The moon hung high over Tianhe City, its pale light spilling across rooftops and quiet streets. Li Mei galloped through the silent roads, her black horse leaving small echoes of hooves behind her. Blood soaked the right sleeve of her coat, dark and sticky. Her shoulder ached with every movement, but she gritted her teeth. There was no time to stop.
She finally reached the gates of her family's countryside estate, a humble yet strong-looking home surrounded by thick trees and high stone walls. As she dismounted, the front door burst open.
"Mei Mei!" her mother cried, rushing forward. Her mother, a woman with streaks of gray in her black hair and eyes full of wisdom, helped her inside. Behind her stood Uncle Han, tall and quiet, watching with concern.
"What happened this time?" he asked, closing the door behind them.
"I'm fine," Li Mei said, trying to wave them off.
Her mother wasn't convinced. "You're bleeding, child. Sit down before you collapse."
Li Mei grumbled but obeyed. She sat in the small medical room they'd built in the back of the house—a space they'd long used for this very reason. Her mother helped her out of the coat. The cloth clung to her wound, and she winced as it peeled away.
"You always come home like this," her mother whispered, voice trembling. "I worry every day, Li Mei."
"I told you both," Li Mei said, quieter now. "I have to do this. No one else will."
An hour passed. Bandages were applied, herbs were brewed, and her coat hung near the fire, stained and drying. The house was quiet, filled only with the soft crackling of logs and the occasional hoot of an owl outside.
Then—knock, knock.
Three sharp knocks echoed from the front gate.
Uncle Han stiffened. Her mother stood. "Who would come at this hour?"
Li Mei froze. Her hand moved slowly to her belt, reaching for the hidden blade she always carried.
Her mother opened the door and peeked outside.
A young man stood there, hands visible and body relaxed. He looked dusty from the road, a travel bag slung over one shoulder. Zhao Wei.
Li Mei, still hidden from view, narrowed her eyes.
"Sorry for the late visit," Zhao Wei said politely. "I… I've lost my place to stay tonight. I was hoping someone might give me shelter for the evening."
Her mother hesitated, then opened the gate fully. "You're lucky we're kind folk. Come in, young man."
Li Mei rolled her eyes. Kind, yes. But too trusting.
Zhao Wei entered, looking around as if searching for something. His eyes settled on a lit room down the hall. He walked toward it slowly. As he stepped through the open door, he froze.
There, seated on a stool, was Li Mei. Her coat was off, her long black hair loosely tied back. A fresh bandage was wrapped around her shoulder, stained with blood. On the bed beside her lay her mask—the same one Shadow wore.
Zhao Wei blinked.
"Li Mei?"
Her head snapped up.
"Mom!" she called, her voice sharp. "What is he doing here?"
Her mother entered behind Zhao Wei, clearly flustered. "He said he had nowhere to go tonight, and it's dangerous outside. He'll stay one night and leave in the morning."
Li Mei frowned. "But—"
Before she could finish, Zhao Wei raised a hand. "It's alright. I'm not a stranger. I'm... I know Li Mei. I'm the uncle of her friend Zhao Ling."
Her mother looked between them, then slowly nodded. "Then you can stay. Just for tonight."
She left them alone.
An uncomfortable silence filled the room. Zhao Wei took a step forward, looking at her wound.
"You're still bleeding," he said, concerned. "Let me help."
He moved toward the medical cabinet.
But before he could take two steps, cold metal touched his throat.
Li Mei stood now, a dagger pressed against the side of his neck, her dark eyes hard as stone.
"Did you follow me?" she whispered.
Zhao Wei didn't flinch. "Yes."
"Why?"
"Because I knew it was you. I saw your face. I recognized your movements. I figured it out… Li Mei is Shadow."
She pressed the knife harder, and he swallowed.
"I followed you because I was worried. You were hurt. I didn't know where else you'd go."
Her grip didn't loosen. "If you tell anyone," she said, her voice like ice, "I will kill you. Do you understand? Not your family. Not your sister. Not your friends. No one. You. Say. Nothing."
Zhao Wei met her eyes. He could see the pain, the anger, the fear she hid under all that strength.
"Okay," he said softly. "I promise."
She hesitated… then slowly lowered the blade.
He exhaled.
Then, moving calmly, he took a jar of herbal ointment and a roll of fresh bandages. "Sit," he said.
Li Mei sat stiffly.
He knelt beside her and began removing the old bandage. She winced, and he paused.
"I'm sorry," he murmured.
She said nothing.
He cleaned the wound gently, applied the cooling ointment, and wrapped it again with steady hands. Through it all, she sat quietly, watching his face. His expression was focused—kind, but not pitying. She appreciated that.
"You don't trust people easily," he said as he finished. "Do you?"
"No."
"Why not?"
She looked away. "Because I can't afford to."
Zhao Wei stood, stepping back. "Maybe one day… you will."
She looked at him, her face unreadable. "Don't count on it."
He smiled faintly. "Well, then. Goodnight, Shadow."
He left the room and closed the door behind him.
Li Mei sat for a long time in silence, staring at the closed door. She touched the fresh bandage, then looked at her mask.
Things were getting complicated.
And she didn't like it one bit.
And after that Li Mei sleep but not peacefully,she has nightmares about those traffiker.
She will not be in peace until she will catch them.
To be continued...
What do you think that will happen in chapter 5?
Like it - add to library.