu’s heart like lead.

No matter what Ouyang Ziyi had been like before, in Chu Tianyu’s eyes, she now resembled a fragile angel in the storm, needing protection and warmth.

A cold sea breeze blew by, and Chu Tianyu naturally stretched out his arms. Under the morning light, two figures merged on the beach…

Holding her warm, delicate body close, feeling her reliance and love in his arms, Chu Tianyu felt an immense warmth in his heart. A dreamlike sensation he had never experienced before spread throughout his body, replacing his previous hesitation and confusion with endless love…

After a long while, Chu Tianyu’s soft voice broke the silent intimacy. “Ziyi, do you know? The world is truly amazing. Until the moment you spoke, I still saw you as a rival, a scheming opponent, and all my views about you revolved around that. But now, I really don’t know how to describe it. It’s as if the pivot point of everything suddenly changed, and the emotions toward you shifted from negative to positive. To be honest, I still feel like I’m in a dream; I can’t believe it…”

“No need to say more. I know that the transition from hatred to love can be even more intense than ordinary feelings! To be honest, not only are you skeptical, but even I didn’t know how it would feel until now. It’s all because of you—this troublemaker—who’s made me lose my confidence!” With that, Ouyang Ziyi pulled back her hand from Chu Tianyu’s and punched him a few times hard.
Chu Tianyu smiled, unfazed, and gently leaned in to kiss Ouyang Ziyi’s lips. Her soft, fragrant lips made him sigh, and as she let out a soft moan, the two once again immersed themselves in this passionate world…
…
In the villa, Chu Tianyu enjoyed his breakfast of ham and eggs while watching Ouyang Ziyi busy in the kitchen. His heart was filled with an unprecedented warmth. He thought to himself, “Thinking back to when I first met Ouyang Ziyi in the car, her bold and playful behavior used to be a real headache for me. But now, those moments have turned into beautiful memories that make me smile. Is this what love is?”
“Tianyu, what are you thinking about?” Ouyang Ziyi came over with two cups of freshly heated milk.
“Oh, nothing much. You’re really amazing—capable of handling both formal occasions and cooking. In such a short time, you’ve prepared such a delicious breakfast! Impressive!” Chu Tianyu joked.
“Hmph, of course. My master is the royal chef of the British royal family. But only you, fool, get to enjoy it. Others? I won’t serve them, hehe…” Ouyang Ziyi said proudly.
“Wow, the royal chef taught you how to make ham and eggs? That’s too weak! Next time we’re in the wild, I’ll let you try an ancient skill—grilling wild deer! That’s true Chinese cuisine, the best in the world!”
“Really? Then I really have to try it…”
“Hehe, okay…”
…
After laughing, the two fell into silence, as if going through an awkward period after breaking down barriers. It was unclear how they would handle their relationship moving forward.
Chu Tianyu looked at Ouyang Ziyi, who was sitting on the sofa across from him, looking calm. She held a cup of hot milk, sipping it occasionally, while her gaze was fixed on the distant sea through the floor-to-ceiling window, presenting a breathtakingly beautiful scene before Chu Tianyu’s eyes. He couldn’t bear to break this serene moment, so he simply walked over, sat beside her, and quietly admired her…

It was not until Ouyang Ziyi slowly turned her head and smiled gently, “What are you looking at?” that the silence was broken, allowing Chu Tianyu to breathe a sigh of relief. He replied, “I’m looking at you. You’re truly beautiful…”
Hearing the praise from her beloved, Ouyang Ziyi shyly smiled for the first time and teased, “Really? I thought before you just saw me as nothing special—unwilling and even trying to avoid me. I thought I meant nothing to you, or maybe even that you disliked me!”
Chu Tianyu chuckled, scratched his head, and said sheepishly, “Well, this…”
Before Chu Tianyu could finish speaking, Ouyang Ziyi leaned closer and gently interrupted, “What happened before doesn’t matter. What matters now is the fulfillment and warmth of being in your arms!”
Chu Tianyu tightened his embrace and whispered, “I feel the same warmth. Your image has long been planted in my heart, only overshadowed by other things. To have a girlfriend like you, fate is truly very kind to me!”
“Hehe, yes, fools have their blessings!” Ouyang Ziyi said playfully.
“Am I that foolish?” Chu Tianyu asked with a smile.
“You foolish? If you were foolish, how would both the beauties of Peking University end up in your hands…” At this point, Ouyang Ziyi suddenly stopped speaking, looking hesitant.
Chu Tianyu immediately understood why. Thinking about the fact that he still had an engaged girlfriend, he sorted out his thoughts before seriously explaining his relationship with Qin Nianran and even that engagement agreement in detail.
Ouyang Ziyi was also greatly surprised. She never expected such a thing to exist. At first, she thought their relationship was like children’s play—too childish!
Only after hearing everything did she fully understand the entanglements between the two families, Chu Tianyu’s mindset, and Qin Nianran’s schemes.
“I never thought a seemingly simple engagement could have such complex backgrounds. I thought it was just a business alliance between two wealthy families…” Ouyang Ziyi said in realization.
But then, as if suddenly remembering something, Ouyang Ziyi muttered to herself, “That’s not right. Something feels off!”
“I’m telling the truth! What’s not right?” Chu Tianyu asked, puzzled, as he watched Ouyang Ziyi pondering with her head down.

