The woman in the driver’s seat stared straight ahead. She was clearly in her early twenties, yet her features held not a shred of superfluous expression; her serious, rigid face bore a steadiness that belied her age.
“Boss,” the woman’s voice was low and heavy.
Ning Ruohuan pressed her temples and offered a soft “Mm.”
The woman turned the steering wheel, her gaze fixed on the road ahead. Specially made fences and rare species of trees blurred past her pupils in a rapid streak. “The project the Ning family recently secured has been snatched away. Do we need our people to intervene mid-way?”
Ning Ruohuan opened her eyes and said calmly, “Don’t bother with the Ning family’s affairs.”
Suddenly remembering Yin Fan’s deck of cards, she asked, “Shi Wen, do you know of any ability that requires playing cards as a medium?”
With the multi-faceted development of abilities, whether one was a natural-born user or a product of immense resources, most abilities were largely similar. Except for extremely rare cases, the rest fell within controllable limits, regulated by specialized departments to ensure no harm came to society.
But an ability using playing cards as a medium? She couldn’t think of one.
Shi Wen pondered for a moment. “Boss, what you’re describing sounds like a special ability. I’ll need to investigate before I can give you a definitive answer.” She paused. “But special abilities are rarely documented…”
The implication was clear: it might not be possible to identify the ability accurately.
Ning Ruohuan had only asked in passing and wasn’t desperate for an answer. Her slender fingers tapped against the armrest of the seat indifferently. “It’s fine.”
The Maybach cruised down the center of the empty road. It wasn’t a holiday, nor was it rush hour, so traffic was sparse.
Gradually, signs of construction appeared on both sides of the wide road. Moving further in, the buildings became denser, with row upon row of skyscrapers sliding past the car window, constantly receding.
Ning Ruohuan tilted her head, watching the retreating scenery outside the window without blinking. It felt like time was flowing backward; every scene vanished beside her at high speed.
Her amber eyes narrowed slightly before she looked away and returned to resting with her eyes closed.
Shi Wen pressed a few buttons, and soothing music began to flow out along with a calming fragrance.
After an unknown amount of time, the moving vehicle came to a stop once more.
Before them stood a small three-story villa. Ning Ruohuan stepped out and pinched the bridge of her nose, the exhaustion between her brows growing more intense. Catching a glimpse of the person rounding the car, she asked, “Is everything ready?”
Shi Wen replied respectfully, “Boss, everything is in place.”
With that, she stepped forward quickly to unlock the door with her fingerprint, then stood to the side of the open door, waiting for Ning Ruohuan to enter.
The layout of the villa was extremely simple, almost crude. Upon entering, only basic living facilities were in sight.
A stark white fluorescent light hung awkwardly from the ceiling, devoid of any aesthetic appeal, making the already eerie space look even more desolate.
Ning Ruohuan looked around and smiled before speaking. “Didn’t I tell you? Treat yourself a little better. I can afford this bit of renovation cost.”
Shi Wen’s expression remained flat, as if she possessed no worldly desires. “It’s just a place to sleep. No need for it to be too grand. This is fine; I actually like this environment.”
Ning Ruohuan had known Shi Wen for many years, and the woman had never asked her for anything. She was easily satisfied, working tirelessly under her command—Ning Ruohuan planned in the shadows, and Shi Wen implemented those plans in the light.
And all of this was simply because Ning Ruohuan had once done her what she considered a small favor years ago.
She said, half-seriously and half-jokingly, “As long as you like it. Don’t mistreat yourself; I still have many things that need your help to complete.”
“I will.” Shi Wen was carefully feeling along the wall. Upon touching an unusual protrusion, she pressed it rhythmically several times.
Click.
Directly below the protrusion in the wall, the seamless floor opened up, and a safe slowly rose. Shi Wen knelt down, entered the password, performed an iris scan, and retrieved a small instrument.
Holding it with both hands, she walked over to Ning Ruohuan and detached a long, pillar-like object connected to the device.
Ning Ruohuan grasped one end of the tube.
The numerical values on the display changed instantly, turning a blood-red color that was heart-stopping to behold.
Shi Wen’s face darkened as she pressed several keys.
The numbers on the screen trembled and jumped, but the effect was minimal. In the blink of an eye, the values returned to that crimson red.
Shi Wen went to press more buttons, but Ning Ruohuan, having seen enough, dropped the tube. The numbers on the instrument shifted again, returning to their initial state of stillness.
Several pitch-black zeros appeared in the center of the screen.
Ning Ruohuan smiled slightly. “Not bad. Compared to the single digits last time, it’s at least reached double digits now. I imagine it won’t be long before my ability is fully recovered.”
Shi Wen was speechless. She stared at the instrument for a long time before saying dryly, “Boss will definitely recover. For the coming period, it would be best if you don’t use—or at least use less of—your ability.”
The smile remained in Ning Ruohuan’s eyes. Whether she recovered or not, did it really matter? In the future, she likely wouldn’t use her ability again anyway.
