Xin Yi woke up with a soft groan.
Her eyes barely opened before she rolled onto her side, pressing one hand against her temple.
"Ugh…"
Her head throbbed painfully, as if someone were pounding a hammer inside her skull.
For a moment she simply lay there on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling while trying to remember why she felt so terrible.
Then the memories of the previous night slowly returned.
Loop nightclub.
Minister Jiangchen.
Alcohol.
Lots of alcohol.
Xin Yi closed her eyes again and groaned.
"Right… that explains it."
Although demons were far stronger than humans, the ridiculous amount of alcohol she had forced herself to drink last night while pretending to entertain the minister had clearly left its mark.
"Next time," she muttered to herself, sitting up slowly, "I should fake drinking instead."
She rubbed her temples again before swinging her legs off the bed.
The sunlight filtering through the curtains told her it was already later than usual.
Normally she woke up early, but today her body clearly needed extra rest.
"Well," she sighed, stretching her arms above her head, "at least there's no mission today."
Her bare feet padded softly across the floor as she walked toward the bathroom.
A hot shower was exactly what she needed.
⸻
A few minutes later, warm steam filled the bathroom as Xin Yi stood beneath the flowing water.
The heat relaxed her tense muscles and slowly eased the pounding in her head.
She washed her hair quickly before stepping out and wrapping a towel around herself.
Standing in front of the mirror, she brushed her teeth while staring at her reflection.
Her long ginger hair fell damp around her shoulders, and her gray eyes looked slightly tired.
But even with messy hair and sleepy eyes, Xin Yi still looked effortlessly beautiful.
After finishing in the bathroom, she returned to her bedroom and opened the wardrobe.
Today she wasn't planning on going anywhere.
No missions.
No targets.
Just a quiet day at home.
Perfect.
She pulled out a comfortable set of loungewear — soft gray pants and a loose white shirt.
After changing into the outfit, she glanced at herself in the mirror again.
A small smile slowly appeared on her lips.
Her mind had drifted back to the conversation she had with Lu Yin the night before.
"You may one day become the next ruler of Hell."
Just remembering those words made her chest fill with excitement.
Xin Yi leaned slightly against the dresser.
"Queen of Hell…" she murmured quietly.
The thought alone made her grin.
For twelve years she had worked harder than any other demon.
She had completed every mission perfectly.
And if she continued proving herself, that throne could one day belong to her.
But first—
She needed breakfast.
⸻
Xin Yi walked out of her bedroom and into the living room.
Her apartment was simple but modern.
The living room and kitchen were connected in an open layout, allowing her to move easily between both spaces.
She walked straight to the small kitchen counter and opened one of the cabinets.
"Perfect," she murmured.
She grabbed a cup ramen and placed it on the counter.
It had quietly become her usual breakfast since she started living among humans.
It was simple.
Fast.
And surprisingly delicious.
Xin Yi peeled the lid halfway open and poured hot water into the cup before adding the seasoning packet inside.
Then she closed the lid and waited a few minutes.
While the noodles softened, she grabbed a pair of chopsticks and carried the cup over to the living room.
She sat comfortably on the couch and reached for the TV remote.
Click.
The television flickered on.
Xin Yi switched to a news channel almost immediately.
She leaned back into the couch and waited patiently.
If everything had gone as expected last night, the news should already be reporting the death of Minister Jiangchen.
And sure enough—
The headline appeared moments later.
BREAKING NEWS: PROMINENT POLITICIAN FOUND DEAD IN HIS LUXURY PENTHOUSE.
Xin Yi's lips curved upward.
"Right on schedule."
She lifted the lid of the ramen and began eating while watching the television.
The news anchor spoke with a serious expression.
"This morning authorities confirmed the death of Minister Jiangchen, who was discovered in his private penthouse late last night. Initial reports suggest the minister was stabbed directly in the heart."
Xin Yi slurped a mouthful of noodles.
"Mmm."
Delicious.
The anchor continued.
"A female witness who was present at the time claimed an unknown intruder broke into the penthouse through a window before attacking the minister."
Xin Yi nodded slowly.
"Good story," she murmured with amusement.
The anchor's expression became even more serious.
"This case bears striking similarities to several other mysterious murders that have occurred over the past twelve years."
Xin Yi paused mid-bite.
Oh?
Now this part was always interesting.
The screen changed to display several photos of different men.
"Authorities have confirmed that more than forty-five men have died under nearly identical circumstances," the anchor explained.
"All victims were stabbed directly through the heart with a weapon that leaves the same uniquely shaped wound."
On the screen, a diagram appeared showing the wound pattern.
A narrow triangular blade.
Xin Yi smiled slightly.
Her knife.
"And in every case," the anchor continued, "the victims were discovered with their eyes rolled upward, leaving only the whites visible."
Xin Yi leaned back against the couch while continuing to eat her ramen.
"Forty-five already?" she muttered thoughtfully.
She hadn't actually been counting.
But hearing the number out loud made her feel oddly proud.
The anchor continued speaking.
"Police investigators believe these deaths may be connected and are currently searching for the individual responsible."
Xin Yi laughed softly.
"Good luck with that."
She took another bite of noodles.
"They'll never find me."
After finishing the ramen, she placed the empty cup on the coffee table.
But the news report continued discussing the mysterious killer.
Xin Yi grew bored quickly.
"Alright, that's enough of that."
She grabbed the remote and switched channels.
Almost instantly her expression brightened.
"Oh!"
The new channel was broadcasting entertainment news.
And the screen showed a very familiar face.
Yi Chen.
Xin Yi sat up straighter on the couch.
The reporter on television spoke excitedly.
"Fans of rock star Yi Chen have a lot to look forward to this week! The singer has just announced a special fan meet-and-greet event happening this Saturday in Chongqing!"
Xin Yi's eyes widened.
"Wait… what?"
She leaned closer to the television.
The reporter continued.
"The event will allow a limited number of fans to meet Yi Chen in person, take photos, and receive signed merchandise."
Xin Yi's mouth slowly fell open.
"In person…?"
The camera showed footage of Yi Chen smiling while greeting fans during previous events.
Xin Yi stared at the screen like someone witnessing a miracle.
"You're kidding me."
Her heart suddenly began beating faster.
Yi Chen.
Here.
In Chongqing.
And fans could actually meet him.
Xin Yi jumped up from the couch.
"No way… no way… no way!"
She grabbed her phone from the table and began searching the event details online.
Within seconds the information appeared.
Fan meet-and-greet.
Limited tickets.
Saturday afternoon.
Xin Yi covered her mouth in excitement.
"Oh my God…"
She began pacing around the living room.
"I have to go."
Then she suddenly stopped.
A demon.
Attending a celebrity fan event.
Xin Yi thought about it for a moment.
Then she shrugged.
"Why not?"
After all—
Even demons deserved a day off.