The city felt quieter.
Not because it was silent—
But because something was about to happen.
Man Ning sat in her office.
The file in front of her—
LH Group.
She had seen the name many times now.
Too many times.
"…Strange," she whispered.
Mr. Kim looked at her.
"What is it?" he asked.
Man Ning shook her head.
"Nothing."
But it wasn't nothing.
There was a feeling.
Unfamiliar.
Yet… familiar.
Mr. Kim placed another file on the table.
"They requested a direct meeting this time," he said.
Man Ning's hand stopped.
"…Direct meeting?"
Mr. Kim nodded.
"Yes. Tomorrow."
Silence.
For the first time—
She hesitated.
Just for a second.
Then—
"Accept it," she said.
Her voice was calm.
But her eyes—
Slightly uncertain.
Mr. Kim noticed.
But didn't say anything.
Meanwhile—
In another building—
Minji stood in front of Shen Yan.
"Sir, Starlight Legal confirmed the meeting," she said.
Shen Yan nodded.
"Tomorrow?"
"Yes."
Silence.
Minji hesitated.
"…You usually don't attend these personally," she said.
Shen Yan looked at the file.
His gaze unreadable.
"This one is different," he replied.
Minji frowned slightly.
"…How?"
Shen Yan didn't answer.
Because even he didn't know.
That night—
Man Ning stood in front of her wardrobe.
She opened it slowly.
Her eyes found something.
The ring.
She stared at it.
For a long time.
"…Why today…" she whispered.
Her fingers brushed against it.
But she didn't take it.
She closed the wardrobe.
Firm.
"No distractions," she said.
At the same time—
Shen Yan stood near the window.
The city lights reflected in his eyes.
"…Tomorrow," he said quietly.
A strange feeling settled in his chest.
Not fear.
Not doubt.
Something else.
Something he couldn't name.
Across the city—
Minji sat alone.
Her thoughts restless.
"…Why do I feel like something is coming back…" she whispered.
She didn't understand it.
But it made her uneasy.
Three different people.
Three different places.
One moment away—
From everything changing.
👉 Some days feel normal.
👉 Until they become the day that changes everything.