The Devil CEO’s Reborn Lover

The morning sun filtered softly through the curtains, casting a warm, golden glow across the bedroom. Wu Mei stirred gently, her dark lashes fluttering before her eyes opened slowly. She turned her head to find Qin Yanzhou still asleep, the steady rhythm of his breathing soothing and quiet.

For a moment, she simply watched him—his bare chest rising and falling, one hand lazily draped across the bed. There was a peacefulness about him she rarely saw when he was awake. A vulnerability that made her heart ache.

Carefully, Wu Mei slid out from beneath the sheets, doing her best not to disturb him. She padded softly into the bathroom, freshened up, and changed into a soft lilac blouse and cream-colored pants. She brushed her hair into a loose braid and headed toward the kitchen.

The house was quiet, the air still tinged with the scent of last night's passion. Wu Mei smiled faintly as she opened the refrigerator. She pulled out eggs, fresh vegetables, and rice, and began to prepare breakfast. Her hands moved instinctively, seasoning and stirring, until the kitchen filled with warmth and the comforting aroma of home-cooked food.

Back in the bedroom, Qin Yanzhou stirred. The warmth of the bed no longer matched the softness he was used to. His eyes snapped open. She was gone.

"Mei?" he called groggily, sitting up quickly.

His eyes scanned the room. Empty. Panic gripped him for a moment as he threw off the covers and climbed out of bed. Dressed only in his pajama pants, his chest bare and hair tousled, he stalked through the halls barefoot.

He found her in the kitchen.

Wu Mei stood at the counter, stirring congee while steam rose gently from the pot. Her back was turned, her braid swaying slightly with her movements. Qin Yanzhou exhaled, relief flooding him, and crossed the kitchen in a few long strides.

He wrapped his arms around her from behind, pulling her close to his bare chest.

"Why did you wake up this early?" he murmured against her ear, his voice still thick with sleep.

Wu Mei smiled and tilted her head slightly. "Because I couldn't sleep anymore."

He nuzzled her cheek. "Are you hungry?" she asked. "I prepared breakfast."

Qin Yanzhou looked over her shoulder, spotting the dishes set neatly on the table. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her temple. "My wife's cooking is so good and sweet," he said, pulling away with a playful grin.

They ate together, side by side, talking quietly about nothing and everything. Wu Mei served him warm tea after, and he praised the red bean dessert with such exaggerated delight she couldn't help but laugh.

After the meal, Qin Yanzhou brought his laptop to the living room, where he had a virtual meeting with several fellow CEOs. Wu Mei cleaned up, then wandered through the house, her fingers trailing along the walls.

Eventually, her curiosity drew her toward a hallway she hadn't explored yet. At the end was a door—plain, but somehow different.

She turned the knob.

The room was dim, but as the door creaked open, sunlight spilled through the tall windows, illuminating the interior. Her breath caught.

Photographs covered the walls.

Not just any photos. Her.

Wu Mei stepped inside, the door closing silently behind her. There were pictures of her from university, laughing with friends, holding books. Others showed her and Qin Yanzhou together: walking under cherry blossoms, holding sparklers, sharing cake at some birthday celebration. Every corner of the room whispered memories.

A sharp pain struck her temple.

She stumbled.

Flashes assaulted her mind.

He Sheng's voice. Her stepsister's smirk. The cold feeling of betrayal. A scalpel. Blood. Pain. Her heartbeat fading.

She collapsed onto the floor, gasping as her head throbbed, her body trembling from the flood of returning memories.

Qin Yanzhou, hearing the loud thump from down the hall, rushed toward the sound. When he opened the door and saw Wu Mei lying on the ground, his face went pale.

"Mei !"

He rushed to her, lifting her into his arms. "Call the doctor! Now!" he barked at the maid nearby.

Minutes later, the trusted family doctor arrived. After examining Wu Mei, she looked up at Qin Yanzhou with a soft but serious expression.

"It could be a memory surge," she said. "A sign that her suppressed memories are starting to return."

Qin Yanzhou's eyes lit up with cautious hope. "Then she'll remember everything soon?"

The doctor nodded. "Possibly. But it's best not to force it. Let it come naturally."

After she left, Qin Yanzhou sat beside Wu Mei, who remained unconscious for some time. He held her hand, brushing hair from her face, whispering her name with quiet desperation.

When Wu Mei finally stirred and opened her eyes, he leaned in immediately.

"Mei, do you remember anything? Anything about us? About the past?"

Wu Mei blinked at him. Her mind was clear now. She remembered everything—the pain, the betrayal, the love.

But she shook her head slowly. "No... not yet. I don't remember anything."

Qin Yanzhou's face fell. He turned away, his shoulders heavy. For a brief second, his knees gave out, and he sat on the floor, burying his face in his hands.

He didn't know she was lying.

Later that day, Qin Yanzhou had to leave for a meeting with a powerful business partner. Before leaving, he kissed Wu Mei's forehead gently, promising to return soon.

Once he was gone, Wu Mei stood and walked to her room.

It was time to settle some things.

She dressed in a sleek black and red outfit, tied her hair into a tight bun, and left the house silently.

At her stepsister Wu Yue's villa, music played softly inside. Wu Yue was in her room, applying makeup in front of her vanity. She was humming.

She didn't see Wu Mei slip in through the unlocked back door.

She didn't hear her enter the bedroom.

When Wu Yue stepped into the bathroom, Wu Mei moved quickly. From her pocket, she produced a small pouch of powder—a cosmetic agent designed to irritate and disfigure.

She sprinkled it carefully into Wu Yue's foundation compact and slid out the window just as Wu Yue returned.

Within minutes, screams echoed through the villa.

Wu Yue's face was swelling, red rashes breaking out like fire across her cheeks and chin. She clawed at her skin, shrieking in horror.

Meanwhile, Wu Mei was already on her way home.

She entered through the back door, just as Qin Yanzhou's car pulled up outside.

She rushed to the main hallway, calming her breath, and greeted him with a soft smile as he stepped through the front door.

"You're back," she said.

Qin Yanzhou kissed her gently on the lips. "I missed you."

"Me too. Go shower. You look tired."

He nodded and headed toward the bathroom.

After his shower, he joined her in bed, fresh and warm. He slipped beneath the covers and pulled her close, wrapping his arms tightly around her waist.

" I love you " he murmured.

"I love you to" she whispered, burying her face against his chest.

And together, they fell asleep, wrapped in each other's arms, unaware of the storm that tomorrow might bring.