Fate Trading System – Chapter 166

Plan A

Spirit Alliance 7

Script

The humor in this episode centers mainly on Yun Yi, as she is the featured personality this time, with everyone setting up opportunities for their comedic moments.

Su Xin, in order to win the game, made a brilliant improvisation at the last moment.

The two trump cards were held by Lemon and Yun Yi respectively, with Zhang Lin and Su Xin supporting Yun Yi’s side, naturally putting in their best effort to protect her.

Now at the final moment of confrontation, with both sides facing off, Lemon’s trump card was obvious, while this side’s remained unclear.

“Yun Yi is our trump card, go and rip her tag,” Zhang Lin said, pointing at Yun Yi while giving Su Xin a meaningful look.

As soon as Zhang Lin’s words fell, the other three people’s expressions changed perfectly on cue.

“Yes, yes, Yun Yi is our trump card, go rip her tag,” Su Xin nodded in agreement with Zhang Lin, quietly taking a step back.

This action naturally aroused Lemon’s suspicion. While this game was semi-scripted, this part wasn’t in the outline. Though the script called for Yun Yi’s victory, she had shown many vulnerabilities earlier. Despite being female, Lemon was experienced and quick-handed, making her likely to win.

However, following the script, Lemon couldn’t win, though her loss couldn’t appear too obvious – it needed to seem regrettable to the audience.

“No, Su Xin, you come and face me,” Lemon pointed at Su Xin.

“Ah… me?”

Su Xin stood up reluctantly after being called out.

After what appeared to be an intense chase but was actually nothing significant, Su Xin was ‘defeated’ and had her armband torn off by Lemon.

Lemon had targeted the wrong person, and their side lost.

Lemon threw down the armband in apparent frustration, making sounds of regret.

Su Xin had to admire her performance – truly a veteran with perfectly executed expressions and movements. Anyone would think she was genuinely frustrated and disappointed, though she must have been feeling pleased about successfully completing the task.

After filming the episode, everyone recorded behind-the-scenes footage at the same location.

Once the extra footage was complete, Su Xin suggested treating Elder Zhang to a meal.

“Master, would you honor me with your presence for a meal?”

Building relationships with veterans in the industry was essential.

“Sure, where shall we go?”

Zhang Lin smiled, adjusting his glasses as he walked beside Su Xin.

Seeing this, the onlookers had their own thoughts.

“Where shall we go?”

“What do you think? I’m still new here and don’t know which places have good food or what suits your taste.”

“Let’s go to Old Pig’s place. I’m not picky, and it’s good to support an old friend’s business.”

“Alright.”

Zhang Lin told his accompanying assistant to head back first, then got into Su Xin’s car.

Su Xin handed the address card to the driver, directing him to the restaurant’s location.

Su Xin first made a phone call to reserve a private room. During the journey, Zhang Lin shared many amusing stories about the entertainment industry, which had Su Xin thoroughly entertained.

Old Pig’s restaurant was quite sizeable, kept very clean, and had an impressive atmosphere. Su Xin and Zhang Lin, wearing sunglasses, entered through a special side entrance and went directly to their reserved private room.

Zhang Lin, after all, wasn’t truly human. Though he had weathered decades of ups and downs and was now elderly, approaching the end of his life, his heart remained playful and lively.

In terms of human lifespan, Zhang Lin appeared to have at least a decade more to live, but in reality, he only had a few years left – his body wouldn’t allow more, despite his best efforts.

“Most of my old friends are gone now. Back when I first started, this entertainment company had a different owner – a human. I always enjoyed performing, as parrots are naturally good at mimicry. Then the Wolf aggressively acquired the company and expanded it.”

Zhang Lin actually harbored some fear of Chu Qiu. This had nothing to do with age – even after spending so many years in the human world, he never forgot that he was essentially a spirit. In the animal kingdom, age hierarchy means nothing; fear is simply fear.

Though they weren’t natural enemies, it was simply the instinct of weaker creatures to submit to stronger ones.

“I see… the boss is really impressive.”

“She’s a spirit from elsewhere, though I’m not sure which district. But she’s highly capable, especially at making money – cunning and crafty, truly befitting a wolf.”

The old parrot remarked with feeling.

