At nine-thirty in the morning, Lin Mi stood at the entrance of Starlight International Hotel.
The hotel looked grand and imposing, its glass façade glinting under the sunlight. Guests and staff moved in and out with a sense of calm and busy order.
Everything looked perfectly normal, completely different from the inferno described in the system’s prediction.
Perhaps because today’s major industry summit was being held here, the hotel entrance was especially lively. The venue had been decorated with great ceremony.
There were not only electronic screens broadcasting the event, but giant three-dimensional posters stood on both sides.
At the center position outside the hotel was a signature wall, clearly set up for the big names and experts attending today’s summit to sign in.
The entire entrance was decorated with an abundance of fresh, vibrant flowers.
The summit would start at ten.
But many people were already arriving and signing in. Reporters and social media bloggers had gathered at the entrance, scrambling to take photos and conduct interviews.
It was evident how grand and significant this summit was. The attendees were all prominent figures from the technology and finance industries.
In other words, people with status.
“…”
Standing behind the crowded group, Lin Mi quietly observed the bustling scene before her.
It was hard to imagine how much damage the imminent fire would bring. Among the attendees were countless professionals and industry elites—losing them would be a huge blow to Rong City’s economic development.
“They’re here! They’re here!”
“Don’t push me!”
“You stepped on my shoe!”
Suddenly, the media surged forward, bodies squeezing together as if everyone wanted to be the first to capture something.
“What’s going on?”
Curious, Lin Mi tiptoed to get a better look. Who had arrived to cause such excitement among the reporters?
This level of commotion wasn’t small.
But with the entrance clogged by the crowd, she couldn’t squeeze in, so she could only stay at the back and watch.
A luxury car slowly pulled up to the hotel entrance. Staff immediately stepped forward to open the rear door.
The next second, a pair of long legs appeared first. A tall, well-dressed man stepped out of the car.
His head was slightly lowered. The moment he got out, he reached up to adjust his glasses frame, then raised his head to face the crowd.
The corners of his lips lifted slightly—a faint, subtle smile. Facing the cameras and attention, he remained calm and nodded politely.
An aura of confidence radiated from him, every move carrying a relaxed, unconstrained elegance.
It was as if he didn’t care about the crowd—or that everything was well within his control.
“So it’s him…”
For a moment, Lin Mi paused in surprise. Seeing how excited the media were, she thought some high-ranking official had arrived.
But it was the benefactor who helped her out of a difficult situation at the wine banquet—Wei Xun!
She hadn’t expected him to be so popular. Reporters were practically fighting to interview him.
No wonder. At twenty-seven or twenty-eight—barely thirty—he already stood as a rising powerhouse in the industry.
It was said he had returned from abroad.
She had looked up news about him online before. Many professionals had given him extremely high praise, calling him a dark horse who emerged straight out of Chinatown!
“Wei, can you say a few words?”
“President Wei, are you eyeing any potential partners at this year’s ‘Future Technology’ summit?”
Regardless of his intentions at the time, he did help her, so she had a good impression of him.
So she also listened closely to the questions shouted in his direction.
But he didn’t seem inclined to accept interviews. Wearing that faint smile, he walked toward the hotel entrance under his assistant’s protection.
At that moment, his gaze seemed to meet hers.
“…”
Lin Mi instinctively lowered her feet, her heart skipping a beat.
Did he just see her?
But he probably didn’t remember her. Someone like him—a true golden boy—wouldn’t bother remembering someone like her.
He must have just glanced casually.
After Wei Xun entered the hotel, the chaotic atmosphere finally calmed down.
Lin Mi stayed where she was a while longer. Within a few minutes, she could already feel sweat forming on her back.
She glanced upward. Another scorching day.
No wonder Starlight International Hotel caught fire today—everything was dry, the heat intense.
It was only ten in the morning and the sun was already blazing. By two in the afternoon, when the fire was predicted to occur, the heat would be at its peak.
After about ten minutes, the crowd at the hotel entrance gradually dispersed.
Seeing this, Lin Mi adjusted her bag and slowly walked into the hotel.
She didn’t head to the reception desk directly. Instead, she found a relatively hidden spot to sit, pretending to play on her phone while quietly observing the crowd and the hotel staff’s activity.
The fire would start in the third-floor back kitchen. But she couldn’t just walk straight in—that would draw too much attention.
She needed to observe from public areas or find a spot close to the kitchen.
Since there were still hours before the predicted fire, she decided to scout around the hotel.
Standing up, she followed the signs as if searching for the restroom or café, gradually making her way toward the third floor.
The third floor indeed had several restaurants, and the smell of various dishes lingered in the air.
Stopping in a public rest area not far from the kitchen area, she could see several service passages and safety exits from this angle.
Time ticked by. The hotel remained peaceful.
Morning sunlight filtered through the glass windows. Warm, even a bit stifling.
This calm only made her more nervous—it felt like the stillness before a storm.
She tried to recall every detail from the trending search, hoping to find a breakthrough.
Clenching her fists, Lin Mi decided to take initiative.
She stood up and walked toward the employee passage she had observed earlier. Dressed plainly, she looked just like a guest who had lost her way.
As she approached the passage, she was about to peek inside when she suddenly heard arguing, accompanied by the sound of things being thrown.
“…” Lin Mi froze.
What was going on? Another unexpected situation?
She didn’t rush in. Instead, she stepped back slightly, hiding behind a corner to continue observing.
The argument lasted a while before it gradually calmed down. It seemed someone was coming out.
Holding her breath, she watched as a hotel staff member wearing a uniform stepped out, looking irritated and carrying a toolbox.
He seemed not to notice her and hurried away.
A deep frown formed on Lin Mi’s brow. That quarrel earlier didn’t sound like normal kitchen noise.
(End of this chapter)