Bai Song slammed his fist on the mahogany desk, the sound echoing in the lavishly decorated office. Mr. Wang stood rigidly before him, his face impassive despite the obvious fury emanating from his employer. "So, she's found herself a toy boy," Bai Song sneered, the words dripping with venom. "An artist, no less. Pathetic."
"The relationship appears to be more than casual, Mr. Bai," Mr. Wang stated, his voice measured. "They spend considerable time together. There are…indications of intimacy."
Bai Song rose from his chair, his eyes blazing. He stalked towards the window, gazing out at the city lights twinkling below. His city. A city he controlled. Or, at least, he thought he did. Zhǐ Ruò was proving to be a far more significant obstacle than he had anticipated. He had underestimated her, a fatal flaw he was now determined to rectify.
"The artist…Lì Chen," he said, turning back to Mr. Wang. "What do we know about him? Dig deeper. Everyone has secrets. Find his. Exploit it."
"We are already investigating his background, Mr. Bai. His finances are…unconventional. He receives funding from various sources, some of which are difficult to trace. He also has a history of activism, involvement in protests against corporate interests."
Bai Song smirked. "So, a bleeding heart. Perfect. We can use that. Frame him for something. Anything. Drugs, fraud, whatever it takes. Make sure it sticks."
"And Zhǐ Ruò, Mr. Bai?" Mr. Wang inquired cautiously. "Her behavior is…unpredictable. She seems to be actively investigating your business dealings."
Bai Song's eyes narrowed. "She suspects something," he muttered. "She's getting close. We need to shut her down. But subtly. We can't afford to make a scene. Not yet."
"I understand, Mr. Bai. I will arrange for…discreet surveillance. We will monitor her every move, identify her contacts, and anticipate her actions."
"Good," Bai Song said, his voice softening slightly. "And Wang, remind my…associates… that Zhǐ Ruò is still my wife. Any…unforeseen circumstances… that befall her, will have…repercussions."
Mr. Wang nodded curtly. He understood the unspoken threat. Bai Song wanted Zhǐ Ruò intimidated, controlled, but not harmed. Not permanently, anyway. She was still valuable, a key to maintaining his power and influence. For now.
***
Zhǐ Ruò meticulously copied the transaction records, her fingers flying across the keyboard. The evidence was damning, a clear pattern of fraudulent transfers and offshore accounts. Bai Song was systematically embezzling funds from the company, diverting them to his personal ventures. She felt a surge of anger, not just for herself, but for the employees who would ultimately suffer the consequences of his greed.
She heard a faint knock at the door. "Who is it?" she asked, her voice sharp.
"It's me, Zhǐ Ruò. Your father wants to see you in his office."
It was her brother, Zhǐ Wei. She sighed, closing the laptop. She had been avoiding her family, knowing that her changed behavior had aroused their suspicions. But she couldn't avoid them forever.
She found her father pacing anxiously in his office. "Zhǐ Ruò, what's going on?" he demanded, his voice laced with concern. "You've been acting strangely lately. You're spending less time with Bai Song, you're making investments without consulting us…What's gotten into you?"
Zhǐ Ruò hesitated. How much should she reveal? She couldn't tell him the truth, not about the mirror or her past life. He would think she was insane. But she could hint at Bai Song's dishonesty, plant seeds of doubt.
"Father, I've been…doing some research," she said cautiously. "And I've uncovered some…irregularities…in the company's finances. I think Bai Song may be involved in something…unethical."
Her father stopped pacing, his eyes narrowing. "What are you talking about? Bai Song is a trusted member of this family. He would never do anything to harm us."
"I'm not so sure, Father," Zhǐ Ruò said, pressing on. "I've seen the records. There are transfers to offshore accounts, questionable investments…I think you need to take a closer look."
Her father stared at her, his expression a mixture of disbelief and suspicion. "Are you accusing Bai Song of stealing from us?" he asked, his voice rising.
"I'm not accusing anyone, Father," Zhǐ Ruò said calmly. "I'm simply suggesting that you investigate. For the good of the company."
Her father remained silent for a long moment, his face troubled. He had always trusted Bai Song implicitly. The thought that he might be betraying him was deeply unsettling.
"I'll look into it," he said finally. "But if you're wrong, Zhǐ Ruò…there will be consequences."
***
Later that evening, as Zhǐ Ruò was leaving her office, she noticed a black car parked across the street. The windows were tinted, making it impossible to see who was inside. She felt a prickle of unease, a sense of being watched.
As she walked towards her car, a man stepped out of the shadows. He was tall and muscular, with a shaved head and a menacing glare. He blocked her path, his arms crossed.
"Zhǐ Ruò," he said, his voice low and gravelly. "We need to talk."
"Who are you?" Zhǐ Ruò demanded, her heart pounding in her chest.
"Let's just say I'm a friend of Bai Song," the man said, a sinister smile spreading across his face. "He's concerned about your…activities. He wants you to know that he's watching you. And that he doesn't appreciate your…interference."
Zhǐ Ruò stood her ground, refusing to show her fear. "Tell Bai Song that I'm not afraid of him," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "And that I won't be intimidated."
The man chuckled. "You're a brave woman, Zhǐ Ruò. But bravery can only get you so far. Sometimes, it's better to know when to back down."
He stepped closer, his eyes boring into hers. "Think about what I've said," he whispered. "For your own good."
He turned and walked away, disappearing back into the shadows. Zhǐ Ruò stood there for a moment, frozen in place. She knew that this was just the beginning. Bai Song was escalating his tactics. He was no longer content to manipulate her from afar. He was now actively threatening her.
She got into her car, her hands shaking. As she drove away, she glanced in her rearview mirror. The black car was still there, following her.
She knew she was in danger. But she refused to be deterred. She had come too far to back down now. She was determined to expose Bai Song's crimes, no matter the cost.
***
The next day, Zhǐ Ruò received a cryptic message from an anonymous source. It was a photograph of Lì Chen, taken secretly, showing him meeting with a known criminal. The implication was clear: Lì Chen was not who he seemed to be. He was involved in something dangerous.
Zhǐ Ruò felt a surge of panic. Was it true? Was Lì Chen really involved in criminal activity? Or was this just another attempt by Bai Song to discredit him, to drive a wedge between them?
She knew she had to confront Lì Chen. She needed to know the truth, no matter how painful it might be.
She found him in his studio, working on a new sculpture. He looked up as she entered, his face lighting up with a smile.
"Zhǐ Ruò," he said, his voice warm and welcoming. "What brings you here?"
Zhǐ Ruò hesitated, unsure how to begin. She pulled the photograph from her purse and handed it to him. "What is this, Lì Chen?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Lì Chen took the photograph, his expression changing as he looked at it. He remained silent for a long moment, his eyes filled with pain.
"I can explain," he said finally, his voice barely a whisper. "But you're not going to like it."
Zhǐ Ruò braced herself. She had a feeling that her life was about to get a whole lot more complicated.