Zain stands on the balcony, a video clip playing on his tablet—inside a dark warehouse, Uncle Lu is secretly talking to the Dragon King's men.
Zain (in a heavy, slow voice):
"So… the crack has finally appeared. All the masks of loyalty are falling now."
He picks up a photograph of Anya from the table. There is no softness in his eyes—only the terrifying fire of revenge burning fiercely.
"Your uncle wiped out my entire family, Anya… and now his enemies are thirsty for his life. But Lu Kang's death will not be that easy. He will die only by my hands. And you… you will be the bait that drags him straight to my feet."
He folds the photograph in half.
---
Bedroom: Laughter and Teasing
Bedroom: Huan Jing's Long Gossip
Inside the bedroom, Huan Jing stands in front of the mirror applying cream to her face, not missing a single chance to tease Anya.
Huan Jing:
"Anya, no matter how much you try to hide it, nothing escapes my eyes! What happened in the basement today—I saw it with my own eyes. Your files fell, and before you could even touch the ground, the boss caught you in his arms. It felt like a slow-motion scene from a romantic movie!"
Anya:
"Huan, it wasn't like that! He just—"
Huan Jing (cutting her off):
"Just what? The famous 'stone-hearted wolf' boss, who looks at girls like files, held you today as if you were a precious glass doll. The office girls tremble just by seeing his shadow outside his cabin—and you? You've set his gaze on fire. Tell me, is this the same magic you learned in childhood?"
Anya (laughing, throws a pillow):
"Shut up! And what about you—what kind of 'office meetings' are you having with Qian in the elevator these days? I've seen it. The moment Qian arrives, your voice turns sweet like honey."
Huan Jing (blushing):
"Oh, that… that's just work talk. Qian is very sorted; he understands people more than files."
---
Dining Table: Lu Wei's Teasing and a Mother's Love
From downstairs, their mother's voice echoes,
"Girls! Dinner is ready!"
Both girls elbow each other playfully and go downstairs. As soon as they sit at the table, Lu Wei (Anya's brother) starts mischief.
Lu Wei (pulling Anya's hair):
"Here comes my wild-cat sister! And Huan Jing, you're spoiling her even more. When you two are together, I can't tell whether this is a house or a zoo."
Anya (angrily pulling Lu Wei's hair back):
"Lu Wei, you'll never improve. Mom, look at him!"
Mother (sighing):
"These two will never grow up. Lu Wei, leave her. And Anya, Huan Jing was saying you got some very big 'Phoenix Project' and couldn't even come home last night?"
Anya:
"Yes, Mom. Project Phoenix. If this succeeds, my career will shine. There's just one problem—I need those special Italian silk threads that aren't available in the Chinese market right now."
Huan Jing (with food in her mouth):
"Aunty, I told her to talk to the boss. He has such contacts that he could get the threads from Italy in one second. But this girl is stubborn!"
Anya:
"Huan, you know what the boss said—'No help from my side.' He thinks I can't do it on my own, and I'll prove him wrong."
Lu Wei (seriously):
"That's good, Anya. Stand on your own feet—but be careful around Zain. I've seen his photo. He looks handsome, but his eyes are filled with too much anger."
Huan Jing (joking):
"Our boss is dangerous, yes—but no one knows why he's like that. Anya suddenly raises her hand dramatically and says, 'I know why—because his mother fed him bitter gourd and chili instead of chocolate!'"
Lu Wei and Huan Jing clap, and Anya bows theatrically. Everyone laughs. Their mother smiles at their laughter, but seeing Anya and Lu Wei together reminds her of her husband.
The entire house echoes with laughter.
---
Balcony: Lu Wei's Old Bitterness
Late at night, Lu Wei stands on the balcony, staring into the darkness. He knows Fengning won't give up so easily. His mind goes years back—to high school.
A Scene from the Past:
The school auditorium. Fengning, famous for her wealth and arrogance, shouts into the mic to stop Lu Wei. In her hands are an expensive watch and a red rose.
Fengning:
"Lu Wei, the whole city lies at my feet—but I want you. From today, you are my boyfriend. This isn't a request; it's my order!"
Lu Wei neither took the watch nor the rose. He looked into Fengning's eyes—there was no love there, only obsession. He rejected her in front of everyone, and that "silent slap" still doesn't let Fengning live in peace.
---
Fengning's Revenge: Preparation for Shenzhen
Meanwhile, Fengning is frantically packing at home, yelling at her maid.
Fengning:
"Hurry up! Pack my most expensive diamond bag and that dark red lipstick. I'm going to Shenzhen. Does Lu Wei think he can escape by blocking me? If he won't come the straight way, I'll use his weakness—his sister Anya—to pull him to me. I need to find out which office Anya works in!"
Huan Jing goes back to her own home.
---
Anya's Room: A Restless Heart
In her room, Anya is still awake, hugging her pillow and thinking.
"Zain sir… why is he so stone-hearted? But that moment—when he saved me from falling—there was a different kind of pain in his eyes. Why does my heart start beating so fast whenever he's near?"
She doesn't know that the man for whom her heart is racing has already turned her into a pawn on his chessboard.