Jiang Xinyao rarely met people who intrigued her.
Even before her rebirth, she had seen humanity at its worst—greedy, desperate, weak. The apocalypse had taught her that power ruled above all else, and in this new world, wealth was just another form of power.
But as she stood before Gu Beichen, locking eyes with him for the first time, she had the rarest of thoughts.
Interesting.
His presence was a force of gravity, pulling attention without effort. His dark gaze didn't waver, his posture relaxed but sharp, like a wolf who knew he was at the top of the food chain.
She understood that feeling well.
But what intrigued her more was that he had been waiting for her.
Coolly, she lifted a brow. "Oh? And why is that, President Gu?"
His lips curved slightly, the barest hint of amusement. "I make it a habit to know my competitors."
Her smile didn't falter. "Competitors? How presumptuous. We're in different industries."
"For now." His voice was deep, smooth—dangerous in its subtlety. "But power attracts power, doesn't it?"
Jiang Xinyao let a beat of silence pass before she replied, "That depends. Are you planning to compete with me, or court me?"
The air around them shifted, charged with something unspoken. A flicker of surprise crossed Gu Beichen's face—not at her boldness, but at the fact that he enjoyed it.
Then, just as quickly, his expression settled into something unreadable. "Who says those are separate things?"
A slow, knowing smile touched her lips.
Yes. Interesting.
---
The night unfolded in a blur of power plays and calculated exchanges.
Jiang Xinyao mingled with the elite, effortlessly maneuvering through conversations about acquisitions, investments, and global markets. She was neither warm nor friendly, yet people gravitated to her, drawn to the aura of control she exuded.
But despite the sea of faces, she was always aware of him.
Gu Beichen never stayed far. He didn't hover, didn't insert himself where he wasn't needed. Instead, he watched. Measured. Waited.
It was almost predatory.
And for the first time in a long time, Jiang Xinyao felt the stirrings of anticipation.
---
It was near midnight when she finally stepped outside onto the private balcony, a glass of red wine in hand.
Shanghai's skyline stretched before her, glowing with the city's restless energy. The night air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of rain.
She wasn't alone.
She didn't have to turn to know who it was.
"You followed me," she remarked, taking a sip of wine.
Gu Beichen leaned against the balcony railing beside her, his gaze fixed on the city. "I make it a habit to keep an eye on dangerous people."
She chuckled softly. "And do you consider me dangerous, President Gu?"
He turned his head slightly, dark eyes meeting hers. "I think you're the most dangerous person in this room."
Amusement flickered in her gaze. "Flattery?"
"Observation."
Jiang Xinyao set her glass down on the marble railing, tilting her head slightly. "And what makes you think that?"
His answer was immediate. "Because you don't react the way others do."
She raised an eyebrow, silently inviting him to continue.
"Most people in this world want something. Power, money, status. They chase, they scheme, they beg." He studied her, gaze sharp. "But you don't chase. You don't need to. You stand still, and the world comes to you."
A slow, deliberate smirk curved her lips. "And yet, here you are, standing right beside me."
For the first time that night, Gu Beichen let out a soft chuckle. It was a rare, deep sound—one that sent a strange warmth curling through her chest.
"I suppose that means you intrigue me, Miss Jiang."
Jiang Xinyao took a step closer, the distance between them vanishing into something almost intimate. She wasn't sure why she did it—wasn't sure why her instincts whispered that this man was different.
But she had always trusted her instincts.
"Good," she murmured. "I'd hate for this to be one-sided."
Gu Beichen's gaze darkened, something unreadable flickering in his expression. For a moment, she thought he might close the distance entirely, might test the tension strung between them.
Then—
BANG!
A single gunshot shattered the air.
Jiang Xinyao reacted instantly, years of apocalyptic survival sharpening her instincts. In a fluid motion, she spun, eyes narrowing as she analyzed the direction of the shot.
Security alarms blared. Chaos erupted inside the gala. Guests screamed, bodyguards rushed forward, and in the chaos—
Jiang Xinyao felt it.
The prickle at the back of her neck. The whisper of unseen danger.
Without hesitation, she moved.
Just as another gunshot cracked through the night—aimed directly at Gu Beichen.
She didn't think. She didn't hesitate.
She acted.
In a single, precise motion, she grabbed him by the wrist and yanked him out of the bullet's path. The force sent them both crashing behind the balcony's thick stone barrier, the bullet embedding itself where he had stood a second earlier.
For a heartbeat, neither moved. Her body was half-pressed against his, her breath warm against his collarbone.
Then, Gu Beichen exhaled, low and steady. "Fast reflexes."
Jiang Xinyao pulled back slightly, meeting his gaze. "You're welcome."
A slow smirk tugged at his lips. "I didn't say thank you."
She arched a brow. "I don't need you to."
Another gunshot rang out, and just like that, the moment was gone.
Jiang Xinyao narrowed her eyes. The assassin hadn't fled. They weren't just here for a scare—they were here for a kill.
Her instincts screamed at her.
This was only the beginning.
And as she met Gu Beichen's gaze once more, she saw the same understanding in his eyes.
They weren't just two business titans circling each other anymore.
They were now part of the same game.
A game where the stakes were life and death.