The early morning sun filtered through the curtains of Xiao Ning's apartment, casting soft golden light across his face. His eyes fluttered open, and immediately he felt it....the dull, familiar weight of the poison in his veins. Daytime. Weakness. The power he wielded in the dark was reduced to almost nothing under the morning light.

He let out a slow breath and sat up, rubbing the back of his neck. His body felt sluggish, his muscles heavy, as though they’d been drained of all their strength. He glanced at the clock on his bedside table—6:30 AM. In two hours, he'd need to be at his office, appearing as nothing more than a simple software developer. The world would see him as a regular man, with no special abilities, no dangerous secrets. No one would suspect that by nightfall, he’d become something else entirely.

Xiao Ning stood and stretched, his body stiff from the lack of movement, and he could feel the poison slowing the natural flow of his energy. Every morning was the same, a silent battle against the toxin coursing through his veins, a battle he would never win, but one he learned to endure. He crossed the room to the window, his mind already calculating his next steps, his next mission.

Last night had been easy, another successful mission for the Army Ministry. His code name, Night Owl, had once again proven why he was the number one assassin in the field. A flawless kill. But as soon as the sun rose, the poison took over once more, leaving him vulnerable until the day passed and the cycle of strength could begin again.

He turned away from the window, heading for the shower. Cold water, like always, to shock his system into alertness. The rest of the day would be routine. His colleagues at the software house would never know the real Xiao Ning. To them, he was just a quiet programmer with no exceptional skills. Just another man with a mundane life. No one suspected that by nightfall, he would become something far more dangerous.

At the same time, across the city, Bing Rong was already at the police headquarters, the sleek walls of the Intelligence Division feeling more like home than her own apartment ever did. She was sharp, precise, and ruthless. That was why they called her the Ice Witch, her mind and her martial arts skills were unmatched, and she could break a man without even raising her voice.

Today, though, something gnawed at her. She sat at her desk, scanning the details of the latest case report in front of her. It was another incident involving a highly-skilled assassin, the same one her team had been chasing for weeks. His code name was whispered in the underground circles: Night Owl. A name that sent chills down the spine of every criminal and rival operative. But to Bing Rong, it was more than just another mission. It was personal now. She was determined to be the one to bring him down.

Her fingers drummed lightly on the edge of her desk as she considered the next steps. But her thoughts strayed momentarily to Xiao Ning. Her fiancé. He was a good man, she knew that much, but… he wasn’t what she had envisioned for herself. How could he be, when he lacked the same fire, the same drive? He worked in a boring software job, oblivious to the dangers she faced each day.

Bing sighed, pushing the thought aside. She hadn’t told Xiao yet, but she was planning to delay their wedding again. Not forever, just until she found someone who could truly match her. Someone who understood the weight of being the best.

For now, though, she had a mission: track down Night Owl. She would find him. She had to.

As the hours dragged on, the sun slowly began to descend, painting the sky in deep shades of orange and crimson. In the heart of the city, Xiao Ning sat at his desk, typing lines of code with mechanical precision, his face emotionless. His colleagues bustled around him, unaware of the secret life he led.

Then, the clock struck five. His shift was over.

He gathered his things, slipping out of the office and into the cooling evening air. By the time he reached his apartment, the last rays of sunlight were vanishing behind the skyline. He could feel it—the gradual fading of the poison’s grip on him. Strength was returning to his limbs, his senses sharpening.

Night had fallen.

Xiao Ning closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and felt the transformation. The assassin within him was waking. The Night Owl was ready to soar again.

And tonight, he had a mission.

The day began like any other for Xiao Ning, as the soft morning light seeped into his apartment. He moved with his usual sluggishness, the poison weakening his body in the daylight hours. But beneath his calm exterior, his mind was sharp, already calculating his next move, both in his secret work as an assassin and in the corporate world where he quietly wielded immense power.

No one at the software house knew the truth. To them, Xiao Ning was nothing more than a mid-level developer, competent but unremarkable. But behind the mask of this ordinary worker, he controlled one of the most influential corporate empires in the city, Ni Magic, a group of companies that spanned multiple industries, from tech innovations to cutting-edge defense technologies. Xiao Ning’s day job was simply a front, a way to stay under the radar while steering the ship of his vast empire from the shadows.

Xiao Ning arrived at the office, dressed in his usual understated clothes, blending seamlessly into the crowd of employees. As he entered the building, he nodded briefly to the security guard who waved him through without a second thought. His colleagues were already at their desks, typing away at computers, immersed in code. To them, he was just one of them.

But the moment he sat down at his workstation, his fingers tapped out a different sequence of keys on his keyboard. The screen flickered, and then a hidden system appeared, a direct line to his board of directors at Ni Magic.

His assistant, Mr. Zhen, appeared on the encrypted video feed. “Good morning, Sir,” Zhen said with a respectful nod. “The board has submitted the quarterly reports for your review. The merger with the new tech startup is on track, and we’ve completed the acquisition of the defense company you targeted. The global market is responding favorably.”

