The sky above Fengshang Estate was streaked with soft gold and faint lavender, the final light of dusk melting into the silhouettes of trees lining the tranquil neighborhood. The BMW glided smoothly along the stone-paved drive, its polished body reflecting the warm glimmer of the street lamps as it slowed to a halt before Su Ning's villa.
When the car came to a stop, Chen Anya turned from the window, her lively eyes dimming a little.
"Ningning, can't you stay tonight?" she asked softly, her voice carrying that tender reluctance of someone parting from warmth.
Su Ning smiled and reached over, brushing a strand of hair from Anya's cheek. "Silly girl, it's already late. Sleep early and don't come late to school tomorrow."
"But I—"
Su Ning patted her head lightly. "Be good and hurry back home. You don't want your mom to scold you again for coming home late.
Chen Anya laughed despite herself. "You know she wouldn't bat an eye since it's you."
"I know" Su Ning replied, her tone affectionate yet quiet, the kind of warmth that lingers long after words fade.
The driver stepped out, opening the door for Su Ning. The evening air was cool, scented faintly with jasmine from the garden hedge. Chen Anya followed her out, hugging her tightly the moment she turned around.
"Ningning, Can I come for a sleepover sometimes?"
"Of course, anytime." Su Ning said, smiling as she returned the hug — firm but tender. When she pulled away, her hand lingered briefly on Anya's arm, her thumb brushing a small invisible speck of dust from the girl's sleeve. "Go home now."
Reluctantly, Chen Anya climbed back into the car. The driver closed the door, and the BMW's taillights glowed red as it rolled away down the curved driveway.
Su Ning stood there for a while, the cool wind catching her hair and the faint rustle of leaves whispering around her. Then she turned and entered.
Inside, the villa was silent — peaceful, highlighting it's serene beauty. The motion lights came on as she stepped in, casting a golden hue across the polished floors and subtle cream walls. Everything was in order; even the faint scent of the diffuser — vanilla and cedar, welcomed her like a quiet embrace.
She climbed the staircase slowly, heels making soft clicks against the marble steps, and headed into her bedroom suite. The room was softly lit, minimalist but warm — with tall curtains swaying gently and the faint hum of the city seeping through.
She opened her closet, pulling out a towel and a set of fresh sleepwear — a silky navy-blue camisole with matching drawstring shorts. The fabric caught the light delicately, smooth as flowing water.
She went into the bathroom.
The jacuzzi tub was already filling, water swirling in rhythmic circles, catching glints of reflected gold from the recessed lights above. She poured in a vial of bath essence, white tea and orchid and watched as delicate bubbles formed, filling the air with a soothing fragrance.
Su Ning undressed slowly, folding each piece of clothing neatly on the counter. Then she stepped into the water.
The warmth enveloped her instantly, a silken caress against her skin. She let out a quiet sigh, closing her eyes as she leaned back. Her thoughts were still — for a moment, there was nothing but the faint sound of water rippling around her and the soft rhythm of her breathing.
It had only been two days since she had been in the capital. Two days — yet so much had changed.
The memory of that night flickered behind her eyes: Qi Xiyue's appearance, his voice cutting through chaos like steel wrapped in silk. He had been furious — not in words, but in the hard set of his jaw, the deadly calm in his eyes.
Her chest tightened slightly. She tilted her head back, letting the water slide down her neck.
She could still feel the echo of his presence — that subtle, steady pressure he carried, like gravity itself.
After a long while, she rose from the tub, water gliding down her skin in glistening trails. She wrapped herself in a towel and stood before the mirror, wiping away the condensation. Her reflection gazed back at her — calm, elegant, yet with something unreadable in her eyes.
In the closet, she slipped into the clothes she had prepared. Her hair, still damp, fell over her shoulders in relaxed waves. She applied a light touch of lotion, the scent of vanilla mingling with the faint trace of wine from downstairs.
When she descended to the living room, the villa seemed to breathe differently. The soft lighting gave the room a gentle glow, golden and intimate.
The designer couch, wide and fluffy, beckoned like a cloud of comfort. On the glass stand beside it, she placed a bottle of red wine, Bordeaux, deep and rich — and a delicate glass etched with gold along the rim.
She poured herself a small measure, watching the liquid swirl like velvet.
Then, setting the bottle down, she picked up her phone.
A flick of her finger unlocked the screen — Stargram.
Her latest post had exploded. The comment section was a storm — fans, admirers, curious onlookers. Her followers now numbered over 300,000. The growth had slowed, but the buzz was still strong; her name was floating everywhere.
Her lips curved faintly, though the emotion behind it was hard to read. It wasn't arrogance — more like quiet acknowledgement. She scrolled through a few notifications, liked a few supportive comments, then locked the screen.
Enough for tonight.
She reached for her glass, swirling the wine gently before taking a sip. The taste was smooth, a perfect balance of bold and soft — much like her mood.
The silence around her felt companionable rather than lonely. The fireplace hummed softly in the background, casting a slow, rhythmic glow across the room.
But the longer she sat, the more her thoughts wandered.
Her mind drifted to Qi Xiyue again.
He was a man of control, composed, dangerous — yet every time she thought of him, there was an undercurrent she couldn't quite define.
She met him admist gunshots, the men with him—she didn't know his true identity, but everything about him screamed danger, she knew she should back off but since fate had brought them together, she decided to allow fate take it's course.
Su Ning stared at the rim of her wineglass, her gaze thoughtful. She had wanted to call him that afternoon just to thank him again, but something had stopped her. Perhaps it was pride. Or perhaps she wasn't sure what she wanted to say.
But tonight…
Her eyes lingered on the phone lying beside her, dark screen reflecting the amber light.
For a long time, she did nothing. Only the faint ticking of the wall clock filled the silence, mingling with the crackle of the fire.
Then, with a soft exhale, she reached for the phone and unlocked it again.