Accustomed to climbing the ranks through sly and flirtatious means by Zhou Hechen's side, Ye Wanlan was still unrestrained after returning to the Lin Family, and even she could tell that Ye Wanlan's intentions were impure.
Yet, it was this very demeanor that won over Lin Weilan's heart.
Madam Lin was seething with anger, unable to tolerate it any longer.
This statement made the originally quiet dining room even more deathly silent at this moment.
Ye Wanlan slowly raised her head, very calm, "What did you say?"
She propped her chin with one hand, the jade earring gently swaying.
Despite the slight smile, it felt as if a great mountain was pressing down, a storm ready to burst.
It was hard to imagine that an eighteen-year-old girl could embody the oppressive aura of someone long accustomed to being in power.
Madam Lin's expression was fierce yet vulnerable, "What's the matter with you? It's only natural for elders to instruct the younger ones. Could it be that you're so delicate that you'd shatter upon touch, beyond reproach?"
"Second sister-in-law, that's not right," Khor Peiqing, who had not spoken until now, said indifferently, "You haven't raised her for a single day, how can you consider yourself her elder?"
Madam Lin only sneered in response.
In the Lin Family, only Lin Woyu's family was worth her efforts to curry favor with, and Khor Peiqing had only given birth to a son.
Being studious was one thing, but no matter how well he studied, he could not return to the main house in Yunjing.
Lin Weilan spoke indifferently, "It seems I am indeed getting old, there are young ones who wish to take my place."
As soon as these words came out, everyone's faces changed.
"Mom!" Madam Lin startled, hastily laughing, "Mom, that's not what I meant, I just wanted to help you—"
Lin Weilan didn't look at her, merely humming in response, "Go to the ancestral hall yourself."
Madam Lin's smile froze, "Yes, Mom."
Her gesture to rise was also very stiff, and Lin Qingwen didn't dare to speak up for her.
Lin Weilan coughed, "What are you looking at me for? Eat your meal."
"Mom is right, everyone eat," Lin Woyu busied herself with the guests, "Qinqin, eat more shrimp, you still have to practice the zither later, Wanlan, you should eat too."
"I'm glad I didn't say anything, otherwise I'd be the one kneeling in the ancestral hall," Lin Yue patted his chest, whispering, "But sister, I think grandmother must be confused."
Lin Qin was noncommittal.
After dinner, Lin Weilan called Ye Wanlan into her study.
Lin Qingwen went up to the ancestral hall on the top floor, where Madam Lin was kneeling on a meditation cushion.
He shook his head, "You were impulsive today, don't be like this next time."
"Was that impulsive?" Madam Lin scoffed bitterly, "With just a few words, she managed to get the old lady to give her a company. If she continues to court favor, won't the old lady just give her the entire Lin Family?"
She and Lin Qingwen had only one son, yet the Lin Family prided itself on having daughters.
This was equivalent to cutting off her hopes of returning to the main house in Yunjing, leaving her no choice but to please Lin Woyu's family.
"That's just a company on the verge of bankruptcy, so what if it's given away," Lin Qingwen was indifferent, "She can't support a wall with mud, and my mom has a chronic illness, who knows when she'll pass away."
Madam Lin wasn't comforted, "I just can't stand her fox-like demeanor! Having failed to ingratiate herself with the Zhou Family, she comes back here for a second chance, and with a few words, she makes the old lady so happy. She is indeed just like her mother."
Ye Wanlan's family background was complicated, and she had heard about it when Lin Huaijin brought her back six years ago.
The eldest son of the Lin Family, Lin Jiayan, was missing, his wife remarried, leaving Ye Wanlan as nothing more than a burden.
She didn't even change her surname after returning to the Lin Family, how could she be considered part of the Lin Family?
"About her mother..." Lin Qingwen's expression grew serious, "Has there been any contact?"
"Is that possible? If I had such a troublesome daughter, I'd be good just to avoid her," Madam Lin scoffed.
