Fate Trading System – Chapter 300

Plan A

Running with the Ball 4

It wasn’t very convenient for Su Xin to move while lying in bed, so she let Bai Jianglan make herself at home.

Actually, she had no idea what Bai Jianglan was here for. After all, they had basically no private interaction. The big boss didn’t need to run over at a time like this to discuss business with her; she could just contact her company directly.

The atmosphere was a little awkward. Bai Jianglan decided to find something to talk about, work-related matters for instance.

“President Bai, you’re really… quite dedicated. But I’ve already handed this over. My colleague will be taking over, though of course, I’ll still be involved.”

“Your body… that’s true.”

The air fell silent again. Bai Jianglan sat by the hospital bed, with so many questions in her heart she wanted to ask, but because the two of them weren’t familiar enough to share feelings and secrets, she could only keep them bottled up.

Bai Jianglan couldn’t use the excuse that Su Xin didn’t look well to ask questions, because Su Xin looked quite alright.

“Will you be okay here alone tonight? Is someone coming to stay with you later?”

“Of course, I’m fine.”

Bai Jianglan’s gaze couldn’t help but linger on Su Xin’s face. This is taking independence too far, isn’t it?

Do you have any idea that you’re a pregnant woman who was in a car accident and almost had a miscarriage?

This isn’t some mistress¹, who got pregnant in secret with no one to visit. Shouldn’t this be a happy occasion?

Even if her parents-in-law didn’t come, her own parents and friends should be here, right?

“Is President Bai concerned about me?”

Su Xin picked up a paper cup and took a sip of water, her smile looking a bit more sincere.

“You’re a girl, all alone in a hospital. It’s hard not to be a little worried.”

That’s not it at all. Bai Jianglan never had much surplus sympathy. For people she didn’t know well, extending a helping hand was more than enough.

But it was different with Jiang Xiao. Bai Jianglan felt like she was hiding a secret, brewing something up.

“President Bai really is a very kind, good person.”

“Want an apple?”

Bai Jianglan’s lips curved up slightly. She didn’t respond to what Su Xin had just said, instead shaking the bag in her hand.

Inside was a bag of apples she had bought at the small supermarket next to the hospital before coming in.

“Thank you.”

Bai Jianglan took an apple to the restroom, washed it, and brought it back. Su Xin didn’t bother peeling it and started crunching away on it.

The two of them passed this period of time in silence. Su Xin ate her apple while looking at her phone, and Bai Jianglan sat by her bed, also looking at her own phone.

“Has President Bai had dinner?”

Su Xin couldn’t help but suspect this woman had some other purpose for coming. From the information she had, this wasn’t supposed to be a very warm-hearted person, someone who wouldn’t do something without a motive. They weren’t very familiar with each other, so there was no need for her to go to such lengths.

“I’m about to go back and eat. See you next time. Are you really okay here by yourself?”

“This is a hospital, not some high-risk place. Of course there won’t be any problems.”

Su Xin nodded. This was a public place, after all. Even if someone with ill intentions wanted to cause trouble, they’d have to think twice.

Public opinion is such an interesting thing.

Even if you’re in the right, even if you have only the truth on your side, when you’re being pointed at by a thousand fingers², you’ll also feel so powerless, not to mention they are the ones on the wrong side.

“Alright then, I’ll come see you again tomorrow.”

“President Bai?”

“Didn’t you say we were friends?”

Su Xin remembered the excuse she had given Feng Linhan. Obviously, it was something neither of them would take seriously.

“To have a friend like you, I am naturally deeply honored.”

“See you tomorrow.”

Before leaving, Bai Jianglan went and washed all the remaining apples in the bag and put them back on her table.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Only after the door was closed did the room truly return to silence.

Su Xin didn’t know what Bai Jianglan wanted to do. It didn’t seem like she had any interests that were worth Bai Jianglan scheming for.

Whatever. Su Xin decided to first focus on her own business.

The Year 2, Class 7 had a class group chat. Of course, there were no teachers in it. One person had created it and then pulled in many group members.

The school forbade using cell phones, but the students still used them secretly.

Boarding students played secretly in their dorms, while day students could play without restraint at home. Of course, it all depended on what kind of parents they had.

