Young Devious Wife of Mr. Qin

The scent of freshly brewed coffee hung in the air as students hurried through the marble halls of Royal Crest University. Sunlight streamed through high windows, illuminating the intricate carvings lining the walls. Conversations and footsteps merged into a steady hum, but Lin Yuxi paid them no mind.

Her focus was singular—Professor Liu Jian.

Her steps were light yet deliberate as she approached the Advanced Weaponry & Robotics department. Unlike the university's central buildings, which reflected centuries of history and prestige, this wing was sleek and futuristic. Glass walls showcased cutting-edge labs filled with advanced robotics and AI prototypes. Security was tight—every door required clearance codes, and cameras tracked her every movement.

Yuxi paused outside the robotics lab, taking in her surroundings.

Xiao Yuelin stood near the lab entrance, tablet in hand, her fingers flying across the screen. Despite the hum of machines and voices around her, Yuelin exuded a calm focus that set her apart from the chaos.

"Yuelin," Yuxi greeted with a slight nod.

The older girl didn't look up immediately. "Lin Yuxi," she said finally, her tone devoid of emotion.

"I've been thinking about what you said yesterday," Yuxi continued, keeping her voice light. "I realized I'm genuinely curious about Professor Liu Jian's work. Would you mind introducing me?"

Yuelin's eyes flickered with interest for a brief moment before returning to her tablet. "I see."

Before she could respond further, a familiar voice interrupted.

"Oh? Since when did you two become so close?"

Su Ruoyan.

Yuxi's body tensed, though she masked it with a relaxed smile. Ruoyan's sudden appearance wasn't coincidence—Yuxi knew that much.

"Introductions, please?" Ruoyan said, her eyes dancing with curiosity.

Yuxi gestured smoothly. "Yuelin, meet Su Ruoyan—Royal Crest's social expert. Ruoyan, this is Xiao Yuelin—top student in Advanced Weaponry & Robotics."

Ruoyan's grin widened. "Ah, so you're the one who's practically Liu Jian's right hand."

Yuelin adjusted her glasses, her expression unreadable. "I work under him, yes."

Ruoyan leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. "But you don't seem like the type to entertain curious first-years."

Yuelin's response was blunt. "I don't. Lin Yuxi is an exception."

Ruoyan shot Yuxi a playful glance. "Oh? What makes her so special?"

Yuxi chuckled. "I ask interesting questions."

For a moment, Ruoyan seemed ready to push further, but Yuelin cut in. "If you're serious about meeting Professor Liu Jian, follow me."

Yuxi nodded, casting a final glance at Ruoyan before disappearing into the corridor with Yuelin.

The corridor leading to Liu Jian's office was lined with reinforced doors and observation windows. The hum of machinery was constant, and the scent of metal and sterilizing agents hung thick in the air. Yuxi's eyes swept the hallway, noting keypads, cameras, and emergency locks.

This place didn't just house research. It hid secrets.

Yuelin knocked on the door before entering. "Professor, I've brought someone interested in your work."

The office was a stark contrast to the sterile hallway—dimly lit, cluttered with blueprints and data tablets. Professor Liu Jian sat behind a large desk, his face illuminated by the soft glow of multiple monitors. His sharp features exuded authority, but there was a warmth in his eyes that felt almost disarming.

"And you are?"

"Lin Yuxi," she said with a slight bow. "First-year business and computer science student. It's an honor to meet you, Professor Liu."

Liu Jian leaned back in his chair, studying her. "A business student?" His tone was curious, but there was an edge beneath the surface. "I don't usually get visitors from outside my field."

"That's exactly why I wanted to meet you," Yuxi said, her voice steady. "Your work in AI and robotics is revolutionary. Understanding it is crucial for future strategists."

Liu Jian raised an eyebrow. "You sound more like a strategist than a researcher."

Yuxi allowed a small smile. "Sometimes strategy and research overlap."

Liu Jian chuckled softly, tapping a finger against his desk. "An interesting perspective. Perhaps you'll sit in on one of my lectures—provided Xiao Yuelin vouches for your curiosity."

Yuelin nodded. "She seems eager enough."

"Very well," Liu Jian said, his tone lighter. "Drop by next week. We'll see if your curiosity holds."

"Thank you, Professor." Yuxi bowed slightly before stepping back. Internally, her mind was racing. This was just the first step. She had secured a place in Liu Jian's world, but the real challenge was yet to come. For now, this is a good start.

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the university grounds as Qin Lei leaned against his sleek black sports car, arms crossed. His silver eyes scanned the crowd with the practiced ease of a predator, his every movement deliberate. Jiang Cheng and Lu Bei stood beside him, the light banter between them a stark contrast to Qin Lei's quiet intensity.

"Royal Crest is getting dull," Lu Bei said, scrolling through his phone. "We need something to shake things up."

Jiang Cheng smirked. "We could always start a scandal."

But Qin Lei wasn't listening. His attention was fixed on a black sedan pulling up near the entrance.

His breath hitched as Lin Yuxi emerged. Her expression was calm, her movements deliberate. But something about the way she carried herself felt too… controlled.

Then, the world around him blurred.

For a fleeting second, Lin Yuxi wasn't standing there.

She was a blue-eyed girl with a bob haircut, standing in a dark alley, twirling a gun with an almost playful grace. Fengxi City—cold pavement, the metallic scent of blood, and a haunting melody that still echoed in his mind.

His hand tightened on the car door. The illusion shattered as quickly as it came, but the aftershock lingered.

Yuxi was already in the car. The sedan drove off smoothly, leaving only the hum of its engine behind.

"Jiang Cheng," Qin Lei said quietly, his eyes still fixed on the departing car.

Jiang Cheng raised an eyebrow. "Yeah?"

"I want a full background check on Lin Yuxi."

Lu Bei frowned. "Her? She looks harmless enough."

"Looks can be deceiving," Qin Lei murmured, more to himself than anyone else.

Back in the robotics wing, Su Ruoyan lingered near the entrance, her gaze thoughtful.

She watched the door where Yuxi had disappeared moments ago. Something about Lin Yuxi didn't add up—not the way she effortlessly maneuvered her way into people's good graces, nor the way Yuelin, who rarely trusted anyone, seemed to make an exception for her.

A slow smile curled on Ruoyan's lips. "Interesting…"

She pulled out her phone, fingers tapping rapidly. "Time to dig a little deeper."