The night hung heavy over Jiangcheng, its wind laced with the dampness of early summer — like a silent whisper floating through the streets.
Wen Zhi walked out of Linchuan, not heading home. Instead, she hailed a cab and gave an unfamiliar address — a bar she had never visited before.
"FENIX."
Her voice was so soft it nearly disappeared into the wind. The driver acknowledged her and drove off into Jiangcheng's glittering night.
Wen Zhi never liked crowds, and she certainly never liked the numbness of alcohol.But tonight was different.
If betrayal could fall on her without warning, what harm could a little alcohol do?
She was clearly drunk, yet sat perfectly straight.
Her spine seemed held up by an invisible thread, refusing to collapse, refusing to yield. The lighting at the bar was hazy and ambiguous. The bartender worked with practiced ease. Wen Zhi sat quietly in the corner, not causing a stir, ordering drink after drink.
After a few rounds, the bartender couldn't help but speak up."Miss, go easy. Drinking on an empty stomach is hard on the body."
Wen Zhi gave a faint smile but said nothing. She drained her glass in one go."Another," she said evenly, her gaze fixed on the shallow liquid as if watching a play she'd rehearsed a thousand times.
Her awareness began to slip. The world blurred.
Then — someone approached from behind.
"A beautiful woman like you shouldn't drink alone. Isn't it lonely?"
A man's voice, slick and unwelcome, slid over her ears.
He took the seat beside her, dressed in a flashy suit, reeking of overpowering cologne. He leaned in close, his eyes brazenly locked onto her exposed shoulder.
Wen Zhi turned her head away, ignoring him.
Her cold indifference was like a blade, but the man didn't take the hint. He even reached out, trying to touch her shoulder.
"Don't be like that. We could—"
He never finished his sentence.
His wrist was suddenly caught — a strong, steady hand gripping him with just enough pressure to assert control.
"Take your hand off her."
The voice came from just behind, deep and chilling — like iron sinking into the river's depths.
The man turned, ready to curse — and froze when he met a pair of eyes that stole the air from his lungs.
Yan Zhiheng stood there in a plain black shirt, sleeves rolled up, tall and composed. Under the dim lights, he looked like a statue carved in shadow — motionless, but radiating quiet power.
"Who the hell are you?" the man snapped, trying to yank his wrist back. But the grip didn't budge. In fact, it felt like something might dislocate.
"I said," Yan Zhiheng's voice was calm, emotionless, "she doesn't want you touching her.Now leave."
A shiver ran down the man's spine. He swore under his breath and slunk away, defeated.
Only then did Wen Zhi seem to register what had just happened.
She blinked, as if finally seeing Yan Zhiheng clearly.
He stood there, eyes lowered slightly. When he let go of the man's wrist, he did it gently — like he didn't want to startle her.
Their eyes met. She froze.
His gaze was cold but clear, like obsidian sunken in the depths of night. There was no pity in it, no judgment — only restraint, and something quietly, unbearably repressed.
In that moment, she felt dizzy.Why… why was he here now, of all times?
"You..." Her voice was hoarse, her throat dry. "What's your name?"
Yan Zhiheng didn't answer right away. He looked at the flush on her cheeks, then said steadily:
"I'll take you home."
"I don't want to go home," Wen Zhi said clearly, though her emotions began to fray. "I don't want to be interrogated... I hate those looks."
Her eyes were tinged with red, like a child on the verge of collapse.
Yan Zhiheng paused for two seconds. Then, in a low voice:"Alright. I'll take you to a hotel."
He reached out, gently adjusting the jacket slipping from her shoulder, and leaned down slightly — as if asking for her permission.
Wen Zhi looked at him, and suddenly asked,"Don't you look down on me? Think it's pathetic for me to come here drinking alone?"
"No."His voice was lower than the liquor. His eyes were steady."I just... didn't want anyone to touch you."
Her throat tightened. She turned her face away.
"...You're strange," she whispered.