Seducing Him - Chapter 1

Her mother had just been buried when her father brought home another woman—her name was Lu Lan.

Before this, she had already fought against it with every ounce of strength, screaming herself hoarse. But it was useless. Her father still let that woman in.

She didn’t even know how she managed to stay calm, lifting her eyes to look.

The woman had a gentle, kind face, well-maintained, still looking young and beautiful.

And sitting beside her was a boy, aloof and quiet. His skin was pale, his features fine, lips delicate like embroidered hibiscus on silk, and his eyes—when he looked at her—were as cold as a shard of moonlight slipping through a winter window.

Her father said, “Yangyang, this is Lu Jin. He’ll be your younger brother from now on.”

She didn’t call out to him. Her face stayed cold. Even without a mirror, she knew she looked like some fierce animal, glaring at Lu Jin with open hostility.

But Lu Jin smiled at her. From the depths of his dark pupils, ice cracked open, letting faint strands of warmth seep out. He spoke first, his voice low and strangely soft:

“Sister, my name is Lu Jin. From now on… I’ll be your younger brother.”

Perhaps it was his naturally cool temperament, but when he said “from now on,” there was a lingering tenderness in his tone.

At that time, her mind was in ruins, reason shattered—so she didn’t hear what he really meant by those words.

Later, Ci Yiyang would regret countless times that before she first ended up in bed with Lu Jin, she hadn’t realized—he was nothing more than a dirty, shameless, obsessive mad dog that she could never shake off.

In early August, Beijing was still unbearably hot. The sun seemed desperate, hanging in the sky all day long, scorching. Just a few steps outside and sweat soaked through her dress, sticking it uncomfortably to her skin.

“Young Miss, you’re finally here! Everyone’s been talking about you. It’s been summer break for so long, and school’s about to start—you really should’ve come back earlier.”

The housekeeper greeted her with joy, taking her suitcase and lifting it in surprise.

So light. Nothing like what a young girl would usually pack.

The girl wore a pure white long-sleeved dress. Because of the heat, her hair was pinned up, revealing a fair face, delicate chin, and dark, bright eyes. Pretty and refined, she asked calmly, “Is my father home?”

The housekeeper shook her head. “No. A few days ago, Miss Lu wasn’t feeling well, so he took her to the doctor. He said they’d only be back after a few more days.”

“Oh.” Ci Yiyang lowered her gaze and followed inside.

This used to be her home. Her father’s name was Luo Lin, but because he was a son-in-law who married into her mother’s family, she took her mother’s surname—Ci.

But after her mother died, her father wasted no time bringing back his old flame, Lu Lan. He even announced he planned to marry her. Outraged, Yiyang had stormed off to live with her grandmother.

Her grandmother never knew the real reason for the quarrel. She thought it was only because Yiyang’s father hid her mother’s illness until it was too late. She’d urged Yiyang to reconcile many times.

Now, Yiyang had returned. Not because she forgave them. But because she couldn’t allow that mother and son to completely take over.

The house felt empty. No matter how luxuriously decorated, it was hollow and unfamiliar.

She’d only been gone a few months, but everything had been replaced—even the servants, not one face she knew remained.

The long hall was carpeted thick, muffling every footstep.

The housekeeper led her into her room. After setting her suitcase on the stand, she busied herself arranging Yiyang’s belongings.

Yiyang sat by the window, resting her chin in her hands. Her dark lashes trembled, a faint flush of sunburn lingering on her cheek as she gazed outside.

The neighboring villas had been remodeled into elegant Byzantine-style homes.

Her mother died in March. By April, the estate had already been renovated. That was exactly when Lu Lan returned from abroad.

She always believed that was when her father and Lu Lan rekindled their relationship—perhaps even earlier. Which explained why, not long after her mother’s death, Lu Lan moved right in.

The thought of another woman lying in her mother’s bed, using her mother’s vanity, filling her mother’s wardrobe—it made Yiyang sick, her stomach churning with disgust.

She couldn’t let it happen. But screaming, threatening suicide, even jumping off buildings hadn’t worked.

If she died, it would only help them.

So she accepted reality quickly—at least on the surface. She even agreed to move back for summer break.

She pulled back her gaze and asked the housekeeper still tidying up, “Where’s Lu Jin?”

The thought suddenly hit her—she hadn’t seen him.

Hearing her soft voice, the housekeeper bowed respectfully. “Young Master is out right now. He should return later tonight.”

Not home?

She didn’t believe they hadn’t told him she was coming.

Expressionless, Yiyang asked again, “Which room is his?”

“Just next to yours, Miss.”

Indeed, she had noticed a door across from her own earlier.

“Thank you.” She asked no further. “I’m tired today. I won’t be having dinner.”

“Yes, Miss.” The housekeeper bowed and left.

After showering and changing into a fresh dress, Yiyang opened her door and stopped before the room next door.

The door had a fingerprint lock. Maybe because no one dared enter, or maybe because the owner had left in a rush, the door wasn’t shut properly.

She glanced at the gap, pushed it open, and stepped in.

This used to be her dance studio. Now it had been turned into a bedroom.

