The soft clinking of porcelain filled the air as Liyana stirred her tea, seated elegantly in the private lounge of a boutique café. Sunlight filtered through the tall glass windows, casting a golden sheen across her poised figure. She had no reason to be here—except that Qin Xieren had personally requested a meeting.
It was curiosity, nothing more, that had brought Liyana to this seat.
The door opened with a delicate chime. Qin Xieren walked in, wearing a pale pink dress, her hair styled into effortless waves. She carried the air of vulnerability, like a porcelain doll ready to crack.
"Liyana," Xieren breathed, a soft smile gracing her lips. "Thank you for agreeing to meet me. I wasn't sure if you would."
Liyana set her teacup down, her expression unreadable. "You were persistent."
Xieren laughed lightly, sliding into the chair opposite her. "I suppose I was. I just… I wanted to clear the air between us. Everything that happened recently—it's all been a huge misunderstanding."
Liyana tilted her head slightly, studying her. Xieren's makeup was flawless, her voice delicate—almost trembling.But the sharp glint in her eyes gave her away.
She's fishing for information.She wants to know how much I suspect.
"I see," Liyana said coolly. "What exactly is the misunderstanding you're referring to?"
Xieren faltered for a moment. "The rumors… the media. I never intended to harm your reputation. Someone twisted my words. I even heard… someone might be working against both of us from the inside."
A clever tactic. Shift the blame. Pretend to be a victim.
Liyana let out a soft hum. "It's unfortunate when things get twisted." She lifted her cup again, sipping with deliberate slowness. "Especially when those closest to us aren't entirely trustworthy."
Xieren's fingers tightened slightly on the rim of her cup. "Exactly. Which is why I thought we should talk. I respect you, Liyana. Always have." She leaned forward, voice low. "In fact, I worry… someone might be targeting you even now. I wouldn't want to see you blindsided."
Her eyes shone with false sincerity.
She's desperate.She wants me to lower my guard.
Liyana smiled—a slow, serene smile that sent an invisible wall up between them. "That's kind of you to worry, Miss Qin."
The formal address wasn't missed by Xieren. Her nails tapped restlessly against the porcelain. "I heard whispers that Gao Shixing… and maybe others… are stirring trouble. If I find out more, I'll let you know."
Another bait. Another lure.
Liyana set her cup down gracefully. "Your concern is noted. But I assure you, Miss Qin, I am more than capable of handling whispers—and storms."
There was no mistaking the subtle warning in her tone.
Xieren's perfect smile strained at the edges. "Of course," she said softly. "I only wanted to help."
Liyana stood, smoothing down the soft folds of her dress. "Thank you for the tea. I hope your conscience is as clear as you want mine to be."
With that, she walked away without glancing back, heels clicking against the marble floor, leaving Xieren seated alone in the wash of late afternoon light.
Behind Liyana's composed exterior, her mind raced—not with fear, but calculation.
Qin Xieren was more dangerous now than before.Because a desperate enemy was a reckless enemy.
As her car pulled up outside the café, Liyana slid into the backseat, pulling out her phone.
She dialed Damien without hesitation.
When he answered, his voice warm and deep, she murmured, "Gege, we have a rat pretending to be a dove."
Damien chuckled, the sound dark and protective. "I'll have Zhen start tightening the net."
Liyana smiled faintly, watching the sunset paint the city gold.
Let them come.She was ready.