The city lights flickered through the large glass windows of Guo Jiancheng's office. He stood by his desk, gripping the edge so tightly that his knuckles turned white. The whiskey glass lay shattered at his feet, but he barely noticed it. His entire focus was on the voice trembling through the phone.
"Mr. Guo… we didn't expect Lu Yichen to show up. He had his people waiting for us. We—"
"Shut up," Guo Jiancheng growled, his voice low and dangerous.
The man on the other end immediately fell silent.
Guo Jiancheng inhaled deeply, trying to calm the rage burning inside him. It wasn't just that the plan had failed—it was the fact that Lu Yichen had completely turned the tables on him.
He had underestimated that man.
He had thought of Lu Yichen as just another young heir, someone who had inherited power rather than earned it. But tonight proved otherwise. Lu Yichen wasn't just a businessman. He was a predator.
And he had just sent Guo Jiancheng a message.
A warning.
The thought made Guo Jiancheng's blood boil. No one warned him. No one threatened him.
If Lu Yichen wanted to play this game, then fine.
He would make sure Lu Yichen regretted ever getting involved.
He grabbed his phone and dialed another number.
It rang twice before a calm voice answered. "Mr. Guo."
"I need someone taken care of," Guo Jiancheng said coldly.
A small chuckle came from the other end. "Ah, finally calling me for business. Who is it?"
Guo Jiancheng's lips curled into a sneer. "Lu Yichen."
The chuckle stopped. There was a long silence before the voice spoke again, more serious this time.
"That's not an easy target."
"I don't care." Guo Jiancheng's patience was running thin. "Name your price."
"Money isn't the problem," the voice said. "Lu Yichen is… different. He's not the kind of man you can take out so easily."
Guo Jiancheng's grip on his phone tightened. "Then find a way."
There was another pause before the voice responded. "I'll see what I can do. But this will take time."
"I don't have time," Guo Jiancheng snapped.
The voice sighed. "Then you'll need to be patient. Lu Yichen isn't just powerful—he's careful. If you rush this, you'll end up losing more than just money."
Guo Jiancheng exhaled sharply, forcing himself to stay calm. "Fine. Just get it done."
He ended the call and threw the phone onto his desk.
Lu Yichen might have won tonight.
But Guo Jiancheng would make sure it was the last victory he ever had.
Zi Ning sat on the couch, her fingers tapping lightly against the armrest. The room was quiet, except for the faint ticking of the clock on the wall.
Lu Yichen had told her to rest.
But how could she?
She had too many questions swirling in her mind.
What exactly had he done tonight? How had he stopped the attack? And what would happen next?
She bit her lip, frustrated. She hated feeling like this—like she was just waiting for things to happen, instead of taking control.
A sudden knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts.
She stood up quickly, her heart pounding.
Who would be visiting this late?
She hesitated for a moment before slowly walking to the door.
Taking a deep breath, she opened it.
Jiang Yue stood on the other side, her arms crossed and a worried expression on her face.
Zi Ning blinked. "Jiang Yue?"
"I couldn't sleep," Jiang Yue admitted. "And I figured you couldn't either."
Zi Ning felt a rush of warmth at her friend's concern. Without a word, she stepped aside and let her in.
Jiang Yue walked straight to the couch and flopped down. "Tell me everything."
Zi Ning sat beside her, sighing. "I don't even know where to start."
Jiang Yue arched an eyebrow. "How about with Lu Yichen? What did he do?"
Zi Ning hesitated before answering. "He stopped them. But he won't tell me how."
Jiang Yue's eyes narrowed. "That man is dangerous."
Zi Ning sighed. "I know."
Jiang Yue leaned back, crossing her arms. "But he's also protecting you."
Zi Ning nodded. "Yes."
Jiang Yue studied her closely. "And you trust him?"
Zi Ning hesitated. Did she?
She thought about the way he had looked at her earlier. The way he had touched her hair, his voice calm but firm. The way he had told her she was safe.
She swallowed. "I do."
Jiang Yue let out a breath. "Then that's all that matters."
Zi Ning wasn't sure if that was true.
But for now, it was enough.
Lu Yichen sat in his private study, his fingers drumming lightly against the desk. The city lights stretched beyond the window, a never-ending sea of glowing buildings.
He knew Guo Jiancheng wouldn't let this go.
The man was ruthless. And now, he was desperate.
Desperate men made dangerous decisions.
Lu Yichen wasn't worried about himself.
But he was worried about Zi Ning.
She had already suffered too much because of that family. If Guo Jiancheng decided to strike again, she would be the first target.
And that was something Lu Yichen wouldn't allow.
He picked up his phone and made a call.
It rang only once before a voice answered. "Boss."
"Double the security around Zi Ning," Lu Yichen ordered. "I want eyes on her at all times."
"Yes, sir."
"And find out what Guo Jiancheng is planning next."
The voice hesitated before responding. "There's already movement on his side."
Lu Yichen's gaze sharpened. "What kind of movement?"
"He contacted someone."
Lu Yichen's fingers tightened around his phone. "Who?"
There was a brief silence. Then, the voice spoke again.
"An assassin."
Lu Yichen's jaw clenched.
So Guo Jiancheng wanted to play this game.
Fine.
Lu Yichen would make sure he lost.