The Yandere Queen's Manual for Training Her Wife - Chapter 98

Xia Mingtang had originally planned to stay at the West Well Villa to accompany her grandmother for a few more days. However, in less than two days, she was sent back.

Although Xia Huaying had lost her son, she still had work to do, and there were countless affairs waiting for her at the Xia Corporation. She found Xia Mingtang lingering around every day to be more of a hindrance than help.

Xia Mingtang sincerely admired her grandmother’s dedication to her career. No wonder people said that seventy is the age to keep forging ahead.

She thought of her own small advertising company and realized she should probably take a page from her grandmother’s book in terms of work ethic.

In fact, shortly after returning to Rongcheng, Xia Mingtang had contacted her assistant.

She learned that since her departure, the company’s performance had not only not fallen behind but had actually been thriving, which reassured her.

She had to admit that the professional manager Qin Yan had arranged for her—originally to monitor her—was indeed highly capable.

Even though both bosses were somewhat unreliable, they still managed their responsibilities with great skill.

Looking at the monthly performance report, Xia Mingtang realized that if she didn’t return to the company soon, it might as well change its name.

So she went back to her headquarters, resuming her role as a hardworking young entrepreneur.

She had originally been striving for freedom, but after everything that had happened—including experiencing a sort of “fake death”—she suddenly felt a little more mature.

Honestly… spending every day out partying didn’t seem particularly meaningful.

It was better to focus on something productive and live a simple life at home.

Scary thing was, she was only twenty-four, yet her mindset suddenly felt so much older.

All because of that clingy troublemaker!

She was, of course, talking about Qin Yan.

These days, Xia Mingtang had also gone with Qin Yan for several medical check-ups.

The results were consistently uncertain: memory recovery couldn’t be predicted. For now, all she could do was take care and wait patiently.

At first, Xia Mingtang would comfort Qin Yan, but she soon realized Qin Yan didn’t seem upset about it, so she stopped offering words of consolation and let things be.

Qin Yan was smart. Even though she had lost more than ten years of memories, she had adapted to her current life almost completely.

Except for Xia Mingtang, no one else could notice anything unusual about her.

As expected, being cold and distant was the best form of protection.

Of course, this coldness was only for everyone except Xia Mingtang.

Sometimes, Xia Mingtang wished Qin Yan would be just a little distant toward her too, instead of being like this…

Problem Child: “Wife, I’m home first. The weather is great today, and even the yard looks better than usual. Don’t believe me? Look.” [Selfie1][Selfie2][Selfie3][Selfie4][Selfie5][Selfie6]

Xia Mingtang spent several seconds processing the flood of photos.

Good grief—this isn’t about the yard at all. That person occupied 80% of the frame, smiling smugly.

She picked two decent ones and downloaded them.

Before she could figure out how to reply, Qin Yan’s messages came in like snowflakes, one after another:

Problem Child: “Wife, when are you coming home? I miss you so much, and Mimi misses you too. I won’t take photos of Mimi; she’s no match for me anyway.”

Problem Child: “Wife, I learned a new skill today. When you come back, I’ll show you. You’ll think I’m amazing!”

Problem Child: “Wife…”

Problem Child: “Wife…”

Problem Child: “Wife…”

Every message started with “Wife.”

Luckily, these were just texts. If she had to hear this in person, it would be like a never-ending chant.

Xia Mingtang’s thoughts were usually quick, but she realized she couldn’t keep up with eighteen-year-old Qin Yan.

She couldn’t possibly reply to every single message, so she got out of the car and hurried to the villa.

Based on past experience, only by standing in front of Qin Yan could she stop this “soul-demanding call.”

As soon as Xia Mingtang stepped into the villa courtyard, she saw Qin Yan at the door.

Qin Yan saw her too and rushed forward, wrapping herself around Xia Mingtang like an octopus, planting multiple kisses on her face.

Such overly enthusiastic affection wasn’t new to Xia Mingtang, but she was still not completely used to it.

