FI CH53: In-Person Rigging

Lin Su rested upstairs until five-thirty.

Seeing it was about time, he called He Zhenling to go down for dinner.

The two took the elevator down to the first floor.

As they walked towards the restaurant, He Zhenling said faintly, “How long do you think it will take for the results of the third round to be announced?”

Lin Su rubbed his eyes through the gap in his mask. “Grading some papers, pulling some strings… by the time we finish eating, the rankings should be about ready.”

The person beside him curved his lips. “I thought so too.”

Lin Su remembered something else. “Right, why did you turn in your paper in only 20 minutes? What did you write?”

He Zhenling didn’t answer, only glancing at him. “You were scribbling away so furiously, yet you still noticed when I turned in my paper. How thoughtful.”

“You were turning in your paper, yet you still noticed me scribbling away furiously. How attentive.”

“Who told you to open an account in my heart?”

They arrived at the restaurant amidst this flirty banter.

The two got their food and sat at the same table. As soon as they sat down, they felt a gaze coming from their front-left.

Lin Su looked up and met Hao Niubai’s secretly flashing eyes.

Hao Niubai was hiding behind a dining table, looking at him, then at He Zhenling. Her eyes were filled with three parts amazement, five parts anticipation, and seven parts passion, her emotions overflowing.

After their eyes met, she quietly averted her gaze.

Lin Su: “?”

He paused, then turned to He Zhenling. “Did you say something to Hao Niubai?”

He Zhenling was arranging his food. “Who?”

Before Lin Su could answer, he let out a scoffing laugh. “I’m not like Mr. Lin Kun, with so many private acquaintances.”

“…”

Lin Su moved a small sausage to his plate, dotingly. “I was wondering why it felt a bit crowded. Turns out your heart has gotten smaller.”

“Heh, I was just saying.”

As they were eating and talking, a few people returned to the entrance in a group, their conversation filled with curiosity.

“…Who’s that outside?”

“Could it be another participant joining at the last minute?”

“We’ve already had three rounds. What’s the point of joining now? You can’t get first place anyway.”

“He’s dressed in flowing white robes. Maybe he’s an examiner.”

Lin Su paused, turning his head sharply. Wait, could it be…

He Zhenling looked up. “What’s wrong?”

Lin Su pushed the food on his plate together. “Ahhh—” he opened his cavernous mouth. “Wait for me to finish eating, we’ll go out and see together.” Half the plate was instantly empty.

He Zhenling paused, a rare look of shock on his face.

…

He finished his meal in a few bites.

Lin Su took He Zhenling and left the lobby.

Outside the main entrance, the sun was setting in the west. Not far from the door stood a snow-white figure, holding a phone high up towards the sun with both hands, seemingly struggling to find a signal.

Lin Su: “…”

The half-turned face vaguely showed the contours of his youth, his gaze as clear as if washed by snow.

Lin Su called out, “Xiao Bai.”

The person over there froze and turned his head.

Bai Jiang looked at him for several seconds, then ran over joyfully. “Big Shot Brother! Is it really you!? It’s been so long, you…” He looked silently for two seconds. “…You haven’t changed a bit!”

Xuenima: […He accepted this so naturally with a social pleasantry.]

Lin Su pressed it down and said to Bai Jiang, “You, on the other hand, have grown up quite a bit.”

Bai Jiang: “Hehe.” ^▽^

Just as he was about to say something, his gaze shifted and he saw the silent He Zhenling standing to the side. Above the half-mask, only a pair of cold, handsome brows and eyes were visible, looking somewhat familiar.

He tried to identify him for a few moments, then said in surprise, “President He…”

“Shh.” Lin Su raised a finger.

Bai Jiang covered his mouth. ?

“Here, we’re all using fake identities. You can call me ‘Lin Kun’. As for him…” Lin Su paused, then stepped back gracefully, looking at He Zhenling. “You can introduce yourself.”

Bai Jiang followed his gaze.

He Zhenling: “…”

He stared quietly at Lin Su, his cold eyes flashing, remaining silent.

In this awkward situation.

A voice suddenly came from the side. The staff member in the smiling mask appeared outside the door, looking back and forth. “And who might this unfamiliar guest be?”

