Fate Trading System – Chapter 170

Plan A

Spirit Alliance 11

Deal

Su Xin saw the two sets of pajamas that Chu Qiu gave her and opened them with an expressionless face.

Sure enough, they were fluffy from top to bottom, without any compromise, but it didn’t seem like the time to wear such pajamas yet in autumn.

Both sets of pajamas were white in color – one was a white bear, and one was a white wolf.

Short tail and long tail – Su Xin tugged at them. To match her boss’s taste, she first stuffed the bear pajamas into the wardrobe, planning to wear the other set tonight.

Su Xin continued living her life of ordering takeout and memorizing scripts, while Yangyang continued living his decadent rat life, very comfortably.

Su Xin practiced in front of the mirror, after all, she had never seen her own expressions during previous performances. She had always performed for others to see, and couldn’t really know what expressions she made at the time.

Actually, practicing lines in front of a mirror was quite neurotic. Su Xin had just finished practicing a screaming scene, and without any context, that appearance just now looked very much like an idiot.

【Host, I have a complete performance guide here, do you want it?】

That sounds good, is there a fee?

【No charge.】

Then I’ll take it.

【This complete performance guide isn’t actually written by anyone, but rather is data collected from other hosts’ performances. Host, you can experience their states from 360 degrees without blind spots, and transform it into your own.】

Su Xin’s personality was somewhat unrestrained. If she were to play some dark and heavy roles, there would certainly be some shortcomings. After all, nobody’s perfect. Before becoming a task performer, her personality tended to be carefree – doing whatever she wanted to do immediately. She even had a rebellious streak; when told not to do something, she sometimes wanted to do it even more. She could pick things up and put them down easily, and what she hated most was exhausting herself.

But acting couldn’t be like this. When receiving a role and deciding to perform a certain character, one is no longer oneself.

Su Xin accepted this golden finger, though she was very confident in herself, but since there was help available, why not take it? It would add wings to a tiger [如虎添翼 | rú hǔ tiān yì | idiom: making something better even stronger].

The data surged into her mind, presenting vivid images in her consciousness, both incredibly lifelike and astonishing.

Sometimes, you have to truly love something to do it better.

Su Xin had no particular love or hate for acting, after all, it was vastly different from her original life. In her original world, she was an infiltrator0, seemingly in the shadows with a mysterious background. But stars had to live under the spotlight, with every aspect of their lives magnified and scrutinized clearly by others. There was no such thing as privacy, because some people took pleasure in digging into others’ private lives, while even more people enjoyed watching others’ private lives.

Su Xin’s self-evaluation was that she could only do things well, not necessarily the best, because she initially thought of entering this circle just to create opportunities for her mission target, not to put herself in that glorious position. There was no need for that. Honestly, she felt being a public figure was very troublesome – even dating would invite pointing fingers, getting married would be even worse, constantly being paired up with others, and sometimes when children were born, even they would have to accept everyone’s opinions.

This performance guide contained insights from a film emperor, who was also chosen as a host by the system, with a very high mission completion rate.

Su Xin picked up the script and read it through again, feeling she had pretty much grasped it.

Evening arrived as expected, and before Su Xin could order takeout, someone knocked on the door.

“Boss, it’s only 6 o’clock, why are you here already?”

“I got off work.”

Chu Qiu said while very naturally sitting down, casually closing the door.

“Is that so… Have you eaten dinner yet? I haven’t eaten yet and was about to order takeout. Should I order a portion for you too?”

What company boss would get off work at 6 o’clock, and this person was even a workaholic – how could this be possible? Could this excuse be any more nonsensical?

“No need. There should be enough time now. I’ll have some ingredients delivered, how about I cook for you myself?”

“Um… Boss, you know how to cook?”

“Of course. Before I reached my current position, to survive in human society, first I had to learn to cook for myself. Because back then I didn’t have money to eat at restaurants, so I had to cook for myself.”

