The faint scent of osmanthus lingered in the evening breeze, dancing through the rooftop garden as city lights blinked to life below. The soft rustle of leaves was the only sound breaking the silence. Bai Zhiqi sat on a cushioned bench, fingers curled around a delicate cup of tea, her eyes locked on the horizon as if searching for the right moment to strike.
Ji Yanluo stood a few feet away, arms folded, watching her.
"You said it's time," he finally said.
She didn't look at him. "It is."
He nodded once, then turned toward the door. "Han Su should be back any minute. I sent him to look for public venues near the amusement park district, just like you asked."
She said nothing, only lowered her gaze to the teacup, watching the steam swirl and vanish into the air — just like her former life had.
A few minutes later, the rooftop door opened, and Han Su stepped through with a tablet in hand and the scent of cold air clinging to his coat. He bowed slightly.
"President Ji. Miss Bai."
Ji Yanluo gave a simple nod and gestured for him to come forward. "Show her."
Han Su walked to the stone table in the center and laid the tablet down between them, turning the screen toward Bai Zhiqi. "I've shortlisted three locations."
He tapped the screen, and the first image filled the display — a wide pedestrian street lined with food trucks and musicians, colorful lanterns strung overhead. People milled about, laughing, recording performers, eating candied hawthorn sticks.
"This is Lotus Row," Han Su explained. "It's close to the amusement park's west gate. Busy foot traffic, especially during weekends. It's noisy, but the right kind of noisy. A single performance there can gain hundreds of eyes in minutes."
Ji Yanluo glanced at her. "Too loud for a guqin?"
Bai Zhiqi tilted her head. "Maybe. What's next?"
Han Su swiped to the next image — a circular open-air pavilion surrounded by a ring of flower beds. Children ran along the edges in one of the photos. A street artist painted portraits in another.
"Xinyue Pavilion," Han Su said. "It's in Yulan Park. Small, but charming. Many social media influencers film there. If you want quiet elegance with high exposure, it works."
She leaned closer. "Closer to the park gates?"
"Ten-minute walk," Han Su replied. "Easily accessible."
Han Su swiped again. This time, it was an elevated plaza overlooking a small artificial lake with paddle boats. It had an urban aesthetic — sleek railings, benches, and plenty of passing visitors.
"This one is called Mirror Lake Terrace. Located behind the amusement park. Not as crowded, but visually striking. And it offers excellent acoustics for instruments."
Bai Zhiqi looked up at Ji Yanluo.
"I want something public enough to feel like a coincidence," she said slowly, "but distinct enough to make me unforgettable."
Ji Yanluo's eyes narrowed. "Xinyue Pavilion, then."
She nodded. "It has character. And it's not suffocating."
Han Su smiled faintly. "I thought you'd pick that one. Shall I proceed with preparations?"
"No permits. No names," Bai Zhiqi said coolly. "I'll just... appear. The netizens will do the rest."
Ji Yanluo smirked. "Mysterious stranger goes viral. That's your tactic?"
"Worked before," she said. "It'll work again."
Han Su bowed slightly. "I'll have the logistics handled. Shall I prepare your instrument and attire?"
"I'll choose the dress myself," she said. "Hanfu. Pale blue. Soft silk with layered sleeves. Something gentle enough to make them believe the lie."
Ji Yanluo raised a brow. "And what lie is that?"
"That I'm nothing more than a ghost from the past, come only to play a song."
He looked at her for a long second. "And when she comes to find you?"
Bai Zhiqi's gaze was icy calm. "Then I'll start playing the real melody."
Han Su gave a nod and stepped back. "I'll report once everything is arranged."
Once he left, the silence stretched between them.
Ji Yanluo walked over and sat beside her. "You've planned every note of this, haven't you?"
She smiled faintly. "You don't spend five years in a cage without composing the perfect symphony for your freedom."
He didn't reply immediately.
But when he spoke, it was quieter. "I'll make sure no one interrupts your performance."
Bai Zhiqi looked at him, eyes soft for a flicker of a second before hardening again. "They won't. I'll be gone before they realize they've been watching a ghost."