Usually, besides announcing homework, helping each other out, or organizing activities, hardly anyone spoke in this group.

But today, the group was exceptionally lively.

Anzi³ watched the frantic stream of group messages and curiously clicked in to take a look.

Right now, it was evening self-study⁴. Not only was the head teacher sitting on the podium in the classroom, but outside there was also the dean or the principal’s assistant who might be patrolling at any moment.

A group of people furtively peering through the back door, trying to see if any students were making small movements.

Anzi placed her phone on top of a book. The books on everyone’s desk were stacked high, as if they wished they could hide their entire bodies behind them, because it was clearly an excellent cover.

The messages in the group kept coming. It seemed quite a few people were secretly playing on their phones.

【Anonymous】Yu Ji:⁵ I have some major tea to spill! To avoid getting flamed, I’m going anonymous! If any classmates want to join the gossip, hurry up and go anonymous too. Best not to let anyone recognize you.

【Anonymous】Yu Ji: Because in here, there might not only be people who want to flame my upcoming tea, but also traitors. Who knows when news of us using our phones will be reported to the head teacher.

【Anonymous】Xiang Yu: Wifey speaks the truth!

【Anonymous】Yu Ji: Holy sh#t, that’s creepy.

【Anonymous】Xiao Qiao: Spill it, we’re listening.

【Anonymous】Liu Bei: So many delinquents, huh. Don’t be too obvious with your movements, Lao Ban⁶ isn’t blind.

【Anonymous】Xiao Qiao: Lao Ban is clearly out of it today, didn’t you see? He keeps zoning out on the podium. The student in the front row eating snacks is so obvious, and he didn’t even see them.

Some people stopped what they were doing and started looking around at each other. Some gazes met, sharing a rather tacit understanding.

The student in the front row was buried in their homework, completely unaware that they had already received several pointed looks.

【Anonymous】Yu Ji: The tea is here! When I was leaving school today, I saw Lao Ban hugging and kissing a woman. It was terrifying.

【Anonymous】Xiang Yu: Wow, Lao Ban is that open?

【Anonymous】Yu Ji: I took a different route today to go to a relative’s house and unexpectedly saw that scene. It was simply shocking. The main point is! That woman wasn’t Lao Ban’s wife!

【Anonymous】Xiang Yu: ????? WTF? WTF? WTF? What the hell!

【Anonymous】Li Bai: I was originally just planning to watch from the sidelines, but this news is just too explosive, so I was blown out of the water.

Anzi was lurking, not showing her face, nor did she look up to see who else was online. She didn’t want anyone to know she was on her phone, and she wasn’t interested in who else was either.

But this news was just too shocking. Anzi reached a hand under her desk to tug on her deskmate’s sleeve. Such important gossip had to be shared with a good friend.

Anzi gestured towards her screen with her eyes. Her deskmate leaned over to look and their mouth fell open.

“Really?”

“I don’t know.”

They exchanged words in hushed voices. In fact, the class was now a little restless.

【Anonymous】Sun Shangxiang: Quiet as a chicken!!!⁷ Don’t get excited! If Lao Ban finds out, or if the dean or someone outside sees us, we’re so dead. Do you want your phones confiscated!

After this message was sent, the entire class fell silent again, as if the previous restlessness had never existed.

【Anonymous】Sun Shangxiang: Yu Ji, is that tea of yours real?

【Anonymous】Yu Ji: Why would I lie to you all? There’s no benefit in it for me. I’ve seen Lao Ban’s wife before. That time she came to deliver a meal, you all should have seen her, right?

【Anonymous】Xiang Yu: Delivered a meal? When was that? How come I don’t know about it.

【Anonymous】Xiao Qiao: I saw it! It was a long time ago, right? Aiyo, the scope has narrowed. But I have to say, Lao Ban’s wife is really good-looking. That sense of style, wow.

【Anonymous】Li Bai: So you’re saying Lao Ban hugging and kissing a strange woman is really a true thing?

【Anonymous】Xiang Yu: Bai-ge, you’re so direct.

【Anonymous】Yu Ji: I didn’t take a picture. I took one look and hurried away, afraid that Lao Ban would see me there. Then I’d be screwed.

