A Dangerous Conspiracy
Zi Yan knew Wang Yin wouldn't give up easily.
That woman had tried to destroy her career before.
Now, she had tried to kill her.
She wouldn't stop until Zi Yan was completely ruined.
And if Wang Yin had a powerful backer…
That meant even more danger.
Zi Yan couldn't wait for her enemies to act first.
She needed to find out who was behind Wang Yin.
And strike first.
Zi Yan sat in her room, staring at the message on her phone.
Unknown Number: "You don't have much time. Watch your back."
Who was this person?
Were they trying to help her?
Or was this another trick?
Zi Yan thought for a moment, then made a decision.
She would trace the number.
She called Lu Yichen.
The phone rang twice before he answered.
"Miss me already?" His voice carried amusement.
Zi Yan rolled her eyes. "I need your help."
Lu Yichen's tone became serious. "What is it?"
She sent him a screenshot of the message.
"Can you trace this number?" she asked.
Lu Yichen was silent for a moment.
Then, he said, "Give me an hour."
Zi Yan didn't like waiting.
She decided to take action on her own.
She called an old friend—someone who owed her a favor.
A hacker named Shadow.
Shadow was one of the best.
If anyone could trace this number, it was him.
When Shadow picked up, he sounded surprised.
"Zi Yan? Haven't heard from you in a while."
Zi Yan didn't waste time.
"I need a number traced. Can you do it?"
There was a pause.
"Send it over. I'll get back to you soon."
Zi Yan sent the message.
Then, she waited.
Time passed slowly.
Her fingers tapped against the table.
Then, her phone vibrated.
It was a message from Shadow.
Shadow: "This number is encrypted. Someone doesn't want to be found. But I traced the last signal to a hotel in the city. Room 1903."
Zi Yan's eyes narrowed.
A hotel?
Was the sender staying there?
Or had they sent the message from there to throw her off?
Either way, she had to check it out.
She grabbed her coat and left.
Zi Yan arrived at the hotel in less than thirty minutes.
It was an upscale place. The kind where rich businessmen stayed.
She walked to the reception desk and smiled politely.
"Hi, my friend is staying in Room 1903. I forgot my phone inside. Can I get a spare key?"
The receptionist hesitated. "Do you have any ID?"
Zi Yan pretended to search her bag.
At that moment, she sensed someone watching her.
She turned her head slightly.
A man in a black suit sat in the lounge, looking straight at her.
The moment their eyes met, he stood up and walked away.
Zi Yan's heart pounded.
That man…
Was he the sender of the message?
She abandoned the receptionist and followed him.
The man walked quickly, heading toward the exit.
Zi Yan followed, keeping her distance.
As soon as he stepped outside, he broke into a run.
Zi Yan cursed and ran after him.
The man was fast. He weaved through the street, dodging pedestrians.
Zi Yan gritted her teeth and sprinted.
She couldn't lose him.
They turned into a dark alley.
Zi Yan ran faster—
Then suddenly, the man stopped.
Zi Yan skidded to a halt.
She looked around.
They were alone.
The streetlights cast long shadows.
The man turned slowly.
"You shouldn't have followed me."
His voice was deep, calm.
Zi Yan took a step forward.
"Are you the one who sent me the messages?" she asked.
The man didn't answer.
Instead, he reached into his pocket.
Zi Yan tensed.
Was he pulling out a weapon?
But instead, he took out a photo.
He tossed it to the ground.
Zi Yan bent down and picked it up.
Her eyes widened.
It was a photo of her.
Taken from a distance.
And next to her—
Was Wang Yin.
The man spoke again.
"You're in danger, Zi Yan. You need to leave the city."
Zi Yan clenched her fists.
"Who are you?" she demanded.
The man sighed.
"You don't have time to ask questions. They won't stop until you're gone."
Zi Yan's heart pounded.
Who was "they"?
She wanted to ask more—
But before she could, the man turned and disappeared into the shadows.
Zi Yan stood there, gripping the photo.
She wasn't going to leave.
If someone wanted her gone, she would fight back.
And she would find out who was behind all of this.
No matter what it took