The airplane cut through the clouds, landing softly on the heart of China.

Li Wei’s sharp eyes scanned the city lights as if they belonged to him. To strangers, he was just another successful businessman returning from Malaysia. To himself, every breath felt like carrying shattered glass inside his chest.

He adjusted his cufflinks, polished to perfection, but his hands trembled—just for a second. He quickly tucked them into his pockets. No one could see weakness. Not again.

“Sir, welcome back to Beijing,” the driver bowed, opening the car door.

Li Wei nodded once, silent as always. He hated small talk. Words were unnecessary unless they carried weight.

The black car glided through the neon-lit streets. The driver glanced at him through the mirror.

“Sir… are you visiting your family tonight?”

Family. That word still stabbed like a blade. His real family was gone, burned away in a fire he still dreamed of every night. In their place, he had only ashes—and revenge.

“No,” Li Wei said flatly. “Take me to the office.”

“Yes, sir.”

Inside his office, midnight oil burned as usual. The walls smelled of leather and ink, books stacked neatly across shelves. He pulled one open, reading a paragraph, but the words blurred.

He closed his eyes.

Father… Mother… I’ll make them pay.

The sound of footsteps interrupted his thoughts. A young woman entered, carrying files, nervous but determined.

“Mr. Li?” Her voice was clear, not too soft, not too bold. “I’m your new assistant. My name is Zhao Liyun.”

Li Wei looked up. His gaze was sharp, calculating. His first instinct: keep her out. He didn’t need strangers. He didn’t need… distractions.

But then, the surname registered. Zhao.

The family name that had been carved into his nightmares. The family he believed responsible for his parents’ deaths.

His chest tightened. So fate had delivered their daughter right into his hands.

“You’re late,” he said coldly, ignoring the fact that she wasn’t.

Liyun blinked, startled. “It’s exactly on time, sir.”

“Then you should have arrived earlier,” he snapped. “Punctuality isn’t enough. Anticipation is what I value.”

Her lips pressed together, but she didn’t lower her head. “Noted, Mr. Li.”

Interesting. She wasn’t timid. Most assistants would crumble under his tone. She… resisted.

Li Wei leaned back in his chair. “Tell me something, Miss Zhao.”

She straightened. “Yes?”

“What’s your idea of a perfect date?”

Her cheeks flushed. “E-excuse me?”

“I’m asking questions. Answer them.” His voice was calm, but his eyes glittered with cruel amusement.

She hesitated, then replied carefully, “A quiet evening. Books, tea, and someone who listens.”

Li Wei smirked faintly. “Hn. How boring.”

Her fists clenched at her sides, though she forced a polite smile. “Boring isn’t always bad.”

He ignored her defense and asked again, “Are you obsessed with something right now?”

“…Passing my exams,” she admitted. “Computer science isn’t easy.”

He tilted his head. “You’ll fail if you can’t focus. Do I make you nervous, Miss Zhao?”

Liyun’s breath caught. His voice wasn’t loud, but it pressed on her chest like a weight. She met his gaze anyway. “Yes. But that won’t stop me from doing my job.”

Something in Li Wei stirred. Defiance. He hated it. But he couldn’t look away.

“Good answer,” he muttered.

Hours later, after she left, Li Wei sat alone in his office. The city buzzed outside, but inside was silence.

He opened his drawer, pulling out an old photograph of his parents. His fingers trembled.

“Just a little longer,” he whispered. “I’ll destroy them… through her.”

Yet as he replayed her words—boring isn’t always bad… yes, you make me nervous—he felt something else. Something he hadn’t allowed in years.

A spark.

And sparks were dangerous.

The next morning, Zhao Liyun walked into the office with determination. She expected him to ignore her. Instead, he set a file in front of her.

“Read this contract. Summarize it for me.”

She nodded, flipping pages quickly. “This clause here—it’s a trap. If you sign, you’ll lose 30% of your shares.”

Li Wei’s brows rose slightly. Sharp. Smarter than he thought.

“Not bad,” he murmured.

She allowed herself a small smile. “So, do I pass?”

His eyes darkened. He leaned closer, his voice low enough to make her heart stutter.

“Miss Zhao… don’t mistake my approval for kindness.”

Their faces were inches apart. Her breath caught. The tension hung heavy, unbearable.

And then—

Li Wei leaned back, smirking. “Go make me coffee.”

Her cheeks burned. She spun on her heel, muttering, “Arrogant…”

Li Wei’s smirk faded as soon as she left. His chest ached, guilt already pricking at him.

He wanted to use her. Hurt her. Break her.

