Chapter 1: A Daring Woman

Green Hotel, 26th floor.

Gu Li stepped out of the elevator, a document in one hand and her cell phone in the other.

The sound of bickering erupted from the phone’s speaker.

First came a gruff voice:

“Little Lizi, listen up. Call Big Brother immediately if you run into trouble after returning to Country Z. Got it?”

Then, a sharper voice cut in as someone grabbed the phone:

“Little ancestor, don’t bother Big Brother—call Second Brother! I’ll handle it for you. If the Su family dares to provoke you, I’ll destroy them in an instant!”

Gu Li rolled her eyes in exasperation, idly scratching her ear. Just as she was about to reply, the hotel corridor lights abruptly went out.

The sudden darkness engulfed her, and she tightened her grip on the phone.

“Big Brother, Second Brother, I’ll talk to you later. Hanging up now.” She ended the call.

Despite the eerie silence, her keen ears picked up the sound of dozens of footsteps heading in her direction.

Gu Li walked forward without hesitation, intending to return to her room. But as she passed the utility closet, an arm shot out, yanking her inside before she could react.

Before she could utter a word, a large hand covered her mouth and pressed her firmly against the wall.

In the dimly lit, cramped space, a tall man loomed over her. His voice, hoarse and commanding, whispered close to her ear, “Don’t make a sound.”

Gu Li frowned but obeyed, her sharp senses detecting the faint metallic scent of blood.

Outside the door, hurried footsteps approached. A stern voice barked orders in Mandarin:

“I’m certain the target is on this floor!”

“Search every room! He’s injured—he won’t have gone far.”

The voices and footsteps eventually faded, leaving a tense silence behind.

Seizing the moment, Gu Li’s hand shot up, her fingers curling into claws as she grabbed the man’s throat. Her movements were swift and precise, her eyes glinting with cold resolve.

The man, already weakened from blood loss, faltered under her grip. His hands slackened, and he coughed softly, his voice raspy yet inexplicably magnetic in the confined darkness.

“Thank you, little girl,” he murmured.

Gu Li raised an eyebrow, a mischievous light flickering in her eyes. Her fingers released his throat, only to lift his chin instead, tilting his face into the faint light that seeped through the doorframe.

Their eyes met.

The man’s gaze was sharp and icy, though half-lidded with exhaustion. His pale complexion betrayed the extent of his injuries, yet it did nothing to diminish his striking features. His face was a masterpiece of contrasts—exuding both the refined elegance of the East and the chiseled depth of Western beauty.

As she studied him, Mu Qinghan—ever alert despite his condition—found himself scrutinizing the audacious young woman before him.

She couldn’t have been more than twenty. Her fair, untroubled face betrayed neither fear nor panic, and the calm self-assurance she radiated piqued his curiosity. Her high ponytail swayed slightly, accentuating her youthful beauty.

Before either could speak, the door was flung open.

Reacting instantly, Gu Li released his chin and shoved him to the ground. Leaning close, she whispered in his ear, “Scream. Make it sound convincing—something they’ll misunderstand.”

Mu Qinghan’s eyes darkened, but he complied without hesitation.

As two men in black suits entered the room, the injured man pulled Gu Li close, his hand encircling her waist as he tilted her head toward his.

The next moment, their lips met.

Gu Li’s mind exploded with indignation. If this man weren’t so devilishly handsome, she would have thrown him to the wolves without a second thought.

The two intruders froze, clearly embarrassed.

“Apologies! We didn’t mean to intrude,” one stammered, his tone flustered. The other quickly added, “Carry on, please.”

The dim light obscured the faces of the couple on the ground, but the intruders had no intention of looking closer. Awkwardly, they backed out of the room and closed the door behind them.

As they walked away, their muffled conversation floated back:

“Why would anyone choose the utility closet? Young people these days have no sense of romance.”

“Probably can’t afford a proper suite. Not everyone staying at the Green Hotel is rich, you know. Maybe they’re just after some excitement.”

When the voices faded completely, Gu Li yanked herself upright. Her glare bore into Mu Qinghan as she grabbed his jaw between her fingers, her grip unrelenting.

“This better not become a habit,” she said icily.

Author’s Note:

This is my first contemporary story, and I’m nervous!

I’m trying something new with this one—a woman disguising herself as a man, with both leads carrying multiple identities. It’s also a group-favorite trope!

(End of Chapter 1)

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