Volume One Chapter 1: Dream

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Morning.

Blinding sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the entire room.

Buttons and straps were scattered haphazardly across the floor.

A gust of wind blew, sending the bra hanging from the corner of the bed fluttering down to the ground.

Irritated, Mu Yao pulled the quilt over her head, hoping to savor the lingering sweetness of her dream.

In the dim light, as the world spun around her, the man’s handsome features were uncannily vivid.

Every part of him was perfectly aligned with Mu Yao’s aesthetic tastes.

Luxurious clothing concealed her feverish body, and more than that, it imprisoned her restless soul.

Mu Yao longed for freedom.

“Don’t move!”

The man’s low, hoarse voice echoed by her ear.

Accompanied by the sound of a throat swallowing.

Mu Yao felt parched.

She could hear her own heart pounding wildly. His breath slipped under her clothes, sending chills that tingled and spread through her entire body.

She felt as if a raging fire would consume her, and she pressed closer to him, seeking the coolness he offered.

But the droplets of water only evaporated, leaving behind an even fiercer heat.

In the midst of this combustible passion...

The man’s smoky voice whispered again by her ear.

“Miss Mu, is this how you teach your students?”

...

The lump beneath the covers lay still for a moment, then suddenly sat up straight like a startled carp.

Mu Yao clutched her chest, gasping for breath.

*

Century Plaza, Beijing.

The previously quiet venue grew increasingly lively as more and more people arrived; by the start of the parade, the crowd’s screams seemed to threaten the very roof.

Mu Yao walked along the designated parade route.

She performed her character’s signature moves, stopping now and then for photos with people on either side.

The morning’s dream had been so vivid it unsettled her—she almost believed...

When the parade finally ended, Mu Yao seized a chance to slip into the official lounge, letting out a long sigh of relief.

The aftertaste of a hangover was far from pleasant. Her head pounded mercilessly.

What exactly had happened last night?

The strong liquor had wiped away her memories, leaving her only with a tantalizing dream.

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“Help! Someone’s dead!” The shrill scream sent the entire venue into chaos.

Someone had died.

Mu Yao’s expression changed, a wave of dread surging in her chest. She instinctively opened the door and looked around.

The crowd was in utter turmoil. Shrieks assaulted her ears, and every made-up face was painted with panic and anxiety—except one.

A woman rushed to Mu Yao’s side, grabbing her arm in a death grip. “Something’s happened! We need to get out of here!”

Mu Yao didn’t think twice, assuming she’d run into a kind soul.

But as they ran, a glint of cold steel flashed from beneath the woman’s skirt.

Mu Yao caught sight of it and her heart skipped a beat. She stopped dead in her tracks, frozen as she stared at the girl.

She was the murderer.

“What’s wrong?” the girl asked, turning back. Seeing Mu Yao’s pale face, she curled her lips in a twisted smile.

“So, you figured it out.”

Mu Yao’s heart thrashed violently. She wrenched free from the girl’s grip and bolted at the fastest speed of her life.

But the girl was unnaturally fast, closing the distance between them.

“You can’t get away.” She drew a dagger, watching Mu Yao’s trembling form with amusement.

The girl advanced step by step. As the blade drew nearer, countless thoughts flashed through Mu Yao’s mind.

What should she do?

Graduation was just around the corner; she was on the verge of landing a stable job. Was she really going to die here?

A flash of madness crossed the girl’s eyes. She lunged, stabbing the knife forward without hesitation.

With a wet thud, Mu Yao instinctively rolled aside at the critical moment—the dagger plunged into the sofa behind her.

Seeing she’d survived, Mu Yao turned and fled, only for a hand to seize her collar, the dagger pressed against her waist.

“I told you, you can’t escape.”

A dozen police officers surged into view. The girl, still holding Mu Yao hostage, leaned calmly against the sofa.

It was over. If only she hadn’t come to this convention. If only she’d stayed home—she wouldn’t have endured last night’s drama, nor faced this nightmare now.

The police looked grim; the murderer’s hostage had become a major obstacle.

As everyone stood at a loss, a man sprang forward, snatching the dagger from the girl and subduing her in an instant.

It all happened in a flash. Mu Yao hadn’t even realized she was free until a policewoman steadied her limp body.

At that moment, Mu Yao’s eyes filled with tears, and they streamed down her face, unstoppable.

As the girl was led away, her gaze remained fixed on Mu Yao.

It was as if she were saying, “I’ll come for you again.”

Mu Yao shuddered and instinctively hid behind the officer who’d just rescued her.

“Miss, please come with us.”

Mu Yao’s lashes trembled violently. As she got a clear look at the man’s face, she caught her breath.

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How could he look so familiar?

Mu Yao licked her dry lips, wanting to speak, but the words caught in her throat.

“Chief!”

Another officer in uniform hurried over.

Mu Yao watched as her rescuer turned and walked away. She lifted her skirt and followed a few steps.

Hearing movement behind him, the man glanced back and gestured to someone at his side.

Soon after, a policewoman blocked Mu Yao’s path.

She could only watch helplessly as the man from her dream disappeared around the corner.

The policewoman in front of Mu Yao spoke gently enough as she escorted Mu Yao and everyone else connected to the case out of the venue.

One police car after another drove away.

Half the bustling convention hall was suddenly emptied.

Watching the cityscape recede from the window, Mu Yao forced a faint smile.

What was this, really?

The officer in the passenger seat collected everyone’s phones.

Just before her screen went dark, Mu Yao saw a message from her advisor—bolded, enlarged, and in red.

Sitting anxiously in the waiting area outside the interrogation room at the police station, Mu Yao looked around.

There were so many people involved in this case, it felt as if the convention had simply moved locations.

Some people were even asking officers for autographs.

But...

Mu Yao was in no mood for that.

When she’d entered, she’d deliberately glanced at the police station’s electronic clock.

It had already been eight thirty then. What time was it now?

She forced herself to stay alert and finished filling out the forms for the officer in front of her.

As someone else approached, she quickly gathered her skirt and left the corner.

Tomorrow was crucial for her—she had to catch the high-speed train back to school tonight.

Mu Yao scanned the room; it looked much as it had when she first arrived.

Maybe it was because so many people were involved, or maybe the interrogations had to be thorough.

Whatever the reason, she didn’t care. All she wanted was to leave this place of trouble as soon as possible.

Lost in thought, she was suddenly cast into shadow by a tall, broad figure standing before her.