Xiao Ning scanned the reports, his eyes narrowing as he analyzed the data. “Good. Ensure that the integration is seamless. We don’t want the competition catching on to our moves until it’s too late.”

“Understood,” Zhen replied, ever efficient. “And your other instructions?”

“Proceed with the new software development division. I want the AI prototype ready for testing by next quarter. We’ll need it for our defense contracts.”

Zhen hesitated for a moment before speaking again. “And the matter of the charity initiative? The board is asking for your confirmation. They weren’t sure if—”

“Approve it,” Xiao Ning interrupted, his voice steady. “I won’t allow this company to operate without giving back. The children’s education fund will go forward.”

It was one of the few things that mattered to him outside of his missions—using his vast wealth to support causes that had been close to his heart since childhood. His father had always stressed the importance of balance: in martial arts, in life, in power. Wealth wasn’t enough; it had to be used for something more meaningful.

The call ended as quietly as it had begun, and Xiao Ning returned his screen to the normal work mode, just as one of his coworkers passed by.

“Hey, Xiao!” the coworker said cheerfully, leaning over his desk. “You coming to the team lunch later? We’re hitting that new dumpling place!”

Xiao Ning smiled politely, adjusting his glasses. “I’ll try to make it,” he said, though both of them knew he rarely did.

The coworker laughed, clapping him on the shoulder. “Come on, man! You’ve got to be more social. Don’t spend all day buried in code.”

“I’ll do my best,” Xiao Ning replied, his tone friendly but noncommittal. His coworkers never questioned why he avoided social gatherings. He was the quiet, hardworking guy—good enough at his job to be left alone, but not so outstanding that anyone bothered to dig deeper.

Meanwhile, across the city, Bing Rong was deep into her own mission. Another night, another chase. The elusive assassin Night Owl had been spotted again, and this time, she was determined to catch him. As she poured over the intelligence reports in her office, her frustration grew. Every lead they’d followed seemed to evaporate into thin air, as if the man they were chasing could vanish like a shadow.

Her thoughts flickered briefly to Xiao Ning. She hadn't seen him in days, not because she didn’t want to, but because the growing weight of their engagement hung over her like a storm cloud. How could she move forward with someone who, while kind and decent, didn’t seem to understand the world she lived in? The dangers, the stakes. She needed someone who could challenge her, someone who wasn’t just stuck in the mundane routine of a nine-to-five life.

But tonight, there was no time for personal reflection. She would capture Night Owl. She had to. It was becoming an obsession, and every failure to apprehend him was a personal affront to her reputation as the best in the Police Intelligence.

As the sun set, Xiao Ning left the software house, slipping quietly into the evening air. He returned to his apartment, but his mind was already on the mission ahead. Another target. Another night as Night Owl. He could feel the poison weakening, the strength returning to his body with the fading daylight.

Before he left, Xiao Ning paused to check his phone—a simple message from Mr. Zhen: Ni Magic's accounts are in perfect order, Sir. All business dealings are secure.

Satisfied, Xiao Ning slipped into the shadows, his transformation complete. By day, he controlled an empire from the shadows, and by night, he became one of the most feared assassins in the world. Both identities carefully kept apart. Both equally important.

And both leading him closer to the woman he loved, who still believed she deserved someone better. Little did Bing Rong know, the man she sought was the very man she was engaged to.

Tonight would be no different. He would complete his mission as Night Owl, and by morning, he would return to his quiet office life. The balance of power and secrecy that he maintained so carefully would hold—at least for now.

But Xiao Ning knew that every secret had its breaking point.

The early afternoon sun hung high in the sky as Xiao Ning walked through the bustling streets, his mind distracted by thoughts of his next mission. The day had been uneventful at the software house, routine coding, a few meetings, and the usual office chatter. But now, his thoughts were occupied by more pressing matters. That night, he would once again take on the mantle of Night Owl, and with each passing day, the missions were becoming more dangerous.

But today wasn’t just about his secret life. Today, there was something else that brought a different kind of pressure.

He sighed as he walked, recalling the conversation he’d had with his grandfather that morning.

Flashback

Xiao Ning sat across from his grandfather, a wise and stern man who had seen much in his lifetime. His grandfather had been a general in his prime, a man of discipline and unwavering principles. Now in his later years, he still carried the same authority in his voice.

Ning'er, his grandfather had said, using the affectionate nickname from Xiao Ning’s childhood. "I understand your work is important, and I know you have your responsibilities. But your engagement to Bing Rong cannot be ignored. It's been nearly a year, and the two of you hardly spend any time together. How can you expect to build a life if you don’t understand each other?"

Xiao Ning had lowered his gaze, not wanting to argue. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to spend time with Bing Rong,  he truly cared for her but his double life left little room for personal relationships.

