Weakness Trap - Chapter 18

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“Mm.” Yu Lingxue didn’t turn around or look at her mother.

“You’re quite well informed.” After a moment of tension, Yu Lingxue finally turned slightly, offering her mother a faint, emotionless smile.

“They came knocking at our door,” Yu Yueheng said helplessly.

“Have you thought it through? The Yan family might not be a bad match.”

“Let’s walk for a bit.” Yu Lingxue didn’t respond immediately.

The two of them had just sent Jian Xi to the sanatorium and were now strolling through the courtyard.

“I’ve thought it through very clearly.” After five minutes of walking, as they passed the iconic willow trees of Chu City shedding their leaves, Yu Lingxue finally spoke.

“I don’t have any special feelings for Yan Wenying. I won’t marry her.” Love was definitely out of the question. As for dislike it was just indifference.

“You might not know this. Right after we secured your safety, the Yan family’s marriage procession showed up at our doorstep.” Yu Yueheng walked slowly, reminiscing about events from twenty one years ago.

“Back then, they had just risen to become one of the Four Great Families, their footing still unstable. Yet they sent an extravagantly long procession of cars. Quite excessive, don’t you think? I still have photos.”

Yu Yueheng took out her phone and showed Yu Lingxue the yellowed, grainy old photographs.

Yu Lingxue’s expression remained blank. Only when she saw the excessively luxurious decorations and gifts, car after car, did she press her lips together.

“A marriage proposal,” Yu Lingxue scoffed.

Should she be grateful these people hadn’t set their sights on her while she was still in the womb?

“Something like that. You should know the Yu family accepted those gifts.”

Yu Yueheng slipped her phone back into her pocket, tucking her hands in as well.

She gazed at the dull, gray sky, tightening her scarf to keep the cold wind out. Glancing at Yu Lingxue’s attire, she frowned.

She never understood why her daughter insisted on staying in a place like this year after year, even after spending one year here.

Putting emotions aside, Chu City’s winters were no better than Harbor City’s damp, chilly, and with inferior medical facilities.

Stubborn by nature, Yu Lingxue, despite being a doctor, detested seeking medical treatment when she fell ill.

Staying alone in Chu City for so long was like waiting for death.

Yu Yueheng unwrapped her scarf and draped it around Yu Lingxue’s neck.

“Mom, I’m not cold.” Yu Lingxue tossed the scarf back.

“I say you’re cold, so you’re cold.” Yu Yueheng left no room for argument.

What a joke.

This stubborn girl had dared to charge into a fire alone and refused to seek treatment for her illness.

When she said she wasn’t cold, it probably just meant she wouldn’t freeze to death.

Yu Lingxue slowly adjusted the scarf.

“Those gifts helped the Yu family add five medicinal herb gardens, purchase two laboratories, build over ten pieces of equipment, craft two hundred sets of gold and silver needles, and bring in a hundred and fifty assistants.”

“Directly, they elevated the Yu family’s reputation in Harbor City by a notch.”

Yu Lingxue heard her.

Her hands didn’t pause as she adjusted the scarf, patting it meticulously as if trying to make it more compact.

But how could a scarf not be fluffy? Yu Lingxue was just compulsively engaging in a futile task.

“Indirectly, you’ve probably looked into how much the Yu family has expanded over the past twenty years.” Yu Yueheng exhaled a puff of white breath.

Chu City was a place without autumn.

As soon as the summer heat faded, winter immediately enveloped the entire city in its characteristic gray.

Even the Chu Yun River had lost its summer apple-green hue, now stained only by the dirtied snow.

So cold, so poor, so desolate a place. Yet Yu Lingxue insisted on staying for three to five years.

Her mother knew her daughter’s temperament well it couldn’t be for love.

Then what was it for?

“So, are you trying to persuade me to change my mind?” Yu Lingxue finally stopped what she was doing.

A gray green leaf had stuck to her face. She gently peeled it off.

How strange.

Yu Lingxue looked around, seeing only a dusty, lifeless stillness.

She remembered Chu City differently. It should have been vibrant green trees, clear waters, red umbrellas, and fair-skinned people.

“I won’t force you. The decision is ultimately yours. But I must say, I can’t help you either.” Yu Yueheng had intended to advise her.

But after witnessing her living conditions, Yu Yueheng wanted nothing more than to take Yu Lingxue back to Harbor City.

“It’s not that I don’t want to help you, but I can’t. You know how it is. Our standing in the family is precarious. The current head and the next heir are both at odds with us. Only because of the Yan family’s marriage alliance do they tolerate you, even if grudgingly.”

“I’m old now. All the connections and resources I had were handed over to you when you came of age. How you manage and develop them is no longer my concern.”

Yu Yueheng was merely laying out the consequences of Yu Lingxue’s actions and the possible reactions from both families.

“Without the Yan family’s backing, the first to come after you will undoubtedly be the next heir.” Yu Yueheng turned to look at Yu Lingxue.

Yu Lingxue met her mother’s gaze.

There was neither sorrow nor joy in her eyes, only the usual calm.

Yu Lingxue had inherited some of that detachment.

Their fundamental way of thinking was guided by logic, not emotion.

That was why Yu Lingxue planned her future meticulously.

She planned how to approach Li Ran, how to become her student, how to casually mention her sister’s mysterious illness, so that Li Ran already interested and capable would offer to treat her.

