As night falls, the most famous sight in the north is the starry sky beneath the snow-capped peaks.
Because of the relatively high elevation, the night sky here is the most beautiful—stars fill the sky, and constellations like Orion and the Big Dipper can all be seen clearly.
Beneath the breathtaking stars, sitting here brings a sense of calm—it can quiet even the most restless of hearts.
After dinner, Li Li slung her drawing board over her shoulder and got ready to head out from the house in the middle of the villa district.
“What are you going to do?” The old lady came down from upstairs, holding a cup of hot tea.
Li Li stood by the door while a servant crouched down to tie her shoelaces.
“I’m going out to paint.”
“Come over first, Grandma has something to tell you.” Li Langhua gestured with a wave of her hand.
Li Li slipped off her shoes, set down her drawing board, and stepped inside. Li Ruobing came out of the kitchen with a tray of warm cookies.
Each was packed into very beautiful glass bottles, and they looked extremely delicate.
“Big sister, what are you doing with these cookies?” Li Li looked at the bottle curiously.
We’re just eating them at home. Why go to the trouble of putting them in bottles?
“This is prepared for Wen Li.”
Li Ruobing carefully packed them one by one into bottles, then placed them into a delicate handbag.
“This afternoon when you were skiing, I saw Wen Li—she is here too.” Li Ruobing explained, looking at the confused Li Li.
“Wen Li came here to ski?!” Li Li jumped up at once. “Why didn’t you tell me, sister?”
Seeing her excited expression, Li Langhua patted her hand and gestured, “Sit down.”
“Last time Wen Li saved Ruobing, and I haven’t properly thanked her yet. This time is just right—she came to the north and happened to run into us, it’s fate. Invite Wen Li to have a meal with us tomorrow, and don’t be late.” Li Langhua looked at Li Li.
Li Ruobing passed her a small box of cookies. “Keep this in your bag and have it while you’re out painting. The ones in the gift bag—bring those to Wen Li.”
“You two have everything arranged already, and I don’t even know where Wen Li is staying?” Li Li said, looking down at the cookies in her hand.
“I’ve already asked for you—she’s staying at the villa on the west side. You’ll pass by it when you go sketching at the back hill’s viewing platform.”
“Oh.”
Li Li obediently picked up the cookies and stood up. At the doorway, she stuffed the cookies that Li Ruobing had packed for her into her backpack.
“Have the bodyguard go with you—it’s dark outside,” Li Langhua instructed.
Li Li responded with a sound, then opened the door and went out.
Li Ruobing stepped forward and sat across from Li Langhua, holding her cup and sipping her tea.
“Grandma, try these cookies. I changed the recipe this time—they should taste pretty good.”
Li Langhua glanced at it but didn’t take it. She had been controlling her sugar intake for a long time—no eating after dark was the most basic rule.
Li Ruobing swallowed the black tea in her cup, as if she had to summon her courage before speaking.
“Do you… not really like Wen Li?”
“Why would you ask that?” Li Langhua lifted her gaze, her expression calm and natural.
Li Ruobing set down the cup in her hand and stared at her without moving.
From the old lady’s attitude, it was clear—she kept a certain distance from Wen Li.
If it were an ordinary person who had helped them so many times, Grandma wouldn’t be this indifferent.
And there was only one possible reason for the old lady’s off attitude toward Wen Li
“Since Li Li’s been told, you should prepare properly. She’s your lifesaver, and our Li family mustn’t forget our manners.” Li Langhua stood up and went upstairs.
Li Ruobing still wanted to say something. “Grandma…”
Ruiqiu reached out to stop her. “Miss, please don’t ask—Madam’s not feeling well.”
“Does Wen Li’s presence really make Grandma this uncomfortable?” Li Ruobing murmured, watching the old lady disappear up the stairs. “They share the same mother—why does one have to be disliked…”
“What did you say?” Ruiqiu stared in shock, eyes wide. “What do you mean by that?”
Why would Li Ruobing know?
“Do you also know who Wen Li really is?”
Seeing the firm look in the girl’s eyes, Ruiqiu understood—she already knew. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have said something like that.
“Miss, this absolutely must not be known to Second Miss.” Ruiqiu grabbed her hand.
