Fate Trading System – Chapter 306

Plan A

Running with the Ball 10

The private hospital room was immaculate, the windows bright and clean.

Sunlight streamed in directly from outside, filling the entire room with a warm tone.

Tiny dust motes, invisible to the naked eye, drifted through the air, made minute and concrete by the sunlight as they danced slowly.

The moment their hands touched, Bai Jianglan felt as if a song had started to play all around her.

But the feeling was fleeting. After Su Xin realized she seemed to have grabbed the wrong thing, she opened her eyes and correctly took the sachet.

Bai Jianglan, however, was still stunned by that touch.

This was the second time, and it was definitely not a coincidence.

How could this be happening?

“Very sleepy? Then go back to sleep.”

Su Xin hummed vaguely, placed the sachet beside her, and drifted back into a groggy sleep.

Su Xin didn’t need to be constantly on guard; wasn’t Bai Jianglan here watching over her anyway? And Fourteen was always present, too.

Bai Jianglan gazed at Su Xin’s sleeping face, reaching out a finger to gently brush Su Xin’s scattered strands of hair aside. Her expression looked gentle and deeply affectionate.

It was a sense of inner peace she had never felt before, as if time had stopped in this very moment, and they could stay like this until the sky is old and the earth is barren¹.

After watching Su Xin’s sleeping face for an unknown length of time, Bai Jianglan surprisingly felt a wave of drowsiness herself. She had a strong urge to crawl into the warm bed and have a comfortable, peaceful sleep.

Bai Jianglan was holding her phone. The very instant it began to vibrate, she quickly answered the call. She didn’t speak right away, but instead took the phone and tiptoed outside.

“What is it?”

It was her secretary, reporting on some work matters and a few things that required her instructions.

After Bai Jianglan had dealt with everything one by one, just as her secretary was about to hang up, she asked her a question.

Bai Jianglan felt her secretary was extremely capable and remarkably versatile, able to handle many things with great thoroughness.

“If you want to keep staring at someone’s sleeping face, what’s the reason for it?”

“Ah, huh? Boss, may I ask what that person’s gender is?”

“Female.”

“Ah… A child or an adult?”

“An adult.”

“Are you and this person close?”

“So-so.”

“Then when you see her, do you have any other feelings? I think you may need to describe it to me in as much detail as possible, otherwise I can’t make a judgment.”

The hand her secretary was holding the phone with was slick with sweat, her eyes filled with the light of gossip².

Could it be that the boss… emmmmm.

“I’ll talk to you about it next time.”

Bai Jianglan opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but didn’t know where to start. The feeling couldn’t be described concretely; at least, right now, she couldn’t think of the right words, nor was she ready to tell anyone else about it. She planned to try and figure it out on her own first.

“Alright, goodbye.”

Although the secretary was disappointed, she still professionally hung up the phone.

The gossip will come out sooner or later.

When Bai Jianglan went back inside, she found that Su Xin was already awake.

Su Xin got out of bed, parts of her body still aching faintly.

She went to the bathroom to wash her face to wake herself up a bit, then sat on the sofa to bask in the sun.

“Did I wake you?”

“No, I woke up on my own.”

“Why are your hands so cold?”

Bai Jianglan walked over and took Su Xin’s hands. The icy touch made her frown.

“I just washed them.”

Bai Jianglan’s action was so natural that Su Xin didn’t find it unpleasant. She let Bai Jianglan hold her hands and turned her head to look at the sunlight outside the window.

“Are you bored staying here?”

“It’s alright.”

“Your recovery should be going quite well, right?”

“Mhm, it doesn’t hurt that much anymore. I can walk slowly. I estimate that with a few more days of rest, I’ll be back to my previous state.”

“No matter what you do, protect your body first.”

“Of course.”

“Actually, I have a rather bold request.”

“What is it?”

“Can I be the baby’s godmother?”

“That spot’s already been reserved. You can be her second godmother.”

“Then I want to change it. I’ll be the godfather instead.”

Bai Jianglan frowned, a little annoyed at the person who had beaten her to it.

---

Wen Linlang, who was out having fun, couldn’t help but sneeze, earning the concern of the person beside her.

