He Zhenyu's eyes widened, but Qin Yichen was already striding for the door. His expression was grim, each step steady with purpose.
"Big brother needs to hear this."
The door shut behind him with a heavy thud, leaving the boardroom steeped in silence.
---
Qin Haoyu's office was quiet, sunlight slanting across shelves lined with old files and family portraits. The faint tick of the clock was the only sound—until the door opened.
Qin Yichen stepped inside, his jaw tight, a folder clutched in his hand.
"Big brother," he said without preamble, placing the report on the desk. His voice was low, edged with urgency. "I've confirmed it. There's a mole in the company. Not one—but two, maybe more. The leaks are too clean, too precise. Whoever it is, they know everything."
Qin Haoyu's expression darkened. He leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled, the weight of his silence heavier than words.
"Two or more…" he repeated, eyes narrowing. "No wonder every move we make is countered. We're fighting shadows."
The gravity of his tone made the air itself feel colder.
And then—buzz.
The sharp vibration of his phone broke the tense stillness. Haoyu glanced at the screen. His features softened slightly, though his eyes still held steel.
He answered. "Mother."
Qin Yichen stilled, waiting.
There was a pause as Qin Haoyu listened quietly, only giving a few low responses. Finally, he ended the call. His expression was unreadable.
"Yuxi is coming home for a few days," he said.
For a moment, the suffocating weight in the room eased. Qin Yichen blinked, then let out a small laugh, his lips curving in rare joy.
"Finally! It's been weeks since I've seen her. She'll definitely nag me for not calling back," he said, unable to hide his excitement.
At the mention of their sister, even Qin Haoyu's stern expression softened, his eyes dimly warm. The Qin siblings were like a tightly woven braid—each one carrying a different burden, but inseparable nonetheless.
The eldest, Qin Haoyu, the pillar.
The second, Qin Yuxi, the gentle harmony.
The third, Qin Yichen, the strategist's fire.
And the youngest, Qin Jaohui, still finding his path.
But warmth only lasted a breath before duty returned.
"Yichen," Qin Haoyu said, his tone firm, "do not mention the crisis to Yuxi. She's married now—her life belongs to her husband's family. We can't burden her with our storms."
Qin Yichen frowned, reluctant. "But the news is already everywhere. Do you think she won't notice?"
"Mother has already prepared her," Qin Haoyu replied. "She'll take the rumors as just that—rumors. Yuxi must not know the truth."
Qin Yichen hesitated, his hands tightening at his sides. Finally, he gave a short nod. "…Fine."
But then his eyes chilled, the brief joy gone, replaced by an icy gleam.
"Big brother," he said coldly, "what about that brat?"
The air in the office shifted instantly. Both knew who he meant.
"She will understand," Qin Haoyu said evenly. "Yuxi is mature. She'll handle it. It's only a few days."
Qin Yichen let out a dry laugh, bitter and sharp. "You really believe she'll stay quiet? That girl has never once known her place. Don't forget what happened years ago—she won't hesitate to drag Yuxi into this mess if it serves her."
The atmosphere grew heavy, memories neither wished to recall surfacing like ghosts.
But Qin Haoyu's gaze sharpened, his voice cutting with authority. "This is the Qin family's home. No one will touch Yuxi under my watch."
Qin Yichen stepped forward, his tone frostbitten. "And if she still dares?"
The silence was suffocating—until Qin Haoyu's eyes turned icy, his words spoken with quiet finality.
"Then I will make her regret ever setting foot in the Qin family."
The vow rang through the office like a blade unsheathed, its edge glinting with merciless resolve.