The night air was cold as Lu Yichen stepped out of the alley, his mind filled with the scar-faced man's warning. A group that didn't care about money or power—only results. That meant they were professionals, the kind who wouldn't back down until the job was done.
His grip tightened around his phone as he dialed a number. It rang twice before a deep voice answered.
"Boss."
"Find out everything about the people Guo Jiancheng has contacted," Lu Yichen said, his voice sharp. "I want names, backgrounds, and their last known movements."
"Understood."
Lu Yichen hung up and slipped his phone back into his pocket. His instincts screamed at him that time was running out.
Zi Ning was in danger.
He had to act fast.
Zi Ning sat in the living room, scrolling through her phone while Jiang Yue flipped through a magazine. The apartment was peaceful, the faint sound of the city outside the only disturbance.
But the unease in Zi Ning's heart wouldn't go away.
She knew Guo Jiancheng wasn't finished. A man like him wouldn't accept defeat so easily. She had expected him to try something, but so far, nothing had happened.
That was what worried her the most.
The calm before the storm.
Jiang Yue glanced up. "You've been staring at your phone for the past ten minutes. Waiting for someone to text you?"
Zi Ning shook her head. "No. I just… have a bad feeling."
Jiang Yue sighed, setting the magazine aside. "You think Guo Jiancheng is going to try something?"
Zi Ning nodded. "He's too quiet."
Jiang Yue frowned. "We've already ruined his reputation. What else can he do?"
Zi Ning hesitated before speaking. "Desperate people do desperate things."
Before Jiang Yue could respond, Zi Ning's phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen.
Lu Yichen.
She answered immediately. "Hello?"
"Where are you?" Lu Yichen's voice was calm, but there was an edge to it.
"I'm at home," Zi Ning said. "Why?"
"Stay there," Lu Yichen said. "I'm coming over."
Zi Ning's heart skipped a beat. "What's wrong?"
Lu Yichen didn't answer right away. Then, in a low voice, he said, "Guo Jiancheng hired someone. Someone dangerous."
Zi Ning's fingers tightened around her phone. "How dangerous?"
"They don't stop until the job is done."
A chill ran down Zi Ning's spine.
Jiang Yue sat up straight. "What's wrong?"
Zi Ning looked at her, then back at her phone. "Lu Yichen is coming over."
Jiang Yue frowned. "What happened?"
Zi Ning didn't answer. She didn't need to. The look in her eyes was enough for Jiang Yue to understand.
Something was coming.
Something dangerous.
An hour later, Lu Yichen arrived at the apartment. His presence filled the room with tension as he walked inside, his eyes scanning the space as if checking for threats.
Jiang Yue folded her arms. "So? What's going on?"
Lu Yichen looked at Zi Ning. "I need you to stay somewhere safe for a while."
Zi Ning's eyebrows furrowed. "You think they'll come after me?"
Lu Yichen nodded. "Yes. And I don't take risks when it comes to your safety."
Zi Ning exhaled. "Where do you want me to go?"
Lu Yichen hesitated. "My place."
Jiang Yue's eyes widened slightly, but she said nothing.
Zi Ning looked at Lu Yichen carefully. "Is it that bad?"
Lu Yichen's jaw tightened. "Yes."
Zi Ning sighed, then nodded. "Alright."
Jiang Yue looked between them. "I'll pack a bag for you."
As she walked toward the bedroom, Zi Ning turned back to Lu Yichen. "How much do you know about these people?"
Lu Yichen's gaze darkened. "Enough to know they won't stop unless they're dealt with."
Zi Ning swallowed.
She had faced many things before—betrayal, scandals, humiliation—but this was different.
This was life and death.
At that same moment, Guo Jiancheng sat in his office, staring at the phone on his desk. He had already given the order. Now, all he had to do was wait.
Guo Bao stood by the window, his arms crossed. "Are you sure about this?"
Guo Jiancheng's expression was cold. "There's no other choice."
Guo Bao exhaled sharply. "Father, if something happens to Zi Ning—"
Guo Jiancheng slammed his hand on the desk. "Enough! Do you think she spared us when she exposed everything? Do you think she hesitated before ruining our family?!"
Guo Bao clenched his jaw. "This isn't the same."
Guo Jiancheng narrowed his eyes. "It doesn't matter. By tomorrow, she'll be gone."
Guo Bao turned away, his hands tightening into fists.
For the first time in his life, he wondered if his father had truly lost his mind.
Lu Yichen's penthouse was nothing like Zi Ning had imagined.
It was sleek, modern, with floor-to-ceiling windows that showed the city lights below. But despite its luxury, it felt… empty.
Jiang Yue had stayed behind at the apartment, leaving Zi Ning alone with Lu Yichen.
She set her bag down near the couch. "So, what now?"
Lu Yichen leaned against the wall. "You stay here. I'll handle the rest."
Zi Ning folded her arms. "And what exactly does that mean?"
Lu Yichen didn't answer.
Zi Ning sighed. "Lu Yichen, I don't like feeling useless. If something is happening because of me, I want to know."
Lu Yichen studied her for a moment before speaking. "I found out who Guo Jiancheng hired. They're not ordinary people. They don't care about money. They don't care about power. They take a job, and they finish it. No matter what."
Zi Ning inhaled slowly. "And you're planning to stop them?"
Lu Yichen's expression was unreadable. "Yes."
Zi Ning bit her lip. "How?"
Lu Yichen pushed away from the wall. "That's not something you need to worry about."
Zi Ning took a step forward. "You're being reckless."
Lu Yichen's gaze locked onto hers. "Reckless?" He let out a low chuckle. "Zi Ning, you don't understand. I would burn this entire city down before I let anything happen to you."
Zi Ning's breath caught in her throat.
She had always known Lu Yichen was protective, but this… this was different.
This was personal.
Before she could say anything, Lu Yichen's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, his expression turning colder.
"Stay here," he said firmly. "Don't open the door for anyone but me."
Zi Ning frowned. "Where are you going?"
Lu Yichen didn't answer. He turned and walked toward the door.
As it closed behind him, Zi Ning's heart pounded.
She didn't know what he was planning.
But she had a feeling that when the sun rose, the city would no longer be the same.