The Grand Hall of the Ministry of National Honors shimmered beneath crystal chandeliers, every drop of glass catching the glow of golden spotlights. Velvet carpets stretched like rivers of royalty, and cameras flashed endlessly as celebrities, officials, business icons, and decorated officers arrived one by one.
Outside, a winter breeze carried the soft hum of excited chatter. Inside, elegance and power mingled like perfume in the air.
Tonight was special.
Tonight, the nation would honor its finest.
Tonight, for the first time ever, the public would get a glimpse of the man known only by a code name—Shadow Wolf.
No face, no past, no details had ever been released.
He was a ghost—even among the elite.
But his missions were legendary.
And now, he was here.
Hidden among the crowd.
---
Zhao Yuxin stepped out of the black vehicle, a soft blue silk gown flowing behind her like a trail of moonlight. The hall fell into a brief hush. She had that effect on people—beauty that didn't try, elegance that didn't flaunt.
Her assistant, Lin Mei, hurried behind her, adjusting the fall of her dress.
"Yuxin-jie, slow down! If you walk this fast, I'll trip over my own feet!"
Yuxin giggled softly. "You should practice more then. We attend too many events for you to still be clumsy."
"It's not the events," Lin Mei muttered. "It's your legs. They're too long. Ordinary humans cannot keep up."
Yuxin shook her head, amused. "Stop exaggerating."
Lin Mei leaned in closer. "Look ahead. Everyone's staring at you. Again."
That was true—actors whispered behind their hands, photographers angled their lenses quicker, fans murmured her name even though this was mostly a government event. But Yuxin walked with the grace of someone who had learned how to live with being watched.
Tonight, she wasn't performing. But she definitely stood out.
"Do you know," Lin Mei said conspiratorially, "rumor says Shadow Wolf will be here tonight."
Yuxin blinked. "The SWAT officer?"
"The one and only. The man who took down the border syndicate last year. No one knows his real name. They say he doesn't like crowds. This is the first time he'll appear anywhere."
"Well," Yuxin said calmly, "I doubt we'll even know who he is."
"That's the mystery! They say only his teammates have actually seen him. Even the media doesn't know his face."
Yuxin smiled faintly. "Then he must enjoy his freedom."
"Maybe," Lin Mei whispered, eyes gleaming. "But imagine being close enough to see him. The national ghost."
Yuxin rolled her eyes. "Stop fangirling. There are plenty of handsome men here already."
"Not like him," Lin Mei said dramatically. "The rumors say he's—"
"Lin Mei."
"Okay, okay. I'll stop."
They walked further into the hall, unaware that somewhere on the other side of the building, the man they were discussing had just entered.
---
A black van pulled into the restricted entrance. The doors slid open simultaneously, and four SWAT officers stepped out in perfect formation—clean suits, silent steps, disciplined eyes.
Among them was him.
The enigma.
The legend.
Codename: Shadow Wolf.
Not a single badge displayed his real name. His identity was strictly confidential. Even his teammates referred to him formally, though they knew him better than anyone else.
"Shadow, you okay?" asked Fang Rui, a cheerful demolitions specialist who always talked too much.
Shadow Wolf—Li Wei—adjusted his cufflink. "Why wouldn't I be?"
"You hate public events," Fang Rui said frankly. "Crowds give you headaches. And civilians stare too much."
Li Wei's expression didn't change. "Orders are orders."
The team's only female officer, Jiang Yan, crossed her arms and glanced at him. Her eyes softened a little—more than she intended.
"You didn't have to come," she said quietly. "Captain could have attended alone. You're… not obligated to appear."
Li Wei gave her a neutral look. "It's fine."
Fang Rui smirked. "Yan-jie just wants to say she was worried."
Jiang Yan's ears turned red. "Shut up, Fang."
But Fang Rui just nudged Li Wei with a grin. "See? Our Yan-jie cares."
Yan shot him a death glare, but everyone on the team knew—she admired Li Wei. Respected him. Maybe more than that.
Li Wei, however, remained oblivious. Emotionally blind.
Captain Zhu arrived behind them, hands in pockets. "Alright, you three. Behave. This is not a battlefield."
"No promises," Fang Rui muttered.
Zhu glared. "We're here for recognition. One of the highest honors. Try not to embarrass the unit."
Li Wei gave a short nod. "Understood."
"And Li—" The captain stopped himself. "Shadow. Stay close. If reporters rush us, just follow my lead."
Li Wei simply nodded again.
As they entered, officers and government officials whispered excitedly.
"That's them—the elite unit."
"Which one is Shadow Wolf?"
"No idea. None of them shows anything."
Exactly the way Li Wei preferred it.
---
The hall was massive, with tiered seating and a decorated main stage. Rows of round golden tables filled the room. Celebrities took selfies, ministers discussed politics, musicians adjusted microphones, and uniformed officers stood proudly among them.
Zhao Yuxin and Lin Mei found their reserved table near the front.
"Look at the actor on your right," Lin Mei whispered. "He's staring at you like a hungry cat."
Yuxin followed her gaze but quickly looked away. "Don't exaggerate."
"He's the type who thinks he deserves everyone's attention. Ignore him."
"I planned to," Yuxin said politely.
Another actress passed by, whispering loudly enough to be heard:
"She only got famous because of hype. Let's see how long it lasts."