Cool-toned, simple in furnishings—much larger than her own.

She stood there, white dress trailing across the carpet like snow, gazing out the floor-to-ceiling window at the setting sun.

On the bedside table sat a framed photo.

Yiyang picked it up and studied the boy in the picture with cold eyes.

Sharp brows, straight nose, strikingly handsome features. Only his crimson lips curved faintly, softening his icy aura. He was beautiful—too beautiful.

She remembered the first time they met. She had stared, stunned.

Truthfully, she had seen him before. Before their formal introduction, she had waited outside his high school for days just to catch a glimpse.

He looked even better in person than in photos—tall, aloof, almost aristocratic.

That day, their eyes had met. It felt accidental, yet piercingly direct.

Her mother had died, her father betrayed her. Rage consumed her. Without hesitation, she stormed up to him and slapped him.

The sound had been sharp, heads turning everywhere.

The boy’s face whipped to the side, hair messy, his cheek reddened—yet still devastatingly handsome.

He lowered his gaze to hers, not confused or angry. Instead, he smiled faintly.

In that instant, her fury melted into shock. She had never seen anyone like him.

Now, remembering, she almost regretted only hitting him once. She should’ve slapped him harder.

Too late for regrets.

Placing the photo back, she glanced outside.

It was already late. Lu Jin would return tonight.

She lowered her eyes, lifted the covers, and lay down on his bed, waiting calmly.

This time, she wouldn’t make the same mistake. This time, she would carefully cultivate something with Lu Jin.

If she seduced her soon-to-be stepbrother before her father married Lu Lan, could that marriage still happen?

Inside a dimly lit club, chaos raged in celebration. After three long years, their shooting team had finally won the championship. Music thundered, lights flickered, people drank until their faces flushed.

Someone reached for a cigarette, only to have his hand pushed down.

“Theo’s here.”

At the name, the man instinctively turned to look. In a booth sat a boy, out of place among the decadence—like someone too young, too refined to belong.

Long limbs folded lazily, eyes closed. The shifting lights cast shadows across his face, pale as jade with a cold gleam.

Theo had returned from the U.S. just two years ago. Everyone knew he hated smoke. Whenever he was at the club, no one dared light up nearby.

“Strange, isn’t it? Why’s he still here this late?”

Usually, he left right after competitions. He never joined parties.

The smoker shrugged. “Who knows. Maybe ‘cause his mom’s remarrying? Guess he can’t deal with it. Why don’t you ask him why he’s here instead of at home?”

Who dared poke Theo for answers? The man laughed awkwardly and left for the smoking area.

Chen Changjin, watching, thought for a moment before sliding into the booth beside the boy. He poured himself a drink.

Ice cracked against glass.

The boy didn’t move, still slouched, eyes closed.

Chen sipped, glancing sideways. On the surface, he looked harmless, almost lazy. But those who knew him understood—he was vengeful, ruthless.

Especially in the world of stocks and funds, his methods were brutal. Anyone he targeted ended up ruined.

Chen had known him five, six years now, since studying abroad. He knew Theo well enough.

He’d abandoned business in the U.S. to return for no clear reason. Even went back to high school for a couple of months, now planning to attend university in China.

“University? That doesn’t sound like you. What’s really going on?” Chen muttered. “And why are you still here tonight?”

At last, the boy’s long lashes lifted slightly. A faint hum, then silence. A wall of cold aura pushed everyone away.

Non-answer.

Chen opened his mouth again—when suddenly, the phone on the table lit up.

Lu Jin didn’t even twitch his fingers. He just turned his head, revealing his sharp jawline, half-lidded eyes catching the flashing light.

From afar, he looked untouchable, ethereal. But those who knew him understood—beneath the beauty was poison.

He seemed to think of something. At last, he picked up the phone, rose to his feet.

“I’m going home.”

Without another word, he walked out of the rowdy club.

Chen stared after him, disappointed. No chance to ask about his hedge fund moves now. He sighed, drained his drink, and gave up.

By the time Lu Jin returned, it was late. The housekeeper had gone to bed, leaving only the hall light on.

He dragged himself upstairs, weary. Hand on the doorknob, he happened to glance at the darkened room next door.

His future “sister” lived inside.

She had claimed to be afraid of living alone, so they’d arranged for her to be right next to him.

Lu Jin checked his watch. Midnight, sharp.

She should be asleep by now.

He pushed open his door.

The room was pitch black. Curtains drawn shut—strange, he remembered leaving them open.

But he didn’t bother turning on the light. He walked straight into the bathroom.

Water splashed, faint light slipping under the door.

On the bed, Ci Yiyang had already been awake since the moment he entered. She thought he’d at least turn on the light, maybe even realize he’d walked into the wrong room. She had her excuse ready.

But he hadn’t.

She leaned back, shut her eyes, listening closely to the sounds of his shower.

Ten minutes later, the water stopped. The bathroom light clicked off. Darkness reclaimed the room.

She couldn’t see, but she heard footsteps approaching the bed. Her breath caught.

The mattress dipped. The blanket lifted suddenly, a chill sweeping over her—then his scent, sharp and overwhelming, surrounded her completely.