The night was quiet, the rare night when the city seemed to be holding its breath. There was only one lamp on in Ningguang's bedroom, and the soft light fell on the documents spread out on the table. She did not sleep, a habit of the military and entrepreneurs: the night is often more productive than the day.

At first, she didn't hear a sound, but a movement of the air. Barely noticeable.

Someone else's presence. Ningguang did not jump up and scream. She just looked up, calmly, as if she'd been expecting this all her life. Beidou was standing in the shadow by the window.

She wasn't even surprised. Beidou always found ways to get into her mansion without even disturbing the guards. At one point, Ningguang stood up from her chair with a screech on the floor. She resolutely walked up to Beidou, looked into her eyes, and gave her a resounding slap in the face.

"Don't you dare look me in the eyes after what you've done."