The neighborhood where Chen Anya's family lived was quiet, too quiet. Su Ning slowed the car as she drove into the lonely district. Rows of old, weather-worn buildings stood like weary soldiers waiting to be replaced.
Paint peeled off walls, cracked windows were covered with makeshift boards, and the faint smell of dampness lingered in the air. Most of the houses were abandoned now; the government had long announced plans for renovation, and families who could afford to had already moved out.
But the Chens remained. Rent here was cheap, and for a family struggling to stay afloat, it was manageable.
Su Ning parked her car neatly by the roadside, the powerful engine of the Phantom IX Sport humming to a stop. The Chen family went into the house. She sat still for a moment, staring at the familiar house before her. A sigh escaped her lips. The crooked roof, the patched-up windows, the fragile-looking gate—nothing had changed.
Her mind drifted back to countless afternoons when she and Anya would rush here after school. Sometimes they'd sit in the cramped living room to do homework; other times, they would watch television on the old, slightly fuzzy screen while Anya's mother served them warm meals.
For Su Ning, who had no warmth at home, this place had been a refuge. She had slept here many nights, pretending it was her own home, just to avoid the cruel laughter of Shen Luoluo and her clique who loved to harass her at her old apartment.
Those days felt like a lifetime ago.
She took a deep breath, opened the trunk of her car, and carefully lifted the gift bag containing the phone and laptop she had earlier gotten for Anya. Then she walked toward the Chen family's home.
The front door creaked open as Anya led her inside. The living room was small and crowded with old furniture, but it radiated a sense of familiarity. The paint on the ceiling was chipped, water stains spread across the corners where the roof leaked during rainy seasons. Yet Su Ning felt a wave of nostalgia crash into her chest.
She sat down quietly on the worn sofa. Chen Anya excused herself to change clothes, leaving Su Ning with the muffled sounds of an old wall clock ticking steadily.
Moments later, Chen Anya's parents appeared. Her father, Chen Wei, was a man whose back was slightly hunched from years of hard labor. Her mother, Liu Ting, had gentle eyes that carried traces of weariness but shone with kindness. Her skin was rough and dull because of lack of care. Both of them looked a little nervous as they sat down across from Su Ning.
There was an awkward silence.
Chen Anya's mother stood up, as though on instinct, and fetched a cup of warm water for Su Ning—just as she had always done when Su Ning visited in the past.
Su Ning's lips curved into a small smile as she accepted it. "Thank you, Auntie."
Liu Fang waved her hand, trying to hide her emotions. "You're welcome, child."
Anya soon returned, freshened up, and immediately nestled beside Su Ning, clutching her arm tightly.
For a long moment, Su Ning simply sat, her gaze sweeping across the modest home. Then, she finally spoke. "Uncle, Auntie… there's something I need to tell you."
Her voice was calm but carried a weight that made all three of them tense.
Carefully, slowly, she revealed the made up story of her background—how she wasn't the helpless, bullied girl they had always known. She deliberately softened the details so as not to overwhelm them.
By the time she finished, silence filled the room.
Chen Wei sat rigidly, staring at the floor, his jaw tight. Liu Ting's hands trembled slightly on her lap. Chen Anya, though she had heard most of this before, still leaned against Su Ning as though seeking comfort in the reality of it all.
Su Ning looked at them quietly, giving them time to process.
When she finally spoke again, her voice was softer. "Please… don't see me as a stranger. You've always treated me like family, even when no one else did. You're the parents I never had. That will never change, no matter what my background is."
Liu Fang's eyes brimmed with tears. She covered her mouth with her hand, unable to hold back her emotions.
Chen Wei exhaled heavily, his eyes glistening. He didn't speak immediately, but Su Ning could see the storm of feelings behind his usually calm face. Anya sniffled, hugging Su Ning tighter.
After a while, Su Ning reached for one of the gift bags and handed it to Anya with a smile. "Anya, I brought your belonging."
"Thank you Ningning"
Anya peeked inside, although she already knew what was inside, she couldn't wait to unwrap them and have a good look at her new phone and laptop. Her parents thanked Su Ning, their voices low but sincere.
Su Ning thought to herself she would wait until Zhao Qi finalized the villa documents before surprising them with a new home. For now, she didn't want them to feel overwhelmed or pressured.
The night wore on, and eventually, Su Ning stood to leave. Despite their insistence, she refused their offer to walk her out. At the doorway, she turned back and gave them a small smile. "Take care. I'll come again soon."
As she stepped into the cool night air, the Chen family remained inside, silent and overwhelmed. It all felt like a dream to them. For Liu Ting, relief bubbled inside—at least now Su Ning would no longer be bullied.
—
Driving back, Su Ning's thoughts lingered on them. She tapped the steering wheel lightly, her mind weaving plans. How do I help them without making them feel indebted?
Her thoughts shattered with a sudden, sharp sound.
—BANG!
A gunshot echoed in the night. Su Ning's eyes narrowed instantly. Her instincts screamed danger.
A figure darted into the road, staggering before collapsing directly in front of her car. Su Ning's heart lurched as she swerved, tires screeching against asphalt. The car came to a halt inches away.
She inhaled deeply, steadying her heartbeat. Then, gripping the car handle, she stepped out cautiously.
Her ears sharpened—her cultivation allowed her to hear faint whispers of movement around the corner. Heavy boots, the faint metallic clink of weapons. Predators lying in wait.
A cold smile tugged at her lips. You picked the wrong night.
Her body blurred. One heartbeat, she was standing by her car; the next, she melted into the shadows.
The assassins waiting in the alley barely had time to register movement before Su Ning descended upon them like a ghost.
Her figure flickered—one moment behind them, the next in front. A sharp elbow strike cracked into a ribcage, followed by a ruthless kick that sent another crashing into the wall. The third spun around, eyes wide with terror, but her shadow moved faster. She reappeared behind him, her slender fingers twisting his wrist until the gun dropped. A palm strike to his chest sent him sprawling, gasping for air.
The Shadow Ghost Step was terrifying—fluid, unpredictable, leaving afterimages that confused the eye. The killers swung their blades wildly, striking nothing but empty air. Their targets had become the hunter.
Within seconds, all lay groaning on the ground, their weapons scattered.
Su Ning stood silently amidst the wreckage, her breathing calm. Her gaze swept over them once before she went back to her car, just as she turned to leave.
That was when she heard it—a faint groan behind her.
Her eyes narrowed, and she stepped closer. There, lying beside her car, was the figure who had collapsed earlier.
He was a man—tall, broad-shouldered, his shirt stained crimson with blood. He was shockingly handsome, His short dark hair clung damply to his forehead. His lips were pale, his chest rising and falling weakly. Yet even in his unconscious state, he looked cold, the air around him screamed danger.
Su Ning frowned. 'Who is he? '
Something in the air told her this man was not ordinary. He exuded power even in weakness.
For a brief moment, she hesitated. Taking in a stranger like him could be dangerous. But leaving him here to die felt… wrong.
Her decision was made.
She bent down, slid her arms around him, and with surprising strength born from her cultivation, lifted him. His body was warm, heavy with muscle. She carried him toward her car, her brows furrowed at his icy aura.
Once inside, she pressed her foot on the accelerator. The Phantom IX roared to life, tearing into the night as she sped away—carrying with her not just a wounded stranger, but the beginning of something that would change everything.