Ghost of the Past

The grand ballroom of the Imperial Hotel was glittering under the golden chandeliers, filled with the soft hum of classical music and the murmur of elite conversations. Ruolan adjusted the hem of her fitted navy-blue dress, exhaling sharply. This wasn't her world—never had been, never would be. Yet, as Li Yichen's assistant, it was her responsibility to be here, ensuring he had everything he needed for tonight's business gala.

Yichen stood a few feet away, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit. His cold, chiseled features were unreadable as he conversed with a group of high-profile businessmen. Mo Zixuan, his best friend, leaned casually against the bar, watching the room with a knowing smirk.

Ruolan had just started scanning the room for any potential trouble when she heard it—a voice she never wanted to hear again.

"Ruolan."

Her entire body went rigid. The wine glass in her hand trembled slightly before she forced herself to still it. That voice. That name. That man.

She turned around slowly, her breath catching as she met the dark, penetrating gaze of Jiang Wei.

He stood before her in an impeccable three-piece suit, his presence commanding and suffocating all at once. He had the same charismatic smirk, the same sharp eyes that once made her heart race—before he had crushed it under his polished shoe.

Ruolan clenched her fists, nails digging into her palm. Why is he here?

"It's been a while," Jiang Wei said smoothly, tilting his head as he took her in. "You look… breathtaking."

Ruolan's stomach twisted in disgust. "Spare me the compliments, Jiang Wei. I have no interest in whatever game you're playing."

His smirk widened. "Oh, Ruolan. Still so fiery." He stepped closer, voice lowering. "Tell me, how has working under Li Yichen been? Does he treat you well?"

Her pulse spiked at the insinuation in his tone. "My job has nothing to do with you."

Jiang Wei chuckled, shaking his head. "On the contrary, it has everything to do with me. You should be careful around him."

Ruolan narrowed her eyes. "And why is that?"

Jiang Wei leaned in slightly, his voice a whisper against her ear. "Because I know things about him. Things you wouldn't want to find out the hard way."

A cold chill ran down her spine, but she refused to let it show. Instead, she raised an eyebrow. "You think I'd believe anything you say?"

He let out a soft sigh. "I didn't come here to argue, Ruolan. I came to see you."

Her heart pounded painfully. This was exactly why she despised men like him—powerful, manipulative, always thinking they could toy with her like a puppet.

Before she could reply, another voice interrupted.

"Ruolan, who's this?"

She turned to see Li Yichen standing beside her, his gaze locked onto Jiang Wei. His expression was as unreadable as ever, but there was a flicker of something dangerous in his eyes—something only those who knew him well would notice.

Jiang Wei smirked, tilting his head slightly. "Ah, Li Yichen. We finally meet."

Yichen's lips curled into something that wasn't quite a smile. "Jiang Wei. I've heard your name before."

Ruolan's pulse spiked. She could feel the tension between them, though Yichen remained impossibly composed.

Jiang Wei turned his attention back to her, ignoring Yichen's presence entirely. "I meant what I said, Ruolan. You should be careful."

Ruolan refused to let him rattle her. "And you should leave."

Jiang Wei's smirk faltered for a fraction of a second before he stepped back, his dark gaze lingering on her for a moment too long. Then, he walked away, disappearing into the crowd.

Ruolan exhaled slowly, trying to suppress the storm of emotions in her chest.

"That was Jiang Wei?" Yichen's voice was deceptively calm.

She turned to him, raising an eyebrow. "You know him?"

Yichen's expression remained unreadable. "I know of him."

Ruolan wasn't stupid. Something about Jiang Wei's presence had unsettled Yichen, even if just for a second. But before she could push further, a familiar, sultry voice called out her name.

"Ruolannn~"

Ruolan barely had time to react before Feng Xinya threw her arms around her, hugging her tightly.

Xinya was stunning—long, wavy dark hair, an effortlessly seductive aura, and a smirk that could drive men insane. Dressed in a deep red satin dress, she looked every bit the rich heiress who didn't care about the rules of high society.

"I've been looking for you all night!" Xinya pouted, before her sharp gaze landed on Yichen. Her lips curled into a teasing smirk. "Oh? And you're with your oh-so-mysterious boss. Interesting."

Ruolan rolled her eyes. "Behave, Xinya."

Xinya ignored her, stepping closer to Yichen, eyes filled with amusement. "Li Yichen, right? I've heard all about you."

Yichen simply gave her a blank stare. "And you are?"

Xinya placed a delicate hand on her chest. "Feng Xinya. Ruolan's best friend and the only person who truly knows how to make her smile." She winked. "But you wouldn't know anything about that, would you?"

Ruolan groaned. "Xinya."

Xinya grinned before looping her arm through Ruolan's. "Come on, I need to steal you for a second. There's someone I want you to meet."

Ruolan sighed, allowing herself to be dragged away, though she couldn't shake the feeling of Yichen's gaze lingering on her.

As Xinya led Ruolan across the ballroom, another figure stepped into Yichen's line of vision.

Mo Zixuan.

Yichen barely spared him a glance. "What do you want?"

Zixuan smirked, watching Ruolan disappear into the crowd. "Nothing much. Just enjoying the show." He sipped his whiskey. "Jiang Wei, huh? That's an interesting development."

Yichen remained silent.

Zixuan chuckled. "You're acting like you don't care, but I know you, Yichen. That little moment back there? That was you barely keeping your irritation in check."

Yichen shot him a warning look. "You're overanalyzing."

Zixuan hummed, unconvinced. "We'll see."

As the night carried on, Yichen found his gaze drifting toward Ruolan one too many times.

Jiang Wei was back. And something about the way Ruolan reacted to him didn't sit well with him.

Even if he wouldn't admit it.