The floor-to-ceiling windows reflected the furnishings inside. Ruiai Mountain was quiet and peaceful at night, the distant peaks darkened by the hour and merging with the vast banks of black clouds.
Qi Shu Yu stood sideways before the floor-to-ceiling windows, his gentle profile reflected in the glass. Phone in hand, he was discussing that afternoon's events with Mu Xu Ye.
Mu Xu Ye replied almost instantly: [No. It's too dangerous. I can't let you take that risk!]
Qi Shu Yu revised his message several times before sending it: [But this is the only way. If we keep dragging this out and they won't show themselves, there's nothing we can do. Besides, there are so many of us. I'll be fine.]
Qi Shu Yu watched the "Typing..." indicator stay on the screen for a full five minutes.
Only after a long while did Mu Xu Ye's message arrive: [I have just one condition. Wait until I'm back before you act.]
[Okay.]
Qi Shu Yu put down his phone, got out of bed, and went to close the curtains, cutting off the villa's only light visible from outside.
Mu Xu Ye stood before the hotel's floor-to-ceiling windows. The amber lights below shone on the asphalt road, and the broad street was silent apart from the occasional passing car.
Mu Xu Ye stood sideways, half his face hidden in shadow, and dialed with one hand. "Change my booking now. I'm taking the earliest flight back tomorrow."
"Yes, Mr. Mu."
Ten minutes later, his assistant called back. "Mr. Mu, your booking has been changed. The earliest flight available tomorrow is at seven forty-seven in the morning."
"All right. Keep track of the time and get everything packed."
"Yes."
Gao Yuyang was staying with the Mu Family that night, but the arrangement had been too