Chapter 4
855 Words
"Unhand me!" The scent of Luo Qifeng—crisp mountain air mingled with raw sandalwood—twisted in Ember’s nostrils, eliciting a visceral churn in her stomach.
She flinched back, spine hitting the headboard. The silk sheets pooled at her waist, their ivory surface marred by a stark red stain—a brutal reminder of the night she’d surrendered her virginity to a stranger. Luo Qifeng stood by the wardrobe, towel knotted low, water droplets trailing down his chiseled abdomen like melted snow on granite.
"Tell me," his voice cut through the dimness, "what are you searching for?"
Ember’s fingers scrabbled across the mattress, searching for her satchel. The room around her was a time capsule: an ornate rosewood vanity dusted with lavender sachets, lace curtains yellowed like aged parchment, and an army of plush bears—from a giant panda with a missing eye to a tiny polar bear clutching a heart.
"My satchel," Ember repeated, voice shaking. "It has my induction papers for Yin Enterprises. I start today, and—"
He scoffed, switching on the bedside lamp. Amber light haloed his form, highlighting the scar above his left eyebrow. "Name your price," he said, pulling a checkbook from the dresser. "This should cover the night and a new Gucci tote."
The check fluttered onto her lap—unsigned, the amount field blank. Ember’s stomach knotted. Did he really think she was here to extort him? "My bag isn’t about money," she said, hurling the check back. "It has documents I can’t replace—proof I’m supposed to be at Yin."
Luo Qifeng’s expression darkened. "Don’t play innocent. I’ve had enough of women like you—"
"Like me?" Ember laughed bitterly, gesturing to the teddy bears. "Do I look like I belong in a room full of childhood toys? I need those papers to find my mother."
Their gazes met in the vanity mirror, a standoff of shadows and light.
Ember saw her reflection: hair tangled, blouse torn, mascara smudged under bloodshot eyes. Beside her, Luo Qifeng looked like a marble statue—deadly and beautiful, but his eyes held a vulnerability she hadn’t noticed before. "Your mother?" he asked, tone softer.
"She worked for Mr. Yin," Ember said, picking at a loose thread. "I haven’t heard from her in three years. This induction is my only chance to ask about her."
Luo Qifeng turned away, jaw clenched. "Yin Enterprises is no place for dreamers."
Dawn’s first light sliced through the curtains, illuminating a photo on the nightstand.
Ember recognized the woman in the frame—Fang Yichun, the room’s former owner. She had the same lavender perfume as the sachets under the pillows, the same love for teddy bears. "Who was she?" Ember asked, picking up the photo.
Luo Qifeng snatched it from her hands. "None of your business." His voice was harsh, but Ember saw the pain in his eyes—the same pain she felt every time she thought of her mother. "Get dressed. My driver will take you to Yin."
Thirty minutes later, Ember stood in the foyer, wearing a borrowed cashmere coat that swallowed her frame.
Luo Qifeng handed her a cup of coffee, steam curling from the mug. "About last night—"
"Don’t," Ember said, holding up a hand. "I just want my bag."
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I didn’t take it. But if you need help—"
"Thanks, but no." Ember turned to leave, but paused at the door. "For what it’s worth, I’m sorry about Fang Yichun."
Luo Qifeng didn’t respond, but Ember saw his shoulders tense. She stepped outside, the dawn wind biting at her cheeks. The street was empty except for a black town car idling at the curb.
As the car pulled away, Ember looked back at the mansion.
Luo Qifeng stood at the window, silhouette dark against the morning light. For a moment, their eyes met across the distance. Then he turned away, and the car drove into the rising sun.
Ember sipped her coffee, warmth spreading through her. She still didn’t have her bag, but she had a lead—and a strange feeling that she hadn’t seen the last of Luo Qifeng.
Just then, her phone buzzed in the coat pocket.
A text from an unknown number: I have your satchel. Meet me at the old warehouse on Fifth Street.
Ember’s heart pounded. Was this a trap? She looked at the driver. "Change of plans," she said. "Take me to Fifth Street."
The driver nodded, eyes meeting hers in the rearview mirror. "As you wish, miss."
Ember sank back into the seat, staring out at the city waking up. The warehouse loomed ahead, its windows boarded up, a sign peeling off the door. Whatever awaited her, she was ready. After last night, she had nothing left to lose.
A figure stepped from the shadows as she approached.
"Ember Ai," the man said, holding up her satchel. He wore a trench coat and fedora, silver cufflinks glinting in the dawn light. "I’ve been expecting you."
Ember took a step back. "Who are you?"
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