Lin Su spoke before Bai Jiang could reply. “He said he saw the invitation and wanted to participate in the event too.”

The staff member paused. “He came on his own?”

Lin Su sighed. “Yes, he wants to meet the Grand President of the Tianshi Association so badly.”

Bai Jiang: “?”

The staff member said “one moment,” and a red light flashed under his collar. A voice then came through his earpiece: “Another uninvited one? Hmm… forget it, the more free labor, the better. It just so happens—”

The person on the other end was calculating. “Have him exorcise a ghost as an assessment to participate. If he passes, let him stay. If not, there’s no need to let him stay for free food and lodging.”

The staff member pressed his earpiece and nodded. “My superior says if you can exorcise a ghost, you can stay.” He took out a registration form. “By the way, what should we call you?”

“My name is Bai…”

“Bai Kang,” Lin Su interjected.

Bai Jiang: 0▽0?

The staff member had seen it all by now. He quickly jotted it down, looked up, and said, “The assessment can begin at any time. There are surveillance cameras in the hallways, please do not cheat.”

As he finished, two laughs sounded from in front of him.

Lin Su and He Zhenling’s gazes were meaningful.

The person behind the mask started sweating and raised a hand. “…Please.”

And just like that, Bai Jiang was cluelessly roped in.

Now, taking advantage of being far from the cameras, he leaned in and whispered, “Big Shot Brother, what’s going on?”

His brows furrowed slightly, giving him a somewhat steady appearance. “I thought you came to catch up with me, but this hotel, and this event…”

Bai Jiang glanced around, seeming to notice something. “Is there a problem?”

Lin Su’s lips curved. “There is a problem. You stay here first and we’ll talk. It’s been so many years, let me see your current strength.”

Bai Jiang said excitedly, “Okay! I…”

A Tang-style saber suddenly shot past in front of him.

Thud. It rested between the two of them, pressing the elevator button. Turning his head, He Zhenling had already sheathed his saber and said casually, “Pressing the elevator.”

Lin Su glanced at him. He looked down in return. “What are you looking at?”

Lin Su said helplessly, “Sigh…”

A vein twitched on He Zhenling’s temple. He calmly averted his gaze.

The elevator door opened with a ding!.

He strode in first, holding his saber, and said to Bai Jiang, “We can’t interfere. You press the button.”

Bai Jiang only paused for a moment before pressing “7”.

Returning to the 7th floor, the atmosphere was much calmer than last night.

Lin Su and He Zhenling waited at the elevator entrance.

Bai Jiang stood in the corridor, closed his eyes, and reached out to sense the area. “Something very bad happened here…” His fingertips moved slowly in the air, pointing. “Here, here, and over there.”

He finished, then snapped his eyes open and turned his head to ask, “Am I right!” 0▽0

Lin Su nodded and said softly, “Go on.”

There was more than one lost soul in this building. Besides the most dangerous one and the one He Zhenling had casually sent on its way, there were still several left.

Bai Jiang randomly picked one and went over.

Once he was gone, Lin Su leaned against the wall.

He Zhenling didn’t leave either. He crossed his arms and said faintly, “An old acquaintance? You called him?”

Lin Su lowered his voice. “Many years ago, I vacationed at the Bai family home for a short time. Bai Jiang was a teenager then and needed someone to guide him into the practice. I gave him a few pointers.”

He Zhenling said, “Mm.”

“As the head of the Four Great Feng Shui Families, the Bai family has abundant resources. Bai Jiang’s talent is extremely high, and his character is pure. No wonder he became the Grand President at such a young age.”

“Is that so.”

Lin Su paused and looked at him.

Then his gaze became understanding, and he said gently, “Of course, he can’t compare to you. Look at you, at your old age…”

A scoffing laugh sounded.

Lin Su quickly changed his words. “…at the prime of your life.”

He Zhenling was half-smiling. “Your compliments are truly chilling.”

Lin Su said seriously, “…It must be the heavy sinister energy in this building.”

…

Bai Jiang returned after a while.

His strength was indeed impressive. He had exorcised a ghost in a short time and still looked relaxed.

Lin Su was satisfied. “Not bad.”

