Mental Illness Evolution Manual - Chapter 68

The next day was the ancestral worship ceremony. The two of them were woken up early by the servants. After a quick breakfast, they began to get ready.

They changed into their ceremonial clothes, put on makeup, and got their hair done. Yan Xianchuan was stuck in a chair for an hour before it was finished, but it had to be said, she looked good.

The makeup was very natural, there were no visible traces, and her features hadn’t changed, but it was just different. It was hard to say exactly how, it was like an upgraded version of her.

Lu Mingqiu’s appearance was always outstanding, and after their work, she was elevated to another level, it even felt like a real-life attack.

—At least for her.

Yan Xianchuan before: Appearance is worthless to me.

Yan Xianchuan now: Delicious!

She scurried over to Lu Mingqiu’s side, she stared at her intently and said loudly, “You look so good today.”

Lu Mingqiu… how could she say it? She felt an urge to run away.

This was someone who was in love, someone who was expressing their love. She was bold, straightforward, and open, she put all her thoughts and desires on the table.

Logically speaking, the person who confessed their love first would be at a disadvantage in the relationship. Once you confess, it’s like putting a chain on yourself, then putting the other end in the other person’s hand, letting them control you, allowing them to use the word of love to step on your body, to do whatever they want, to go wherever they want, while you have no choice but to obey unconditionally.

Lu Mingqiu, perhaps her flaw was that she was too easily swayed, and her moral bottom line was too high.

If she had to say something harsh to Yan Xianchuan, she would hesitate before speaking, considering the other person’s feelings.

What if my words are too harsh and hurt her feelings? She hasn’t done anything wrong, is it wrong to love someone? Is it wrong to express your feelings?

Besides, Yan Xianchuan was very measured, she always knew when to stop, all her words and actions were appropriate and not too aggressive.

Were her requests excessive? No.

So what if she agreed? Would she be harmed? No.

What if she didn’t agree? She might be heartbroken.

So, Lu Mingqiu kept backing down when the other party took the initiative. But she couldn’t always compromise, you know, there’s a saying, “Let the wolf into the house.”

And her nature didn’t allow her to escape. When you encounter a problem, you have to solve it. When you encounter a difficulty, you have to overcome it.

How to solve it… She met the other person’s honest and loving eyes, forcing herself not to look away.

Could she just kill her? If you can’t solve the problem, you solve the person who raised the problem.

Don’t be ridiculous, she wasn’t a carbon copy of Yan Xianchuan.

“Can you…” Don’t cling to me, don’t look at me like that, “Be a little more restrained?”

—Let me breathe.

Sometimes she really hated that she was too sensitive to emotions.

As expected, Yan Xianchuan was like a frost-bitten eggplant, a wilted rose, she was dejected and heartbroken, she said, “Can’t I even compliment you?”

If she could be squeezed, her sad and melancholic tears would surely gush out like a sponge soaked in water, making the water level of the North Sea rise by three centimeters.

What could Lu Mingqiu do? She could only say dryly, “That’s not what I meant.”

Yan Xianchuan didn’t speak, she lowered her head, as if she was extremely wronged, even speaking two sentences became a difficult task.

Lu Mingqiu: …

Lu Mingqiu: “You can compliment me.”

Yan Xianchuan finally “burst into tears,” she happily went up to her again, “You look good!”

Was she the vulnerable party, the one who was at the mercy of others? Lu Mingqiu wondered, why does it seem like I’m the passive one?

But she didn’t have much time to think about it, because someone came to urge and remind them that it was time to leave.

The ancestral worship ceremony was a big event, especially in the Yan family, which valued tradition.

All the family members who could come, all the ones who were important, as long as they were able-bodied, had to come. They were all gathered together now, almost filling the entire square.

Even though there were bloody incidents in every generation’s power struggle, the Yan family’s population was still thriving.

Many, too many.

Yan Xianchuan stood in line with Lu Mingqiu, according to their order in the family. In front of her was Fourth Sister, Yan Zhitang, behind her was Eighth Sister, Yan Fufeng, and Tenth Sister, Yan Zhisui.

Tenth Sister was an omega, she didn’t sit with them at the family banquet, she sat with the other unmarried omegas.

As for the Ninth Sister in front of her, she was already married. A married omega wasn’t considered a member of the Yan family, they didn’t have to come to the family banquet or the ancestral worship ceremony.

As for the Fifth Brother before Yan Xianchuan, he had been dead for several years, his ashes must be moldy by now.

