The night stretched long and silent, but Guo Jiancheng couldn't rest. He sat in his study, a cold fury burning in his chest. The dim light cast sharp shadows across his face, making him look even more ruthless. His mind raced, replaying the events of the night.
Lu Yichen had humiliated him. Not just by interfering with his plan, but by doing it so effortlessly. Guo Jiancheng's men had barely put up a fight before they were completely shut down. That was not something he could tolerate.
A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts.
"Enter," he said coldly.
The door opened, and Guo Bao stepped in. His expression was grim, his usual arrogance replaced with tension.
"Father," he greeted cautiously.
Guo Jiancheng didn't respond immediately. He simply stared at his son, his sharp gaze making Guo Bao uneasy.
"I heard what happened," Guo Bao continued hesitantly. "Lu Yichen ruined our plan."
Guo Jiancheng scoffed. "Ruined? He crushed it completely. Do you even understand what that means?"
Guo Bao stiffened. "I—"
"You were supposed to handle this," Guo Jiancheng cut him off, his voice dangerously low. "And yet, you let Lu Yichen walk all over you."
Guo Bao clenched his fists. "How was I supposed to know he would interfere?"
"You weren't supposed to know," Guo Jiancheng snapped. "You were supposed to be prepared for anything."
Silence filled the room.
Guo Bao lowered his head, his expression dark with frustration. "What do we do now?"
Guo Jiancheng leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping against the desk. His mind was already calculating the next move.
"We don't strike yet," he said after a moment. "Not until we're sure we can take him down in one blow."
Guo Bao frowned. "Then what?"
A slow smirk appeared on Guo Jiancheng's face. "We hit him where it hurts the most."
Guo Bao's eyes narrowed. "Zi Ning?"
Guo Jiancheng nodded. "She's his weakness. And a man like Lu Yichen… the more he tries to protect something, the more vulnerable he becomes."
Guo Bao hesitated. "But if we touch her, Lu Yichen won't hold back."
Guo Jiancheng chuckled darkly. "That's exactly what we want. Let him come after us. Let him think he has control." He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Then, when he least expects it, we'll take everything from him."
Guo Bao nodded slowly, understanding the plan.
This wasn't just about revenge anymore.
This was about total destruction.
Zi Ning woke up to the soft sound of birds outside her window. Sunlight streamed into her room, but despite the warmth, a strange unease settled in her chest.
Last night's events still played in her mind.
Lu Yichen had saved her. Again.
But she still didn't know the full story. And that made her feel… powerless.
She got out of bed and freshened up, determined to find out more. She wasn't going to just sit around waiting for things to happen.
As she stepped into the living room, she found Jiang Yue already waiting for her.
"Morning," Jiang Yue greeted, handing her a cup of coffee.
Zi Ning took it gratefully. "Morning."
Jiang Yue studied her closely. "You look like you have something on your mind."
Zi Ning sighed. "I need to know what's really going on."
Jiang Yue smirked. "Then why are you telling me? Go ask your man."
Zi Ning rolled her eyes. "He's not my—" She stopped mid-sentence. There was no point denying it. Lu Yichen had become too involved in her life.
Jiang Yue laughed. "See? You didn't even finish that sentence."
Zi Ning shook her head, but a small smile played on her lips. "I'm going to see him."
Jiang Yue gave her a thumbs-up. "Go get your answers."
Lu Yichen was in his office when Zi Ning arrived.
His assistant hesitated for a moment before knocking on the door. "Sir, Miss Zi Ning is here to see you."
Lu Yichen looked up from his documents. His expression softened slightly. "Let her in."
The moment Zi Ning stepped inside, she was met with his piercing gaze.
For a second, she hesitated. He looked tired. Had he even slept?
But she pushed the thought aside and walked forward. "I need to talk to you."
Lu Yichen gestured for her to sit, but she remained standing.
"You won't tell me what happened last night," she said. "And I let it go then because I was too overwhelmed. But I need to know now."
Lu Yichen sighed, leaning back in his chair. "It's better if you don't."
Zi Ning crossed her arms. "That's not your choice to make."
He studied her for a moment before speaking. "Guo Jiancheng was behind it."
Zi Ning's heart clenched. "I figured."
"He wanted to send you a warning." Lu Yichen's voice was calm, but there was an underlying anger. "He wanted to make sure you knew he wasn't done with you yet."
Zi Ning took a deep breath. "And you stopped him."
Lu Yichen nodded.
Zi Ning hesitated before asking the next question. "How?"
A slow smirk appeared on Lu Yichen's face. "Let's just say… I have my ways."
Zi Ning narrowed her eyes. "That's not an answer."
Lu Yichen chuckled. "It's the only answer you're getting."
Zi Ning sighed in frustration. "You can't protect me forever, Lu Yichen."
His expression darkened. "Watch me."
She blinked, taken aback by his firm tone.
Lu Yichen stood up and walked towards her. "As long as Guo Jiancheng is a threat, you are under my protection."
Zi Ning met his gaze, her heart pounding. "And if I don't want your protection?"
Lu Yichen leaned in slightly, his voice low. "Too bad."
Zi Ning swallowed. His presence was overwhelming. She had always known he was dangerous, but now, she realized something else.
He was possessive.
And he wasn't going to let her go.
Guo Jiancheng's phone buzzed, interrupting his thoughts.
He picked it up and listened to the voice on the other end.
"The preparations are complete," the voice said.
A cruel smile spread across Guo Jiancheng's lips.
"Good," he said. "Let's begin."