On the high rooftop of a distant, ramshackle shanty, several heads huddled together, watching the scene unfold. “It’s strange. With Mian’s skills, she could’ve snatched a gun and killed a few of them to protect herself, no problem. Why would she let them take her away so willingly?” a boy of about ten, dressed in a faded hospital gown, asked as he lay sprawled at the edge of the roof, gazing blankly in the direction of the helicopter. “First, Chu Mian was desperate to leave this place,” someone answered. “And the second reason?” the boy pressed. “Second, Chu Mian is smart. She knew the man taking her was not someone to be trifled with. That was Li Tianque.” A man stood on the rooftop, his gaze fixed on the coast where Chu Mian was being led onto the helicopter. “If any of you ever make it off Feng Island,” he said, “and you hear the name Li Tianque, you’d best walk the other way. He’s harder to deal with than the King of Hell.” “Oh.” Comprehension dawned on the boy’s face, only to be replaced by a frown. “But Mian has nothing now that she’s out. How is she going to survive?” At that, the man let out a low chuckle. Chu Mian, who had spent three years on Feng Island and was on the verge of becoming queen of its slums—how could someone like her not survive? The ones who should be worried… were the people who abandoned her here in the first place. … The Imperial Capital, Country A. Vast swaths of climbing roses scaled the high walls surrounding a vintage European-style villa. This was Qiangyuan, the Rose Garden. Sunlight spilled into the courtyard, where branches laden with blossoms swayed in the breeze—a breathtaking sight. Chu Mian was curled up on a wicker swing on the second-floor balcony, biting her nails. At the apex of each arc, she could glimpse the courtyard overflowing with roses. She had been confined here ever since being taken from Feng Island, attended to by two middle-aged maids. Chu Mian had no idea what that Mr. Li intended to do with her. With no money and no identification, she hadn’t attempted an escape, choosing instead to bide her time. Behind her, the two maids chatted as they trimmed the rose branches creeping up the balcony. “I heard that Li, the driver, braked just a little too hard, and the Young Master kicked him right then and there. Kicked him so hard he’s half-crippled in the hospital now.” “That’s nothing. Last time, I saw the Old Master himself come to ask for funds, and the Young Master left him waiting for so long the old man couldn't hide his shame.” “Sigh. Ever since the Young Master took over the conglomerate, he’s only gotten more ruthless.” Rocking on the swing, Chu Mian pieced together fragments of information about Mr. Li from the maids' conversations over the past few days. Li Tianque, twenty-five, the eldest son of the city’s Li Conglomerate. Early last year, he had stormed his father’s study with a gun, forcing him to hand over control. After taking over the conglomerate, his methods had been vicious and absolute. He decisively ousted many of the old guard, built his own core team, and in one fell swoop, transformed the company into the nation’s largest and most feared powerhouse. Plenty of people got rich by clinging to him, and just as many hated him enough to plot his assassination. Making a mistake in his presence could lead to a miserable end; opposing him meant a fate even worse. Even when his own brother was kidnapped, he could calmly watch a video of the boy’s bloody, severed finger and still negotiate with a smile, utterly unfazed by the threat. Without a doubt, he was a ruthless man—a ruthless man with terrifying power. It was better not to dwell on just how terrifying such a man could be. “When you think about it, we got lucky being transferred to Qiangyuan. All we have to do is look after this young girl. Sure, she might be a little… off in the head, but she’s quiet, never makes a fuss. Just sits there in a daze all day. It’s an easy job,” one of the maids said, patting her chest. “Tell me about it,” the other agreed wholeheartedly. She turned to glance at Chu Mian, just as the swing flew high into the air. And the girl inside pitched forward, plunging from it like an untethered kite.