Peach-Orange! – Chapter 194 – It’s Just a Doll, Not Xiaocheng

[Host, this is too underhanded of you]

“Hmm? How so?”

[Su Tao’s condition just started improving, and now you’re hitting her with another suicide note. Won’t she just keep drowning in guilt?]

“Don’t worry. The current Tao-Tao won’t collapse like before. She’s already started liking me and will live well for my sake.”

The doll sat obediently on the table, meeting Su Tao’s gaze without hesitation.

As long as it didn’t move, no one would suspect this doll contained a human soul.

Chi Xiaocheng continued conversing with the system in her mind. “I have no choice. I need Tao-Tao to take me to the birthday banquet to meet that miracle doctor male lead. If that protagonist dares to have any ideas about Tao-Tao—”

A red glint flashed through the doll’s eyes.

“I’ll disguise myself and chop him to pieces!”

‘Tao-Tao belongs only to me. No one else can lay a finger on her!’

[Host, do you know how people would describe your behavior?]

Chi Xiaocheng: “Hmm?”

[Deceitful and cunning]

“Deceitful and cunning is cute too. Thanks for the compliment.”

She remained perfectly still on the table, quiet and well-behaved.

But this “Suicide Note 2.0,” which she spent 100 emotional points to design, was about to shift the household hierarchy.

King, being a cat, was far more perceptive than humans.

It had probably long since detected Chi Xiaocheng’s “scent” on this doll, which was why it played with her every day.

The moment Su Tao returned home, it would carry her over.

It knew that Su Tao missed her deeply.

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It resonated with her emotions.

So it always did this, bringing her over to silently say, “Your orange is still alive!” to cheer her up.

Cats are spiritual creatures!

‘But that still doesn’t excuse you tossing me around like a toy!’

In her field of vision, King stealthily slipped into the room again, its round eyes scanning left and right.

When it saw her sitting properly on the table, its face lit up.

It leaped onto the table in two bounds.

Just as it raised a paw to bat at Chi Xiaocheng—

“King, stop!” Su Tao glared, the letter still in her hand.

“Meow?”

King glanced at Su Tao in confusion, then lightly swatted Chi Xiaocheng onto the floor.

As it prepared to jump down and retrieve her, a hand suddenly scooped it up.

Su Tao wiped her tears and pointed at King’s innocent round eyes. “This is Xiaocheng’s keepsake. I get that you like it, but no more bullying this doll, understand?”

“Meow meow!”

King shook its head, feigning ignorance.

Then Su Tao tossed it out the door. “No bed for you tonight, and no fish snacks! Stay outside and reflect!”

“Meow?!”

King tried to resist, but the door slammed shut with a bang.

The small tabby pawed at the door, its expression gradually shifting to disbelief.

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‘I was the one comforting you when you were sad.’

‘Just now you were petting my head and calling me cute.’

‘And now you—’

‘Hmph! Humans!’

Unaware of the cat’s grievances, Su Tao placed the straw doll back on the table and reread the second suicide note several times.

Though Chi Xiaocheng had fabricated it yesterday using emotional points, to Su Tao, this was something Xiaocheng left behind during her first suicide attempt.

It held extraordinary meaning for her.

After carefully putting it away, she composed herself and went to shower.

Later, she sat propped against the headboard, using an old tablet she’d bought secondhand long ago to study etiquette for high-society banquets.

Normally, she’d have a cat curled on her lap, but with King banished today, Su Tao glanced around.

Her gaze lingered on a large brown teddy bear for a few seconds.

Then, as if sensing something, she looked at the doll instead.

Placing the palm-sized doll in front of her, she resumed watching the tutorial videos.

Indeed, having this little doll nearby brought an inexplicable sense of security.

Just like the sachet before.

Wearing it, accompanied by Xiaocheng’s faint citrusy fragrance, always helped her fall asleep quickly.

Eating, sleeping, going out for exercise, spending two to three hours at the hospital during free time… Su Tao’s routine passed uneventfully for two days.

And the time this symbolic doll spent by her side grew longer and longer.

Only 16 days remained until full revival.

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On Saturday afternoon, Su Tao received a call from Dongfang Yang. “Ready? I’ve sent someone to pick you up. Come to my place first. I’ve prepared some formal dresses for you.”

“Okay, okay.”

Having spent days preparing, Su Tao immediately lifted King from her lap when Dongfang Yang called.

Slinging a small crossbody bag over her shoulder, she headed for the door.

But as she turned, a gust of wind blew in from the balcony, not just brushing her neck, but also sweeping the doll off the table.

The soft “plop” drew Su Tao’s attention.

Turning, she met the straw doll’s gaze. Those crimson slit-pupiled eyes stirred an inexplicable unease in her heart.

The doll lay half-sprawled on the floor, its face and line of sight angled toward her due to how it fell.

Yet those crystal-like eyes seemed to convey a silent message:

—’Aren’t you taking me with you, Tao-Tao?’

For some reason, Su Tao felt something would go wrong if she attended the banquet without it.

But if she brought this little doll along….

She walked over, and a soothing calm emanated from the doll, dispelling her faint anxiety.

Sometimes, you really had to trust your sixth sense.

Su Tao recalled the words from last night’s letter:

“A lucky charm doll?”

She murmured, then smiled softly. “Right, how could I go to a banquet without Xiaocheng? Let’s go together.”

With that, she tucked the doll into her bag.

King, who had been trying to follow, was unceremoniously pushed aside.

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The lingering sense of crisis and unease vanished completely.

Leaving the apartment complex, she waited for Dongfang Yang’s arranged ride, then went to his small villa.

At the entrance, she spotted two familiar faces:

Qian Qing and Si Chen.

Both were already in formal attire. Qian Qing wore a pale blue off-the-shoulder gown that cinched at the waist. Paired with heels and light makeup, it perfectly accentuated her mature, glamorous figure.

Si Chen was more subdued, wearing an expensive suit with only subtle embellishments.

Dongfang Yang, however, was another story. His fiery red coat resembled a battle robe, flamboyant and audacious.

Striding out the door, he instantly drew all eyes.

Then he opened his mouth, and that domineering aura transformed into cheerful goofiness. “Hahaha! Su Tao, you’re finally here! Admit it, I’m more handsome than Si Chen, right?”

Si Chen facepalmed nearby, looking like he wanted nothing to do with this idiot.

Turning to Su Tao, he said, “Go change into your dress. We’ll leave once you’re ready.”

“Mm.”

Su Tao nodded and handed her bag to Si Chen. “Hold this for me first.”

As he took it, Si Chen felt something bulky and moving inside. Curious, he asked, “What’s in here?”

Su Tao: “A doll Xiaocheng gave me. It’s really cute. You can take a look.”

Puzzled, Si Chen unzipped the bag.

Then—

A straw doll with faintly glowing crimson eyes emerged from the bag.

Wearing a “friendly” smile, it stared motionlessly at Si Chen.