He then led the man downstairs to report his completion.

On the first floor, they walked through the lobby towards the entrance.

Lin Su took the opportunity to ask, “By the way, how did you get here? Did you come alone?”

“Yes,” Bai Jiang said. “Didn’t you tell me to be ‘casual’ in the letter? So I took a plane by myself, then a taxi, and came over ‘casually’.”

“…” Lin Su paused and glanced at his shoulder. Nima.

Xuenima turned around, its back to him. […You said it, the content should be “casual”.]

Bai Jiang asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Lin Su retracted his gaze, pleased. “For a vacation, being casual is good.”

Bai Jiang went to submit his assessment task. The staff member nodded and told him to wait in the lobby for a moment.

Around eight in the evening.

The organizer notified all participants to gather in the lobby, ready to announce the results of the third round.

Lin Su, He Zhenling, and Bai Jiang stood together.

Many eyes were on Bai Jiang.

Hao Niubai came downstairs, saw him, and was also shocked. She looked him over a few times, then pulled Lin Su aside.

“Who’s that? Someone you know?”

Lin Su said, “A new participant. I showed him the way this afternoon.”

“Oh, oh…”

Hao Niubai was skeptical. With a thoughtful look, she skulked to a corner to observe them secretly.

The staff member soon stood at the front.

“Good evening, everyone. Before we announce the results, let me first introduce our new participant: Mr. Bai Kang. Mr. Bai Kang has successfully passed the assessment and exorcised a ghost.”

“If you have any doubts, you are welcome to inspect at any time.”

Lin Su narrowed his eyes.

Xuenima saw through it: [Heh… letting others inspect, they’re getting more free labor out of them.]

A wave of amazement had already erupted around them.

“Joining at this time?”

“His points must be far behind, right? What’s the point?”

“He seems quite strong. Maybe he’s a dark horse.”

The person at the front clapped his hands, interrupting.

The staff member smiled. “Alright, next, I will announce the results of the third written test.”

The results were announced in descending order.

Unexpectedly, the highest score in this round was not any of the previous top three.

When the fourth place was announced, Yu Yixun’s name finally appeared.

The list continued down.

After the top ten, neither Lin Su nor He Zhenling’s names had been called. The crowd grew restless, their gazes shifting between the two.

Lin Su’s expression was calm. As expected.

Finally, at 13th place, a voice from the front said, “Mr. Lin Kun, 70 points.”

Amidst the ensuing uproar, two voices stood out.

“How is that possible!?”

Tang Yin and Bai Jiang exclaimed in shock at the same time.

Bai Jiang looked even more like an angry youth than Tang Yin. “How could Big… Brother Kun get such a low score? Who graded this?”

The person at the front displayed the scorebook. “It was personally graded by the Grand President. Do you have any questions?”

Bai Jiang: “…”

Bai Jiang: “?”

He had many questions???

The staff member saw him stunned and, feeling he had achieved his deterrent effect, continued down the list. When he reached the third to last place, He Zhenling’s name finally appeared.

“Mr. He Daniao, 40 points.”

Now, the questioning voices from the crowd became even more intense.

“How could it be only 40 points?”

“With the strength of a two-time first-place winner, even random answers should get above 60.”

Even Lin Su glanced sideways at the man. ?

He Zhenling wore a calm and indiffe doubts, “Mr. He Daniao, the third round was an exam for you, not for you to provide guidance and critique the questions.”

Lin Su: “…”

Everyone: “…”

Xuenima: [His paper sounds like that of a contrarian.]

Lin Su: “Shh.”

He Zhenling glanced over. “Your questions were not rigorous enough.” He frowned. “If I don’t point it out, I feel uncomfortable.”

The staff member said stiffly, “We have a more professional review process.”

He Zhenling didn’t argue further.

Hao Niubai, hiding on the side, gave a dry laugh. …Ha, ha.

…

The announcement of the written test results ended.

Although Yu Yixun was not a conspicuous first, because Lin Su was thirteenth and He Zhenling was third from last, Yu Yixun’s total score shot up to first place again.

Tang Yin let out a “Ha!” and shot up.

“What crappy first place? Why should I believe it? You say the Grand President graded it? Then call the Grand President out! I want to hear him say it himself!”

