The atmosphere at home was a bit cheerful, but one thing Aanya said brought tears to everyone's eyes. Looking at the laptop, Aanya said softly, "I wish... I wish my Papa were here today. If he were here, everyone would be so happy, wouldn't they?"
Aanya's mother's face fell. Her grief was deep because, years ago, Aanya's Papa had suddenly disappeared. No one knew if he died or was killed—except Lu Kang. Lu Kang smiled like a cunning fox and took out an expensive gift for his sister-in-law. He knew everything. He also knew that the Boss at the place where Aanya was working was the same boy he had tried to finish 15 years ago.
"Zain Yan..." Lu Kang thought to himself. "The same boy Zhenyu Yan adopted. He is alive."
Lu Kang placed his hand on his shoulder. Underneath his clothes was an old scar—11-year-old Zain had wounded him right there that night to save his own life. Lu Kang could still feel that pain today.
He thought angrily, "That boy wants to kill me? He wants to destroy my family? He has no idea that the one he is searching for is so close to him."
Just then, Aanya distracted him. "Uncle, can I tell you something? By the way, when did you get this tattoo? I've never seen it before."
Lu Kang gave a fake laugh and said, "Oh this? I got this when I went out of the city. It's an old hobby."
Aanya: "I see... anyway Uncle, when are you going back?"
Lu Kang placed his hand on Aanya's head, but there was a strange coldness in his eyes. "I won't be going anywhere for now, child. I still have many old scores to settle here."
Zain was looking out of his large office glass window with grief and anger. In his hand, he held an old, blurry family photo. In the photo, his biological mother Zhao Qi, his beloved elder sister, and his father were smiling.
Tears began to well up in Zain's eyes but they didn't fall; they turned into rage. He crushed the photo in his grip and muttered, "Just once... if I find out who that man with the Dragon Tattoo is, I will bury him and his entire lineage alive. Just as he destroyed my world, I will turn his every precious thing into ashes."
Zain still didn't know that the 'Dragon King' was none other than Aanya's beloved uncle Lu Kang, who was currently sitting in her house drinking tea.
Aanya's Home: Happiness and a Little Fear
On the other side, Aanya was sitting on her bed in her room. Her mind was still stuck on the 17th floor. She kept remembering the blood, the man's scream, and Zain's cold eyes.
"I got selected... but is this right?" Aanya asked herself. "That boss... Zain Yan... how did he suddenly become so soft? And why did he stare at me like that in the lift?"
Just then, her phone ringtone played. Her mood changed instantly when she saw a call from Kaiya.
Kaiya (Screaming): "Hey, Miss Z.Y Empire! Where's the party? I heard you got selected in such a big company! A treat is mandatory now, boss!"
Nan Pa (From behind): "Yes Aanya! Tonight's dinner is on you. We are all ready for the celebration!"
Aanya smiled a little. It was because of these friends that she could forget her fear. "Fine, fine! Don't butter me up too much. I'll book a good restaurant, let's all meet there!"
Aanya set the tension aside and went to get ready. She didn't know that Zain Yan's eyes were now going to follow her like a shadow.Zain ka ek K-pop idol (Jungkook) se jealous hona aur phir khud ko usse behtar "Beast" bulana... ye scene iconic hai! Isse Zain ka possessive aur competitive nature saaf dikhta hai.
English Translation (Full Accuracy):
Amidst the lights of Shenzhen, a festive atmosphere filled a famous Chinese restaurant. Aanya, Huan Jing, Kaiya, and Nan Pa were sitting around a round table. Steaming Dim Sums, Peking Duck, and a bottle of Chinese wine were placed on the table. The intoxication of the wine was a bit strong, and the flow of conversation grew deeper.
The Party and Secret Talks
Huan Jing had drunk a bit of wine and was now chirping away, telling everyone about the "scandal" that happened at the office today.
Huan Jing: "Do you know, Kaiya? Our Aanya... she went straight into the mouth of death! On the 17th floor! There, the Boss caught her like this..." she gestured in the air, "...just like in a movie! He grabbed her waist and her selection happened right there in the lift!"
Kaiya (Astonished): "What?! Aanya, I can't figure out if you're lucky or unlucky. The Boss of Z.Y Empire doesn't let anyone off that easily."
Nan Pa (Laughing): "Forget it, guys! Today is a celebration. Aanya, now your dream of going to Korea and the path to finding a handsome Korean husband there is clear!"
Aanya lowered her head in shyness, but in her mind, that cold sensation of Zain's touch still lingered.
The Predator's Gaze in the Dark
In a VIP cabin of the restaurant, which was shielded by glass but allowed a full view of the outside, Zain Yan and Qian were sitting. Expensive wine was in front of them, but Zain's eyes were fixed only on Aanya's table.
Qian's Gaze: Qian was repeatedly looking at Huan Jing. He kept remembering how this girl had grabbed his legs in front of everyone at the office. His face was turning red with anger and embarrassment, yet he couldn't pull his eyes away.
