After Transmigrating Into a Book, I Was Played by the Black Lotus – Chapter 32

New Character

A warm hand was clasped in hers, and Bai Xiying stood beside Lin Xingzhu with a smile on her face.

Lin Xingzhu was truly a quick study, able to learn one thing and infer three more. Just before coming in, she had already intertwined her fingers with Bai Xiying’s in a completely natural way, just as they had done before in front of the Lin family’s home.

—Except this time, the one who initiated it was Lin Xingzhu.

Lin Xingzhu wasn’t actually very familiar with the host of today’s happy occasion. She had only heard that the other party was a woman of formidable means and great capability.

The Lin Xingzhu of the past would never have had the opportunity to interact with such a person—even if they were both heirs.

Lin Xingzhu led Bai Xiying to a place to sit, lowered her head, and began to exchange gossip with her in a low voice.

“I heard that Su Weiruo¹ and her wife are childhood sweethearts² and have been in a decade-long love marathon.”

“That long?” Bai Xiying marveled. “But Miss Su is only 25 now, right?”

If they had been together for ten years, didn’t that mean they got together when they were fifteen?

Lin Xingzhu’s expression suddenly turned odd. “But I heard someone say that although it was a ten-year love marathon, Miss Su only won the beauty’s heart after she turned eighteen, and they were even separated for a few years in between…”

By that calculation, it seemed Su Weiruo had started counting the years of their relationship from the very moment her heart was moved.

Just now, Lin Xingzhu had overheard a few keywords revealed by an insider, such as the five words “chasing wife to the crematorium³.”

Looked at this way, today’s wedding was all the more hard-won.

Bai Xiying had thought of this layer as well.

She looked at the wedding photos displayed amidst wreaths of flowers. The couple in the photos was smiling like blooming flowers, their genuine joy making them look incredibly well-matched. One glance was enough to tell how happy they were.

Bai Xiying seemed lost in thought as she lowered her eyes. “It’s a good thing for lovers to finally be together.”

Life is long yet short, and with so many unexpected things, there’s nothing better than finding someone you mutually love to become wives.

At this thought, Bai Xiying lost her appetite even for the small cake Lin Xingzhu had deliberately placed in front of her.

Strange, isn’t sweets my favorite thing?

Lin Xingzhu didn’t notice her distraction. She let out a small “Hm?” as she spotted an acquaintance.

This acquaintance was none other than Shang Cengrou.

Shang Cengrou didn’t notice Lin Xingzhu staring at her. At this moment, she was chatting animatedly with someone. “Is that place really as magical as you say?”

The person opposite her said meaningfully, “Naturally. If it weren’t for our good relationship, I wouldn’t have told you about this.”

Shang Cengrou’s heart itched with curiosity.

She had always been the type to remember the pleasures but not the pain⁴, and when it came to eating, drinking, and having fun, she was even more enthusiastic than the original Lin Xingzhu.

In the past, Shang Cengrou had often used her close relationship with Lin Xingzhu to throw her weight around in certain situations⁵.

Now that Lin Xingzhu couldn’t be bothered with her, she didn’t dare get too close. However, deep down, Shang Cengrou’s heart had been titillated by that breathtaking glimpse of Bai Xiying in her drugged state at the bar, an itch that had never been thoroughly scratched.

Now, hearing from someone she used to hang out with that there was a great place, her interest was immediately piqued.

“Take me with you to have a look sometime,” Shang Cengrou said excitedly.

That person nodded. “Sure, I’ll take you in a couple of days. The place is generally members-only for regulars. This time, I’ll bring you to broaden your horizons.”

Shang Cengrou licked her lips, a hint of anticipation flashing in her eyes.

“What are you looking at?” Bai Xiying’s voice broke her line of sight.

“Nothing, just saw an acquaintance.” Lin Xingzhu retracted her gaze, glancing around without a trace.

She didn’t spot anyone showing particular interest in Bai Xiying.

Bai Xiying said, “Oh,” and looked away, uninterested.

Bored, she poked at the soft cake with a small fork. Through the oozing cream filling, she could almost smell the cloying sweetness, yet Bai Xiying felt a complete lack of interest, showing no desire to taste the dessert before her.

It seemed the newlyweds were about to arrive.

Seeing this, Lin Xingzhu and Bai Xiying simultaneously put down the things in their hands and fixed their gazes on the stage.

Everything proceeded very smoothly.

Until the wives finished their kiss and began to toss the bouquet.

“What are you looking at me for?”

Bai Xiying tilted her head, baffled.

“…” Lin Xingzhu looked ahead with a straight face. “I see everyone looks eager to try for the bouquet. Why aren’t you interested?”

Bai Xiying glanced at the “eager” people Lin Xingzhu mentioned, and discovered they were all in pairs.

“…”

Bai Xiying smiled. “I don’t think I have much need for it.”

She ignored the flicker of emotion in her heart when she heard the word “bouquet.”

They both understood the meaning behind the bouquet.

But understanding didn’t mean it was needed.

Lin Xingzhu’s posture was relaxed, her mood leisurely.

“Is that so,” Lin Xingzhu said. “Then I won’t be polite.”

Bai Xiying: “?”

Then she saw Lin Xingzhu rubbing her palms together, looking like she was about to make a big move.

…So you asked me just because you were worried I’d be your competitor?

Bai Xiying felt a subtle flicker of annoyance, which she attributed to Lin Xingzhu’s guarded attitude towards her.

“The people fighting for the bouquet all have partners. They’re doing it for a good omen for the next wedding. What are you joining in the fun for?” Bai Xiying couldn’t help but speak in a passive-aggressive tone. “If I remember correctly, you’re single, right?”