The staff member was unmoved. “The Grand President is not someone you can just summon.”

Bai Jiang: 0.0

Xuenima: [No, he is.]

Lin Su pinched its little mouth, then smiled and suddenly spoke up. “I have no doubts about the Grand President, but I do have doubts about the paper. I’d like to see how he commented on mine. Is that a problem?”

The staff member choked. “The test papers are still with the organizers.”

Lin Su urged in a gentle voice, “Hurry up and bring it over. I’m so eager to improve.”

Staff member: “…”

He was silent for a moment. “Okay, one moment.”

Twenty minutes later, the test papers were brought over.

The staff member walked into the lobby under everyone’s gaze, holding a sealed bag and placing it on the front desk. “Everyone, thank you for waiting.” As he spoke, he opened the bag and suddenly let out an “ah.”

He turned the sealed bag upside down and said in surprise, “How is there water on the table?”

He quickly pulled out the test papers.

Fortunately, there wasn’t much water on the table, and he had pulled them out in time. Only the bottom paper was soaked.

But as luck would have it, the name written on it was “Lin Kun.”

“Sigh, Mr. Lin…”

The staff member sighed apologetically and handed him the paper. “The long-answer questions are smudged, but the President’s signature in the bottom right corner is still there, which can verify its authenticity.”

Lin Su took it with a half-smile. “Is that so.”

Tang Yin didn’t believe it. “Ha! What a coincidence?”

Bai Jiang chimed in, “And it doesn’t look real at all!”

Staff member: “You two, please don’t be unreasonable.”

He then distributed the other papers. The crowd was momentarily distracted from Lin Su’s problem, all holding their own papers and looking over that signature.

Lin Su didn’t seem to care much. He casually folded the paper and went over to He Zhenling, interested.

“Let me see your contrarian paper.”

He Zhenling let out a scoffing laugh and handed it to him.

The paper was covered in annotations, and he had even marked the sources of some theories and regulations on the side.

Xuenima, lying on his shoulder, praised profusely: [Xiao He is really wild.]

Lin Su looked it over carefully. “Currently, he and I have the highest scores. Even if he wasn’t so ‘wild,’ his score would have been changed just like mine. It’s better to answer like this—”

As he was speaking, a figure loomed over.

He Zhenling, under the pretext of looking at the paper, leaned in and whispered, “The paper, what are your plans?”

Lin Su was relaxed. “As expected.”

The person in front of him paused, then straightened up, relieved.

…

The others posed no threat. After getting their papers, they didn’t have many doubts and soon dispersed.

Bai Jiang got a room card for the 12th floor.

Lin Su called him over to go up to the 13th floor with him and He Zhenling.

Ding! The elevator doors opened.

Lin Su turned and walked towards He Zhenling’s room, saying to Bai Jiang who was looking around behind him, “We’re going to his place.”

Bai Jiang was a bit hesitant. “To President He’s room?”

Lin Su sighed lightly. “Can’t be helped. Only damned ghosts can enter my room.”

Bai Jiang: 0.0?

To the side, He Zhenling seemed to purse his lips and turned his head away.

Xuenima looked down from on high. …Heh, these sour, smelly tricks. It couldn’t bear to watch and returned to its consciousness.

The door opened with a beep.

Lin Su pointed for Bai Jiang. “Sit anywhere.”

Bai Jiang obediently sat on the stool next to the sofa. After seeing both of them sit down, he frowned seriously again. “Big Shot Brother, what exactly is going on with this event? You can tell me now.”

Lin Su grabbed a cushion to lean on. “To put it simply, the developer of this hotel used your name as a gimmick to organize an event, planning to exploit the participants for free labor to suppress spirits and exorcise ghosts.”

He said, “To prevent the truth from being exposed in the end, they can only ensure his son gets first place.”

Bai Jiang’s handsome face darkened, the spring breeze turning into an autumn wind. “Daring to impersonate me to swindle people… and daring to change my brother’s test paper.”

“I-I was even planning to collect it for study!” QnQ

Lin Su: “…”

He Zhenling: “…”

Lin Su tapped his fingertips and comforted him. “You still have a chance.”