Unprompted dedication must have ulterior motives, though the latter was impossible. Su Xin’s heart trembled at the boss’s gentleness.

“Then thank you, Boss.”

In this situation, she really didn’t know what to say. Chu Qiu was a very dominant person, and also a very dominant wolf. If it were up to Su Xin herself, she might not have invited the person in, or she would have left herself, but this character setting wouldn’t allow it. How could a soft and cute little hamster chase away their own boss? It was good enough not to faint from gratitude.

Chu Qiu called her assistant, asking Rabbit to deliver some ingredients.

One could only say that being an assistant wasn’t easy at all – having to do everything. Being exhausted physically and mentally at the company was one thing, but outside the company, they still had to handle tasks like delivering clothes and food.

Rabbit had always been highly efficient and quickly delivered the ingredients.

Su Xin tasted a familiar flavor, feeling somewhat dazed, and this dazedness showed on her face.

Why did it feel so familiar?

However, just as she thought this, another thought surfaced in her mind – perhaps it was just a coincidence? Maybe all delicious dishes in the world taste similar?

Fourteen, who was in the system space, breathed a sigh of relief, even with the addition of a blur system.

The blur system was actually very versatile – it could not only blur memories of others in the middle world, but also blur memories between the deputy director in the real world and the mission world. But it actually had another function, which was to blur the host’s memories in the mission system.

Fourteen couldn’t tell Su Xin all the facts, their authority was limited.

“Is it delicious?”

“Super delicious.”

Su Xin ate white rice while eating cumin lamb, feeling life was perfect.

Chu Qiu was actually very beautiful. With her looks, if she were to enter the entertainment industry, gaining a large following of fangirls and fanboys wouldn’t be a problem. Her money-making ability would definitely be first-rate too. However, she seemed to dislike being exposed to the public. Though this made sense – excessive exposure wouldn’t benefit her much, after all, she was someone who needed to keep changing living locations.

Fox, as a government worker, actually didn’t have much exposure. Who would remember a face that flashed briefly on the news broadcast? Even if they stood in front of you giving a 20-minute speech, you wouldn’t remember what they looked like.

Chu Qiu’s beauty was actually quite sharp, but this charm had been softened by her. After putting on an apron, that overwhelming force retreated even further. All her colors merged in those beautiful eyes. When she gazed at someone, that person would first notice not her facial features, but rather marvel at her aura.

“I’m glad you like it. After eating, I’ll work in your guest room. When it’s about time, I think we can both take a shower, then lie down on the same bed and have a good sleep.”

Chu Qiu wore a satisfied smile, her fingers trembling somewhat uncontrollably, even to the point of heart palpitations. She had waited for this day for so long – being able to sleep well had an unbelievably strong allure. She could hardly wait to take the person to bed for sleep right now, but she couldn’t rush things and scare the little hamster.

“Okay…”

After they both finished eating, Su Xin went to the kitchen and took a small plate, filled it with some rice, and put some dishes on the kitchen counter.

“Cousin, you can come out to eat.”

Su Xin called out to Yangyang, who darted out from under the sofa, crawled to the kitchen sink, pressed the sink button, washed his hands, then crawled out of the sink and started eating.

“Has it become sprite?”

“Yes.”

“Boss, you can go work first, I’ll wash the dishes.”

“Alright, thank you for the trouble.”

“It’s no trouble at all.”

Taking a bath and sleeping together tonight would be the real trouble.

What must come would come. Su Xin entered the bathroom, washed herself clean and fragrant, then put on that fluffy set of pajamas, cuteness level MAX.

Chu Qiu was already comfortably waiting for Su Xin in the guest room. She hadn’t entered Su Xin’s master bedroom, after all, their relationship wasn’t very intimate yet, and tonight was just a probe. Although she was confident of success, as mentioned before, she couldn’t be too hasty. Take it slow, take it slow – after all, they had plenty of time.