【Anonymous】Liu Bei: Damn, you really can’t judge a book by its cover.⁸

【Anonymous】Zhuang Zhou: Are you sure you didn’t see wrong? After all, this is a very serious matter, you can’t just say things carelessly.

【Anonymous】Yu Ji: It’s the absolute truth! If I’m lying, may I die a horrible death! How’s that?

【Anonymous】Xiang Yu: Things are suddenly getting very interesting.

Feng Linhan was staring blankly at his computer screen, thinking about what he should do in the future.

He had already made things clear with that little lover of his. He was prepared to make up his mind, but then he didn’t expect her to get pregnant. That was their child in there. Feng Linhan felt he should have a child, but he couldn’t bear to part with that obedient, gentle little woman who had been with him all this time.

He was so lost in thought that he didn’t even notice the strange looks the students below were giving him.

The class was very quiet, not noisy at all, so there was nothing to attract his attention.

【Anonymous】Yu Ji: My tea is spilled! Discuss among yourselves! Friendly reminder, stop playing on your phones. I have a bad feeling, like someone’s about to appear at the door. Let’s communicate with little notes.

The students silently put their phones away. Then, a number of them looked in unison towards the back window. A dozen or so seconds later, a face was pressed against it.

Everyone quickly averted their gazes, lowering their heads to read their books and do their homework, pretending like nothing had happened.

Everyone was communicating in private, passing notes and exchanging glances, all in silence.

Anzi still found it a little hard to believe that the gossip was true.

Because in her eyes, Lao Ban was a pretty good person. His teaching ability was also quite good. A man approaching 30, he dressed elegantly and was gentle and refined. He gave off a very comfortable vibe. Those who didn’t know better would have thought he was a liberal arts teacher, but he actually taught math.

That he could do something like passionately kiss his mistress on the street was truly astonishing.

Regardless of what those students were thinking, Su Xin had accomplished her mission and retreated.

The anonymous user who had appeared was actually the handiwork of Fourteen. Su Xin dictated, and Fourteen posted.

This was just planting a small seed. One day, it would take root and sprout, and then the news would spread to an unbelievable extent.

This was just an appetizer before the main course.

A malicious smile hung on the corner of Su Xin’s lips. She would make the scumbag cry and kneel before her, begging her not to divorce him. She would also make the mistress cry and beg the scumbag not to break up with her. In the end, she would slap both of their faces until they were swollen and then coolly throw down a divorce certificate.

How could she not destroy the relationship of this nauseating pair of ‘true loves’? If she just divorced him quickly, wouldn’t that just let the b#tch and the dog get together properly?

The bell for the end of the first evening self-study session rang. Feng Linhan closed his computer and absentmindedly returned to the office.

And after he left, the students erupted.

“Who was the one who dropped that tea just now? Is there more?”

This was one of the class’s biggest instigators.

“They already said, anonymous means they don’t want people to know who they are. But if there’s more tea, I’m certainly looking forward to it too.”

Those who didn’t know what was going on started asking the people around them to get them up to speed. No one from Year 2, Class 7 went out into the hallway or up to the rooftop to hang out; instead, they all stayed properly in the classroom, discussing the gossip.

A few minutes later, everyone failed to find any more useful information. Those who needed to go to the restroom went, and some went out to chat with students from other classes.

Some things spread widely among the students, but the teachers wouldn’t hear a single whisper of it.

Su Xin slept comfortably through the night. The next day, she didn’t have to get up early for work. She drank her medicine and ordered porridge for delivery.

Her phone’s battery was critically low. When she called for the delivery, Su Xin also asked the owner to help her buy a charger from a nearby phone store, offering to pay a delivery fee. The store owner readily agreed.

At noon, when Feng Linhan sent her a message saying he would bring her lunch, she asked him to bring her laptop and its charger as well.

Feng Linhan brought Su Xin lunch in a thermal container, and also brought her laptop bag.

“You didn’t seem to sleep very well last night.”

Feng Linhan’s face looked very weary; one look and you could tell he hadn’t rested well last night.

“I was at home, worried about you.”

Tsk, probably thinking about how to resolve this problem in a way that satisfies both sides.

People like Feng Linhan are just greedy. They can’t bear to part with the good of this one, nor the good of that one. They think they’re some kind of great lover, but in reality, they’re just a disgusting scumbag with a foot on two boats⁹.

