Fate Trading System – Chapter 159

Plan A

Red Moon in the Barrier 23

The End

Su Xin notified the few remaining survivors in the village that they could leave.

Tong Xiaoxuan and her brother Tong Liu rejoiced together, hurriedly packing some belongings and leaving quickly, afraid something else might happen if they stayed.

Before leaving, Tong Xiaoxuan came to see Su Xin one last time, hoping to see Qian Fengying for a final farewell.

Now that Qian Fengying’s threat was gone, she could go for reincarnation, and the yinchai [underworld officials] should arrive soon.

“She’s waiting for you.”

A ghost floated out from the tree branch, and after Qian Fengying came out, Mu Qi took back that branch.

“Fengying… I’m sorry, I can’t go with you.”

“I know, I never dared hope you would have those feelings for me. Go on, go see others in a bigger, better world. You must believe in yourself – you’re excellent and will definitely find someone suitable.”

Qian Fengying made her farewell.

“Have a safe journey.”

Tong Xiaoxuan sniffled and wiped her eyes.

“Give me one last hug before parting, just to fulfill my lingering wish [meaning: to satisfy an unrequited longing].”

Unable to touch, only embracing emptiness, Tong Xiaoxuan felt like she was hugging air, yet the expression of the one standing before her felt so real. They would never meet again – even if they happened to meet in the next life or the life after, they wouldn’t recognize each other.

Qian Fengying left, and Tong Xiaoxuan and Tong Liu left too.

Qian Fengying’s mother-in-law trembled when she saw Su Xin, terrified she would be the next to meet misfortune.

Su Xin just informed her she could leave now, then turned and left.

Although Yi Shu didn’t really want to leave, with everything that happened in the village – the dead were dead and all the living had gone – living alone in this deserted village would feel eerie despite his age and experience. He decided to leave too, thanking Su Xin before departing.

Now there were no other living people left in this village.

“Let’s go outside.”

Tong Qing nodded, wearing a happy smile.

He might know something about other things, but since the adults didn’t want him to know, he wouldn’t ask or speak of it. Better to bury everything in memory and be a normal person properly.

The path at the village entrance became straight again. Su Xin, Tong Qing, and Mu Qi arrived at the entrance. Su Xin looked at the tall locust tree, fingers gently stroking its rough bark, showing a smile.

Making love won’t cause any problems, Mu Qi could guarantee that quality.

【Congratulations host, mission complete. Do you choose to leave this world directly or stay until the end of your natural lifespan?】

“Stay.”

【System space returning, preparing handover with client.】

Su Xin returned to the system space and saw Tong Ning’s grateful eyes.

“Thank you so much, please take good care of my little brother.”

“I will. He’s a very obedient and lovely child.”

Su Xin nodded. Tong Qing had strong self-awareness, was obedient and well-behaved, not difficult to manage at all.

Tong Ning knew she hadn’t trusted the wrong person. If it had been her instead, forget about finding that key person – even killing someone would have required enormous courage.

“Well then, goodbye.”

“Goodbye.”

【Congratulations host, this mission was completed very smoothly.】

“Actually, I feel like I didn’t do much, just kept waiting. In reality, it was very simple – once most people were dead, the truth naturally came out.”

Whether one knows the truth or not isn’t really important – what’s important is knowing who the key person is.

【Returning to mission world.】

Su Xin left for a moment, but time remained frozen in place.

“Let’s go.”

At this moment, dawn suddenly appeared, representing a beautiful new world.

Fourteen was always good to its host outside of restrictions. It very generously gave a sum of money, but since Su Xin currently had no bankbook or card, she told Fourteen to wait to give it.

When they had no money, what was the quick way to earn some? Of course it couldn’t be illegal, and being in a small town, so Su Xin, Mu Qi, and Tong Qing spent a day washing dishes.

Although Mu Qi was a supernatural being, she had no money either. They had just arrived in town with nothing – Su Xin’s group only brought their hukou [household registration] book and ID cards. Mu Qi was still an unregistered resident, with just a few pieces of clothing and a few yuan, in a very difficult situation.

