Mental Illness Evolution Manual - Chapter 119

1

“I guess you haven’t reached retirement age yet, have you?”

In the restaurant, a piano piece played softly and soothingly, the music flowing like water and moonlight.

Yan Xianchuan, with a complete lack of dining etiquette, bit down on her fork and asked.

“That’s right, you’re right,” Lu Mingqiu chuckled lightly, “My path is only halfway through, but the most difficult part is over.”

“It’s because of omegas,” Yan Xianchuan said, almost with certainty.

“You know, there’s a market for everything. The essence of omegas is that they are actually goods placed on shelves for people to choose from.”

Lu Mingqiu placed the glass filled with brandy on the table steadily. Her voice was as calm and unruffled as the liquid in the glass.

“But why is there such a demand? It’s closely related to the inherent characteristics of omegas. There’s always been a saying that omegas’ offspring are inherently stronger than other babies, smarter, and healthier. It’s true.”

“It’s strange, it’s amazing, but it’s true. There are statistics to prove it. In the past, when pheromones were more effective than they are now, omegas would only give birth to alpha and omega genders. The former were born to be the best, and the latter’s status was much higher than it is now.”

“But with the development of technology and the progress of the times, the alpha’s physical advantage has been infinitely weakened. No matter how strong a person is, they can’t stop a bullet.”

“Of course, you’re an exception,” Lu Mingqiu said teasingly.

“The effect of pheromones is gradually fading, and the abilities of these two genders are also declining. Some people say it’s a kind of degeneration. I think the opposite.”

“If a person can’t control their own body, they’re only controlled by hormonal instincts. What’s the difference between them and lower animals?”

The restaurant’s decoration was clever. There were green plants between the tables, creating a private space that was relatively secluded.

No one heard Lu Mingqiu making these “eye-opening” remarks.

“But perhaps it’s precisely because of this that the omega’s reproductive ability is becoming increasingly important and special. After all, you never know when this group will become ordinary. You have to hold on to it tightly.”

“Actually, in my heart, the most permanent solution is to artificially interfere with the evolutionary process,” Lu Mingqiu said casually, as if she were talking about a flowing cloud, “Make omegas lose this specialness.”

Wow, that’s a pretty radical statement.

From her own perspective, Yan Xianchuan wouldn’t find anything strange about it. But if she showed it to other people, it wouldn’t be difficult to get a “what kind of anti-social element” evaluation.

“I’m afraid some people don’t think so,” Yan Xianchuan shrugged, “Not everyone is on the same side as you. They don’t think their innate ‘specialness’ is a burden, but a treasure.”

“I know,” Lu Mingqiu smiled, “That’s why this is a permanent solution, not the most suitable or the most perfect.”

“If everyone could have the right to choose. She could use her talent as a stepping stone, or she could not feel different from others. She could have children if she wanted to, and it wouldn’t be a big deal if she didn’t want to get married and have children.”

She shook her head, “That would be perfect, but it’s almost impossible to achieve. A group that is inherently special, why should others treat them without special eyes and methods? Its existence represents uniqueness and irreplaceability.”

“Where there’s demand, there’s a market. Even if it’s good and equal on the surface, who can guarantee what’s happening behind the scenes? That’s why I said it’s a permanent solution.”

“But I don’t really like this method,” Lu Mingqiu picked at the decorative flowers on her plate, “It feels like a forced compromise.”

Yan Xianchuan: “But the result is more important than the process.”

She understood the other person’s thoughts.

Lu Mingqiu blinked, “You’re right. That’s what I’m thinking.”

Yan Xianchuan looked at her steadily for a while, her tone tinged with complexity, “Hmm… At first, I thought you were a super-duper good person, the kind who was kind-hearted and especially good.”

“What about now?” The other person listened with interest.

“You’re still good now,” Yan Xianchuan said, changing the subject, “It’s just that I feel like we’re quite similar.”

Which normal good person could be so arbitrary? She decided the fate of others with a single word, without even asking them what they thought, whether they agreed or disagreed.

Indeed, there must be some who loathe their current situation and want to change themselves, like Qi Ziyang, who seeks revenge on his painful relatives and becomes a person who is free to be himself. Like Gu Shuang, who ran away from home and chose love, choosing to be with Tan Yi Yuan in a so-called superior life.

They are definitely not isolated cases.

But there are also those who enjoy their current lives and don’t want to change.

Lu Mingqiu doesn’t distinguish between them, nor does she think about doing so. She simply makes a blanket decision, regardless of their opinions, and does things according to her own ideas.

She does all this with only one motive: for her own ideals, to uphold her own beliefs.

Yan Xianchuan has now seen through her, deeply understanding her essence—Lu Mingqiu doesn’t care about others.

She doesn’t care about their lives, nor does she care what they think. She only cares about herself.

It’s terrifying. Such a person, disguising herself for years, only to achieve her goals. When her companions die, how much of her sadness is genuine and how much is fake?

“What to do?” Yan Xianchuan sighed with worry, “I find myself liking you more every day.”

Lu Mingqiu laughed at these words, “Then I find you getting more and more smooth-talking every day.”