He had lost the competition, he had made a mistake in his work, and the head of the family had ordered him to be stripped of his position and kicked out of the competition. Then, not long after, he died in a car accident. As for whether the car accident was a real accident or a fake accident, no one cared.

A group of people lined up like this, they walked in a grand procession, with Head of the Yan family leading the way.

Yan Xianchuan commented in her heart: It’s like a tour group.

The difference was that this group was too quiet. Besides the sound of the zither and flute, there was no human voice. Everyone’s expression was solemn and respectful. They walked for almost an hour before they reached a wooden building.

Yan Wen: “Offer incense.”

As he spoke, a small group of people, holding incense, handed out one to each person.

The bundle of incense in Yan Xianchuan’s hand was different from the one in the head of the family’s hand, one was for a grandchild, and the other was for a grandfather.

But the fragrance was faint, not pungent, and it didn’t smoke. As Yan Wen spoke, everyone bowed together, it was quite solemn.

After offering incense, another group of servants, each carrying a censer, let everyone insert their incense, then they placed the censers on the stage in order, forming three rows.

Yan Xianchuan raised her eyes and glanced at the wide-open door of the building, the spirit tablets inside were densely packed, layer upon layer, almost forming a tower that reached the sky.

The Yan family had a long history, it was impossible for everyone to have the honor of being enshrined in the ancestral hall. Only the heads of the family throughout the generations and those who had made great contributions to the family could enter. Even so, there were still so many people.

She retracted her gaze, she listened to Head of the Yan family recite the family tradition, then he began to introduce the family history and the achievements of past generations.

The autumn sun wasn’t as scorching as the summer sun, but its heat was still formidable. Everyone was standing in the sun, there was no shade, but no one moved, swayed, or complained about the heat.

After another hour of basking in the sun, Yan Wen finished his speech, then he led everyone back on foot.

When they returned to the square, it was already noon. Everyone dispersed, they went back to their residences to change clothes and tidy themselves up for the luncheon.

Yan Xianchuan had been daydreaming after offering incense. She had been basking in the sun all morning, and it was a clear day with no clouds. She felt like an ice cream that had just been taken out of the freezer, her brain had turned into a puddle of water, she swayed back and forth as she walked.

She was like this, and then she looked back at Lu Mingqiu.

Lu Mingqiu was radiant.

Yan Xianchuan: ?

“What’s wrong, are you suffering from heatstroke? Or are you feeling unwell?” Lu Mingqiu leaned over, she looked at her with concern, and reached out to touch her forehead.

“Are you dizzy?”

Yan Xianchuan blushed, not from the sun, but from shame.

“I’m not dizzy.” She wanted to dodge, but she couldn’t bear to separate her palm from her. She could only stand there awkwardly, with an expression that made it look like she wanted to run away but her shoes were stuck to the floor.

What’s going on? Aren’t I the one with the better physique?

Am I an aquatic plant and she’s a desert plant, so when the sun shines, I wilt and she’s happy?

How ridiculous.

But the facts were right in front of her, Yan Xianchuan had to admit that she was more delicate.

She really hadn’t been exposed to the sun much.

In her previous life, she was pampered growing up. She hadn’t suffered in terms of living, and even more so, because of her mental illness, the love and attention her parents gave her could be described as meticulous and pervasive.

When she went to the escape game, she didn’t see the sun anymore.

Which ghost comes out in the middle of the day? Don’t they all come out at night to scare people?

Yan Xianchuan had basically never been exposed to the sun for so many years, she hadn’t even participated in military training. This was the first time she had been subjected to this kind of torture.

It was different from simple physical pain, it was longer, more difficult to bear.

Lu Mingqiu checked her temperature, she told her to go out and get some fresh air, then she poured a cup of warm water and handed it to her, “Drink it all.”

Yan Xianchuan obediently took it, she held the cup and gulped down the water. After drinking a cup, it felt much better.

It was then that she belatedly felt thirsty, she went to get another cup.

After taking a shower, changing clothes, and reapplying makeup, a lively Yan Xianchuan was born.

There wasn’t much to say about the luncheon, the family ate and drank, the difference was that there were a lot of people in this family, and the topics of conversation were a bit grand.

Yan Xianchuan was still seated at the second table, the people sitting next to her were more diverse, basically a one-A-one-O pairing.

The Yan family, lovers of arranged marriages. When the children of the family reached the appropriate age, they were basically arranged to marry. If you were useless and couldn’t stand on your own two feet, it didn’t matter, it was okay, then you had one last task, to continue the family line and have children.

