Cannon Fodder – Chapter 14 – Then Do You Like Drinking Blood?

“System, you know what?”

[What?]

“It’s been over two days since I transmigrated into this world, and I’ve seen Su Tao several times now. I always thought the so-called ‘white moonlight’ female lead was just the author piling on plot armor to make her appealing. I even treated her as nothing more than a tool for survival.”

“I looked down on Huang Limei, and I know the ‘hero saving the beauty’ trope is cliché… but I have to admit, this female lead is kind of charming.”

It wasn’t romantic affection before.

Her past male self’s appreciation had only extended to Su Tao’s beauty.

Occasionally, she even felt disdain, thinking Su Tao was just a hollow protagonist propped up by the author’s favoritism.

But that shoulder throw, that knee strike, that slap—

They had been cool.

And now, those gentle, concerned eyes were tugging at her heartstrings.

Covering her cheek, Chi Xiaocheng sat on the ground and lowered her head.

“…Sorry.”

“What nonsense are you saying?” Su Tao helped her up, then lightly brushed her fingers against Chi Xiaocheng’s reddened cheek.

“Does it hurt?”

Without the pain reduction skill, I probably would’ve cried.

But now, it was bearable.

The soft touch of Su Tao’s fingertips sent warmth through her skin.

Chi Xiaocheng smiled faintly.

“I’m used to it.”

Those three words made Su Tao’s chest tighten.

She exhaled softly.

“Let’s go back to the dorm first. I’ll apply some medicine for you.”

Chi Xiaocheng let herself be supported, not daring to meet Su Tao’s eyes.

“…Tao-Tao, do you hate me?”

“Hm?”

“I did such terrible things to you in the basement… and you ignored me these past two days. You must really dislike me, right?”

“Ah…,”

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The question struck a nerve.

What Su Tao least wanted to confront was Chi Xiaocheng’s bizarre behavior in the basement.

But right now, she seemed normal again—no makeup, delicate and vulnerable, just like the Chi Xiaocheng she remembered from childhood.

Was last time… just an accident?

Su Tao glanced at the downcast girl and tested the waters.

“Then… Xiao Cheng, do you still like me?”

“I do.”

The reply came instantly, without hesitation.

But with her head lowered, her expression was unreadable.

Su Tao faltered, her dry lips parting slightly before she answered.

“How could I hate you? Earlier, when you offered water to Ye Liang and Dongfang Yang… it was because you saw me standing up to do the same, right?”

Chi Xiaocheng stayed silent, which was enough confirmation.

Su Tao smiled.

“If you’re still paying attention to me, how could I truly hate you?”

At worst, she would’ve cut ties with the original Chi Xiaocheng long ago.

“After all… we’re friends.”

She sidestepped the topic of liking and reframed it as friendship.

—

They arrived at Room 801.

Su Tao had Chi Xiaocheng sit while she retrieved ointment from her drawer.

“Close your eyes. I’ll be gentle. I promise it won’t hurt.”

Her fingertip was cool against Chi Xiaocheng’s skin.

Though she couldn’t see Su Tao’s face, Chi Xiaocheng could easily imagine her focused, tender expression.

Actions revealed a person’s heart.

Amidst the faint floral scent unique to girls, Chi Xiaocheng found herself enjoying this moment.

Seems like showing my yandere side in the basement paid off. Her self-rationalization these past two days worked in my favor.

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But now that she was being so kind… executing the next phase of the plan would be trickier.

As she pondered, Su Tao’s voice brightened.

“All done! Rest for a bit, and it’ll be fine. Luckily, it didn’t swell or break the skin—no scarring.”

“Mm, thank you, Tao-Tao.” Chi Xiaocheng beamed.

Then, remembering something, she pulled out the same water bottle from the basketball court.

She held it out again.

“Tao-Tao, have some water and take a break?”

Su Tao shook her head, packing the remaining medicine into a pouch.

“I’ll pass. During the game, Ye Liang and Dongfang Yang collided and got hurt. I need to bring them some supplies, so I should get going.”

Ah, so that’s why she left the game early.

A dangerous smirk curled on Chi Xiaocheng’s lips, her eyes darkening.

