The rain had passed. But the tension in the Li Estate was thicker than storm clouds.
Jin walked through the hallway with his usual slouched posture, hoodie up, headphones in — though nothing was playing.
[Let's see… today's the day Ichiro starts the framing campaign. The "misplaced family jewels" arc. Right on schedule.]
[Bet they'll believe him.]
As he passed the dining room, he caught the end of a conversation.
"…I'm sure Ichiro didn't mean to…" his second sister, Su, mumbled.
"I know, I know," said Lianhua, sipping bitter tea. "But… can someone 'accidentally' swap out real land contracts with fakes?"
Silence.
"…Maybe he's being blackmailed?" one of them offered weakly.
"…Maybe it's a test?"
"…Maybe Jin planted it to test us?"
From upstairs, Jin paused mid-step.
[What kind of Olympic-level mental gymnastics are they doing right now?]
[Oh, right. The "denial before downfall" phase.]
---
Meanwhile…
Ichiro stood in front of Father's study. White dress shirt. Neat tie. Face as flawless as a flower boy in a drama.
Inside his expensive leather briefcase?
A velvet-lined jewelry box.
Empty.
Perfect for planting in Jin's room.
He smiled softly.
"Let the re-education begin."
---
Back in his room, Jin flopped onto his bed.
Ergouzi chimed in lazily.
"Breaking update. Ichiro just paid the butler 50k yuan to 'discover' stolen heirlooms in your drawer. Wants to play the 'thieving disappointment' angle."
[Jeez. Classic plot. So lazy.]
[And they'll eat it up. Watch.]
---
Sure enough, two hours later…
Knock knock.
"Jin… can we speak to you?"
He opened the door slowly.
Outside stood Father, Mother, and Su — their faces carefully neutral.
Too neutral.
"Mind if we… check your room?"
Jin raised an eyebrow.
[Here we go.]
"Why?" he asked, voice calm.
Father coughed. "Just… standard procedure."
"Standard… what?" Jin blinked. [Bro. I'm not even subtle and you still fell for Ichiro's trap?]
He stepped aside.
"Be my guest."
---
Ten minutes later, the velvet box was "discovered."
Gasps.
Tension.
Ichiro, standing behind them, wore the perfect expression: concerned, hurt, yet forgiving.
"Jin… why didn't you just ask me for money?" he said gently.
[JESUS CHRIST.]
[Is this guy roleplaying the Virgin Mary?]
Father frowned deeply. "We'll investigate this, of course."
"But…" Mother looked at Jin, conflicted. "Please just tell us the truth."
[You really want to believe I did it.]
[Because if I didn't, then he did. And that would destroy your little fantasy.]
[He's the sweet adopted boy. The miracle son. And I'm the bitter one.]
Jin laughed softly and turned away.
"You do you."
---
That night, in the family chat:
Xinyi: "But… he predicted it again. Exactly."
Meiyu: "Are we really going to ignore the fact that the butler suddenly has a new car?"
Grandma Li: "He didn't even defend himself. He knew we'd doubt him."
Su: "But what if Ichiro just feels threatened? He was raised outside. Maybe he's just insecure."
Lianhua: "Hope is a trap. Jin knew. And we still let this happen."
---
In her own room, Su cried quietly while staring at a childhood photo.
"Ichiro smiled at me that day…"
"…But Jin… he was watching Ichiro."
She realized something.
He was always watching.
He never trusted Ichiro.
And maybe… he had reason.
---
Meanwhile, Jin lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.
[One frame job down. Seven to go.]
[I wonder what angle he'll try next. Drug possession? Academic cheating?]
[Hope they enjoy their little mystery show.]
Ergouzi yawned.
"Tomorrow's forecast: 80% chance of crocodile tears and fake evidence."
[Jot that down. You're finally doing your job.]
---
Next chapter preview:
Chapter 15 – When the Script Shows Cracks