Have ten or eight, there’s bound to be one who stands out.

Yan Xianchuan was paired with Lu Mingqiu because she was too useless, and because of Lu Mingqiu’s actions, they were sent away, they didn’t even have the qualification to be breeding machines.

It was good this way, anyway, this kind of blessing, whoever wants it can have it, she didn’t want it.

But to be fair, the Yan family really didn’t have any ugly people.

The ancestral worship ceremony wasn’t suitable for being extravagant and eye-catching, so everyone’s clothes and attire were simple and elegant, each with their own style. Yan Xianchuan looked around and saw a few familiar faces, they were actors she had seen in Lu Mingqiu’s movies.

They must be omegas from other families who had married into the Yan family.

When the luncheon ended, the ancestral worship ceremony was considered to be temporarily over.

It wasn’t like before, there were no requirements for fasting for three days, everything was simplified. As soon as the banquet ended, someone came to deliver a message, saying that the head of the family was waiting for her in his study.

Lu Mingqiu couldn’t go, so Yan Xianchuan had to say goodbye to her and go alone.

The study, the upper study, where the emperor worked, now the Head of the Yan family was sitting inside, Assistant Zeng was behind him.

Besides them, there were two other people in the room.

Yan Xianchuan entered the room and said with lowered eyes and a respectful expression, “Father.”

“These two are the people you’re going to take with you to Dingyang City.” Yan Wen didn’t beat around the bush, he said straight to the point, “Xie Wu, Xie Qi.”

The two men replied, “Yes.”

Yan Wen said again, “If you have any problems, leave them to them.”

He smiled, his voice was like a pot of clear tea, mellow and soft, “Do you understand what I mean?”

Yan Xianchuan: “I understand.”

It’s just being a puppet, isn’t it?

“Do a good job, don’t damage the Yan family’s reputation.” He turned around, “Leave at five o’clock, go down.”

It was only a little past three now, he really didn’t give her any time.

Yan Xianchuan was inwardly complaining, but she didn’t show it on her face. She bowed to him again before leaving the study.

The two men followed behind her, introducing themselves as they walked.

The taller, darker one was called Xie Qi, the shorter, fairer one was called Xie Wu. One was good at handling business, and the other was good at interpersonal relations.

“Are you brothers?” Yan Xianchuan asked.

“We just happen to have the same surname, Xie. He was born in July, and I was born in May, so the head of the family calls us that.” Xie Wu replied.

These two people, they seemed respectful, but they were also sent by Yan Wen to monitor her.

Yan Xianchuan originally wanted to chat with them, to get to know them, to show off her personal charm, but then she thought, they were definitely loyal to the head of the family, it wouldn’t matter what she said, it would be like throwing a wink at a blind man. It was better to let Lu Mingqiu do it.

She simply shut her mouth and stopped trying to chat.

Back in the hall where she had just stayed for a day, Yan Xianchuan told them what had happened, and the two servants began to help her pack her clothes and luggage.

“We haven’t even toured the palace yet.” She said with a hint of regret.

She had been thinking that after the ceremony, she would take a walk in the garden with Lu Mingqiu, but she didn’t even have time to rest before she had to leave.

“There will be other opportunities.” Lu Mingqiu comforted her.

What opportunities, the opportunity for the Yan family to fall? Thinking about it, it wasn’t bad.

They took the Yan family’s private airship to Dingyang City.

Dingyang City wasn’t too far from Yuecheng, it was about an hour’s journey, but it was further north, so it got dark earlier. When the airship landed at six o’clock, the sun had already disappeared, everything was shrouded in darkness.

The airship went all the way to the Yan family’s building here, it directly took them to their doorstep.

Xie Wu and Xie Qi got off the airship and took the elevator downstairs, they said that they lived two floors below, while the top floor was reserved for Yan Xianchuan and Lu Mingqiu.

Two maids were waiting at the door, they diligently took the luggage, put the things in the cloakroom, and said, “Miss and Madam, please rest. If you need anything, just say the word, the smart housekeeper will inform us.”

“Do you have any dietary preferences you want to tell us about?”

“I like sweets, desserts.” Yan Xianchuan immediately said, “She likes lighter dishes, she doesn’t like oily or salty food. I’m not picky, I eat anything.”

“Understood.” The maid said, “You can note down the dishes you want to eat tomorrow on the intranet. If there are no special requirements, the chef will adjust the dishes according to your preferences.”

