Xiao Mei stood still, her eyes locked on the masked figure before her. Her heart pounded against her chest, not only from fear but from a deep curiosity and suspicion. The abandoned headquarters of Zeyan Media felt colder now, the silence between them sharper than any blade. She narrowed her gaze, trying to recognize any sign—any clue—that could confirm her growing suspicion. Was he truly Lu Zeyan?
The masked man tilted his head slightly, then spoke in a calm, measured tone. His voice was deep and steady, yet there was a strange familiarity to it—one that made Xiao Mei's breath hitch.
"You came alone. Brave. Or perhaps, foolish."
"Who are you?" she demanded, though she already suspected the answer. "Why are you hiding your face?"
Instead of answering directly, he reached into the inner pocket of his coat and pulled out a small flash drive. He walked over to an old table, plugged it into a laptop he had brought, and gestured for Xiao Mei to come closer. On the screen, a series of videos and documents began to play.
The footage showed high-ranking officials from the government, heads of multinational companies, and even known public figures. They were all connected through discreet meetings, coded messages, and financial transactions—all orchestrated under the shadows of Project Aegis.
"Project Aegis," the man said, "was never about protecting data. It was about rewriting history. Media, government, corporate giants—they came together to shape narratives and erase truths. All to keep control."
Xiao Mei watched in disbelief. One video showed an operation where journalists were silenced. Another document revealed falsified reports signed under Zeyan Media's name. Her hands trembled as she clicked through the evidence.
"Why are you showing me this?" she asked.
The man stared at her, though the mask hid his expression. "Because you're already too deep. But I warn you—keep going, and they will come for you. They're not people you can see in the daylight. They're the ones who stay invisible, and that's what makes them dangerous."
Xiao Mei clenched her fists. "Are you Lu Zeyan?"
Silence.
She stepped closer. "Say something only he would know."
The man hesitated, then whispered, "The night it rained in Guangzhou—you fell asleep in the editing room. I put a jacket over you and told them the lights were out so no one would disturb you. You never knew it was me."
Xiao Mei froze. That moment had never been shared with anyone. It wasn't in any report or message. Her eyes widened. "Lu Zeyan... it's really you, isn't it?"
He said nothing, but in that moment, she knew.
She wanted to scream at him, ask why he disappeared, why he turned against everything he once fought for. But before she could speak again, he pulled out a thick envelope and handed it to her.
"Everything starts and ends here," he said. "But if you want real answers, go to the place where Zeyan Media's first broadcast was aired. The Solstice Tower. 17th of June. 11:47 PM."
Without waiting for a reply, he turned and disappeared into the darkness. The old headquarters swallowed his silhouette, leaving Xiao Mei alone again.
She stood there for several seconds, stunned. The stillness felt suffocating now.
Clutching the envelope, she returned to her car and drove off, constantly checking the rearview mirror. She didn't trust that she wasn't being followed.
Once she reached a quiet, hidden spot at the edge of the city, she opened the envelope. Inside were printed documents, photos, and a list of names. Some of the names were familiar, others not—but all of them were connected. The evidence pointed to something far greater than just corruption in media. This was a structure of control. A network that spanned decades.
There was also a diagram—one that mapped how Zeyan Media was used as a puppet. Its founding members were not just media experts but had ties to political syndicates. The deeper she read, the more Xiao Mei realized: this wasn't just about journalism anymore. It was about truth versus power. Justice versus legacy.
She leaned back in her seat, overwhelmed but fiercely determined. Lu Zeyan was out there, hiding behind layers of shadows, possibly playing a dangerous game with dangerous people. But he gave her something priceless: the next piece of the puzzle.
And Xiao Mei had no plans to stop now.
Not until she unearthed the whole truth.
Not until the mask was removed.