Monotonous life.

Qi Mingxia took her time driving through the traffic of Shanghai. She liked driving through the city with her mind absolutely empty. But even though her mind was empty of thoughts, she still could not shake off that constant feeling of pain and anguish and rage. It was constantly on the verge of consuming her. And only the thought of vengeance kept her sane.

Yes. Vengeance. It has been nine years, but everything was fresh.

Memories started to fill her mind. A bloody floor. Evil laughter. Mockery. An unapologetic apology.

And subsequent threats to bury it all forever.

Yes, it has been nine years. But has she buried it all and moved on? No.

She was simply biding her time. Plotting, growing stronger, putting in place all her weapons. Making those vile creatures think that she has moved on; because she could not retaliate. They were so wrong. She will have such a vengeance, the world will watch in fear.

As these thoughts ran through Qi Mingxia's mind, the inside of the car became more suffocating. She jolted out of those thoughts. Qi Mingxia took a long deep breath. Control. Keep your emotions in control. She kept telling herself. Control.

Few minutes later, she reached the bar where Yang Junjie was having his drinking party. As her only friend, she again took note of how important he was to her; how thankful she was to have him. Through and through everything, he stood by her; believed her when no one did. He was one of the few people for whom she still had the courage and energy to care for.

Second Young Master of the great Yang family, the most powerful and influential family of the country, Yang Junjie was surprisingly good and caring towards people he considered close and his own. Qi Mingxia was impressed that he could stay untouched by the evil of high society, and not be consumed by power lust. He was truly a breath of fresh air.

She entered the bar, and headed towards the VIP room that Yang Junjie always booked.

Qi Mingxia pushed open the door and stepped inside. Immediately, everyone turned to look at her. To the people watching her, the air suddenly became very suffocating. These people were young masters of powerful families themselves. However, this kind of dark and suffocating aura was not what they were used to in high society. They regularly met up with people of high standing and domineering auras, but this... this was something different.

It was tyrannical. It was violent. One look at the person and they knew that this was someone who had killed. What rendered them more speechless was that this was a woman. Women of high society were always gentle with a flowery aura. Who is this woman, they wondered.

Qi Mingxia walked towards Yang Junjie and sat down beside him. Yang Junjie was absolutely speechless. He leaned towards her and whispered. "Can you lower your aura a bit?" Qi Mingxia picked up the glass served to her. "No."

Yang Junjie expected this answer. Whenever she was among other people, her aura would be specially strong and violent. Only a handful of people were there who did not have to suffer and suffocate under such atmosphere.

Yang Junjie let out a chuckle. "You are just too much like my brother. Both of you have such tyrannical temperaments, I am surprised you are not best buddies."

Qi Mingxia faintly remembered Yang Junjie's elder brother. They had never met. But she faintly knew him since he was such an influential figure. Yang Junjie continued. "Say, why are you such a workaholic? You even work during weekends. You never attend any parties. You even forgot that I invited you today. Don't you think your life is too monotonous?"

Qi Mingxia took a sip of her drink. The alcohol tasted weird to her. She sat down the glass, deciding not to drink. Picking up a glass of water, she turned over Yang Junjie's words in her head. "I like living like this." She said.

Monotonous? No. Her life was actually quite exciting for her. Everyday, as she grew more powerful, as her plan continued to move forward, her excitement rose. Plotting their downfall, it excited her.

Yang Junjie knew there were things she would not tell anyone, including him. He just hoped she would not lose herself trying to achieve what she wanted. He did not miss those maniac eyes whenever they talked about their lives. It worried him.

Qi Mingxia never told anything about her plans to Yang Junjie. It was simply because she did not want him to worry. To him, her safety came first. But to her, her vengeance is all she lived for. "You do not have to worry." Qi Mingxia said. "I am fine living like this. It is peaceful. Or just an illusion of it. Peaceful nevertheless."

Yang Junjie did not say anything further on this.

*******

Yang Junjie and Qi Mingxia walked out of the bar later. Yang Junjie bid his friends good night and walked to where Qi Mingxia was standing. "You should head home now." Yang Junjie said. "You work so much, do not compromise on your rest." Qi Mingxia nodded. "Alright."

Qi Mingxia and Yang Junjie parted ways. As Qi Mingxia was walking to her car, a man clad in black clothes with a black face mask stood in her way. He was well-built and looked like a fighter. He took in Qi Mingxia's appearance. His eyes turned into crescents as he smiled behind his mask.

"Miss Qi! Greetings from this servant. I have been sent to deliver a message to you. Please excuse me, as this might hurt, just a teensy bit." The man chuckled.

Qi Mingxia stared at the man. So, it has started. That is good.

The next second the man caught hold of Qi Mingxia's wrist, and twisted it in a way to break it.

CRACK!