After washing dishes for a day, the three squeezed into one room at a small hotel – you could say they were living quite miserably.

They now had enough money to go from town to the city. Su Xin wanted to give her little brother the best conditions, so of course chose a city where they could earn more money.

“Sister, wouldn’t it be fine to just stay here? Actually we need a lot of money, and we don’t have anywhere to live.”

Tong Qing was very worried.

“Don’t worry, you have me. Sister will definitely give you the best environment.”

With Fourteen’s fuzzy system present, Su Xin wasn’t worried about breaking character in front of her little brother.

The next day, the three arrived in the city looking dusty and dirty, but because they all had very good looks, even though their clothes were worn, they didn’t look like bad people or beggars.

In a big city, where could they make quick money with daily pay? Of course, at a construction site.

Su Xin decided to carry bricks for a day, and Mu Qi wanted to go with her.

If they were going, they’d go – after all, being a supernatural being, she was very strong.

The construction site initially wouldn’t take them – after all, they were two pretty young girls who looked too delicate to carry anything heavy on their shoulders, probably runaways from home who had run out of money. If something happened to them, they couldn’t afford compensation, and if they fainted from exhaustion, the site would have to pay extra.

Without saying a word, Mu Qi directly took over from a migrant worker who was pushing a cart nearby. The cart was full of bricks, but she made pushing it look very easy. Su Xin also tried – though not making it look as effortless as Mu Qi, but still doing very well.

“Uncle, can we just work for one day? I really have no money left.”

“Alright, alright, but be careful.”

Two young women carrying bricks at the construction site drew curious looks from other workers, but the foreman shouted with authority, and everyone went back to their own work.

Tong Qing sat at the construction site watching the dusty conditions, his two sisters working hard for their livelihood. His eyes welled up with tears, but remembering he was a man, he held them back. He swore in his heart that he would work hard and strive upward, never letting his sisters live such a hard life again.

After a day’s work, Su Xin was exhausted, but Mu Qi didn’t feel anything – after all, she wasn’t human. Still, she had to keep up appearances, and both came looking tired to get paid.

The foreman saw their high efficiency, and since they were two young girls having it tough, he gave them extra money, telling them to be good and just go home if things weren’t working out – don’t be stubborn with their elders at home, as they’d only hurt themselves.

Su Xin and Mu Qi left the construction site with the foreman’s chicken soup for the soul [meaning: heartfelt advice] and their red-eyed little brother, finding a small hotel to stay in.

“Tomorrow I’ll go to the bank for a loan, first rent us a house, then I’ll think of ways to earn money to improve our lives. After we get the house, I’ll sort out little brother’s schooling.”

Su Xin said this, knowing the supernatural being wouldn’t understand what a loan was, and Tong Qing knew even less.

Su Xin wasn’t actually planning to get a loan – she was just going to collect the money the system had given her.

She went to the bank, got a free bank card, and looked at the balance showing on the ATM screen with great joy – after all, even a single penny can stump a hero [meaning: lack of money can stop even the most capable person].

Master Fourteen, I love you so much!

【I love you too.】

As kind as an old father.

Su Xin found a real estate agent and rented a very nice place near an elementary school. After settling things with the landlord, the three moved in. When entering the new home, Tong Qing’s face was full of disbelief – how could it be so easy? But he didn’t have too many doubts in his heart, feeling like this was just how things should naturally be.

After settling the house, the three went shopping at the mall. Though they weren’t buying any brand names, just affordable items, for Tong Qing even these prices were very expensive.

“Sister… I’m scared… where did you get so much money?”

“Don’t worry about that. Your sister isn’t stealing or robbing, nothing wrong happened – just borrowed from someone. Your sister can pay it back. Tomorrow I’ll go handle your school enrollment. You’ll start from first grade, though first graders are several years younger than you. Sister can buy you second and third grade textbooks, and if you understand everything, sister can let you skip grades.”

Tong Qing’s attention was immediately drawn to the matter of going to school.

“Sister, can I skip grades directly? I’ve already mastered second and third grade textbooks, and I’ve finished reading fourth grade ones too – the teacher lent them to me.”

Tong Qing said very confidently.