“?”

As he spoke, he pulled out a folded test paper with a rustle and unfolded it. It was identical to the one he had submitted. “Just in case, I wrote two copies. It just so happens, you can grade this one.”

Bai Jiang was stunned at first, then horrified. “No, no, no… how can I grade my brother-teacher’s paper!”

Lin Su: …what a chaotic form of address.

He handed it over. “Just grade it if I tell you to.” He smiled approvingly. “You have the qualifications now.”

Bai Jiang took it with tear-filled eyes and scurried to the side to grade it.

Over there, his focus was so intense it was as if he had blocked out the world.

He Zhenling glanced over. “…Is he a child you raised?”

Lin Su said lovingly, “Yes, you’ll also treat him as your own, right?”

“…”

He Zhenling scoffed. “I already treat your father-king as my own. Of course I don’t mind one more.”

Xuenima popped out: [?]

Lin Su pressed it back down. “He’s being humorous.”

…

After more than half an hour.

Bai Jiang was still scribbling away over there.

Lin Su finally couldn’t resist walking over, only to see a neat “100 points” written at the top of the paper, and Bai Jiang was about to write an 800-word book report next to the long-answer questions.

“…”

He said, “Xiao Bai, the questions were average. I just wrote casually.”

Bai Jiang shook his head. “No, every word from Brother-Teacher is pure essence. I must savor it carefully.”

Lin Su let him be. “Then remember to sign it when you’re done. You can keep the paper for now.”

Bai Jiang was overwhelmed with emotion. “I will sign it with great ceremony!”

“…As long as you’re happy.”

After finishing the book report, Bai Jiang happily went back with the paper.

In the evening, the group arranged to play cards again.

Lin Su rested for a while, then called He Zhenling to go downstairs.

When they reached the lobby, the group was already in full swing.

Seeing them arrive, they all greeted them. Hao Niubai waved. “Over here, we saved you two seats!”

Lin Su savored it for a moment. Nima, don’t you think…

Before he could finish, a voice suddenly came from the side. “Hmph, so leisurely.”

Their gazes fell over to see Yu Yixun swaggering past them, his smug look returned. He had probably been holding a grudge for a long time and was finally feeling triumphant. He said to Lin Su:

“I really envy your mentality. From first place, you dropped to what was it… eighth or ninth? But, it’s better than the other one—”

He looked at He Zhenling with a look of pity. “Sigh, that was close~ You almost got eliminated today.”

After he finished his taunts, he looked over and saw:

Lin Su had already gathered his cards, full of enthusiasm. “Golden Flower, Fight the Landlord, or Guan Dan?”

Hao Niubai said, “There are a lot of people, let’s play Golden Flower.”

He Zhenling looked at Lin Su. “Don’t say it hurts later when I flick your forehead.”

“Can’t you be a little gentler?”

“…” Yu Yixun.

His face instantly flushed red and white. He angrily cursed, “Just wait to be eliminated,” and turned to leave. As soon as he turned, he bumped into someone with a “thump” and almost tripped!

Looking up, he saw a snow-white figure holding a phone, rushing out of the lobby.

“Crap, not watching where you’re going!”

Yu Yixun glared and walked away, grumbling.

…

Bai Jiang went all the way out of the hotel, holding his phone, and finally found a place with a signal.

As the signal appeared, a pile of messages popped up.

He glanced at them; they were probably all various condemnations from the vice president, department heads, and subordinates. He sent a group reply of “Hehe ^▽^” and immediately made a call.

The call connected in a few seconds. “President?”

Bai Jiang’s expression became serious, his voice clear and mellow. “It’s me. I came out without my seals. Yes… my private seal, and the President’s official seal. Uncle Wang is reliable. Have him deliver them personally.”

He hung up the phone and faced the moonlight.

A mere signature, how could that be considered authoritative. To be used to grade Brother-Teacher’s paper, it was utterly unworthy.

He would make Brother-Teacher’s paper awe-inspiring to all!

__

Author’s Note:

Organizer: Yes, we are personally certified by the President.

Bai Jiang: For real or for fake 0.0…

Su: Xiao Bai, your filial piety is commendable. (gratified)

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