Lin Xingzhu turned back, surprised by her attitude. “Just because you don’t need it doesn’t mean I don’t.”

She smiled. “I want to try for a good omen too. Is that not allowed?”

“…” Bai Xiying took a breath, suppressing her vexation. “Of course it’s allowed. It’s not like I can control you.”

So when did this change in Lin Xingzhu happen?

Bai Xiying felt she understood Lin Xingzhu less and less.

First, the inexplicable distancing, then the drastic change in her aura in the car. Although she seemed to have returned to normal, her current eagerness for a bouquet laden with special meaning—every single thing made her feel a sense of losing control.

Could it be that Lin Xingzhu had a new development she didn’t know about?

At this thought, Bai Xiying’s heart suddenly clenched.

…The more she thought about it, the more each and every event fit, and the more she was convinced that was the case.

The small cake on the table, already ravaged, was completely sacrificed and laid to rest due to Bai Xiying’s sudden exertion of force.

Lin Xingzhu narrowed her eyes slightly, looking forward.

There were two bouquets at this wedding. Each of the two brides had one, and after exchanging them like they did the rings under the officiant’s witness, they could toss the bouquets after the kiss.

She reached up and adjusted her hair, her eyes glinting with seriousness.

Lin Xingzhu hadn’t lied to Bai Xiying. She really did want to try for a good omen.

And why wouldn’t she, when she seemed to have fallen for someone with eight hundred tricks up her sleeve⁶.

Thinking of this, Lin Xingzhu sighed.

On stage, the two brides stood with their backs to the guests.

“1, 2, 3—”

“Wow—”

“I got it!!”

“Ah—I snatched it! I snatched it!”

A burst of clamor, and in the blink of an eye, the two bouquets each had a new owner.

Bai Xiying watched all of this, her eyes slanted slightly, the corners of her lips holding a subtle smile tinged with a hint of mockery. “Oh dear, looks like your luck isn’t very good.”

“…” Lin Xingzhu lowered her ready hands without a word.

Bai Xiying continued her assault: “You can’t force this kind of good omen, you know.”

Lin Xingzhu turned to look at her.

The curve of Bai Xiying’s lips, which had been exerting force, stiffened for a moment before she gave a charming smile and shrugged innocently. “I didn’t compete with you, you know.”

“Right, you didn’t compete with me,” Lin Xingzhu replied absently, her mind elsewhere.

Bai Xiying’s eyes darkened.

Although Lin Xingzhu felt a little regretful, not catching it was not catching it.

She watched the people who caught the bouquets excitedly look at their partners and smile, and she felt a little happy in her heart as well.

Perhaps the time is not yet right, she thought.

Bai Xiying let out a soft hmph, like the soft grunt a kitten would squeeze from its little pink nose—not very intimidating, but it couldn’t help but stir one’s heart.

Lin Xingzhu couldn’t help but turn her head. Today, Bai Xiying’s fluffy, soft hair was tied up high, not hanging down her back where it could be casually ruffled. She regretfully rubbed her fingertips together and pulled back her gaze.

The wedding continued until the end, and Lin Xingzhu still hadn’t noticed any abnormal people.

She rubbed the bridge of her nose. It seemed she couldn’t be hasty; she could only wait until this person was supposed to make their appearance and then continue to observe.

Thinking of this, Lin Xingzhu couldn’t help but tighten her grip on the soft touch in her palm.

Suddenly, she felt the hand in her palm stir, as if trying to pull away.

Although she didn’t know why, Lin Xingzhu followed the motion and released her, giving her back her freedom.

Lin Xingzhu asked, puzzled, “What’s wrong?”

Bai Xiying pulled at the corner of her lips. “Nothing, I’m just a little hot.”

So she was hot.

Lin Xingzhu looked down at the distance between the two of them. They were indeed a bit too close.

She thoughtfully took a step to the side and smiled when she looked up again. “This should be better.”

Bai Xiying: “…”

Great. It’s cooler now.

She lifted her skirt to go downstairs, concentrating on the path, when she suddenly noticed a shadow fall diagonally in front of her.

Bai Xiying thought it was Lin Xingzhu coming back. Before she could react, the flat curve of her lips subconsciously lifted slightly.

“Bai-jiejie!”

A crisp, feminine voice bloomed by her ear.

Lin Xingzhu couldn’t help but frown, stopping to look at the woman who had suddenly popped up in front of them.

“Bai-jiejie, you came to Su-jiejie’s wedding too? We haven’t seen each other in so long, why didn’t you reply to my messages?”

The woman chattered on, her words at the end containing a note of undeniable grievance.

Is this the Fourth Gong from the original story?

Lin Xingzhu couldn’t help but size up this woman who had suddenly appeared.

Her features were upright and pretty, but also somewhat childish, like a princess from an ivory tower who had yet to be tempered by the world. She seemed utterly innocent.

And anyone who could attend this wedding basically came from a good family background.

The curve of her lips, which hadn’t had time to fully rise, stopped at a perfectly appropriate dividing line. Surprise flashed in Bai Xiying’s eyes at just the right moment. “…Xiaxia?”

“It’s me, Bai-jiejie! You still remember me!” the girl named Xiaxia said sweetly.

Lin Xingzhu took a step forward, once again closing the distance she had just created with Bai Xiying. She looked at the innocent and bright girl before her and asked, puzzled, “And this is?”

A glint flickered in Bai Xiying’s eyes as she introduced her. “This is Chu Xiaxia⁷. She was a student of mine when I used to be a tutor.”

Chu Xiaxia.

The tips of Lin Xingzhu’s brows lifted bit by bit, a bottomless smile condensing in her eyes.

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