Since moving back to the West Well Villa together, Qin Yan seemed to have turned on some switch. Especially when they were together, she would completely let loose.

Not only clingy and affectionate, but also full of energy.

Xia Mingtang had recently trimmed her nails again, but there was little chance to use them.

Qin Yan’s enthusiasm for exploring life’s mysteries was now ten times stronger than before.

Xia Mingtang had heard from Xie An that the eighteen-year-old Qin Yan used to be extremely aloof and reclusive.

Now, she doubted that information.

Qin Yan had an explanation: “It’s ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder.’ It’s normal to be extra affectionate with my wife after a short separation.”

Xia Mingtang was even more confused. Previously, whether at the Xia residence or in the hospital, there hadn’t been much difference.

But Qin Yan never listened to reason; she wouldn’t stop kissing until Xia Mingtang’s face was red.

This assertiveness reminded Xia Mingtang somewhat of thirty-one-year-old Qin Yan, but without being unpleasant.

Normally, Xia Mingtang might have resisted a little.

But today…

Never mind, the birthday girl gets priority.

She had only recently learned from Xie An that Qin Yan’s real birthday didn’t match the one on her ID.

She had assumed the birthday celebration would be in May.

But in fact, today was the day—Qin Yan’s thirty-one? nineteen? birthday.

Qin Yan kept it secret, so Xia Mingtang silently prepared.

Before losing her memory, Qin Yan had always cared about her birthday, even if she could be exasperating.

Xia Mingtang knew her official birthday was a month away, so she couldn’t make it extravagant, but at least she could make the birthday girl happy.

Whenever Qin Yan grabbed Xia Mingtang, she never cared about boundaries.

If she went too far, Xia Mingtang would naturally stop her.

Yet today was strange—she almost pinned Xia Mingtang to the grass, and Xia Mingtang didn’t resist, even holding Qin Yan’s shoulders.

Suddenly, Qin Yan seemed different. She spoke whatever she thought aloud, without hiding anything.

“Hiss~ Wife, why are you being so nice to me today?”

Seeing her being pleased by a bit of kindness, Xia Mingtang teased, patting Qin Yan’s shoulder.

“Do you want me to be even nicer?”

Qin Yan’s eyes lit up, then she acted coy: “But it’s not even seven yet. Maybe you should eat something first, so you won’t run out of energy later.”

Xia Mingtang froze for a moment, then grabbed Qin Yan’s earlobe.

“What’s on your mind all day? I mean, I’m in a good mood today and want to personally cook for you.”

Qin Yan, having tasted Xia Mingtang’s cooking before, pouted: “Wife, did I do something wrong recently?”

“Not before, but now you have,” Xia Mingtang said, rolling up her sleeves and rushing into the kitchen.

If it weren’t for considering that today was the birthday girl’s day, Qin Yan would have gotten a scolding.

Xia Mingtang boiled water and prepared the ingredients: high-gluten flour, quail eggs, shiitake mushrooms, bok choy hearts, and some chopped preserved vegetables.

She planned to personally cook a bowl of longevity noodles for Qin Yan and had even secretly asked the company cafeteria chef to set up a small stove for her practice.

When the staff saw the new dishes, they all avoided them.

After several days of relentless practice, Xia Mingtang felt her noodle-making skills were now flawless.

Her intention wasn’t just a cooking urge; she had learned from Xie An that before sixteen, Qin Yan received a bowl of longevity noodles every birthday from Qin Shulan, symbolizing long life and happiness.

But after moving to the US, this tradition had been interrupted.

[Curious thought: How did Qin Yan spend her nineteenth birthday in the US?]

[That was a bad day. She ran into a group of assassins. Her skills weren’t as good back then, and she had to hide in an abandoned factory for a full day and night, surviving on some biscuits. If I hadn’t found her the next day…] Xie An explained, shaking his head with a mix of levity and concern.

