The island came alive that night with glitter and danger.
A private business gala was held under moonlight — suited men, elegant women, soft jazz, and the constant clinking of wine glasses. It was a performance, just like everything else on Qin Rui's island.
Li Mei wore a deep emerald silk gown chosen by Xiao Ping, her hair pinned up, her eyes lined sharp. She played the part of the graceful wellness coach. Quiet. Polite. Invisible.
The party sparkled, but Li Mei felt the weight of a thousand eyes on her.
Qin Rui's estate had transformed into a dazzling open-air gala — silk-draped tables, floating candles in wine glasses, and guests in tuxedos laughing too hard over expensive wine.
Li Mei moved like a ghost, a smile fixed on her lips, her green dress brushing the polished stone with each step.
But beneath the glamor, something real was happening.
A waiter in black gloves stopped by her table. He placed a fresh glass of champagne beside her, and as he leaned slightly, a folded note slid under her plate.
Her pulse skipped.
She waited until he left. Then, casually, she lifted the plate and slipped the note into her palm.
Her breath caught as she read the hurried scrawl:
> "You're not safe. He's testing you. The library has a list. Find it. Destroy it. —C."
Chen. Her boyfriend. Somehow, he'd found a way to reach her.
---her Reply
Back in her room, she lit only one lamp and sat at her writing desk.
Her hand trembled as she wrote in delicate, neat characters — not too rushed, not too emotional. Just enough.
> "I'm being watched constantly. He caught me near the library. I covered it up. I think he suspects. No chance to get the list yet. I'll try. Soon."
She folded the paper carefully and sealed it into a plain envelope.
Then she tucked it inside a rolled-up napkin and stepped out quietly into the cool night air.
Down the garden path, the same waiter passed by again — clearing dishes, blending in. She timed it perfectly.
As he bent down to take a tray from the bench, she leaned forward and slipped the napkin into his hand.
"Take this back," she whispered.
He gave a tiny nod and turned away—
> "Going somewhere?"
Her stomach dropped.
Qin Rui's voice.
--- The Dangerous Moment
He stepped from the shadows near the walkway — black shirt, sleeves rolled up, glass of wine in hand like he had all the time in the world.
And yet… his eyes locked on her hand. Then on the napkin in the waiter's grip.
Before the man could even flinch, Qin Rui's hand moved — fast — and snatched the envelope from within the napkin.
He turned it over, silent.
No name. No seal. Just a simple white fold — and her handwriting on the front.
Her heart slammed against her ribs.
He was about to open it.
Li Mei acted on instinct.
She stepped forward, snatched the envelope from his fingers with sudden boldness, and tucked it behind her back.
Qin Rui's eyes slowly lifted to meet hers — cool, unreadable, yet burning with something unspoken.
"Do I look like someone who enjoys surprises?" he asked, voice like silk over ice.
Li Mei tilted her head, matching his calm. "It's personal."
"To whom?"
"To myself."
He stared at her for a long moment. No movement. No expression.
Just... intensity.
Then, softly, he said, "You're braver than you look."
She smiled, though her pulse screamed. "Maybe I'm just not afraid of you."
That was a lie.
He leaned in slightly, not touching, but close enough to smell the tension between them.
"You should be," he whispered.
--- The Escape
Qin Rui turned to the waiter. "Leave us."
The man fled instantly.
Qin Rui took a slow sip of his wine and then glanced back at Li Mei, his voice flat.
"Don't let me catch you passing private letters again, Miss Li Na. I hate being left out of conversations that happen on my island."
She nodded once. "It won't happen again."
He gave her one last look — part warning, part something darker — then walked off into the night.
The envelope still clutched in her hand, uncrushed.
Not read. Not caught.
But next time… she might not be so lucky