The moonlit island was quiet at night—too quiet.
Li Mei slipped out of her bungalow barefoot, her hair tied up messily, and her steps light on the sand. She couldn't sleep. Her nerves were a mess, and the sound of the ocean only reminded her how far she was from safety.
She needed to understand this island.
Its layout. Its security.
Its secrets.
She carried a small flashlight, but kept it off. There were motion sensors hidden near the fences, cameras disguised as coconut lamps, and guards who looked like gardeners during the day.
She walked along the curved garden path near the cliffs, trying to memorize every corner.
That's when she saw him.
A man leaning against a tree, bottle in hand, back to her. His shirt was half unbuttoned, collar loose. There was a slight sway in his stance—as if the alcohol had sunk deep.
Li Mei froze, then quickly tucked her flashlight into her robe pocket.
A worker? A guard off duty?
She should have turned around.
But instinct pushed her forward.
"Hey," she said softly. "You're not supposed to drink on duty, are you?"
The man didn't answer right away.
He just took another sip.
"I'm new here," she tried again, half-playful. "Didn't think the staff got to enjoy such expensive liquor at night."
He finally turned his head—only a little—his face half-shadowed by moonlight.
"You talk too much," he said coldly.
The voice was like crushed velvet: soft, deep, but rough around the edges.
Li Mei raised an eyebrow. "Sorry. Just trying to be friendly."
His eyes moved to her. Dark. Sharp. Calculating. And for the first time, she felt something strange in her chest—like being caught trespassing in a lion's den.
"People who wander at night," he said quietly, "tend to disappear by morning."
Li Mei's smile froze.
Was that... a warning?
Before she could respond, he pushed off the tree and walked past her, brushing her shoulder slightly.
"Go back inside, little rabbit."
And just like that, he was gone.
--- Later That Night – The Dinner Table
Xiao Ping dragged her to a formal dinner with some of the island's core staff—advisors, trainers, and senior security.
"I swear, if I have to sit through another dinner without dessert, I'll defect to a bakery cartel," Xiao Ping muttered as they entered the grand dining room.
Li Mei tried to focus on keeping her posture elegant. This was part of the mission—blend in, observe, report.
She scanned the room.
And then...
Her stomach dropped.
He was there.
Seated at the head of the table.
The man from the garden.
But now, he wasn't holding a bottle.
He was wearing a black silk shirt, tailored perfectly, his hair swept back, a silver watch catching the light.
Everyone stood as he entered.
Everyone.
Except her—who stood slowly, stunned.
"Boss Qin," someone greeted.
"Good evening, sir," another added.
Her heartbeat thundered in her ears.
Qin Rui.
She had mocked him. Challenged him.
Called him a drunk worker.
And now he was looking directly at her.
His lips curled into the faintest smirk.
Not kind. Not amused.
Predatory.He didn't say a word to her throughout dinner. But every time she looked up, he was watching. Not like a man admiring a woman—but like a hunter measuring the size of his prey.
She tried to eat. She tried to laugh at Xiao Ping's jokes.
But her hands were cold.
Then, halfway through the meal, his voice rang out:
"Miss Li Na."
She looked up quickly. "Yes, sir?"
"You're the new wellness instructor?"
"Yes."
"You walk well for someone who doesn't know the island paths."
Li Mei's throat tightened.
Xiao Ping laughed nervously. "Oh come on, Rui-ge, don't scare her. Everyone sneaks out their first night!"
Qin Rui didn't smile. He just held her gaze.
"You should remember," he said coolly, "this island isn't a resort. It's a cage with very polite walls."
Everyone went silent.
She forced a small nod. "I'll remember that."
He finally looked away.
But she knew in that moment — this man was not just a criminal.
He was power wrapped in silk and steel.
And she had made a dangerous impression