Memories of her nineteenth birthday were gray for the original Qin Yan, so she preferred not to mention it.

Xia Mingtang wanted to celebrate for her, seeing it as an opportunity to overwrite painful memories with new ones.

Peeking from the doorway, Qin Yan relaxed slightly when she saw Xia Mingtang cooking skillfully, not about to blow up the kitchen.

Xia Mingtang, wanting to give her a surprise, gently pushed her out of the kitchen.

The bone broth was pre-made. The entire bowl of longevity noodles took about half an hour to prepare.

Seeing the appealing noodles, Qin Yan was shocked: “Wife, did you secretly take classes at New Oriental?”

But alongside the shock was genuine emotion. She hadn’t eaten longevity noodles in years.

Her eyes welled up, and she slurped a big mouthful, praising while teasing, “It’s good, but too hot.”

“Then eat slowly; no one’s snatching it from you,” Xia Mingtang replied casually.

Seeing Qin Yan’s positive response, she pretended to be nonchalant:

“I was idle at work these past few days, so I practiced a little cooking. Perfect timing for your birthday.

“You’ve grown another year today. Wishing you all the best and longevity.

“Don’t think I’m stingy. Since you hid your birthday so well before, my fund is in your hands. Buy whatever you like—no allowance from me this month.”

Xia Mingtang genuinely meant it. She had made a fortune selling shares and was doing well with her small company. She didn’t need Qin Yan’s money for now.

Qin Yan hadn’t intentionally hidden her real birthday; she simply didn’t care. But being acknowledged by the person she cared about made her feel a little wronged, so she tried to push further:

“No, I’m not short of money. Are you saying one bowl of noodles is enough to ‘send me off’?”

For this bowl, Xia Mingtang had trained ten hours at the company, skipping naps.

Xia Mingtang gritted her teeth and smiled softly: “Then what else do you want?”

“I… I haven’t decided yet. How about you owe me a wish for now?”

Ha! She wanted to celebrate Qin Yan’s birthday with good intentions, yet ended up owing her a wish.

Xia Mingtang looked into Qin Yan’s deep black eyes and nodded: “Fine, all yours.”

A single bowl wasn’t enough for dinner. But at the West Well Villa, each night’s meal was plentiful and varied.

After her hard work, Xia Mingtang was very hungry and gave full respect to the chefs.

Qin Yan, however, was still savoring that first bowl.

After dinner, the two went for a walk around the villa to digest.

Xia Mingtang glanced at her phone and intentionally guided Qin Yan eastward.

Qin Yan, trusting her wife, followed without question.

At exactly eight o’clock, with crisp “sou” sounds, fireworks shot into the sky.

Initially chaotic, the fireworks gradually formed brilliant words:

“All the best”
“Longevity and happiness”

…and there was even a cute little dog representing Qin Yan’s zodiac sign.

The fireworks illuminated the night sky, and from their vantage point, the view was especially vast and clear.

Holding hands, the two looked up at the sky, each lost in thought.

Suddenly, a star from the dog’s tail detached from its path and rapidly fell.

Before anyone could react, it struck the back of Qin Yan’s head.

The thoughtful Qin Yan lowered her head in surprise.

Xia Mingtang reacted instantly, grabbing Qin Yan with one hand and touching the back of her head with the other: “What’s wrong? Does it hurt? Are you okay?”

What happened? She had checked the fireworks carefully.

Xia Mingtang was anxious, both guilty and frustrated, almost in tears.

Qin Yan’s brief daze passed, and she lifted her head, placing Xia Mingtang’s hand on her face, eyes deep as night:

“It’s fine. Since Tangtang cares so much about me, I won’t let anything happen to myself.”

Relieved, Xia Mingtang realized that her carefully prepared fireworks hadn’t hurt Qin Yan.

Those few seconds had already given her a cold sweat.

At this moment, Xia Mingtang hadn’t fully realized it, but Qin Yan seemed a little different from before.

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