In that moment, she did not thought to ask how Li Ruobing had learned the secret that had been buried for years.
“But Wen Li is Li Li’s biological sister—no one has the right to stop her from knowing about this.” Li Ruobing looked at Ruiqiu, speaking anxiously.
“And why does Grandma dislike Wen Li so much? Wen Li has helped us so many times—she saved Li Li, and she saved me too. Isn’t that enough for Grandma to accept her?”
Up to now, she still couldn’t understand—why would such a reasonable Grandma be unable to accept Li Li’s own sister?
Ruiqiu glanced back upstairs and sighed softly. “Madam is sulking. That was a past she had completely let go of, and Miss Wen Li’s appearance disrupted the peace—that’s why Madam can’t make sense of it.”
Li Ruobing couldn’t understand those words—there were still many doubts surrounding Wen Li’s background
They’re twins. So why was Wen Li separated from the Li family? And why has Grandma never spoken of it?
Even Li Li herself didn’t know she had a twin sister.
And ever since she could remember, she had never seen her uncle—not even a single photo of him existed in the entire Li family.
Now that Wen Li has appeared, all these things that were already suspicious have become even more confusing.
“Miss, please don’t ask about this. When Madam truly thinks it through and decides to bring Miss Wen Li back, she’ll speak.” Ruiqiu sighed.
No one knew how hard Li Langhua’s journey had been. Wen Li’s appearance brought not only the fear of the unknown.
Li Langhua was afraid she would take away the granddaughter she had cherished for so many years.
She also recalled those past events, as if long-sealed scars had been torn open—she could no longer bear the pain of loss.
Her husband and son had both left her. This only granddaughter was the one the old lady wanted to keep.
“Miss Wen Li is a very capable child, and she shares a bond with Li Li. Even if she can’t return as the Li family’s eldest daughter, Madam won’t treat her unfairly.”
Those bloody wounds had finally scabbed over, only to be torn open again. For Li Langhua, it was already unbearably painful.
She needs some time—let her slowly think it through, bit by bit. Once she does, things will be fine
“So I’m just supposed to stay silent? Not even tell Li Li?” Li Ruobing asked.
Ruiqiu shook her head. “Not for now.”
You can’t hide a fire with paper. Sooner or later, it’ll burn through—and when it does, it all depends on that person’s fate.
“I’ll go rest for a while. Please take good care of Grandma.” Li Ruobing stood and went upstairs.
.........
Li Li, carrying her drawing board, headed out along the path Li Ruobing had mentioned. As night fell, the evening seemed even colder.
But when she looked up, the stars in the sky were even more beautiful.
A starry sky like this, if painted, would truly be a masterpiece.
Two bodyguards followed behind Li Li, dutifully helping her carry her backpack.
Following the road to the front of the villa, she looked up and saw black-clad bodyguards standing densely all around—this didn’t look like a vacation at all.
Sure enough, after just a few steps, she was stopped by the guard at the door.
“Who are you?”
The bodyguard looked at the young girl before him and didn’t draw his weapon.
“I’m looking for Wen Li,” Li Li said.
The bodyguards looked at each other and sent someone nearby in to ask the supervisor’s opinion.
Soon, Xia Chen came running out. “How come it’s you?”
He looked at the person before him, his face full of astonishment.
“My sister said you’re also skiing here. Is Wen Li around? I have something to give her.” Li Li lifted the bag in her hand.
Xia Chen reached out to take it. “The boss is already asleep. Give it to me, I’ll tell her tomorrow.”
Li Li’s face was full of disappointment. “She went to bed this early?”
“How did you end up here?” Xia Chen was rather surprised.
Even after coming all this way, we still ran into each other—it really feels like some strange kind of fate.
“I came with my grandma for vacation. Since she’s asleep, I won’t disturb her. Give the cookies to Wen Li—I’ll come find her tomorrow."
Xia Chen looked at the two cans of cookies in the bag in his hand and nodded obediently.
After taking two steps, Li Li turned back and said to Xia Chen very seriously, “Don’t steal any—these were baked by my sister for Wen Li.”
Xia Chen was angered into laughter. “Do I look that greedy? That I’d steal your cookies?”
