After Marrying the Villain with Seven Personalities [Transmigration into a Book]) - Chapter 13

“What’s wrong?”

Fang Fengyu lowered her voice and asked softly. Xu Linqiu snapped back to reality, shook her head, and managed to offer a faint smile.

On the grand spiral staircase, an elderly man in a black suit, with graying hair but a spirited demeanor, made his appearance. The hall instantly fell silent as all guests turned their attention toward him.

“There is no need for formality today. Drink well, talk well, and please, make yourselves at home!”

The Old Master’s voice, full of vigor and warmth, drew Fang Fengyu’s gaze once more. Thunderous applause erupted throughout the hall.

Xu Linqiu joined in the applause, clapping sincerely, yet her eyes remained fixed on the woman’s face. To be standing so close to Grandfather Yi at such a young age meant she was…

The usual smile on Linqiu’s face gradually vanished, and her lips turned slightly pale. How could there be two people in the world who look exactly the same? Could they be long-lost sisters?

Sensing a gaze that was impossible to ignore, Yi Chenqing knit her brows slightly. She looked down and her eyes collided with that very gaze.

It belonged to a remarkably striking woman. Her exquisite makeup highlighted a beauty that was entirely devoid of aggression. Even when she wasn’t smiling, her eyes naturally curved, her dark pupils reflecting the sparkling chandelier lights like scattered stars. Her soft, slightly curly brown hair fell in loose strands over her forehead, and her pale blue slit dress showcased an elegant, graceful silhouette.

Simply looking at her and her refined, gentle aura was enough to lift one’s spirits.

Yet, Yi Chenqing’s memory was a total blank.

As the applause faded, the hum of conversation resumed. The Old Master, in high spirits, noticed Fang Fengyu and the two sisters waiting at the foot of the stairs. Seeing the two graceful young women, he smiled and quickened his pace. Yi Chenqing and Yi Yanbai supported him on either side, matching his speed as they descended.

“I see Judong on television every day,” the Old Master remarked, “but as for Linqiu, I haven’t seen you in years. You’ve grown even more beautiful.”

“Hello, Grandpa Yi.”

“Happy birthday, Grandpa.”

Xu Linqiu and Xu Judong offered their congratulations in unison. Hearing that gentle, somewhat familiar voice, Yi Chenqing’s eyes flickered. She wondered if she had misheard.

Fang Fengyu also smiled warmly. “I wish you a life as vast as the Eastern Sea and as long as the Southern Mountains.”

Old Master Yi beamed. “Ah, I accept! Thank you.” Then, with grandfatherly affection, he pulled Yi Chenqing and Yi Yanbai forward to introduce them. “Linqiu, do you still remember our Chenqing and Yanbai? When you were all children, you used to play together often.”

This single sentence confirmed Xu Linqiu’s fears. The image of the “neighbor sister” she had barely interacted with years ago merged with the face of the woman before her, leaving her in utter turmoil.

Masking her internal panic, she nodded with a smile. “I remember.”

“Good, then you youngsters should chat more.” Old Master Yi’s gaze shifted as he spotted an old acquaintance nearby. He excused himself with a laugh, “The old man must take his leave for a moment; you kids enjoy yourselves.”

“Of course, please go ahead,” Fang Fengyu replied familiarly.

Trailing behind the Old Master was Xu Yushan, dressed in a dark evening gown and arm-in-arm with Yi Yaodu. As she passed by, she smiled at Xu Linqiu.

Xu Linqiu habitually smiled back to greet them: “Hello, Auntie Xu, Uncle Yi.”

But then, she remembered that night at the bar, when “Xiao Hong” had sadly claimed she had no family and was all alone. The smile froze on Linqiu’s face. Did I really sleep with the younger Yi sister? What on earth happened that night?

“My, it really has been a long time, Linqiu. I’ll have to find time for a proper chat with you.” After saying this, Xu Yushan patted Fang Fengyu’s shoulder with a smile and followed the Old Master.

“Linqiu.”

Hearing a familiar call, Xu Linqiu composed her thoughts and turned to see Xu Pingxin in his formal suit.

“Dad,” she whispered, her confusion momentarily dispelled. She greeted him with a soft, genuine smile.

“There she is~” Xu Pingxin, usually the picture of composed stability, couldn’t help but step forward and pull her into a brief embrace. His voice held a hint of a sigh. “It’s good to have you back.”

“Yes.”

He released her and offered his arm. “Would you like to come with me to meet some old friends?”

Xu Linqiu hesitated for a moment before declining with a smile. “I’m still not quite used to these occasions. I’d like to find somewhere quiet to catch my breath.”