“Good, should we start from third grade then, and go straight to fourth grade next semester?”

“Yes, yes, yes.”

“Then little brother, you must study hard, okay? Find a good job when you grow up and support both of us.”

“I can support you.”

Mu Qi said unhappily – of course she would be the one supporting her wife.

“Shut up, just stay home and cook for me obediently. You’re so attractive, what if people fall for you if you go out to work?”

Su Xin wasn’t saying her lover couldn’t work, she just worried Mu Qi might be deceived, since Mu Qi was so beautiful.

“Ah…”

Mu Qi was a bit dejected.

“Okay, okay, if you really want to go out, I won’t stop you. But you must tell me what job you find, and don’t make me worry, understand?”

“Mm-hmm.”

In the end, Mu Qi found a job most suitable for her. She didn’t like meeting people much – otherwise she wouldn’t have avoided everyone back in the village. She became a pastry chef at a coffee shop.

Working only behind the scenes, making delicious desserts each day was enough. She didn’t need to show her face out front, though the male boss really wanted her to work as a cashier, but Mu Qi refused.

“Why?”

“My lover doesn’t like it.”

Mu Qi smiled, her expression gentle when mentioning Su Xin.

The coffee shop’s regular customers all knew the pastry chef was beautiful, and every day a fresh-faced pretty girl would wait at the door to pick her up after work.

The boss was a man who, knowing the real situation, wasn’t repulsed at all but rather felt a secret excitement.

Su Xin felt she dressed like a wanghong [internet celebrity], with a fresh style – two braids, sky-blue shirt, red lipstick, dark jeans, and sneakers, very eye-catching.

And in fact, she really was a wanghong now.

Su Xin found work she could do from home. Though it didn’t earn much, it was quite decent – mainly because Su Xin wasn’t short of money anyway.

Four years had passed since they first came to the city.

Su Xin bought the house they were renting when the landlord asked her about it – she agreed immediately.

Their family situation was good. Mu Qi’s salary kept increasing, and though making cakes was a bit tiring each day, she had trained an apprentice to help, so it wasn’t too exhausting.

Su Xin became a famous cover singer UP zhu [content creator], gaining many fans. She streamed regularly every day, and as her popularity grew, things got better and better.

Su Xin didn’t care whether she was popular or not – after all, she wasn’t short of money.

The original owner’s voice was actually very suitable for Western-style songs. Su Xin tried it at first, uploaded it online, and it was reposted without credit by marketing accounts. Then a “kind person” shared the source link, and that was the first step.

Actually, that “kind person” was Mu Qi. When she saw her wife’s work being stolen, she was furious. Those people were bullying her wife because she was a newcomer without backing, so she bought many high-quality active followers for Su Xin, making Su Xin laugh and cry at the same time.

Somehow she became moderately popular. Su Xin found interacting with fans quite fun. She just needed to stream for an hour each day, chatting and singing, while Mu Qi would always send her gifts to show her presence.

Mu Qi could sing xiqu [traditional opera] style. When Su Xin covered gufeng [ancient style] songs with her, they received unanimous praise.

Fans kept asking who the xiqu-singing sister was. During a stream, Su Xin brought out Mu Qi, telling everyone she was Ah Qi and Su Xin was Ah Ning – simple and direct.

Mu Qi was deeply loved by Su Xin’s fans. During every stream, everyone hoped Mu Qi would show her face, since she was so pretty.

After streaming one day, Su Xin punched Mu Qi unhappily.

“What’s wrong?”

“Look! Your popularity is higher than mine! During my streams everyone asks for you to come out, hmph!”

Ah, she was a bit upset.

“Then… should I not appear anymore?”

“No way. Hmm, to make it up to me, I want something delicious tonight!”

“You can’t eat too much spicy food.”

“Why not! You know I love spicy food like life itself!”

“It’s a special time, eat less.”

“No, or I’ll torment you tonight! After all, I have my period and you don’t, hahaha!”

Su Xin giggled – supernatural beings don’t have periods, hahaha.

“Okay, just a little bit. I won’t add too much.”

The door opened – Tong Qing was back.

“Sister, what are you doing?”

