Young Devious Wife of Mr. Qin

Later that day, as the golden hues of sunset stretched across the sky, Lin Yuxi turned to Su Ruoyan and said casually, "I won't be staying in the dorm tonight."

Ruoyan looked at her in surprise. "Really? Why?"

"I need to settle my little brother," Yuxi explained with a soft smile. "Since we're new to this city, it's better if I stay at our apartment for a while."

Ruoyan nodded in understanding. "That makes sense. Family comes first."

As the two girls walked toward the university gates, Ruoyan suddenly asked, "What about your parents?"

Lin Yuxi's expression dimmed ever so slightly—a carefully controlled reaction. "They passed away in an accident when I was young. It's just me and Lin Xuan now."

Ruoyan's face softened. "I'm sorry to hear that."

Yuxi offered a small smile. "It's alright. Kai is our guardian. He's a distant cousin, and he looks after us."

Of course, everything she had just said was a carefully fabricated lie. The same information had been planted in government and Royal Crest records. If anyone tried to dig deeper, they would find nothing suspicious—just an ordinary background.

As they reached the gates, Yuxi's attention was drawn to a luxurious black car parked outside. Normally, such vehicles weren't uncommon in Royal Crest, where wealth was abundant, but what did attract attention was the small figure standing beside it.

A little boy, stood there with a lollipop hanging from his lips, his large brown eyes shining with mischief. Lin Xuan.

And next to him, leaning against the car with effortless elegance, was Kai.

Both of them, with their striking appearances, had already drawn a crowd—particularly Lin Xuan, who was casually chatting with a few female students who seemed utterly charmed by him.

Yuxi mentally face-palmed. So much for keeping a low profile…

Ruoyan was just as stunned. "Those are… your family?"

Before Yuxi could respond, Lin Xuan spotted her and immediately waved enthusiastically. "Jiejie!"

Kai glanced up as well, giving her a lazy smirk.

Yuxi sighed inwardly before turning to Ruoyan with an apologetic smile. "Let me introduce you."

Ruoyan's assumption that Yuxi was just an ordinary girl was completely shattered the moment she saw Kai and Lin Xuan.

They were too striking. Even in a university filled with wealthy heirs, they stood out—Kai, with his sharp features and commanding aura, and Lin Xuan, with his adorable, princely charm.

Yuxi, noticing Ruoyan's curious expression, smoothly added, "Kai works for a high-level security firm. It pays well."

It was the perfect half-truth—believable enough to explain their presence without raising suspicion.

Ruoyan nodded slowly, though her instincts told her there was more to it. But she didn't let it show.

"Nice to meet you," Kai said, his deep voice smooth and casual.

Lin Xuan, ever the social butterfly, grinned. "Jiejie's friend?"

Ruoyan smiled. "Yes, I'm Su Ruoyan."

Xuan nodded, as if making an important note. "Nice to meet you! You should take care of my jiejie at university. She can be clueless sometimes."

Yuxi flicked his forehead. "Enough, Xuanxuan."

Lin Xuan pouted dramatically, making the girls nearby giggle in amusement.

Ruoyan chuckled. "He's adorable."

Kai smirked. "Depends on the day."

After a bit more small talk, Ruoyan finally bid them goodbye, though her mind was still full of unanswered questions.

As soon as Yuxi got into the car, she rubbed her temples. "Xuan, I told you not to attract attention."

Lin Xuan blinked innocently. "I was just standing there. It's not my fault girls love me."

Kai chuckled from the driver's seat. "He's got a point."

Yuxi sighed. "This is exactly what I didn't want…"

Kai raised an eyebrow as he started the car. "You're overthinking. No one will connect us to anything serious. To them, we're just an ordinary family with a well-paying job."

Lin Xuan grinned. "And a ridiculously handsome face."

Yuxi rolled her eyes, but a small smile played on her lips.

As the car cruised through the city streets, Yuxi leaned back against the seat, her expression thoughtful.

Kai, noticing the shift in her demeanor, glanced at her through the rearview mirror. "Something on your mind?"

Yuxi tapped her fingers lightly against the window, her gaze distant. "There are a few people I need to look into."

Kai raised an eyebrow. "Let me guess—Qin Lei? The only one with almost zero information to his name?"

Yuxi's lips curled slightly. "Him, and his two shadows—Jiang Cheng and Lu Bei. They don't seem like just ordinary students."

Kai chuckled, his tone laced with amusement. "Royal Crest is crawling with heirs and future tycoons, but those three? They move differently. They don't just inherit power—they command it." He tapped his fingers lightly against the steering wheel. "I've already looked into some key players, including them, but so far, nothing that directly concerns us has come up."

Yuxi nodded, her expression unreadable. "Exactly. I don't like unknown variables. And then there's Su Ruoyan."

Kai hummed in amusement. "Your 'big sister'?"

Yuxi rolled her eyes. "She's too observant. Too well-connected. I need to know if she's just another rich girl or something more."

Kai smirked, drumming his fingers against the steering wheel. "Sounds like fun. Should I start digging again?"

Yuxi shook her head. "Not yet. I'll get close first. If there's anything worth finding, I'll know soon enough."

Kai's lips curled into a knowing smile. "And here I thought you came here for an education."

Yuxi met his gaze through the mirror, her brown eyes sharp yet unreadable. "So did they."

Unbeknownst to them, a figure stood in the shadows, casually leaning against a black car parked a short distance away.

A cigarette burned slowly between his fingers as he watched everything unfold outside Royal Crest University.

His silver eyes reflected the faint glow of the city lights, his expression unreadable.

Qin Lei.

Standing beside him, the Qin family's driver, an older man in his fifties, also observed the scene carefully. Nothing that caught his young master's attention was insignificant.

Qin Lei took one last drag of his cigarette before flicking the remaining ash to the ground.

Without a word, he turned and got into the car.

His driver followed, silently starting the engine.

There was no conversation between them, but the air in the vehicle was thick with unspoken thoughts.

As the car drove past the university gates, Qin Lei's gaze remained locked on the distant figures of Lin Yuxi, Lin Xuan, and Kai.

The car continued moving, seamlessly blending into the night as they headed toward the Qin Residence. 

Unlike the modern glass towers of Baicheng city, the Qin family estate stood like a relic from another time—a sprawling mansion with intricate carvings, traditional rooftops, and towering stone walls.

Its architecture blended ancient grandeur with quiet dominance, a place that whispered of power, history, and secrets hidden within its walls.

The Qin family had ruled over Baicheng's elite circles for generations, their power stretching far beyond business. They weren't just another wealthy family; they were the family—untouchable and unrivaled.

Yet, in recent years, they had slipped into deliberate obscurity, retreating from the spotlight with a precision that only the truly powerful could afford. Fading from public view wasn't a sign of decline—it was exactly how they wanted it.

As Qin Lei stepped out of the car, he immediately sensed that something was different.

The Qin estate, usually steeped in an air of cold elegance, was alive with movement. Servants rushed about, carrying expensive decorations, setting up tables, and ensuring that every detail was perfectly arranged.

His silver eyes darkened as he took in the scene.

And then, he saw her.

At the center of the commotion stood a woman who appeared to be in her late thirties—though in reality, she was well into her late forties, nearly fifty.

Draped in a luxurious silk dress, her flawless complexion and graceful poise gave the illusion of timeless beauty. Her hair was styled to perfection, and her lips curved into a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes as she issued commands with effortless authority.

Liu Ruxue.

His mother.

Qin Lei let out a slow exhale, running a hand through his silver-black hair.

"So… he's back."

His voice was quiet, almost to himself.

Whatever was happening, it wasn't just another family gathering.

Something had changed.