Fang Fengyu gave Xu Pingxin a gentle nudge, then turned to her daughter. “That’s fine. You can go wait for Ji-ji at the entrance.” She pulled Xu Linqiu’s phone from her bag and handed it over.

Xu Linqiu took the phone, her eyes crinkling as she nodded.

While Yi Chenqing was occupied chatting with an acquaintance of the Old Master, Xu Yushan seized the opportunity to pull Yi Yanbai into a deserted corner.

“I noticed that Chenqing doesn’t seem to remember Linqiu at all,” Xu Yushan whispered urgently. “Tell Mom the truth—is part of the reason for Chenqing’s illness because of an unrequited love?”

Yi Yanbai: “…”

She didn’t know how to respond. “Unrequited love” sounded a bit extreme, making her sister seem somewhat pathetic.

Seeing her silence, Xu Yushan grew anxious. “You said before that if Chenqing fell in love, her condition might improve. If that person were Linqiu, wouldn’t things be even better?”

She remembered how much Chenqing liked Linqiu when they were little. She was so shy that she could only climb a ladder to peer over the garden wall at the neighbor’s house. When cleaning Chenqing’s room, she would find scraps of paper in the trash can covered with the name ‘Xu Linqiu.’ It broke her heart, but she felt helpless. Back then, Linqiu and Shi Ji were clearly a little couple.

“Mom, if my sister’s condition could be healed through emotional connection, that would be ideal, but…”

“That’s enough then.” Xu Yushan reached a sudden decision, cutting her off. She turned and scanned the room, instantly spotting the slender figure in pale blue walking toward the villa entrance.

She prepared to follow, but Yi Yanbai caught her arm. “Mom, what are you doing?”

“I’m going to talk to Linqiu.”

“If you do that, Sister Linqiu will only be more repelled.”

“How will we know if we don’t try?” Xu Yushan shook off her hand, giving her a reproachful look before she left. “I don’t know who you two take after—you have no courage at all.”

Always worrying about consequences. Useless little things. It’s up to your old lady to handle this.

This time, even if she had to sacrifice her dignity, she was going to secure a chance for her Chenqing.

Xu Linqiu stood near the entrance, away from the guests, staring blankly at her phone. She didn’t know if she should still call “Xiao Hong.”

In her daze, her arm was gently touched. She looked up to see Xu Yushan, whose eyes were downcast with a look of hesitation.

“Linqiu, I’d like to have a word with you.”

“Of course.” Linqiu followed her to an even quieter spot.

“Linqiu, our families have always been destined to be close. My surname is also Xu, you know. Back when your mother married your father, she actually thought we were cousins because I spoke so highly of his character to put her mind at ease.”

Xu Yushan began by establishing their bond, then let out a sigh, her sadness palpable. “There are some things I truly don’t know who else to talk to about…”

“You might not know, but my Chenqing suffers from a very difficult illness called Dissociative Identity Disorder.”

Xu Linqiu’s expression of quiet listening shattered. Her already chaotic thoughts became a tangled mess, but she felt as if she had finally found the loose thread. As Auntie Xu continued, the knot began to unravel piece by piece.

“Chenqing has been sensitive and suspicious since she was a child. After she graduated high school, she had a high fever and developed selective amnesia. We lied to her, telling her it was just ‘narcolepsy.’ we thought perhaps we were too strict or had too high expectations, which caused these illnesses. But those were just guesses; we could never find the source or the right treatment.”

“Linqiu, the reason I’m telling you this is to ask… could you try dating Chenqing? It can be fake. It’s just that Chenqing doesn’t seem to remember you as the sister from next door. If we start from your side, maybe we can figure out the cause of her illness.”

Xu Yushan looked at her with hopeful eyes, then lowered her gaze with a bitter smile. “I’m just at my wit’s end. I know I’m being impulsive. You don’t have to decide now; just think of it as me venting my frustrations to you.”

“I’ll be going now.”

Xu Yushan’s sincere plea left Xu Linqiu momentarily stunned as she watched her walk away. She gripped her phone, a thread of pity rising in her heart.

So there were no long-lost sisters. She had met her at Hongxun because of the personality disorder. But with both Dissociative Identity Disorder and selective amnesia… how tragic could one person be? What on earth had she gone through to end up like this?

The person who answered the phone earlier must have been Yi Chenqing. Did she remember anything about that night at Hongxun?

Amidst these thoughts, her phone suddenly began to ring. Xu Linqiu looked down.

The caller ID read: Xiao Hong.