The memory came to her in fragments, like shards of glass reflecting firelight.
That night, Pei Yan had told her he wanted to celebrate their anniversary — a "romantic evening," he'd called it. She'd just made a breakthrough in her research, the kind that could change everything, and she'd been bursting to share the news. When he asked her out, she'd been ecstatic, foolishly certain that he'd finally understood how much she loved him.
She'd even told her bodyguards not to follow. It's just dinner, she'd said. It's Pei Yan.
When she saw the candlelit table, the roses, the way the city lights glimmered through the window, her heart had soared. She'd been so shy, so happy.
"Will you forgive me for not waking up sooner Mianmian?" Pei Yan had asked her quietly. "I was so consumed with work and thought all your research was taking your time away from me" . There was something in his eyes then - a strange glint that felt heavy and deep she didn't understand.
"Can you give me a chance again? I am so sorry".
"Of course A'Yan" she gushed, overcome with happiness. "Infact, I have achieved breakthrough and the results are done. I can hand in my research and focus only on you"
The single statement changed everything.
"Well, well, well," a new voice had drawled, slow and mocking. "That is good news indeed." Pei Chengyuan, Pei Yan's father, stepped out from the shadows.
Her smile froze. "Dad...?" she whispered confused. Her eyes flew to Pei Yan's, searching for an explanation, for anything. All she was his sombre and apologetic expression without a hint of surprise.
Before she could speak again, five burly men appeared, masks glinting under the soft light.
It hit her then. This was a setup.
"Take her," Pei Chengyuan said. "And make sure she gives us the research."
But Lu Mian had trained for this. Before the first man could move, she seized the dinner knives and threw them in one smooth motion. One struck a assassin's eye; another hit a shoulder.
She kicked her chair back and used it as cover, striking low at the next attacker. Her body remembered every drill her commander had forced on her — the same man who'd bullied her into learning to fight, the one she'd only ever known by his codename, Aegis.
"A'Yan!" she called instinctively, still believing, even now, that he couldn't have meant for this.
Then she felt it — a searing pain across her back. She turned, stunned, to see Lu Xinya behind her, dagger gleaming, blood dripping bright red.
"He's not yours!" Xinya shrieked, striking again.
"No!" Pei Yan roared. "That wasn't the deal! You take the research, leave her, and we take the company!"
He shoved Xinya aside and reached for Lu Mian. "Mianmian..."
"Don't touch me!" Lu Mian shouted, staggering away.
Pain blurred her vision, but instinct kept her moving. She kicked, slashed, spun — the room erupting into chaos. Despite the pain, her training and endurance as a fighter held.
I should've listened to Him she gritted her teeth, thinking of the mysterious commander who headed this project. He had repeatedly warned her not to trust anyone and had bullied her into self-defense classes.
Through the haze she heard her commander's voice in memory: If you're compromised, don't play the hero. Call for support and wait.
She pressed the emergency locator on her watch. "Code Red. Code Red. Ten hostiles, south side street, heading west."
She fought her way to the car and reached for the gun she always kept hidden there. The moment her fingers closed around it, she knew — the weight was wrong. The bullets were gone.
Only Pei Yan had access to her car.
She met his eyes, hers blazing with the rage of betrayal and anger and so much pain.
"Why?!"
"Mianmian, listen," Pei Yan pleaded. "They only want the research. Give it to them and we'll be free. Pei Enterprises will have the resources we need. We can live happily— you love me, right? I love you too..."
"Love?" she spat. "You dare call this love? You teamed up with my vile step-sister to destroy everything I built! You sold me for benefits and now you spout about love?! You're a monster, Pei Yan."
"Yan ge's promised to marry me too!" Xinya sang out, eyes wild. "This is what you get for taking him from me!"
A sharp crack echoed. Xinya's head snapped to the side, her cheek blooming red. "You slapped me?" she gasped. "For her?!".
"Know your place," Pei Yan hissed. "You were only ever a distraction — a means to an end. I'll never marry you."
He turned back to Mian, desperate. "Mianmian, don't listen to her. You said you'd forgive me. We can start over. Please..." He reached out his hand "I am here now" He whispered. "I know I love you. Please, give it up and let's go".
Lu Mian watched the drama unfold with cold eyes. Her mind was speeding with possibilities and scenarios. She had already discarded a dozen ideas. She needed more time, more leverage. Keep them talking was the best plan for now. At the very least, it would buy time till He gets here.
"I will find you in 20 minutes - no matter where you are" He had promised. Now, at a time of life and death, she didn't question her reliance and trust in the slightest. She had to last for 20 minutes till He comes. That's it. 20 more minutes. I can do this, she resolved.
"And if I say no?" she asked Pei Yan quietly.
