The morning sun barely kissed the opulent windows of Shi Wang's penthouse. The air was cool, carrying the faint scent of designer soap.
[At Shi Wang's home]
"Mr. Shi,"
Secretary Liu stood respectfully in the spacious living room, his posture stiff, a sleek tablet clutched in his hands. He announced, his voice a calm, professional drone,
"you don't have any meetings scheduled for this morning."
A door clicked open, and Shi Wang emerged from his lavish master bathroom, a towel casually slung low around his waist, water still glistening on his perfectly sculpted physique.
His dark hair was damp, slightly tousled, adding a rugged charm to his already striking features.
"I really don't have any meetings?" he asked, a genuine smile spreading across his face.
"That's fantastic!" He paused, his bright eyes thoughtful. "If I don't have any official engagements, then I'm going to meet Yang Zi."
Liu's perfectly composed expression faltered, a flicker of confusion, then slight disapproval, crossing his face.
"Mr. Shi," he began cautiously, "are you certain? Why waste your valuable time on... him?"
Shi Wang's smile vanished. His eyes, usually warm and confident, narrowed into a sharp, icy glare that promised swift retribution. It was a look that could make even the most seasoned executives quail.
"Get lost, Liu," he growled, his voice dropping to a dangerous register. "Get my car ready. Now."
Liu didn't utter another word. He simply bowed his head, a silent acknowledgment of his transgression and the absolute authority of his boss, and swiftly exited the room.
Minutes later, Shi Wang emerged again, transformed. He was impeccably dressed in a tailored charcoal suit that hugged his broad shoulders and lean waist, a crisp white shirt, and a silk tie.
His hair, now perfectly styled, framed a face that seemed carved from marble, all sharp angles and undeniable charisma. A subtle, expensive cologne wafted around him.
Every movement was fluid, confident. He truly looked as if he had just stepped out of a high-fashion magazine or a dramatic film, radiating an aura of power and effortless elegance.
Shi Wang drove his luxury sedan, a sleek black beast, through the waking city streets, leaving his chauffeur and other staff behind.
He preferred to drive himself when it came to Yang Zi. A different kind of charm softened his features, a subtle warmth in his eyes, whenever his thoughts drifted to the man he was about to see.
It was a look reserved only for Yang Zi, a secret side of the formidable businessman.
____________________
[At Yang Zi's apartment]
Meanwhile, in a quieter, less ostentatious part of the city, Yang Zi was slowly emerging from the depths of sleep.
His small apartment was hushed, the only sounds the distant hum of traffic and the gentle creak of the building.
He squinted at the weak morning light filtering through his blinds, untangling himself from his rumpled sheets.
His usually neat dark hair was a wild, glorious mess, sticking up at odd angles, and his eyes were heavy, framed by prominent dark circles that spoke of late nights and restless sleep. He was still wearing his faded, comfortable night pajamas – a soft, worn t-shirt and loose-fitting shorts that did little to hide the lithe frame beneath.
He padded silently into the kitchen, his bare feet cool against the tiles, and reached for a glass to pour himself some water.
Just as the cool liquid touched his lips, a sharp, insistent ring echoed through the quiet space.
Ding-Dong! Ding-Dong!
Yang Zi frowned, genuinely confused.
"Who on earth would be at his door this early in the morning?" His mind, still half-asleep, conjured only one name.
"Ugh, maybe Jiang Shao," he grumbled to himself, a sigh escaping his lips. "That bastard has no concept of a proper wake-up time."
He shuffled towards the door, yawning widely, his body still protesting against the early disturbance, and tugged it open without much thought.
"Jiang Shao, you bastard, why did you come this early—"
His voice died in his throat, mid-curse. His sleepy gaze, previously fixed on the floor, slowly lifted. And froze.
Standing on his humble doorstep, illuminated by the morning light, was Shi Wang.
He was a vision, a stark contrast to Yang Zi's own dishevelled state. Shi Wang, in his impeccably tailored suit, handsome face alight with a wide, confident smile, looked as if he had just stepped off a drama set, every inch a picture of polished perfection.
