The cool night breeze brushed against Zi Ning's skin as she stepped onto the balcony of Lu Yichen's penthouse. The city below glittered with endless lights, but her heart felt heavy despite the peaceful view.
Behind her, the sound of footsteps drew closer. She didn't need to turn to know it was Lu Yichen. His familiar warmth wrapped around her as he draped a coat over her shoulders.
"You'll catch a cold," he murmured, his voice soft yet firm.
Zi Ning smiled faintly, leaning into him as his arms circled her waist. "I just needed some air. Tonight was… a lot."
He rested his chin gently on her shoulder. "You handled everything perfectly. No one will dare look down on you again."
His words were meant to comfort her, and they did—partly. But in the quiet of the night, her thoughts drifted to places she had tried to bury. Wang Yin was gone. Guo Bao was weakened. Yet, there was a sense that something unfinished still lingered.
"What's wrong?" Lu Yichen asked, sensing her unease.
Zi Ning sighed softly. "I should feel relieved, but I don't. It's like… there's something else waiting. I can't explain it."
His arms tightened around her. "Whatever comes, we'll face it together."
The warmth of his words settled in her heart, but an unsettling feeling still stirred deep inside.
The next morning, Zi Ning woke to the smell of fresh coffee. She stretched, the silk sheets cool against her skin. Turning her head, she found Lu Yichen sitting by the window, reading a document with his usual calm focus.
"Morning," she said, her voice still soft with sleep.
He looked up, and the warmth in his gaze melted away the last traces of her worries. "Morning. I didn't want to wake you. You barely slept last night."
Zi Ning sat up, brushing her hair back. "I'm fine. Just… thinking too much."
He set the papers aside and walked over, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Come eat. You need your strength."
Downstairs, the table was already set with a simple but elegant breakfast. As they ate, Zi Ning's phone buzzed with a new message. Her eyes narrowed when she saw the sender.
Unknown Number: I know who you really are.
Her heart slammed against her ribs. Who could this be? And what did they mean?
Lu Yichen noticed the change in her expression immediately. "What is it?"
She hesitated for a moment before handing him the phone. His face darkened as he read the message. "I'll trace the number."
Zi Ning shook her head. "It's probably just someone trying to scare me."
His jaw clenched. "Whoever it is, they won't get away with it."
The rest of breakfast passed in tense silence, but the unease in Zi Ning's chest only grew stronger.
Later that day, Zi Ning arrived at the studio for a photoshoot. As she stepped inside, the atmosphere felt strange—too quiet. The usual buzz of makeup artists and assistants was missing.
Her manager, Li Wei, hurried over, his face pale. "Zi Ning, there's a problem."
She straightened her shoulders. "What is it?"
He handed her a tablet, and her breath caught as she saw the headline:
"Mystery Surrounds Zi Ning's Identity—Is She Hiding a Secret Past?"
The article hinted at her unknown background, suggesting that she had used false information to climb the ranks in the entertainment industry. Photos of her childhood—ones she didn't even remember—were plastered across the page.
Zi Ning's blood turned cold.
"Where did they get this?" she demanded.
Li Wei shook his head. "I don't know. Someone is digging deep. This isn't just a random leak. It's targeted."
Her hands trembled slightly as she scrolled through the article. Every detail was too precise—things no one should know.
Lu Yichen's words from the night before echoed in her mind: Whatever comes, we'll face it together.
But some battles, she had to fight alone.
"I'll handle this," she said firmly. "Don't respond to the media yet."
Li Wei hesitated but nodded. "Alright. But if things get worse—"
"They won't," she cut in. "I won't let them."
When Zi Ning returned to the penthouse that evening, Lu Yichen was already waiting. One glance at her face told him everything.
"They're digging into your past," he said quietly.
She nodded, tension coiling tight in her chest. "And they know too much. Someone's behind this."
His expression turned cold, dangerous. "I'll find out who."
Zi Ning stepped closer, placing a hand on his chest. "I want to know too, but we have to be careful. Whoever this is—they're smart."
His arms wrapped around her, pulling her close. "They can try all they want. I won't let them touch you."
But even as he held her, a flicker of fear crept through her. What if the truth—the one she had buried so deeply—came out?
Days passed, but the rumors didn't die down. Every morning, new articles surfaced, hinting at secrets she couldn't explain. Paparazzi followed her everywhere, hoping to catch a glimpse of weakness.
But Zi Ning refused to break.
Late one night, while reviewing scripts in Lu Yichen's office, her phone buzzed again. Another message.
Unknown Number: You can't hide forever.
Her heart pounded as she showed the screen to Lu Yichen.
"Enough," he said sharply. "I'm done waiting. I'll track them myself."
Before she could respond, Xu Jia burst through the door, face pale.
"We found something," she said breathlessly. "The person leaking information—it's connected to someone from your childhood."
Zi Ning froze. Her childhood. The years before she was adopted—the memories she barely had.
"Who is it?" Lu Yichen demanded.
Xu Jia hesitated. "A woman. She claims to know you… and she's not stopping until she destroys you."
Zi Ning's blood ran cold. Someone from her forgotten past. Someone who wanted revenge.