The air in Lu Yichen's office grew heavy with tension. Zi Ning's heart pounded in her chest as Xu Jia's words echoed in her mind.
A woman from her childhood. Someone who wanted to destroy her.
Zi Ning tried to steady her breathing, but a chill ran down her spine. She barely remembered anything before the age of five. Who could this woman be? And why was she targeting her now?
"Who is she?" Lu Yichen's voice was cold and sharp, his usual calm replaced by a dangerous edge.
Xu Jia hesitated for a moment before answering. "Her name is Liu Meng. We don't have much information yet, but she recently returned from abroad. She's been asking questions about Zi Ning—about her real background."
Zi Ning's fingers curled into fists. "Liu Meng… I don't know that name."
Lu Yichen's jaw tightened. "It doesn't matter who she is. If she dares to threaten you, she won't get away with it."
Zi Ning shook her head. "We need to find out why she's doing this. If she knows about my past, she might know things I don't."
Xu Jia nodded. "I'll dig deeper. But be careful, Zi Ning. This woman isn't acting alone—someone powerful is backing her."
Lu Yichen's eyes darkened. "Let them come. I'll make them regret it."
That night, Zi Ning lay awake in bed, staring at the ceiling. The soft glow of the city lights filtered through the curtains, but sleep refused to come.
Beside her, Lu Yichen held her close, his warmth offering comfort. Yet, her mind wouldn't stop turning.
Why now?
Why was someone from her forgotten past coming after her?
And what exactly had she lost all those years ago?
A memory flickered at the edge of her mind—a faint image of a woman's voice, soft and sad. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't grasp it.
"Can't sleep?" Lu Yichen's voice was low and gentle.
Zi Ning sighed. "I keep thinking… What if Liu Meng knows the truth about me? What if she reveals something I'm not ready to face?"
His arms tightened around her. "No matter what happens, you're not alone. I'll protect you."
His words eased some of the fear gnawing at her heart, but she knew one thing for sure—she couldn't wait for the truth to find her. She had to uncover it herself.
The next morning, Zi Ning arrived at the film set, her expression calm despite the storm brewing inside her. The whispers followed her everywhere. Crew members exchanged glances, reporters lingered outside, hoping for a scandal.
But Zi Ning walked tall. She wouldn't give anyone the satisfaction of seeing her break.
Li Wei hurried over as soon as he spotted her. "Zi Ning, things are getting worse. That woman—Liu Meng—she's feeding the media more stories. If this keeps up, your entire career could…"
He didn't finish, but she understood. If the truth about her past came out the wrong way, everything she had built could crumble.
"Let her play her games," Zi Ning said coldly. "I won't lose."
Li Wei sighed, his face full of worry. "Just be careful. This isn't like Wang Yin or Guo Bao. Liu Meng… she's different. She's not after your fame—she's after you."
Zi Ning's eyes hardened. "Then I'll find out why."
Later that afternoon, Zi Ning slipped away from the set and drove to a private address Xu Jia had sent her. It was a small café in an older part of the city. Quiet, discreet—the perfect place for secrets.
When she stepped inside, the air was thick with the scent of coffee and fresh bread. In the far corner, a woman sat alone, her back straight, eyes sharp and calculating.
Liu Meng.
Zi Ning approached the table slowly, her heart steady. She wouldn't let this woman see her fear.
"You wanted my attention," Zi Ning said, her voice cold. "Now you have it."
Liu Meng smiled faintly, her lips painted a deep red. "I was wondering how long it would take you to come."
Zi Ning slid into the seat across from her, meeting her gaze without flinching. "Who are you? And what do you want from me?"
Liu Meng tilted her head, studying her like a predator sizing up its prey. "You don't remember me, do you?"
"No," Zi Ning said bluntly. "Should I?"
A soft laugh escaped Liu Meng's lips. "Of course not. You were just a little girl back then—a helpless child who didn't know the truth."
Zi Ning's heart pounded harder, but she kept her face calm. "What truth?"
Liu Meng leaned forward, her voice dropping to a whisper. "The truth about who you really are. The family you lost. The power you were meant to inherit."
The air seemed to thicken around them. Zi Ning's breath caught. "What do you know?"
Liu Meng's smile sharpened. "I know everything. And if you think I'll let you live happily while the people who destroyed my life walk free—you're wrong."
Zi Ning's blood ran cold. "What does your revenge have to do with me?"
Liu Meng's eyes burned with hatred. "Because you're part of it. Whether you remember or not, you're tied to the people who ruined everything for me. And I will make them pay—even if I have to destroy you to do it."
A heavy silence hung between them. For the first time, Zi Ning felt the weight of something far more dangerous than gossip or scandals. This was personal—and Liu Meng wouldn't stop until she got what she wanted.
Zi Ning stood slowly, her voice calm despite the storm inside her. "If you think you can break me, you're welcome to try. But I promise you—I won't lose."
Liu Meng's smile faded as Zi Ning turned and walked away, but her final words followed her out the door.
"You can't escape the past, Zi Ning. It always comes back."
When Zi Ning returned to the penthouse, Lu Yichen was already waiting. The tension in her shoulders eased slightly at the sight of him.
"She wants revenge," Zi Ning said quietly. "And I'm in the middle of it."
Lu Yichen's face darkened. "Then she's made a mistake. No one touches you without facing me."
Zi Ning's heart swelled at his fierce protectiveness, but deep down, she knew this fight wasn't just his. It was hers too.
"I need to know everything," she said. "About my real past. About the family I lost."
Lu Yichen's gaze softened, but his voice was firm. "Then we'll find the truth—together."
And in that moment, Zi Ning knew one thing for certain.
No matter how dark the past was, she wouldn't let it define her future.