She didn’t respond to the previous statement about their similarities.

“Let’s go after we’ve eaten,” she said, “There’s an important person I need to see.”

So, Yan Xianchuan followed her, being picked up by a special car and taken to the Presidential Palace.

She waited in the living room, bored. An attendant brought her a cup of hot black tea, and then no one paid any attention to her.

Yan Xianchuan could only hold the teacup, sit on the sofa, and look around, like a child left behind, waiting for her lover to return from her conversation.

In the study, Lu Mingqiu met the mastermind behind everything, the person pulling the strings, the true ruler of this country.

“Sit,” the president said, her attitude as usual.

Lu Mingqiu didn’t feel nervous or starstruck. She sat down comfortably, her eyes calm, looking directly at the person behind the desk.

“Do you have any plans to become a council member?” The president got straight to the point.

This time, Lu Mingqiu was indeed a little surprised.

“You are a person with ambition,” the president’s aged face couldn’t hide her insightful eyes, “Don’t tell me you don’t have this idea.”

“I do have plans in that direction,” Lu Mingqiu didn’t hide it. After a pause, she said, “I’m sure you can see what I want to do.”

Meeting the other person’s gaze, she explained her thoughts, very honestly and without any reservations.

The president didn’t show any signs of disgust or rejection. Instead, she pondered for a moment, “I’ve long had the idea of rectifying this phenomenon.”

This specialness, this privilege, greatly affects social stability. It’s something she’s very unwilling to see.

All privileges should be eliminated. If this society must have privileges, then only she can have them.

And are the children born to omegas really that outstanding? It’s not necessarily true. Even if someone is smart, if they don’t use their intelligence, what’s the difference between them and someone who is naturally stupid?

The tycoons hold onto omegas, simply out of habit, wanting to grab all the good things for themselves.

The president is a beta. She doesn’t think she’s naturally weaker than others, especially alphas.

“Your proposal is worth trying,” she said, “I like ambitious people. I hope to see you at next year’s Grand Assembly.”

“May your words come true,” Lu Mingqiu said.

They looked at each other. Lu Mingqiu nodded and walked out of the study.

No one said things like “How did you know it was me?” or “I am so and so.” There was no need for small talk with intelligent people. The president was busy with state affairs and didn’t want to waste time on this.

Not long after, Yan Xianchuan was secretly fiddling with the embroidered flowers on the sofa. She suddenly heard footsteps, looked up, and saw her lover smiling, her voice gentle, “Are you bored waiting? Let’s go.”

Yan Xianchuan put down the sofa cover that had escaped disaster and followed her out of the Presidential Palace, “You seem very happy.”

“Yes,” Lu Mingqiu said, “There’s been good news lately. How can I not be happy?”

Outside, the sky was clear and cloudless. The sunlight broke through the clouds.

…

The movie star started taking on variety shows again.

It was unbelievable. All the fans started spreading the word and sharing this joyous news with their friends.

The variety show was similar to the one before, but it was a show that invited married couples to travel together. It featured celebrities from the industry.

There were composers, models, singers, all famous people.

It was a lighthearted travel show. The purpose was simply to relax, and perhaps to distract people from the disaster of the previous year. There was some scripting, but the overall atmosphere was very harmonious and friendly.

The cameras started filming before they even left the house. The director team went to their house to find them.

For the past year, no one had questioned Yan Xianchuan’s identity.

When they arrived, she was still in bed, sleeping in. Lu Mingqiu had already gotten up early and was doing her morning exercise. The doorbell rang. She went to open the door and was a little surprised, “You’re here so early?”

The agreed time was nine o’clock. It was eight o’clock now, an hour earlier.

The director chuckled, “It can’t be helped. The fans are like that. I’m a fan of Lu Mingqiu too.”

His idol was bare-faced, but she was still beautiful and ethereal. She smiled at him, “Come in first. Chuan Chuan is still sleeping. I’ll go wake her up.”

The director quickly asked, “Is it okay to film this?”

Lu Mingqiu thought for a moment, “It’s okay.”

As she spoke, she used her mental connection to connect with Yan Xianchuan and told her to get dressed.

As soon as these people came in, Yan Xianchuan was woken up. She turned over in her bed, unhappy.

When Lu Mingqiu entered the bedroom, she didn’t care about the cameras following behind. She just looked sulky and reached out to her.

Lu Mingqiu hugged her helplessly but indulgently, kissed her cheek, “Okay, get up now. We’re having your favorite egg pancakes for breakfast.”

The viewers watching the live stream:

【Bossy puppy, online pouting!】

【So they’re like this in private, ahhhhhhhh!!!】

【Qiu Qiu! Don’t spoil her too much, I’m telling you!】

After receiving two kisses, Yan Xianchuan got out of bed. She had messy hair and gave the director team a grumpy look before going to the bathroom to wash up.

【Don’t say it, don’t say it, if my partner looked like that, it would be right to spoil her a little.】

【Two people in the same frame, a paradise for face-lovers.】

【I’ve already imagined three million words of junior attack nighttime literature.】

【Tell me, is it the kind where she “pinches her waist with red eyes and says fiercely: Sister, I’ll give you my life,” that kind of thing?】

【You guys are making me laugh! What’s in it for you!】

Amidst the barrage of playful comments, the several groups of guests finally met up and began their journey.