“Do you have a cold?”

Xu Yiman³ handed her a tissue.

“I don’t think so. I don’t know what’s wrong either.”

Wen Linlang rubbed her nose and took the tissue.

“I seem to remember you had this attitude towards me before, but it hasn’t been like this for so many years. I was actually afraid you’d feel awkward.”

“I’m really sorry about that day. I didn’t see your face clearly.”

“You’ve apologized eight hundred times already. It’s really okay.”

“How could it be awkward? You’ve changed a bit compared to before, some changes in your appearance, but your personality hasn’t changed much. I lost contact with you back then, and you moved, so I didn’t know how to find you after that. It’s really great to run into you now.”

“Ah… Lost contact? When was that?”

---

When Bai Jianglan’s “godfather” line came out, Su Xin was stunned for a moment.

“Wow, that sounds pretty good.”

“I think so too. So, does that mean you agree?”

“My little baby’s godfather isn’t that easy to be. You know what I mean, right?”

“Of course.”

“Being friends with you is my greatest fortune.”

“I’m surprised you feel that way. After all, the way I’ve acted doesn’t seem to be any more special than your subordinates.”

“It’s different. I’m sure of it.”

After all, she had never felt that way about anyone or anything before.

That feeling of electricity through her heart, that tingly and numb sensation.

“I’m just as fortunate to have met you. Should I be thankful that you were the first contact in my call history at that time?”

“I haven’t asked yet, how did you get into that accident? If you don’t want to answer, you don’t have to.”

Bai Jianglan had always been curious about this, but she hadn’t been willing to bring it up before, because it must have been a painful memory. For the current Su Xin, however, that might not necessarily be the case.

Bai Jianglan looked at Su Xin. Although Su Xin was seeking revenge, she wasn’t lost in hatred.

She was very clear-headed. There was neither hate nor love in her eyes.

Within those eyes, as bright as a field of stars, there must live an interesting soul.

“I was driving that day, and I wanted to call back home to tell that person the good news that I was pregnant. But someone else answered the phone. I heard their conversation—so vile, so calculating, so disgusting. I was so angry I couldn’t say a word, I could only stare at the phone screen, listening to their voices until they hung up. When I snapped out of my daze, I realized I was about to hit a car. To avoid causing a bigger disaster, I wrenched the steering wheel and crashed.”

“The one who answered the phone was that homewrecker, and that man didn’t know you were listening, right?”

“Mhm. I was terrified that after I passed out, that man would rush over and get rid of the baby in my belly, so I made a call for help. Actually, I wasn’t trying to call you, but I couldn’t see clearly and my hand pressed the wrong spot.”

“Perhaps fate is just that clever.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Go lie down on the bed.”

“Okay.”

Just as Su Xin stood up, she found herself being lifted into a princess carry. She looked at Bai Jianglan with some surprise, then wrapped her arms around Bai Jianglan’s neck.

“Is this the godfather’s boyfriend power⁴?”

“It is.”

Bai Jianglan carried Su Xin to the bed, tucked her in, and then continued speaking.

“You’re too light.”

Jiang Xiao’s body was indeed very thin. Due to long hours of work and self-imposed pressure, she had ruined her health. Fortunately, her stomach was fine, as her three meals a day were quite standard since she had to go home to eat with Feng Linhan every day.

“I’ll eat well from now on. Taking care of my body is the most important thing.”

“You need to eat more later. After all, you’re looking after the nutrition of two people now.”

“I know, I know. The little dumpling isn’t even born yet, and you haven’t even officially become the godfather, but you’re already starting to nag.”

---

When Feng Linhan came to deliver a meal, he was a bit stunned to see Su Xin sitting there like an immovable mountain, exuding a powerful aura. When he saw that the bouquet of flowers was no longer on the cabinet, he felt a bit flustered.

“Linhan, this is CEO Bai.”

“Hello, CEO Bai.”

Although Feng Linhan had seen this woman bring Jiang Xiao to the hospital that day, he didn’t know Bai Jianglan’s identity.

“Hello.”

Bai Jianglan felt a deep disgust for this man, not only because of what he had done, but also because of his identity.