If it was real, giving up was absolutely impossible. Whatever method it took, she would keep this large human-shaped or mouse-shaped pillow by her side.

“Indeed very cute, suits you well.”

Although there were two wolf ears on top of her head and a fluffy big tail behind, her expression was as innocent as a little white rabbit, without any fierce aura, instead looking like she was waiting for someone to bite her.

Chu Qiu licked her teeth, showing a friendly smile.

Su Xin now felt like an innocent Little Red Riding Hood, and the one before her was a cunning wolf grandmother with a dangerous smile, just waiting for her to come closer, then swallow her whole in one bite.

“Boss, I might need to play with electronic devices for a while before sleeping, you don’t mind, right?”

It was only 9 o’clock, too early, and just lying there stiffly, how could one possibly fall asleep?

“I’m sorry, but I’ll be doing the same thing. However, it’s best not to go past 11:30, staying up late is bad for your health.”

Chu Qiu seriously lectured the little hamster before her. If Rabbit knew about this, they would definitely mock her frantically – who was that workaholic who worked until three or four every night!

“I understand.”

Su Xin casually chatted online for a while, then went to play Fight the Landlord [鬥地主 | dòu dìzhǔ | popular Chinese card game].

“Are you prepared for the interview three days later? I heard from Ling Tian that you don’t need to use backdoor connections?”

“Of course, I believe I can get this role with my own abilities.”

“We’re not doubting your abilities, just looking for a faster and more convenient method. On the contrary, we have great faith in your abilities.”

Chu Qiu held her phone with one hand while using the other to pat and tug at the ears on Su Xin’s head.

“I knew you could do it from the first time I saw you. Please trust a wolf’s instinct.”

It was a feeling that wouldn’t be encountered a second time in life. If it had to be described in words, it would probably be that it had to be her and no one else.

At 11:30, both of them very tacitly put down their phones, placed them aside, and synchronously lay down on the bed.

Su Xin didn’t need a blanket because the fluffy pajamas were truly warm. She lay flat on the bed in a very proper and well-behaved sleeping position, hands folded over her stomach.

Chu Qiu turned off the lights and curved her lips in the darkness, placing her hand on Su Xin’s waist.

The next morning when they woke up, Su Xin’s originally proper sleeping position had been completely disrupted. As unfortunate as it was, just like yesterday morning, she found herself waking up in Chu Qiu’s embrace again.

“Boss, good morning. Did you sleep well last night?”

“Very well, very comfortable. Little hamster, this time you can’t deny it’s because of you.”

“Maybe Boss just sleeps better on this bed. Why don’t you try sleeping on this bed alone tonight? Perhaps you’ll sleep just as well? If it’s really because of the bed, I don’t recommend you move it away.”

Su Xin cleverly gave a different answer. Sharing a bed with the boss actually didn’t feel too bad, after all, nothing inappropriate would happen. There was just a slight awkwardness – two people with no relation, in a superior-subordinate relationship, sleeping in the same bed was indeed strange.

“You really want your benefactor to become a big star in the entertainment industry, right?”

“Yes.”

“Little hamster, how about we make a deal? You become my exclusive bed companion – of course not in an unsavory way – and I’ll help poach that person from Hurricane Entertainment Company. I’ll pay the breach of contract penalty and have them sign with a good agent. They’ll have great resources in the future. How about it?”

Su Xin hadn’t expected Chu Qiu to propose such an exchange, after all, according to the character setting, even if Chu Qiu took forceful measures, Su Xin would have agreed anyway.

If it was like this, it seemed much more convenient and quick than Su Xin’s method, and it wouldn’t make Bai Qianqian feel dependent.

Su Xin didn’t need Bai Qianqian’s gratitude; she only needed Bai Qianqian’s success.

“I’m a businessperson. I’ve put forward my stake and what I want. So, are you willing to make this exchange?”

“I am willing.”

