Weakness Trap - Chapter 50

The pale white streetlights stabbed at Yu Lingxue’s eyes like needles.

Yet Yu Qingluan’s figure remained hidden within the glare, her silhouette blurred into a shadowy mass against the light.

Yu Lingxue forced her eyes open, fixing them intently on that direction.

This was a deserted path, where an occasional cyclist might pass by, or a drunken soul might sway and cling to the bridge railing.

The bridge was narrow and long, with a steady stream of traffic flowing beneath it on the smooth asphalt road.

Late at night, the cars were few. When Yu Lingxue caught sight of Yu Qingluan’s face, not a single vehicle roared past.

The entire city had fallen silent. Yu Lingxue couldn’t even hear her own heartbeat.

Yet her heart was racing, tugging at her until the pain resurfaced.

The agony, long absent, now surged with unmistakable clarity, intensifying to a point Yu Lingxue could no longer bear.

Tears welled up one by one, drowning her voice and emotions before she could even speak.

“Little bird.” Yu Lingxue confirmed, her voice hoarse, enunciating each word deliberately.

Yu Qingluan seemed to be walking slowly.

Far away from her, yet somehow also very close.

Mottled light and shadow played across Yu Qingluan’s form, flickering with her tears, coalescing into shadows from head to toe. Yu Lingxue relied on memory to make out Yu Qingluan’s face.

The Yu Qingluan of her memories was slightly shorter. Always with pursed lips and a faint furrow in her brow.

Her hair was unruly, tied into a ponytail, yet stray strands always clung to her face. She would constantly tuck them back, as if her worried expression stemmed from the annoyance of those flyaway hairs.

Her attire was that of a student clean and fresh, with a shirt, jacket, and cropped pants. The occasional accessory was handmade.

Now, Yu Lingxue saw a dark green coat embroidered with exquisite pavilion birds, layered black linings, and clever details gathered at the collar. A brooch trailed golden threads from the inside out.

The layered skirt reached her calves, fluttering lightly as if dusted with snow, its bold design intertwined with plum branches.

Two years had left no shadows on her face but had instead carved an air of gentle maturity.

The worried brow remained, yet her lips were no longer pursed just a thin line, tinted a watery red that made her appear more aloof and elegant. Paired with the traditional Chinese patterns of her clothing, she resembled a scholar holding a long scroll, exuding an aura that kept strangers at bay.

Whether in presence or attire,

the person before her had matured immensely.

Bold and noble, yet never lacking in elegance and grace.

At first glance, it was hard to connect her with that low profile, slow paced girl from the misty water towns, painted in muted grays.

Yet Yu Lingxue had recognized Yu Qingluan at first sight.

This was a narrow bridge. If they continued to approach each other, Yu Lingxue could even reach out and take Yu Qingluan’s hand.

So Yu Lingxue took a step forward, then broke into a light run, closing the distance.

She saw the light transform into stardust, filling her vision, connecting into a horizon, linking skyscrapers.

In a daze, Yu Qingluan seemed to vanish. Blinking, she reappeared as if on the other side of a mirror, the far shore of a body of water.

Yu Lingxue slowed her steps.

She couldn’t tell if this was reality or an illusion.

Was she alive and Yu Qingluan dead, or was she dead and Yu Qingluan alive?

It felt as if an entire world lay between them, separated by over a thousand and thirty days.

Yet Yu Lingxue still spoke, foolishly, unwilling to let go of this half-real, half-illusory chance.

If this was an illusion, then this time she must be gravely ill, to conjure up a Yu Qingluan so vivid.

Let her be truly mad, then.

“Qingluan, I know it’s you, it must be you,” Yu Lingxue had so much she wanted to say.

The words she had never spoken, the words she could never tire of saying, the words she had repeated a thousand times.

The words that filled six diaries.

She wanted to say them all to Yu Qingluan.

But what if this was the real Yu Qingluan?

Yu Lingxue fell silent, unsure where to begin.

“I, I’ve missed you so much.” Should she start with longing?

“No, that’s not it I’m sorry. Qingluan, I’m sorry.” Or should she apologize first?

“That’s not right either, little bird, I” She couldn’t possibly confess her love first.

“I’m sorry.” In the end, Yu Lingxue could only murmur her apologies to Yu Qingluan, over and over again.

Yu Qingluan walked so slowly, as if an autumn wind spirit had pressed pause for her, leaving only a silhouette of light gliding past.

In the blink of an eye, Yu Qingluan had truly passed by, brushing past Yu Lingxue’s side without sparing her a single glance.

Yu Lingxue turned hurriedly to watch Yu Qingluan’s retreating figure.

That figure showed no hesitation, striding resolutely toward the other side of the bridge.

Yu Lingxue followed a few steps before stopping in confusion, rooted to the spot.

Was this the Bridge of Forgetfulness she was crossing?

Was what she saw a spirit or a reflection?

Did she exist, or was she already dead?

Yu Lingxue shivered and ached from the autumn wind, yet felt nothing, her dull eyes wide open, staring into the empty distance. There were only pale, ghostly lamps illuminating withered, fallen leaves.

There was only silence, deathly still, where even the wind refused to tread upon the leaves and create a rustling melody.

Yu Lingxue stood there for a long time until,

The tip of her nose was pierced by a belated scent of bergamot.

It carried the freshness of tea leaves, hiding a spring waltz within.

That wasn’t Yu Qingluan’s scent.

Not the scent Yu Lingxue was familiar with.

Wiping her tears, Yu Lingxue stood dazed as she realized something.

Her hallucinations never simulated Yu Qingluan wearing new clothes or wearing new perfume.

Hallucinations came from memory, and she had never seen Yu Qingluan like this before.

What she had seen was the real Yu Qingluan.

