The night outside was cold, but Zi Ning's heart burned with determination. The more she learned, the more questions filled her mind. Was she really the lost child of the Zi family? If so, why had no one come looking for her? What was Liu Meng's true goal?
Zi Ning sat in Lu Yichen's study, her fingers brushing against the folder Xu Jia had given her. The truth felt closer than ever, yet still out of reach.
Lu Yichen stood by the window, his dark eyes focused on the city lights. "If the Zi family is really your bloodline, things will become more dangerous," he said quietly.
Zi Ning looked up, her voice calm but firm. "I don't care about the danger. I want to know who I really am. I won't let Liu Meng use my past against me."
Lu Yichen turned to face her. "You're not alone in this. Whatever happens, I will protect you."
His words sent warmth through her heart, but Zi Ning knew that some battles had to be fought alone. She had spent years surviving on her own—being underestimated, betrayed, and hurt. This time, she would take control.
"I need to meet the Zi family," she said softly.
A shadow crossed Lu Yichen's face. "It won't be easy. The Zi family is known for keeping secrets. Outsiders can't get near them, and even those who do… don't always survive."
Zi Ning's heart tightened, but her voice remained steady. "I don't care how dangerous it is. I deserve to know the truth."
Lu Yichen walked to her side, kneeling before her. His hand covered hers, warm and strong. "Then I'll open the door for you. But once you step through, there's no turning back."
Zi Ning met his gaze, her eyes burning with resolve. "I'm not afraid."
The next morning, Zi Ning arrived at the film set, her mind still heavy with thoughts. The rumors had only grown worse overnight. Every step she took, she could feel the weight of curious stares and whispered gossip.
But Zi Ning held her head high. She had faced worse. This wouldn't break her.
As she entered her dressing room, Li Wei was already waiting, his expression tense. "Zi Ning, things are getting out of hand. The media is starting to connect the rumors to the Zi family. If this continues—"
"I know," Zi Ning interrupted. "That's why I need to move faster."
Li Wei sighed. "Are you sure you want to open this door? Once you do, there's no going back."
Zi Ning's lips curled into a faint smile. "I've spent years letting others control my fate. Not anymore."
Li Wei's eyes softened with admiration. "You've become stronger. But just remember—strength doesn't mean you have to fight alone."
Zi Ning's heart warmed at his words. "I'm not alone. Not this time."
Later that day, during a break in filming, Zi Ning's phone buzzed with a message from Xu Jia:
"I found a lead. Meet me tonight."
Zi Ning's pulse quickened. She had waited long enough. Tonight, she would take the first step toward uncovering the truth.
That evening, Zi Ning arrived at a quiet, upscale tea house tucked away from the city's chaos. The air inside was warm, the scent of jasmine lingering softly.
Xu Jia sat in a private booth, her face serious. A small, sealed envelope lay on the table between them.
Zi Ning slid into the seat across from her. "What did you find?"
Xu Jia pushed the envelope toward her. "I found a name—Zi Hong."
Zi Ning's fingers trembled slightly as she opened the envelope. Inside was a photograph of an elegant, middle-aged woman with striking features. Her eyes…
Zi Ning's breath caught. Those eyes—they were just like hers.
"She's the matriarch of the Zi family," Xu Jia explained. "And according to my sources, she lost her only daughter twenty years ago in a mysterious accident."
Zi Ning's heart pounded in her chest. Could this woman be her mother? Had she been stolen from this powerful family and raised as someone else?
"Where is she now?" Zi Ning asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Xu Jia hesitated. "That's the hard part. The Zi family lives in a heavily guarded estate. No one gets in without an invitation. But… there's one event coming up—a charity gala. She's expected to attend."
Zi Ning's mind raced. This was her chance. If she could get into that gala, she might finally meet the woman who could hold the answers to everything.
"I need to be there," Zi Ning said firmly.
Xu Jia smiled faintly. "I thought you'd say that. I already arranged an invitation for you."
Zi Ning's heart swelled with gratitude. "Thank you, Xu Jia. I owe you."
Xu Jia shook her head. "Just promise me one thing—be careful. If Liu Meng knows you're getting close, she won't sit quietly."
Zi Ning's lips curled into a fierce smile. "Let her try. I'm not the same woman she once toyed with."
When Zi Ning returned to the penthouse, Lu Yichen was waiting for her, his expression unreadable.
"You met Xu Jia," he said quietly.
Zi Ning nodded. "She found the Zi family matriarch. I'm going to the charity gala."
Lu Yichen's jaw tightened. "You're walking into the lion's den."
"I have to," Zi Ning said softly. "If I don't face this now, the truth will always haunt me."
A heavy silence stretched between them before Lu Yichen finally spoke. "Then I'm going with you."
Zi Ning's heart warmed. "You don't have to—"
"I want to," he cut in. "If the Zi family is your bloodline, I need to know what they're capable of. I won't let anyone hurt you."
Zi Ning reached for his hand, her voice soft. "Thank you, Yichen. With you by my side… I'm not afraid."
Lu Yichen's thumb brushed against her knuckles, his touch gentle yet possessive. "Whatever happens, you're mine. Nothing will change that."
The night of the charity gala arrived quickly.
Zi Ning stood before the mirror, her heart pounding as she adjusted the sleek, black gown hugging her figure. It was elegant and bold—just like the woman she had become.
Behind her, Lu Yichen appeared, dressed in a perfectly tailored suit that only enhanced his powerful aura. His gaze softened as he took in her beauty.
"You're stunning," he murmured, stepping closer.
Zi Ning smiled faintly, but inside, her nerves twisted. "I'm ready."
Lu Yichen offered his arm. "Then let's go find the truth."
As they stepped into the black luxury car waiting below, Zi Ning's heart raced with a mix of fear and hope. Tonight, everything could change.