"A man may appear virtuous in the presence of others, but only in solitude does his true nature emerge… raw, unrestrained, greedy, ambitious. A beast. A monster. The face he hides from the world."
Those words, spoken by Ning Xi's mother, echoed endlessly within her mind, each repetition carving deeper into her resolve.
And Ning Xi did not hesitate.
She followed her mother's instructions to the letter.
"Mentor Lin Feng… may I have a moment of your time? I wished to speak with you about my grandmother's birthday this coming Sunday," Ning Xi said softly after dinner, her tone respectful, even carrying a trace of nervousness that seemed entirely natural.
Lin Feng glanced at her, then nodded with a faint smile. "Of course, Teacher Ning Xi."
There was no suspicion in his eyes. No wariness.
Only the calm composure of a man confident in himself.
A few moments later, he led her into an empty room.
Lin Feng pushed open the door to a vacant room and stepped inside first.
