Young Devious Wife of Mr. Qin

The glow of the monitors cast shifting shadows across the warehouse as Lin Yuxi sat in front of a screen, her fingers flying over the keyboard. Strings of encrypted data flickered across the display, each character a step closer to unraveling the mystery behind Yeye's death.

She wasn't just retrieving stolen information—she was hunting a ghost, chasing the remnants of a life stolen too soon.

Kai stood behind her, arms crossed, watching the screen with narrowed eyes. The usual smirk that played on his lips was gone, replaced with something heavier, something unspoken.

"You really think this data will tell us something new?" he asked, his voice quieter than usual.

Lin Yuxi didn't answer immediately. She kept her focus on the screen, scanning files, breaking encryptions, searching for a name—a trace, anything.

"It has to," she murmured. "I'm running out of leads."

Kai exhaled slowly, stepping closer. "You're pushing yourself too hard, Yuxi."

She stiffened slightly but didn't look away.

"You remember how mad he used to get when you stayed up all night working?" Kai continued, a wistful edge to his tone. "He'd scold you, then secretly bring you that disgusting herbal soup to 'restore your energy.'"

A small, almost imperceptible smile ghosted across Lin Yuxi's lips. "And he'd make you drink it first, just to prove it wasn't poisoned."

Kai chuckled softly, shaking his head. "I never won that argument."

Silence settled between them, thick with shared memories. For Lin Yuxi, Yeye had been a grandfather—the only real family she had ever known when she and Lin Xuan were taken under his care.

She had been nine when Yeye found her—clutching Lin Xuan tightly, her small body covered in blood, her arms wrapped protectively around him as if shielding him from the world. She didn't remember who she was before that night. Only flashes of a life that felt like a dream, blurred and distant, as if someone had stolen her past.

From that moment on, she never looked back.

Yeye was her family. Her everything.

And for Kai, Yeye had been a father—the man who pulled him from the abyss when he had nothing left.

And now, he was gone.

Lin Yuxi clenched her fists. "I don't care how long it takes. I will find out who did this."

Kai watched her for a long moment before sighing. "I know you will. And so will the others."

Lin Yuxi's gaze flickered toward him at that.

"You're not alone in this," he continued. "We all owe Yeye."

Lin Yuxi's expression remained unreadable, but deep inside, she knew he was right. Somewhere out there, the others were working toward the same goal, gathering intel, making moves in the shadows. They were scattered for now, but when the time came, they would strike together.

And the people who took Yeye away from them would regret it.

A New Lead

A small beep pulled Lin Yuxi's attention back to the screen.

Her fingers flew over the keyboard, decrypting another layer of stolen data. Numbers, addresses, classified files—then, a name.

Her eyes darkened.

This name. She had seen it before.

Professor Liu Jian.

A professor at Royal Crest University.

Her last lead had pointed to him—a man who had been involved in classified research years ago, research that had ties to Yeye. Someone at this university knew more than they were letting on.

And Lin Yuxi intended to find out who.

The next morning, the moment Lin Yuxi stepped onto the university grounds, a wave of whispers followed her.

"That's her—the one who passed the entrance exam at sixteen."

"She's only seventeen and already in university?"

"Special admission. Apparently, she's a genius."

"She's so pretty, like a doll."

"Yeah, but does she even belong here? She doesn't look like she fits in."

Lin Yuxi ignored them, walking through the courtyard with quiet, measured steps. The attention she gained now didn't affect her in the slightest. If anything, being underestimated was an advantage.

Her appearance was deceptively soft—her large brown eyes held a gentle innocence, her delicate features making her seem almost fragile. Smooth, porcelain-like skin, the soft curve of her lips, and a quiet, demure expression gave her the look of a naive, harmless girl who didn't belong in a world of schemes and power struggles.

Today, she had dressed simply—a floral dress, her long dark hair tied into a sleek ponytail with soft curls reaching her waist. Compared to the other students, draped in luxury brands and designer accessories, she looked effortlessly understated.

But if there was one thing these people didn't understand—it was that appearances could be deceiving.

Beneath her innocent façade lay something far more dangerous.

Lin Yuxi wasn't just another bright student who had entered Royal Crest on merit.

She was a shadow among wolves, hiding in plain sight. Ruthless when needed, calculating in every move, and utterly relentless when it came to her family.

They saw a quiet, naive girl.

What they didn't see was the predator beneath.

Lin Yuxi went straight to her dormitory to drop off her luggage. All the information had been sent to her in advance—her dormitory number, her classes, and the name of her roommate.

She had already researched every detail last night.

The dormitory was pristine, lined with large windows overlooking the campus gardens. As Lin Yuxi stepped inside, she spotted her roommate standing near the entrance.

Su Ruoyan.

She had delicate features, but there was something edgy about her—dressed in dark jeans and a fitted top, her sleek, shoulder-length hair framing her face. Her cat-like eyes shimmered as she turned to face Lin Yuxi, a slow, beautiful smile curling on her lips.

For a brief moment, Lin Yuxi saw something unreadable flicker in her gaze.

Then, it was gone.

"Wow," Su Ruoyan breathed, clasping her hands together. "You're… breathtaking."

Lin Yuxi arched an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

Su Ruoyan giggled. "Sorry! That must've sounded weird. It's just… You look like you belong in a movie or something."

Lin Yuxi wasn't sure how to respond to that.

"I'm Su Ruoyan, by the way! It's really nice to meet you. I hope we can be good friends."

Lin Yuxi gave a small nod. "Lin Yuxi."

Su Ruoyan's smile widened. "I know."

Of course, she knew.

Su Ruoyan—and almost the entire university—already knew about her. It was rare for someone her age to enter Royal Crest, let alone under special admission.

Lin Yuxi narrowed her eyes slightly, but Su Ruoyan just tilted her head, looking effortlessly innocent. 

'Something about her was… enigmatic.'  Yuxi thought.

There was a quiet confidence beneath her easy smile, a subtle sharpness in her gaze that didn't quite match the delicate persona she projected. Lin Yuxi had seen people like this before—those who knew how to wear masks just as well as she did.

After Su Ruoyan gave her a brief tour of their room, Lin Yuxi settled in, carefully arranging her belongings. Everything was in place—just as planned.

She was no longer just Lin Yuxi, the shadow in the night. Here, she had a new role to play.

With that thought, she took a deep breath and followed Su Ruoyan out, heading to the principal's office for her final enrollment procedures.

The principal's office was grand—lined with shelves of books, dark mahogany furniture, and a large desk at the center. Principal Zhao peered at Lin Yuxi over his glasses as she handed him the final enrollment forms.

"So young," he mused. "Seventeen years old, and already in university. You must be quite exceptional."

Lin Yuxi maintained a demure smile. "I meet the academic requirements."

His lips twitched. "Indeed." He tapped his fingers against the desk. "Royal Crest University is a place where the brightest minds and the most influential families converge. I trust you understand the weight of the company you'll be keeping."

Lin Yuxi met his gaze, her eyes wide with quiet innocence. "I understand perfectly."

The principal studied her for a long moment before nodding. "Welcome to Royal Crest University, Miss Lin. I look forward to seeing what you accomplish here."

As she stepped out of the office, her phone buzzed.

Xuanxuan: Jiejie, I connected all the surveillance cameras on campus. I'll send you updates. Also, my penthouse is amazing. Come visit soon! 😏

Lin Yuxi smirked.

Lin Yuxi: Focus on the mission, Xuanxuan.

Xuanxuan: Ugh, fine. But bring snacks when you visit! 😤

Lin Yuxi put her phone away, stepping into the bustling halls of Royal Crest University.

'Let the game begin.'