Chapter 2: Tangled Threads

The Manila skyline was painted in soft hues of orange and pink as the sun began to set, but Wei Xai Yuu’s mind was far from tranquil. She sat in a corner booth at a quiet café near her university, her laptop open, headphones on, and eyes scanning the data she had retrieved the night before.

The files were dense, filled with cryptic financial transactions and coded messages, but one name kept appearing: TianLing Corp.

Wei leaned back, her fingers tapping the edge of her laptop thoughtfully. “Tian Ling,” she murmured. She remembered seeing his name in business news—one of the youngest CEOs in China, a tech genius and billionaire. What would someone like him want with Black Lotus?

Her thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of a familiar face.

“Still working?” Kurt Lee asked, sliding into the seat across from her. His boyish grin was in place, but there was a hint of concern in his brown eyes.

Wei pulled off her headphones. “You’re persistent, you know that?”

“Someone has to make sure you don’t overwork yourself,” he replied, pushing a cup of iced coffee toward her. “Here. My treat.”

She allowed a small smile. “Thanks, Kurt.”

He leaned forward, his voice lowering conspiratorially. “So, what’s the deal with this mystery project of yours? Is it a research paper? A secret invention? Or…” He wiggled his eyebrows. “…are you planning to take over the world?”

Wei chuckled softly, shaking her head. “Something like that.”

Kurt laughed, but his gaze lingered on her for a moment too long. “You know, you can talk to me if you ever need to. About anything.”

Wei met his eyes, her guarded expression softening slightly. “I know, Kurt. Thanks.”

---

In Shanghai

Tian Ling stood before a massive screen in his private office, the room illuminated by the blue light of various monitors. His team had been working tirelessly to uncover the identity of Empress, but so far, they had little to show for it.

“Sir,” his head of cybersecurity said nervously, “she’s covered her tracks perfectly. Whoever she is, she’s a ghost.”

Tian clenched his jaw, his dark eyes narrowing. “No one is a ghost. Keep digging.”

“Yes, Mr. Ling.”

As the team resumed their work, Tian’s thoughts drifted back to the hacking duel from the previous night. She had been faster than anyone he’d ever encountered, her skills unparalleled. It wasn’t just her talent that intrigued him—it was her defiance.

A smirk tugged at his lips. “You won’t stay hidden forever, Empress.”

---

Later That Evening

Wei’s apartment was quiet as she returned home, the city lights twinkling outside her window. She set her bag down and powered up her laptop, the hum of the machine filling the silence.

Before she could start analyzing the files again, a notification popped up on her screen. It was an encrypted message from an unknown sender.

Her instincts kicked in, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she decrypted the message.

“You’ve caught my attention, Empress. Let’s see how far you can go.” – Specter

Wei’s breath hitched. Specter again. She quickly traced the IP, but as expected, it was masked. Her lips pressed into a thin line.

“If you want a game, Specter,” she whispered, “I’ll give you one.”

---

A Chance Encounter: Leo Zhang

The next day, Wei found herself at the university library, her usual spot in the corner stacked with books and her laptop humming softly.

“Excuse me,” a quiet voice said.

Wei looked up to see a boy standing there, holding a book. His soft features and shy demeanor made him seem out of place in the bustling library.

“Is this seat taken?” he asked, motioning to the chair across from her.

Wei shook her head. “No, go ahead.”

He nodded and sat down, pulling out his own notebook and pen. For a while, they worked in companionable silence, but Wei couldn’t help noticing how often his eyes darted toward her.

Finally, he spoke. “You’re Wei Xai Yuu, right?”

She raised an eyebrow. “Yes. Do I know you?”

He blushed slightly, scratching the back of his neck. “Not really. I’m Leo. We’re in the same economics class.”

Wei tilted her head. “Oh. Nice to meet you, Leo.”

He smiled, his shyness making him seem even more endearing. “You’re, um, kind of famous in class. Everyone talks about how smart you are.”

Wei smirked faintly. “Is that so?”

Leo nodded. “I think it’s… cool.”

For the first time in a while, Wei felt a genuine warmth in her chest. “Thanks, Leo.”

---

Closing Scene

As the night fell, Wei sat at her computer once again, her focus unyielding. The files from TianLing Corp were only the beginning—she could feel it. Black Lotus wasn’t just a random organization. They were connected to something much bigger, something dangerous.

Her thoughts were interrupted by another message on her screen.

Specter: “You’re good, Empress. But let’s see if you can handle what’s coming next.”

Wei’s fingers hovered over the keyboard, her lips curling into a smirk.

“Bring it on.”

---

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***