Fourteen-year-old Tong Qing, well-nourished, had grown tall quickly. With his handsome looks, he’d already received lots of love letters.

“Look at your Sister Qi, she won’t let me eat spicy food!”

“You’re on your you-know-what, right? Don’t eat it, be good, listen to Sister Qi.”

Tong Qing firmly took Mu Qi’s side – after all, being a supernatural being, she was more reasonable.

Tong Qing had long known about Su Xin and Mu Qi’s relationship, showing his support – as long as his sisters were happy and blessed.

“Sister, can I borrow your computer? I need to use Word.”

“Sure, it’s right there.”

Su Xin was about to argue with Mu Qi about eating spicy food when she heard Tong Qing ask:

“Sister, did you forget to turn off your mic?”

???

Su Xin went to check – the video was off, but the mic was indeed still on.

The danmu [bullet comments] were going crazy.

【Jing Chen】: Definitely a couple, I’ll hit a wall if I’m wrong!

【Huo Qubing】: Raising high our yuri flag!!!

【Onee-chan】: Hahaha laughing uncontrollably, Ah Ning please answer directly!

【Most Handsome Female Knight】: Face it! Face it!

【You Ran You Ran】: Whether true or false, sending blessings first! 999999!

【Xin Xi】: Face it! Face it! Quick quick quick!

【Zi Du】: So hentai [perverse]… but I accept it, it’s so exciting!! So! Exciting!

【666】: Yuri is great, too bad they can’t have children.

【Qi Miao】: Watch what you say above, it’s not a pity, thanks.

【Oh Hi Yo】: Pity your dad, give birth to your uncle!

When Su Xin came to look, she didn’t know how it had turned into an argument. She quickly turned on the video.

“It’s like this – today I accidentally forgot to mute my mic. Yes, Ah Qi is my lover. I don’t know how many people will leave because of my orientation. Thank you for having liked me before, but if you leave because you can’t accept me, I can’t help it. Just hope people won’t make articles about this. Those commenting ‘death to homosexuals’ please watch yourselves – I’m gay, did I eat your rice [meaning: how does it affect you], what’s it to you?”

“Those who want to leave can leave, those who want to stay, thank you. Those saying I deceived their feelings are even more ridiculous. I don’t know what mood you were in when posting that comment, but please tell me how did I deceive your feelings?”

Su Xin laughed from anger – such unreasonable nonsense was killing her.

【Qiao Qiao】: What idiots, Ah Ning don’t mind them.

【Jin Yuan Bao】: Exactly, they’re being presumptuous.

“Don’t be angry, let me speak. We never planned to hide this. If your view of us is malicious, sorry, but you can’t affect us. If you’re giving blessings, we sincerely thank you. Ah Ning streams because she enjoys it – if she stops enjoying it, I’ll stop her. That’s all, thank you.”

Mu Qi spoke politely with a smile, perfect in every way.

【Jiu Qi】: No no no, boss please don’t stop! I still want to watch my cutie!

【hhh】: Girlfriend power max, who our Ah Ning likes is none of your business, haters watch yourselves.

“To those saying bad things, my sister wasn’t raised by you. If you’re upset about your gift money, bring screenshots to my sister, she’ll refund you okay? Then block you – you’re not welcome. Really, my sister and Sister Qi can’t even love her enough, and you come to scold? Those saying homosexuals should die, no one’s forcing you to accept it okay? Don’t torture yourself – love has no gender discrimination.”

Watching from the side, Tong Qing couldn’t help speaking up. How ridiculous – his sisters were too kind to speak harshly, yet people were cursing them online. What right did they have?

【Bing Ding】: Applause for little brother. That’s right, we real fans haven’t said anything yet, haters watch yourselves.

【Han】: We don’t care about that bit of gift money, thanks. Bring your screenshots to me for refunds, no need to bother Ah Ning. Let’s see if there are such shameless trash chickens [meaning: worthless people].

“To those who might be haters or passersby or my fans – you can say my singing isn’t good, you can say I’m not pretty, no problem. But you can’t say my loving the same sex is wrong. What right do you have? You have no right to point fingers at my love, please note. Tomorrow’s stream will be at the same time, see you then.”

