LUXURY VILLA – MASTER BEDROOM – NIGHT

The night air is heavy with thunder. Rain lashes the windows. On the pink, girlish bed lies a young woman, motionless. The thunder cracks

FLASH!

Her eyes snap open. Breathing quickens, pupils dilated.

YAN YAN (V.O.)

dazed

What… happened? I was in the boardroom… The merger… Did I?

She touches her face ,soft, round, unfamiliar. Her nails tremble as she stands and staggers toward the vanity mirror.

CLOSE UP A teenager’s reflection stares back delicate, pale, with red eyes swollen from crying.

YAN YAN whispering

This… this is the Yan family’s lost daughter… the one who disappeared years ago.

A sharp pain flashes in her temples fragmented memories surge in her mind: being mocked, locked in a dark room, begging her parents to believe her.

YAN YAN V.O.

She died. from despair.

And now I’ve replaced her.

Thunder rolls again. She looks up, face hardening.

YAN YAN to her reflection

You’ve suffered enough. I’ll take it from here.

YAN FAMILY DINING ROOM – MORNING

Chandeliers glitter above an enormous table. The YAN FAMILY sits in an air of perfection but tension lurks beneath.

YAN ZHEN, the father, reads his newspaper without glancing up. LIN MEI, the mother, smiles too sweetly. YAN LIHUA, the ailing aunt, sits in silk robes, pale and dramatic. YAN LING, the fake daughter, wears a designer dress, radiant and smug.

The servant opens the door for YAN YAN, dressed simply, eyes cold but respectful.

LIN MEI

Yan Yan, you’re finally awake. How do you feel, dear?

YAN YAN softly

Alive.

YAN ZHEN

Hmph. Then you can handle another blood transfusion later. Lihua’s condition has worsened.

Yan Yan freezes. Her hand tightens around the chair.

YAN YAN

So soon? I just recovered.

YAN LIHUA sweetly, false concern

Ah, don’t say that, child. Your blood saved me once you’ll do it again, won’t you?

YAN LING snickering

Sister, you should be grateful you can at least contribute something.

YAN YAN gritting her teeth

And what do you contribute, Yan Ling? My place? My name?

The table falls silent. Yan Ling’s smile fades for a moment.

LIN MEI

Yan Yan! Don’t talk back. Your sister has been here for years while you were missing. Be more considerate.

YAN YAN smirking

Sister? Right. I’ll keep that in mind.

YAN ZHEN

Enough. Do as you’re told. The hospital expects you in two hours.

Yan Yan lowers her gaze, seemingly obedient, but her eyes glint with restrained fury.

YAN YAN V.O.

In my past life, I built an empire and lost everything in betrayal.

This time, I’ll build something else vengeance.

HOSPITAL ROOM – DAY

The sterile smell fills the air. Yan Yan lies on a bed, blood flowing through the tube to her aunt’s IV bag.

YAN LIHU: Asighing softly

You’re such a blessing, Yan Yan. The heavens brought you back to us.

YAN YAN sweetly, eyes cold

If the heavens did, Aunt, they must have had their reasons.

The nurse leaves. Yan Lihua turns her head away. Yan Yan stares at the crimson fluid moving through the tube her life blood, literally being taken from her.

YAN YAN V.O.

They think this blood ties me to them.

But after today, it will bind them to their doom.

She smiles faintly, a chilling calmness settling over her.

YAN MANSION – EVENING

Yan Yan passes the hallway hears laughter from the living room. Peeks in.

YAN LING: pouring tea for Lin Mei

Mother, don’t worry about Yan Yan. She’s always been distant. It’s her nature.

LIN MEI sighing

I know, but your father insisted we bring her back. She’s… still our daughter.

YAN LING smiling

As long as she doesn’t embarrass us.

Yan Yan listens quietly, her face unreadable, then walks away.

YAN YAN: V.O.

They replaced me with a fake and called her better.

Let’s see how long that illusion lasts.

YAN MANSION GARDEN – NIGHT

The moon reflects on the still pond. The night is calm. Yan Yan stands by the water, her reflection rippling with the breeze.

YAN YAN: to herself

The old me would’ve cried.

But the new me… will make them cry.

A sudden sound. footsteps behind her.

MYSTERIOUS VOICE O.S.

You’re quite the poet for someone planning revenge.

She turns. A tall man in a black suit steps out of the shadows, eyes sharp yet calm LU ZHIYU.

YAN YAN

And who are you to interrupt my thoughts?

LU ZHIYU

Someone who’s been watching. The Yan family doesn’t treat its bloodline kindly, does it?

YAN YAN: chuckling darkly

They only care when the blood’s in a bag.

LU ZHIYU: smiles faintly

Then maybe it’s time someone reminded them what real power looks like.

YAN YAN

And what’s your price for such advice?

LU ZHIYU

Only your trust for now.

They exchange a long, charged glance. The wind stirs, carrying tension and promise.

YAN YAN: V.O.

In this life, I won’t be their victim.

In this life… I’ll write my own fate.

