Weakness Trap - Chapter 58

Yu Lingxue glanced at the number again and fell silent for a moment.

[How did you find this new number?] She remembered she had blocked Yan Lanshen countless times.

[Sorry. I need to discuss something with you.] Yan Lanshen’s words were icy.

Yu Lingxue had no desire to engage with her and was about to set her phone aside when another message arrived.

[Not even interested in discussing a collaboration?]

Yu Lingxue’s gaze sharpened.

She couldn’t recall any collaboration between her and Yan Lanshen.

If anything, she considered it a victory that she hadn’t dismantled Yan Lanshen’s influence yet.

The matter was still in the planning stages; at most, they had reached a tentative balance.

Yan Lanshen hadn’t targeted her or Yu Qingluan after her divorce, and Yu Lingxue hadn’t immediately turned her focus on Yan Lanshen once she had consolidated her power.

But Yan Lanshen knew it was only a matter of time. The fate that befell Yu Qingyuan would inevitably befall Yan Lanshen at least, that was Yu Lingxue’s plan.

Yu Lingxue remained vigilant against any moves Yan Lanshen might make against the Yu family or Yu Qingluan, especially the latter.

Since Yu Qingluan’s appearance in Hong Kong, everyone watching Yu Lingxue had taken note Yan Lanshen would be no exception.

Before Yu Lingxue could ask, Yan Lanshen took the initiative and sent her the name of a company.

[This is also mine. Still not interested?]

Yu Lingxue stared at the name, genuinely surprised.

She had assumed Yan Lanshen would guard her assets more closely.

It was difficult for Yu Lingxue to uncover which businesses were under Yan Lanshen’s control, just as she kept her own new investments under wraps after taking over the Yu family.

Was Yan Lanshen underestimating her, or did she believe Yu Lingxue wouldn’t seek revenge?

[You have quite a few assets.] Yu Lingxue carefully typed the words.

[If you want to know more, let’s meet.]

Yan Lanshen was… shameless. Now she was threatening her.

Yu Lingxue promptly recorded the matter in her notes. She couldn’t afford to act this way when pursuing Yu Qingluan it would only annoy her.

Seeing that Yu Lingxue hadn’t replied for a few minutes, Yan Lanshen sent another message.

[I can apologize to you.]

Yu Lingxue nearly laughed in disbelief.

Before she could make a sound, she remembered she was waiting for an interview and stifled it.

[The last thing I need is an apology.] After typing her response, Yu Lingxue made the same seemingly outrageous demand she had made over the past two years one she was 80% confident about.

[I want 50% of the shares. If you agree, send the time and location.]

Previously, Yu Lingxue had asked for 40%.

Though it was only a 10% difference, if Yan Lanshen agreed, full ownership of the project would effectively fall into Yu Lingxue’s hands.

If Yu Lingxue later decided to seize the profits outright, Yan Lanshen would have no recourse.

Half an hour later, Yu Lingxue received the time and location.

She knew she had gambled correctly.

In matters unrelated to Yu Qingluan, Yu Lingxue had never lost a bet.

Only when it came to Yu Qingluan did she sometimes tread too cautiously or, at other times, seem overly intrusive.

She could only follow her heart.

When Selina called her in for the interview, Yu Lingxue took a deep breath and turned off her phone.

Somehow, the interruption from Yan Lanshen had eased her nerves a little.

As she stood up, a thought suddenly struck her.

When it came to Yu Qingluan, did she even need Yu Lingxue’s apology?

What did she want instead?

Pushing open the office door, Yu Lingxue’s heart tightened at the sight of the person sitting at the edge of the room.

Whatever it was, she would give it.

She would find what Yu Qingluan needed. One day, she would.

Selina began questioning Yu Lingxue point by point based on the resume she had submitted, delving into numerous details for each item.

Perhaps because Yu Qingluan was present, Selina seemed more animated than during the previous interview.

Yu Lingxue, however, grew increasingly nervous. Midway through her responses, she even stumbled over her words.

“It’s alright, have some water. I understand you’re nervous,” Selina said, handing Yu Lingxue another cup of water.

