The night had started as a battle of wit and power. Now, it was a battle for survival.
Jiang Xinyao's senses were razor-sharp, honed from a past life where hesitation meant death. The echoes of gunfire still rang in her ears, but her mind remained clear, calculating every possible escape route, every tactical advantage.
She remained crouched behind the thick stone railing of the balcony, shielding both herself and Gu Beichen. The man beside her was unnervingly calm, his sharp gaze scanning the darkness. Most men in his position would be shaken, but not him.
That intrigued her.
Another shot rang out.
Jiang Xinyao reacted instantly. In a single fluid motion, she rolled off Gu Beichen, retrieving a sleek, custom-made pistol from the slit of her gown. Her instincts guided her movements—turn, aim, fire.
Bang!
A grunt of pain.
Across the courtyard, a shadowy figure on the rooftop staggered back, vanishing into the darkness.
Silence followed, thick and tense.
Jiang Xinyao didn't lower her weapon. Her heart was steady, her breathing controlled. Her past life had conditioned her for this—taking down threats before they could strike again.
Then, beside her, Gu Beichen let out a low chuckle.
"You always bring a gun to a gala?"
She flicked him a glance, lips curling slightly. "You don't?"
His smirk deepened, a dark amusement in his gaze. "Fair point."
The sound of rapid footsteps echoed from the main hall, drawing closer. Jiang Xinyao tensed slightly but didn't move. Within seconds, a team of black-suited bodyguards stormed onto the balcony, weapons drawn.
Gu Beichen's personal security detail.
"Sir!" One of the men barked, eyes sharp as he assessed the situation. "Perimeter is being secured. The shooter has fled."
Jiang Xinyao exhaled slowly, eyes flicking toward the rooftop where the assassin had disappeared. If it were up to her, she would have pursued—hunted them down before they had the chance to vanish.
But she couldn't move too aggressively.
Not yet.
She wasn't supposed to be a killer in this life.
So instead, she carefully slid her pistol back into the hidden holster along her thigh, standing with effortless grace. "Your security is slow," she noted coolly.
The bodyguards stiffened at her blunt words. Some looked offended, others wary.
But Gu Beichen?
He laughed.
Low. Amused. Entirely unfazed.
"You're not wrong," he admitted easily. Then, his gaze sharpened as he turned to his men. "Find out who sent them. No loose ends."
"Yes, sir!"
The security team immediately dispersed, moving with precise efficiency.
Jiang Xinyao observed it all in silence, filing away every detail. Gu Beichen wasn't just another businessman.
He was someone used to handling threats.
Someone used to being hunted.
And yet, he wasn't the least bit shaken.
Interesting.
He turned back to her then, his dark eyes glinting in the dim light. "Do you have many enemies, Miss Jiang?"
Jiang Xinyao smirked. "Enough to keep life interesting."
His lips curved slightly, mirroring her expression. "I can relate."
There it was again—that quiet, unspoken connection.
Two predators circling each other, recognizing the danger in one another.
He took a slow step closer, closing the space between them. "You saved my life."
Jiang Xinyao arched a brow. "Don't misunderstand, President Gu. I just don't like letting people die when I can help it."
His gaze darkened slightly, as if weighing her words. "Is that so?"
She tilted her head, watching him. Testing him.
This close, she could see the faint scar near his temple, barely noticeable unless someone was really looking. It wasn't the kind of mark a typical CEO had.
No.
Gu Beichen was not just a businessman.
And that made him dangerous.
He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a smooth murmur. "You're a mystery, Miss Jiang."
Jiang Xinyao's lips curled into a knowing smirk. "And you're trouble."
A slow, dark amusement flickered in his gaze. "Then it seems we'll get along just fine."
The air between them thickened, charged with something unspoken.
Something neither of them were willing to name just yet.
---
The sound of sirens in the distance shattered the moment.
Jiang Xinyao exhaled softly, pulling back. "It seems the authorities are finally reacting."
Gu Beichen's expression remained unreadable. "I'll handle them."
She studied him for a brief moment before nodding. Then, without another word, she turned on her heel.
He didn't stop her.
But as she walked away, she could feel his gaze lingering on her—burning with an intensity she wasn't quite ready to define.
And somehow, she knew.
This was far from over.
---
A Few Hours Later – Jiang Xinyao's Penthouse
The city lights stretched endlessly beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows of her private penthouse, reflecting against the polished marble floors.
Jiang Xinyao stood by the window, a glass of red wine in her hand, her mind replaying the events of the night.
Someone had sent a professional killer after Gu Beichen.
That meant one of two things—either he had enemies who were bold enough to make a move in public, or…
He had deliberately lured them out.
Her fingers tapped lightly against the glass.
Gu Beichen.
She had always been good at reading people. At understanding the motives behind their actions. But he?
He was complicated.
She didn't like mysteries she couldn't solve.
A faint buzz from her phone snapped her out of her thoughts.
She picked it up, reading the message that had just arrived.
Unknown Number: I hope you weren't too shaken up tonight, Miss Jiang.
She exhaled slowly. Gu Beichen.
Amused, she typed back.
Jiang Xinyao: A little gunfire doesn't faze me, President Gu. I hope you weren't too shaken up yourself.
A response came almost immediately.
Gu Beichen: Not at all. But I am curious.
She sipped her wine, waiting.
Another message.
Gu Beichen: Tell me, Miss Jiang—just how well do you handle danger?
Jiang Xinyao's lips curled slightly.
So he wanted to play?
She didn't answer immediately. Instead, she let the silence stretch, knowing it would only intrigue him more.
Finally, she typed her response.
Jiang Xinyao: Why don't you test me and find out?
She set the phone down, a slow smirk playing on her lips.
This game was only beginning.
And she was going to win.