“Breakfast is at eight o’clock tomorrow morning, at nine o’clock, Head of the Lin family will come to visit, and at two o’clock in the afternoon, Head of the Newman family will come to visit.”

“Do you need a wake-up service?”

Yan Xianchuan: …

No, are the people in the Yan family sick, they can’t live without working?

Yan Xianchuan: “No, I can wake up myself.”

Since she had made up her mind to perform well, she would definitely do it. It was just about playing tricks, she didn’t know how to do it, but Lu Mingqiu did, didn’t she?

Yan Xianchuan was both guilty and righteous.

The next day, Head of the Lin family arrived on time, Xie Wu led him to the reception room.

Head of the Lin family came under the pretense of visiting the new person in charge, not to talk business, so there were no extra formalities.

Lu Mingqiu, as her wife, temporarily took on the role of serving tea and water by her side. In a formal business setting, omegas were not allowed to appear.

Head of the Lin family looked quite old, but he was well-maintained, except that he was a bit overweight, his belly was protruding.

He was also shrewd, he came for the first time, and he brought a gift, a watch that was impeccable, a unisex model, a limited edition design, very sincere.

After sitting down, he didn’t rush into the main topic, instead, he started chatting casually.

“Has Miss Yan been to Dingyang City?”

“No.”

“That’s good, you’re coming here now, doesn’t that mean you’re destined to be here?” Head of the Lin family laughed, “Our Dingyang City is not big, but there’s an old saying, ‘Though small, it has all the organs.’ We have everything you need here.”

“Not to mention, do you know what Dingyang City is most famous for?”

Yan Xianchuan followed his words, “What is it?”

“It’s the beauties.” Head of the Lin family winked playfully. “Southern girls are gentle, our northern girls are naturally more straightforward.”

“Especially here, there are many mixed-race people, their eyes are so big they can talk, they’re all beautiful.”

“To be honest, my daughter’s looks are very outstanding.” He said, then he took out a photo of his daughter to show her.

It was a girl wearing a halter top, she was playing volleyball on the beach, she was laughing, her honey-colored skin was like it was coated with wax, it was shiny, she had a wild beauty.

“My Xiaoyun, she’s a little younger than Miss Yan, I’ve spoiled her. Today, she knew I was coming, she kept pestering me to ask about her boyfriend.” Head of the Lin family put on a helpless expression, “Don’t laugh at me, every parent cares about their children. She has a sweetheart, and I can’t help but worry a little.”

“You should know this person, he’s the previous person in charge here, Master Yan Wanzi. You see, he said that the ancestral worship ceremony was coming up, he left, but there’s no news from him. This little girl, she’s been nagging me to see him, she wants to know for sure if she’s been dumped. I’m worn out, I have to come here and ask, to complain a little.”

Head of the Lin family said with a chuckle, “Are you familiar with Master Yan Wanzi?”

Yan Xianchuan had no memory of this person, but she had seen his file, she knew that he was the son of her third uncle, but she didn’t know anything more.

Before she could think of an answer, Xie Wu spoke first, “Head of the Lin family, don’t worry, you’ll see Master Yan soon. He was called away by the head of the family, he has something important to do, he can’t get away for a while, otherwise, he wouldn’t have let Miss come here to take over temporarily.”

“Don’t worry, Miss Lin, Master Yan told the head of the family about their relationship, and the head of the family has already agreed. Congratulations, I’ll congratulate Head of the Lin family in advance.”

“That’s great!” Head of the Lin family’s narrowed eyes shot out a gleam of light, he laughed loudly, “Thank you for your kind words.”

“You’re welcome.” Xie Wu said with a smile, “From now on, the Yan and Lin families will be in-laws, won’t they?”

“It’s a pity that I’ve been abstaining from alcohol recently, otherwise, I would have had a few drinks!” Head of the Lin family picked up his tea, “It doesn’t taste right without a drink. So, I’ll drink tea instead of wine, thank you, brother, thank you, Head of the family!”

Head of the Lin family was reassured, the smile on his face was genuine. He chatted for a while longer, saying a lot of useless things, he didn’t stay for lunch.

Yan Wanzi… When Lu Mingqiu got this name, she asked Heige to check his file, and she got a bunch of photos of him dating Lin Xiaoyun.

His itinerary wasn’t hidden, it was easy to find.

At lunch, Yan Xianchuan glanced at him a few times, “He’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

But the itinerary she could find only went up to a few days ago when he returned to Yuecheng, there was nothing after that.

What important matter could he have been called away for?