But why did her defiance make him feel alive again?

That night, as Li Wei sat by his window, the dream returned. His parents screaming, flames swallowing their home. He woke drenched in sweat, fists clenched.

And in that moment, one truth crystallized:

The closer he drew Zhao Liyun into his world, the more he risked losing control.

Yet he couldn’t stop.

Zhao Liyun hated him.

At least, that’s what she told herself every time Li Wei’s piercing gaze followed her across the office. He was demanding, arrogant, and colder than the winter rain that slapped against the city windows.

But there was something about him. Something dangerous, magnetic.

Every time he leaned too close, her heart betrayed her.

That evening, the office was almost empty. Most employees had left, yet Li Wei remained, seated at his massive desk. His suit jacket was off, shirt sleeves rolled up, veins visible on his strong hands as he typed.

Liyun knocked softly. “Sir, these are the reports you asked for.”

“Bring them here,” his voice was low, calm, but it carried weight.

She stepped closer, setting the file down. Their fingers brushed. Electricity shot through her arm like a spark.

She froze. He noticed.

His lips curved slightly, but his eyes stayed unreadable. “You flinch like a child.”

“I-I didn’t!” she protested, pulling back.

Li Wei stood suddenly, circling her like a predator examining prey. His voice dropped lower.

“You’re hiding something.”

Her breath hitched. “What do you mean?”

“You smile too easily. People who smile like that… they’re covering wounds.”

She bit her lip, startled at how close his guess was. He doesn’t know anything. He can’t.

“You’re wrong,” she whispered.

Li Wei tilted his head, smirking faintly. “Am I?”

She turned to leave, but he grabbed her wrist. Not harshly, but firm enough to stop her.

“Miss Zhao.” His voice deepened, dangerous. “Look at me.”

She hesitated. Then she did.

Their eyes locked.

For a moment, the office disappeared. No neon lights, no sound of the rain. Just his eyes—haunted, sharp, yet strangely vulnerable.

Li Wei’s throat tightened. He shouldn’t feel this. She was a Zhao. He should hate her, destroy her. Not… want her.

But her lips trembled, and something inside him snapped.

His hand slid to her chin, tilting her face up.

“Don’t…” she whispered, trembling.

“I told you,” he muttered, his breath brushing her cheek, “don’t mistake me for kind.”

And then—he kissed her.

It wasn’t soft. It wasn’t gentle. It was raw, desperate, almost punishing.

Her eyes widened. She should push him away. She should slap him.

But she didn’t.

Because deep down, she wanted this too.

For a moment, she melted against him, tasting the bitterness of his pain, the fire he kept hidden. His hand pressed against the small of her back, pulling her closer.

Her fingers curled into his shirt before her mind screamed—stop.

She shoved him back, breathless.

“What… what are you doing?!” Her voice shook.

Li Wei’s chest heaved. He looked furious—at her, at himself.

“Nothing,” he said sharply, running a hand through his hair. “Forget it.”

Her cheeks burned. “Forget it?! You just—”

“Go home, Miss Zhao.” His voice cut like a blade, final and cold.

Her heart twisted. She wanted to scream at him, but the words wouldn’t come. So she turned and stormed out, slamming the door.

The silence afterward was unbearable.

Li Wei sat back, fingers pressing against his temples.

“Idiot,” he muttered at himself. “She’s a Zhao. She’s the enemy.”

But his lips still tingled, the taste of her still there.

He clenched his fists. “I can’t let this happen. I won’t.”

Yet in the reflection of the window, he didn’t look like a man who could stop.

He looked like a man already falling.

Meanwhile, Liyun stood outside the building, heart racing. The cold night wind whipped her hair, but she barely felt it.

Her lips burned. She touched them unconsciously.

“Why… why did I let him?” she whispered, shame and confusion twisting inside her.

She hated him. But her heart… betrayed her.

The next morning, the office buzzed with its usual chatter.

Liyun tried to act normal, but her thoughts spun. Would he mention it? Pretend it never happened? Fire her?

When she entered his office, Li Wei didn’t look up. He was already working, face calm, mask perfect.

“Sit,” he ordered.

She sat.

“I have a task for you,” he continued, flipping through papers. “You’ll be shadowing me at tonight’s gala. Don’t speak unless I tell you to. Don’t embarrass me.”

Her eyes widened. “G-Gala? Me? Why?”

“Because I said so.”

She clenched her fists. “You kissed me, and now you want me to—”

His head snapped up, eyes sharp. “We will never speak of that again.”

Her heart dropped.

“Understood?” His tone left no room for argument.

