Lei Zhengyang had no idea that his appearance in Tianhai had ignited a hurricane, stirring dark currents across the city. In Beijing, the great families watched with bated breath, their eyes fixed on the clash between the Lei and Song dynasties—a battle of titans that would ripple through the elite.
Such a monumental struggle was no place for ordinary players, but the sidelines were crowded with opportunists eager to fish in troubled waters. Beyond the Leis and Songs, nearly every prominent family had quietly dispatched agents to Tianhai—not to intervene, but to observe, hungry for firsthand intel on the unfolding drama.
Xu Luoyan had arrived in Tianhai, ensconced in the presidential suite of the Tianhai International Hotel. She sat motionless, a glass of red wine untouched in her hand, as her subordinate delivered a stream of reports. Her mind, however, was elsewhere, lost in a reverie so deep she barely registered the words.
"Miss, Miss—" The voice cut through her haze. It belonged to a middle-aged woman, unremarkable at a glance, yet no one dared underestimate her. Cold Heart, one of the three grand elders of the Hidden Sect, wielded authority that even Xu Luoyan respected. Twenty years ago, she'd single-handedly battled three masters, sacrificing her meridians to save Xu Luoyan's life. Her loyalty and sacrifice commanded reverence.
"Cold Aunt, go on," Xu Luoyan said, snapping back to the present. To mask her lapse, she raised her glass and took a sip, her movements graceful but deliberate.
Cold Heart lived up to her name—her blood ran as icy as her resolve. In this world, only Xu Luoyan mattered to her. She'd raised the young woman from infancy, and now, as the Hidden Sect's leader, Xu Luoyan was her sole concern. "Miss, you're still thinking of him," Cold Heart said, her voice flat. "I've told you, his talent is mediocre, his potential worthless. For his own sake, forget him. If he keeps clouding your mind, I can't promise I won't eliminate him myself."
Xu Luoyan's head snapped up, her eyes blazing with a cold, lethal intensity. "Cold Aunt, this has nothing to do with him. I may despise him, but no one—no one—touches him."
Cold Heart didn't flinch. "My duty is to see you grow and lead the Hidden Sect. Anyone who blocks your path, I'll remove without mercy. You know how powerful our enemies are. You can't afford to waste energy on a useless man. I regret ever letting you stay with the Xu family."
Xu Luoyan downed her wine in one gulp, her voice steady. "Enough. I know what I'm doing. Have you found him?"
"Yes," Cold Heart replied. "Should I pass him a message? If possible, Miss, don't see him again." She'd always scorned the playboy Lei Zhengyang, but Xu Luoyan's childhood bond with him had kept her tethered. It infuriated Cold Heart, who'd nearly acted on her urge to kill him more than once. Yet, seeing him now, she couldn't believe it was the same man. Though loveless herself, Cold Heart knew a woman's heart. Lei Zhengyang's new presence could stir dangerous waves in Xu Luoyan's soul. She wanted to keep them apart.
"No," Xu Luoyan said. "Wait. I want to see who's pulling the strings behind this chaos. Cold Aunt, issue the order: deploy the six Hidden Masters to protect him around the clock. I can hate him, but no one else harms him. If I'm leaving, I'll help him one last time—wipe out everyone plotting against him in one clean sweep."
Cold Heart opened her mouth to protest, but Xu Luoyan's icy glare silenced her. With a soft sigh, she nodded. "Yes, Miss." She turned and left.
Xu Luoyan swiveled to face the expansive glass wall, half of Tianhai's skyline sprawling below. She was departing soon, her twenty-year quest for vengeance unfulfilled, with enemies circling ever closer. To defeat them, she needed to master the Ice Art's highest realm, retreating to the Hidden Sect for undisturbed cultivation. Nothing could distract her now.
Lei Zhengyang was unaware of the uproar his presence had sparked in Beijing, but he'd noticed the shadows trailing him lately. They were skilled, slipping past his heightened senses—a rare feat. Whoever they were, they were no amateurs.
Liu Weiwei, meanwhile, savored her current life. She knew Lei Zhengyang wouldn't stay long, but she cherished every moment with him. His presence brought her peace, a warmth that made her feel safe. She'd even stopped locking her bedroom door at night.
"Zhengyang, I've been talking forever, and you're just sitting there!" she huffed, plopping onto the couch. "Am I boring you or what?" Today, she'd clashed again with that sleaze Huang Shulang. The nerve of that weasel, dangling raises and promotions like she was some naive kid. She'd shut him down by splashing a cup of coffee in his smug face, then stormed out early—the first time she'd ever ditched work. Ranting to Lei Zhengyang now, she felt her anger dissolve, soothed by his quiet presence.
Lei Zhengyang listened, his eyes tracing her face. Liu Weiwei was gorgeous, her peach-blossom beauty captivating, but it was her expressive shifts that truly drew him in—now coy, now furious, now playful, now sultry. Her emotions danced, a whirlwind he couldn't quite keep up with. By the time she finished, he'd barely processed half of it.
"Absolutely, I'm all in," he said, nodding sagely. "That bastard deserves it. Want me to rough him up and feed him to the dogs?"
She rolled her eyes. "I'm being serious! Someone's offering me a big job at their company. Should I take it? This place is toxic. It's not that I'm scared of Huang—I just can't stand looking at him. I haven't even eaten lunch yet."
He stroked his chin. "Jumping ship's a smart move—climbing the ladder, right? But one question: is the one poaching you a man or a woman?"
She blinked, confused. "Does it matter?"
"Huge difference," he said, deadpan. "If it's a guy, pass. A woman? We can talk. You don't want to escape a wolf den just to land in a tiger's lair."
His solemn expression cracked her up, her laughter unguarded, her chest rising and falling in a way that was… distracting. "Zhengyang, are you actually into me?" she teased, eyes sparkling. "Getting all protective. Got any ulterior motives?"
He straightened, mock-serious. "I'm being serious too."
"Fine, fine, serious it is," she giggled. "It's a woman, and one I admire. I trust she's legit."
He grinned. "Then what're you waiting for? Jump! The farther, the better. Why stick around in a dump like this? I'm rooting for you."
"You're heartless!" she pouted, swatting his arm. "Trying to ship me off already? What, am I annoying you? Or are you scared I'll mess up your reunion with that mystery woman of yours? Relax, you're not that irresistible."
He brushed it off, seizing the chance to pivot. "To celebrate your big leap—and your rise as a future powerhouse—I'm treating you to dinner. Let's hit the town!"
She gave him a skeptical look. "Your treat, my wallet, you mean. Do you even know how much you owe me?"
He rolled his eyes dramatically. "I haven't even billed you for my 'kept man' services, and you're nickel-and-diming me? Want me to start now—wine, dine, and shine—before we settle the tab?"
She threw up her hands, laughing. "You win, I'll pay. But this is a loan, got it? You're settling up before you skip town. I'm not rich, and saving for my dowry's no joke. You don't want me stuck single forever, do you?"
He smirked. "If you can't find a husband, come to me. I'll hook you up with a tycoon, make you a proper heiress."
"You said it," she shot back, wagging a finger. "If I end up an old maid, you're finding me a catch, or I'll haunt you forever, ruining your love life."
They barely knew each other, yet their bond felt effortless, their teasing laced with a growing intimacy that danced on the edge of something more.
The duo picked a legendary spot—a century-old braised delicacy shop—and dove into a feast of savory dishes. Unbeknownst to them, across the street, a telescope peered from a high-rise window, tracking their every move with meticulous precision.