The girl mumbled under her breath, “Well, you never know.”
But since she had specially brought the cookies over, after watching her leave, Xia Chen went inside and handed the cookies to Wen Li.
Inside the room, the lights were bright. After bathing, Wen Li sat at the table organizing her things.
“Boss, this is from Li Li for you.”
Wen Li looked at it. A pretty red ribbon bow dangled from the side of the bag, exquisitely tied.
“Why didn’t you meet her yourself? I saw the disappointment on Li Li’s face,” Xia Chen said.
He wasn’t even asleep yet—why did she let him go meet her?
Wen Li fiddled with the inkstone at hand without speaking. Xia Chen gave a cough
“She headed off to the back hill with her sketch board—painting this late at night. And you’re here doing calligraphy. You two are pretty artsy.”
The paperweight by Wen Li’s hand flew out and landed squarely on Xia Chen’s face
He caught it with a smile and quietly stepped out. “You’ve got work to do, and I’ve got things to handle—so I’ll leave you to it.”
Once outside, Xia Chen eyed the paperweight with a puzzled look. “It’s plenty artsy already—Boss is up late doing calligraphy. I don’t get what’s off about it.
It’s meant to bring peace and calm, isn’t it? So why couldn’t it keep the Boss composed—he went and chucked it at someone.
.........
There’s a dedicated viewing platform on the back hill connected to the villa area. Once you’re up there, you can see the most beautiful night sky.
The steps leading up the mountain had long been swept clean. Li Li carried her drawing board and art supplies, climbing upward step by step.
The bodyguard followed behind, carrying her backpack, expressionless as he scanned the surroundings.
This is part of a private villa area—those who can stay here are all of considerable status.
The security is excellent, naturally. Still, having a bodyguard along is just in case something unforeseen happens.
Many pine trees and other cold-resistant species grow on this mountain. Right now, the branches are covered in rime frost—it’s very beautiful.
Winding paths crisscrossed the viewing platform, dividing the forest into sections.
“You guys go stand over there and keep out of sight. I’ll be fine on my own here.” Li Li took her backpack from the bodyguard.
The two bodyguards glanced at the sketch board she’d set down, then followed her instructions and took position fifty meters behind her.
When Second Miss is painting, everyone has to stay far away, or it’ll affect her inspiration.
This is something all the bodyguards of the Li family know.
Li Li took out her brush and looked up at the twinkling night sky ahead.
Sure enough, being here feels like you could reach out and grab the stars.
With the rough outline already in her mind, Li Li had begun sketching on the board.
The starry sky shimmered on the paper. Li Li held her brush, thinking for a long time, but what she painted felt a bit ordinary.
Just as Li Li was holding her brush in thought, the sound of an engine came from the diagonal opposite.
She was a little stunned—cars could even drive up here?
Through the trees ahead, in the gaps between trunks, Li Li saw a black car driving past.
Amid all this whiteness, the black stood out sharply.
In the middle of the night, who would drive up here just to enjoy the view?
“Second Miss!” the bodyguard called out, about to follow her.
“Stay right here and don’t move. Watch my sketch board—don’t let anyone steal it. I’m going for a walk to look for inspiration or something. Don’t follow me.”
The bodyguard was about to say something, but someone coming from behind stopped him.
Yun Xiao watched the young girl walk off ahead, then walked over to the sketch board and glanced at the crumpled sheets she’d tossed aside.
He chuckled—clearly, she’d run out of inspiration and was off to find some.
Li Li walked along the path, occasionally lifting her head to gaze at the star-filled sky
When she left, she swore she’d paint something that would amaze Grandma—but what she ended up with was honestly a bit too ordinary.
But then again, she hadn’t properly sat down to do still-life painting in a long time—after so long, her hand had inevitably grown rusty.
“They say the stars in North City are the most beautiful in all of G Country. Seeing them tonight, it’s clear the reputation is well deserved.”
A loud male voice from ahead caught Li Li’s attention.
She leaned forward, and through the gaps in the foliage, vaguely saw a man leaning against one of the two black cars.
She looked closely—one of them seemed to be Jiang Yunhao, the owner of Mízui.
How did this guy end up in North City?
