Peach-Orange! – Chapter 281 – The Humble and Considerate Her

Translator Note

Chapter 272 is updated with the illustration

Memories and impressions of Fang Ning began flooding Su Tao’s mind.

Undoubtedly, the most vivid was that night after Xiaocheng’s death, when she had been on the verge of giving up in despair. Upon learning of Chi Xiaocheng’s death, Fang Ning, who had also been saved by Xiaocheng and saw her as her only light, had fallen into the same abyss of despair.

That girl had blamed Xiaocheng’s death on herself, then lashed out at Su Tao, delivering a sentence that nearly shattered her:

“You don’t deserve Sister Xiaocheng.”

After that, Su Tao hadn’t seen Fang Ning again, but she’d heard bits and pieces about her from Dongfang Yang.

She was different from Su Tao.

After Chi Xiaocheng’s death, Su Tao had been paralyzed for a long time; saying nothing, doing nothing. In her endless regret, she’d even considered ending her own life to follow Xiaocheng.

But in the end, she hadn’t mustered the courage.

Fang Ning, however….

Dongfang Yang had said that after that night, Fang Ning had shown signs of suicidal tendencies. She even attempted to do so.

To stabilize her, they’d sent her to work at Yangyang Cat Café, hoping the animals would help heal her.

Fang Ning had visited the hospital just as often as Su Tao.

And she’d been among the first to know when Xiaocheng woke up.

Every day, she’d visited at different times than Su Tao to take care of her.

Could she really have no feelings for Xiaocheng at all?

When Xiaocheng saved her, could she have developed feelings through the “bridge effect”?

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Coming over to “play,” bringing luggage, staying over, growing closer to Xiaocheng….

“She knows Xiaocheng likes girls. She knows Xiaocheng lost her memories. She knows our relationship is deteriorating….”

‘So… she’s taking advantage of the situation!’

Su Tao knew she shouldn’t think this way. Chengcheng had reminded her not to hurt a third party.

But her mind uncontrollably spiraled in that direction.

‘Right. Xiaocheng used to like me, meaning she inherently likes girls.’

She’d thought Dongfang Yang was the biggest rival. She’d overlooked Fang Ning, assuming she’d only ever be a friend.

‘But maybe Fang Ning is the one I should’ve been wary of all along!’

Panicked, she checked the time on her phone: 3:34 PM.

Fang Ning had said she’d return in the evening. There was still time.

‘Yes. I need to put on an act. I will make her leave before she sees Chi Xiaocheng!’

Of course, she didn’t know that Chi Xiaocheng and Fang Ning had already planned this.

Their strategy was to heighten Su Tao’s possessiveness, then let Fang Ning exit naturally.

After that, they’d wait for Su Tao to apologize, temporarily restoring their “sisterly” relationship before the psychologist arrived.

They’d even wait for Si Chen to return.

Then, using Dr. Lin’s diagnosis report, they’d move to the next phase.

Meanwhile, Fang Ning, who had finished grocery shopping but couldn’t return yet, was helping an elderly woman push her broken tricycle up a slope.

A few kind words later, the old woman was all smiles.

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Once they reached the top and found a repair shop, Fang Ning politely declined the offered payment and pulled out her cracked, off-brand phone.

Opening WeChat, she saw only one contact:

Xiaocheng [Special Attention] – 3 Unread Messages

Xiaocheng: “Ningning, I’ve already dropped hints to Tao-Tao. You can come back now.”

Xiaocheng: “If things go as planned, when you return, Tao-Tao will probably find an excuse to make you go home instead of staying with me.”

Xiaocheng: “You might need to improvise a little.”

Fang Ning: “Understood, Sister Xiaocheng.”

Fang Ning: “Also, is there anything else you’d like to eat? I’ve finished shopping and can pick something up on the way back.”

Xiaocheng: “Anything’s fine. Just get what you like. Oh, let me send you some money.”

Fang Ning: “No need. Brother Dongfang already transferred my wages before the holiday.”

Xiaocheng: “You haven’t worked at the cat café that long. How much could you have saved? Your clothes look worn… probably secondhand, right? Spend your money on winter clothes first. Don’t waste it on me.”

Fang Ning: “It’s okay. Brother Dongfang also gave me a ‘year-end bonus’? I think that’s what it’s called.”

Fang Ning: “Anyway, don’t worry about me. Since I’m buying groceries, I’ll pick up some shrimp.”

Xiaocheng: “I don’t hate shrimp, but peeling them is such a pain!”

Reading the last message, Fang Ning’s lips curled into a faint, resigned smile.

“After I leave, you can just have Sister Su Tao peel them for you.”

She sent the reply.

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A little conflict, followed by reconciliation. These small interactions and intimacies would give Sister Xiaocheng an excuse to ease tensions and rebuild goodwill.

This kind of detail wasn’t part of the original plan.

But she still hoped these two would get together sooner.

Not for Su Tao’s sake.

But simply because… she couldn’t bear to see Sister Xiaocheng suffer any longer.

Putting her phone away, she gazed up at the overcast sky.

There was no sunlight, but she didn’t feel particularly cold.

Exhaling softly, her breath forming a wispy cloud, she murmured, “But I’d still rather peel the shrimp for Sister Xiaocheng myself.”

Hearing her say “It’s delicious,” seeing her happy smile, feeling her pat her head in praise—

That sense of belonging, of family, was intoxicating.

She knew her role very well.

A tool.

From the very first night Chi Xiaocheng brought her home, when she’d taught her how to pretend to be a yandere, Fang Ning had understood her place in Xiaocheng’s life.

And her mission.

Cooperate with her. Obey her. Fulfill her requests. Help her “conquer” Sister Su Tao so the two could be together forever.

But even so….

Even knowing she was just a tool… she couldn’t help nurturing other thoughts.

“How despicable, Ningning….”

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A tool with selfish desires.

Fang Ning shook her head, blew on her chilled hands, and forced the thoughts away.

Then she headed back to Chi Xiaocheng’s home.

“I hope Sister Su Tao realizes soon… and gets together with Sister Xiaocheng.”

Arriving, she swiped her access card and pushed the door open.

Peeking inside, she didn’t see Su Tao in the living room.

She’d expected to be intercepted. Since she wasn’t.…

‘I’ll wait here until Sister Su Tao comes out. She must’ve heard the door.’

After changing her shoes and putting away the groceries, Fang Ning sat on the sofa, pouring herself a cup of hot water and tucking her legs in politely.

Her eyes occasionally drifted to the floor-to-ceiling window, watching the scenery outside the complex.

Taking a sip, she thought, “Maybe I should leave without seeing Sister Xiaocheng.”

Finishing the water, she tossed the disposable cup toward the trash bin—

But her aim was off. It landed beside it.

As she crouched to pick it up, however, she noticed something else in the bin:

A crumpled sheet of paper.

One folded corner revealed two bold characters:

—Suicide Note.