The wooden buildings, wooden tables and chairs, wooden floors, and the view outside through wooden-framed windows seemed somewhat dreary against the backdrop of lush green trees. Lost in confusion, the pale-faced girl could only remember being called Xiao Yan, but her surname, hometown in the mainland, and any other family members remained elusive.

This bewildered, pallid-faced girl was none other than Hua Yan.

It had been a month since Qiang rescued her. During this time, she had been in a coma, sustained only by medications and rice gruel to maintain her energy. Occasionally, Qiang would inquire about her condition, and upon learning that so much time had passed without her waking, he began to entertain thoughts of disposing of her once again.

Fortunately, one morning, she suddenly opened her eyes. While she couldn't recall anything, her body, weakened by prolonged bed rest, prevented her from getting up.

She learned from a doctor named Ah Shui that this place was a large poppy plantation in the Golden Triangle. Upon hearing this news, her heart trembled incessantly; she knew all too well how terrifying it was to be inadvertently involved in drug addiction.

Close at hand, she wasn't sure if she could resist temptation. However, Ah Shui also shared a piece of good news: none of Qiang's men were allowed to use drugs under normal circumstances.

"What do you mean by 'normal circumstances'?" Hua Yan asked Ah Shui, gazing at him from her chair. Through brief interactions, she knew Ah Shui was also from the mainland, which made her feel an inexplicable closeness to him.

"One, strong personal will and exceptional self-control; two, traitors or those who err will be punished by Qiang with drugs; three, Qiang's preferences," Ah Shui replied calmly, tinged with concern and warning.

Though Hua Yan couldn't remember much, her mind remained sharp. She understood the precarious situation she was in now, akin to a fish at the mercy of the knife, uncertain whether her future path would lead to success or torment.

"What kind of person is Qiang?" Understanding him was essential for planning her future. Hua Yan knew she was from the mainland and hoped to return to gradually regain her memory and find her family, though she wondered if this was possible. The thought left her feeling even more despondent.

Ah Shui looked at Hua Yan with admiration, glanced outside, and said softly, "Qiang is a formidable figure, seemingly harmless but never to be underestimated. It's best to go along with him rather than against him."

"Oh." Upon hearing this, Hua Yan felt neither fear nor trepidation but rather a hidden joy. While heroes were admired in the world, she found herself more drawn to formidable figures like Qiang. With such people, as long as she offered certain benefits and traded with them, ensuring her safety shouldn't be difficult. "Thank you, Ah Shui. Should I start exercising and getting out of bed now?"

With her worries eased, Hua Yan prepared to focus on recuperating her health.

"I'm here for that reason too. The weather is good this morning, so it's a good time to go outside," Ah Shui said, helping Hua Yan up carefully and draping a coat over her before guiding her downstairs.

Despite the slightly chilly weather outside, Hua Yan felt no discomfort as she observed her surroundings. Despite the winter season, the ground was covered with green grass, albeit somewhat overgrown and natural, as if untouched by human hands. The disorderly yard was fenced off with half-meter-high fences, with only one wooden loft where she resided.

Watching Hua Yan walk and observe the courtyard environment, Ah Shui asked, "Are you satisfied with this environment? If not, I might have some influence to help you find another place." His compassionate and strong demeanor slightly relaxed her heart.

In the Golden Triangle region, food, firearms, and medical supplies were the most precious commodities. With his moderate-to-high medical skills and apprenticeship under a highly skilled traditional Chinese medicine doctor, Ah Shui was indispensable in Qiang's armed base, holding a significant position.

"No need, this place is fine. But I'd like to think about what I can do here and whether I can return to the mainland," Hua Yan replied honestly. Her intentions were straightforward, and she saw no need to hide them.

After a moment of thought, Ah Shui pondered, "Returning to the mainland is currently impossible. As for finding something to do, it's best to be clear about what skills you can offer. After all, ordinary tasks may not guarantee your safety."

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He was deeply concerned about Hua Yan, a woman of such beauty, being in this base where she ranked among the top. Naturally, if any issues arose, he could handle ordinary underlings. However, if someone like Qiang's confidant, Ma Zi, were to speak out for himself, he would have no way of influencing Qiang's thoughts at the time.

"Some things are still very vague. I'll think it through in a few days and let you know," Hua Yan said, knowing that Qiang, the man who saved her, would not easily let her go.

She also vaguely felt that she had undergone some training. Some self-defense and survival skills were becoming clearer, and she seemed to know a bit about firearms. However, she needed to wait until her body recovered and she had a better understanding of this place before discussing with Ah Shui.

Ah Shui was once again impressed by Hua Yan's calm mind and meticulous approach. As the two of them, a talented man and a beautiful woman, strolled around, Ah Jin appeared at the gate with a tray of tropical fruits. She cast a hostile glance at Hua Yan.