Su Xin silently noted this information about her superior. Though it wasn’t directly related to her main mission, Chu Qiu was certainly her benefactor in this world. Despite their mutually beneficial relationship, Chu Qiu had contributed more initially.

“Perhaps in 20 or 30 years – I estimate 20 – she’ll leave this district.”

Zhang Lin took a sip of chrysanthemum tea and narrowed his eyes.

“Leave? But she’s made so much money.”

“Money can always be earned again, but her identity must remain concealed. She can live for a very long time, and her appearance barely ages. Once she’s stayed here long enough, she’ll move somewhere else to start anew – another period of freedom. When I entered this industry, I was already not young, so my transition from middle-age to elderly was natural, but she can’t do that.”

“Wow.”

While it sounded enviable at first, upon deeper reflection, it seemed rather tragic. But this was merely speculation about another’s personal choices. To Zhang Lin, an old parrot accustomed to stability, Chu Qiu’s nomadic lifestyle of constant relocation and fresh starts seemed troublesome. Like a parrot who wouldn’t fly away even from an uncaged perch.

Su Xin held no judgment about this lifestyle – it was someone else’s business, and perhaps Chu Qiu enjoyed it. She thought it seemed rather cool, though she wouldn’t try it herself. However, if Su Xin could live as long as Chu Qiu, she might choose the same path.

“Did you enter this industry for yourself or for someone else?”

“For someone else. I wanted to enter myself to create more opportunities for her.”

“Then you’ll need to work even harder. Resources won’t be an issue for you – Chu Qiu will certainly support your career well. I wish you success in achieving your goals.”

“Thank you, Master.”

Su Xin continued using this respectful form of address.

“Oh, by the way, when you encounter other female stars at Shanshui, be especially careful of Ji Yu. That pheasant is unreasonable.”

Even the old parrot couldn’t help but show visible irritation when mentioning this pheasant.

It seemed several spirits had mentioned this lady, and none of their comments were positive. Su Xin became intrigued by this pheasant spirit.

After finishing filming this variety show, Ling Tian sent her three scripts to choose from, asking her to select one she liked and felt suited for.

For new actors, it was usually impossible to have such good resources or such authority – typically they would simply accept whatever scripts their agents gave them. Ling Tian clearly thought differently.

Su Xin read through all three scripts carefully. The career path that Ling Tian and Chu Qiu had planned was quite prudent – starting with second female lead or third female lead roles, playing memorable characters that audiences would like, before eventually taking on female lead roles.

Su Xin chose one of the scripts – an ancient martial arts mystery comedy. The story focused on suspense and humor, following a female protagonist who was new to the jianghu and a male lead who was a former constable. After resigning, he couldn’t help but meddle in affairs, matching perfectly with the female lead’s similar tendency. Together, they solved cases while falling in love.

The script was adapted from a popular novel, with an existing fan base. With the addition of some stars, ratings wouldn’t be a problem.

As long as it wasn’t illogical, poorly produced, or universally despised, audiences would generally accept it.

Su Xin’s role was the female lead in one episode arc, though a supporting character in the overall story. She would play one of the characters the protagonists encounter in their adventures.

Her character was meant to be sympathetic – a lovely young lady with a kind heart and lively personality, who fell from prosperity. A malicious lady had married her off to a gambler. She lived miserably, and due to her beauty, was often harassed by men. Their wives, rather than blaming their husbands, accused her of being a fox spirit.

When the protagonists meet her, her worthless husband is preparing to sell her to a brothel for gambling money. Despite her tears and pleas for help, everyone ignores the scene except the female protagonist, who righteously saves her and teaches the gambler a lesson.

Following the principle of seeing things through, the female lead tries to arrange a divorce, but the gambler refuses and throws her out. The female lead returns to the inn to meet the male lead, but when they return the next day, they find the gambler dead and the young lady arrested for trial.

Afterward, the protagonists help clear the young lady’s name, but after being vindicated of false charges, she chooses to end her life.

The character was crafted very realistically, inspiring both sympathy and sorrow.

Su Xin decided to accept the role. She also wanted to try recommending Bai Qianqian for a role in the production, even if it was just a passerby [路人 | lù rén | meaning a minor role with only a few scenes].

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