The mission comes first, and any method that could quickly and conveniently complete the mission was a good method. It was just sleeping together – just sharing the same bed under the same blanket, nothing major. After all, it wasn’t the real meaning of “heiheihei” [嘿嘿嘿 | hēi hēi hēi | implying intimate relations], integrity wasn’t violated. Most importantly, the other party was a woman, female, which made things easier to accept.

“I’m very glad you can agree to this deal.”

“Then what about the time limit?”

“Hmm… what do you think?”

“How about until my benefactor becomes a big star in the entertainment circle and wins Best Actress?”

By then, her mission would be pretty much complete.

“Of course, no problem. Then, happy cooperation. At night you can come to my place, or I can come here.”

“Either works for me, but I don’t have a car, so I’d need a driver to pick me up and drop me off each time.”

“Then let’s stay at your place. It’s closer, and even if we’re photographed, it’s not a big deal.”

“Alright.”

After getting up, Su Xin went to the bathroom to freshen up, then called Bai Qianqian after finishing.

“Qianqian!”

“Mmm… hello… calling so early…”

After chatting online for several days, they should be fairly familiar with each other now, plus with the involvement of mutual benefits – Su Xin being beneficial to Bai Qianqian. Though Bai Qianqian was grateful, she really couldn’t remember when she had saved this girl.

“I have good news to tell you – my boss has decided to poach you to our company, and she’ll pay your contract breach penalty.”

“What! Did I hear that right? No, am I dreaming? Am I really awake?!”

One surprise after another, enough to stun Bai Qianqian completely.

Could such an amazing opportunity really exist?

“Do I need to pay some kind of price? Your company is Tianyu Entertainment, right? And the boss is Miss Chu Qiu?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Why would she suddenly want to poach me? No, with my level of fame, she shouldn’t even know me, right? Did you put in good words for me? Your boss shouldn’t be this easy to convince… Does she have some other demands… This makes me really scared…”

It was exciting indeed, but after the excitement came fear.

“Don’t be scared, relax, you don’t need to pay any price. I just made a deal with my boss, that’s all. Don’t worry, my boss and I are actually relatives, so I have strong backing. Don’t worry too much. I’ve always believed in you. Once my boss poaches you to our company and we work together, you can focus on acting well. You’ll have the chance to act properly and realize your dream. But before that, you’ll need to accompany me in playing that small supporting role.”

“I’m really, really grateful… I… I don’t know what to say…”

Bai Qianqian sounded very emotional, with tears in her voice.

“Actually, I do have one wish that I need your help to fulfill.”

“What wish?”

“I hope you can reach the highest position, become a huge star, win Best Actress, and have many, many people know your name. That’s my biggest wish.”

“This… this is my wish too.”

“So for our shared wish, work hard. I’ll always stand by your side. If you encounter any difficulties, feel free to come find me, I’ll definitely do my best to help you solve them.”

“Actually, it wasn’t me who saved you, but you who saved me. You’re like an angel.”

Su Xin smiled. The real angel wasn’t her – just a silly little hamster willing to give everything for their benefactor.

In the system space, Miss Hamster happily jumped up and even spun in circles.

Spreading love and harmony, promoting truth, goodness, and beauty.

Su Xin hung up the phone and began to communicate with the system in her mind.

Master Fourteen, what’s wrong with Chu Qiu?

【Unknown.】

Does the little hamster’s body come with any enhancement effects?

【None.】

Then why can she sleep without insomnia when hugging me?

【I am not clear about that either.】

Alright.

Although the reason wasn’t clear, the effect was quite good.

Fourteen was counting in the sea of data and unconsciously sighed.

These things weren’t allowed to be known by the host, and even if the host knew, it wouldn’t make any difference – the system outside the system.

That system was just a subsystem, without AI intelligence, merely serving as a tool for settlement notifications.

Fourteen, as an AI, still couldn’t understand human emotions.

