Weakness Trap - Chapter 49

Yu Lingxue had gone mad.

She reappeared in the public eye not as Yan Lanshen’s wife, not as the rising star of the Yu family, nor even as the most gifted physician in a century. Instead, she emerged with her hair half-grayed, her body gaunt, and her eyes devoid of light directly challenging Yu Qingyuan for the position of heir.

Yu Lingxue had gone mad.

That was what everyone thought upon hearing the news.

The media scrambled to report on her, attempting to uncover the reasons for her madness. They dug into her family, her relatives, and her romantic history, even going so far as to visit Chucheng and Chu University to interview classmates connected to Yu Lingxue.

And then,

All those media outlets suffered. Editors in chief lost their jobs, never to be hired again. Company owners faced audits, with higher-ups in Gangcheng cracking down decisively even personally presenting Yu Lingxue with commendation banners for her contributions to tax enforcement.

No one knew how Yu Lingxue had managed it.

Perhaps she had long understood how those media organizations operated and had already gathered incriminating evidence. Perhaps, after those she cared about were maliciously slandered, she could no longer swallow her anger and finally took decisive action, swiftly seizing their vulnerabilities.

Rumors circulated that she had immersed herself in their circles, dining and socializing with them, maneuvering among them.

Whispers spread until even the whispers fell silent.

Yu Lingxue had connections with the upper echelons. She was on good terms with several other influential families. Some of them had been her patients; others had doctor-patient relationships with her mentors.

Thus, some claimed that Yu Lingxue had never wasted a single day of her life. Even the most seemingly ordinary days were reinterpreted as meticulously planned endurance. Every patient she treated, every mentor she sought, had been paving the way for this moment.

But who could truly know the truth?

The world only saw the Yu family finally emerging, gaining a presence in Gangcheng, being mentioned alongside the four great families, and aligning with the Yan family to venture into commerce.

And then, within just two years, they witnessed the Yu family’s power shift, frequent personnel changes, and gradual decline into obscurity, returning to their former role as a reclusive, medically focused clan.

Within the Yu family, her frenzied and ruthless methods left them too terrified to voice their anger.

At the time, Yu Qingyuan’s succession had been widely supported. For Yu Lingxue to publicly challenge her was already seen as sheer audacity.

Yet she had even presented terms compelling enough to make the elder council seriously consider whether Yu Qingyuan or Yu Lingxue was more suited for the position.

Setting aside her connections with the upper echelons regarding the entertainment company’s taxes, there was also the matter of her own influence.

She owned her own hospital, led her own team, and was even establishing her own research institute. Behind her stood titans in their fields a group of wealthy, dedicated biochemistry professors.

And then there was the Yan family.

Though the two had never held a wedding ceremony, the Yan family’s stance remained ambiguous. They never explicitly refused to support Yu Lingxue, though they never actually intervened either.

Yet the mere presence of the Yan family became a deterrent weighing heavily on the elder council.

They could avoid dealing with international figures, remain secluded in Gangcheng, and follow Yu Qingyuan’s vision to expand their business and build a medical empire.

But how could they bypass Yan Lanshen, the local power broker?

Before the elder council could untangle their dilemma, Yu Lingxue delivered yet another bombshell: she had divorced Yan Lanshen.

At that time, even the neutral members of the Yu family, who were still wavering between the two sides, thought Yu Lingxue had gone mad.

She had relied on the Yan family’s influence to get to where she was today, yet she declared a divorce as if it were nothing.

The Yan family had stakes in numerous fields, their capital stretching far and wide.

Without Yan Lanshen’s backing, how dare Yu Lingxue challenge Yu Qingyuan?

Later, they realized that even without the Yan family, Yu Lingxue had countless other resources to lean on.

Or perhaps, she had never truly regarded the Yan family as her support.

She even dared to hold the lives of influential elites in the balance, wielding this leverage while speaking to them gently, ensuring no one noticed just like a genuinely good doctor.

Aside from the Yu family, who knew she held so many threads that could explode at any moment?

Yet, she nonchalantly dropped this bombshell during a family meeting, refusing to elaborate further. She simply pressed a finger to her lips, demanding their silence.

At that time, Yu Lingxue had not fully recovered from her illness. She remained frail, her complexion pallid.

Her face was ghastly pale, her collarbones protruding, casting eerie shadows.

Her hair, mostly the white of a sorceress, made her seem like a bewitching spirit.

How could they dare disobey?

If this were to leak, the Yu family would be ruined!

The Yu family members grumbled incessantly, while some eagerly awaited the spectacle, curious to see how Yu Qingyuan would seize the opportunity to strike back.

Then, Yu Lingxue produced the instruments capable of curing those people.

Instruments only she could order to be manufactured.

It was at this point that the Yu family finally saw things clearly.

The choice before them was not between Yu Lingxue or Yu Qingyuan.

It was between transforming into a commercial enterprise, abandoning traditional acupuncture to develop pharmaceuticals and dominate the medical market,

Or integrating tradition with cutting edge technology to further solidify their leading position in the medical field.

If they chose the former, Yu Qingyuan’s methods were too soft and weak, incapable of ensuring the Yu family’s future survival.

