Mental Illness Evolution Manual - Chapter 39

The singer’s role was complex. She had once been from a wealthy family, a young lady from a big household, but later her family’s property was seized by warlords, her father saved her at the cost of his life, and she escaped to this place.

She was a weak woman, she had nowhere to go, she was sold to the Baile Building by human traffickers, and she became a singer.

She was beautiful, and she was well-read, she always had a scholarly air, but when she sang, she was also cold and aloof. Those who admired her called her a solitary plum blossom, and poets wrote poems and essays for her, she was in the limelight.

So the singer didn’t have to smile often, her smile was worth a thousand gold, it was something you had to pay for.

The manager knew how to make the most of a good thing, she wanted to sell her for a good price, so she never let her entertain customers.

Her life was full of hardship, although she had vision, she was forced to fall into the dust, she was the opposite of a rich lady.

The singer’s personality was complex and introverted, only Lu Mingqiu could play her.

And she would have to cover her blue eyes, black eyes would be more suitable for the role.

The singer eventually died under the stray bullets of the invaders, the rich lady would grow up and join the tide of reform.

It was a tragic story, there might be love between them, or there might not be, but more importantly, it was about the different circumstances and choices of two women in a turbulent world, they were a microcosm of an era.

But these implications didn’t matter to Yan Xianchuan at all, her gaze was like a nail, firmly nailed to those words, she wanted to burn a hole through them.

This was filming a movie, they wouldn’t really do anything, they would just film the ambiguous atmosphere.

But… Yan Xianchuan looked at the script, then she looked at Lu Mingqiu, her gaze circled the director and screenwriter in the front row twice, she felt that they were very annoying.

Lu Mingqiu had starred in numerous films, naturally including scenes of intimacy. She’d seen this sort of thing before.

In that film about the era of the Great Purge, the character Lu Mingqiu played had a lover who died, so she kissed his eyebrows, she kissed his sunken cheeks, she kissed his chapped lips.

At that time, Yan Xianchuan didn’t feel anything, she even had the energy to judge the composition of the scene.

But now, she found it very annoying.

The actress who played the rich lady was very suitable in terms of appearance and temperament, she was like a sunflower, full of vitality, her appearance wasn’t stunning, but once she got into the role, her acting skills enhanced her whole person, adding infinite charm.

When the two of them stood together in the shot, they looked very well-matched.

She couldn’t say what she was thinking, she just felt uncomfortable.

Of course, Yan Xianchuan sincerely respected Lu Mingqiu’s work, and she fully understood the sacrifices that had to be made when filming, a good work must be presented, and the actors must compromise themselves for the role.

She just felt a little stuffy in her chest, maybe the studio was too cramped, and the door was closed, although there was air conditioning to keep the room cool, but there were so many people that it was crowded, so she felt uncomfortable.

Thinking about this, Yan Xianchuan stood up and quietly pushed open the door.

Outside, the sun shone brightly, a cool breeze heralding the approach of autumn. While the sun’s warmth remained strong, the wind, as it brushed against her, felt like a mischievous creature, flapping its arms to scatter a flock of fluffy golden chicks.

The sunlight was like these chirping chicks, running around everywhere.

She stood at the door, she took a few breaths of the fresh air outside, she didn’t feel refreshed, but she felt even more stuffy.

Her mind was elsewhere, wandering back to the studio she’d just left. She couldn’t help but imagine what was happening inside.

She’d left inexplicably, and returning inexplicably would look suspicious, wouldn’t it?

Hesitation was rare for Yan Xianchuan. After a moment’s reflection, she realized her own behavior had been rather inexplicable.

When did she start to care about what other people thought?

She pushed open the door with a flat expression, she sat back down in her chair, she looked at the actor on the stage with a scrutinizing gaze, after a while, she came to a satisfactory conclusion—in terms of appearance, I’m much more superior than her.

Her gaze was too intense, it was almost tangible, making the other party feel like they were being watched, she almost messed up and had to reshoot the scene.

Lu Mingqiu was both dedicated and wanted to finish quickly, so she filmed her scenes in the morning and afternoon, the progress was very fast.

She was busy all day, no one would be so clueless as to come and disturb her rest while she was eating.

Yan Xianchuan didn’t order food with the assistant, instead, she had the extra energy to ask the assistant to bring over a few desserts.

The dishes were all light, there was no spicy or stimulating food, Yan Xianchuan wasn’t picky, she could eat anything.

