Trafford's Trading Club

611: Chapter 24: Withered and Flourishing, By the Fate of Sin 611: Chapter 24: Withered and Flourishing, By the Fate of Sin Lan Kai gradually calmed down.

As the head of a large enterprise, he wouldn’t have been able to navigate through the death of the previous head and take the helm without a strong will. “Moonlight, will you marry me?” “I won’t accept a proposal like this.”

Moonlight still held onto Lan Kai, her fingers gently stroking his skin through his hair, “Whether it’s the setting or the atmosphere, you don’t seem sincere at all.” “You’re right.” Lan Kai chuckled self-deprecatingly, “I’m okay now.”

Only then did Moonlight let go of him… because of trust, she released Lan Kai, walked behind Lanxiu, and stretched out her hand to help him up, struggling as she did.

Lan Kai watched and instinctively said, “This guy doesn’t even have a bit of consciousness, why bother?”

Moonlight finally rested Lanxiu’s hand on her shoulder, using strength to support both of their bodies, then looked up at Lan Kai, “Even if he’s just a stranger, we can’t just stand by, right?

We grew up together, so isn’t it the same with Lanxiu?” “You always do unnecessary things.” Lan Kai furrowed his brows, walked to Moonlight’s side, and helped her.

Together they supported Lanxiu back to the bed.

He wasn’t sure if he felt more sorry for Moonlight, or if it was just as she said, that even a stranger couldn’t be left to die.

Let alone Lanxiu…

Lan Kai said wistfully, “Let’s go back to the hospital, at this moment I should be by Xiao Rou’s side more.” “I’ll go with you.” … …

Suddenly, Qianxiu missed that little mage who could persistently fish here.

Perhaps it’s human nature, when alone, one always longs to hear some kind of sound nearby.

It doesn’t have to be a voice directed at oneself, the focus doesn’t have to be on oneself, perhaps it’s just another person’s soliloquy, or a conversation between two others. “Golden Carp King, does such a thing really exist?”

Perhaps it’s a self-protection mechanism after reaching an extreme point of pain, where the brain automatically switches to some insignificant questions to divert attention.

The body obediently followed the current thoughts of the brain, moving according to its commands, thereby achieving another form of escape.

Opening his bleary eyes forcefully, when the alcohol level inside reached an extremely high point, it seemed like the speed of thought had been infinitely slowed down.

Qianxiu squatted at the edge of the small bridge, observing the water below, and eventually just sank into the lake.

The cold lake water instantly obscured the brilliant starlight of the Emerald Fantasy night, the chill initially entering through the nose, sealing off all possible breaths.

In the heat that consumed his body, he seemed unable to feel the real coldness of the lake water, instead finding it refreshing, as if it opened a path between scorching heat and icy cold.

He seemed to have forgotten that he was a mortality figure, and his stagnant thoughts couldn’t hold onto anything.

In this state of weightlessness, Qianxiu felt an extreme relaxation in both body and mind.

If this could erase all one’s traces?

If like this…

If, just like this. …

The Central Union City’s Timing Bell suddenly rang.

On the top floor of the high tower, the hall that had been in shambles for a long time had long returned to its original state.

The priest stationed here was resting his chin on his hands at the front podium, dozing off.

But the tenth bell startled him awake.

The priest seemed frightened, opening his aged eyes, glancing at the night outside, and then casually looking at the woman who had rented the hall and was now sitting on a bench, with her hands clasped, praying towards the statue behind the priest.

The bell tolled repeatedly, stopping after the tenth strike.

And the praying woman suddenly opened her eyes, looking at the priest.

She seemed uncertain and asked, “Priest, what time is it?” “It’s ten o’clock, Ms.

Qian Yu Xian Rou.” “Wasn’t it just nine o’clock?” She stood up, directly walking to the front of the podium, looking up, “I clearly only heard the bell ring nine times!” “It’s indeed ten o’clock.” The priest affirmed, “Also, Ms.

Qian Yu Xian Rou, regarding your previous damage to the hall, I hope you can provide relative compensation after your reservation time ends.” “It’s just an NPC designed by someone!

If it weren’t for the rules preventing violence here, do you believe I would kill you!”

The priest closed his eyes, “Attacking a clergy member will result in appropriate punishment, Ms.

Qian Yu Xian Rou, you need to think carefully.”

Seeing the priest’s indifferent attitude, her intense anger suddenly dissipated greatly.

Then she sat down against the podium, hugging her knees, and suddenly asked, “Do you really believe in God, priest?”

