The cold night breeze brushed against Zi Ning's face as she and Lu Yichen stepped out of the grand ballroom. The golden lights of the city stretched before them, but her heart remained heavy with thoughts of the evening's events.
"They're becoming bolder," Zi Ning said quietly, her heels clicking softly against the marble steps. "First, the poisoned drink. Now, a public partnership with Wang Yin. They're not even hiding their intentions anymore."
Lu Yichen's face was calm, but his eyes burned with cold fury. "They're making moves because they're scared. But the more desperate they become, the easier they are to destroy."
Zi Ning let out a soft laugh, though there was no warmth in it. "Let them play their games. I'm tired of always being on defense."
Lu Yichen's arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer. "Good," he murmured. "It's time they learned what happens when they cross you."
The sleek black car rolled up to the curb. As the driver opened the door, Lu Yichen helped Zi Ning inside. The moment the door shut, the quiet hum of the engine filled the space, cutting off the noise of the outside world.
Zi Ning leaned back against the leather seat, her mind already spinning with plans. "Cheng Yifan wouldn't risk aligning with Wang Yin unless there was something big in it for him."
Lu Yichen's gaze sharpened. "I'll have my people dig into their new partnership. There's no such thing as a perfect alliance. We'll find their weak point."
Zi Ning turned her head, meeting his eyes. "And when we do?"
His lips curled into a cold smile. "We crush them."
The next morning, Zi Ning sat in her office, reviewing the latest reports on the Cheng family's business movements. Papers were spread across her desk, each one revealing a piece of the puzzle.
A soft knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. "Come in," she called without looking up.
The door opened, and Xu Mei, her most trusted assistant, stepped inside. "President Zi, I found something interesting," she said, placing a sealed folder on the desk.
Zi Ning raised an eyebrow. "Tell me."
Xu Mei's voice lowered slightly. "It's about Cheng Yifan's recent overseas investments. Three months ago, he poured millions into a failing pharmaceutical company. On the surface, it looks like a bad business move—but I dug deeper."
Zi Ning opened the folder, scanning the documents inside. "What did you find?"
Xu Mei leaned closer. "The company specializes in experimental medical research. Specifically—memory suppression drugs."
Zi Ning's heart skipped a beat. Memory suppression. It couldn't be a coincidence.
"Why would Cheng Yifan invest in something like that?" she murmured, her fingers tightening around the edge of the paper.
Xu Mei hesitated before answering. "I also found a connection to Mo Qing. Two years ago, she funded a private lab specializing in the same type of research."
A chill ran down Zi Ning's spine. It all made sense now. If Mo Qing and Cheng Yifan were working together, it meant one thing—they were trying to control the past.
And her past was the biggest threat to their power.
Later that day, Zi Ning met Lu Yichen in his private penthouse. The sun cast golden hues across the sleek, modern space, but neither of them had time to enjoy the view.
Zi Ning placed the folder on the table, her voice steady. "They're digging into memory suppression research. This isn't just business—it's personal."
Lu Yichen picked up the papers, scanning them quickly. His expression darkened as he reached the final page. "They're trying to bury something," he said quietly. "Or someone."
Zi Ning's jaw clenched. "Me."
For years, pieces of her past had been shrouded in mystery. The accident that separated her from her biological family. The strange gaps in her childhood memories. Now, it was clear—someone had wanted her to forget.
And that someone was still working against her.
Lu Yichen set the folder down, stepping closer. "They've gone too far," he said, his voice cold and dangerous. "If they think they can erase your identity, they're fools."
Zi Ning's eyes burned with determination. "I won't let them win."
He reached for her hand, his fingers brushing against hers. "They've drawn the battle lines," he murmured. "Now, we strike back."
That evening, Zi Ning attended a high-level charity gala, one where power brokers from every major industry gathered. If there were secrets to uncover, this was the place to find them.
Dressed in an elegant navy gown, she walked through the grand ballroom with Lu Yichen at her side. Heads turned as they passed—an unspoken acknowledgment of the power they held together.
From across the room, Zi Ning spotted Mo Qing, dressed in icy silver, her smile as sharp as a blade. At her side stood Cheng Yifan, his expression calm but calculating.
"They're watching us," Lu Yichen murmured under his breath.
Zi Ning's lips curled into a smile. "Let them."
As she moved toward the center of the room, a familiar voice called her name.
"Miss Zi, it's been a long time."
She turned to see Li Xian, an old acquaintance from the entertainment industry. He was known for his loose lips—and tonight, she needed information.
"Mr. Li," Zi Ning greeted warmly. "I didn't expect to see you here."
Li Xian chuckled, swirling his champagne. "I go where the gossip is. And lately, there's been plenty."
Zi Ning tilted her head, feigning curiosity. "Anything interesting?"
His eyes gleamed. "Word is, Cheng Yifan's latest partnership isn't just about money. There's a new player backing him—someone from overseas. And whoever they are, they want you out of the picture."
Her heart thudded. An unknown backer? This was bigger than she thought.
"Do you have a name?" she asked quietly.
Li Xian shook his head. "Not yet. But I hear they're moving fast. Whatever they're planning—it'll happen soon."
Zi Ning thanked him with a polite smile, though her mind was already working. If Cheng Yifan had international support, her enemies were more dangerous than she realized.
As the night wore on, Zi Ning and Lu Yichen moved toward the balcony for a brief moment of privacy. The cool breeze brushed against her skin, but her thoughts burned hot with anger.
"They're accelerating their plans," she said softly. "If we don't act now—"
"We will," Lu Yichen interrupted, his voice firm. "I'll increase surveillance on Cheng Yifan and Mo Qing. No matter where they hide, we'll find their weak spot."
Zi Ning's hand tightened around the balcony railing. She refused to be anyone's pawn—not again.
"They tried to erase my past," she said quietly. "Now, I'll erase their future."
Lu Yichen turned to face her, his eyes filled with fierce protectiveness. "And I'll stand beside you every step of the way."
In that moment, Zi Ning knew—no matter how deep her enemies' schemes ran, she wouldn't back down.
Not until the truth was hers.