After dinner, they went back to their hotel rooms together, and coincidentally, they met Xiao Shu again.

She was still followed by four or five assistants, some were holding umbrellas for her, some were holding water for her, as soon as she saw Lu Mingqiu, she walked over quickly, “Senior! What a coincidence, we met again, have you eaten yet? If you haven’t, I just ordered food from Hui Xiang Ge, they have the signature drunken fish.”

Her makeup wasn’t removed yet, the pearls hanging from the hairpin in her hair swayed back and forth, it was very eye-catching.

“I just ate, I’m going upstairs to rest for a while.” Lu Mingqiu stopped and replied to her, she said softly, “Thank you for your kindness.”

“What a pity, I’m a little late.” Xiao Shu waved her hand, she didn’t linger, “Then senior, go and rest!”

After saying this, she left with her group of people.

This was just a small incident, Lu Mingqiu was always popular, Yan Xianchuan didn’t care at all.

It was just that in the elevator, she kept glancing at the person beside her, the latter looked back, “Do you have something to say?”

Yan Xianchuan didn’t answer her question directly, instead, she said, “I read the script today.”

“How is it?” Lu Mingqiu asked.

“There’s a bed scene.” Yan Xianchuan said calmly.

“I almost forgot if you hadn’t mentioned it.” Lu Mingqiu thought for a moment, “It’s not really suitable, I’ve announced to the public that I’m married, and I’m still taking on this kind of role, it will affect my reputation, after all, I’m still an omega.”

“Thank you for reminding me.” She smiled, “I’ll ask the screenwriter to change it later, I’ll delete that part.”

A flower bloomed in Yan Xianchuan’s heart, the dark clouds ran away, she said modestly, “You’re welcome, it’s what I should do.”

“I don’t have any scenes in the morning, I can sleep in, we’re going to shoot an outdoor scene in the afternoon, I bought sunscreen for you.” Lu Mingqiu said, she motioned for the person to go back to her room with her.

The layout of the two rooms was the same, there was nothing special.

Lu Mingqiu’s suitcase was standing next to the wardrobe, the dim yellow sunset shone through the hazy white curtains into the room, giving the furniture a maple leaf gold hue.

She walked into the room and took a small box from the TV cabinet, “It’s the kind I usually use, I’ve seen that you’ve never used it. The sun in Nanjin City is still very strong, and you care so much about your face, don’t get tanned.”

Yan Xianchuan took the flat, rectangular box, “Thank you.” She paused for a moment, then it was as if she didn’t understand, or as if she was genuinely curious, “Are you always so considerate?”

In all sorts of complex and numerous big things, she still had the energy to arrange and handle these unimportant little things, her energy seemed endless.

“It’s just a matter of convenience, it’s not troublesome.” Lu Mingqiu said.

The other party obviously didn’t want this answer, the two of them looked at each other, she suddenly said, “I understand what you mean.”

Lu Mingqiu pondered for a moment, she said softly, “I’m used to it.”

She pulled out a chair, “Sit down and let’s talk.”

“You know, my psionic ability has a strong affinity. But even if a person seems good at first glance, the next moment you see his unbearable vulgar side, your liking for him will instantly decrease.”

“So I have to maintain a considerate and thoughtful demeanor, so that I can better utilize the effectiveness of my psionic ability.” Her tone wasn’t tired, only faintly firm, “I can’t brainwash everyone, but if I can make more people like me as much as possible, when I stand up, they can agree with my views and support me, that’s worth it.”

“I understand.” Yan Xianchuan said.

Socially, a word of comfort or praise would have been the appropriate response. But then again, she herself was constantly forced to conform to this incomprehensible “normal” society—she wasn’t exactly having an easier time than the other person.

“Ugh.” She sighed, she seemed to feel the same way, “We’re really in the same boat.”

Lu Mingqiu: “…”

Who’s in the same boat as you, a mental patient?

Yan Xianchuan blinked, her eyes filled with sympathy, they were even brighter than the sunset on the bed, “Don’t worry, I will definitely help you achieve your dreams.”

Lu Mingqiu almost couldn’t speak, “…Thank you.”

This was such a great thing, Yan Xianchuan was very satisfied, she returned to her room, and even set her next life goal, it was truly a cause for celebration.

The scene of filming a movie, at first glance, it felt novel, but after watching it for a few days, it became a little boring.

The filming site was noisy and chaotic, a shot often had to be filmed several times before it was approved, Yan Xianchuan had almost memorized the lines.