YAN MANSION GARDEN – NIGHT

The moon glows over the pond. Crickets hum in the distance. YAN YAN stands facing LU ZHIYU, the man who emerged from the shadows.

The breeze brushes through her hair. Their gazes lock  calm yet charged.

YAN YAN

You said you’ve been watching. That’s not something an ordinary man admits.

LU ZHIYU

I never claimed to be ordinary.

YAN YAN smiling faintly

Then tell me what do you want from me?

LU ZHIYU

Let’s just say, I despise injustice. And I have my reasons for watching the Yan family fall apart.

YAN YAN

Interesting. You hate them too?

LU ZHIYU

Hate is a polite word. Let’s call it unfinished business.

Yan Yan studies him, eyes narrowing with curiosity.

YAN YAN

And you think helping me will finish it?

LU ZHIYU smiles knowingly

Helping you might help me.

TEAHOUSE – SECRET ROOM – LATER THAT NIGHT

Lu Zhiyu leads Yan Yan to an old teahouse tucked away behind the mansion’s garden wall. Inside, the lights are dim, the air scented with jasmine and ink. He pours her tea, graceful and calm.

LU ZHIYU

You’ve lived here less than a week, yet I can already see the cracks in this family’s mask.

YAN YAN quietly

Cracks? It’s all shattered. They just don’t realize it yet.

Lu Zhiyu looks at her, impressed.

LU ZHIYU

You don’t sound like an ordinary heiress.

YAN YAN

Because I’m not.

Her tone hardens. He notices the shadow that flickers across her eyes.

LU ZHIYU

Tell me  who were you before this?

Yan Yan hesitates, then leans back, voice calm but laced with steel.

YAN YAN

Someone who built everything from nothing.

Someone who trusted the wrong people… and paid with her life.

LU ZHIYU

Rebirth, then.

YAN YAN restrained smile

You could say that.

LU ZHIYU

Then maybe fate brought us together. Because I too… lost everything once.

His expression darkens briefly a glimpse of pain behind the calm façade.

YAN YAN

Who took it from you?

LU ZHIYU

Your father’s business partners. Years ago, the Yan Group swallowed my family’s company. My parents didn’t survive the aftermath.

Yan Yan’s eyes widen slightly. The pieces begin to fit.

YAN YAN

So you’ve been waiting for your chance.

LU ZHIYU

I was — until I met you. Now I prefer strategy over waiting.

YAN YAN chuckling softly

You want to use me.

LU ZHIYU

No. I want to work with you.

Use me, if you must  but understand one thing, Yan Yan.

Revenge burns fast. Power lasts longer.

His words strike her a mix of warning and temptation.

YAN YAN V.O.

He’s dangerous. But so am I.

TEAHOUSE BALCONY – MOMENTS LATER

They step outside. The night air is cool. Below, the mansion glows with false warmth laughter, light, lies.

YAN YAN

If we do this, I want names. Everyone who schemed against your family… and mine.

LU ZHIYU

You’ll have them. But first, you’ll need a weapon  power inside your own home.

YAN YAN snickers

Power? I’m treated like a shadow.

LU ZHIYU

Then start as one. Shadows see everything. They remember every whisper.

She looks at him, intrigued by his calm confidence.

YAN YAN

And when the time comes?

LU ZHIYU

We strike where it hurts most  reputation, loyalty, legacy.

He reaches into his coat and hands her a small black envelope.

LU ZHIYU

Inside is information on Yan Ling. Her real background. You’ll find it enlightening.

Yan Yan’s hand tightens around the envelope.

YAN YAN

Why give this to me so easily?

LU ZHIYU

Because I believe in beginnings. And you  you’re the storm this family never saw coming.

She stares at him, torn between suspicion and fascination.

YAN YAN

Fine. We have an alliance. But cross me once, Lu Zhiyu

LU ZHIYU interrupting, smiling

You’ll destroy me. I’d expect nothing less.

. YAN YAN’S BEDROOM – LATE NIGHT

Yan Yan sits on her bed, opens the envelope. Inside — documents, photos, and a birth certificate. Her eyes widen.

INSERT: YAN LING not a Yan by blood, but adopted secretly through Lin Mei’s cousin.

YAN YAN V.O.

So the fake heiress isn’t even a Yan.

Mother, you’ve lied deeper than I thought.

She closes the file, lips curling into a cold smile.

YAN YAN

Let’s see how long your precious daughter shines once the truth begins to surface.

TEAHOUSE ROOFTOP – SAME NIGHT

Lu Zhiyu

stands alone, looking out toward the Yan Mansion.

A shadowy figure approaches his assistant, SHEN.

SHEN

You’ve told her too much.

LU ZHIYU smiles faintly

No. I’ve told her just enough. The real truth. she’ll uncover on her own.

SHEN

And when she does?

LU ZHIYU

Then she’ll realize  revenge was never her destiny. Power was.

He turns, eyes glinting beneath the moonlight  both ally and enigma.