“I know, Grandfather,” he had replied. “But our schedules are... complicated. She’s busy with her work, and I...”

His grandfather had given him a pointed look. “You are making excuses, Ning'er. Your grandmother and I have spoken with Bing Rong’s grandparents. They agree. You both need to meet more often, even if it’s just for a meal or a walk. Twice a month at the very least. You cannot build a marriage on distance.”

His grandfather’s words had stung, not because they were harsh, but because they were true. Xiao Ning had no choice but to nod in agreement. His grandfather’s approval meant everything to him, and he knew that he owed it to his family and to Bing Rong, to make more of an effort.

Present

Xiao Ning’s thoughts were interrupted by the sound of his phone buzzing in his pocket. He pulled it out to see a message from his grandmother:

Dinner tomorrow at the old teahouse. 7 PM. Bing Rong will be there. No excuses this time, Ning'er.

He couldn’t help but smile faintly. His grandmother had always been gentle, but when it came to family matters, she was as determined as his grandfather. He typed a quick reply, agreeing to the dinner, though part of him already felt the weight of the obligation. Another meeting with Bing Rong—another attempt to bridge the gap between them.

Across town, Bing Rong was having a very similar conversation with her own grandparents.

Her grandmother, an elegant woman who had once been a celebrated dancer, sat beside her on the porch of their family home. Her grandfather, a retired police commander, stood nearby, watching the birds in the garden.

Rong’er, her grandmother said softly, “your grandfather and I worry about you and Xiao Ning. You two are engaged, but you don’t see each other nearly enough. How can you expect to build a future together if you’re both always so busy?”

Bing Rong sighed, leaning back against the porch rail. “It’s not that simple, Grandma. My work is intense. And Xiao Ning... he’s not exactly what I imagined.”

Her grandmother raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

Bing hesitated, choosing her words carefully. “He’s a good man. Kind, hardworking. But I feel like we’re from different worlds. He doesn’t understand what it’s like to be in my position. I need someone who... who can challenge me. Someone who can stand beside me as an equal in every way.”

Her grandfather turned around at that, his expression stern but caring. “Do not underestimate Xiao Ning, Rong’er. Just because he leads a quieter life doesn’t mean he is lacking in strength or wisdom. The two of you need to spend more time together to understand one another. Love doesn’t always begin with fireworks, but it can grow stronger over time.”

Bing Rong frowned but didn’t argue. She respected her grandfather’s words—he was a man of great insight, and she knew he only wanted the best for her. “Maybe you’re right,” she admitted softly.

Her grandmother smiled. “In fact, we’ve already spoken with Xiao Ning’s grandparents. They agree that the two of you need to make more time for each other. There’s a family dinner tomorrow evening at the old teahouse. You’ll go, won’t you?”

Bing Rong hesitated for a moment but then nodded. “I’ll be there.”

The Next Evening

The old teahouse was a quiet, traditional spot nestled in a peaceful corner of the city, surrounded by lush gardens and flowing streams. It had been a favorite of both Xiao Ning’s and Bing Rong’s families for generations, a place where important family gatherings were often held.

Xiao Ning arrived first, dressed simply but neatly, as always. He sat at the table reserved for them, his eyes scanning the peaceful surroundings. The teahouse had always been a place of serenity for him, but tonight, there was an underlying tension. He hadn’t seen Bing Rong in weeks, and he wondered how the evening would unfold.

Just as he was lost in thought, the door opened, and Bing Rong stepped in. She looked as composed as ever, her sharp eyes quickly finding him. For a brief moment, their eyes met, and Xiao Ning offered her a polite smile.

“Bing Rong,” he greeted as she approached the table.

“Xiao Ning,” she replied, sitting across from him. There was a slight awkwardness between them, as always. Despite being engaged for nearly a year, they still felt like strangers in many ways.

The tea was brought to the table, and they began with small talk—polite questions about work, family, and the weather. But beneath the surface, there was a tension neither could quite name. They were both holding back, each hiding their true thoughts.

After a moment of silence, Bing Rong spoke first. “My grandparents told me we should meet more often. To get to know each other better.”

Xiao Ning nodded, pouring tea into her cup. “Mine said the same. I think they’re right.”

She raised an eyebrow, surprised by his agreement. “You do?”

Xiao Ning hesitated for a split second before speaking again. “We may come from different worlds, but that doesn’t mean we can’t try to bridge the gap. We owe it to ourselves to make this work. And to our families.”

Bing Rong was silent for a moment, studying him carefully. He was always so calm, so composed. She had often wondered if there was more to him beneath that quiet exterior, but she had never pressed him for more. Maybe it was time to try.

“Perhaps you’re right,” she said softly. “Maybe we just haven’t given it enough of a chance.”

For the first time in a long while, there was a flicker of understanding between them, a small step forward in a relationship that had been marked by distance and doubt. Neither of them knew where this would lead, but tonight, they were willing to try.