That evening, Zi Ning arrived at her apartment, her heels clicking against the polished floor. The moment she stepped inside, she felt something was off.
The air was heavy, the silence unnatural.
She set down her bag and slowly moved further inside. Her gaze swept the room—nothing seemed out of place, but the instinct that had been sharpened through years in the entertainment industry told her otherwise.
Then she saw it.
A single red rose lay on her kitchen counter.
Her eyes narrowed. She hadn't bought any flowers.
Her fingers clenched as she walked over and picked it up. A small white card was attached to the stem.
Be careful what you wish for. Some games are deadly.
She exhaled through her nose, her grip tightening around the flower. The message was clear. Wang Hao wasn't just sending empty words anymore—he was escalating.
But instead of fear, a dark amusement flickered in her chest.
She placed the rose back on the counter and picked up her phone.
Zi Ning: He broke into my apartment.
Lu Yichen called immediately. "Where are you?"
"In my apartment."
"Get out. Now." His voice was sharp, controlled—but she could hear the anger beneath it.
Zi Ning sighed. "Yichen, if he wanted to harm me, he would've done it already."
"That doesn't mean you should stay there."
She ran a hand through her hair. "I can't run every time someone tries to scare me."
A pause. Then, quieter, "Zi Ning…"
She softened. "Don't worry. I'll stay somewhere else for tonight."
"I'm coming to get you."
Before she could argue, the line went dead.
Zi Ning shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. No matter how powerful he was, Lu Yichen always acted like a man who had something to lose.
And she knew—she was that 'something.'
Thirty minutes later, a black car pulled up outside.
Lu Yichen stepped out, his expression unreadable. He was wearing a tailored black suit, his presence commanding as always.
Zi Ning had barely stepped outside before he reached her, his hands lightly gripping her arms. His dark eyes scanned her face.
"You're okay?"
She nodded. "I told you, he didn't do anything."
His jaw clenched. "That's not the point. He's testing the limits."
Zi Ning smirked. "And I'll show him where the limit is."
Lu Yichen exhaled through his nose. "Get in the car."
She didn't argue.
The moment the car door closed, Lu Yichen spoke again. "I'll have someone check your apartment. If he left any surveillance devices, we'll find them."
Zi Ning leaned back in the seat. "It's a message, not a trap."
Lu Yichen's fingers tapped against his knee. "That doesn't mean I'll let it slide."
Zi Ning glanced at him. "Are you going to deal with him?"
He met her gaze. "Not yet."
She smiled. "Good. Then we're thinking the same thing."
Lu Yichen exhaled. "Zi Ning…"
She tilted her head. "What?"
He studied her, his gaze intense. "I know you're strong. But don't underestimate people like Wang Hao."
She chuckled. "I never underestimate my enemies."
He leaned closer, his voice dropping. "And if something happened to you?"
Her smile faded slightly. She didn't answer.
After a moment, he sighed. "Stay at my place tonight."
She arched an eyebrow. "Are you sure you're not using this as an excuse?"
His lips curved slightly. "Would it be bad if I was?"
She laughed. "Fine. But don't expect me to cook breakfast."
His gaze darkened with amusement. "I'll take care of that."
She shook her head, looking out the window as the city lights blurred past.
Zi Ning leaned against the cool window of Lu Yichen's penthouse, her arms crossed as she stared out at the city lights.
Everything was calm outside, but inside her heart, a storm was brewing.
She had expected Wang Hao to react after what happened at the studio, but breaking into her apartment and leaving a warning? That was bolder than she had anticipated.
Lu Yichen emerged from the bedroom, his shirt unbuttoned at the top, his sleeves rolled up. His expression was unreadable, but his presence alone filled the room with a quiet intensity.
"You're still awake," he said, walking toward her.
Zi Ning turned slightly. "Couldn't sleep."
He stopped beside her, following her gaze toward the city below. "Thinking about Wang Hao?"
She exhaled. "Thinking about what he'll do next."
Lu Yichen's fingers brushed against hers, a silent reassurance. "He's testing you. Trying to see how far he can push before you break."
Zi Ning smirked. "Then he's wasting his time."
Lu Yichen studied her face, his dark eyes deep with something unreadable. "Most people would be afraid."
She met his gaze, her voice steady. "I don't have the luxury of fear."
A silence stretched between them before Lu Yichen finally spoke. "I had someone check your apartment. He didn't leave any cameras or listening devices."
Zi Ning nodded, unsurprised. "He wanted me to know he was there. That's all."
Lu Yichen's expression darkened. "I don't like it."
She turned fully to face him. "Neither do I. But that's exactly why I need to stay calm. If I panic, he wins."
Lu Yichen was quiet for a moment before he said, "What do you plan to do?"
Zi Ning smirked. "Let him think he has the upper hand. And when the time is right, I'll show him how wrong he is."
Lu Yichen's lips curled slightly, but his eyes remained sharp. "Then let's make sure he doesn't see it coming."
The next morning, Zi Ning arrived at the film set as if nothing had happened. She walked with her usual confidence, greeting staff members and co-stars as she passed.
But she wasn't blind. She noticed the way some people whispered when they thought she wasn't looking. The scandal hadn't died down yet. Wang Yingying's side was still trying to stir trouble.
She ignored it and focused on her work.
The director called for a break after an intense scene, and Zi Ning walked over to grab a bottle of water. As she twisted the cap open, someone approached her.
"Zi Ning."
She turned and met the cold gaze of Zhao Yifan.
She raised an eyebrow. "Zhao Yifan. What a surprise."
He crossed his arms. "I heard you had some trouble recently."
She took a slow sip of her water. "You seem very interested in my troubles."
Zhao Yifan smirked. "I just think it's unfortunate. Your career was finally getting back on track, and now… well, things aren't looking so good."
Zi Ning's smile didn't falter. "You sound almost happy about it."
His smirk deepened. "Not at all. I just know how hard it is to recover from a scandal. Especially when the other side has more power."
Zi Ning tilted her head. "And you came all the way over here just to tell me that?"
He chuckled. "I came to offer you an opportunity."
She remained silent, waiting.
Zhao Yifan leaned in slightly. "You know Wang Yingying and I have been close for years. She has connections, power. If you apologize, if you step back, she might be willing to let this go."
Zi Ning let out a soft laugh. "Let me guess. In return, I have to disappear quietly from the industry?"
Zhao Yifan shrugged. "Something like that."
Zi Ning took another sip of water, her eyes never leaving his. Then, she leaned in just enough to lower her voice. "Tell Wang Yingying this: if she wants me gone, she'll have to do better than this pathetic game."
Zhao Yifan's smirk stiffened.
Zi Ning patted his arm with a mocking smile. "Thanks for the concern, though."
Then she turned and walked away, leaving him standing there, his expression dark.
That night, Zi Ning received another message.
Unknown: You should've taken the easy way out.
She smirked.
Zi Ning: Is that the best you've got?
There was no response.
She placed her phone down and leaned back against the couch. They were getting desperate. Good.