Cannon Fodder – Chapter 10 – Threat

In the latter ten chapters, after the villain Chi Xiaocheng exits the stage, a new antagonist naturally steps in to draw the readers’ hatred.

One of Su Tao’s current best friends, Chen Qian!

She is the new antagonist introduced in the later chapters.

Chen Qian met Su Tao only after entering university, presenting herself as a flawless “green tea” ¹ basically a bitch that pretends she isn’t one girl.

In front of Su Tao, she acts like a confidante who shares everything.

Behind Su Tao’s back, she is a jealous demon.

She attended the same high school as Ye Liang before college. Though her family background is average, Chen Qian has always harbored ambitions of marrying up, having long set her sights on Ye Liang as her future boyfriend.

But just two months into university, Ye Liang became completely infatuated with Su Tao.

Chen Qian hates it. Why should Su Tao, an orphan from the countryside, receive Ye Liang’s exclusive affection?

In the original novel, two days later, there would be an intercollegiate basketball match.

Dongfang Yang and Ye Liang would face off as opponents.

Su Tao, despite having her face slashed by Chi Xiaocheng, still insisted on showing up to cheer for both of them.

Chen Qian believed that with Su Tao’s face ruined and her peerless beauty gone, Ye Liang would never like her again.

So she schemed: First humiliating Su Tao during the basketball game, then later pushing her down the stairs, adding insult to injury for the already wounded female lead.

“This ‘best friend’ is definitely someone I can use!”

Chi Xiaocheng clenched her fists, a wicked grin spreading across her face.

“In the setting, she’s Su Tao’s roommate. I’ll head to Su Tao’s dorm to find her. If the female lead is there, I can even apply some pressure to farm more emotional value.”

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No sooner said than done. Chi Xiaocheng turned around and made her way toward the girls’ dormitory.

Tianheyuan, Building 4.

Her own dorm was in the same building, just a bit farther from Su Tao’s—she was in Room 513, while Su Tao was in Room 801.

Since the school wasn’t far from home, Chi Xiaocheng had applied for off-campus living arrangements, only staying in the dorm occasionally.

Taking the elevator up to Room 801, Chi Xiaocheng noticed the door wasn’t fully closed. Peeking through the crack, she witnessed a shocking scene.

A girl was pouring some kind of white powder into a cup of water!

The cup had small peach stickers on it—undoubtedly Su Tao’s cup.

And the culprit? Who else but Chen Qian?

Chi Xiaocheng quietly took out her phone.

“Click—”

The sound startled Chen Qian inside the room. “Who’s there?!”

Seeing the petite girl with twin tails, Chen Qian hurriedly hid the cup behind her back and snapped, “Who are you? Why are you taking pictures of me?!”

Chi Xiaocheng pushed the door open, a leisurely smile playing on her lips. “I was actually here to see Su Tao, but what a pleasant surprise. Big sister, isn’t drugging someone’s water a bit too much?”

“W-What drugging?!”

Chen Qian denied it while discreetly stuffing the packet of powder into her back pocket.

She glared fiercely at Chi Xiaocheng, trying to intimidate her.

Chi Xiaocheng smiled faintly and waved her phone. “I have evidence, you know~”

“You—!”

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Remembering the camera shutter sound, Chen Qian’s face turned ashen. After scrutinizing Chi Xiaocheng’s face, she suddenly gasped. “You’re Chi Xiaocheng?!”

“Who I am isn’t important.” Chi Xiaocheng said coolly. “What’s important is, what do you think Ye Liang would say if I sent him this photo?”

“Oh, right!” Chi Xiaocheng glanced at Su Tao’s bed. “There are so many men’s items here. Could it be that someone wanted to take photos and spread rumors about Su Tao being promiscuous?”

“Oh my~ If Ye Liang found out, he’d be so angry~”

“And then, someone would have no chance left, right?”

Chi Xiaocheng stared straight at Chen Qian, her words dripping with threat. “And don’t even think about snatching my phone. If I scream for help, every girl in this building will come running to witness the drama. Believe me?”