If they chose the latter, everyone had witnessed over the past two years just how mad and audacious Yu Lingxue could be.

Moreover, the forces behind Yu Lingxue could guarantee the success of this innovation to the greatest extent.

With this, the battle between the two finally came to an end.

Yu Qingyuan lost. She lost completely.

Yu Lingxue earned a reputation for being inhuman, heartless, unfit to practice medicine, and more terrifying than a demon. Yet, she firmly grasped the seal of the heir.

She then announced that she would no longer practice medicine, stepping back from the front lines to focus on the family’s development, leaving all those who questioned her character speechless.

Looking back on her actions over the past two years, every step she took was perilous and fierce, as if a wild beast were chasing her, forcing her to stride so boldly that she risked shattering the cliff beneath her and plummeting into the abyss.

Yet, like the embodiment of a cunning spirit, she navigated every dangerous move flawlessly.

Some began to change their opinion of her, while others, though disliking her, reaped the benefits she brought and had no choice but to stay silent.

Some believed her madness was justified, even brilliant that to achieve greatness, one must be a little mad.

Others wondered what had driven her to such madness.

Later, they found out.

Yu Lingxue was mad for a person.

For someone who no longer existed.

During festivals and holidays, she would meticulously prepare gifts, neatly arranged as if “for” that person.

Every day, she would talk to that person’s photograph, or even a specially made doll, as if they were still there.

Whenever she went out, she carried a faint smile and that person’s photo.

The only time anyone saw her lose her composure in public was when a corner of the photo was accidentally bent.

Gradually, no one dared to bring it up to Yu Lingxue anymore.

She might genuinely have some mental issues.

Otherwise, why would she go to such lengths, pretending that person was still here?

“They all say I’m like a madwoman, fond of taking risks, every time I face you it’s like betting everything in a casino on an unfamiliar game.” It was an autumn night.

Yu Lingxue sat in the conference room, holding a bowl of hot soup, sipping it slowly.

Yu Qingyuan stood beside her, her face ashen, with a slightly cracked window behind her.

The autumn breeze gently brushed through Yu Qingyuan’s hair, stinging her face.

She didn’t blink, nor did she raise a hand to shield herself.

After today, she would be Yu Lingxue’s defeated opponent.

If she remained still, she might salvage some dignity.

Yu Qingyuan listened to the clinking of the spoon against the teacup and couldn’t help but shudder.

Some things, only when experienced firsthand, reveal the depth of the humiliation.

She knew why Yu Lingxue had chosen such a day, deliberately left the window open, and called her into the conference room just to watch her eat.

It was only three years ago that she had done the same to Yu Lingxue. Back then, it was Yu Lingxue who stood, and Yu Lingxue who had been as good as dead.

At that time, she could sit arrogantly, enjoying the wine delivered from afar.

Now, it was she who stood.

And she who was about to meet her end.

Yu Qingyuan caught sight of the doll beside Yu Lingxue’s desk, the upright photo, the thick diary, and finally averted her gaze.

If only she had spared Yu Lingxue and that woman back then.

But alas, there were no “if onlys.”

Such was her nature. Even if given a thousand chances, at that moment, she would have used any means necessary to eliminate Yu Lingxue as a threat and seize the advantage.

“But I think,” Yu Lingxue seemed to have finally finished her soup.

She set the bowl down on the table, picked through the dishes, and lifted a bite with her chopsticks.

“I truly am mad. Even the psychologist says I have mental issues.”

Yu Lingxue’s snow white hair swayed by her ears, her eyes smiling but hiding a sharp edge.

That edge was too sharp, too fearless, as if it could pierce through everything in the world, regardless of good or evil, black or white.

Only when it touched the photo beside her did it soften.

“I really am a madwoman. Every time they say I’m gambling, I actually have the winning hand.” Yu Lingxue turned her head to look at Yu Qingyuan.

“What does it feel like to be defeated by a madwoman?”

Yu Qingyuan curled her lips slightly. “You don’t need to demean yourself to humiliate me. You’re formidable.”

“Is that so?” But she truly was a bit abnormal.

How could a normal person occasionally see hallucinations?

She didn’t even know if they were hallucinations.

She just felt that Yu Qingluan was no longer here, wouldn’t appear in reality.

Like now.

She saw Yu Qingluan sitting beside her. Yu Qingluan still looked twenty, leaning against her, blowing on the steaming soup to cool it.

Or when she looked up, she could also see what Yu Qingyuan cared about most, what she feared most.

“Your mother has grown old too.” Yu Lingxue spoke to Yu Qingyuan but didn’t look at her, merely reaching out to touch the photo.

She thought she was touching Yu Qingluan’s face. But she also knew that Yu Qingluan was no longer here.

“I’ve already given up everything I have. Do you intend to eradicate the root?” Yu Qingyuan trembled for a moment her greatest fear had truly come to pass.

“I will no longer contend for power with you. I will no longer covet that position, nor harm your family or your loved ones. I no longer have the capability you have already gained everything. I beg you, I only beg you to spare my mother and me a way out.” Disregarding all dignity, Yu Qingyuan pleaded with Yu Lingxue.

