Zi Ning stepped into the cool night air outside the Imperial Pearl Hotel. The banquet had ended, but her mind was still sharp, replaying every moment.
Tonight had been a battle.
Huo Lian had tried to humiliate her.
Zhao Feng had tried to control her.
Both had failed.
But this was just the beginning.
The powerful families of Beijing were watching her now. Some were waiting for her to fall. Others were testing her limits.
She had survived the first attack.
Now, she had to prepare for the next.
Just as she reached her car, a black luxury sedan pulled up beside her. The window lowered, revealing Lu Yichen's cold, handsome face.
"Get in," he said simply.
Zi Ning hesitated for a second before opening the door and sliding inside.
The car moved smoothly through the quiet streets.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
Then, Lu Yichen finally said, "You did well tonight."
Zi Ning glanced at him. "Did you expect me to fail?"
A small smile appeared at the corner of his lips. "No. I knew you wouldn't."
Zi Ning looked away, watching the city lights pass by.
"You knew about their plans, didn't you?" she asked.
Lu Yichen didn't deny it. "I knew Huo Lian would try something. But you didn't need my help."
Zi Ning felt a strange warmth in her chest.
She had fought alone for so long. She wasn't used to someone believing in her.
But Lu Yichen…
He never interfered, yet he was always there, silently watching over her.
The car stopped in front of Zi Ning's apartment.
Before she could step out, Lu Yichen spoke again.
"Be careful," he said, his deep voice serious. "Tonight was just the start. More will come."
Zi Ning met his gaze. "I know."
She had declared war against the high society elites tonight.
They wouldn't stay quiet.
Lu Yichen studied her for a moment. Then, he reached into his pocket and handed her a black card.
"If you need help, use this," he said.
Zi Ning frowned. "What is this?"
Lu Yichen's eyes darkened. "A direct line to me."
Zi Ning held the card tightly.
Lu Yichen wasn't a man who offered favors easily.
But this…
It was a silent promise.
She nodded. "Thank you."
Without another word, she stepped out of the car and entered her building.
But deep inside, she knew—tonight had changed everything.
As Zi Ning walked to her apartment, she felt a strange sensation.
Someone was watching her.
She stopped at her door, turning her head slightly.
The hallway was empty.
But she knew better.
Years in the entertainment industry had trained her instincts.
Someone was there.
Her hand tightened around her keys, and she quickly entered her apartment, locking the door behind her.
She didn't turn on the lights immediately.
Instead, she stood still, listening.
A minute passed.
Two.
Then—a faint rustling sound outside her window.
Zi Ning's heart pounded, but her face remained calm.
She moved quietly toward the window and peered through the curtain.
A shadowy figure stood in the alleyway below.
Tall. Motionless. Watching.
She couldn't see their face, but the air around them felt dangerous.
A chill ran down her spine.
This wasn't just some paparazzi or a curious fan.
This was someone with bad intentions.
Slowly, she backed away from the window.
She wasn't afraid.
But she needed to be careful.
Whoever they were, they weren't here by accident.
And they wouldn't stop.
The next morning, Zi Ning sat in her living room, sipping coffee.
She hadn't slept much, but she refused to let exhaustion show.
Her phone vibrated.
A message from an unknown number.
"Miss Zi Ning, let's meet. Noon. Golden Pavilion."
No name. No details.
But Zi Ning already had a guess.
She smirked. So soon?
Whoever was targeting her wasn't wasting time.
Good.
Neither would she.
She quickly changed into a sharp, elegant outfit—black heels, a fitted dress, and a sleek ponytail.
She looked like a woman who belonged in power.
When she arrived at the Golden Pavilion, a private room had already been reserved under her name.
Inside, a man waited for her.
He was in his forties, dressed in a crisp navy suit, his hair neatly combed back.
His expression was calm, but his eyes were sharp.
Zi Ning recognized him immediately.
Fang Cheng.
A powerful businessman. He controlled several underground deals in the city.
Some said he was involved in illegal activities. Others said he was a kingmaker.
If he wanted to meet her, it meant only one thing—she had stepped on the wrong toes.
Zi Ning took her seat, crossing her legs elegantly.
"You wanted to meet me, Mr. Fang?" she asked with a polite smile.
Fang Cheng studied her for a moment.
Then, he chuckled.
"You're different from what I expected," he said.
Zi Ning raised an eyebrow. "And what did you expect?"
Fang Cheng leaned forward. "A scared girl."
Zi Ning smiled. "Then you don't know me at all."
Fang Cheng's expression darkened slightly.
He took a sip of tea before speaking again.
"I'll be direct," he said. "You've made some powerful enemies."
Zi Ning tilted her head. "Let me guess. Huo Lian? Zhao Feng?"
Fang Cheng chuckled. "They're small players. The real danger is someone bigger."
Zi Ning's fingers tapped lightly on the table.
"Who?"
Fang Cheng didn't answer immediately. Instead, he took out a small envelope and slid it across the table.
Zi Ning picked it up and opened it.
Inside was a single photo.
Her heart stopped for a second.
The photo was of her, taken from outside her apartment.
Last night.
So she had been watched.
Fang Cheng's voice was calm. "This is just a warning. If you don't back down, next time… it won't be just a photo."
Zi Ning slowly closed the envelope.
Then, she met Fang Cheng's eyes and smiled.
"Tell them," she said. "If they want to play, I'll play."
Fang Cheng stared at her for a moment.
Then, he burst into laughter.
He shook his head. "Interesting. Very interesting."
Zi Ning stood up.
The meeting was over.
She had no intention of backing down.
If they wanted war—she'd give them one.