Yang Zi's eyes widened, his jaw slack. His hand, still on the doorknob, instinctively slammed the door shut with a soft click.
"What?!" he whispered to himself, his heart thumping erratically. "What is he doing on my doorstep early in the morning?!"
Ding-Dong! Ding-Dong!
The doorbell rang again, persistent and unyielding. Yang Zi groaned. He had no choice. Taking a deep breath, he pulled the door open once more, forcing a painfully awkward, lopsided smile onto his face.
"Mr. Shi? What... what are you doing here this early?" he managed, his voice still raspy from sleep.
Shi Wang's smile widened, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he took in Yang Zi's messy appearance.
"Well, aren't you going to invite me inside, Yang Zi?" he said, his voice smooth and melodious. "It's a bit chilly out here, and I'm practically freezing."
He exaggerated a shiver, though his posture remained perfectly unbothered.
Yang Zi rolled his eyes, but stepped back, giving Shi Wang just enough space to enter. "Fine, come in," he muttered. "But take off your dirty shoes."
Without a moment's hesitation, Shi Wang bent down and effortlessly slipped off his expensive, polished leather shoes, placing them neatly beside the door.
He then stepped into the quiet apartment, his presence immediately filling the small space with an unexpected energy.
"So," Yang Zi asked again, crossing his arms over his chest, a hint of exasperation in his tone. "What do you want? Is there anything you need from me?"
Shi Wang walked past him and made himself comfortable on the worn sofa, leaning back as if he owned the place, a picture of relaxed confidence.
He surveyed the modest living room with an unreadable expression before turning his gaze back to Yang Zi.
"Get ready," he announced, his voice matter-of-fact. "We're going to have breakfast."
Yang Zi stared at him, utterly bewildered. "What? Why would you want to have breakfast with me?"
"Because I want to," Shi Wang replied simply, a hint of challenge in his eyes. "Or do you have other plans?"
Yang Zi was in the middle of formulating a sharp retort, about to deny Shi Wang's absurd proposition, when the doorbell rang again, this time with a frantic, urgent series of chimes.
Ding-Dong! Ding-Dong! Ding-Dong!
Yang Zi and Shi Wang exchanged a glance, a brief moment of shared surprise. Yang Zi pushed himself off the sofa, his previous annoyance replaced by a sudden apprehension.
He opened the door to find Gang Zi, standing there, looking distraught and out of breath.
"Yang Zi!" Gang Zi exclaimed, his voice hurried and laced with worry. "Mr. Li is calling! He needs you at the hospital as soon as possible!"
Yang Zi's blood ran cold. He froze, his messy hair and dark circles suddenly forgotten.
"Is... is something happened to Yu Han?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper, a wave of sickening dread washing over him.
Gang Zi wrung his hands. "I don't know, he wouldn't say. Just that Mr. Li urgently needs you there. Now!"
Panic seized Yang Zi. He didn't waste another second. He spun around, rushing towards his bedroom. He tore off his pajamas, grabbing the first clean clothes he could find – a simple t-shirt and jeans – and quickly splashed water on his face, trying to scrub away the sleepy haze and replace it with a semblance of alertness.
Shi Wang, who had risen from the sofa, watched Yang Zi with a somber expression.
"Come," he said, his voice firm and steady, cutting through Yang Zi's panic. "Get in my car. I'll take you."
Yang Zi, too consumed by his anxiety for Yu Han, didn't argue. He just nodded, his mind a whirlwind of terrifying possibilities.
He practically threw himself into the passenger seat of Shi Wang's car, his hands clenching into fists on his knees, his eyes wide and fixed on the road ahead.
Shi Wang, seeing the raw worry etched on Yang Zi's face, remained silent, his own features serious as he expertly navigated the busy streets, driving with purpose towards the hospital.
The cheerful morning air outside felt suddenly heavy, filled with unspoken fears and the chilling uncertainty of what awaited them.