The Tang Mansion.
Red lanterns hung every corner, red roses arranged in every hallway, a banner in golden hung in the stage board, " Congratulations to our daughter, Lina Tang, for her outstanding achievement!"
The mansion was rarely so lively. The banquet table overflowed with luxurious dishes. The desert table never seem to get empty. Drinks were served continuously. Everyone clinked glasses. Sounds of laughter and chatter filled the air.
"Did she really do that?"
"What? You still don't want to believe!"
"Just as her name goes, Calamity queen."
"Did I hear that right? She shut down a game bar?"
"I thought she just tripped over a chair last week and accidentally broke a city councilor's nose."
"Was that… counted as an achievement now?"
"Are the Tangs really blind to see that?"
"Shh. Keep your mouth shut and enjoy the food. Madam Tang is here."
A round of applause erupted and cheered as the light focused on today's guest of honor, Lina Tang.
At the center of it all, she stood awkwardly in the middle of the stage wearing a floral funnel dress shoved by her mother at the last minute. Her hair half undone, loose strands falling over her shoulder yet her striking beauty effortlessly drew away the attention away from the disarray. She blinked at the guests present, unsure whether to smile or free.
Her mother walked up to the stage.
Clink! Clink!
She tapped a spoon against her champagne glass drawing all the attention. Cleared her throat and spoke in a proud elegant voice.
"This is my daughter, Lina Tang. The hero who revealed the illegal activity of that popular game bar. Let us all celebrate the outstanding achievement of our daughter and..."
"Mom, stop. It was not me. It was the police." Lina interrupted her mother. Probably too embarrassed to be celebrated for causing trouble.
"I know. You are too humble. But don't worry, your mom is here and nothing will go unnoticed." Her mother said assuring it was fine.
Madam Tang offered a courteous smile to everyone and urged everyone to eat and drink at their heart's content.
Lina slipped away from the stage. From the party.
With a plate full of crispy fried shrimp and filled donuts on one hand and a glass of champagne in another, she headed towards the backyard of the mansion.
She set the plate and glass down on the edge of the pool, slipped off her heels and tossed them aside. Then, dipping her legs into the water, she began to eat.
Away from the noises. In the silence. Lost in her own thoughts.
That's where she belongs. She wants to belong.
She never wanted anything. Just wanted to see a smile on her parents' face. Always.
In the shadows stood a figure dressed in black, his posture relaxed yet deliberate. One hand buried in his pocket, another swirling the champagne glass. Leaning against a pillar, he remained still, almost like a part of the architecture, eyes fixed at the slender figure at the poolside.
There, the girl, legs half dipped into the water, who had moments earlier appeared shy and innocent. A sheltered kid untouched of all the rain and wind around the world now seemed completely different. Innocence nowhere to be seen. Rather calm and composed and an aura colder than the winter cold.
Untouchable. Unapproachable. Someone who had seen too much, felt too little and someone not to be mess with.
'She hides it well.' He thought.
"Master, they are waiting for you." A voice sounded from behind, breaking the mood. His living reminder.
He nodded, lingered for a moment, then turned toward the exit, his silent shadow following behind him closely.
Seemingly aware, Lina Tang glanced at the pillar. She looked at the empty space briefly then focused on eating.
Her only weakness. The filled macaroons!
Ding!
A notification popped up on her phone.
She tapped it open.
"Fifth, I'm really sorry! I swear I'll be extra careful next time. You won't be dragged in or exposed, promise! Please, let it go this time."
A begging voice chirped through the speaker.
"Rule is rule." She typed back.
A series of begging emoji appeared on the chat screen but she no longer cared.
"Lina. There you are." Another figure appeared by her side.
Nora Xu. Her Friend. Her childhood friend. The only one who does not consider her a troublemaker.
"You know. My parents. So embarrassing." Lina replied. Her tone gentle. Back to being the naïve child.
"They adore you, Lina. You are lucky." Nora's voice carried a tinge of jealousy. But only for a short while. Soon it was replaced with admiration.
"I am lucky to have you by my side." Lina said softly revealing a delicate smile.
"Silly." Nora gently nudged her head into the former's shoulder.
The champagne must have clouded their heads.
The celebration ended before midnight.
"Be safe on the way, Uncle Xu." Butler Xu bowed at Lina before settling into the driver's seat and took off.
Lina headed to her room after sending Nora home.
The lively mansion seem to have quietened down now. Exactly the way she likes it.
She dragged herself towards her room on the second floor.
She was tired. Very tired. Half of her strength was already drained in the daytime exposing the gambling den under that game bar.
The rest was drained in the party.
'No more trouble for this year.' She swore.
Finally, her bed came into her sight. She could not be bothered changing out of her clothes, removing her makeup and blah! Blah! Blah!
She threw herself into the bed. Under the moonlight spilling through her slightly opened window, she drifted into a deep sleep.
Another day awaited.
Another uncertainty.
____
At dawn, she jolted awake.
Not from a sound or movement but from within.
A reflex born of habit. A long term habit deeply itched into her consciousness.
It had been a year since she had arrived in this world yet her sleeping habits never seem to have changed.
Too many things to do. Too many lives to be saved.
She can not delay.
Soon after, she stepped into her truest self.
Clad in a sleek black assassin's cloth, her weapon resting at her hip, she leapt from the balcony—vanishing into the night, leaving the slumbering Tang family.