Zi Ning stood in front of the large mirror in her dressing room, adjusting the delicate bracelet on her wrist. The night had been full of tension, but she had handled everything well. The reporters had tried to smear her name, but she had turned the situation around with ease.
She knew Wang Yin wouldn't stop. That woman was like a venomous snake—always lurking, waiting for the right moment to strike.
A light knock at the door pulled her out of her thoughts.
"Come in," she said.
The door opened, and Lu Yichen stepped inside, his tall frame filling the room. His sharp eyes scanned her face, as if checking for any signs of distress.
"You handled them well," he said.
Zi Ning smiled faintly. "Did you doubt me?"
Lu Yichen smirked. "Not for a second."
She turned back to the mirror, but before she could speak again, he took a step closer and placed his hands on her shoulders. His touch was warm, grounding.
"Wang Yin won't stop," he said.
"I know," Zi Ning replied, meeting his gaze through the mirror. "She's planning something worse."
Lu Yichen's expression darkened. "I won't let anything happen to you."
Zi Ning sighed. "You can't protect me from everything."
"I can try," he said simply.
A knock at the door interrupted them again. This time, it was one of Lu Yichen's men.
"Sir, we found something."
Lu Yichen turned toward him. "Speak."
The man hesitated before glancing at Zi Ning.
"It's about the person Wang Yin contacted," he said.
Zi Ning's heart pounded. "Who is it?"
The man took a deep breath. "An assassin."
Wang Yin sat in the dimly lit private room of a high-end club, swirling a glass of red wine in her hand. Across from her sat a man in a dark suit, his face cold and emotionless.
"You know what I need you to do," Wang Yin said, her lips curling into a smile.
The man didn't respond immediately. He simply picked up the contract she had prepared and skimmed through it.
"Public or private?" he asked.
Wang Yin leaned forward. "Make it look like an accident. I don't want any suspicion pointing back to me."
The man nodded. "Understood."
Wang Yin's smile widened. "Good. Then let's see how long Zi Ning can survive."
Back at Lu Yichen's private estate, Zi Ning sat across from him, deep in thought.
"So Wang Yin really hired a killer," she murmured.
Lu Yichen's face was like stone. "Yes. And I already have people tracking him."
Zi Ning exhaled slowly. "Then let's set a trap."
Lu Yichen raised an eyebrow. "You want to use yourself as bait?"
Zi Ning nodded. "If we don't stop her now, she'll keep trying. It's better to face her head-on."
Lu Yichen leaned back in his chair, studying her carefully. After a long moment, he sighed. "I expected you to say that."
She smiled. "Then you know I won't change my mind."
A ghost of a smirk appeared on Lu Yichen's lips. "Fine. But I'll be watching every move."
Zi Ning's eyes gleamed. "Then let's begin."
She wasn't afraid.
Wang Yin wanted to play dirty?
She would make sure Wang Yin was the one who lost everything.
The next day, Zi Ning acted as if nothing was wrong. She continued with her usual schedule, attending meetings, doing photoshoots, and keeping up her appearances in the entertainment industry. If Wang Yin had hired an assassin, they would be watching her closely.
But what they didn't know was that Lu Yichen had already put his own people in place. Every move was being monitored.
By the afternoon, Zi Ning was scheduled to attend a high-profile charity gala. It was the perfect event for Wang Yin to make a move.
As she stepped out of her car at the grand hotel entrance, cameras flashed, and reporters shouted her name. Zi Ning smiled gracefully, posing for a few photos before walking into the venue.
Lu Yichen followed a few steps behind, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd. His presence alone was enough to make others uneasy.
Inside, the ballroom was filled with celebrities, businessmen, and politicians. Soft music played in the background as waiters moved around, serving champagne and expensive appetizers.
Zi Ning greeted a few familiar faces before making her way to the center of the room. She knew she was being watched.
And then she saw him.
A man in a black suit, standing near the bar, his eyes locked onto her.
It was him.
The assassin.
The man remained calm, sipping his drink as he observed Zi Ning. He had done this many times before. A simple job. No mistakes.
His orders were clear—make it look like an accident.
He glanced at the time.
The plan was already in motion.
Across the room, a waiter moved toward Zi Ning, carrying a tray with a glass of champagne. Hidden inside the drink was a slow-acting poison. Nothing too obvious. Just enough to cause a sudden health issue—one that would seem natural.
But before the waiter could reach Zi Ning, Lu Yichen suddenly stepped in front of her.
"I'll take that," he said, grabbing the glass before she could.
The waiter hesitated, but Lu Yichen's cold gaze made him freeze.
Without a word, Lu Yichen handed the glass to one of his men, who quickly left the room with it.
Zi Ning acted as if nothing happened, but inside, she felt a rush of satisfaction.
They had been right.
The assassin watched, his expression unreadable. His first attempt had failed.
But he wasn't done yet.
Meanwhile, in a quiet corner of the hotel, Lu Yichen's men tested the champagne. Within minutes, the results came back.
"Poison," one of the men confirmed, handing the report to Lu Yichen.
Lu Yichen's jaw tightened.
"Find the waiter," he ordered. "And bring him to me."
Back inside the ballroom, the assassin changed his approach. If poison didn't work, there were other ways.
As the gala continued, he made his way toward the main balcony. From there, he had a clear shot.
In his pocket, he held a small injection device. A single stab to the neck—quick and clean.
He moved toward Zi Ning, blending in with the crowd.
Just as he reached her, his hand ready to strike—
A strong grip closed around his wrist.
"Going somewhere?"
The assassin's eyes widened as he looked up—only to meet Lu Yichen's cold, murderous gaze.
In the next second, Lu Yichen twisted his arm, forcing him to the ground. Before the assassin could react, several men surrounded him, pinning him down.
Zi Ning took a step back, watching calmly.
"You didn't think we'd let you walk away, did you?" Lu Yichen's voice was dangerously low.
The assassin struggled, but it was useless.
Lu Yichen leaned in. "Tell your employer one thing."
The assassin glared at him. "What?"
Lu Yichen smirked.
"This is just the beginning."
That night, news broke out that a suspicious individual had been caught at the charity gala. The police took the assassin into custody, but Lu Yichen had no intention of letting the authorities handle everything.
Back at his private estate, he and Zi Ning sat in his office, reviewing everything that had happened.
"This wasn't just an attempt to harm you," Lu Yichen said. "It was a warning."
Zi Ning nodded. "Wang Yin is desperate."
"Which makes her more dangerous," Lu Yichen added.
Zi Ning took a deep breath. "Then it's time we finish this."
Lu Yichen's lips curled into a dangerous smile.
"Agreed."