"Then we'll take it by force," Pei Chengyuan said flatly. "You don't know these people, Mianmian. Give it up and walk away alive."
She didn't acknowledge him. Her eyes were fixed only on her husband, the man who so easily led her to her death. "What if I say no?" she whispered again.
"Mianmian..." he said in an agonized voice. "Come to me, please" and reached out his hand towards her. I will protect you. This is the only way." Pei Yan walked towards her slowly, his arm outstretched, his eyes begging her to listen to him.
Had it been just a few years back, Pei Yan's confession would've meant the world to her. Now, looking into his brimming eyes, all she felt was detachment. Her lips curved into a small, sad arc.
"If you think I'd say yes, you truly never knew me."
In one motion, she pulled the whip from her boot, its leather whispering like steel. She cracked it in a wide arc; the assassins scattered.
She leapt behind the car, blood loss slowing her, and used the whip to hook onto a nearby tree branch. Swinging up, she landed hard, breath ragged.
Below, headlights flared — more cars, more men. Thirty, at least.
So many, for her research? For one single woman? It did not make sense. Filing away that information she pulled poisoned needles from her hair. She flicked one toward the sniper's scope. A muffled curse answered her.
15 more mins.
From below, Pei Yan shouted into the darkness. "Mianmian, please— they don't want to kill you! Come down, we can talk!"
That's right! realized Lu Mian. Though her fighting skills were good, it was nothing compared to these assassins. They could've taken her out in 5 minutes, overpowered her alive had they truly wanted. Her brilliant mind buzzed. Something wasn't adding up. What did they truly want?
She watched from her spot as three more assassins fanned out to search for her. One reached very close to where she was hiding. Lu Mian held her breath. One single move, a whisper, and she would be caught.
A walkie-talkie crackled to life. "No sign of him yet - hold" came the instruction, a strangely familiar voice Lu Mian's overwhelmed mind couldn't place. But then, the truth hit her like lightening. They weren't here for her. They wanted HIM, Aegis! She was just bait. The Pei family was seduced with the promise of research and riches, and used to reel her in. When in truth, whomever was behind this was gunning for Him.
They will not get Him, she resolved with chilling certainty. And in that moment, Lu Mian knew exactly what she had to do.
"Abort. Abort. Abort." She whispered into her locator. "Do not come. Aegis, do you hear me? DO NOT COME - it's a trap. They are gunning for you".
Her voice gave her away. The assassins closed in.
"You're clever," the walkie-talkie voice said. "No wonder he values you."
Five minutes.
A distant hum filled the air — rotor blades. He was coming. Of course he was.
She smiled fondly. He never listened. She sat down, blood soaking through her sleeve, and spoke softly into the comm. "Aegis, stop. I said stop. Please"
The voice from the radio laughed. "Do you really think you can stop him? Watch, little girl. Black Lotus, move in."
"NO" shouted Pei Yan, bursting in. "You said you will let her go. You said we can..."
"I changed my mind" came the voice. "You can leave. She stays."
"Yan ge, let's go" murmured Lu Xinya quietly. "Come on, hurry. They won't hurt her. Come."
"Son, let's go. We need you - the Pei family cannot fall". Between Pei Chengyuan and Lu Xinya, Pei Yan was dragged away kicking and screaming.
3 more mins.
Lu Mian gave a quiet huff. She was unarmed, in pain, and her consciousness fading fast. She still pressed for more information though. Anything to help Aegis. "If you knew he values me, you should know why. Do you really think the mind that stopped Operation Helix wouldn't be able to match you?
"Every genius has a weakness," the voice mocked. "Yours was that pathetic man. His is you."
Lu Mian laughed out loud. Oh, she had caught the flaw. This man, despite all he thought he knew still didn't know. "Come out. The walkie-talkie is getting old" she said to the darkness.
A figure stepped from the shadows. "You're sharp," he admitted. "Join me."
1 min.
"I don't work with idiots" scoffed Lu Mian. With the last of her strength, she kicked dirt into his face, snatched a grenade from a fallen guard, and pulled the pin.
Ignoring the horror in her opponents eyes, she simply said "I will not let you get to him".
Her final vision was of the helicopter's lights cutting through the dark, the sound of someone desperately shouting her name.
I am sorry Aegis, I couldn't wait for you. I failed my promise.
In her final moments, Lu Mian wasn't scared. She was filled with a sense of purpose. She was glad that she could use her life to defend him, glad that she could take his enemies with her, and make him safer.
When the whole place blew up, through the inferno she saw Him charge towards her, a single figure cutting through the flames without fear.
She vaguely felt disappointed she had never met him or seen his face. Maybe in my next life...
And Lu Mian passed away with a gentle smile on her lips. Aegis was here. He was ok. Everything was alright.