The Useless Stepmom Brings Her Kids to Reality TV Shows to Photograph Them

183 Another World

Lin Wan placed her other hand on Li Yanchen’s face.

“Do you think I’m going back to my previous personality? Is it because I remember the people and things of the past?”

Lin Wan knew that she and Li Yanchen were still not on the same level. She was also aware that there were some similarities between the so-called parallel world and dissociative identity disorder.

“I’ll like you no matter who you become.” Although he said to himself that it didn’t matter, he was panicking in his heart. Yang Ruoxi moved the stool over for the two of them to sit down.

!!

“Li Yanchen, I can prove that Lin Wan doesn’t have a split personality. She has already changed to the core,” Yang Ruoxi said, supporting herself with her hands on the table.

Li Yanchen was speechless.

“I know how unbelievable it sounds. But it is the truth. I am not from this world, neither is Auntie and Lin Wan, said Yang Ruoxi haltingly.

Li Yanchen’s mind was in a complete mess right now. Yang Ruoxi finally understood Lin Wan’s helplessness.

She was endlessly mumbling, trying to explain to him. But in the end, all he said was, “Are you guys okay?”

Lin Wan’s shoulders drooped. Unless Li Yanchen went through something like this himself, he would never believe in parallel worlds.

In his eyes, it was dissociative identity disorder, or even schizophrenia.

“Alright,” he said.

Lin Wan sighed. She gave up. If she continued to explain this to Li Yanchen, Li Yanchen might suggest that she and Yang Ruoxi visit a psychologist.

Auntie Bao came out with glasses of water for them. There were a few Green Lotus Pods in the bamboo basket.

“Auntie, you can eat. You don’t have to serve us.” Li Yanchen took the tray from the lady.

“I’ll peel some lotus seeds for you when I’m done eating. I picked them this morning.” The Auntie placed the bamboo basket on her lap. “It’s for Xiao Wan.”

Behind the Lin family’s old house was a pond. Every family in the village had a pond. During this season, the lotus seed heads could be picked at will. Auntie remembered that when Lin Wan used to like eating lotus seeds. She always salvaged the lotus core.

The lotus core was very bitter, but Lin Wan always used to say that it felt better to eat it this way.

Yang Ruoxi was also very familiar with Lin Wan’s habits. She was going to say that she knew all about Lin Wan’s habits and pet peeves to prove that they were from another world and they both had transmigrated here.

But the next moment, the Auntie said, “In the past, lotus seeds were your favorite during summer break. I wonder if your habit has changed.”

“Do you remember going with me to the pond to pick lotus seeds? We used to go in a small wooden boat, and you would eat them as I picked them,” said Auntie Bao, her thoughts traveling back to three years ago.

Lin Wan had no memory of it. But Li Yanchen smiled. “Everytime Wanwan went out of the courtyard, Auntie would call me to inform me that Wanwan was finally going out.”

Lin Wan knew that this was something that had happened to the original owner of her body.

“But I would be worried. I always used to think Lin Wan might take things too hard or something might overwhelm her.” Li Yanchen knew how difficult life had been for Lin Wan in those years when Auntie had been watching over her.

Li Yanchen had offered monetary help and bonuses to Auntie, but she had always refused saying that Lin Wan was like her own child and she wanted to take care of her.

Moreover, she had no one to rely on in Yun City, so she was already very grateful that she was allowed to stay in the Lin family’s old mansion.

Lin Wan’s heart ached as she held Auntie’s hand. “I’m sorry, Director’s mother. I’ve caused you so much trouble.”

She said it not only on behalf of the original owner of the body but also herself. The person who had protected the original Lin Wan was also protecting her in a different dimension without even knowing.

“Director’s mother, I will not give you any more trouble. Will you come back to Yun City with me? I want to take care of you.” Lin Wan wanted to give the Auntie a home. She glanced at Li Yanchen, seeking his consent.

“Sure,” said Li Yanchen. He was more than happy.

“Xiao Wan, I want to stay here to guard the house and these crops.”

Auntie Bao couldn’t bear to leave everything behind. She was attached to the old house, the pond, the fields, the chickens and ducks that she had raised.

“Director’s mother, we can find someone else to take care of it. I’m worried about you being here alone,” Lin Wan continued.

Auntie Bao patted Lin Wan’s head. “Xiao Wan, there are still neighbors here. We’re very familiar with each other. Besides, I am still young. I can take care of myself. Don’t tell me you think this Auntie is already old and useless.”

Lin Wan shook her head. “It’s not like that. If you like this place that much, you can stay. I will come and visit you often.”

Lin Wan realized that she had been too hasty. The Director’s mother did not have any memories of the original world. If she suddenly asked her to upend her life and live with her in Royal Water Bay, she would definitely be unwilling. Lin Wan didn’t push her.

“Wanwan, let’s go inside and take a look.” Li Yanchen tried to ease the awkward atmosphere.

“I’ll chat with Auntie for a while. You guys go ahead.” Yang Ruoxi stayed in the courtyard.

The Lin family’s old residence had been cleaned to the point that there was not a single speck of dust anywhere. Even the glass windows were spotless. Lin Wan’s room was on the west side of the first floor, and the door was wide open.

The decorations in the house were not old. There were dark blue tatami mats, white furniture, and a leaf-shaped hanger by the window with a few dark-colored bags hanging on it.

They must have been left behind by the original owner. The wardrobe was connected to a three-door bookcase. Through the glass, one could see the neatly arranged books inside.

Lin Wan didn’t know if he could find any clues. She opened the bookcase, picked out a few books and started reading.

There were notes in each book. The original owner definitely liked reading and had her own opinions and views.

“Wanwan, take your time. I’ll wait for you in the living room.” Li Yanchen felt that Lin Wan might need some space. He walked out of the room.

Lin Wan took the book to the bed, held the cover, and shook it a few times. It was always like this on TV. Secrets would be hidden in the book. However, she could not find anything after flipping through a whole row of books. Just as she was about to give up, she saw a picture book at the bottom of the cabinet.

She pulled out the pink picture book. The name “Lin Wan” was written on the cover.

She flipped to the first page and saw a sketch of the Lin family’s old residence. Even the stones in the courtyard were very detailed. Lin Wan could not help but marvel at the original owner’s drawing skills.

On the second page was a portrait. Lin Wan had seen elder Lin’s photo before. The kind old man in the portrait must be the original owner’s father. He wore glasses and had a kind smile.

When Lin Wan turned to the third page, she was stunned.

It was a building, but unlike the ancient Lin family mansion, it was a high-rise building. The main body of the building was beige, and there was a black fence on the third floor.

Lin Wan thought that it looked familiar. Did she see it on the way to Yun city?

The fourth page was a self-portrait of the host. She drew a smiling face on herself. Unlike the photos she had taken after high school, the host’s smile was very bright in the self-portrait.

There was a line of small words at the bottom of the portrait:

[Is there another gentler world? I can only smile in hope.]

...

Lin Wan felt as if she was about to suffocate. The last few pages were filled with the original owner’s imagination of another world. The last picture was of a large flower field with yellow sunflowers facing the sun, clustered together.