ABANDONED BUILDING – NIGHT

Rain falls softly. A sleek black car stops in front of a decaying warehouse. The door opens Lu Zhiyu steps out, coat fluttering in the wind. His expression is unreadable.

Inside, dim light flickers. His assistant, Shen, waits beside a dusty table piled with old files.

SHEN

It’s all here the records from the fire thirteen years ago.

LU ZHIYU quietly

And the child’s name?

SHEN

Yan family covered it up, sir. But… it wasn’t their daughter who was found that night. It was someone else a girl from the orphanage you funded.

Lu Zhiyu’s hand freezes above the file.

LU ZHIYU opening the file slowly

Show me.

He looks at an old photograph a young girl, bruised but smiling faintly under bandages. Her name tag reads YAN YAN.

LU ZHIYU V.O.

So it was you even back then.

FLASHBACK – YEARS AGO – ORPHANAGE FIRE NIGHT

Smoke, flames, chaos. A young Lu Zhiyu, only a teenager, rushes into the fire. He sees a girl frightened, trapped under fallen beams.

YOUNG LU ZHIYU

Hold on! Don’t close your eyes!

He lifts the beam, carries her out, her small hand gripping his jacket. Her face is half-burned, her voice faint.

YOUNG YAN YAN

I don’t want to die.

YOUNG LU ZHIYU

You won’t. I promise.

He carries her into the night as the flames consume the building behind them.

BACK TO PRESENT – WAREHOUSE

Lu Zhiyu stares at the photo his eyes dark with memory.

SHEN

You saved her once, and she doesn’t even remember.

LU ZHIYU

She wasn’t supposed to. I erased my tracks for her safety.

SHEN

And now fate’s thrown her back into your life.

LU ZHIYU

Fate doesn’t throw. It tests.

He closes the file, rain beating harder against the glass.

YAN MANSION – LIBRARY – NEXT DAY

Yan Yan studies documents spread across the desk evidence of Yan Ling’s fake identity. Her phone vibrates. A message from Lu Zhiyu:

Meet me at the rooftop of the old orphanage. There’s something you should know.

Her brows furrow. She hesitates, then grabs her coat.

OLD ORPHANAGE ROOFTOP – NIGHT

The place is deserted. The sky glows with moonlight, rain-slicked tiles reflecting the stars. Yan Yan approaches cautiously. Lu Zhiyu stands near the edge, looking down at the ruins.

YAN YAN Why here?

LU ZHIYU

Because this is where our stories began.

YAN YAN

What do you mean?

He turns the look in his eyes softer than ever.

LU ZHIYU

Thirteen years ago, there was a fire here. I was there that night. I saved a girl who’d been left behind by everyone she trusted.

Yan Yan’s breath catches. The wind howls softly.

YAN YAN

You’re saying that girl was me?

LU ZHIYU nods slowly

You were barely conscious, but you kept whispering one thing I’ll come back stronger.

Her eyes tremble faint, buried memories start to surface: flames, fear, a boy’s voice calling her name.

YAN YAN V.O.

A promise in the dark… I thought it was a dream.

YAN YAN softly

Why didn’t you tell me sooner?

LU ZHIYU

Because I didn’t want gratitude. I wanted truth. I needed to see who you’d become… and whether you still had the fire to fight.

YAN YAN slight smirk

ou tested me.

LU ZHIYU smiling faintly

And you passed.

They stand silently for a moment. The rain starts again gentle, cleansing.

YAN YAN

You lost everything because of my family. Yet you still saved me. Why?

LU ZHIYU

Because you weren’t like them. Even as a child, you looked at the world as if you owed it nothing. I saw the same hunger I had.

YAN YAN

Hunger for revenge?

LU ZHIYU

For redemption.

He steps closer. She doesn’t move away.

LU ZHIYU CONT'D

You’ve been fighting alone all your life, Yan Yan. But now, you don’t have to.

Their eyes meet tension, understanding, an unspoken promise.

YAN YAN V.O.

He’s my past and maybe, my future.

YAN YAN

Then from today onward, we move as one. No lies, no half truths.

LU ZHIYU

Agreed. Partners until the end.

He extends his hand. She hesitates, then takes it firmly. Thunder rolls.sealing their pact.

SECRET ROOM – LATER THAT NIGHT

LU ZHIYU opens a hidden drawer. Inside are classified files labeled

YAN GROUP – INTERNAL CORRUPTION.

SHEN

You’re giving her everything?

LU ZHIYU: smiling slightly

No. I’m giving her enough to burn the empire down. The rest… depends on what she does next.

SHEN

And if she learns what really happened to her parents that night?

LU ZHIYU:silently

Then she’ll know that the truth… is darker than either of us can bear.

YAN MANSION – SAME NIGHT

Yan Yan returns home, soaked but composed. She stands at the gate, looking up at the grand house that betrayed her.

YAN YAN (V.O.)

He saved me once from fire.

Now, he’s saving me from myself.

But I can’t shake the feeling…

He’s hiding something more.

Lightning flashes. In her eyes, resolve burns like the storm above.