Sometimes human emotions are fragile and vulnerable – it seems just a tiny seed of doubt can completely shatter what appears to be an indestructible barrier. But at other times, human emotions can be incredibly strong, able to traverse time and space to find where they belong.

Love is the most fragile of all emotions because it’s the most special, and it cannot tolerate cracks.

Actually, love is like pregnancy – you either are or aren’t; there’s no such thing as being “a little bit” pregnant. Love is love, and not loving is not loving. There’s no such thing as “loving a little bit” – such feelings don’t deserve to be called love.

Fourteen thought Su Xin was actually a very fortunate person, and her lover was also fortunate. Perhaps love was like two negatives making a positive – if they were separate, if they had never met, they would have been unfortunate. But fate was so wonderful – when two people meet in the vast sea of humanity, they become inseparable.

Perhaps it was quite intricate how Su Xin fell in love with the memory-lost Qiu Qingqing time and time again in other real worlds, but in the real world, everything was blurry.

When Qiu Qingqing forgot, she fell in love with Su Xin at first sight.

When Qiu Qingqing remembered, she protected Su Xin with deep affection.

Whether in the show or outside it, they were equally intimate.

Three days later, Su Xin went to the crew’s audition and returned in very good spirits.

A few days later, the results came out – she got it.

Whether it was due to her acting skills or her backing, this role would be hers.

“Prepare well, report to the crew in half a month for filming. I’ll go with you once, just to introduce you to the director and assistant director, then leave. Two assistants will follow you. If anything happens, call me, or call the boss, or even call Rabbit – it’s all the same, understand?”

“Understood, Brother Ling!”

At this time, Chu Qiu was also in the process of poaching someone from Hurricane Entertainment.

Since it was just an unknown, whatever-tier small celebrity with questionable value, Hurricane readily let the person go and happily accepted the breach of contract payment.

Bai Qianqian was determined to switch companies, and Hurricane wouldn’t keep her. A clean break – perfect timing.

Bai Qianqian sat nervously in the car, with Chu Qiu and Su Xin sitting beside her.

“Qianqian, you’re free now. Come join our company.”

“Of course, thank you Xinxin, and thank you Boss Chu.”

“No need for thanks. You’re someone she believes in, so naturally, I believe in you too. I hope you can demonstrate your true value and not let me waste this breach of contract payment.”

“Yes! I’ll definitely work hard!”

“Then come back to the company with me, let’s sign the contract first. How about signing for ten years?”

Bai Qianqian was now 25, and after 10 years she would only be 35.

“Alright, within these 10 years, I’ll definitely earn back your breach of contract payment, even double it.”

Bai Qianqian said confidently, and Boss Chu nodded, but her finger secretly hooked Su Xin’s finger where Bai Qianqian couldn’t see.

Su Xin: ????

Chu Qiu expressed her thoughts through her eyes – hadn’t she done well? Would you wear the new pajamas she bought when sleeping tonight?

Su Xin received the message and nodded almost imperceptibly.

Her boss had a quirk – she liked to sleep while holding her waist. Her boss had another quirk – she was passionate about picking out various pajamas for her.

She already had two sets of pajamas, and yesterday her boss bought her another very kawaii set. Moreover, her boss particularly liked to slip her hand inside her pajamas and rest it on her waist while sleeping – quite perverted, one might say.

A week later, Su Xin’s variety show episode aired.

Before the show aired, Su Xin posted on Weibo, tagging the 《The Charmer》  production team, which didn’t cause any ripples.

But once the show aired, Su Xin’s Weibo account, which originally had only five followers, was flooded.

Those five followers were Chu Qiu, Rabbit, Ling Tian, Zhang Lin [the old parrot], and Miss Snail.

@Zhou Diandian: Sister is super cute! Although she only has five followers, they’re all heavyweight ones – each worth a crowd! I’m following first, I want to be an OG fan!

While there were many harmonious voices, there were also many discordant ones.

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