At dawn, the capital city of Zhenhua buzzed beneath a veil of fog and ambition. Skyscrapers cut through the clouds, glass and steel reflecting the rising sun like blades. Inside one of those towers, the Chen Group headquarters, a new war was being planned — not of bullets or boardrooms, but of secrets and bloodlines.
---
The Chen Brothers' War Council
The conference room was quiet except for the rhythmic ticking of the clock.
Chen Heo, the second son, stood before the digital map glowing on the wall — a map that traced networks of influence across countries. Every line, every dot, represented people they controlled or monitored.
Beside him sat Chen Wei, the eldest, a man of logic and ice. Across from them lounged Chen Lu, the youngest — charming, unpredictable, but lethal when provoked.
"This," Heo began, tapping the red pin blinking over Wang Nation, "is where she's been hiding."
Chen Wei leaned forward. "You're sure?"
Heo's gaze hardened. "The pendant. The description. The name. Everything fits. She's alive, Wei. Xu Ling — or whatever she calls herself now — is in Wang territory."
Silence fell. Even the ticking stopped.
Then Chen Wei spoke, voice low. "After all these years… our little sister's been living under another man's roof."
Chen Lu smirked, leaning back in his chair. "And not just any man. Wang Zheng. The ice-hearted heir who built his own empire. I've read his file. Dangerous, calculated, annoyingly competent."
Heo crossed his arms. "He's powerful, yes. But power doesn't scare me."
Wei's eyes flickered toward him. "It should. If he finds out why we're here, this could escalate into a corporate war. The Wangs control trade routes. We control the media and defense contracts. If this goes wrong—"
"It won't," Heo cut in. "We move quietly. No press. No board leaks. No emotional outbursts."
Lu grinned. "You mean your emotional outbursts?"
Heo shot him a glare.
Wei finally stood, his tone final. "Then we prepare. The Golden Spoon Charity Showcase will draw every elite in the region — ministers, heirs, and CEOs. That's our opening. We'll watch her from a distance. Observe her life. Confirm her identity."
He paused. "And when we're certain… we bring her home."
---
The Operation Begins
Three private jets left Zhenhua that evening under coded names.
In first class, Chen Heo sat alone, staring out at the sea of clouds. He didn't need pictures — the memory of her face as a child haunted him every night.
Her laughter, the way she used to chase butterflies in their garden… before the fire. Before their mother's death. Before everything fell apart.
"Xu Ling…" he murmured. "You've been gone too long."
---
Meanwhile, in Wang Nation
In the glittering capital of Nanshi, preparations for the Golden Spoon Showcase had transformed the city into a stage of luxury. Every luxury brand, socialite, and hidden tycoon had converged.
Hotels were fully booked. Security doubled. News outlets whispered about which heir would attend — unaware that among them were the Chen brothers, ghosts from another dynasty.
Inside the Wang family's penthouse, however, the air was calm.
Xu Ling was packing the final jewelry cases for the event — each piece shimmering like frozen sunlight. Wang Zheng had sent extra bodyguards, though she didn't understand why.
"You're treating me like I'm walking into war," she teased, arranging the necklaces.
"You're walking into a world of sharks," Wang Zheng replied, slipping on his cufflinks. "I'm just making sure none of them bite."
She smiled faintly. "Then I'll make sure I shine brighter than all of them."
---
Arrival of the Chens
The next day, the Chen brothers arrived in Wang Nation's capital disguised as foreign investors. Their vehicles slid through traffic unnoticed — tinted windows, diplomatic plates, and silence.
Chen Lu checked his phone. "The guest list for the showcase just leaked. Wang Zheng will be there, along with half his board. And guess who's presenting in the main hall?"
Chen Heo's jaw clenched. "Her."
Wei adjusted his tie. "Then it begins. Keep your distance. We observe. No contact unless necessary."
Lu laughed softly. "You say that, but what happens if she walks by and looks you in the eyes? You think you'll stay calm?"
Heo didn't answer. His hands curled into fists.
---
At the Event Grounds
The Golden Spoon showcase was held at the Royal Glass Pavilion, a building of crystal and gold that glimmered under chandeliers the size of carriages.
The air smelled of wealth — roses, champagne, and old money.
Xu Ling entered with her team, dressed in a flowing silver gown, her hair pinned with white jade combs she had crafted herself. Her jewelry display stood at the center of the hall — understated, elegant, unlike the gaudy excess of the others.
Every head turned when she passed.
Wang Zheng arrived later, tall and composed, shaking hands with diplomats and foreign investors. His eyes, however, kept finding her — across the crowd, through the glass, as if drawn by gravity itself.
---
The Chen Brothers' Perspective
From a balcony above, the Chen brothers watched.
Wei lowered his glass. "That's her."
Lu leaned over the railing, whistling under his breath. "She's… changed."
Heo didn't speak. His gaze was locked on her — the same gentle posture, the same quiet confidence. Only now, she was radiant, alive, untouchable.
Then, their attention shifted as Wang Zheng placed his hand lightly on her back, guiding her toward the main table.
Lu muttered, "So that's the man."
Heo's eyes darkened. "He's the reason she never came back."
Wei's voice was cold. "Then we'll see what kind of man he is — and whether he deserves to stand next to a Chen."
---
The Calm Before Collision
Later that night, as the showcase lights dimmed and applause filled the air, Xu Ling's jewelry collection was declared the highlight of the evening.
She smiled — proud, humble, unaware that three men in the shadows watched her every move with hearts torn between love, regret, and rage.
When she bowed, one of her jade hairpins slipped slightly. The crest engraved on it glimmered under the spotlight — the Chen crest, faint but unmistakable.
Wei's breath caught. "Proof."
Heo's voice was ice. "Then there's no mistake."
Lu tilted his head. "So what now?"
Heo's eyes never left her. "Now… we take back what was stolen from us."