012. The Scene of the Fire

At half past nine in the morning, Lin Mi stood at the entrance of the Star Glory International Hotel.

The hotel was grand and imposing, its glass façade gleaming under the sunlight. Guests and staff moved in and out, busy yet composed. Everything seemed perfectly normal—nothing at all like the inferno foretold in the system’s prophecy. Perhaps it was because the hotel was hosting a major industry summit today; the entrance was lively, festively decorated, and thronged with people.

Electronic screens broadcast information, and on either side of the doors stood massive three-dimensional posters. At the center, a signature wall awaited the arrival of distinguished guests and experts, marking their entrance to the summit. The entire entryway was adorned with vibrant, fresh flowers.

The summit would begin at ten o’clock, but guests were already arriving and signing in. Outside the hotel, a crowd of journalists and independent media bloggers had gathered, eager to take photographs and conduct interviews. The scale of today’s event was evident; attendees were all prominent figures from the technology and finance sectors. In other words, everyone present was someone of influence.

Lin Mi stood quietly at the back of the bustling crowd, watching the lively scene before her. It was hard to imagine how devastating the predicted fire would be—it would harm not just the hotel, but also many talented professionals and industry leaders, a huge loss for Rong City’s local economy.

“Here they come, here they come!”
“Don’t push me!”
“You stepped on my shoe!”

Suddenly, the journalists surged forward, jostling each other as they vied for the best position. “What’s happening?” Lin Mi, curious, rose onto her tiptoes to see who had arrived, causing such excitement among the reporters.

The commotion was substantial, but with the entrance so crowded, she didn’t dare move forward and instead remained at the back to observe the scene.

Just then, a luxury car pulled up to the entrance. Hotel staff hurried forward to open the back door. A pair of long legs appeared first, followed by a man, tall and sharp, dressed in a tailored suit, stepping out of the vehicle.

He lowered his head slightly as he exited, adjusted his glasses, and then looked up at the crowd.

His lips curved with the faintest hint of a smile; his expression was composed and calm as he nodded to those around him, unruffled by the cameras and attention. His presence radiated a powerful aura, his demeanor relaxed yet confident, as if the entire situation was firmly within his control—or perhaps he simply didn’t care.

“So it’s him...” Lin Mi was momentarily stunned. Seeing the journalists’ excitement, she had thought a high-ranking official had arrived. But it was the benefactor who had helped her out of a tight spot at the dinner that night—Wei Xun!

She hadn’t expected him to be so popular; the reporters were scrambling for a chance to interview him. It made sense, though—he was only twenty-seven or twenty-eight, not yet thirty, and already a rising star in the industry. Rumor had it he had recently returned from abroad. She’d looked up some news about him online; many experts spoke highly of him, calling him a dark horse who had emerged from Chinatown.

“Mr. Wei! Mr. Wei, could you say a few words?”
“Mr. Wei, are you seeking new partnerships at the ‘Future Technology’ summit?”
...

Whatever his motives that night, the fact remained that he had helped her, so Lin Mi had a favorable impression of him. She listened intently to the reporters’ questions, curious herself.

But he seemed uninterested in interviews; his smile remained faint as he, escorted by his assistant, made his way toward the hotel entrance.

For a brief moment, Lin Mi’s gaze met his.

She instinctively lowered herself from her tiptoes, her heart skipping a beat. Had he just seen her?

But surely he wouldn’t remember her—he was one of society’s elites, unlikely to recall someone as ordinary as herself. It was probably just a casual glance.

Once Wei Xun entered the hotel, the atmosphere outside gradually settled. Lin Mi waited in place; after only a few minutes, she felt sweat begin to bead on her skin.

She looked up; another scorching day. No wonder the Star Glory International Hotel was at risk of fire—dry weather, hot sun.

It was just ten in the morning, and the sun was already blazing. By two in the afternoon, it would be at its peak.

After about ten minutes, the crowd at the entrance finally thinned. Lin Mi picked up her shoulder bag and strolled into the hotel.

She didn’t head straight to the front desk but chose a discreet spot to sit, pretending to play with her phone while observing the flow of people and the movements of the hotel staff.

The fire was predicted to break out in the third-floor kitchen, but she couldn’t simply barge in—that would draw too much attention. She needed to observe from public areas or find a spot close to the kitchen.

There were still several hours before the fire was due to occur. During this time, she planned to wander around the hotel.

Lin Mi stood up and, following the hotel signs, pretended to look for the restroom or café, slowly making her way toward the third floor.

There were indeed several restaurants on the third floor, the air filled with the aromas of various dishes. Lin Mi stopped at a public lounge not far from the kitchen area, from which she could see some of the staff entrances and exits.

Time ticked by; the hotel remained peaceful. Morning sunlight streamed through the windows, warming the space and making it feel almost stifling.

The calm made Lin Mi even more anxious, like the stillness before a storm.

She recalled the trending topics online, searching for any other clues.

Clenching her fists, Lin Mi resolved to take action.

She walked toward the staff passage she had observed earlier, her appearance unremarkable—she looked like a lost guest.

Approaching the door, she was about to peek inside when she heard the sounds of an argument and objects being thrown.

Lin Mi’s heart tightened.

What was happening? Another unexpected situation?

She didn’t rush in, instead retreating to a nearby corner to listen.

The argument continued for a while, then gradually subsided. Soon, someone emerged—a hotel staff member in uniform, looking impatient and carrying a toolbox.

The person didn’t seem to notice Lin Mi and hurried away.

Lin Mi frowned. The argument she had overheard didn’t sound like ordinary kitchen commotion; something was wrong.