Weakness Trap - Chapter 45

“Your family’s.” Zeng Lan handed the card to Yu Qingluan, and together they stood outside the intensive care unit, gazing through the glass at Yu Meiying, who lay unconscious in the hospital bed.

“Ah.” Zeng Lan didn’t know what else to say and could only pat Yu Qingluan’s back gently.

“Such a major incident let’s not talk about borrowing or repaying anymore. It was your design and your factory connections anyway. This money rightfully belongs to you.”

“But.” Yu Qingluan still wanted to decline, insisting they should split it equally.

“I’m just an employee, having worked as a salesperson in Hong Kong for a few months. Just pay me the sales salary for the next three months, and that’ll be enough.” Zeng Lan winked at her.

“Don’t feel embarrassed. The success of the product sales is mostly your credit. I was just sitting there handling the cash register.”

Thinking of her mother’s advice from a few days ago and appreciating Zeng Lan’s kindness, Yu Qingluan didn’t refuse any further.

“In a couple of years, I will definitely repay everything I owe you.” Yu Qingluan’s resolve grew stronger.

She wanted to establish her own brand. She wanted to break out into the world.

She dreamed of buying her mother a large villa and providing her grandmother with the best medical care.

She needed money, but even more, she needed fame and influence.

From now on, she had to be extremely cautious in everything she did, never allowing anyone to catch her off guard like this again.

The thought still sent a shiver down Yu Qingluan’s spine.

She no longer felt distressed.

Yu Lingxue was to her like the shop she had burned down a thing of the past. Whether Yu Lingxue was good or bad no longer mattered to her.

The only lesson she needed to learn was from the media coverage of this incident.

What if next time, her competitors resorted to such tricks, scheming behind her back and spreading rumors online?

She had to find a way to prevent it. She was about to turn twenty one an adult in any country or region.

She couldn’t afford to face challenges by simply wanting to escape or even end her life.

Over the next few days, Xiang Yan brought some gifts to show his concern. Yu Qingluan’s senior and junior sisters also rushed back to stay with her and keep watch over Yu Meiying.

“Teacher hasn’t been in good health these past few years and hasn’t taken on any new students. There are several promising talents in the academy who were hoping she would, but who knew this year she.” Junior sister Zhuang Chengwen’s eyes were filled with worry.

“At least she made it through the surgery.” Yu Qingluan sniffled, a bit congested from a cold, while flipping through the book she had been studying, which she was already more than halfway through.

“Yes, she’ll definitely be fine.” The junior sister was still young, having just started high school.

In middle school, she had to go to Yu Meiying’s house every week to be scolded. After starting high school, due to Yu Meiying’s declining health, it was reduced to once a month.

Who would have expected such a mishap to occur?

Senior sister Wang Yining was already working, employed at the same association as Yu Shuhua.

Leaning against the doorframe, she watched their teacher for a while before pulling Yu Qingluan aside.

“Your previous partner was she from Hong Kong?” Wang Yining frowned deeply as if recalling something.

“Just an ex-girlfriend.”

Wang Yining breathed a slight sigh of relief. “It’s chaotic over there class divisions, conflicts between the wealthy and the common people, It’s best to avoid associating with them.”

“We’ve already cut ties.” Yu Qingluan shook her head.

In this lifetime and the next, they would never cross paths again.

“Alright. I just wanted to tell you that your grandmother wouldn’t have seen the news about Harbor City for no reason.” Wang Yining also searched for it. The news had likely been suppressed, as it took a lot of scrolling to find it.

Still, she had glimpsed the ugly side of the media and understood why Yu Meiying had been so enraged that she ended up in the hospital.

“What does Senior know?” Yu Qingluan looked up, her gaze trembling slightly.

“Not much. I work at the association and have heard some rumors. You’ve probably heard from Aunt Shuhua that the association is divided into factions, with intense internal conflicts, right?”

Wang Yining leaned against the railing, gazing into the distance, her voice soft.

Yu Qingluan thought for a moment. “I’ve heard a little, but I don’t know the details.”

