The evening air was cool as Bai Zhiqi stepped out of the car, the buzz of the city still lingering on her skin. Her legs ached slightly from the long day, but her mind was heavier—with thoughts of Bai Lanyue and Bai Heng swirling relentlessly.
She entered the quiet condominium, heels clicking softly against the marble floor. The place was dim, lights turned low for the evening, and the faint scent of sandalwood greeted her—subtle and grounding.
Xiao Lin was waiting at the door, arms crossed with a small pout on her face. "You're late," she said, voice quiet but slightly scolding. "Do you know what time it is?"
"I got caught up. Sorry," Bai Zhiqi replied, slipping off her shoes.
Xiao Lin gave her a long look, then sighed. "Young Master Ji is already back. He's in the study."
Bai Zhiqi paused, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "He's home?"
Xiao Lin nodded. "And he's waiting for you."
The words sent a strange ripple through her chest. She'd been living in the same space as Ji Yanluo for a while now, and while they weren't exactly close, the man had a presence that was hard to ignore. Every glance, every word from him carried weight—calculating yet indifferent. It was hard to tell what he truly thought of her.
With a soft breath, she straightened her posture. "Alright. I'll go see him."
Xiao Lin gave her a nod but didn't follow as Bai Zhiqi made her way down the hallway.
The door to the study was half open. She gently knocked.
"Come in."
His voice, low and cool, slid through the crack like silk.
She stepped in.
Ji Yanluo was seated behind the large mahogany desk, sleeves rolled up to his forearms, a tablet in one hand and a pen in the other. The desk lamp bathed him in a soft golden glow, highlighting his sharp jawline and the slight crease between his brows.
"You're back late," he said without looking up.
"I went out with a colleague. We got coffee," she replied, standing a few steps away from the desk.
There was a pause, then he looked up, eyes like still water—dark, unreadable. "You should've told someone."
"I didn't think it was necessary."
His gaze held hers for a beat longer than comfortable before he leaned back slightly in his chair. "You've been seen."
Bai Zhiqi stiffened.
He set the tablet down. "Rumors are already spreading. Lingfeng's internal forums are buzzing. Zhao Min made the first move, but others will follow."
"I didn't ask for a car to be sent," she said quietly, voice calm.
"I know. That's not the point." Ji Yanluo studied her expression. "You need to be more careful. You're not invisible anymore."
She nodded once. "I understand."
For a moment, silence stretched between them. The tension wasn't heavy, but it crackled faintly like a quiet storm brewing beneath still waters.
"Did anything else happen today?" he asked.
She hesitated. "I saw... someone from my past."
He didn't ask who. He didn't need to.
Instead, he simply said, "Keep your guard up. The world hasn't changed in five years. People are still vicious. Especially when they think they're dealing with a fallen pawn."
Bai Zhiqi's hands clenched at her sides. "I'm no pawn."
A ghost of a smirk flickered at the corner of his lips. "Good."
She turned slightly, ready to leave, when he said, "Bai Zhiqi."
She stopped.
"Next time," he said, voice low and firm, "if you're going to run into enemies... do it on your terms, not by accident."
She didn't reply, but her shoulders straightened slightly as she exited the study—jaw set, eyes cold.
The war hadn't started yet.
But it was coming.
And she would be ready.