Tall, ancient trees with thick trunks and sprawling branches formed a dense canopy overhead, allowing only slivers of sunlight to pierce through and illuminate the forest floor. The air was thick with the earthy scent of moss and damp leaves, mingling with the faint fragrance of wildflowers that dotted the underbrush.
The ground was a tapestry of fallen leaves, twigs, and patches of soft moss, creating a natural carpet that muffled the sounds of footsteps. Ferns and shrubs grew in abundance, their vibrant greens contrasting sharply with the dark, shadowy depths of the forest. The occasional rustle of small animals and the distant calls of birds added a layer of life to the otherwise still and silent surroundings.
Xu Yi Han sat gracefully on her horse, her elegant blue hanfu shimmering under the sunlight. Her long, straight hair flowed behind her, adorned with intricate blue hair jewelry that sparkled with every movement. With one hand gripping the reins and the other holding a gleaming sword, she urged her horse to gallop faster. Her hair danced wildly in the wind as she rode with fierce determination.
Suddenly, two men clad in black ninja attire leaped out from the shadows, forcing her horse to come to an abrupt halt. Xu Yi Han's breath quickened as she steadied herself, her eyes narrowing with resolve. She raised her sword, ready for the impending battle. The masked ninjas lunged at her, but with a swift and graceful leap, she dismounted her horse, landing lightly on her feet. Her presence was nothing short of breathtaking.
With a powerful swing of her sword, she deflected the first ninja's attack, sending him sprawling to the ground. In one fluid motion, she drove her blade into his stomach, ending his life. The second ninja, seeing his comrade fall, turned and fled into the forest.
"Cut!" the director's voice rang out, breaking the tension. "Action!"
"My lady!" Xu Nou shouted, rushing towards Yi Han. In her haste, Xu Nou stepped on her dress, causing her to tumble forward and land flat on her chest.
She quickly stood up, brushing off the dirt from her clothes. "You could have saved me, but you didn't. You dodged me, and I fell," she said, her voice tinged with frustration as she glared at Yi Han.
"The costume director put a lot of effort into making this beautiful dress. I couldn't let it get ruined," Yi Han replied calmly, though Xu Nou was not convinced.
"Hey, Xu Nou, you've been making a lot of mistakes. If you don't improve, I'll have to replace you. I can't afford to have this project ruined!" the director yelled, his patience wearing thin.
"I'm sorry," Xu Nou pleaded, bowing deeply.
Meanwhile, Xin Yi stealthily approached Boss Gu's office. She had seen him leave earlier with his bodyguards. After ensuring the coast was clear, she slipped inside and quietly closed the door behind her. She searched the room meticulously, her eyes scanning every corner. Finally, she moved a large file to reveal a hidden button. Just as she was about to press it, the door creaked open, and she quickly hid behind a nearby cabinet.
Li Qiang entered the office, picked up a file from the desk, and left without noticing her.
Xin Yi waited until his footsteps faded away before emerging from her hiding spot. She carefully opened the door and stepped out, only to come face-to-face with Li Qiang, who had sensed something was amiss. Her heart pounded in her chest as she backed against the door.
Li Qiang sat on his bed, his eyes fixed on Xin Yi, Xin Yi's heart pounded like a drum in her chest, each beat echoing her rising panic. Her mind raced with a thousand thoughts, each one more frantic than the last. She could feel the cold sweat forming on her palms, making them slick and clammy. The room seemed to close in around her, the walls pressing in as if to suffocate her.
Her breath came in shallow, rapid gasps, and she struggled to maintain her composure.
The fear of being caught, the dread of what Li Qiang might do if he discovered her true intentions, gnawed at her insides like a relentless beast. She could feel her legs trembling, threatening to give way beneath her.
Every second felt like an eternity as she stood there, trying to think of a plausible excuse. Her mind was a whirlwind of fear and desperation, each thought more chaotic than the last. She knew she had to stay calm, but the terror was overwhelming, threatening to drown her in its icy grip.
"What were you doing in there?" he asked, his voice low and menacing.
"I was pranked by Muchen," she stammered, her breath coming in short gasps.
"Muchen," he repeated, picking up his phone to call Muyang. "Get Muchen here, now!"
Xin Yi's heart sank. 'What am I going to do?' she thought, panic rising within her.
As Li Qiang's piercing gaze bore into her, she felt a wave of nausea wash over her. Her mouth went dry, and she swallowed hard, trying to find her voice. The lie about Muchen had slipped out in her panic, but now she had to stick to it, hoping against hope that it would be enough to save her.
Her thoughts were a tangled mess of regret and fear. 'Why did I come here? What if he finds out? What will happen to me?' The questions swirled in her mind, each one more terrifying than the last. She could feel her heart sinking, the weight of her predicament pressing down on her like a heavy stone.
In that moment, Xin Yi felt utterly alone, trapped in a nightmare of her own making.
The room seemed to spin around her, and she fought to keep her balance, to keep from collapsing under the weight of her fear. She knew she had to find a way out, but the path ahead seemed dark and uncertain, filled with dangers she could barely comprehend.