Thinking of what happened that night at Mízui, Li Li automatically categorized Jiang Yunhao as one of the bad guys in her mind.
Two men showing up here in the middle of the night, with bodyguards no less—there’s no way they’re here to discuss anything good.
Thinking that, she crouched down and hid in the bushes closest to the group.
From this angle, she could see the faces of the two men clearly.
Trailing behind each of them were four or five bodyguards, a shadowy cluster that looked especially conspicuous in the icy, snow-covered surroundings.
Jiang Yunhao was standing closest to Li Li, and she could see the bodyguard beside him.
It was the bodyguard who saved her that night—his name was probably Xiao Yan.
“Mr. Jiang came all the way out here—I doubt it’s just to look at the stars,” Mo Xiao said, staring at the man across from him.
Jiang Yunhao smiled, took the cigar handed to him by the bodyguard, lit it with practiced ease, and looked out toward the ravines and crisscrossing mountains in the distance.
“The master asked me to check in. It’s been a while now, and neither the Mo nor Li families have shown any signs. He wants to know—are you actually planning to pledge allegiance or not?”
Mo Xiao smiled, the cigarette butt falling from his hand to the ground. “Of course we’re sincere—otherwise, we wouldn’t be here talking with Mr. Jiang.”
“Oh?” Jiang Yunhao flicked the ash from his cigar. “I heard Fu Yuxiu has arrived in North City. The Fu family is well-informed—and fast. I wonder how Mr. Mo plans to respond?”
Li Li’s eyes widened. The Li family was affiliated with the Fu family, so of course she recognized the man standing across from her.
Someone from the Mo family.
North City is divided between the forces of White Water Hall and Black Forest Hall, which are controlled by the Li and Mo families, respectively. (Runa: Changing translation from White River to White Water)
After what happened at Mízui last time, her grandmother told her that the forces behind Mízui were powerful.
In any case, it’s not the same as the Fu family.
Listening to this now, it sounds like the Mo family is about to betray the Fu family.
“He came at just the right time. I was fretting over what to offer as a proper gift for joining Purgatory. Now that I think about it, nothing beats Fu Yuxiu’s life.” Mo Xiao laughed wildly.
Li Li’s eyes widened—this man wanted to kill the young master.
But the young master is with Wen Li right now.
Jiang Yunhao nodded in satisfaction and laughed aloud. “Mr. Mo, you’ve got guts. I think your gift will surely please the Master. But let me remind you—Fu Yuxiu is not someone to be trifled with."
He was nothing like Fu Yuheng. After seeing him once at Mízui, Jiang Yunhao firmly believed that.
“It’s useless. Even if the Fu family is powerful, don’t forget—North City belongs to the Mo family.”
Mo Xiao’s words were arrogant, and indeed, there was such a saying: Even a mighty dragon can’t suppress a local snake.
“Mr. Jiang, do you know why everyone is forbidden from entering North Mountain?” Mo Xiao pointed into the distance.
Jiang Yunhao chuckled and shook his head. “That, I’m not too sure about.”
“Because that place is the most dangerous in all of G Country. Tomorrow, it will become Fu Yuxiu’s burial ground.”
Li Li stared, eyes wide. What kind of underhanded plot was this?
The Mo family really intends to kill the young master.
She held back her emotions, stiff where she stood, not daring to move
But her legs had gone numb from kneeling. Unable to hold on, her hand shifted slightly and crushed a nearby dry branch.
Crack…
Under the silent night sky, such a sound was especially crisp and jarring.
“Who’s there!”
Mo Xiao and Jiang Yunhao became alert in an instant, and the surrounding bodyguards drew their guns, aiming in all directions.
Sweat was trickling down Li Li’s forehead. Though she was surrounded by snow and ice, she felt unbearably hot.
Given how ruthless these people were—daring to go after Fu Yuxiu—she was sure that if she so much as revealed herself, they’d kill her and dump her body off the cliff
Under no circumstances could she let herself be caught by these people.
The bodyguard at Jiang Yunhao’s side advanced slowly, gun raised. His buzz cut made his facial features stand out—an unforgiving style that only suited those with strong bone structure.
A black earphone wire trailed from behind. He walked forward step by step, his gaze sharp.
Li Li watched as those feet drew closer and closer, heading straight in her direction.