The priest said, “Science cannot prove the non-existence of something.”

Xiao Rou was taken aback, “You, a clergy member, still believe in the existence of science?”

The priest replied, “Beyond the Frozen Valley, reaching the Gelida Great Prairie, you can see the country of gnomes, who are a people skilled at using science to create.”

Xiao Rou shook her head, “That’s right, I had forgotten that this game’s worldview includes both science and theology.

Forget it, consider it as not having asked you then.

So… how do you view ethics?”

The priest answered, “Definition 1: Ethics is a discipline that explores what is good and bad and discusses moral responsibilities and obligations.

Definition 2: Ethics is a series of guiding concepts for behavior, a philosophical consideration of moral phenomena from a conceptual perspective.

It not only includes the behavioral norms in dealing with relationships between people, society, and nature, but it also deeply contains the profound principles of regulating behavior according to certain principles.

Definition 3: Ethics is…” “Stop!” Xiao Rou slapped the back of the podium hard, making a thumping sound, “Enough!

I don’t want to hear this kind of data!

I knew asking was pointless.”

She couldn’t help mocking herself… for even asking a bunch of data designed by programmers.

The priest suddenly said, “When the great Father God created the initial humans, there was no ethics.

The initial humans lived primitively, following instincts, no different from beasts.

Later, the Father God established ethics for the initial humans, and only then did humanity gradually have order.

Until now, the world has become so prosperous.” “So, you’re saying ethics are necessary, right?” She looked up, unable to see the priest’s face, only seeing the murals on the hall’s ceiling from the podium.

The priest said, “They are needed.” “Needed…” Xiao Rou sneered, “Then if human order is broken, becomes chaotic again, or the existing ethical views are no longer suitable for world development, can they also be overthrown and discarded, to then create new ethics and order?

Not confined to so-called rites, current morals, and established relationships between people?”

She had already stood up, her gaze piercing the priest like a sharp sword, yet the priest stood motionlessly, his expression seemingly also frozen in time.

She felt only a wave of disappointment…

How could a simple stack of data answer such a question?

Being able to even answer ‘being needed’ probably already shows the programmer has a conscience.

No one could give her the answer herself…

As the eleventh chime of the Central Union City’s night clock sounded, Xiao Rou silently gazed at everything outside the tower.

Why has it become so peaceful? …

Eleven fifteen.

Eleven thirty… thirty seconds to go.

Xiao Rou suddenly took a deep breath, turned around, walked up to the Priest, and said with a smile, “Priest, prepare the ceremony.”

The Priest said, “Ms.

Qian Yu Xian Rou, one person can’t hold a ceremony.”

Xiao Rou smiled and said, “No, it’s two people…

It will be two people soon.”

The Priest asked curiously, “Why are you so sure?” “Because, no matter when, as long as we have an agreement…” Xiao Rou said with tears, “he will definitely arrive half an hour early, it will always be this way.”

At eleven thirty, the doors of the hall suddenly slammed open with a bang, and a very disheveled Qianxiu stood there, soaking wet, panting heavily, his hands still gripping the door handle, staring in angrily.

Her body trembled slightly, the firmness of a few seconds ago gone, as if all strength had been drained, she turned around instantly with fear and unease, standing in front of the podium, her eyes glancing over the long red carpet. “Are you crazy!

You had to pick such a high place, and the stairs are spiral!” Gasping for breath, Qianxiu quickly strode up to Xiao Rou. “I knew you’d come back.” “If I didn’t come, after midnight, you’d leave even this world, and just find a place to end it all, right!”

She nodded with a tragically beautiful face. “Does this threat have any meaning?” “If you no longer care about me, does it have any meaning for you?”

Lanxiu suddenly cupped Xiao Rou’s face, silent.

She also allowed him to do so, saying nothing, her gaze like sharp needles and pointed wheat awns.

Time slowly ticked by, reaching a quarter past eleven, then coming to the last ten minutes of the day… nine minutes… eight minutes… seven minutes…

When the twelfth chime symbolizing midnight finally sounded, Qianxiu took a deep breath, “Do you know what it means to come here?” “Hmm…” “You can’t be willful anymore, you won’t enjoy a good life, you’ll suffer, you might even face more dangers, you might even starve!” “I’ve put all my pocket money into this, 23 million diamonds, it should last a long time, don’t worry!

I’m not afraid!” “…Why are you always so willful?” Qianxiu rubbed his forehead, “You have to hand it over!

No more drawing stuff!

No random purchases!” “Got it!” “Even if you never see Lan Kai again?” “You know?