"Indeed," Lin Qingwen nodded in agreement.
Even with Lin Weilan looking out for Ye Wanlan, it wouldn't last long.
**
When Ye Wanlan emerged from the study, it was already eight o'clock at night; the people of Lin Family had all dispersed.
Khor Peiqing also took Lin Wenli away from the old family home.
"You were really reckless today, fortunately your grandmother was in a good mood," said Lin Huaijin with a headache, "What do you want with that company that's about to go bankrupt? Do you even understand business?"
Ye Wanlan asked him, "Uncle, do you look forward to the day when Shenzhou becomes the center of world culture, economy, and art, reclaiming the top throne?"
Lin Huaijin was taken aback, "What?"
Ye Wanlan looked up at the sky and silently smiled, "I look forward to it."
"The more you talk, the stranger it gets," Lin Huaijin frowned, "Right, from now on try to avoid your second aunt. She has a fierce temper and is strong-willed. I guess it's your cousin who's recently been putting her in a bad mood, don't get into a conflict and upset your grandmother."
Ye Wanlan hummed in acknowledgment, indicating that she heard.
At that moment, her phone vibrated, receiving a new message.
[Early Morning Bar, the usual place, come pick me up.]
There was no signature.
Ye Wanlan clicked delete and blocked the number.
"What's wrong?"
"Scam message."
Lin Huaijin nodded and did not ask further.
**
The next day, early in the morning at Zhou day.
Lin Weilan had a rare dreamless night and felt refreshed, "Woyu, you and Qinqin help me take some things to Yan Tingyue in South City."
"Alright, Mom," Lin Woyu agreed, "You really must rest more, don't overdo it."
Lin Weilan was in a good mood, "I have it under control."
Lin Woyu smiled, "Then it seems Wanlan is really helping your health."
But Lin Weilan sighed, "That child has it tough..."
Lin Woyu was a bit puzzled, but didn't ask more, and after changing clothes, took Lin Qin by car to South City.
South City, adjacent to Jiangcheng, is a small city, just an hour and a half's drive away.
Although South City is small, it is culturally rich, with a thriving tourism industry, and home to many craftsmen and intangible cultural heritage ('non-material heritage') successors.
Lin Qin didn't like this place; every time Lin Woyu took her to see Yan Tingyue, they had to walk along a long rustic path.
She wore rain boots today specifically to avoid getting her pants dirty.
"Aunt Yan, I'm here today to bring some things from my mom," Lin Woyu said as she put down the box, "How have you been recently? You look very happy today."
Yan Tingyue smiled, "I have a successor, naturally I am rarely this happy."
Lin Woyu was surprised, "A successor?"
She knew that Yan Tingyue, like Lin Weilan, was an intangible cultural heritage successor in Shenzhou.
The difference was that Lin Weilan specialized in the zither, while Yan Tingyue was in Kunqu opera.
The civilization of Shenzhou was destroyed in the battle three hundred years ago, with the heritage being lost.
Rebuilt from the ruins, it was later impacted by the Industrial Revolution, focusing on economy and heavy industry, but culture fell far behind.
Even though Kunqu opera is esteemed as the "Ancestor of All Dramas," it has declined a lot.
Yan Tingyue was a disciple of the Master of Melody and held a very high status in the cultural world, merely choosing to live in seclusion here, and there were rumours that she was a descendant of the Carefree King, one of the Four Directions Nobility.
She had very high standards and finding a successor was as difficult as climbing to heaven.
"Yes," Yan Tingyue smiled deeper, "I underestimated the young girls of today; one performance was astonishing. If it wasn't my first time seeing her, I would have thought she'd been studying with me for a long time."
Lin Woyu was even more surprised, "A young girl? That's really incredible."
Lin Qin pricked up her ears too.
How young could she be?
"Yes, she said she would come over at noon," Yan Tingyue nodded, "If you're not busy, sit down and have a cup of tea, and meet her later."