Su Xin thought about how Feng Linhan had been standing on two boats for so many years, and wasn’t he afraid his legs would be unable to close?

Feng Linhan walked over, wanting to stroke Su Xin’s head, but Su Xin feigned a dry heave, covering her mouth and looking very uncomfortable, thus dodging his outstretched hand.

Feng Linhan didn’t find it strange at all. He retracted his hand without any awkwardness and immediately asked with concern.

“It’s nothing, it’s just a normal reaction. Next time you come, remember to bring me something sour to eat.”

Jiang Xiao’s body must have been quite healthy. In the beginning, she didn’t have any morning sickness, and it was only starting a little now.

Wait a minute… Su Xin’s expression twisted slightly.

In other words, this body she had taken over would not only have to endure the pain of childbirth, but also the yet-to-come morning sickness.

Ah, so annoying.

Master Fourteen, I have something to say, but I’m not sure if I should.

【This one will do their best to reduce those symptoms for you.】

I knew you were the best!

Su Xin had no desire to fall to pregnancy after having survived hails of bullets¹⁰.

“Okay.”

What made Su Xin breathe a sigh of relief was that the original owner’s eccentric mother was far away, and she didn’t have to deal with the trouble of a mother-in-law.

Since ancient times, the relationship between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law has been the most difficult to manage.

However, Feng Linhan’s mother had remarried and was now someone else’s mother-in-law. She had her hands full with her own side of the family, let alone Feng Linhan’s.

That’s why Jiang Xiao was only having a child now and hadn’t been pressured. Jiang Xiao had originally planned to wait another two years.

But if things had continued to develop along the original trajectory, who knows what the situation would be like.

“While I’m not at home, you have to take good care of yourself too.”

Su Xin put on the appearance of a virtuous and gentle wife, which moved Feng Linhan greatly.

“Mhm.”

Feng Linhan was wavering. He couldn’t let go of his original wife’s side. His wife was beautiful, wealthy, capable, well-read and sensible, poised and generous—the image of a perfect wife in his heart. And what’s more, she was now pregnant.

If they waited until the child was born, they would be the most harmonious family of three.

What a perfect, ideal family.

But then Feng Linhan thought of the woman who had followed him for seven years with no title or status. So like a delicate bird resting on a person¹¹, she deferred to him in all things, washed her hands to make him soup¹², and always knew what was on his mind and what emotional needs he had. She always gave him the feeling of being young and still passionately in love.

In the beginning, it wasn’t that he didn’t feel guilty. After all, cheating was something despised by the world, not a glorious matter.

Not only was it unfair to his then-girlfriend who had not yet become his wife, but it was also unfair to that lovely girl. But what did that lovely little girl say while hugging him? She said she didn’t pray to compete with Jiang Xiao for anything, nor did she pray to do things with him openly and honorably, because she truly, truly liked him. Even if he didn’t break up, she was willing to be with him.

So, he was shamefully swayed. His wife was good, but her personality was too independent. Her way of doing things was also very direct and decisive, and she never asked him for any help.

Jiang Xiao was just that kind of straightforward girl in life. If there was something she could accomplish independently, why would she ask someone else for help? It was the same even if that person was the one who shared her pillow. Moreover, Jiang Xiao felt that talking to Feng Linhan about troubles at work was useless. He was just a middle school math teacher and couldn’t understand professional knowledge in this field.

After Su Xin finished her lunch, Feng Linhan packed everything up again.

“I’ll stay here with you a little longer, then I’ll head back to school.”

Teaching Year 2 was still manageable. When it came to Year 3, he really couldn’t leave the class, and he would definitely be even busier then.

“Mhm, have you eaten?”

“I have.”

“That’s good. You can’t let yourself get thin from hunger while I’m not home.”

Su Xin said these words with a playful mentality, maintaining a very gentle facade.

This is quite interesting. Just quietly watching how they perform, how they court death.

She wasn’t a participant in the game, but the one setting the board.

“Mhm, you have to take good care of yourself too, and our baby.”

“Of course.”

Feng Linhan had already decided not to tell his ‘flower that understands speech¹³‘ about his wife’s pregnancy for the time being. He really couldn’t handle it right now. He just needed a little more time, until he was mentally prepared.