I can’t let go of all this…

Big Brother can’t let go either.” Qian Yu Xian Rou lowered her head, leaning against Qianxiu’s chest, “He’s suffered too much, all along too much suffering.

Only if I’m gone can he be free.

If it weren’t for no news from you all this time, I wouldn’t have held on till now…

Lan Kai, he’s too responsible, he’s been the eldest son of the Lan family for thirty years, but he’s never been himself… he’s never been free…” “This isn’t a reason we can use.” Qianxiu shook his head.

Qian Yu Xian Rou looked up, gazing at the face she had long awaited with immense fear, her body trembling.

But he forcefully grasped her hand, looking at the Priest on the podium—under Qian Yu Xian Rou’s instruction, the Priest who had already begun the ceremony did not stop.

The Priest, who had long finished reciting the lengthy lines, repeated: Mr.

Qianxiu, do you take Ms.

Qian Yu Xian Rou as your wife? “I do.” Qianxiu gave the answer with the utmost certainty.

Qian Yu Xian Rou’s body shook even more violently…

Finally, she heard these words. “Ms.

Qian Yu Xian Rou, do you take Mr.

Qianxiu as your husband?” “I do!” She exclaimed loudly, “I do!

I do!”

The Priest nodded, closing the scripture on the podium, then spreading his hands open, above the hall, two beams of light were flashing, transforming into light spheres, slowly descending in front of Qianxiu and Qian Yu Xian Rou, then turning into two rings.

The Priest said aloud, “Then, under the name of the Father, I announce you…”

But the Priest’s words were suddenly interrupted by Qianxiu, “No!

We need no blessings, we bind ourselves… in the name of sinners.” “…

I announce you as husband and wife, please exchange rings,” the Priest smiled slightly.

Qianxiu silently picked up a ring, put it on Qian Yu Xian Rou’s finger, “In the name of sinners, we will not find happiness.”

She also silently picked up a ring, put it on Qianxiu’s finger, “In the name of sinners, even if we don’t find happiness, we will always be together, nothing can separate us.” “We are accomplices.” “We have been accomplices from the start.”

No one witnessed the ceremony, even the certifying Priest was merely fictional, they even had to come to a completely unfamiliar place, abandoning the world of humans… he and she kissed here.

Blooming a forbidden flower under the existing ethics. … … … …

War Song Gudazi: “Milk God!!

Heal up!!

Where are you!!!”

Xiaobao: “Coming, coming, right away, right away!”

Muscle Kanna sighed, “I finally understand why you’re called the Pit God, truly a one-time team-up and never looking back.”

Xiaobao: “Don’t be like that, I’ve got long-term partners, okay?”

Green Deadsuke curiously said, “Seriously… is there someone even worse than you?”

Xiaobao: “Yeah, pretty bad.

Never uses voice chat, just types, you have no idea how tiring that is!

It’s so refreshing to grind while voice chatting!

Frees up my hands!

But I must say, despite this gripe, my boss is definitely not a pit!

For this dungeon, I bet these two bosses could just auto-attack their way through!”

War Song Gudazi was taken aback, “Who’s that awesome?

Introduce us?”

Xiaobao laughed awkwardly, “Probably can’t for now, they’re on their honeymoon… though it’s just in the game.” “Tch!

Keep up with the healing!!” “Alright, alright, I’m coming… hold on, hold on!

I need to step away for a bit!!” “Damn it… not again!

Kick this deadweight out of the team!!”

Xiaobao couldn’t see his character being kicked out of the team anymore as he hurriedly ran through the office corridors clutching a bunch of documents, “Tch, do I have to tell you guys that my two bosses are the legendary whales of the gaming world!” … “What are you laughing at?” Qian Yu Xian Rou poked her head out from under Qianxiu’s arm, curiously asking. “Xiaobao’s email.” Qianxiu chuckled, “Another team got trolled by him.”

Qian Yu Xian Rou thought for a moment and said, “Well, actually your little brother is pretty good, it’s those people who don’t recognize talent, right?

Where are we going next?

Are we exploring a new area as planned?”

Qianxiu suddenly said, “Before that, I want to visit a place.” “Where?” “Novice Village.” … “Wow, there’s such a cool place?

How come I never knew?”

On a small bridge by the lakeside, Qian Yu Xian Rou stretched lazily, while Qianxiu quietly watched the entrance before the bridge, not saying much.

Qian Yu Xian Rou didn’t mind, just silently watching Qianxiu’s profile.