“Xiaoxiao, what happened to the flowers?”

“They had been blooming for a few days and had wilted, so I threw them away. What’s wrong, did you want them badly?”

“No, I just saw them yesterday and not today, so I was a little curious. I called that cousin of mine, and it was indeed her who sent them.”

“She seems like a nice girl. Why don’t you invite her over to our house as a guest someday? Though you might have to cook, since you know what my cooking skills are like.”

“Sure.”

Feng Linhan agreed with a somewhat unnatural expression, thinking what a mess this all was. It was terrible.

“Anyway, I’ll be discharged in a few days. You’ll make me a delicious meal at home, right?”

“Absolutely no problem. I’ll make your favorite dishes, and also things you can eat now.”

“Then let’s invite my cousin to our house then.”

“I’ll ask her later if she’s free. If she has time to come, that would be for the best.”

“Okay.”

“If I’m not intruding, may I come?”

Bai Jianglan spoke up, but she didn’t even look at Feng Linhan, her gaze fixed on Su Xin.

“Of course, no problem. You’re very welcome.”

“Then which day specifically? Let me know in advance.”

“Okay.”

After Su Xin finished eating, Feng Linhan took the thermal lunch container from noon along with the current one and said his goodbyes to Su Xin.

After the door closed, Bai Jianglan let out a cold snort.

“As a husband, he is truly derelict in his duties.”

The feeling was very strange. Between this husband and wife, there was more politeness than intimacy.

“It doesn’t matter. I’ll be kicking him to the curb sooner or later anyway.”

“If I go to dinner that day, will I interfere with your plan?”

“There’s no precise plan. I’m not going to do anything to her, just make her uncomfortable.”

For a true-love-type little three, what is the most upsetting thing to see? Isn’t it the man she loves showing affection to his wife right in front of her?

Anyway, I’ll just gross her out to death.

Make her so uncomfortable she feels suffocated, but unable to say anything about it.

“What do I need to do that day?”

“You don’t need to do anything. Just be a set piece there at ease. Cooperate with my actions when necessary.”

“Okay.”

“Actually, I’d rather install a camera in He Qin’s home and record their sordid affair to use as evidence later. But I can’t do that right now. Installing a camera in my own home is useless because he’s so cautious, he would never bring her home. A friend helped me hire a private investigator to tail them, but even if they capture them in the same house, they can’t get anything else. He Qin’s curtains are always drawn tight.”

Catching them in the act wasn’t the problem, but she wanted to prepare a few little surprises beforehand, or perhaps, a post-mortem gift.

“He Qin?”

“The little three.”

“Actually, it’s fine if you can’t get video. A few photos are enough.”

Su Xin’s current identity was that of an ordinary citizen, at most a bit more capable and a bit wealthier than the average person, but still in the middle tier of society. She didn’t have the power to do anything illegal.

“It’s fine, I can help you. It’s just installing a pinhole camera.”

“Wait a second.”

Master Fourteen, help me check if there are any cameras in He Qin’s home.

【Checked. There are.】

Master Fourteen, you know what I mean.

【Of course.】

“I have other ways, no need. Don’t you go doing anything dangerous for me. We’re ordinary, honest people.”

Su Xin said this, but a mysterious smile appeared on her face.

“Are you sure it’s possible?”

“Of course, no problem.”

---

The day of her discharge arrived. Feng Linhan drove over to pick her up and take her home.

This day happened to be the monthly break for the high school. When the students had a holiday, the teachers did too.

“So, did your cousin agree?”

“She agreed.”

When Feng Linhan called today, he actually didn’t want He Qin to agree. Refusing was very simple; if she just used the excuse of being busy, Jiang Xiao would definitely not press the issue.

Why, this time, did He Qin not listen to him and instead choose to agree with unusual determination?

He Qin knew what she was thinking, what little scheme she was plotting. Wasn’t it just to show her how happy they were, how harmonious their interactions were, and then make her back down?

How could that be possible? If she didn’t accept the challenge, then Jiang Xiao would definitely think she was a coward.

She would not be inferior to Jiang Xiao.

---

Wen Linlang was sleeping like the dead at home when she was suddenly dragged up by her cousin to look at clothes.

