The sea shimmered like liquid sapphire under the late afternoon sun. As the speedboat sliced through the waves, Li Mei kept her face expressionless, though her stomach twisted with anxiety.
The island ahead looked like paradise: palm trees swaying, birds calling out lazily, and white sands glowing like sugar. But beneath all that beauty, she knew, was one of the most dangerous places in Asia.
Qin Rui's private island.
She clutched her small suitcase tightly. Inside it were two dresses, a first-aid kit, and a hidden recording pen sewed inside the lining. Her boyfriend, Officer Chen, had given it to her the night before.
"You only need to stay two weeks. Get close to Qin Rui's people. Get us names, routes, accounts. That's it. Don't do anything stupid. And don't let him touch you."
His grip had tightened on her wrist that night. It still ached.
--- Arrival
As the boat docked, a woman in her twenties stood waiting with sunglasses too big for her face and a sunhat that kept blowing off.
"Are you the new wellness instructor?" the woman asked with a slight squint. Her tone wasn't suspicious—just... bored.
Li Mei nodded calmly. "Yes. Li Na."
Fake name. Fake job. But she had studied massage techniques, yoga basics, and even read five books on wellness just in case.
"Welcome to Rui Manor," the woman said with a sigh. "I'm Xiao Ping, the boss's little sister. I'll take you to your bungalow. You look like you're about to faint, by the way. You get boat sick?"
"No," Li Mei said quickly. "Just... a bit of sun." She smiled politely.
Xiao Ping rolled her eyes and started walking. "Better get used to it. My brother hates umbrellas."
---The Bungalow
They walked through a lush pathway that cut through manicured gardens and tall banana trees. Everything was spotless — almost too perfect.
The bungalows were lined neatly near the west cliffs, each one styled like a luxurious beach resort.
"This one's yours," Xiao Ping said, stopping in front of a cream-colored wooden house with a porch swing. "It's close to the spa house and the training grounds. We have morning yoga at 6. You'll probably teach that. Or not. No one actually shows up."
Li Mei stepped inside. Cool air brushed her face. The place was beautiful—wooden floors, wide windows, clean linen.
Too clean. Too peaceful.
It didn't feel like a criminal empire. But she couldn't forget why she was here.
---Her Mission
Her goal was simple on paper:
Work as the "wellness coach" for staff and select guests
Blend in
Access private schedules, movement patterns, and communication links
Find proof of Qin Rui's illegal shipments
She had two weeks. Maximum.
That night, as she sat on the porch pretending to meditate, Xiao Ping came over barefoot with a bowl of mangoes and two spoons.
"Okay wellness girl, question," Xiao Ping said dramatically. "If someone eats five mangoes in one sitting, will they die of sugar overdose?"
Li Mei blinked, then chuckled softly. "Only if they choke on the seed."
"Smartass," Xiao Ping grinned, handing her a spoon. "I like you already. Don't tell my brother."
They sat together in silence, eating mangoes as the sea breeze danced in the air.
For the first time, Li Mei's chest relaxed just a little.
But then Xiao Ping casually added, "Just be careful. People who lie to my brother don't usually last long here."
Li Mei smiled faintly.
She had just made her first friend. But the game had officially begun.