Chapter 25: The Dawn of Commerce

"I..." She had just begun to speak when the assassin lunged forward like an arrow released from a bow!

A flash of cold light—the dagger streaked directly toward Duan Fei's throat!

In that split second, A-Qiang moved with the ferocity of a tiger descending a mountain. He threw himself in front of Duan Fei, swinging his arm to forcefully parry the lethal strike.

With a dull thud, their limbs collided. The impact sent A-Qiang stumbling back a few steps, a stinging pain throbbing in the webbing between his thumb and forefinger.

The assassin was clearly a trained professional; every move was calculated, ruthless, and precise. He moved with ghostly unpredictability, the dagger in his hand seeming to come alive, transforming into silver lightning as he relentlessly assaulted A-Qiang.

Though A-Qiang was a formidable fighter, he began to feel overwhelmed by the ferocity of the onslaught. Beads of sweat broke out on his forehead, and his breathing grew ragged.

The employees huddled in the corners, trembling and deathly silent. The office was filled only with the dull thumping of blows and the sound of rapid, shallow breathing. The tension in the air was palpable, like a taut string ready to snap at any moment.

The assassin feinted, his dagger tracing a sinister arc aimed straight at A-Qiang’s chest. A-Qiang swerved to evade, but the razor-sharp blade still caught his sleeve, grazing his skin and leaving a shallow trail of blood.

"Hmph, you think you can protect Duan Fei with such mediocre skills? How overconfident!" The assassin sneered. His attacks became even more violent, pressing forward step by step, leaving A-Qiang in constant peril.

Duan Fei, hidden behind A-Qiang, felt her heart burning with anxiety. Though she appeared composed on the surface, her mind was a turbulent storm. She knew that if A-Qiang fell, she would be the next target.

In this critical moment, Duan Fei suddenly noticed something. As the assassin swung his dagger for another lethal strike, she caught a fleeting opening—the assassin’s left foot wavered slightly, his center of gravity shifting.

"A-Qiang, his left foot!" Duan Fei’s cool, clear voice cut through the chaos of the office.

A-Qiang, a bodyguard of extensive experience, understood her instantly. He seized the momentary lapse, launching a swift side-kick that landed squarely on the assassin’s left ankle.

With a sickening crunch, the assassin let out a cry of pain, staggered, and fell to the floor in a heap. The dagger slipped from his grasp, clattering onto the floorboards.

A-Qiang pressed his advantage, lunging forward to pin the assassin’s arms behind his back, securing him firmly.

Seeing the assassin subdued, the surrounding staff let out a collective sigh of relief as the suffocating atmosphere began to dissipate.

"President Fei is truly incredible," some whispered. "To think she could spot his weakness so quickly!" "Indeed, she remains unshakable in the face of danger; she is truly our goddess!"

Though Duan Fei remained outwardly calm, her inner world was in turmoil. This was the second attempt on her life. Who exactly wanted her dead? She massaged her throbbing temples, feeling physically and mentally exhausted. The crisis had passed for now, but she knew this was merely the calm before the storm.

She still had a mountain of work to handle, including the aftermath of the recent competition for contracts, which weighed heavily on her.

"Xiao Wang, bring me the contracts," Duan Fei said, forcing herself to focus.

"Right away, President Fei." Xiao Wang hurriedly handed her the documents.

Duan Fei took them, scanning the pages with furrowed brows and a grave expression. Just then, Xiao Wang ran over, his face beaming with excitement. "President Fei, good news! Those previous clients are interested in our creative concepts and want to collaborate with us!"

Duan Fei looked up sharply. The staff began to high-five, their faces bright with joy. A long-absent smile finally graced Duan Fei’s lips. However, in the midst of this celebration, her phone suddenly buzzed.

It was a text from an unknown number, containing only a single sentence: "The dark night is coming."

Duan Fei’s face turned pale, her smile freezing instantly. She stood up abruptly and walked to the window, gazing into the distance. Outside, night had fallen; the city lights glittered, yet they could not mask the dangerous undercurrents filling the air.

"It seems the real show has only just begun," she murmured, her voice laced with quiet resolve.