This variety show live stream was undoubtedly very friendly for those who shipped the couple. Solo fans wouldn’t watch this show, which was clearly aimed at couples.

More importantly, this time was different from last time. Yan Xianchuan and Lu Mingqiu weren’t acting. They were truly in love.

The atmosphere between them was a little too sweet.

Yan Xianchuan still didn’t say much to others, but she started talking nonstop to her lover, and she would ask for kisses every now and then.

They held hands while walking, hugging and cuddling. Lu Mingqiu would say where to go and what to do, and she would be like an echo, having no opinion of her own.

She didn’t care about the cameras. She was just being herself. Anyone with eyes could see that she was clearly head over heels in love.

CP fans: I’m so lucky to be eating so much sugar!

In comparison, the other groups seemed a little less sweet. How could that be!

This variety show would definitely be a hit. If they didn’t perform well and were outdone, it would definitely affect their careers.

So, the other groups started to roll up their sleeves. Whether they loved each other or not was another matter, but they had to act well!

During the interview segment, the host, under the direction of the people behind the scenes, asked Yan Xianchuan, “Why are you so supportive of your omega wife’s work, unlike others?”

Yan Xianchuan was very straightforward, “The law doesn’t prohibit omegas from working. She can do whatever she wants. Why would I have an opinion?”

“She’s an independent person. She doesn’t need my support or disapproval. She can make her own decisions.”

Host: You’re making me look like an idiot.

But Yan Xianchuan knew what her lover wanted to do. Of course, she wouldn’t hold her back at a crucial moment. It would affect her reputation. She continued, “I think that a person should, or can, do what they love and what they’re good at. For example, Louis, you’re always very good at hosting. You’re really excellent. If such excellent people just bury their talents because they’ve started a family, wouldn’t that be a loss to society?”

“What reason or right do I have to stop her?”

“Besides, I love her. Of course, I want her to be happy.”

The host exclaimed, “Your relationship is really good.”

Yan Xianchuan: “Of course.”

This passage went viral again. On the one hand, CP fans were eating sugar. There were a bunch of people tagging it, saying that this was the true form of love. On the other hand, it also sparked some discussion about ideas.

About self, freedom, and choice.

Yes, the law doesn’t prohibit omegas from making choices, but what troubles them isn’t the law, but power and family ties.

How many lucky things happen to them?

But wait, wait, wait…

Why is my father suddenly frowning and coming home, saying that the arranged marriage is off?

It’s the president’s new move.

She didn’t mind promoting Lu Mingqiu. It was essentially just to satisfy her own goals.

She specifically liked the video and commented on it, saying that many outstanding omegas chose to marry and have children and no longer returned to society, which was a great loss of talent. She felt very sorry for them.

Everyone is a pearl covered by sand. They should walk into the sunlight and shine their own light.

This was the president’s personal account, but her comments on it represented her inclination.

Any family with a little bit of brains had already started making the right choice, supporting her views. No one dared to provoke her now.

In May of the same year, the president ordered the abolition of all omega schools. They were required to attend the same education as everyone else.

This was a very open society. The environment influences character. She hoped that the new generation would be able to open their minds.

“My identity is still quite useful,” Lu Mingqiu said with a smile.

She used her popularity to step out into the world, using her identity as an omega to do many unexpected things.

She did extreme sports, flew helicopters, participated in marathons, posted her various certificates, invested in schools, and even took a teacher qualification exam. She taught a few classes.

She lived a free and colorful life, the kind that others envied.

But who said they couldn’t do that? She was an omega, an example, a pioneer. What she could do, others could do too.

“That is Xinghuo (the spark),” Lu Mingqiu said.

Two years after she became a council member, she saw another council member, also an omega, sitting in the grand hall.

“Hmm,” Yan Xianchuan said seriously, “You should be called the sun.”

“Your mouth is so sweet. Did you steal some cake again?”

Yan Xianchuan leaned over and kissed her, “Hmm, I did.”

…………

Lu Mingqiu died of old age. Her life was relatively uneventful. She got everything she wanted. Before she died, her lover held her hand. Her face was old, but her eyes were still as bright as ever.

“See you later,” she said.

Lu Mingqiu wanted to laugh, she also wanted to cry, but before she could say anything, she was enveloped in darkness.

A brief, long, timeless darkness surrounded her like a tide.

Then, a light.

So, there really is a soul after death?

She walked forward silently. The light expanded, like a distorted hall, a gushing sun, a collapsing black hole, a shattered dead star.

A chilling aura enveloped her, making it almost impossible to breathe.

“Wait for me!”

A familiar voice sounded behind her. Lu Mingqiu turned around in disbelief and saw a more familiar figure, still young, running towards her. She took her hand and complained affectionately, “I told you to wait for me, why did you leave first?”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Ah! Right, right, I have a secret to tell you.”

—“Welcome back, Polite Biscuit.”