Noticing the slight tremor in Selina’s fingertips, Yu Lingxue suddenly understood Selina was nervous too.

Was it because of Yu Qingluan? What was their relationship? Had they known each other before?

During a break, Yu Qingluan picked up Yu Lingxue’s resume and casually flipped through it.

She had already read it three times this was merely for show.

Just as Selina was about to ask the next question, Yu Qingluan raised her hand to interrupt.

“How much do you know about Chu embroidery?” she asked in Chinese.

Naturally, Yu Lingxue replied in Chinese. “I really admire Chu embroidery. It’s one of China’s four major embroidery styles, renowned for its vividness and intricacy.”

Yu Qingluan studied this “Glacier,” finding her neither familiar nor unfamiliar just a fashionable and fairly typical Asian girl.

The introduction was neither exceptional nor lacking; it was clear she had some understanding of Chu embroidery, though somewhat superficial.

After elaborating on the characteristics of Chu embroidery, Yu Lingxue skillfully shifted the conversation to notable Chu embroidery works in recent years, subtly steering the topic toward Yu Qingluan.

Finally intrigued, Yu Qingluan engaged in the discussion.

They moved from embroidery patterns to stitching techniques, and when double-sided embroidery and triple-variation embroidery were mentioned, Yu Lingxue naturally expressed admiration and awe.

This was a topic she had prepared.

Three years ago, when she was with Yu Qingluan, she had already learned about Chu embroidery.

Back then, her understanding was superficial she only needed to know the basics to compliment Yu Qingluan.

Now, she had revisited the subject and studied the materials. While not yet an expert, she could at least answer any question Yu Qingluan posed.

“My grandmother knows this craft,” Yu Qingluan sighed softly.

If Glacier’s character proved satisfactory, the assistant position would likely be hers.

“I tried my hand at a small piece. I can show you,” Yu Qingluan said, opening her phone to search for the image.

Yu Lingxue’s mind raced.

Three years ago, Yu Qingluan hadn’t yet mastered double-sided embroidery.

The thought made her realize how cruel time could be, how swiftly and distantly it had passed.

In places unknown to her, Yu Qingluan had already become capable of completing a double-sided embroidery piece on her own.

Typically, double-sided embroidery is a collaborative effort between master and apprentice or among sisters in the craft.

Since Yu Qingluan hadn’t mentioned anyone else, she had likely done it alone.

“Has it been published?” Yu Lingxue leaned in to look, then quickly sat back, realizing she might have overstepped.

Yu Qingluan slid her phone closer. “No, the old masters criticized it, saying it wasn’t good enough and that I should redo it. So, it hasn’t been made public yet.”

“Even this was criticized?” Yu Lingxue proceeded to praise the embroidery.

Yu Qingluan had embroidered peonies and butterflies. The front featured orange-white-edged peonies paired with turquoise butterflies, while the reverse side displayed pink peonies with yellow centers accompanied by orange-red butterflies with black edges.

Whether in color coordination or the ambiance conveyed by the imagery, Yu Qingluan had executed it beautifully.

So lifelike that Yu Lingxue felt as if she were wandering through a sea of flowers, able to reach out and play with the fluttering butterflies.

Yu Qingluan seemed somewhat embarrassed by the praise, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

“But this is my grandmother’s work,” she said, pulling out another set of photographs.

Yu Lingxue had seen these embroideries before.

Yet, seeing them again, she was still rendered speechless by their beauty.

From the front to the side, the embroidery vividly depicted the transitions of spring, summer, morning, and dusk, as well as the transformation of a beauty from youth to old age.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that it captured an entire lifetime on a piece of cloth.

After viewing this masterpiece, Yu Lingxue couldn’t help but find Yu Qingluan’s work somewhat plain in comparison.

Yu Lingxue steadied herself. “You’re only in your twenties. You’ll surely create works that rival your predecessors in the future.”

She had almost forgotten that Yu Qingluan was still in her twenties.

Yu Qingluan let out a light, noncommittal laugh.

She studied the person before her, thinking she seemed quite pleasant, and took a few more careful glances.