She finally understood how resolute Yu Lingxue had been that day, able to make a decision in an instant far stronger than she could ever be.

She truly was weak. In such moments, all she knew was to beg for mercy.

“What are you talking about? Have you harmed anyone?” Yu Lingxue watched her calmly, without any hint of joy.

Eliminating Yu Qingyuan was merely one part of the plan.

It wasn’t that she harbored any particular hatred for Yu Qingyuan.

She had long lost the capacity for such emotions.

The person she hated most was herself.

“I think Northern Siberia is a good place,” Yu Lingxue declared, sealing the fate of Yu Qingyuan and the current family head.

Such a bitterly cold place. Yu Qingyuan bit her lip until it bled, but she could not utter another plea.

Yu Lingxue had already granted them a chance to survive.

Whether they could endure life in the frigid zone was entirely up to them.

After Yu Qingyuan left, Yu Lingxue closed the window and quietly finished her dinner.

“Little bird, thank you,” she said, watching Yu Qingluan help her tidy up, and she couldn’t help but smile.

But then, noticing that Yu Qingluan’s face and expression had remained unchanged for two years, she realized it was just an illusion.

Her smile faded along with the phantom of Yu Qingluan.

Yu Lingxue bit her lip hard, using the pain to regain a sliver of clarity.

She took out her diary, opened to the first page, and drew a large cross over Yu Qingyuan’s name.

Looking at the names that had yet to be crossed out, her heart twisted in pain once more.

She had been hurting for over two years.

It had been so long since she last saw Yu Qingluan. Of course, she would go mad.

But it didn’t matter.

She would hold onto the pain and remain clear-headed.

Until every name on that list was dealt with.

“Soon, little bird,” Yu Lingxue murmured, picking up the plush toy and holding it tightly against her chest, nuzzling its furry face.

It was a little wolf cub with a fierce expression and a tender heart.

It was her Qingluan. Her pitiful little wolf.

“Just a few more people. Once I’ve dealt with them, I’ll come to be with you.”

This time, she would stay with Qingluan forever.

No one could stop her.

After packing her things, Yu Lingxue headed to a small ancestral shrine nearby to offer incense for Yu Qingluan.

Lately, she had finally mustered the energy to reinvestigate the events of that year, searching all over Hua Nation for any trace of Yu Qingluan, hoping to find evidence that she was still alive.

But it was all in vain. Yu Qingluan was nowhere to be found in Chu City.

Yu Lingxue was now preparing to shift her search abroad.

She doubted it was likely.

She knew Yu Qingluan’s family circumstances they could barely afford to change their clothes throughout the year. How could they possibly have gone abroad?

Even when Li Ran helped her investigate, they started with the cities near Chu City.

Later, she learned that the Yu family had never been wealthy, yet they had managed to preserve their original intentions and uphold their craftsmanship, passing down the art of Chu embroidery through the generations.

Yu Lingxue sighed softly.

On the days when she found no leads, she resigned herself to the belief that she had truly caused Qingluan’s death.

But it didn’t matter. They would meet again soon.

She would go to join her, apologize, and see how she was doing.

Yu Lingxue lit three sticks of incense and sat in silence, watching them burn down to ash.

Then, tucking a photograph into her pocket and clutching the plush toy, she walked home step by step.

This was something she did every day. For the past two years, as long as she could get out of bed, she had never neglected it.

The diary, too. She hadn’t written today’s entry yet, but she would do it as soon as she returned home.

Yu Lingxue let out a soft breath.

The autumn night was already very cold. Tonight, with the slanting wind blowing, it felt cold enough to make one’s teeth chatter.

But Yu Lingxue didn’t feel the cold. As usual, she wore only a thin layer of clothing, which couldn’t conceal her frail body or her weary spirit.

She walked through a bustling street and remembered the Spring Festival two years ago, when she had seen Yu Qingluan here, who had come to Harbor City to look for her.

They had passed each other just like that Yu Qingluan speeding away in a car toward the distant traffic, while Yu Lingxue was surrounded by a group of insincere relatives, listening to hollow blessings and playing the part of a puppet controlled by others.

Yu Lingxue crossed a quiet residential area with few pedestrians and stepped onto the bridge leading home.

Her mind lingered on the diary entry she would write today, thinking of Yu Qingluan’s appearance, her gentle eyes and brows as soft as water.

The streetlights stood pale and solitary in place. The streetlights in Harbor City weren’t as bad as those in Chu City they didn’t flicker or dazzle the eyes.

Yet Yu Lingxue’s vision still blurred.

In the distance, she thought she saw a figure.

That figure seemed familiar the build, the aura all reminiscent of someone she knew, yet not quite the same as the one in her memories.

Yu Lingxue hesitated, then quickened her pace.

And then, she finally saw that face clearly. Tears fell before her mind could even process it.

“Is it you? Xiao Niao, have you come back?” Was this an illusion?

Yu Lingxue thought to herself that her hallucinations were truly getting worse. They could now fill the void of over two years and conjure up Yu Qingluan’s appearance at twenty-three.