Chapter 11 – The Devil Wears Silk
The penthouse restaurant at the top of Tower C shimmered in candlelight and high-class pretense. It was the kind of place where business deals disguised as dates ended in disaster—or empires.
Bai Xueqing sat by the window, legs elegantly crossed, her wine untouched.
She was waiting.
Across from her, the seat remained empty… until a tall, well-dressed man strolled in with the confidence of someone used to having his orders obeyed.
Xu Yansheng.
He wore a navy suit, tailored to cruel perfection. His face was striking—sharp cheekbones, dark eyes like wet ink, and a mouth that curved upward, but never quite smiled.
He pulled out the chair across from her and sat. "Miss Bai," he said smoothly. "Forgive me for keeping you waiting."
She studied him. "I wasn't waiting. I was timing your arrogance."
He let out a low chuckle. "Still witty after your… return. I was told the Bai heiress had changed. I see the rumors were true."
Her gaze didn't waver. "And I see the wolf learned to wear silk. Doesn't make you less of a predator."
"Then let's stop pretending," he said, leaning forward. "You know who I am. I know what you're trying to do. So let me ask you this directly: why haven't you attacked me yet?"
"Because I'm not here to brawl," she said coolly. "I'm here to reclaim what's mine. Publicly. Legally. With precision. And I want you to watch as everything you touched turns to ash."
He studied her for a moment, then smiled—not kindly. "You sound so much like your father."
Her jaw clenched. "Don't mention him. You weren't worthy to breathe the same air as him."
"Yet I lived. And he… didn't."
The temperature in the room dropped.
She stood. "This dinner was courtesy. The next time we meet—don't expect courtesy. Expect consequences."
Xu Yansheng stood as well. "Bai Xueqing. Before you go, one more thing."
She paused, turning halfway.
He said, "You're brave. But don't forget—I've already buried you once. I can do it again."
Xueqing's eyes flashed.
Then a low, cold voice cut through the air behind her.
"You'd have to survive me first."
Mo Chen.
He stepped out from the shadows behind a marble column, sleeves rolled, gunmetal gaze locked on Xu Yansheng like a predator spotting a rival.
Xu raised an eyebrow. "Bodyguard? Or… something more?"
Mo Chen smirked. "Let's just say I've been waiting longer than you have for a chance to rip your empire apart."
Xueqing touched Mo Chen's arm. "Let's go."
Xu Yansheng's final words followed her like poison.
"This city is big, Miss Bai. But not big enough for both of us."
---
Back in the car, silence stretched between her and Mo Chen.
She finally broke it. "He remembers me. From before."
Mo Chen nodded. "He's cautious. That makes him dangerous."
"I want him destroyed."
"And I want you safe."
She looked at him then, their eyes meeting in the low light. His hand reached over, gently taking hers.
"I failed to protect you once," he said quietly. "Not again."
She didn't pull away.
---
Meanwhile, across town, Xu Yansheng stood in his private office, staring at an old photograph: a woman in ancient robes, her eyes defiant.
He whispered, "You've returned, Xueqing… But so have I."