She swallowed hard. “…Understood.”

But as she lowered her gaze, a thought pierced her heart like a thorn:

If he wants me to forget… then why did it feel like he didn’t want to let go?

The ballroom glittered like a dream. Chandeliers spilled golden light across the polished marble floor, violins hummed in the air, and the city’s most powerful families gathered beneath crystal glasses and fake smiles.

Zhao Liyun tugged nervously at her dress. It wasn’t hers—Li Wei had arranged everything. A sleek black gown that hugged her curves, heels that made her stumble, and a necklace far too expensive for her comfort.

“You’re my assistant tonight,” he had said coldly in the car.

“Not my date. Don’t misunderstand.”

But as she walked beside him now, every eye followed them.

Li Wei in his tailored suit looked like he belonged to this world of wealth and power. Sharp, cold, untouchable.

And yet—when his hand brushed the small of her back, guiding her forward—her heart thundered.

“President Li,” a man greeted, bowing slightly. “You honor us.”

Li Wei’s lips curved faintly, polite but distant. “Minister Zhang.”

His gaze flicked to Liyun. “And this is…?”

Li Wei didn’t hesitate. “My assistant.”

The word stabbed her. She forced a smile, bowing politely, though inside, her chest tightened.

As the night dragged on, Liyun tried to stay invisible. But it was impossible. Men whispered about her beauty, women glared with jealousy. She caught pieces of conversation—about alliances, enemies, old betrayals.

Then—

“Zhao family.”

The words froze her blood.

Across the ballroom, her parents entered, smiling graciously as they greeted old friends. Her father in a sharp suit, her mother in emerald silk. They looked powerful, respected—untouchable.

Liyun’s throat went dry. Not here. Not now.

Li Wei’s body stiffened beside her. His eyes locked on the Zhaos, burning with a rage only she seemed to notice.

She grabbed his sleeve. “Don’t,” she whispered desperately.

His gaze cut to her, sharp as a blade. “Why not?”

“Because…” she faltered, unable to explain, “because not here.”

For a moment, their eyes battled. Then, with visible effort, he turned away.

But the storm in his eyes didn’t fade.

Later, while Li Wei spoke to investors, Liyun slipped toward the balcony, needing air.

She gripped the railing, staring at the glittering city lights below. Her chest ached. The kiss, the lies, the weight of her family name—it was too much.

“Running away?”

She jumped. A young man leaned against the doorframe, smirking. Dark hair, mischievous eyes.

“I—I’m not,” she stammered.

He chuckled. “You’re Li Wei’s assistant, right? Strange. He never brings anyone. Especially not someone like you.”

“Someone like me?” she asked cautiously.

“Beautiful. Distracting.” His smirk deepened. “Dangerous.”

Her cheeks flamed. She opened her mouth to respond—

And froze.

Because suddenly, Li Wei was there.

His presence was like a shadow falling over them both. He stood tall, eyes sharp, voice colder than ice.

“Step away.”

The young man raised a brow. “President Li. I was just making conversation.”

“You were flirting with what’s mine.”

Liyun gasped, turning to him. “What—?!”

The man smirked. “Yours? But didn’t you say—”

Li Wei’s glare silenced him instantly. Without another word, the man slipped back inside.

Silence hung heavy.

Liyun’s heart raced. “What do you mean, ‘yours’?” she demanded.

Li Wei’s jaw tightened. His hand reached out—grabbing hers, pulling her closer. Too close.

“Don’t talk to men like that,” he ordered, voice rough.

Her eyes flashed. “You don’t own me!”

His grip didn’t loosen. His gaze bore into her. “Then why does it drive me insane to see someone else near you?”

Her breath caught. The city lights blurred behind her.

For a moment, neither moved. Their faces inches apart. His eyes softened, just slightly—vulnerability slipping through the cracks.

Then—

“I shouldn’t want this,” he muttered, voice breaking.

And before she could answer, he kissed her again.

This kiss was different. Not forced, not cruel. It was desperate. Like he was drowning, and she was the only air he could find.

Her hands trembled against his chest. She wanted to push him away. She wanted to hold him tighter.

His lips moved against hers, urgent, aching, until finally he tore himself back, breathing hard.

“If I kiss you again,” he whispered hoarsely, “I won’t be able to stop.”

Her heart thundered. She stared at him, speechless.

And for the first time… she saw it.

The cracks in his armor. The pain he tried so hard to hide.

Inside, music swelled, laughter echoed. But on that balcony, the world was silent.

And Liyun knew… whatever this was, it was only the beginning.