Zain's Anger: Zain's gaze turned stony when he saw Nan Pa (Kaiya's husband) sitting quite close to Aanya and laughing with her. Zain didn't know he was Kaiya's husband; he thought perhaps he was a close friend or boyfriend of Aanya's.
Zain gripped his glass so hard that his knuckles turned white. "Qian... get the details of the boy sitting so close to Miss Lu. She's laughing so happily with someone else after snatching herself away from me?"
Aanya's Dream and Reality
Aanya was staggering slightly from the intoxication. She picked up her glass and said, "Just... let a little money be collected... then I'll go to Korea! There I will find a handsome 'Oppa' who will love me... not a grumpy man like this 'Wolf Boss'!"
Zain saw her lips moving from a distance. He had lip-read her. His anger was now turning into a desire for revenge.
Zain (To himself): "Korea? Oppa? You won't go anywhere, Aanya. You have seen the secret of my past... now you will remain in my captivity, in my penthouse."
As soon as they stepped out of the restaurant, the cold wind heightened the intoxication of Aanya and Huan Jing. Both became completely oblivious and started performing antics right on the street.
Chaos on the Street: Mrs. Kim and Mrs. Jeon
Aanya and Huan Jing held each other's hands and started spinning in circles. People passing by stopped to watch them. Some were laughing at their innocence, while others took out their phones to make funny videos of them.
Huan Jing (Screaming loudly): "Hey! I am Mrs. Kim! Taehyung is mine!"
Aanya (Jumping): "And I am Mrs. Jeon! Jungkook is only mine! We both will go to Korea and marry our 'Oppas'!"
Both started dancing awkwardly to some K-pop song right on the road. Sometimes they would hop, and sometimes they would hug each other and start crying. People looked at them and said 'Aww' because they both looked very cute.
Zain and Qian: "Crazy Girls"
Standing a little distance away, Zain and Qian were watching all this. Both looked at each other at the same time and the same words came out of their mouths:
"They are both crazy..."
But as soon as they realized they were thinking the same thing, they immediately resumed their 'Cold Look' and turned their faces away in anger.
Zain's Jealousy
Poor Kaiya was trying to handle Huan Jing, while Nan Pa stepped forward to catch Aanya from falling and held her hand to support her.
Blood seemed to rush into Zain's eyes. He couldn't bear Nan Pa touching Aanya.
Zain (Gritting his teeth): "Qian... who is this 'Jungkook' she's so crazy about? Is it the same boy who just supported her?"
Qian immediately took out his phone and searched for a photo of Jungkook on Google. He held the phone in front of Zain. "Boss, this is Jungkook. He is a very big Korean star. Girls are crazy for him."
Zain looked at the photo from top to bottom—that stylish hair, 그 chocolatey look. Zain took a deep, cold breath and, while adjusting the buttons of his coat, said:
"Him? I am a bigger 'Beast' and more 'Handsome' than him. I'll have to show this child tomorrow who the real hero is."
Outside the restaurant, the chaos increased further. Nan Pa hailed a taxi and, giving money to the driver, said, "Brother, please drop these two home safely." Nan Pa and Kaiya left in the other direction, thinking Aanya and Huan Jing were now safe.
But destiny had something else in mind.
The Lost Token and Aanya's Frenzy
Just as Aanya was about to sit in the taxi, she put her hand in her bag. Her face completely flipped.
"My key-chain! My Jungkook key-chain!" Aanya screamed.
Forgetting that she was drunk, she jumped out of the taxi and started running back toward the restaurant. She sat on the ground on her knees like a madwoman and began searching in the dirt.
"My Papa gave it to me... it's lost!" Aanya started crying. The people standing there were looking at her in astonishment, as if a child had lost her most precious doll.
Qian and Huan Jing: Another Clash
Huan Jing, left alone in the taxi, saw Aanya running away and tried to get out as well. She was so drunk that her legs were shaking.
Just then, Qian stepped forward to support her and started putting her back into the taxi.
Huan Jing (Crying): "Hey, lanky! Where is my friend? Bring her back! If anything happens to her, I'll break your head!"
Qian (Getting frustrated): "Just sit quietly! Your friend is exactly where she ought to be... with my Boss."
Qian signaled the taxi driver and sent him away, so that he wouldn't come between Aanya and Zain.
Zain's Shadow and Aanya's Fainting
Aanya was still crying on the dark road when she felt a heavy shadow behind her. She was about to turn around in fear when two strong hands lifted her into the air.
Zain Yan had lifted her in 'Bridal Style' into his arms. Aanya's glasses had become a bit crooked, and due to the intoxication, Zain's face appeared blurry to her.
Aanya (In a staggering voice): "Hey... who are you? Your scent... is just like that 'Wolf'... but your hands are so big."
Zain (With a cold smile): "I am the one you were dreaming of... or perhaps, your nightmare."
Aanya rested her head on Zain's chest. She had no idea she was in the arms of the man who had vowed to destroy her uncle (Lu Kang).