“No matter. You can ask her about it later. The Art Association has lost its way. Many people join just to polish their resumes or for personal gain. Pure artists like our teacher are naturally disliked and resented by them. And with her fiery temper, her age, and the many students she’s taught over the years, she’s widely respected.”

Yu Qingluan steadied herself, beginning to grasp what Wang Yining was implying.

“I’ve only heard this,” Wang Yining added, turning her head slightly.

“A while ago, the two old men from the Li family visited our teacher frequently. I don’t know what they discussed, but shortly after, she fell ill. It can’t be a coincidence.” Wang Yining placed a hand on Yu Qingluan’s shoulder.

“Don’t act impulsively. If this is the only thing they’ve done, neither of us has any proof and even if we did, it wouldn’t matter. No one could hold them accountable.”

Yu Qingluan took a deep breath, unable to hide the anger in her eyes.

Yes, she had been careless. She was still too naive, not steady enough in her actions.

But was that any reason for those people to use it as a weapon against her family?

Especially when her grandmother was so old and her poor health was well known.

It was deliberate, yet nearly impossible to prove.

“Keep striving, Qingluan. I actually have high hopes for you and Zenglan’s endeavors.” Wang Yining patted her shoulder and gave her a reassuring smile.

Yu Qingluan recalled what Wang Yining had said during the New Year.

“If I really make it big, will you invest?” She was planning to start her own brand, and she wouldn’t be doing it alone.

It was perfect. She had her senior and junior sisters, and they, in turn, had connections in the embroidery world.

These were her foundational networks.

“Of course. I promised you, didn’t I? When have I ever joked with you?”

Wang Yining spoke with ease and calm.

Yu Qingluan’s expression turned solemn. “Wait for me.”

Wang Yining was taken aback.

It seemed that one of the two children who used to follow her around, asking how to embroider, had already grown up.

“Alright,” Wang Yining replied with equal seriousness.

Back in the hospital room, Yu Qingluan glanced at Zhuang Chengwen, who was embroidering, and wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

“What’s up, Little Senior?” Zhuang Chengwen set down her work.

Yu Meiying had taken on three apprentices.

Zhuang Chengwen was the most talented. At just sixteen, her embroidery already surpassed that of her two seniors, showing glimpses of Yu Meiying’s former brilliance.

Unfortunately, Zhuang Chengwen was unconventional, her mind filled with wild ideas, and only half her focus was on embroidery, which was why Yu Meiying scolded her daily.

“By the way, Little Senior, where’s your partner?” she whispered, leaning in conspiratorially.

Yu Qingluan replied calmly, “We broke up.”

“Oh, are you looking for someone prettier?” Her junior’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“No, I’m planning to focus seriously on my career.” Look at this gossipy attitude.

Fortunately, Yu Meiying hadn’t woken up yet. Otherwise, Zhuang Chengwen would have gotten scolded again.

“Oh, career is good. Ambitious women should focus on their careers.” Zhuang Chengwen was an absolute yes-woman, agreeing with whatever you said.

Yu Qingluan smiled wryly. “When you grow up, do you want to work with me on building a career and making big money?”

“Okay… but how old do I need to be?” Zhuang Chengwen almost agreed immediately but then hesitated.

“College age. Not too old. Just about two more years. You can work part-time for me then and earn some pocket money.” Yu Qingluan tempted her junior with the prospect of pocket money.

Zhuang Chengwen was indeed tempted and nodded in agreement.

Two more days passed, and Yu Meiying finally woke up.

When she saw Yu Qingluan, she raised her finger to point at her again, almost gasping for breath.

Yu Qingluan had no choice but to quickly leave the hospital room.

“I’ve really had enough.” Yu Shuhua pulled her daughter along as they headed home, scolding all the way.

“Mom, that’s your mother.” Yu Qingluan didn’t dare say much.

“Exactly, because she’s my mother that I can scold her.” Yu Shuhua said irritably.

Just look at this person. In her seventies or eighties, she worked herself into the hospital out of anger. After undergoing surgery, hey, she’s still angry at her granddaughter.