【Dream】: See you then!

Su Xin turned off the video and mic, then continued discussing dinner with Mu Qi.

“Aren’t you angry?”

“What’s there to be angry about? I said, I like you – what’s it to them?”

Su Xin hooked Mu Qi’s neck – so could she eat a bit more spicy food tonight?

About that female ghost who talked with Mu Qi – Mu Qi released her when Tong Qing was sixteen.

“You’ve been keeping this ghost all along? Eww…”

Su Xin looked disgusted.

“She’s usually sleeping, and can’t see anything through my eyes, don’t worry, don’t worry.”

She was a beautiful female ghost, wearing a fire-red wedding dress, with phoenix crown and ceremonial robes, very pretty. Her eyes held tears as she gazed at Tong Qing.

Tong Qing looked confused, not understanding, looking at Mu Qi.

“Elder Brother Qing, do you remember me?”

Coincidentally, her lover’s given name was Qing.

“Um… we don’t seem to know each other…”

Tong Qing was very confused, looking to Mu Qi for help.

“See, I told you he wouldn’t recognize you. He might not be that person.”

“But you look so similar… so similar… I’ve been looking for you for so long…”

The female ghost’s story was quite tragic – she was a young lady from a wealthy family, married to her beloved, but who knew that on her wedding day bandits came. The groom, to save her, held off the bandits alone, telling her to run.

The female ghost lost her way, and when she returned to the original place days later, forest fruits couldn’t fill her stomach – she was almost out of strength.

When she got back, there were only bandits’ corpses, but she couldn’t find her beloved.

The ghost was taken back home, becoming someone others pitied. Having gone through the wedding ceremony, she should have belonged to her husband’s family, but her in-laws rejected her, calling her a death star [bearer of misfortune]. The ghost couldn’t face returning home, so began searching for her beloved.

She searched every inch of that place but found nothing.

The ghost searched and searched until she accidentally died.

But even as a ghost, her obsession remained very deep. She kept searching this world. She and her beloved were childhood sweethearts, naturally remembering his childhood appearance, so she found Tong Qing.

But the village had a dragon-subduing pearl that wanted to devour her. She frantically ran to the village entrance and crashed into a locust tree.

The ghost had a light fate, an extremely yin body, easily drawn to soul-absorbing things. When she crashed into Mu Qi, there was no choice but to let this female ghost dwell in her body.

Tong Qing learned the ghost’s story and shook his head helplessly.

“I’m sorry, I really can’t remember anything. Maybe I’m really not the person you’re looking for – the resemblance might just be coincidence.”

Tong Qing had no desire for an unfinished human-ghost love story, he said apologetically.

“Did I find the wrong person… what should I do…”

The ghost had long prepared herself mentally, but when Tong Qing shook his head helplessly, she still couldn’t help feeling hurt.

If Tong Qing was truly her beloved but couldn’t recognize her, she would be heartbroken.

If Tong Qing wasn’t her beloved and she found the wrong person, she would be desperate.

“Go, you’ve lingered in this world too long.”

“Your eyes are like his… your lips too…”

The ghost mumbled while her body gradually became transparent.

The ghost had originally planned to kill Tong Qing when he came of age, so they could reunite in the underworld – a very confused and naive train of thought.

Su Xin watched her leave, sighing in her heart.

Fortunately this sister didn’t know about plastic surgery technology, or she’d probably faint.

Reincarnating earlier, passing on earlier – perhaps it wasn’t a bad thing.

Three years passed like one day.

The shop’s wind chimes rang as Su Xin walked in.

“Coming to pick her up from work again? After so many years, your relationship is still just as good.”

The boss had changed from single to married over these three years. It seemed everything changed, except that girl who came rain or shine every day to pick someone up from his shop.

“Of course, picking up my wife is natural and right.”

Mu Qi came out from the back, smiling at Su Xin.

“Wife, let’s go home.”

“Let’s stop by the market to buy some groceries. Didn’t you say yesterday you wanted to eat fish?”

The little things of family life make up a lifetime.

When Su Xin left this world, that old locust tree withered overnight.

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