The shrubs and branches overhead were struck repeatedly. Li Li’s head was hit by the butt of a gun—she hurt so much she didn’t dare make a sound.
She lifted her gaze. Their eyes met. She froze.
The man’s lips parted slightly, as if he were saying something to her.
Right after, he aimed the gun at Li Li’s side and fired two shots with full force.
Amid the flying sparks, Li Li bit down hard on her hand, forcibly swallowing every sound.
Aside from the two gunshots, everything around returned to silence.
“President Jiang, maybe it was the sound of ice falling from the tree.”
He turned back and swiftly holstered his gun.
Mo Xiao glanced at the shrub that had just been shot, then looked toward Jiang Yunhao.
“Mr. Jiang’s people really are swift and efficient.”
Jiang Yunhao smiled and raised a hand to pat the man beside him, who was half a head taller.
“Xiao Yan is my most capable aide—he’s always been ruthless in action. But I’d rather not see his methods used on Mr. Mo.”
Mo Xiao let out a laugh. “Of course.”
Both of them got into their own cars and drove down the mountain at the same time.
Only after the surroundings returned to silence did Li Li crawl out from the bushes, collapsing to the ground with limp limbs.
“Hurry and go…”
Yun Xiao reached out and helped her up from the ground.
“What are you doing here?”
Li Li turned around, still dazed, staring at Yun Xiao who had suddenly appeared.
“I followed you the moment you arrived.”
Of course, he’d heard Mo Xiao and Jiang Yunhao’s conversation too. Right now, the most urgent thing was to hurry back.
These things must be told to Fu Yuxiu.
Li Li froze in place. That man from earlier—he saw her.
But when aiming, the shot only hit the bushes beside her—it didn’t strike her.
And she clearly saw the man’s mouth movements and what he said.
Don't move...
“What are you thinking? Hurry up and go.” Yun Xiao pulled her toward the foot of the mountain.
Just two steps out, a gunshot rang from nearby, and the icicles hanging from the tree quivered.
“What’s going on?” Li Li looked around.
“It must be people the Mo family stationed nearby in advance,” Yun Xiao’s gaze darkened.
For such an important meeting, Mo Xiao surely stationed plenty of people nearby—after all, if their conversation got out…
It would cause no small amount of shock.
They’d rather kill a hundred innocents than let a single one slip through—anyone who appeared after they ascended the mountain tonight was a target.
Whether they saw them or heard their conversation—it didn’t matter.
For all of them, the verdict was the same—death.
“The person who was just following me.” Li Li’s eyes widened.
She brought two bodyguards when she went up the mountain—could those two gunshots have been them?
Yun Xiao’s expression sharpened. So that’s how it is.
If those people saw bodyguards moving around, eight or nine times out of ten they’d guess there were others on the mountain.
And on top of that, their identities—one from the Yun family, one from the Li family.
They knew the Mo family too well. If Mo Xiao found out they’d turned against him, there was no chance he’d let them walk away alive.
“Stick with me. I’ll get you down the mountain. Whatever happens, stay right behind me.” Yun Xiao turned and cupped Li Li’s face as he spoke.
“Mm…” Li Li nodded.
Hand in hand, the two walked down the path. From afar came the occasional sound of chaotic footsteps and clashing weapons…
🐇♡🐇♡🐇♡🐇
Li Li (whispering): “Are you sure this is the right way?”
Yun Xiao (confidently): “Absolutely. I memorized the terrain.”
[They immediately walk into a thorn bush.]
Li Li (deadpan): “Did the terrain change since you memorized it?”
Yun Xiao (untangling his sleeve): “It’s called improvisation.”
[A branch snaps under Yun Xiao’s foot. A bird explodes out of the brush.]
Li Li (startled): “Great. You’ve alerted the entire forest. Want to send up a flare while you’re at it?”
Yun Xiao (gritting his teeth): “I’m trying to keep us alive.”
Li Li (muttering): “At this rate, the squirrels will take us out before the Mo family does.”
Li Li (sighing): “Remind me why I’m trusting you to lead?”
Yun Xiao (smiling faintly): “Because I look good doing it.”
Li Li (smirking): “Leading from the rear now?”
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