Moth Chasing the Sun 3

The cool weight of the gun pressed against Yan Xianchuan's palm. She glanced at the family head—his expression gentle, eyes seemingly smiling, but on closer look, there was no warmth in them, only a calculated gleam that belied his fatherly demeanor.

"What are you looking at me for?" he asked with a smile. "It's not like I can take the lantern down for you."

Yan Xianchuan was no stranger to schemes, but she had never been one to wield them openly. Today, she could not afford to play the fool.

When she had first arrived, she hadn't bothered to hide her capabilities, acting with a careless air during the variety show filming with Lu Mingqiu. But little had she expected that the Yan family, which seemed to ignore her, had been watching her all along.

Yet the younger generation of the Yan family was capable. Even if she had feigned incompetence before, they hardly needed another child to manage the business. So when the family head realized she was hiding her talents, he did not summon her back to share the burden.

If he hadn't cared before, why bring her up now, just before the ancestral rites?

Yan Xianchuan shifted her gaze, raised her arm, and pulled the trigger.

Another bang reverberated.

The exquisite palace lantern shattered, the goddess's crown blown apart by the bullet.

With a laugh, the family head said to those nearby, "The seventh child truly possesses real skill."

His words were met with eager agreement. "Indeed, Xianchuan has always been exceptional in both appearance and demeanor. Raised under the eldest brother's care, she's certainly no ordinary person."

"It was my oversight before. I should drink three cups as a penalty."

Another chimed in, "Seventh Sister is just reserved by nature. When it comes to talent, she ranks among us siblings."

The entire table joined in, singing Yan Xianchuan's praises as if she were a celestial being reborn. Their past behavior—the bullying—was recast as "tempering her resolve," "a dragon in hiding," "unmoved by favor or disgrace," as if it had all been part of the Yan family's deliberate cultivation, a whetstone and stepping-stone placed for her benefit. In short, everything was for the best.

By that logic, she should thank them. Without their grinding, how could Yan Xianchuan have become who she was now?

The family head listened to the flood of flattery, then said with a smile, "How about giving the Dingyang City business to the seventh child? Young people need experience to contribute to the family. Her siblings have all done their part; if she alone lounges in idleness, wouldn't it look like I'm playing favorites?"

He asked warmly, "What do you all think?"

The others unanimously agreed, not a single objection.

At this table sat Yan Xianchuan's second uncle, fifth uncle, and aunt, along with her eldest brother, second brother, fourth sister, fifth brother, and eighth sister. These were all people of influence, yet before Patriarch Yan Wen, they were like docile quails, not daring to voice dissent.

Dingyang City was a major city, no less than Nanjin City. Such a large operation could not run without leadership. Who had been in charge before? How could that person accept having a piece of their cake torn away?

Unless that person was already dead.

And a dead man couldn't complain.

Yan Xianchuan had neither memories nor knowledge of the Yan family's internal affairs. Wading into that murky waters would only invite trouble.

She was formidable in a fight, true, but not invulnerable or immune to poison. Plenty of ways existed to kill her.

"I've never been involved in the family business," she said. "I'm afraid I'm not up to it. Rushing in would cause chaos. Though Father is kind to think of me, I suggest you find someone better suited."

"If I say you can do it, you can do it," the family head replied, raising an eyebrow. "But since you're heading off in a hurry, you'll need a few helpers."

"I'll assign two more people to accompany you—that should make it foolproof." He turned to Yan Zhitang, his tone deceptively mild. "Fourth child, what do you think?"

Fourth Sister Yan Zhitang had shed her earlier arrogance. Her face was expressionless, but her demeanor was obedient, as if she had remembered her courtesies.

"With Father's guidance and Seventh Sister's talent, she is sure to succeed."

He then shifted his gaze back. "Seventh child, what say you?"

Yan Xianchuan met his eyes—warm yet devoid of warmth—and lowered her head in assent. "Father has planned well."

Her words unleashed another torrent of congratulations from the main table. One said she should work hard and not disappoint the patriarch's training; another cheered that they knew she could shoulder great responsibility, praising her as if she were a discount sale.

Throughout, the family head listened with a smile, thoroughly enjoying this harmonious family scene.

As they talked, a servant led Lu Mingqiu over.

Yan Xianchuan turned to look, and the family head said, "Since you have real responsibilities now, don't sit in the corner with those idlers who learn nothing, bringing shame to me."

His tone was mild, but his words were pointed, clearly labeling the second uncle's son a wastrel. Yet the second uncle, who had schemed his way to the main table, possessed skin as thick as a city wall. He reacted as if the comment were about a stranger, even adding, "Brother speaks only out of concern. You should heed his words."

Lu Mingqiu was taken directly to a secondary table and seated, without being introduced to the main family.

"What parent doesn't worry for their children?" Yan Wen sighed. "If only you would give me less cause."

"Well, the family banquet is about to begin." He raised a hand. "Go take your seats."