After waiting for a long time, they saw a young man dressed as a mage, holding a fishing rod in one hand and a basket in the other, slowly walking over from the bridgehead. “Are you waiting for this person?

How come he’s only level four?” Qian Yu Xian Rou blinked, seemingly in disbelief.

Qianxiu took a deep breath, “Ever since I met him, he’s been level four.

Never does anything, just comes here to fish whenever he has time… that quest for the legendary Golden Carp King.”

Qian Yu Xian Rou widened her eyes, “The one they say is basically unfinishable?”

Qianxiu nodded.

Qian Yu Xian Rou shook her head, “You don’t know whether this guy is lucky or unlucky.”

Finally, the little mage walked up to the two of them, smiling slightly, “Two people this time?”

Qianxiu nodded, smiling back, “I’ve found the answer to the Isolated Island Monkey problem.” “Congratulations.” LQ Little Mage nodded.

Qianxiu suddenly said, “Don’t you want to know the answer?”

The little mage shook his head, walked past them to his usual fishing spot, sat down, and casually said, “It’s your answer, not mine, it doesn’t help me.” “What’s with this guy?” Qian Yu Xian Rou asked softly near Qianxiu’s ear.

Qianxiu slightly shook his head, walked behind the little mage, and suddenly said, “I saw it.”

The little mage turned to look at him.

Qianxiu said, “Golden Carp King, I saw it.

It’s indeed under this lake, probably in a mid-level cave.” “I know.” The little mage smiled.

Qianxiu was taken aback, “You know?”

The little mage said, “Someone tried to take bait down for me; they ended up being chased everywhere by the Carp King and died multiple times.

Later I realized, you can only catch it with a fishing rod.”

Qianxiu was stunned for a moment, then looked at this LQ Little Mage, and after a long time suddenly burst into laughter, “Really?

Is that it?

All this time… all this time, that’s how it is!” “The willing ones take the bait.” The little mage smiled slightly. “What are you two talking about?

Why don’t I understand?” Qian Yu Xian Rou interjected between them, looking back and forth, then, like a frightened rabbit, hugged Qianxiu’s arm, looking hostilely at the little mage.

She even deliberately showed off the ring on her hand… of course, she didn’t think this little mage would notice, she just did it anyway.

Qianxiu just smiled slightly, not saying anything.

The little mage at this point suddenly put down the fishing rod and stood up.

System prompt: Player LQ invites you to take on the task ‘Fishing for the Golden Carp King,’ do you accept?

This echoed in Qianxiu’s mind, leaving him staring wide-eyed, moving his lips, “Why?” “Consider it… your wedding gift.” The little mage smiled, “Although they say it’s an impossible task, I hope you don’t mind.” “And what about you?

After working so hard for so long, you’re just giving up?

Isn’t it a pity?” Qianxiu furrowed his brow. “Me?” The little mage shook his head, “I’m just passing time.

If it’s not this task, there are plenty of others to do.”

Qianxiu thought for a moment, nodded, “Then I won’t be polite.

If I can fish it up, I’ll let you know.” “I look forward to your good news.”

The little mage left the two of them like that, walking off the bridge, through the long earth meant for digging worms, disappearing into the forest.

Qianxiu picked up the fishing rod from the ground, looking at it in silence. “Are you really planning to do this task?” Qian Yu Xian Rou curiously asked, “It’s impossible to complete.” “Just consider it… atonement.” Qianxiu softly gave an answer, but after seeing Qian Yu Xian Rou’s little gesture, he couldn’t help but frown, “What do you want to do…” “Buy bait from the mall instead.

Don’t tell me you want to catch worms?” Qian Yu Xian Rou obviously said, “Really catching them by hand!

It’s not pixels!

It’s a bad habit…

Brother!”

Qianxiu fiercely knocked on the other’s head, “I said, no buying random things!!” … …

Hospital, observation ward.

Facing the mirror, Lan Kai quietly looked at Lan Xiaorou lying inside, as if she were just asleep.

Xin Yue was right beside him, folding paper cranes at the moment.

Lan Kai suddenly sighed, “Xin Yue, do you think she’s in a coma forever from now on, or is she dreaming a dream of her own?” “No idea.” Xin Yue shook her head, “We can only think positively…

Except for Xiao Rou herself, nobody knows the answer.”

As she spoke, Xin Yue placed the folded paper crane on the table on this side—there were already quite a few paper cranes here.

Lan Kai shook his head and said, “The doctor said she may never wake up for the rest of her life, wouldn’t making so many be pointless since she can’t see them?”