Su Xin didn’t know what Feng Linhan was thinking at this moment. If she did, she would only spit twice. What a big face¹⁴.

Where did Feng Linhan’s confidence come from? Wasn’t it just from Jiang Xiao’s foolishness and the mistress’s infatuation?

Su Xin actually quite wanted to meet that mistress, to see what kind of person could be so shameless and also have something wrong with their brain.

These two, from cheating to having an extramarital affair, not only felt no apology, but they even managed to move themselves, is that it?

Their love moves heaven and earth¹⁵, so it can ignore all obstacles? Even if the other party is married, it can’t stop the advance of their love?

Their brains are really full of sh#t.

Su Xin opened her laptop and handled some matters, occasionally making and taking calls to discuss things.

The young nurse came in twice, both times feeling that this girl was working way too hard.

Sometimes, gaining the shallow sympathy of others isn’t a shameful thing; it can be put to good use.

Su Xin went about her business unhurriedly, because she knew someone would definitely be unable to hold back.

And just like that, the person arrived.

In Jiang Xiao’s faint memory, that mistress ‘cousin’ was a very docile girl. Back then, she had long, straight black hair, straight-cut bangs, wore plain white shoes and conventional clothes—the very picture of a somewhat introverted, good girl. She wasn’t very distinctive; at a glance, there was nothing memorable about her, only that she seemed very well-behaved.

This person was two years younger than Jiang Xiao, one grade below her.

Now, the mistress was twenty-six. It was no longer appropriate for her to have the air of a pure university student. In its place was a gentle and soft temperament, making people think she was a kind and gentle person at first glance.

If one only looked at this face and listened to the tone and manner of her speech, it would be hard to believe this was a mistress.

And a mistress who had inserted herself into someone else’s nine-year relationship for seven of those years.

Jiang Xiao and Feng Linhan met and got together in their freshman year of university. When they were juniors, the mistress, a sophomore, successfully inserted herself.

“Hello, I’m Feng Linhan’s cousin, He Qin¹⁶. We met a long time ago, I wonder if you still remember me.”

See? Isn’t she getting anxious?

“I think I have some impression of you. Why are you here?”

He Qin’s hair was tied up neatly, she wore light makeup, and she carried a pleasant floral scent. She was holding a fruit basket. Su Xin guessed she might have just come from a flower shop, or perhaps her job was at a flower shop.

The data showed that Su Xin’s guess was indeed correct. He Qin was in fact the owner of a rather successful flower shop.

This indeed did not fit the image of a mistress. In the eyes of outsiders, a mistress was either a scheming, heavily made-up vixen, or a black-hearted white lotus¹⁷ who feigned purity, innocence, and pity, or perhaps a green tea b#tch¹⁸ who acted all straightforward to hide her true nature from men—not this flower shop owner with a gentle temperament and an approachable face.

Su Xin couldn’t help but sigh internally. Why does she look so normal on the surface, yet is so disgusting?

“I happened to be here seeing a friend the other day and saw you being brought in. It gave me a scare. But I was held up by something yesterday and didn’t feel it was right to come over so rashly, so I came to see you today.”

He Qin brought a fruit basket and fresh flowers, arranging them neatly on the table.

“So that’s how it is. Thank you. But your memory is really good, to know it was me right away.”

“We met once seven years ago. Sister Xiaoxiao was so beautiful back then, and now your grace is even greater. Of course I recognized you immediately. Although Sister Xiaoxiao doesn’t remember me, I’ve always secretly regarded Sister Xiaoxiao as the goal I’m striving for, hoping that one day I can become as amazing as you.”

He Qin said with a smile. Her compliments didn’t feel fake at all; instead, they seemed very sincere.

This mistress’s skills are impressive. To be so sweet-tongued to the original wife she resents, and the words she says are so full of hidden meaning.

He Qin wasn’t worried that Jiang Xiao would recognize her voice from the phone call the other day. Her voice that day had been somewhat high-pitched and sharp, different from today’s.

“Is that so? Then you’ll have to work hard.”

Su Xin had no need to say nice things; she just wanted to make the mistress uncomfortable.

Sure enough, He Qin’s face stiffened.

Smiling happily on the surface, but cursing ‘your mom sells p#ssy’ on the inside¹⁹.

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