Yan Xianchuan quietly acknowledged and moved to sit beside Lu Mingqiu.

Under the table, the latter secretly squeezed her hand.

Yan Xianchuan blinked, then smiled at her, signaling she was fine.

Whatever schemes these people were weaving, it was clear this convenient father intended to use her. Would a top-tier conglomerate head hand over a major business to someone solely for good marksmanship? Even a minor branch? Unlikely.

Everyone at the main table had been groomed from childhood with elite education, surviving conspiracies and emerging on top. For her to waltz in out of nowhere—a notorious good-for-nothing with no business sense—was more absurd than a dream.

The real managers would be the two assistants he sent. Yan Xianchuan herself was nothing more than a decorative target.

As for whom that target was meant to warn, she had no idea.

But that was fine. If the family head was using her as a shield, he would not let his other children harm her—not out of any belief in her genius, but purely to uphold his authority.

As head of the family, his word was law. Whoever he ordered to take over Dingyang had to go and do well, regardless of private thoughts. Even if he pointed at a dog today and called it a once-in-a-millennium business prodigy, everyone else was obliged to agree.

Besides, Yan Xianchuan had her own plans. She was, after all, a genuine member of the Yan family. If the family ran things smoothly, with a sterling reputation and no holes to exploit, then so be it. But if there were corruption within, that could change everything.

Lu Mingqiu wanted to overturn the mountain pressing down on the people, to end the reign of conglomerates—a difficult task, with failure far more likely than success.

But she was resolute, heedless of life or death.

Her beloved had a wish she would risk everything to fulfill. What could Yan Xianchuan do? Naturally, she would do everything in her power to help make it come true.

Besides, Yan Xianchuan might not understand business, but Lu Mingqiu did. Could the Resistance not produce a few experts in that field?

As for the family banquet, the food was truly delicious.

Yan Xianchuan picked up a piece with her chopsticks, not recognizing the ingredient, but the fresh, savory flavor was so exquisite she would believe it was laced with hallucinogens.

Why did people crave power? To hold the world in their grasp, to act with impunity, to command others at will? To enjoy the ultimate luxury of fine food, clothing, shelter, and transport? To control everyone and look down from above?

In the end, wasn't it all for pleasure?

She took another piece of crystal-clear lobster meat, sweeping her gaze around the table at the others' accustomed, matter-of-fact expressions.

How many months of an ordinary worker's salary was this single piece of meat worth?

She put it in her mouth and chewed slowly. Indeed, delicious.

Since it was a family banquet, harmony was key. Everyone flattered one another, exchanging pleasantries. Tomorrow was the grand ancestral rites; no one dared stir trouble then and provoke the patriarch. Even those secretly at odds had to act like affectionate siblings.

At the secondary tables sat figures of lower rank, all kind-faced and benevolent, as if they were the finest of people, the most charitable of benefactors. They showered attention on both Yan Xianchuan and Lu Mingqiu alike, making the Yan family seem like paradise on earth.

When the banquet ended, everyone returned to their quarters. Yan Fufeng went back to her hall, where several attendants rushed forward to undo her robes, but she waved them away.

"Is the young lady in a bad mood?" A young man, as "clear as the moon, gentle as the wind, refined as orchids and jade," emerged from the inner room, taking over the servants' role and helping her out of her garments.

Yan Fufeng smiled at him. "How did you guess?"

The young man smiled slightly. "Your eyes smile when you're happy. They don't now." He hesitated. "Is it... something that happened at the banquet?"

Yan Fufeng's expression turned worried. "Yes. Father suddenly called on Seventh Sister to manage business, which unsettles me."

The young man asked cautiously, "Does her area of responsibility overlap with yours?"

"No, it doesn't," she shook her head.

"Then why worry?" He removed her outer robe, let down her hair, and attended to her shoes, speaking gently. "You are favored by the patriarch and work diligently. He sees that. No one can take your credit."

"Seventh Miss is only a newcomer. How could she overshadow you?"

Yan Fufeng lowered her head and used her toes to lift his chin. The young man knelt on the ground, raising his head docilely. She said with interest, "You're rather clever."

The young man's eyes were full of tender love. "All the cleverness I have, I use to try to make you happy, miss."

Yan Fufeng tapped his shoulder with her foot and laughed lightly. "Go ready the hot spring water, then prepare yourself."

The young man's face flushed slightly, and he went off obediently, bashful and compliant.

Yan Fufeng watched his retreating back for a while, then slowly let her smile fade.

Yan Xianchuan was a fool with a bit of cleverness, not truly intelligent, just playing petty tricks. She wasn't worth the worry.

What troubled her was the patriarch's attitude.

"Still, using her to slightly restrain Eldest Brother is a clever move," Yan Fufeng murmured to herself. "I just wonder what Fourth Sister makes of it."

With a hint of schadenfreude, she added, "Well, it's not meat being snatched from my mouth."