Yu Qingluan hadn’t even done anything. The old lady read some report and took it as truth, getting so angry she ruined her health.

“You should go to M Country first. Stay away for these two months. I’m truly speechless.” As Yu Shuhua spoke, she pulled out the suitcase she had packed earlier with Yu Qingluan.

“I won’t be going with you. Have fun and study well over there. Don’t shortchange yourself. I heard the food there is terrible, remember to cook for yourself.”

Yu Shuhua sent Yu Qingluan to Zeng Lan’s place, repeating her instructions over and over.

Yu Qingluan nodded. “I’ll be fine. Mom, we’ll video call!”

Back at the hospital, Yu Shuhua looked at Yu Meiying lying in bed with a sour expression, surrounded by students. She casually pulled over a chair, sat down with a thud, and then ignored Yu Meiying.

Yu Meiying didn’t want to deal with her either, so she pulled Zhuang Chengwen over to ask about her recent studies and what embroidery she had been working on.

The atmosphere in the hospital room froze to an icy point. Wang Yining was fine as an adult who had experienced some storms, she could remain calm.

Zhuang Chengwen was frightened by the atmosphere and gradually fell silent, shrinking her neck and hiding behind her senior sister, not daring to speak.

“Where is she?” After a long time, Yu Meiying finally spoke.

“Sent away. What, do you want her to stay here waiting for you to scold her? Listen to you spewing nonsense with that terrible temper?” Yu Shuhua didn’t look at her, keeping her nose in the air.

“How dare you speak to your mother like that? Shouldn’t I scold her? Such a big incident, she’s disgraced us throughout Hong Kong she deserves to be scolded, deserves to be beaten!” As Yu Meiying spoke, she started looking around for something to hit with.

“You’re not young anymore, yet you still can’t distinguish right from wrong, only know how to spoil her. Look at you see what you’ve turned her into!”

This was a hospital room there was nothing around for Yu Meiying to use for hitting.

Yu Shuhua took advantage of this moment to send the two younger ones out, then closed the door, determined to have it out with Yu Meiying.

“You’re the one who’s acting childish, jumping to conclusions without knowing the facts, believing every rumor you hear. Can you even trust what the media says? They’re the biggest rumor-mongers out there. And especially Hong Kong media they love exaggerating for attention. If you did one thing, they’d claim you did nine; if you did nothing, they’d dig up false evidence to make it seem like you did seven. You wronged my Luan’er, got yourself so worked up you ended up in the operating room with a 60% risk of not making it, and now you’re awake and still haven’t learned your lesson, still scolding her. Who else should I blame if not you?” Yu Shuhua’s resentment didn’t just stem from this one incident.

She and Yu Meiying had been at odds for years, ever since they were young, shouting and arguing across the yard the kind of mother-daughter relationship where Yu Shuhua always ended up on the receiving end of the beatings.

Yu Meiying was momentarily silenced by her words, but her anger quickly flared up again. “If she didn’t do anything wrong, why would people say these things? The news was everywhere, I saw it as soon as I opened the homepage! Have you even seen how many people are criticizing her in the comments? If I don’t discipline her, and you don’t say anything, how will she ever learn?”

“Yes, your idea of discipline is nothing but yelling and hitting. I grew up with that. But my daughter will not be subjected to your torment again.”

The two of them truly started arguing, their voices so loud they attracted the nurse from next door who was changing dressings.

The nurse opened the door and saw the patient, who had just been moved to the observation room after narrowly escaping danger, already arguing with a family member.

“Oh dear, what’s going on here?” She hurried over to intervene. “Family members, please don’t argue with the patient during this time. No matter how upset you are, wait until the patient has recovered. And you, patient, you mustn’t get agitated right now. Anger can aggravate your condition, and you’ve worked so hard to recover.”

The nurse, strong and sturdy, easily separated the two who were practically nose-to-nose in their argument. “Especially since the patient’s injury is in the head. Ma’am, let’s talk things out calmly.” She spent a long time patiently persuading them, and only when she saw that both had turned away and showed no intention of continuing the argument did she dare to leave.

