After Transmigrating Into a Book, I Was Played by the Black Lotus – Chapter 11

Suspicion

Prying eyes.

The atmosphere was a bit strange.

It had been strange ever since Bai Xiying said hello.

Bai Xiying listlessly swallowed the soup from her spoon, feeling somewhat irritated.

She really didn’t understand Lin Xingzhu.

Wasn’t it just because she had refused the soy milk and congee? Was it necessary to still be angry after a week?

It had been a long time since she had been treated with such neglect.

And this soup, it was disgusting. If it weren’t for Lin Xingzhu, she would have left long ago.

Bai Xiying expressionlessly spooned another mouthful of soup from the porcelain bowl and gulped it down.

After calming the feeling that had momentarily risen in her heart, Lin Xingzhu finally looked up at the person opposite her. “Do you like this soup?”

She saw Bai Xiying drinking it spoon after spoon, the bowl quickly nearing empty.

It was just that her expression didn’t reveal whether she liked it or not, so Lin Xingzhu decided to break the silence and ask.

Bai Xiying glanced down at the empty porcelain bowl, paused, and said with practiced ease, “It’s not bad.”

Oh, so she doesn’t like it then.

Lin Xingzhu retracted her gaze and slowly savored the food before her.

Having interacted with Bai Xiying for a long time, she knew how Bai Xiying reacted to food she liked.

When she ate something she loved, her face wouldn’t show much movement, but her eyes would secretly curve into a slight arc, like a well-fed cat, comfortably enjoying the delicacy between her lips and teeth, exuding an air of unspoken relaxation.

Not like this, dryly, as if chewing wax.

She doesn’t like it but still forces herself. Serves her right.

Bai Xiying shot Lin Xingzhu a glare while she was looking down.

She felt her mood worsen.

When her mood soured, Bai Xiying wanted to make trouble for others.

She put down her spoon, wiped her lips, and only spoke after the salty, greasy feeling had subsided considerably.

“Lin Xingzhu, why aren’t you talking?”

Here it comes again.

That voice, sweet as a hook.

This time, Lin Xingzhu’s expression didn’t change. She finished the last of her drink before saying calmly, “One shouldn’t talk while eating.”

Bai Xiying: “…” You weren’t like this before.

Fortunately, Lin Xingzhu seemed to have eaten and drunk her fill and now had the desire to talk.

Lin Xingzhu started casually, “How’s your work going?”

Bai Xiying thought of Mu Muqing, a smile on her face. “It’s great. The work is easy and interesting, my colleagues are enthusiastic and generous, and even the boss is rare—good-tempered and considerate.”

Lin Xingzhu’s expression was peculiar.

Mu Muqing, good-tempered and considerate?

She couldn’t help but deepen the suspicion in her heart.

“That’s good. But from your tone, it seems you like your boss a lot.”

Like her?

Bai Xiying’s smile deepened. “Yes, our boss, she’s a very good person indeed.”

The plot of the original work once again uncontrollably appeared before Lin Xingzhu’s eyes.

In the original work, Mu Muqing was initially a serious beauty who rarely smiled, was diligent in her work, and exceptionally capable. However, after a romantic encounter with Bai Xiying in a bar, she became black-bellied¹ and domineering, frequently using work as an excuse to call Bai Xiying to her side for her own “benefits.”

In short, she was a very scheming, two-faced person.

But it was clear that the current Bai Xiying hadn’t gone through the bar scene plotline. In her eyes, Mu Muqing wasn’t some scoundrel who took advantage of others. Coupled with Mu Muqing’s outstanding talent, it was natural for Bai Xiying to develop a good impression.

Thinking of this, Lin Xingzhu felt a bit complicated.

If Bai Xiying and Mu Muqing simply came together out of mutual admiration and affection, it would indeed be a good development.

At least, for Bai Xiying, it would be a good development.

Bai Xiying’s sweetly alluring voice sounded, “Why are you staring at me in a daze? Did I say something wrong?”

Lin Xingzhu snapped back to reality, her expression as usual. “Nothing’s wrong. As a friend, I’m genuinely happy to hear your work environment is good.”

In the original work, there was a description of Bai Xiying’s allure: “Her voice was cloyingly sweet like sticky candy, yet like an addictive poppy, sending shivers down one’s spine, making the soul tremble, utterly irresistible.”

Reality, of course, wasn’t so exaggerated, but Lin Xingzhu admitted that for a moment when Bai Xiying had entered, she had truly been tempted.

In that instant, she immediately thought of that sentence from the original work.

And in that same instant, she thought of the reason for this change.

Before the plot point² began, Bai Xiying’s life was ordinary and diligent. After the plot point started—a night where she lost her virginity—some kind of indescribable change seemed to occur in Bai Xiying.

Her every move seemed to become more alluring. Even though she did nothing, a simple lift of her eyes could make you feel an infinite seductive power.

Of course, this specific, unscientific attraction only targeted certain specific people. Otherwise, what would the world become?

This was a setting summarized by readers of the original work. Because it was so incredible, Lin Xingzhu had memorized it after a single glance.

Therefore, when she met Bai Xiying today, the moment the other party spoke, Lin Xingzhu pinpointed the reason for this change—they had become intimate.

She tried her best to ignore the awkwardness in her heart, thinking that since Bai Xiying had avoided the bar plotline, a normal romance didn’t seem bad at all.

Bai Xiying didn’t know what she was thinking, but when she saw Lin Xingzhu sincerely echoing her words with praise, the smile plastered on her face seemed about to fall.

