Young Devious Wife of Mr. Qin

The evening sun dipped below the horizon, casting molten gold across Baicheng's skyline. The streets pulsed with life as the car moved steadily through the city, but Qin Lei barely noticed. He leaned back in his seat, his silver eyes cool and distant, betraying nothing.

Yet inside, something simmered.

He's back. Finally, after a year.

His fingers tapped a slow rhythm against his knee, a subconscious beat that echoed his restless thoughts. The past year had been… strange. Without him, the mansion had felt quieter and emptier—like it was holding its breath, waiting. Waiting for the storm's return.

The car glided up the tree-lined driveway of the Qin estate, its headlights illuminating the towering stone walls and meticulously trimmed gardens. The mansion loomed ahead, bathed in the soft glow of lanterns, its ancient architecture exuding power and history.

But tonight, something felt different.

The air was heavier, charged with an energy that made the hair on the back of his neck rise.

He's already here.

As Qin Lei stepped into the grand hall, the tension thickened. His sharp gaze swept across the room—everything was perfect, as always—but beneath the polished surface, he could sense the shift.

And there, at the center of the hall, he sat.

Qin Yejun.

Majestic, calm, and utterly commanding. His posture was relaxed, but his very presence bent the space around him, making it impossible to look anywhere else.

His steel-gray eyes locked onto Qin Lei the moment he entered, as sharp as a blade's edge. His nearly black hair framed his face perfectly, accentuating his regal, almost ancient features. He looked like a king from a forgotten era—powerful, unyielding, and dangerous.

But this isn't his true appearance.

Qin Lei's breath caught for a split second before he masked it. He knew better than anyone that this transformation was no accident.

The Qin family's signature silver hair was a mark of their lineage—unmistakable and impossible to hide. Yet here sat his eldest brother, his dark hair a calculated move, a mask in itself. A signal that nothing had been left to chance.

"Lei," Qin Yejun said softly, his voice smooth but carrying a distinct edge. "It's been a while."

Qin Lei inclined his head, his face betraying nothing. "It has."

A figure appeared from the shadows—Liu Ruxue. Her silk gown shimmered in the soft light, and she moved with a grace that spoke of control and power.

"You've grown thinner, Ah'Jun," Liu Ruxue said softly, her voice touched with maternal concern, her eyes lingering on her eldest son. "Are you taking care of yourself?"

A faint smile curved Qin Yejun's lips. "Of course, Mother. You know how busy things have been."

Her expression softened, but there was something unspoken in her gaze—a mixture of pride and unease, as if she was trying to reassure herself that he was still the same boy she once knew, even though she knew better.

Qin Yejun had always been different. Calculated, composed, and ruthless when necessary, he had assumed control of the Qin family after their grandfather, Qin Tianlong, stepped down. The weight of that responsibility rested effortlessly on his shoulders, as though he had been born for it.

Then there was Qin Haoyou, the second son—wild and unpredictable, always vanishing for long periods without explanation. He pursued his own mysterious work in places few dared to go. His whereabouts were a constant mystery, even to his family, but his calls—rare and brief—always reassured them that he was safe, wherever he was.

And finally, Qin Lei, the youngest. Quiet, observant, and deliberate. He was the storm that others never saw coming until it was too late—a man who rarely spoke unless it mattered. Despite his unassuming nature, his presence carried an undeniable weight, his sharp eyes missing nothing.

Their father, Qin Shiru, was currently on Moss Island, an exclusive sanctuary known only to the world's top 0.5%—a place whispered about in circles of power and influence.

Qin Lei's gaze flicked between his mother and his brother, sensing the unspoken tension simmering beneath their polite exchange.

The Qin family was anything but simple. On the surface, they were known as a business empire, wielding influence in everything from finance and technology to real estate and luxury brands. But beneath that polished image lay a far more intricate structure—a labyrinth of alliances, silent wars, and hidden ambitions.

Each member of the family played their role in maintaining its dominance, but power within the Qin family wasn't inherited—it was earned, through sharp minds and ruthless actions. Decisions were rarely made in the open, and trust was a rare commodity even among blood relatives.

Qin Yejun controlled the family like a carefully tuned machine, every piece moving according to his design. His decisions were absolute, his authority unquestioned. Yet even he had to watch his back in a family where weakness wasn't just a disadvantage—it was a death sentence in the world they lived in.

"Where is Haoyou?" he asked, breaking the silence.

Qin Yejun's eyes darkened ever so slightly. "Still abroad. Busy, as always."

There was a pause—a brief but unnatural one that hung in the air like a held breath.

"And Father?" Qin Lei pressed.

"On Moss Island," Liu Ruxue answered smoothly. "He'll return soon enough."

Her tone was light, but her body language betrayed a subtle shift—barely noticeable, but there.

"Enough questions for now," Qin Yejun said, rising from his chair with feline grace. His sharp gaze lingered on Qin Lei for a second longer than necessary. "Let's talk later."

And just like that, the meeting was over. Qin Lei watched his eldest brother leave, every step measured and deliberate—a silent reminder of the power he wielded.

Much to discuss, indeed.

Meanwhile, in a quiet corner of Baicheng, Lin Yuxi sat cross-legged on the floor of her penthouse, her brow furrowed in concentration. The warm light from a nearby lamp bathed the room in a soft glow, but her thoughts were far from peaceful.

Lin Xuan lay sprawled on the couch, munching on a bag of chips while tapping away on his tablet, utterly absorbed in his game.

Kai leaned against the kitchen counter, arms crossed, watching Lin Yuxi with his usual air of lazy amusement.

"You've been staring at that data for two hours," he said, raising an eyebrow. "Planning to solve the world's mysteries tonight?"

Lin Yuxi didn't look up, her fingers moving rhythmically across the keyboard. "Not the world's mysteries," she said lightly. "Just one man's secrets."

Kai pushed off the counter, walking toward her. "And how's that going?"

"Slower than I'd like," Lin Yuxi muttered, leaning back and rubbing her temples. "Liu Jian had many red flags. I need to find the right way to approach him without raising suspicion."

Kai nodded. "Smart. But don't push too hard. Even you can't do everything at once."

"Jiejie," Lin Xuan piped up from the couch, his voice bright, "take a break! We can have ice cream!"

Lin Yuxi smiled softly. "Tempting, but not yet."

Kai ruffled Lin Xuan's hair and smirked. "I'll make tea. You're hopeless otherwise."

Lin Yuxi's eyes flicked back to the screen, narrowing slightly. She needed to find a way to meet Liu Jian face-to-face—and soon, before the window of opportunity closed.

Her fingers hesitated over the keyboard.

It was time to act. Tomorrow it is.