Yu Shuhua didn’t say anything more, but she had no intention of speaking to Yu Meiying either.

Every day, she wore a sour expression, tossing meals in front of Yu Meiying without a word, waiting for news from her daughter.

Yu Meiying, though furious, didn’t dare to vent her anger. She rolled her eyes a few times but still had to eat obediently.

Yu Qingluan safely arrived in the U.S., settled into her accommodation, and even cooked a meal using the dormitory stove, sending a photo to Yu Shuhua.

Yu Shuhua finally brightened up, but she still refused to speak to Yu Meiying.

One day, as Yu Shuhua was returning home, she spotted someone from afar.

She watched as the person lingered near her doorstep, her brows furrowing tightly.

It had been months. This person had caused her daughter so much pain, and now they were showing up at her home again.

What did they want?

Yu Shuhua adjusted her expression, then adopted a defensive posture as she walked over.

“What are you doing here?” Yu Shuhua’s voice startled Yu Lingxue.

“Auntie, I.” Yu Lingxue covered her throat, coughing, and wheeled her chair back a step.

Only then did Yu Shuhua get a clear look at Yu Lingxue’s face.

Compared to how she had looked during the New Year, Yu Lingxue had grown drastically thinner. A young woman in her twenties, her face was gaunt and pale, devoid of color, ashen with a bluish tint.

Her hair was even more alarming half black, half white, like a demon or a man-eating monster from a ghost story.

Coupled with the bloodshot eyes, Yu Shuhua was genuinely startled.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to disturb. I’m sorry.” Yu Lingxue apologized while sliding her wheelchair backward, making space for Yu Shuhua.

“I, I just wanted to know, Qingluan… how is Qingluan doing?” Yu Lingxue covered her mouth, biting her lip so hard she could barely speak.

Originally, her health hadn’t been this poor. It shouldn’t have exhausted her so much just to take a flight.

But now, for some reason, she couldn’t even hold a needle, let alone treat herself or diagnose what was wrong.

Her condition was deteriorating day by day. She had practically dragged herself to Chu City with her last ounce of strength.

“Fine? What’s fine about it!” Yu Shuhua averted her gaze.

“Get away from here. You’re not welcome.” She threw her things on the ground, picked up a broom, and swung it at Yu Lingxue.

“You made my daughter suffer so much. What’s the use of coming to beg now?” Yu Shuhua hesitated for a moment before actually striking, but then, remembering her daughter’s heart-wrenching state during that time, she went through with it.

Yu Lingxue took the hit without a sound, only her wheelchair jolted backward and wobbled from the impact.

“I’m sorry, I, I won’t disturb her. I just.” Yu Lingxue still had the strength to lift her head and look inside the house, hoping to catch a glimpse of that figure.

But she saw nothing, not even Yu Qingluan’s shoes.

Yu Lingxue’s pupils constricted sharply. “Qingluan is she alright? Is she still alive? She didn’t die, did she? No…”

Her emotions surged, and she even struggled to stand up from her wheelchair.

She stumbled forward, collapsing to the ground, with no one to help her up.

Yu Lingxue looked toward the interior of the house and found no trace of Yu Qingluan at all.

“Bah! Don’t you know what you’ve done? You harmed my daughter, and you have the nerve to show your face here!” Yu Shuhua suddenly understood.

It must have been the fire that made Yu Lingxue think she was dead.

Good. That should keep her away from her Luan’er. At least her daughter wouldn’t be troubled anymore.

“When she was still here, you didn’t cherish her, you weren’t good to her! I know all about how she waited for you, how she treated you. My Qingluan owes you nothing. What more do you want? To harm her again?” Yu Shuhua followed Yu Lingxue’s line of questioning.

Yu Lingxue looked up, dazed, staring at Yu Shuhua.

Her head buzzed dully, as if someone had struck her with a club and doused her in cold water.

Then she crawled forward, clutching at Yu Shuhua’s clothes. “Is she really gone? No, it can’t be, it’s impossible Qingluan, how could she just be gone? Please, I beg you, don’t lie to me.”