Chapter 1: The Weight of Shadows
Neon rain streaked down the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Su family's penthouse villa in Pudong, Shanghai. The city skyline glittered like a dragon's hoard beyond the glass—towers of glass and steel hiding secrets older than the Bund itself.
Inside, the air was heavy with the scent of jasmine incense and barely concealed disdain.
Lin Chen knelt on the imported Italian marble, rag in hand, wiping the same wine stain for the third time. Madam Su, his mother-in-law, lounged on a genuine Ming dynasty replica sofa, legs crossed, red-soled heels tapping like a countdown.
"Useless trash! Even the cleaning robot does better than you!" she sneered, voice sharp as a jade dagger. "If not for saving our company back then, you'd have been thrown out years ago!"
Lin Chen said nothing. Three years had burned silence into his bones.
At the spiral staircase, Su Wanqing stood in a tailored white suit, hair pinned elegantly, scrolling through her tablet. The CEO of Su Group's eastern division hadn't glanced his way all evening. The marriage had been her father's final gamble—a debt-forgiveness deal when the family teetered on ruin. She had agreed out of duty. Nothing more.
The doorbell chimed. A servant hurried to open it.
Young Master Zhao Kai from the Zhao Consortium strode in, shaking rain from his Armani coat, smirking as his gaze landed on Lin Chen.
"Still playing housekeeper, Lin? Some men are born to kneel." Zhao laughed, tossing his coat to a maid. "Wanqing, you deserve better than this... decoration."
Madam Su's face lit up. "Kai, come sit! Ignore that waste."
Zhao approached Su Wanqing, pulling a velvet box from his pocket. Inside gleamed a jade pendant—rare imperial-grade, worth millions.
"A small gift," he said smoothly. "Something worthy of you."
Su Wanqing glanced at it, then at Lin Chen—still on his knees. A flicker crossed her eyes. She looked away.
Madam Su clapped. "Accept it, Wanqing! At least someone knows how to treat a lady properly."
Lin Chen rose slowly, rag dripping. "The floor is clean, Madam."
Zhao sneered, stepping closer. "Speaking out of turn? Know your place, son-in-law."
He raised a hand to slap.
The room's shadows twitched—just a fraction. Darkness pooled unnaturally at Lin Chen's feet, coiling like ink in water.
Zhao's hand froze mid-air, pinned by invisible force.
"What the hell—?" Zhao grunted, straining.
Lin Chen stepped forward, voice low and calm. "Touch me again, and you'll lose more than your pride."
Silence crashed down.
Madam Su laughed awkwardly. "Lin Chen! Sit down! Don't embarrass the family!"
But Zhao's face drained of color. He yanked back, stumbling. "You... how...?"
Lin Chen met Su Wanqing's gaze. For the first time in months, she truly looked at him—brows furrowed, something unreadable in her eyes.
Lightning flashed outside, illuminating the room.
In that instant, Su Wanqing thought she saw shadows curl protectively around Lin Chen's silhouette—like ancient guardians awakening.
The lights steadied.
Zhao forced a laugh, straightening his tie. "Weird weather. Wanqing, let's discuss the merger elsewhere."
He left hastily.
Madam Su rounded on Lin Chen. "What was that stunt? Threatening a Zhao? Are you trying to ruin us?"
Lin Chen met her eyes steadily. "I protected the family's honor. Isn't that a son-in-law's duty?"
She opened her mouth to retort—but Su Wanqing spoke first.
"Enough, Mother. It's late."
She turned and ascended the stairs without another word.
Lin Chen watched her go, a faint, hidden smile touching his lips.
Deep in his veins, the sealed Shadow Yin bloodline stirred faintly.
The city lights flickered.
The rise had begun.