That morning, Wang Jianqiang didn't head to the deep water to dive for fish like usual. Instead, he kept a quiet watch on the old man's secretary, Su Wan.
Ever since Chen Mo killed those three foreigners who'd tried to kidnap people in the middle of the night, the survivors had split up along the beach to search for food. Everyone took a section—no more moving in groups like before. That approach had been way too inefficient.
With this new system, everyone found a lot more food, but it also made things a hell of a lot easier for Wang Jianqiang.
He swam through the sea, quietly tailing Su Wan until they reached a shallow stretch of beach scattered with rocks. When he realized she was completely out of everyone else's sight, excitement flickered across his face. His prey was right where he wanted her. He started swimming impatiently toward shore.
When he stood up in the shallow water, Su Wan—not far away—still hadn't noticed him. She stayed focused, half-crouching in knee-deep water, searching under the rocks for something to eat.
After surviving on this godforsaken island for over a month, Su Wan didn't look anything like her old self anymore.
That polished, fashionable career woman? Long gone.
Her knee-length pencil skirt made it hard to move around, so she'd stopped caring about appearances ages ago. She'd torn the hem open to make walking easier, and with all the daily activity, that tear had gotten bigger and bigger. Now the slit went all the way up to her thigh.
Right now, crouched in the seawater, her slender legs were almost completely exposed. The torn skirt dipped into the waves, swaying back and forth, occasionally revealing even more.
Even after a month of roughing it outdoors, Su Wan's skin—though no longer pale and now tanned to a healthy wheat color from all that sun—still had a way of catching the eye.
Her white shirt was soaked through from the splashing waves as she bent over, concentrating on her search.
The wet fabric clung to her body, perfectly outlining every curve. With her beautiful face set in that focused expression, she looked even more striking. Long strands of hair fell along her neck, fluttering in the sea breeze—like some kind of ocean goddess. Romantic, elegant, completely mesmerizing.
Totally absorbed in collecting food, Su Wan had no idea how she looked right then. And she definitely didn't know that Wang Jianqiang—who should've been out hunting—had already crept up right behind her.
Staring at her figure, desire burned hot in Wang Jianqiang's chest. His eyes went red, and he stopped bothering to hide. Trudging through the water, he moved toward her, barely able to contain himself.
Hearing the sudden splash behind her, Su Wan turned around in confusion and finally spotted Wang Jianqiang closing in fast.
Confusion crossed her face, but she quickly caught on that something was wrong.
First off, Wang Jianqiang should've been out fishing right now—he had no business being here. And even if he'd caught something, he should've gone back to camp. There was absolutely no reason for him to come find her.
Remembering the weird looks he'd been giving her lately, combined with the unmistakable hunger on his face right now, a bad feeling crept up her spine.
He kept coming, not slowing down at all. Su Wan didn't waste time with the crab she'd just caught. She stood up fast, quietly grabbed a rock from the water, and hid it behind her back, watching him warily.
"Why are you over here?" she asked, trying to sound casual.
Wang Jianqiang didn't seem to notice her little move. Still striding toward her, he grinned—smug and shameless.
"To find you."
Her heart sank. From the way he was moving, he clearly wasn't here just to chat. Right now, it was only the two of them. If he really wanted to hurt her, nobody could stop him.
But she'd be damned if she'd let that happen.
Su Wan tightened her grip on the rock behind her back, her eyes hardening with resolve.
"Don't come any closer!"
She issued a sharp warning.
Wang Jianqiang sneered, his pace never slowing.
"Don't bother struggling. Just play along, and this'll be easier for you."
"You're not some chairman's secretary anymore. Out here, that old man can't protect you."
"If you don't want to starve and suffer every damn day from now on, then you'd better behave."
His voice grew harsher as he spoke, his expression twisting into something ugly.
Back at the company, he'd been drawn to Su Wan's elegant demeanor and gentle beauty. He'd tried to get close, tried to charm her, but she'd always been cold toward him. Even though they both worked for the old man, they barely interacted. It was like she'd never even seen him—just some bodyguard beneath her notice. He'd resented that for a long time.
But Su Wan had always been highly valued by the chairman. Even when the chairman's own son flirted with her, he got chewed out. Wang Jianqiang? He didn't stand a chance. Back then, all he could do was watch her tall, graceful figure from a distance, with no way to get near.
But now? On this deserted island where laws didn't exist and strength was everything? No matter how untouchable you used to be, you're gonna give me what I want.
Watching Wang Jianqiang tear off his mask completely, advancing with naked lust written all over his face, Su Wan clenched her teeth.
At first it'd just been suspicion. Deep down, she'd hoped she was wrong. Unfortunately, his words crushed that last shred of hope.
She knew perfectly well that if she turned and ran, she'd never outrun him—his strength was way beyond hers. She'd just get caught from behind and pinned to the ground. If that was going to happen anyway, she'd rather go down fighting. Even if she died, she wouldn't give in.
Moving through seawater was tough, but Wang Jianqiang still closed the distance fast. Just as he reached out with that disgusting grin to grab her, Su Wan's hidden right hand suddenly moved.
Gritting her teeth, she put everything she had into smashing the rock toward his head. She knew exactly what kind of hell awaited her if she fell into his hands.
With no rescue coming, he'd dropped every last bit of morality and restraint.
The rock—about the size of her palm—flew toward Wang Jianqiang's head with all her strength behind it. But just before impact, a thick, powerful hand clamped around her wrist. The rock stopped less than a foot from his head. No matter how hard she struggled, it wouldn't budge another inch.
Wang Jianqiang held her wrist and smiled smugly. He glanced mockingly at the rock, then locked eyes with her panicked but defiant gaze.
"You really thought you could use this on me?"
Su Wan quickly shoved down her panic and stared right back at him, determination blazing in her eyes.
Her right hand was trapped, but she wasn't done. She suddenly lifted her leg and kicked hard toward his crotch—every man's weak spot.
Against anyone else, a surprise move like that might've worked.
Unfortunately, Wang Jianqiang was a seasoned bodyguard and an expert in close combat. The second she moved, he saw it coming.
His left hand kept her arm pinned while his right shot down and grabbed her ankle before the kick could land.
Now Su Wan really felt despair. Both her desperate attacks had been shut down effortlessly, and she was completely under his control. With her strength, resistance was pointless.
Was she really going to be destroyed by him today?
"You're asking for it!"
Fury flashed across Wang Jianqiang's face.
Gripping her hand and leg, he shoved hard, hurling Su Wan straight into the seawater.
The waves drenched her from head to toe, her hair plastered to her face, leaving her looking completely wrecked.
She didn't have time to care. Taking advantage of that brief moment of freedom, she rolled over and scrambled forward through the water, running with everything she had.
With a mocking smile, Wang Jianqiang strode after her.
Neither could move fast through the water. Every step was a fight against resistance. Su Wan ran desperately, but the splashing behind her got closer and closer.
Suddenly, sharp pain exploded across her scalp. A powerful force yanked her backward and she went down. Wang Jianqiang had grabbed her hair, dragging her to a stop.
Just as he started pulling her toward the shore, a cold voice—dripping with lethal intent—rang out behind him.
"Let her go."
Wang Jianqiang didn't look surprised at all. Instead, a sinister smile crept across his face, like everything was going according to plan.
Still gripping Su Wan's hair, he turned toward the nearby woods.
Under his gaze—and Su Wan's desperate, hopeful stare—a tall figure dressed in black slowly emerged from the trees.