“Sis, you haven’t been possessed by some alien, have you?”

Wen Linlang had played games all night until nine in the morning, was on the verge of death, and had successfully cultivated immortality⁵. It was now two in the afternoon, and she still hadn’t gotten enough sleep.

What was even more terrifying to her was that Bai Jianglan was actually asking for her help to pick out clothes.

Bai Jianglan’s taste in clothes was excellent, but limited to work attire and formal gowns. She rarely had casual, everyday clothes. 365 days a year, she wished there were 366 days for work and social engagements.

“Cousin, don’t tell me you’re in a relationship?”

Wen Linlang’s eyes were lifeless, but they suddenly lit up with spirit.

If Bai Jianglan was in a relationship, this would be a monumental event. The entire family would be in an uproar over it. Her aunt and uncle would surely cry with relief.

I wonder what kind of person it is, but it must be a tall, rich, and handsome guy. With my cousin’s standards, there’s no way she’d find a man who isn’t her equal in every aspect, right?

“In a relationship? No.”

Bai Jianglan shook her head, the corners of her mouth habitually pressing down into a cold arc.

“Then why are you picking out clothes?”

“I’m going to a friend’s house for dinner tonight.”

“Then just wear formal attire. Wait, it’s not a hotel or restaurant, but someone’s home? Then you should dress a bit more casually! Cousin, you’re so good-looking anyway, you look good in anything.”

Hearing it wasn’t a relationship, Wen Linlang lost all her energy. She yawned, feeling like she could fall asleep standing up.

Bai Jianglan looked at the few casual outfits in her closet with utter disdain.

“I’ve decided to go out and buy something. Do you want to come with me?”

“Wow, what kind of friend is this, to make you go to such trouble, even going out to buy clothes?”

Wen Linlang drew out her words, a hint of teasing in her tone, but it came out rather weak due to her sleepiness.

“You should probably just stay home and sleep.”

“No, no, no! I’m going! For something like this, I absolutely must do my part!”

Wen Linlang felt that anyone her cousin valued this much must be an extraordinary friend. No matter what, she had to help her cousin out, and then get some first-hand gossip up close.

Even if nothing had happened yet, it was close, wasn’t it?

Wen Linlang accompanied Bai Jianglan through several stores. Bai Jianglan was always dissatisfied with this or that, seemingly unable to find any clothes that she was happy with, that could match her aura, for meeting that important friend.

Wen Linlang was sure of it: this was her crush, no doubt about it. Otherwise, why would her cousin be so nervous?

Only when facing a crush they haven’t yet won over do people feel they aren’t good enough. This was true regardless of gender.

“Cousin, I really think that last outfit was great.”

The style of that outfit made Bai Jianglan look very ladylike. To meet a crush, one should definitely dress in a softer, more feminine way. If she still dressed in that sharp, shrewd manner—come on, she was going on a date, not a business meeting.

“It just doesn’t feel right to me.”

“Cousin, can you tell me specifically what you’re looking for? So I can help you find it, have a goal.”

They had already tried several different styles. Wen Linlang had to admit with envy that her cousin was a real clothing rack—she looked good in everything, everything suited her, except maybe the super sweet and cute style.

“I’m going to her house for dinner. There will be other people there.”

“Ah… oh… and then?”

Wen Linlang felt a throbbing pain in her temples. She felt the world before her was about to go dark. She was suddenly very sleepy, extremely sleepy, and wanted to just fall asleep right there on the spot.

Her sluggish mind meant she didn’t react quickly to the meaning behind her cousin’s words.

Bai Jianglan just stood there and watched Wen Linlang for a full three minutes without saying a word. Only then did Wen Linlang sober up a bit and realize what the situation might be.

“Cousin, are you saying there’s a love rival there?”

“Perhaps? Not really, I suppose.”

“Then that’s it! So it’s a beauty contest! You should have said so earlier. We have to crush her with our presence. I have a direction now, come on, come on.”

When meeting a love rival, you must crush her with your presence, defeat her with your makeup, and obliterate her with the price tag of your outfit. This calls for even more class.

