Young Devious Wife of Mr. Qin

As Qin Lei stepped into the grand halls of the Qin estate, the air carried the scent of sandalwood and freshly polished wood. Unlike the usual quiet, an unusual buzz of activity filled the corridors—servants moving swiftly, voices murmuring, and the distant clinking of fine china being arranged.

It wasn't just an ordinary gathering.

Before he could take another step—

"Ah, Lei'er!"

A blur of silk and warmth rushed toward him, and before he could react, Liu Ruxue, his mother, wrapped her arms around him. The embrace was eager yet delicate, as though she feared that if she held too tightly, he might disappear.

For a moment, his fingers twitched, almost as if considering returning the gesture. But in the end, his hands remained at his sides, and when she pulled away, his expression was the same—neutral, unreadable.

Yet, no one noticed the faint flicker of something in his silver eyes.

"You're finally home," Liu Ruxue said, her voice filled with undeniable joy.

"Mn." Qin Lei gave a short nod.

His mother, undeterred by his lack of enthusiasm, smiled radiantly. "Come, you must be tired. I'll have the servants prepare something special for you. Oh! Did you see the decorations? Everything must be perfect for tomorrow!"

His gaze swept over the meticulously arranged flowers, the gold-embossed invitations resting on silver trays, and the crystal chandeliers gleaming under the warm lights.

It was obvious—whoever was returning was someone important.

Qin Lei's tone remained indifferent as he asked, "When is he arriving?"

Liu Ruxue's smile softened slightly. "He returned last night but got caught up in business. If nothing major happens, he'll be back tomorrow afternoon."

His silver eyes flickered, something unspoken passing through his gaze. "I see."

Liu Ruxue gently cupped his face, brushing back a strand of silver-black hair. "Lei'er, you should be happy. It's been so long since the whole family was together."

Qin Lei didn't reply.

Instead, he took a step back, nodding politely but distantly. "I'll be in my room."

Liu Ruxue sighed but didn't stop him. As he walked away, she turned to the servants and resumed overseeing the final preparations.

Qin Lei entered his dimly lit room, the heavy mahogany doors shutting with a soft but resolute click behind him.

Silence enveloped him.

He pulled off his blazer, tossing it onto a chair before walking toward the large floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the garden. Baicheng's skyline stretched in the distance, but his gaze was unfocused.

He should be indifferent. He had convinced himself that it didn't matter.

Yet, a part of him knew better.

He was coming back. And with it—unanswered questions.

His fingers tightened around the glass of water he had picked up from the table, the faintest hint of frustration flickering in his usually blank expression.

Tomorrow.

The golden rays of the morning sun spilled over Royal Crest University the next morning, casting long shadows across the pristine pathways. A crisp breeze rustled through the trees, carrying the soft murmur of students beginning their day.

Lin Yuxi walked through the university courtyard, her steps light, her expression serene. She had grown accustomed to the murmurs that followed her—whispers of her special admission, her young age, and her striking presence.

But today, something felt off.

Maybe it was the way Su Ruoyan kept glancing at her, not in idle conversation but as if assessing her.

Maybe it was the way certain students stepped aside as she passed, their movements subtle yet deliberate.

Or maybe… it was him.

She had barely rounded the corner when she felt a sudden force, and before she could react—

She collided with someone.

Strong, steady hands caught her wrists, preventing her from stumbling back.

For a brief moment, time stilled.

She looked up—and met a pair of piercing silver eyes.

Qin Lei.

A brief flicker of recognition crossed his face, but it was gone as quickly as it had appeared.

The air between them shifted, charged with something unspoken.

His grip was firm but not forceful, his gaze sharp yet guarded.

Yuxi, maintaining her perfectly crafted persona, widened her eyes in a mix of surprise and innocence. "Ah… I wasn't looking. I'm sorry."

Qin Lei said nothing at first, his silver eyes scanning her face, as if trying to place something that didn't quite fit.

Then, without a word, he released her wrists.

She stepped back, brushing off invisible dust from her sleeves. "I should be more careful," she said with a polite smile.

Qin Lei's expression remained impassive. "Mn."

And with that, he walked past her in the same direction of their lecture hall, as if nothing had happened.

Yet, Yuxi didn't miss the way he glanced back—just for a second—before disappearing into the crowd.

"Heh. What a cold kid." She smirked slightly.

Sometimes she forgot that she herself was just 17—almost 18 in two months.

As Yuxi continued toward class, Su Ruoyan finally spoke.

"That was Qin Lei."

Yuxi glanced at her, feigning innocence. "I know. We're in the same class, and you already told me about him yesterday."

Ruoyan shook her head. "No, I mean… he doesn't talk to people like that."

"Like what?"

Ruoyan hesitated. "Like he acknowledged your existence."

Yuxi blinked. "You make it sound like he's a ghost."

Ruoyan scoffed. "Might as well be. Qin Lei… he's different. He used to be at the top—always in the spotlight. Then, something happened, and he vanished from public life. When he returned, he was… different. He started keeping his distance from everyone."

Yuxi listened intently. "Do you know what happened?"

Ruoyan lowered her voice. "No one does. And that's the scary part. Whatever it was, even Royal Crest's most powerful families don't speak of it."

Even among powerful families, Qin Lei's past was a forbidden topic?

That only made her more curious.

Right now, her priority is Professor Liu Jian and his relationship with Yeye.

As they neared the lecture hall, Ruoyan nudged her lightly. "Listen, I like you, so I'll give you a piece of advice."

Yuxi raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Ruoyan glanced around before lowering her voice. "Royal Crest isn't just a university. It's a chessboard. And the ones playing aren't the professors."

Yuxi feigned concern. "Sounds like I should be careful, then."

Ruoyan smirked. "You'll be fine as long as you know who the real players are."

Yuxi tilted her head. "And you?"

Ruoyan's smirk deepened. "I make sure I don't become a pawn."

Yuxi laughed lightly, but her mind was already working.

Ruoyan wasn't just a socialite. She was someone who knew how to survive in a world of power struggles.

And so was Qin Lei.

For very different reasons.

As she entered the lecture hall, Yuxi glanced at the last row—where Qin Lei usually sat.

He was already there.

But this time, she noticed something different.

A flicker of recognition in his otherwise unreadable expression—something she couldn't quite place.

As if he knew something she didn't.