Two days had passed since the dinner.
And she could still feel his eyes on her skin.
Qin Rui hadn't spoken to her again, but she felt his presence everywhere—his name whispered, his footsteps unhurried but decisive, and his control over the island absolute. Even birds seemed to fly more quietly when he walked past.
But Li Mei had a mission.
Her boyfriend's voice echoed in her head:
> "There's a room hidden behind the library. We've traced screams on audio files. People disappear on that island for a reason."
And today, Xiao Ping was busy attending a cooking class hosted by one of the other siblings, leaving the estate unusually quiet.
This was her chance.
---The Library
She found it near the eastern cliff—stone steps led to a tall building that looked like a traditional study. White walls, dark wood beams, and carved lanterns hung from the corners.
Inside, the scent of old books hit her. It was silent. The kind of silence that felt intentional.
Thousands of books lined the walls—poetry, politics, ancient war strategies.
She ran her fingers along the spines until she spotted something odd.
A small, modern keypad lock embedded behind a display shelf. And right beside it — a smudge, as if someone often touched that spot.
Just as she reached to inspect it—
> Click.
The door behind her shut with a soft thud.
She spun around.
And her breath caught.
Qin Rui.
Black shirt. No jacket. No guards. Just him, alone — and furious.
---
"You're either very stupid," he said, voice low, "or very curious."
Li Mei swallowed. "I was just exploring. The library isn't off-limits, is it?"
Qin Rui stepped forward. "Everything on this island is off-limits unless I say otherwise."
He kept walking toward her. Calm. Controlled.
Predator.
"What were you looking for, Miss Li Na? A bedtime story?"
She forced herself to meet his gaze. "I got lost."
His eyes darkened slightly, like a switch flipped.
"Wrong answer."
He walked past her—straight to the keypad. He touched it, then turned slowly.
"This library contains personal records. Historical documents. And perhaps a few... unpleasant truths."
"Truths like a dungeon beneath it?" she asked before she could stop herself.
Silence.
A flicker passed across his face.
Then he moved so fast, she didn't even see it coming.
He gripped her wrist—not violently, but firmly, like a man used to people obeying him.
"Do you think I'm a fool?" he said quietly, his breath warm but his tone icy. "That you can just wander my home, whispering rumors like a spy?"
She trembled slightly but stood her ground. "I'm just a staff member. I got lost. That's all."
A beat of silence. His grip loosened.
Then he stepped closer—too close.
"You smell like lies," he murmured.
She could feel the danger radiating from him, not like fire—but like a slow, rising flood that would drown anyone who didn't kneel.
> "The next time you open a door that doesn't belong to you," he whispered, "I won't just ask questions."
Then he let her go.
She turned, barely keeping her balance, and walked toward the exit.
Just as she reached the door, he said one final thing:
> "Little rabbit… you really shouldn't play in wolf territory."