Hua Yan was baffled. Since she had awakened, Ah Jin had been openly hostile toward her. Hua Yan couldn't think of any reason for it, and after multiple incidents, she decided to ignore Ah Jin as long as she didn't cross any lines.

"Ah Jin, you're here," Ah Shui greeted first, but it was just a polite acknowledgment without the warmth of companionship.

However, Ah Jin's attitude softened when she looked at Ah Shui. With a hint of respect, she replied, "Yes, I brought some fruits for Xiaoyan."

Today, a junior member had managed to procure fresh fruits from somewhere and offered them to Qiang as a gesture of respect. After helping select the best ones and washing them for Qiang, he instructed her to pick another plate for Hua Yan.

The fact that Qiang, who usually paid little attention to women, had mentioned Hua Yan multiple times and even remembered to include her in a meal, infuriated Ah Jin. She had been his companion since returning from studying and traveling abroad, and seeing his attention diverted to Hua Yan was unbearable. Her attitude toward Hua Yan had shifted from indifference to outright hostility.

Actually, Ah Jin misunderstood Qiang. Having experienced many women, he did not share the base desires of those in his domain toward Hua Yan. Though he had some interest in her, his primary concern was to uncover her background.

From her rescue to her awakening, Qiang had observed Hua Yan closely and did not consider her a simple person. Without understanding her situation, he wouldn't act recklessly. For him, the pursuit of women did not compare to the pursuit of maximum benefits.

"Thank you, Miss Ah Jin. You can leave the fruits on the stone table. If you're busy, don't let us hold you up," Hua Yan said with a faint smile.

Ah Jin coldly snorted, placed the fruits down, and left without a word. Watching her childlike behavior, Hua Yan suddenly burst into laughter. To put it bluntly, she thought Ah Jin resembled a sulking cat.

"It's best to be cautious. Try not to clash with her. After all, she's been with Qiang the longest," Ah Shui advised, noticing Hua Yan's nonchalance toward Ah Jin.

"Yes, I'll be careful. The fruits look good. Let's go inside and try some," Hua Yan suggested.

"Alright, stand steady. I'll bring the fruits in and then come back to help you," Ah Shui responded.

After days of exercising alone or with Ah Shui's assistance, Hua Yan's body finally recovered to ninety percent. Another ten days passed without any sign of Qiang or any word about her. It was as if he had forgotten her entirely.

But Hua Yan didn't truly believe that Qiang would let her go so easily. She had noticed shadows moving around her residence, almost constantly, indicating surveillance.

One morning, Hua Yan was awakened by the sound of light rain. Looking out at the gloomy weather, she felt a pang of melancholy. The emptiness in a corner of her heart seemed to grow larger.

Looking at the small alarm clock Ah Shui had given her, it was only six o'clock. Hua Yan closed her eyes again, hoping to sleep until eight or nine as usual. However, even after counting over a thousand sheep, she still couldn't fall asleep.

Tossing and turning wasn't a solution. She got up, washed, put on her coat, and opened the window to silently observe the rainy world outside. She couldn't help but think about her current state of amnesia, wondering when she would be able to remember everything.

Ah Shui had asked her a question: if her previous memories were all painful, would she choose never to remember them? Hua Yan had immediately replied that she wouldn't. She would rather choose the clarity of pain than live as an ignorant ostrich.

All the joys and sorrows of life are part of her existence. There's no "what if" in the world; everything that happens is unique and necessary. Whether it brings happiness or lessons, experiences are treasures in themselves.

Lost in thought, Hua Yan didn't notice a scholarly-looking man standing at the stairs on the second floor, watching her for a while. His calm eyes were mesmerizing.

"You look quite comfortable!" Suddenly, Hua Yan was startled by a voice from outside the window. Looking at the elegant man, she couldn't decipher the complex emotions in his eyes.

However, she was certain this was the person everyone called Qiang. Composing herself, she smiled faintly and said, "You seem quite leisurely yourself."

"Yes, quite leisurely," Qiang replied, though he was only leisurely for a day. He felt a renewed dissatisfaction with his busy life. "Won't you invite me in for a moment?" He also guessed that she had recognized his identity but was pretending otherwise.

"Sure, please come in." Hua Yan poured a cup of freshly brewed tea for Qiang. "Your Mandarin is very good."

"I've spent time in the mainland," Qiang replied with a gentle smile.

"Oh," Hua Yan responded, realizing he might not be from the mainland as she had thought. Not knowing what else to say, the room fell silent.

After a moment, Qiang broke the silence, "Miss Xiaoyan, you still can't remember anything from before?"

"No, I can't," Hua Yan replied honestly. Sometimes she even thought about whether another blow to the head might help.

"I don't keep idle people," Qiang suddenly said, dropping a bombshell. Hua Yan was stunned, her mind racing.