Her friend giggled. "She probably came just to show off."
Yuxin remained composed, but Lin Mei glared at them. "Idiots."
Yuxin smiled faintly. "Let it go."
But the whispers around them grew.
"Is she really acting next year?"
"I heard she's getting a big role."
"She looks too perfect. Annoying."
The thing about fame—it glittered, but it burned too.
Just then, a deep voice interrupted the petty gossip.
"Yuxin."
She turned.
A warm smile spread across her face.
Chen Hao, her co-star and long-time friend, walked toward her. Handsome, charismatic, and openly fond of her. His presence alone made gossipers shut their mouths.
"You came early?" he said.
"The organizers asked me to," she replied.
Chen Hao pulled out a chair and sat beside her with a relaxed smile. "Don't mind them. People always talk about those more successful."
Yuxin sighed softly. "I'm used to it."
Lin Mei leaned toward Chen Hao. "She won't say it, but she needs someone to distract her from gossipers."
Chen Hao chuckled. "Well, I'm good at that."
Yuxin gave him a warning look. "Don't tease."
He shrugged, eyes warm on her. "I'm only stating facts."
Across the hall, cameras flashed again.
---
The SWAT officers were seated several rows behind the VIP performers. A wide distance separated them from the celebrity section, but they still had a clear view.
Fang Rui slouched in his seat. "Wow. Fancy. Look at all the shiny clothes. I feel like a potato."
Captain Zhu smacked the back of his head lightly. "Sit properly. You're representing the nation, not a vegetable market."
Jiang Yan sat upright, glancing discreetly at Li Wei every few minutes.
"You're very quiet," she said.
"I'm always quiet," Li Wei replied calmly.
"That's true," Fang Rui added, laughing.
Zhu shook his head. "Shadow, don't wander off when the ceremony starts. You're receiving an award tonight."
Li Wei didn't react. "Yes, sir."
Jiang Yan lowered her voice. "Does it bother you?"
"What?"
"Attention. People watching."
Li Wei paused for a moment. "It doesn't bother me. I simply don't prefer it."
Jiang Yan nodded, understanding. "Same."
(But unlike him, she secretly liked being near him in any situation.)
Across the hall, a few people turned their heads, whispering.
"That table—SWAT?"
"They look scary."
"Which one is Shadow Wolf?"
"The tall one? No, maybe the cold one."
"They all look cold!"
Li Wei caught some of the whispers but ignored them. His gaze drifted across the hall, scanning automatically for potential threats, exits, suspicious behavior.
His eyes passed over crowds, tables, actors…
…briefly over the table where Zhao Yuxin sat laughing with Chen Hao.
But he didn't focus long enough to notice her face.
And she was turned toward the stage—never looking his way.
Two people, in the same hall.
But with worlds between them.
---
Lights dimmed. A hush fell across the hall as the host walked onto the stage, microphone in hand.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the National Honors and Innovations Ceremony. Tonight, we celebrate those who stood bravely, led boldly, and inspired the nation."
Applause filled the room.
Yuxin clapped gracefully. Chen Hao leaned over slightly. "You okay? You look tense."
"I'm fine," she whispered back. "Just tired."
"Then lean on me if you want."
She didn't respond, pretending she didn't hear.
At the SWAT table, Fang Rui whispered, "Shadow, imagine if they play dramatic music for your award."
"They won't," Li Wei said flatly.
"They should," Jiang Yan muttered. "Considering what you've accomplished."
Li Wei didn't reply.
His eyes were focused on the stage.
But for a second…
a tiny, inexplicable tug pulled at his chest.
Like the faint sense that someone familiar…
someone important…
was close.
He dismissed it immediately.
Feelings were distractions.
He didn't entertain distractions.
--
Two actresses seated near Yuxin began gossiping again when they noticed Chen Hao offering her water.
"Look at her. Already taking Chen Hao again."
"He's so obvious. How can she pretend not to know?"
"She's too perfect today. Show-off."
Chen Hao heard them—but pretended not to.
Lin Mei gave them a death glare. "Jealousy is loud, huh?"
Yuxin shook her head gently. "Ignore them."
But deep inside, she felt a familiar loneliness tightening in her chest.
Even surrounded by people, fame could feel suffocating.
---
Jiang Yan kept her attention fixed on the stage—but her eyes flickered sideways more often than she admitted, stealing glances at Li Wei.
The strong line of his jaw.
The disciplined way he sat.
The quiet aura that pulled everyone's attention without trying.
She admired all of it.
But she also knew—
he never looked back.
Her heart tightened.
Tonight, she told herself, she would be brave.
Maybe she would talk to him after the ceremony.
Maybe she would tell him something—anything—to get closer.
But fate had other plans.
---
Zhao Yuxin—beloved actress, rising professor.
Li Wei—faceless national hero, silent warrior.
Two paths shaped by separate worlds.
Two destinies pulled by forces they didn't understand.
Two hearts unaware of their approaching collision.
The ceremony continued.
Awards were given.
Performers sang.
Officials spoke.
And somewhere between the applause and flashing lights, a fragile thread of destiny began tightening—slowly, invisibly.
Bringing them closer.
Minute by minute.
Not yet touching.
Not yet knowing.
But moving.
Soon.
Very soon.
Their worlds would collide.