Xin Yue laughed, “You, always saying I do pointless things, is it interesting?

Don’t you also do a lot of pointless things?”

Lan Kai snorted coldly, “I don’t.”

Xin Yue stood up straight, touched Lan Kai’s lips with her hand, and sighed, “The Lan Corporation deals with large equipment production…

How is it even remotely related to healthcare?

But ever since you took over the company, why did you suddenly want to invest in healthcare?

And even cooperate with hospitals to open such a sanatorium?” “The company needs transformation, it can’t be stagnant.” Lan Kai shook his head, looking aside, “Your family is also a commercial family, don’t you understand this principle?” “I’m just a little woman, I really don’t understand the principles you business people use.” Xin Yue tapped Lan Kai’s forehead, “But hiring the hospital to focus on neurological research, and even planning to collaborate internationally on another neuroprosthetics project, what’s that for?” “Who told you that?” Lan Kai frowned, speaking in a stern voice, “Was it that guy Xiao Li?

See if I don’t scold him to death later!

Even the secretary doesn’t act like a secretary!”

Xin Yue tapped Lan Kai’s forehead again, admonishing, “Because of your bossiness, I’m close to becoming an appeals office for your employees, okay?

They’re great, came to my piano class to vent, felt comfortable, but disturbed my teaching students!” “I…” Lan Kai was about to speak but stopped, then finally sighed, nodded, and said, “Alright, I’ll pay attention in the future.” “Is there nothing else besides paying attention?” Xin Yue was still stern-faced.

Lan Kai helplessly said, “Okay, okay, what else, tell me, I’ll change, alright?”

Xin Yue then said softly, “Shouldn’t you also let go of yourself?”

Lan Kai’s body trembled slightly, looking at Lan Xiaorou by the bed, he placed his hand on the glass in front of him, “If at the beginning, I hadn’t insisted… would they have lived well in some corner of the world?” “No idea.” Xin Yue shook her head.

Lan Kai sighed, “Once Xiao Rou’s situation is completely stable, send her to the sanatorium.” “Really?” Xin Yue looked at Lan Kai in surprise.

Lan Kai silently nodded, “Don’t let more tragedies happen, I’m the brother of Xiao Rou and Lanxiu, I have to try too.” “That’s good.”

Lan Kai grabbed Xin Yue’s hand and said, “By the way, shouldn’t you consider marrying me?”

Xin Yue withdrew her hand, put her hands behind her back, and stepped back, “No way.” “Why?” Lan Kai asked in confusion. “Now that I think of it, you seem to have never pursued me properly, right?

Many years of my youth just wandered away unclearly with you, and now you casually say you want me to marry you?

How cheap is that?” said Xin Yue as she opened the door and left.

Lan Kai immediately chased after her, “Wait, who says I didn’t pursue you?

From middle school to high school to university, I was always pursuing you, alright?

Xin Yue!

Xin Yue!

Want to watch a movie tonight?” “No—way!” “Xin Yue!!

Wait for me!” “No—way!” … …

The wind blew open the curtains; inside a peaceful room in a sanatorium outside the city lay a pair of man and woman on the beds side by side.

Everything was very clean.

Because they had received good care here.

The maid of the club was changing the fresh roses on the windowsill, while Boss Luo stood in the middle of the two beds. “If… the order of humanity is disrupted and becomes chaotic again, or if existing ethical views are no longer suitable for the world’s development, can they also be overthrown and discarded, then new ethics and order be created?

No longer limited by so-called rituals and laws, current morals, and established relationships between people?”

Under You Ye’s hands, the roses unfolded into beautiful shapes, upon hearing this, the maid turned around, only to see Luo Qiu shaking his head, “It’s quite a difficult proposition.”

The maid said, “Hmm…

In ancient times the east seemed to have this so-called rule of Heaven, Earth, Monarch, Progenitor, Teacher, now the Monarch is no longer around, right?” “That would be long, long after.” Luo Qiu smiled, then walked to the nightstand between the two beds and placed a small photo frame on the stand. “Then, the things deposited with me will be returned to you…

Two guests.” …

The sanatorium’s ward was left with just the sleeping him and her.

The breeze continued to tease the light veils in front of the window, gently moving the roses on the vase.

In the photo, he and she were intimately embracing each other…

Perhaps anyone would think he and she were such a deeply loving pair of lovers, right? ￥￥￥￥￥￥￥

PS: This is a story of, ‘As long as there is love, even if (already crossed out) there’s no problem’…

Just let it be.