Lu Mingqiu’s status was transcendent, most of the actors on the set were from Dan You Media, there was no such thing as a scene of competition in the theater, everyone was harmonious, they were all like people made of mud, they didn’t have any temper,

Today you buy a bunch of fruit, tomorrow I’ll treat you to a meal, it was more harmonious than a kindergarten class.

She couldn’t get tired of watching Lu Mingqiu act, but if she had to watch others all the time, she probably wouldn’t have such good patience.

Lu Mingqiu may have discovered this, she said to her, “If you’re bored, go back to the hotel, I saw you playing games before, you can continue playing, the TV in the hotel can be screen-mirrored.”

Seeing that the person was still hesitant, she gently pushed her back, “Go, Su Hong and the others are here.”

“Let’s do this, I’ll give you a task too, go and rest, when you feel like it, go to Hui Xiang Lou to buy dinner, they don’t have a delivery service, you have to pick it up yourself. Okay?”

“Okay.” Yan Xianchuan said.

She went back to the hotel first, she lay down on the bed, staring at the white ceiling, her mind went blank, she didn’t know how long it had been when there was a knock on the door.

She didn’t think much of it, she thought it was the cleaning lady, she opened the door directly, but she didn’t expect that it wasn’t the cleaning lady standing outside, but Xiao Shu, whom she had met several times.

“Oh, it’s Miss Yan.” She seemed surprised too, “I saw you from afar just now, I thought it was the senior who had come back.”

“I’m here to give the senior a gift.” She lifted the bag in her left hand, “Can I go in and talk first? It’s easy to cause misunderstandings if people see us in the corridor.”

Yan Xianchuan glanced at the white bag, she couldn’t tell what was inside, she stepped aside and let the person in.

“When we were filming “Spring in the Painted Hall” together, the senior always gave me advice, I benefited a lot, I made a lot of progress, otherwise I wouldn’t have achieved what I have today, so I’ve always been very grateful to the senior.”

Xiao Shu took out a long, rectangular box from the bag, “Before, Master Qingzhu opened a custom shop, I specially went to find him, I asked him to make a necklace, I originally planned to give it to her on her birthday. I didn’t expect to meet her here, so I’m just giving it to her now, after all, good jewelry should be worn by the right person, it’s just gathering dust if it’s left aside.”

She reached out and handed the box to Yan Xianchuan, “Miss Yan is the senior’s lover, you must know her very well, can you help me take a look at the gift to see if it’s suitable? If it’s not suitable…”

She stuck out her tongue shyly, “Just pretend I didn’t come today, I’ll go find another gift for the senior.”

She spoke reasonably, Yan Xianchuan didn’t suspect anything, she took the box.

The platinum-colored box had two green bamboos printed on it, when she held it in her hand, a fragrance entered her nose, it must have been sprayed with perfume, it was a sweet peach fragrance.

She opened the box, a silver chain with two emerald green bamboo leaves hanging from it came into view.

The bamboo leaves had delicate and clear veins, the chain was as if it was made of sections of bamboo joints, it was very elegant.

“It’s pretty.”

Yan Xianchuan glanced at it, then closed the box again, “She’ll like it.”

—Whether she likes it or not, Lu Mingqiu will say she likes it.

“That’s great!” A smile spread across Xiao Shu’s lips, it wasn’t like surprise, but rather a confident smugness.

She leaned over, wanting to take the jewelry box, but as she got closer, a stronger peach fragrance spread, instantly filling the entire room.

The fragrance was sticky, like the steam in a sauna, it made people’s body temperature rise, their breathing became difficult, even their thinking slowed down, it was like invisible and colorless syrup, sticking to people.

“Miss Yan.” Xiao Shu got closer and closer, her round cat eyes revealed a determined look.

She was dressed coolly, now she bent down, her chest was like two white cream puffs, snow-white and soft, very alluring.

She called Yan Xianchuan’s name, she was about to reach out and wrap her arms around her neck, she was going to sit on her lap.

“What are you getting so close for?” Yan Xianchuan leaned back, she used the box to block her chest, her eyes were clear, she didn’t show any sign of being confused.

Xiao Shu froze, the smile on her face also froze.

It shouldn’t be, it’s impossible, she was using the most famous Ecstasy Fragrance, it was specially designed to break the effect of pheromone inhibitors, it could also confuse the mind, making people’s desires sprout.

She’d gone to great lengths to find it, had witnessed its effects firsthand—turning the most apathetic individuals into frenzied, driven beasts. She’d brought it here, placed it on the jewelry box, specifically to lure Yan Xianchuan into sleeping with her.

