Chapter 1: The Toad and the Swan

Outside the border checkpoint on the side of the Nanhukou port city, several drivers and a few thugs dressed in leather jackets were chatting idly. They watched every traveler passing by with keen eyes. When they saw a particularly pretty girl, they would whistle at her, laughing heartily as she either shyly or fearfully walked away.

These drivers were part of a group controlled by a local gang. Despite the port city being a developed metropolis in Asia, and the East Iron Line running right by the port entrance, waiting here to pick up passengers still generated a lot of business. Not everyone preferred taking the subway, and if they were lucky enough to encounter a subway breakdown, they could make even more money.

As a car pulled up beside them, a man with a cigarette got out, and the group immediately greeted him. "Hey, Lao Ba, you're quite late today. Seems like last night's battle was intense!"

The man, called Lao Ba, exhaled a puff of smoke and chuckled, "You have no idea how wild that girl from the mainland was. She was playing hard to get last night, but soon enough, she was begging me. She even took the initiative to get on top of me in the end."

"Lao Ba, you're a real scumbag. I heard that girl was from some art troupe, very proud. Now that she's with you, you better treat her well," someone else said.

Lao Ba spat, "Treat her well? If I wasn't from the port city, do you think she'd be so obedient just because I promised to help her settle down? All mainland women are born bitches."

"Well, what can we do? The mainland is so poor, they can't even afford to eat properly. Every day, they're just working in coal mines and sand pits. Men are laborers, and women end up selling themselves. They'll do anything to stay in our port city. It's a pity Lao Ba is such a scumbag. I should have brought a car here too," a thug lamented.

"Brother Guangtou, I only had a chance to come here by chance. You are the real boss here. Those mainlanders only bow to you. We should be envious of you!" Lao Ba said, turning his gaze elsewhere. "Alright, Brother Guangtou, I won't keep you. Looks like there might be some business over there."

Lao Ba started to move in that direction, but Brother Guangtou's comment stopped him. "Those two mainland guys are waiting for someone. I don't understand why they didn't take a cab instead of the subway. They're so clueless."

Lao Ba glanced over and saw the two people standing at the front square of the station. Despite their decent clothing, the large bags they had gave away that they were from the mainland.

"I think those mainlanders must have some money. They might even be fleeing officials. We should go and chat with them!" Lao Ba said.

"Just now, Xiao Ji tried talking to them. They're as unyielding as stones in a latrine. They kept saying they have a friend coming to pick them up," Brother Guangtou sneered. "These mainlanders always believe in rumors. They think just because a friend is coming to the port city, things will turn out great. They might end up taking the subway after all. I'm very familiar with these mainlanders; they all deceive each other."

"But their clothes look decent. They should have some money, right?" Lao Ba guessed.

Brother Guangtou was even more dismissive. "What does that prove? They're just toads wearing clothes. You should know that mainlanders are like that. They'd rather suffer than lose face. Knowing they're coming to our port city, they dressed up to the nines. It's probably all they have. Look at them; they don't look like wealthy people. If they weren't coming from the port, they'd definitely be mistaken for stowaways."

"That's true. But Brother Guangtou, I heard that during the Spring Festival, mainland leaders went on a tour and caused a big stir. They even stayed at some industrial park and promoted a businessman named Zhou Ming. This led to a significant rise in our port city's stock index," Lao Ba said.

Brother Guangtou nodded. "I've heard about that. It's just a show put on by the mainland authorities. Zhou Ming and that industrial park are nothing in our port city."

As Brother Guangtou and Lao Ba discussed, one of their younger associates suddenly exclaimed, "Brother Guangtou, Lao Ba, look over there!"

Upon hearing this exclamation, Brother Guangtou and Lao Ba instinctively turned around and were stunned. A long Lincoln limousine was slowly driving towards them.

The arrival of the limousine not only surprised the black car drivers but also shocked everyone at the port entrance. People stared at the car in awe. Most of them were ordinary people, and they naturally felt intimidated by high-profile figures. Someone who could ride in such a luxury vehicle must be a big shot!

What's going on? Is some significant figure crossing the port today? Or is there a high-ranking mainland official coming to the port city?

Everyone had these questions in their minds, but their confusion was soon resolved, though the answer was difficult for most to accept.

Under everyone's gaze, the limousine slowly drove into the square and stopped right in front of the two young mainlanders, who were sitting by the side with their large bags, smoking.

What's happening? Is this car here to pick them up? Could these two be hidden wealthy people?

Then, a secretary jumped out of the car and ran to open the door. A slender, perfectly shaped leg stepped out of the car. Although not everyone was a leg enthusiast, the sight of this sexy leg encased in black stockings made everyone instinctively swallow. They all awaited the appearance of its owner.

When the woman emerged from the car, everyone felt their hearts stop.

What a beautiful woman! She was wearing a purple evening gown. The gown wasn't tight, yet it still accentuated her perfect figure. Her jet-black hair was elegantly pinned up, adding an air of nobility, but a few strands of bangs at the front gave her a playful touch. Such a look might seem odd on other women, but it was so natural on her.

Everyone stared at her, as if she was the most beautiful sight in the world. In her presence, any other woman seemed to pale in comparison.

"Lin Muqing, that's Lin Muqing, the chairman of United Investment Company! She's the goddess of our entire port city!"

Someone shouted this excitedly, and everyone realized who the woman was. The scene erupted into a stir because Lin Muqing, so young and already the chairman of United Investment Company, was the most successful among the younger generation in the port city. Despite her low profile, she had become a goddess of the city.

If a beautiful actress had appeared, everyone would have swarmed her. But facing Lin Muqing, her high and aloof demeanor made people feel self-conscious and reluctant to approach.

Hearing the cheers from the crowd, Lin Muqing smiled and thanked them.

Just a simple thank you, yet it stirred everyone's nerves, causing many to smile foolishly and murmur, "Lin Muqing smiled at me. I saw the goddess smile at me."

Lin Muqing's smile alone made her admirers so happy. However, they had no idea that Lin Muqing's next actions would shock them to the core.

In front of everyone, Lin Muqing walked gracefully towards the two young mainlanders. One of the young men stepped forward and opened his arms to her. Lin Muqing then embraced him in full view of the crowd.

If Lin Muqing's appearance had previously shocked everyone, her embrace of the mainlander completely shattered all expectations and left everyone in disarray.

In the port city, which was the most open and Westernized area, public displays of affection like hugs weren't too unusual. For many, a hug could even be a form of etiquette.

But Lin Muqing was different. She was the goddess of all men in the port city. Her honor wasn't just because of her beauty but also because of her reserve. Since she first emerged in the port city, countless wealthy and successful suitors had pursued her. Yet, she had never been involved in any scandal, which was almost unbelievable. She had achieved this, which could only be described as goddess-like.

Now, this goddess, who had previously dismissed all suitors, was embracing a mainlander? Why?

All the men in the port city watching this were not only bewildered but also driven nearly mad by the question.

The black car drivers who had previously mocked the mainlanders were now twitching their lips. For them, this was not just a slap in the face but having their faces ground into the dirt, like wearing skates and being rubbed mercilessly, as if they were dancing with the devil.

If heartbreak had a sound, the decibel level here would certainly break records. Yet Lin Muqing didn't care. She even seemed to enjoy teasing her admirers further, taking the mainlander's arm and leading him to her car.

Everyone watched in disbelief as their goddess personally came to pick up a mainlander. No matter how they rubbed their eyes, they couldn't change the fact that their goddess had come to get a mainlander.

It wasn't until Lin Muqing's car disappeared down the road that someone finally exclaimed, "That mainlander is Zhou Ming!"