Bai Jianglan was pulled along and fussed over for a while. Seeing her refreshed self in the mirror, a look of anticipation appeared in her eyes.

Bai Jianglan didn’t wear a dress. She didn’t like them, feeling they didn’t suit her, and moreover, they weren’t suitable for the situation she was about to face.

This was very good. It wasn’t so conspicuous as to steal the host’s thunder, but it was an existence that could not be ignored.

Wen Linlang’s mission was complete. Standing under the sun, she felt her vision go black for a moment.

“You should hurry back and rest.”

“I know, I know. Go for it, cousin! You must work hard to win the beauty’s heart!”

That description seems a bit off, but who cares, the meaning is the same.

Wen Linlang took out her phone and made a call.

“Hey, come pick me up, I’m about to die on the road here.”

This immortal cultivation is no good. I should switch to cultivating Buddhism.

---

6:30 PM.

Bai Jianglan rang the doorbell of Su Xin’s home. Hearing the sound, Su Xin quickly came to open the door.

“Where is he?”

“He went to pick up He Qin. You look really beautiful today. Did you dress up specially just to come for dinner?”

“Mhm, dressed up for you to see.”

“Nice, one hundred points. Come on in.”

Su Xin bent down to get a pair of slippers for Bai Jianglan from the shoe cabinet but was stopped by her.

“Come on, I’m only a little over three months pregnant, not eight. It’s not like I can’t even bend over.”

“Sorry, I’m a little overly nervous.”

When Bai Jianglan was searching for things pregnant women should pay attention to, she had accidentally seen some other things pop up, like how pregnant women can suddenly have a miscarriage, what things are harmful, etc. She didn’t know why she had read through all of it, which made her extremely tense and terrified of an accident.

“I’m not some porcelain doll. Besides, sticking to gentle exercise, like walking, is good for strengthening the body and can also help make the delivery process smoother later on.”

Bai Jianglan nodded, put on the slippers, walked to the dining table, washed her hands, and sat down.

She casually sized up the house. It was a typical three-bedroom, two-living-room layout. The decor looked very tasteful and should be a cozy little nest. There were photos of the couple on the shoe cabinet and next to the TV, all of them proclaiming their love for each other.

Bai Jianglan glanced at them once before averting her eyes, uninterested.

The food was already prepared and looked very sumptuous.

A short while later, there was a sound at the door.

Su Xin stood up and walked over, welcoming them with the air of a hostess.

Anyone could see that He Qin had dressed up carefully today.

Her large, bright almond eyes were accentuated by makeup. Her clothes were not revealing, giving off a fresh, artsy vibe⁶. Looking at her, one would think she must be a woman who really knows how to live.

“Cousin is here. Come, have a seat.”

“I feel so bad for coming empty-handed.”

“What are you saying? It’s fine. You were invited over for dinner anyway.”

“Congratulations on being discharged from the hospital, Cousin-in-law.”

“You’re too kind. Come in and sit.”

The difference between the host and the guest was clear at a glance.

He Qin must be wanting to vomit blood inside right now. After all, this was the place she desperately wanted to move into, to become the rightful mistress of.

But now, she could only tour the place as a guest, and had to face the smiling female protagonist.

He Qin’s home was also filled with many things that displayed their love, but those things couldn’t see the light of day. She didn’t even dare bring friends over.

He Qin was a little surprised to see Bai Jianglan sitting at the dining table. She nodded towards Bai Jianglan and sat down opposite her.

It was a four-person table. Su Xin and Bai Jianglan sat on one side, with Feng Linhan sitting opposite Su Xin, next to He Qin.

“Come, try your cousin’s cooking. Your cousin spent a lot of effort on this today.”

Su Xin picked up a piece of food with her chopsticks and gestured towards He Qin.

“Cousin is indeed a great cook. He used to cook for me often, too. Eating it made me feel super happy.”

A war without smoke had begun.

---

The author has something to say:

Wen Linlang: Godfather and Godmother, aren’t they supposed to be a couple?

Xu Yiman (The Original Wife): A couple your head.

Qing-jie: It’s fine, I’ll be her dad in the future.

Wen Linlang: [Scared.jpg]

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