She also planned to gradually distance herself from Yan Wenying, until finally, using further studies as an excuse and leveraging Li Ran’s influence, she could propose breaking off the engagement.

There were things she had never spoken of to anyone. Before the age of five, she had spent half her time living in Yan Wenying’s home.

A life of dependence, subservience, and darkness that was how those days could be described.

It was Yu Yueheng who, under immense pressure, brought her back.

From then on, Yu Lingxue began devising her plans.

Yu Qingluan, was the only unexpected variable.

If no further surprises arose, Yu Lingxue thought, she would want to cherish this unexpected bloom. Her little bird.

If there were more surprises,

She would stick to the plan.

“Secondly, the Yan family won’t let you go.” Yu Yueheng’s words carried a deeper meaning.

“Yan Wenying is nothing to fear.” Yu Lingxue lifted her head.

For the first time, a gray-black emotion flickered in her eyes.

Disgust, irritation, weariness and a hint of arrogant disdain.

“I’m not talking about her.”

“That family has something wrong up here.” Yu Yueheng pointed to her own head.

“They believe in gods, Buddhas, and ghosts. They’ve calculated that your birth chart can help them soar to great heights. They won’t let you go.”

“Just because of that?” Yu Lingxue’s brows twitched, a rare display of emotion.

“Just because of that. Otherwise, why would they propose the marriage alliance shortly after you were born?”

“If you’re considering breaking off the engagement, you must have your own backing. I’m only telling you these things. Will your backing be enough to keep you safe?”

“Or even to protect those around you?”

Yu Lingxue’s pupils contracted sharply.

What did she know?

“Don’t be so nervous. I’m not going to harm you.” Yu Yueheng placed a hand on Yu Lingxue’s shoulder.

Yu Lingxue understood Yu Yueheng was hinting at something and shook her head. “But you won’t help me either.”

Yu Yueheng was unreliable. It would be fortunate enough if she didn’t make things worse.

“You can ask.” Yu Yueheng patted her back.

“Mom, don’t joke with me.” Yu Lingxue knew better.

If her mother had that capability, she would have canceled this absurd engagement over a decade ago.

Everything had to rely on herself.

“Seriously, you can ask.” Yu Yueheng had seen the girl Yu Lingxue was dating.

Yu Lingxue might not have investigated her, but Yu Yueheng had.

From an embroidery family, ancestors were palace embroiderers. The girl was clean and cute.

Keeping someone safe, hiding them away Yu Yueheng thought she could probably manage that.

But if Yu Lingxue didn’t bring it up, she wouldn’t go out of her way.

“No, thanks.” Yu Lingxue shook her head. “I’m going to check on my sister.”

Another month passed.

Yu Qingluan stared at the chat window, slumped over the desk in the club’s rented study room, her eyes drooping.

Since Yu Lingxue said she’d be busy, they hadn’t properly met for another month.

The only time they saw each other was when she asked Yu Lingxue if they could have dinner.

They had a simple meal together.

After eating, before she could say anything, a call came through to Yu Lingxue.

And Yu Lingxue left.

With apologetic eyes.

But Yu Qingluan felt nothing.

As if she had expected it all along.

At least this time.

Yu Lingxue had told her.

That counted as progress, right?

Their agreement.

Yu Qingluan deliberately avoided thinking about it.

But the notification on her phone was blinking.

Their one year was about to expire.

Would Yu Lingxue be too busy to renew their contract?

Yu Qingluan almost laughed at herself.

The same worry she had three months ago was haunting her again.

What progress had they made in these three months?

Perhaps lovers didn’t need progress.

Just like how she still hadn’t heard about Yu Lingxue’s family or friends.

And she hadn’t mentioned her own family or friends to Yu Lingxue either.

Sometimes, recalling that week when they had a cold war and made up, or the month when Yu Lingxue was sick and she went to take care of her,

Yu Qingluan felt as if she were dreaming.

Dreaming that Yu Lingxue loved her.

But Yu Lingxue had said so.

Yu Qingluan pinched her wrist, coated with ointment.

She had made up her mind to believe Yu Lingxue’s words.

So she would wait.

On the night of the first snow, if Yu Lingxue still hadn’t contacted her, she would take the initiative to reach out one more time.

This time, she wouldn’t get angry with Yu Lingxue.

Yu Qingluan noted this down in her calendar.

“Qingluan, someone’s looking for you.” A junior from the club suddenly called out to her.

Yu Qingluan and Xiang Yan both looked up.

Xiang Yan had been obsessed with online dating lately, becoming a true phone addict.

“Shall I come with you?” Still, she put down her phone and asked Yu Qingluan.

“Sure. Who is it?” Yu Qingluan asked the junior.

“Not sure. She looks like someone from the working world wavy hair, blue with highlights, really bold earrings, and her lipstick is… death metal color.” The junior quietly described the person.

Yu Qingluan froze for a moment.

“That fiancee?” Xiang Yan gripped her shoulder, steadying her.

“I’m not sure if it’s true yet.” Yu Qingluan took a deep breath. Before she could step out, the person pushed the door open and entered directly.

“You’re Yu Qingluan, right?” Yan Wenying looked at Yu Qingluan sitting in the chair.

Her tone and gaze were both rather condescending.

“What do you want?” Yu Qingluan stood up, meeting her eye to eye.

“Break up with Yu Lingxue.”