Yu Qingluan was still alive!

Yu Qingluan finished listening to the quarterly report from her employees, tucked her hands into her pockets, leaned against a railing, and indifferently watched the passersby.

“We can’t let this disrupt our new collection plan. The ‘Tea Scented Sparks’ theme must launch by year end. Adjust the sales strategy based on last quarter’s summary.”

Yu Qingluan took a deep breath, pulled a piece of candy from her pocket, popped it into her mouth, and held it there without biting.

The hard candy’s rich sweetness slowly dissolved. Yu Qingluan relaxed slightly and continued, “How are the preparations for the year-end fashion show coming along?”

“Yes, we need to be fully prepared. Have Selina conduct the interviews one by one, I want to see the summaries. Anyone who doesn’t meet political standards is not to be hired. We must be strict in this regard. I’m here to promote culture, not to let anyone steal or belittle it. If they don’t appreciate it, they shouldn’t take my money. Other than that, don’t be too rigid about body shape or appearance. We’re not just focusing on haute couture in the future; we’ll have ready to wear lines and cater to the general public.”

“I thought that was my domain. I don’t want women to have to harshly critique themselves to experience beauty. What do you think?”

Listening to the report on the other end of the phone, Yu Qingluan finally bit into the candy.

A cool, spicy flavor rushed down her throat. She channeled her frustration into the sharp sensation, then swallowed it down.

The scene from earlier left no impression in her mind.

She had merely noticed it.

She passed by someone. A person she had known in the past but would have no connection with in the future.

That was all.

The matters her employees were reporting through her earphones were thousands of times more important than that.

Yu Qingluan hung up the call and wrote an email to another team of employees, outlining key points to note.

Calling them employees wasn’t entirely accurate. Her studio was still too small, and she handled most tasks herself. These few people were her seniors and juniors from school, essentially her assistants.

For the short term, Yu Qingluan had no plans to establish a company. For now, she would continue operating under the name of her studio as an independent designer.

Zeng Lan’s company would serve as her support.

Yu Qingluan savored the lingering sweetness of the candy in her mouth, then made another call as she walked toward the storefront she had rented in Hong Kong.

“I couldn’t get through to you earlier. Who were you having a long chat with this time?” Zeng Lan’s teasing tone immediately lifted Yu Qingluan’s gloomy mood.

“Who else? Your so-called ‘little sweetheart,’ Lyra.”

Zeng Lan understood. “Is it about them suppressing you? I just found out too. It’s ridiculous. They’ve been targeting you since school, and even after graduation. I have no idea what that old man is thinking.”

“Why bother about him? It’s not the first time this has happened. Anyway, I’ve already prepared the new collection. I’ll need your help with the promotion.”

Two years had passed. Yu Qingluan had excelled in her studies, graduating without failing any courses. In addition to her major in design, she had minored in data analysis.

She had also made many friends. At first, she befriended anyone and everyone, which led to some hardships. But over time, she became more adept at navigating relationships, learning to keep her distance from those with questionable character in a timely manner.

Now, more than half a year after graduation, her studio had officially launched two clothing collections.

The first season’s collection sold out instantly, while the second season faced some setbacks.

But it didn’t matter. She was already working on adjustments.

As for Zeng Lan, her previously mass market company had begun to build a reputation and was now in the midst of a transformation, focusing more on design and quality.

They planned to formally merge the studio under the company’s name by the end of the next year, laying the foundation for launching their brand in the future.

Upon entering her home, Yu Qingluan locked the door and set her things down.

Hearing the clattering sounds from the other end of the line, Zeng Lan sighed.

“Why did you set up your first studio branch in Hong Kong? Couldn’t you have returned to Chucheng?”

“Hong Kong is more developed in every aspect. Isn’t our company registered here too? I thought it would be more convenient in the long run. Chucheng doesn’t even have an airport. If I want to go abroad, I’d have to take a bus for hours.”

Yu Qingluan understood what Zeng Lan was worried about.

“Don’t worry, Lanlan. I’m not the person I used to be. I won’t make the same mistakes again, letting others take advantage of me or bowing and scraping.”

Thinking back to the scene earlier, Yu Qingluan added, “Besides, she might not even come to bother me again.”

“Hard to say.” Yu Qingluan hadn’t heard, but Zeng Lan had listened as Xiang Yan couldn’t resist sharing all the gossip.

Including how Xiang Yan and Yu Shuhua had once pretended Yu Qingluan was no longer around to stop Yu Lingxue from further harassment.

“I just saw her earlier, and she didn’t even approach me. Maybe she’s forgotten about me and is living a quiet life with her wife now.”

Yu Qingluan mentioned the earlier encounter, hoping to reassure Zeng Lan.

“You ran into her?!” To her surprise, Zeng Lan grew even more anxious.

“Yes, we did run into each other, but it was just a coincidence. I didn’t look at her, and she didn’t approach me. To be honest, I barely recognized her, and I’m sure she felt the same Oh, don’t worry so much, I’m really not a child anymore. Besides, how could I give up such a huge market as Harbor City just because of someone irrelevant?” Yu Qingluan quickly tried to reassure.

“Send me some products, and I’ll try selling them while also exploring other business opportunities in Harbor City.” With that, Yu Qingluan hung up on Zeng Lan, who was still grumbling discontentedly on the other end.

She let out a sigh, retreated into her study, and immersed herself in studying market economics while refining the product samples she had created.

A few days later, Yu Qingluan went to her studio to inspect the progress. She arranged the products Zeng Lan had sent and displayed some of her own embroidery work from over the years to enhance the shop’s appearance.

As soon as she opened the door, she spotted a familiar figure standing far across the street, partially hidden behind a tree, peeking out with a pair of watchful eyes.

Yu Qingluan froze mid-action.