Suddenly, Ouyang Ziyi looked up, her eyes shining with excitement. She gazed at Chu Tianyu meaningfully and said, “I wondered why something felt off. According to what you said, Grandpa Chu’s original plan was to use this marriage to merge Qin Family’s Fudu Industrial Group. Given your performance back then, even if the two families got married, it would still be Miss Qin Nianran who would take control of everything. How could your Chu Family gain both people and resources? Hehe, there’s only one explanation—In Grandpa Chu’s mind, you, you scoundrel, must be even more ‘genius’ than that so-called genius Qin Nianran. That’s why he placed his hopes on you, right? Our smartest third young master of the Chu Family?”
Chu Tianyu was sweating! He had always known she was sharp, but he never imagined she could deduce the whole situation just from what he had said and a casual mention of his grandfather’s original plan. Moreover, she hit every key point—her meticulous thinking and quick reaction were truly astonishing! Thinking about Qianfeng and even the entire Xuanji Sect that he would have to take over in the future, Chu Tianyu suddenly felt relieved…
What came next was really simple. Chu Tianyu honestly explained how he had trained under his master and how he had regained his mental clarity, giving a brief overview. He also mentioned the martial arts he practiced, which were only for strengthening his body and fell within the scope of ordinary people’s understanding. It wasn’t that he wanted to hide anything—after all, the secrets he possessed were too bizarre. Doing this was also to give Ouyang Ziyi time to adjust.
“Great! So you really know martial arts! Then you were pretending last time outside the restaurant and bar? You little rascal…” Ouyang Ziyi brought up old grievances.
Chu Tianyu chuckled lightly and said, “Actually, I wasn’t pretending on purpose. It was the first time. When those hooligans entered, your cousin was shocked, but instead of that, she seemed eager to take action. Plus, with your sports cars and Hummers, the two of you must be special. So I held back for now, wanting to see what you could do. Hehe. Afterward, I went back and dealt with them as well. I couldn’t let them kick me for nothing! As for outside the bar, my grandfather’s men were lurking in the shadows, and you even pulled out your gun. Well, that stopped me from showing off again…”

Ouyang Ziyi didn’t delve into Chu Tianyu’s words. Instead, she smiled slyly and said, “Hehe, here’s your chance to show off. I originally wanted you to do a small favor, but since my dear boyfriend says so, I’ll give you more work—help me take care of the bodyguards around here. Otherwise, I won’t be able to move an inch; I absolutely can’t leave this villa area!”
“Are you referring to those two maids who look like mercenaries?” Chu Tianyu joked.
“It’s not just them. There’s also the entire security staff and security system in this villa area. They belong to Qingtang Security Company, the most mysterious and powerful security firm in the whole city. They’ve never failed once. Even the former Queen of England hired them. I really don’t know how you got in. This place is essentially a secret residence for many powerful people and rich elites. Every homeowner has a registration record here spanning over ten years. I never thought Chu Ye had such influence!” Ouyang Ziyi said.
Chu Tianyu didn’t explain either. He just smiled and said, “So how do we get out? Should we deal with these two first? Two against two—we’re in no disadvantage!”
Ouyang Ziyi also chuckled secretly and said in a low voice, “I originally planned to take on two with one. I even prepared baseball bats—there were two of them. Now that I have you as an extra force, I’m even more confident…”
Suddenly, Chu Tianyu stood up, pulled Ouyang Ziyi with him, stretched his arms, smiled broadly, and joked, “Ziyi, you’d better go upstairs and change. If you want to go out, just say so. There are cars ready outside. Don’t be so violent. I really don’t want to use baseball bats to deal with our subordinates together…”
…
Inside the car, Ouyang Ziyi looked at Chu Tianyu’s smiling face, filled with countless feelings of joy. She never expected one surprise after another. Her beloved was far beyond her initial imagination. He seemed like a giant magnet—the closer she got to him, the more drawn she felt to him.
His moral charm was beyond doubt. He was even the behind-the-scenes boss of Qingtang Security. And it seemed this wasn’t Chu Ye’s influence but rather his own…
Thinking of this, ignoring the intense glances the burly driver in the front seat kept throwing at Chu Tianyu, Ouyang Ziyi threw herself into Chu Tianyu’s arms and said playfully, “How many more secrets do you have? And why is that driver over there keeping staring at you so flirtatiously? What’s your relationship? Tell me the truth!”
Chu Tianyu felt so wronged. How could he tell her that last night’s fight had completely exhausted Brother Lin, who was known for his strength and endurance? Those weren’t flirtatious looks—they were looks of respect, the respect between warriors…