The two of them were inseparable, there was no opportunity to strike. Xiao Shu, in order to appear not deliberate, usually only spoke to Lu Mingqiu, she pretended to avoid her, but her actual target was Yan Xianchuan.

As long as she got on the Yan family’s ship, the high status she wanted was within reach.

The excuse she found was good, her usual performance was also faultless, it was easy to make people let down their guard, besides, what kind of good things were alphas, they were all the same, Xiao Shu had seen through them for so many years.

Let’s be honest, which chaebol family *didn’t* have a dozen or more lovers on the side? The younger generation were no better than their elders; if anything, they were even more inventive in their games.

Even without the medicine, a beautiful omega would come to her door, she would get something for nothing, how could anyone refuse?

She used the medicine just to be safe.

But this person didn’t seem to be affected, she was even pretending to be stupid.

Xiao Shu bit her lower lip and giggled, “Miss Yan, why are you pretending not to understand? I came to find you, you let me in, we’re both in on it, aren’t we?”

She stopped, she didn’t continue forward, instead, she leaned against the table, her legs crossed, she propped one hand on the table behind her, her calf swayed back and forth, it was very tempting.

“You and the senior are just married in name, why bother to endure it, everyone plays their own game, isn’t that the consensus?”

Yan Xianchuan looked at her for a long time, she said slowly, “You’ve sprayed too much perfume.”

Xiao Shu: ?

She was both angry and amused, “Miss Yan, are you really stupid, or are you deliberately teasing me?”

“If you didn’t mean it, why did you let me in, are you playing hard to get?”

She licked her lips, “I didn’t expect Miss Yan to be so interesting.”

Xiao Shu raised her hand, she unhooked the thin strap, she used her little finger to wrap around the thin string and slowly slid it down.

Yan Xianchuan’s face changed, she stood up abruptly, she pulled out a sheet from the closet, she threw it at her head, covering her from head to toe, she grabbed the corner of the sheet and rolled it up, when the person inside screamed, she directly opened the door and pushed her out.

Xiao Shu couldn’t believe it, she fumbled around for an exit, after a while, there was a bang, the small jewelry box was also thrown out.

The sheet was wrapped around her several times, it wrapped her up like a dumpling, Xiao Shu couldn’t stand steadily, she stumbled a few steps and fell onto the carpet, it took a lot of effort for her to get out, her hair was as messy as a bird’s nest, but her face was even messier than her hair, it was more colorful than a spilled paint palette.

She sat in the pile of sheets, the jewelry box fell next to her, the necklace inside was also thrown out, it was emitting a strong fragrance.

Xiao Shu was so angry that she was about to explode, she was about to get up and argue with Yan Xianchuan, but then she remembered that she had just been thrown out, the other party obviously wasn’t interested in her, she thought of the Yan family, her face became even uglier.

Her eyes flickered, she fixed her hair, picked up the box on the ground, and dragged the sheet away.

She had to find a pheromone inhibitor quickly, otherwise, if someone found out, it would be bad.

Yan Xianchuan really didn’t think much of it at first, it wasn’t until the fragrance became stronger that she noticed something was wrong. The inhibitor she used was very effective, it hadn’t completely lost its effect, she just felt stuffy.

It didn’t affect her physiology, so naturally, it didn’t affect her psychology.

She originally wanted to ask who this person was, how did she know that she and Lu Mingqiu were just married in name, but she didn’t expect her to directly take off her clothes, Yan Xianchuan was so scared that she quickly kicked her out.

She was embarrassed and had suffered a loss, she wouldn’t spread this around, she would find out about this from Lu Mingqiu later.

Yan Xianchuan turned on the air purifier, she also opened the window, letting fresh air rush in, blowing away the smell in the room.

But when she was blown by the breeze outside, her brain suddenly buzzed, making her dizzy for a moment.

The heat in her body was like a spark on the prairie, it grew with the wind, and with a bang, it turned into a wildfire.

This was another effect of the Ecstasy Fragrance, it was specially designed to stop those who wanted to escape, when they encountered the cool breeze, the effect would instantly double.

In a daze, Yan Xianchuan stumbled a few steps, her body swayed and she sat down on the ground.

She closed her eyes, she endured the dizziness, regained her clarity and reason, and sent a message to Lu Mingqiu.

[There’s a person named Xiao Shu, she drugged me, aphrodisiac.]