That hypocrite Mu Muqing, how could she be worthy?

Especially when Lin Xingzhu’s praise was so sincere.

Her breathing hitched for a moment, a trace of darkness flashed quickly in her eyes, and then she restrained herself from showing it.

“I’m done eating,” Bai Xiying suddenly said quickly.

“…” Lin Xingzhu nodded somewhat slowly. “I know.”

Bai Xiying curved her lips, her clear eyes showing no trace of gloom. “There’s a lot to do at the company, I might need to head back first.”

Lin Xingzhu glanced at her. “Want to go together?”

“No need,” Bai Xiying said quickly. “My company is in a different direction from yours. You can take your time eating.”

After saying that, she nodded and left, her attitude not strange at all throughout.

After she left, the space opposite her immediately became very empty.

Lin Xingzhu felt something strange in her heart.

How did Bai Xiying know their directions were different?

How did she know I’m at Xingyuan Yinheng?

And… whose prying gaze is it every morning?

The curve of her lips slowly fell, and from the side, she looked exceptionally stern.

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Back in her office, Lin Xingzhu pushed open the window and gazed at the towering buildings opposite.

Suddenly, her gaze fixed on a familiar figure across the street.

It was Bai Xiying, who had earlier said she had urgent matters and needed to rush back to the company.

But her current state clearly indicated she had just returned from outside.

Lin Xingzhu crossed her arms loosely over her chest, watching the person opposite slowly enter a high-end office building and disappear.

Hurricane Studio.

…

“A charity gala?”

Lin Xingzhu examined the invitation card in front of her, flipped it open for a look, then said to the person before her, “It’s tomorrow evening? You can just arrange the time.”

The woman standing before her wore a professional skirt suit, her demeanor serious and composed. She was an assistant Father Lin had specially found for her.

Lin Xingzhu had received invitations to such charity galas before, but back then, she was usually invited in a personal capacity. Now, because Lin Xingzhu had been working at Xingyuan Yinheng for some time, the invitation listed her position plus her name.

However, Lin Xingzhu had never been interested in such events in the past.

After giving instructions about the charity gala for the next evening, Lin Xingzhu let her leave.

Lin Xingzhu drove out of the company, her low-profile black car pulling over to the right side of the road.

Lin Xingzhu rolled down the window. “Want a ride?”

Only then did Bai Xiying realize it was Lin Xingzhu.

Surprise flickered in her eyes, and Lin Xingzhu didn’t miss it.

Catching sight of a familiar white car approaching from the corner of her eye, Bai Xiying said without hesitation, “Then I’ll trouble you.”

Bai Xiying sat in the passenger seat. Lin Xingzhu glanced sideways at her, noticed her seatbelt was fastened, and then set off.

“No overtime today?” Lin Xingzhu asked.

Bai Xiying shook her head. “Usually, the company doesn’t encourage overtime. Everyone generally tries to complete their work efficiently within working hours, so there’s rarely overtime.”

Lin Xingzhu seemed to understand. “That kind of work arrangement is quite good.” Then she smiled and said, “In that case, it seems your abilities are truly excellent.”

Bai Xiying turned to look at her, not understanding why she suddenly said that.

Lin Xingzhu focused on the road, seemingly sensing her tangible confusion, and said, “Otherwise, with your abilities, you would have finished your work long ago. So, if you’re so busy, it’s naturally because the boss values you highly.”

Afraid Bai Xiying wouldn’t believe her, she added, “After all, your grades were top-notch in school, and your name is still on the honor roll wall.”

Therefore, if Bai Xiying was still busy outside of work hours, it naturally wasn’t because she was slow due to poor ability, but only because she was too outstanding and had been entrusted with important responsibilities.

A smile played on Lin Xingzhu’s lips, as if it were just a casual compliment.

But Bai Xiying’s heart had already tensed up.

When had she ever mentioned being busy with work to Lin Xingzhu? Naturally, it was only during their chance encounter at lunch three days ago.

But why did she suddenly bring this up specifically?

Bai Xiying felt suspicious. It seemed Lin Xingzhu had seen something else that day at noon.

But Bai Xiying wasn’t sure if she had seen something she shouldn’t have.

Thinking of this, her eyes turned slightly cold.

She unconsciously tightened her grip on the backpack beside her and said lightly, as if it were nothing, “I’m not as excellent as you say. I’m new to the company, so naturally, I have more things to do.”

After speaking, she looked out the window and naturally changed the subject. “The scenery in this science park is quite nice. Lots of greenery, even the air feels much fresher when you breathe.”

“But while everything here is good, shopping is a bit troublesome.” Bai Xiying frowned, seemingly troubled. “Every time I need to buy something, I have to go to a mall far from the company. It seems to be in the Xinmalu³ area. That mall is quite big, do you know it?”

The mall on Xinmalu Road?

Lin Xingzhu had never been to that area. She just assumed Bai Xiying had sensed something and casually brought it up to change the subject, so she shook her head nonchalantly. “I haven’t been there yet, but hearing you say that, maybe I can go check it out someday when I have the chance.”

Bai Xiying turned her head and noticed Lin Xingzhu’s casual and natural posture as she spoke, so her furrowed brows slowly relaxed.

“We can go check it out together someday when there’s a chance.”

After speaking, Bai Xiying relaxed her back against the seat. The scenery on both sides of the road flew by, disappearing in an instant.

Her right hand rested on her bag, tapping it lightly, and she said no more.

Inside the bag were things she had bought from a 24-hour store in the Xinmalu Road mall.

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