Chu Tianyu let out a bitter laugh and said, “What secrets could there still be for you? Over time, you’ll understand everything. Right now, the top priority is to take you to meet someone to resolve the crisis your family is facing, and then we can discuss other things.”

Later, in the car, Chu Tianyu briefly explained the reason for his visit to Hong Kong, his thoughts on the situation, and the person he was about to meet—Old Chen. Ouyang Ziyi nestled in Chu Tianyu’s arms, listening quietly, occasionally adding details about her family’s situation and sharing her father’s circumstances along with her own judgments for Chu Tianyu’s reference.

Smart people don’t need much time to talk. Chu Tianyu was now pretty sure his initial guess was correct—the Ouyang family had obtained something important from France, but the cost was exposing their identities. That’s why Ouyang Boshu, with the support of the state, took reckless risks, leading to the current turbulent situation between the underworld and the legitimate forces…

After meeting Old Chen and introducing themselves briefly, the three of them discussed the matter in detail. With Ouyang Ziyi’s information and connections, Chu Tianyu’s original plan became even more flawless.

Chu Tianyu then bid farewell to Old Chen. At Ouyang Ziyi’s insistence, he accompanied her to walk around the city, as she had been cooped up for the past two days. Guided by Ouyang Ziyi, they went to a coffee shop in Central. After sitting down, Ouyang Ziyi let out a long sigh before exclaiming, “Hehe! It’s just the two of us now. Finally free!”

“Hehe, Tianyu, I forgot to mention something at Old Chen’s place just now. You won’t blame me, right?” Ouyang Ziyi suddenly changed the subject.

Chu Tianyu replied with a smile, “Go ahead. I knew you were holding back. You went through so much trouble to get out—there must be a reason. I’m all ears now!”

Ignoring Chu Tianyu’s teasing, Ouyang Ziyi said directly, “I received news that the Heixin Club is going to pick up something by the shore tomorrow night. I know the time and place. I also have intelligence suggesting that it’s the Heixin Club acting as an insider to target our family. So, I want to show them some strength in advance!”

“You’re really bold! Just the two of us? Are you planning to bring baseball bats…?”

“Of course not. My strength lies in shooting. I’ve already had someone prepare a long-range sniper rifle for me, and someone else has chosen the ambush location. We can pick a few of the Heixin Club’s goons and teach them a lesson! Could you keep an eye out for me and also check the wind direction for shooting, okay?” Ouyang Ziyi said astonishingly.

Chu Tianyu thought, “That really is in Miss Ouyang’s style!” But he said aloud, “Is this information reliable?”
“Of course! It’s my cousin whom you met during the summer vacation. Her father is the head of ‘Blue Diamond Workshop,’ a leading figure in the jewelry industry. He used to be a gang boss before turning to legitimate business. So, the Lan family still has quite an influence in the underworld. My father probably doesn’t want to rely on my uncle’s power this time. So, this information was all obtained through my secret contacts with my cousin—100% reliable!”
Hearing Ouyang Ziyi’s explanation, Chu Tianyu wasn’t surprised at all. After all, these two girls could pull off anything together. But since they were so enthusiastic, why not join in the fun?
Just as Chu Tianyu was about to reply, he heard a noise at the door, followed by a sarcastic voice, “Oh, what a coincidence! To run into my sister Ouyang here—what an honor for me, brother! Haha…”