Perfect. I’ve got my next move.

She stood, still holding the water bottle.

“Tao-Tao, really won’t you drink even a sip? Or… do you just not like mineral water?”

Su Tao paused by the door, giving her a puzzled look.

The question was odd.

After scrutinizing Chi Xiaocheng (who seemed normal), she waved it off and hurried out.

Last time must’ve been a fluke. Xiao Cheng seems fine now.

But she didn’t notice—

The moment she left, Chi Xiaocheng’s hand dropped limply to her side.

Her crimson eyes glowed faintly, her smile twisting into something eerie.

[Host, what wicked ideas are brewing now?]

“System… it seems those male leads still hold more weight in her heart than I do.”

[Well, duh. She’s straight, so she’s not easy to ‘convert.’ Plus, the male leads have their own plot armor.]

“But this is all just tragedy in the making!”

In the original novel’s ending, every female character besides the male leads was reduced to a pitiful joke—

Including Su Tao, the so-called “fated female lead.”

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That was why Chi Xiaocheng had only mentioned Su Tao’s mid-story peak, never the later arcs.

In her past life, this novel went viral not just for its writing—

But because of the author’s disastrous late-game choices.

During the final arcs, a wealthy fan donated 1 million yuan to have a self-insert character added.

The author, greedy for money (and possibly the sugar mommy), complied.

What followed was an OC takeover. The new character hijacked the plot, stealing all the male leads’ affection.

Su Tao was humiliated, betrayed, and abandoned by everyone.

The author dangled hope before her, only to yank it away repeatedly.

In the end, succumbing to severe depression, she died by self-harm in a tiny rented room.

The abrupt tone shift sparked outrage. The better the early arcs were, the more readers hated the ending.

It became infamous, even trending in male-dominated forums.

—

Sitting on Su Tao’s bed, Chi Xiaocheng hugged a cat plushie (one Su Tao adored) and toyed with her ponytail.

“Even setting aside the novel’s original plot… such moonlight-like tenderness really makes me want to keep her all to myself~”

She browsed the system shop and soon found what she wanted.

[Blood-Replenishing Pill: 200 Emotion Points]

[Effect: Rapidly restores blood volume. Highly effective against anemia, low blood sugar, etc.]

“Pricey, and the effect is unclear… but this frail body can’t handle my improvised plan without it.”

Her gaze drifted to the water bottle on the desk.

“Rejected twice now.”

“Guess Tao-Tao really doesn’t like water.”

A soft laugh escaped her as she unscrewed the cap—

And poured every drop down the sink.

Placing the empty bottle conspicuously on Su Tao’s desk, she strolled out.

Her twin ponytails swayed with each step.

—

The basketball game ended with Ye Liang’s blue team winning by 3 points.

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Dongfang Yang, defeated, looked thoroughly displeased—as if the match had been a proxy war for Su Tao’s attention.

Meanwhile, the victorious Ye Liang shamelessly gloated in front of her.

“Su Tao, thanks for cheering me on! I couldn’t have beaten Dongfang Yang without you. How about dinner tonight? My treat!”

“Uh….”

Su Tao hesitated, glancing at Dongfang Yang.

Normally, all three would go together.

But before Ye Liang could speak, Dongfang Yang waved them off.

“I’ve got plans. You two have fun.”

He slung his jacket over his shoulder and left without looking back.

Ye Liang smirked.

“Now you can’t say no. Last time, you promised to treat me properly, remember?”

Su Tao sighed.

“Fine. But no alcohol. And also—”

Ding!

Her phone chimed.

A message from Chi Xiaocheng:

[Tao-Tao, I have something to tell you. Meet me on the dorm rooftop at 9 PM?]

Ye Liang, wiping sweat off his brow, didn’t notice her pause.

“What’s up?”

Su Tao locked her phone.

“Nothing. So… where are we eating?”

He snapped his fingers.

“Weather forecast says heavy rain tonight, so no strolls. But I know a great spot—opens at 9. You’ll love it!”

Just then—

CRACK!

Lightning split the sky, thunder rumbling in its wake.

The sunset’s glow was swallowed by storm clouds, staining the horizon blood-red.