Luo Yanzhi’s face appeared in her mind, the features becoming increasingly clear and impossible to erase.
All she wanted now was to be with Luo Yanzhi, to live a peaceful life as a person without abilities. That wouldn’t be so bad.
Just as she was thinking this, her phone rang.
It was Luo Yanzhi.
Ning Ruohuan raised her index finger to her lips in a “shush” gesture. Shi Wen immediately turned around and quietly placed the instrument back into the safe.
Ning Ruohuan pressed the answer button.
Before she could speak, Luo Yanzhi’s voice reached her ears. “Sister, the butler said you went out?”
Ning Ruohuan gave a soft “Mm,” her tone becoming even gentler. “Yes, I came out to find some inspiration.”
She was a freelance photographer. Since moving in with Luo Yanzhi, her contact with the Ning family had dwindled, and her influence within the Ning Corporation was nearing zero.
When Luo Yanzhi was busy with work, she would go out alone to take photographs and post them on public platforms. Over time, she had gathered a following of like-minded enthusiasts.
Luo Yanzhi knew this, and she had never hidden it from her.
Sure enough, Luo Yanzhi’s slow voice sounded: “I see. Well, I won’t disturb Sister’s shoot. Remember to show me the photos you took tonight.”
Ning Ruohuan said warmly, “Alright.”
The call ended. Ning Ruohuan looked at the call log on the screen and curled her lips into a faint smile. She rubbed her temples, put away her phone, and stood up, speaking to the person who still had her back turned: “Shi Wen, take me back.”
Shi Wen nodded.
She didn’t have Shi Wen take her back to the original location, but instead to a scenic area nearby. She climbed a high mountain, keeping company with the sea of clouds.
Looking back, the people halfway up the mountain looked like tiny black dots crawling upward.
There weren’t many people on the mountain today. Ning Ruohuan found a secluded, empty spot. Realizing she hadn’t brought her camera, her brow furrowed slightly. After a moment’s thought, she took out her phone; by adjusting the parameters, it could suffice.
She would just have to do more editing when she got back.
Lush trees extended from the edge of the cliff. Ning Ruohuan took two steps forward, crouched down, and leaned her upper body out.
Below was a vast expanse of white, as soft and thick as a giant cushion.
Ning Ruohuan retracted her gaze, carefully ensured her own safety, and then raised her phone toward the ethereal sea of clouds below.
Several photos from different angles appeared on her screen.
She then carefully chose some lighting effects and took a few more shots of other areas.
Ning Ruohuan zoomed in to admire them for a moment, then picked a few of the best ones to send to Luo Yanzhi.
Luo Yanzhi replied quickly: I remember this scenic area isn’t far from the Luo Corporation?
Ning Ruohuan checked the map. By car, it was about an hour’s drive.
Luo Yanzhi: Come wait for me at the entrance of the Luo Corporation.
Ning Ruohuan typed back: Okay.
She brushed off non-existent dust from her clothes and took a cable car down. The sea of clouds drifted past her, silently vanishing into the horizon.
Over an hour later, Ning Ruohuan appeared in front of the Luo Group building.
She had no identification and no appointment, so the security guard dutifully blocked her outside.
Ning Ruohuan had no desire to argue. She simply lowered her head and messaged Luo Yanzhi: Yanyan, I’ve arrived.
Luo Yanzhi replied two minutes later: I haven’t finished processing these documents yet. Wait a moment, Sister.
Ning Ruohuan replied good-naturedly: Alright.
The summer noon sun was scorching, and even the wind carried a blistering heat.
Ning Ruohuan stood in the shade, yet she still couldn’t escape the hot gusts. Fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.
The security guard, due to his job, had to keep her outside, but he felt sympathetic. He whispered a reminder: “If you know someone in the Luo Group, you can have them come down to get you and lead you to the reception lounge. This weather is too hot; how can anyone bear this?”
Ning Ruohuan thanked him for his kindness. “No need. She’ll be out soon. I’ll wait here for a bit.”
Seeing this, the man didn’t push further. Instead, he reached back and opened the window of the security room, letting a stream of cool air drift out. He gestured with a smile, “Wait here by the window.”
Ning Ruohuan didn’t want to trouble him or cause a scene, but she couldn’t refuse the man’s kindness. She thanked him again and walked to the window.
The cool breeze hit her skin, lowering her temperature slightly.
About ten minutes later, Ning Ruohuan’s phone made a crisp sound.
She tapped it.
Luo Yanzhi: Sister, a meeting just came up. See you in an hour.
Ning Ruohuan: Okay, no rush. Finish your work first.
The Luo Group had an internal staff cafeteria with benefits that were among the best in the industry, so few employees chose to go out for lunch.
A few people trickled out occasionally. Ning Ruohuan scanned them, but Luo Yanzhi wasn’t among them.
“Hey, you’re still waiting here? Has your friend not come out yet?” Seeing her still standing by the window, the security guard couldn’t help but look at the piercing sun. “It’s 39 degrees out. Letting you wait like this… your friend is quite heartless.”