Chen Qian’s expression darkened. She had no idea how Chi Xiaocheng knew about her crush on Ye Liang.

But everything Chi Xiaocheng said hit her weakest spots.

Left with no choice, she gritted her teeth. “What do you want? Money?”

“Don’t be nervous. We’re on the same side.”

Chi Xiaocheng pulled out a chair and locked the dorm door behind her. Calmly, she said, “Just like you, I despise Su Tao. You want to frame her, ruin her reputation, and win Ye Liang’s affection, right?”

“So what if I do?”

“I can help you!” Chi Xiaocheng bared her sharp little canine teeth, her face adorned with the signature smirk of a villain. “Since you know my name, you must also know my history. Su Tao and I have never gotten along. I wish she were dead!”

“But you like Ye Liang too, don’t you?” Chen Qian remained wary. “You’re my rival!”

Chi Xiaocheng sighed. “But Ye Liang only has eyes for Su Tao. Only by taking her down can we compete fairly, no?”

Then, clicking her tongue, she added, “Ah, forget it. Why waste words? It’s not like you have a choice anyway.”

She shook her phone again.

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Then, she tossed Chen Qian a bottle of water she had bought on the way. “Drink this.”

Chen Qian frowned, picking up the Nongfu Spring ² it’s a type of bottled water, like Aquafina or something mineral water. “What’s this for?”

Chi Xiaocheng smiled faintly. “You drink first.”

Though unsure of Chi Xiaocheng’s intentions, Chen Qian had no choice but to comply.

But the moment the water touched her lips, she froze, her face turning deathly pale.

“Why is this water so bitter?!”

Chen Qian’s eyes widened in disbelief as she checked the label.

It was Nongfu Spring!

And the bottle hadn’t even been opened. Was it expired?

Of course, she didn’t know that Chi Xiaocheng had used her “Liquid Modification” skill to alter the water’s taste before handing it over.

“This is a specially customized poison I originally prepared for Su Tao. But I’ll use it to keep you in check for now.”

“Poison?!”

“Yes.” Chi Xiaocheng nodded. “You’ll need to take an antidote every week. Otherwise, the flesh on your face will rot away.”

The moment these words left her mouth—

Chen Qian immediately threw the bottle aside.

She clutched her throat, desperately trying to induce vomiting.

Chi Xiaocheng calmly picked up the half-empty bottle. “I know you want to deal with Su Tao, but don’t rush it. For now, maintain your ‘best friend’ act. Later, I’ll have a way to make her leave Ye Liang.”

“As for the antidote…” Chi Xiaocheng tilted her head, her crimson eyes gleaming like blooming red roses. “As long as you obey me, I’ll give it to you~”

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Then, she waved her phone again. “You’ll need to stick close to Su Tao from now on. Report everything she does to me. I’ll add you on WeChat later with a burner account.”

“And don’t even think about resisting.”

“You wouldn’t want your face to rot while your dirty secrets get exposed to the whole school, would you?”

Chen Qian watched as Chi Xiaocheng turned to leave, her terror deepening.

This girl… was a devil!

Panicked, she scrambled to clean up the evidence of her scheme. Then, a thought struck her, and she bolted for the door.

“The hospital! I need to get to the hospital…!”

But the moment she stepped out, she froze.

Chi Xiaocheng was leaning against the hallway railing, the breeze tousling her hair.

Her sidelong glance, cold and indifferent, seemed to say: “Going to the hospital won’t help.”

Chen Qian’s legs gave out, and she clutched the railing for support.

Following Chi Xiaocheng’s gaze, she looked toward the dormitory entrance.

A beautiful, delicate-faced girl was slowly walking toward the building.

Su Tao.

She was back already?

Chen Qian was stunned.

When she turned back to Chi Xiaocheng, the petite girl was staring intently at Su Tao, her crimson eyes gleaming like a predator locking onto its prey.