Chapter 1: The Shifting Clouds and Turning Tides

Who enters your life is decided by fate; who stays in your life is decided by you.

Chen Sang once said, “Xiao Ning, I will love you for a lifetime,” yet he failed to keep that promise. An update from the first release of the romance time-travel novel: You only came.

An An once said, “Ning Ning, I will accompany you for a lifetime,” yet she too failed to fulfill her words.

Thus, as the ever-changing destiny continues its relentless play, and as they fade from her life like solitary stars in the night, only loneliness remains in her once desolate world.

Within her uniquely crafted spinning space, the gentle flow of "Falling Among Butterflies" quietly accompanies the enchanting nightscape of the city, highlighting its allure.

Her fingers, pale and slender like jade, delicately caress the cool rim of the wine glass; her raven-black curls are lazily gathered up, adorned with a tassel hairpin that sparkles brilliantly under the lights. The angle at which she gazes at the nightscape perfectly reveals her exquisite features—a visage that is scenery from afar, art up close.

The crimson liquid in her glass sways softly, reflecting her deep blue eyes, mystical like a fairy, dancing along with the music drifting in the air.

She suddenly drains her glass of wine. Four years—she no longer knows when it began, but after every victory, she has come to savor a cup of wine brewed by her own hand, a solitary celebration of her lonely success.

Her fingertips lightly tap the empty wine glass, and with feline indolence, she staggers toward the glass wall. Dizzy, she leans against the cold pane, her eyes half-closed as she peers downward.

This space, hers alone, boasts a glass wall with a magnificent view; from here, she can see everything that unfolds in the hall below.

The seductive play of light and shadow, beautiful women gradually losing themselves in gentle dances, their bright faces transformed in the flickering candlelight—beyond the facade, stripped of adornment, all that remains are hearts withered and broken.

Her intoxicating blue gaze pierces through bone and flesh, seeking out the hearts hidden within, hearts just like hers.

As her wandering gaze keenly catches a familiar yet foreign silhouette, a faint smile blooms—suddenly, dazzling like the ephemeral glory of the night-blooming cereus, but lacking its inevitable withering.

She breathes softly, her fingers curling against the glass wall as she lazily traces a name. With a quiet smile, she muses: If he loses his pride, does that mean he loses the power to harm her?

The thunderous DJ music passionately celebrates every mistake and triumph at the gambling table.

At this moment, the rectangular gambling table has transformed into a formidable negotiating table in the business world. Two men, each with a distinct aura, face off on either side. The only thing they share is their unwavering gaze.

One is cold as a demon; one is a gentleman like a god.

Yet, appearances are nothing but deceptive masks.

As the time on the watch quietly passes 3:40, Lu Huaining, his expression still indifferent, calmly pushes all his chips onto the table with one hand.

“Name your price.” These three simple words capture everyone’s attention.

“Mr. Lu, you truly are sincere,” Si Yang regards the prolonged negotiation that has left him exhausted, and gives a cold smile. “Unfortunately, I am not the banker.”

A perfect excuse. Lu Huaining’s expression does not change. He knows only calm will serve him now, for he is acutely aware of how crucial this battle for resources is to the silent war raging elsewhere.

Suddenly, amid the lingering notes of “Trouble Maker,” a figure dressed in red slides gracefully down the stage’s steel pole, spinning and twirling, her flowing garments fluttering like butterflies dancing in pursuit of the starlight.

Her blue gaze glances at the stage-side mirror, bright as new—a prop meant to amplify the atmosphere, yet now her best weapon for concealment.

Her pale fingers gently remove her hairpin; instantly, her black hair cascades like a waterfall of ink. Clean, rounded nails glide across her skin, and in a blink, crimson blood wells up. Her bloodstained finger slides across her lips, leaving a bewitching, stunning mark.

Who can see through her heart beneath the ghostly black feather mask?

Standing on tiptoe, the dazzling lights cast a seductive glow upon her half-veiled, mysterious face. The chatter around abruptly ceases; many stare at her in a daze, and those familiar with her whisper the name of this enigmatic woman, both righteous and wicked: “Annie.”

She offers a charming smile, fingers lightly caressing the microphone. With her other hand, she snaps her fingers to the DJ, her voice low and gentle: “Music.”

“‘Burning,’ dedicated to the gentleman sitting over there…” Her slender finger points to the man whose true character is known only to her beneath his gentlemanly exterior. As expected, Si Yang looks up and smiles knowingly; she deliberately lowers her voice, soft and alluring: “To soul mate, tonight, burning, for you.”

Tonight, I burn for you!

The last line, spoken in the darkness, ignites the night’s pinnacle. This woman, who has always subdued men only at the cruel, subtle gambling table, now boldly reveals her heart to a man.

Her heartfelt song rises, and another man, seemingly uninvolved, finds the familiar scene cruelly tearing open memories sealed in his mind.

As the song ends, it is as if an invisible hand clears the crowd for her.

The red figure moves through the throng, arriving before the man who has long awaited her.

“Good morning, my bewitching fiancée,” Si Yang pushes his glass toward her.

“Good morning, my loyal fiancé.” She takes a delicate sip of wine, her blue eyes suddenly turning toward the man who has been watching her for some time. She curves her lips with a faint smile and speaks gently, “Mr. Lu, do you take an interest in every strange woman you meet?”

“Ahem—” Si Yang interrupts their exchanged glances, but sees her suddenly smile and wink, “Mr. Lu, Anning is just like that, please forgive her.”

Lu Huaining raises his glass. “Then, this must be Mr. Hull’s only daughter, Annie Hull.”

“You guess!” She winks beneath the dazzling lights.

Si Yang knowingly cedes the banker’s seat to his companion, exchanging a thoughtful look of mutual understanding.

Her pale fingers expertly shuffle the cards, her fluid movements drawing admiration from all. Just as Lu Huaining narrows his gaze, watching her finish the sequence, she suddenly raises her arm, and in an instant, playing cards scatter and fly everywhere.

Amid the chaotic cascade, their gazes meet, sharing a silent understanding.

Anning reaches out and grabs a card, covers it with her hand, then slides it across the long table. Lu Huaining taps his fingertip, confidently adding that card to his hand.

“Since the previous cards failed to decide the outcome, Mr. Lu, why not try a different game with me?”

Lu Huaining’s deep eyes coolly assess her blue gaze; suddenly, a smile curves his lips. “Ladies first.”

“Thank you, but no.” Anning seems to have anticipated his reply. She takes a brand-new coin offered by the waiter and slides it to the other end of the table. “Time is precious. Let’s decide by coin toss. The simplest rule: heads, I win; tails, you lose.”

“Please.” The coin passes through Lu Huaining’s hand, returning to hers.

With a flick, the coin is tossed high.

As she catches it, Anning pushes her chair back, picks up the transfer document for seven percent of Shengtian Group shares, signed a day earlier with Du Liansheng, the company’s fourth largest shareholder. Before the game even begins, she instructs her companion, “See Mr. Lu out.”

“Don’t go!” Lu Huaining stops her, his gaze intense. “The game hasn’t started; the banker cannot leave.”

“Who says the game hasn’t started?” She turns back with a smile as radiant as a blooming blue orchid. “I have already won.”