Then she asked, “Why is your face so red? Is the heating in here too high?”

Only then did Yu Lingxue realize she had been so immersed in the joy of speaking with Yu Qingluan that she had grown dizzy and uncomfortably warm.

“No, it’s nothing Maybe I applied too much powder,” she replied, unwilling to admit the truth and blaming it on her makeup.

But her face hadn’t been this red earlier. Yu Qingluan didn’t want her assistant to have any underlying health issues and frowned slightly.

Other positions might be manageable, but an assistant had to accompany her on various tasks, potentially traveling across countries and even helping fend off paparazzi when necessary.

Poor health simply wouldn’t do.

Yu Qingluan leaned in slightly closer. “You don’t mind, do you?”

She raised her hand and gently touched Yu Lingxue’s forehead.

Yu Lingxue nearly jumped out of her skin and stumbled backward.

She quickly pinched her palm and clenched her teeth, careful not to show any unusual reaction.

Yu Qingluan’s touch lasted only a second.

In that single second, Yu Lingxue broke out in more sweat than she had in the entire past hour.

As Yu Qingluan withdrew her hand, Yu Lingxue struggled to calm down, barely daring to breathe, her chest heaving uncontrollably.

“Do you have a fever?” Yu Qingluan touched her own forehead as well.

“P-perhaps.” Yu Lingxue stammered, her gaze avoiding Yu Qingluan and drifting to the side.

She wanted to ask if Yu Qingluan would treat other interviewees the same way.

But she managed to bite back the question before it escaped her lips.

“A-are there any more questions?” Yu Lingxue asked, her head bowed low.

Yu Qingluan finally let her off the hook. “No, that’s all. Do you have any questions about our studio?”

Yu Lingxue took a deep breath.

This part was crucial. She needed to show curiosity about the company and enthusiasm for the position.

She inquired about the salary, working hours, and location.

When she finally stepped out of the studio, a tear rolled down her cheek.

Yu Lingxue took over a dozen deep breaths before her heartbeat gradually returned to its normal pace.

She hailed a taxi back to her accommodation, and only then did she dare to clutch her pillow and blanket, letting out a series of soft, muffled screams.

Then, she touched her forehead the spot Yu Qingluan had touched still felt burning hot.

She pinched her cheek, and her face and ears remained flushed with heat.

Exhaling slowly, she tasted a metallic tang in her mouth.

It was stagnant blood that had accumulated in her body for too long. She never thought it would be expelled one day.

Yu Lingxue felt noticeably lighter.

After lying on her bed for over ten minutes to calm down, she opened her phone, composed an email, and sent it out.

She couldn’t imagine Yu Qingluan having anyone else as her personal assistant.

She couldn’t imagine Yu Qingluan touching someone else’s face, eating and living with someone else even if it was just for business trips.

She absolutely, absolutely had to secure this assistant position.

Selina replied to Yu Lingxue a day later, saying it would take a week to finalize the results.

Yu Lingxue had no choice but to wait, so she returned to Hong Kong in the meantime.

Yan Lanshen had something to discuss with her. Coincidentally, she was also interested in the company Yan Lanshen had “unintentionally revealed.”

Perhaps it could be a breakthrough.

Thinking that Yu Qingluan wasn’t in Hong Kong, Yu Lingxue locked herself at home to focus on work.

Three days later, her subordinate informed her that Yu Qingluan had returned to Hong Kong.

Only then did Yu Lingxue emerge from her pile of work. After grooming herself, she decided to try her luck near Yu Qingluan’s shop.

Just one glance would be enough. She only wanted to soothe the dryness in her heart left by their last encounter.

However, as soon as she arrived near Yu Qingluan’s shop, she sensed something was off.

Frowning, Yu Lingxue retreated into the shadows and took the necessary precautions.

Her intuition told her someone was watching nearby.

Definitely not watching her.

Then.

Yu Lingxue suddenly thought of someone and looked up just in time to see that person waiting at the intersection for the traffic light.

As the person took a step forward, a car ran a red light and sped toward them.

“Watch out!” Without a second thought, Yu Lingxue’s body lunged forward.