Cannon Fodder – Chapter 28 – Lies

Humans are strange creatures.

Dongfang Yang had initially felt a bit aggrieved at being ignored by Su Tao. But when Chi Xiaocheng compensated for his emotional needs, he no longer minded.

He couldn’t help but wonder, was this Chi Xiaocheng’s true nature all along? Had her previous actions of wearing makeup, confessing to him multiple times, targeting Su Tao… all been forced upon her by those who bullied her?

After all, he had secretly investigated Chi Xiaocheng.

What he didn’t know was that after acquiring hacking skills, Xiaocheng had meticulously combed through her own information online, fabricating traces of false evidence.

Unless someone conducted an on-site investigation, the narrative of her being bullied and coerced would perfectly cover up the lies she’d told recently.

And with Su Tao backing her up….

Dongfang Yang’s investigation had been precisely what Chi Xiaocheng anticipated.

Subconsciously, it led him to assume:

‘Her actions were forced!’

However, Dongfang Yang wasn’t like Su Tao. He wouldn’t tiptoe around Xiaocheng’s feelings.

As soon as he sat down, he stared straight at her arms.

“Now that things have settled, don’t you think you should explain yourself? Last night was serious.” ¹ Damn I kinda like this ML

He didn’t mention suicide outright, but his raised eyebrows made it clear that she wouldn’t get away without a proper explanation.

One question, directed at two people.

Chi Xiaocheng kept her head lowered, her expression unreadable. Su Tao, beside her, was internally panicking.

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‘If Xiaocheng reveals her yandere tendencies, self-harm, and feelings for me….’

Would he even believe it? And even if he did, Xiaocheng would still be labeled a danger.

Su Tao knew Dongfang Yang had feelings for her. If he found out, or worse, if this reached Ye Liang and the others….

Even if they didn’t hurt Xiaocheng, would she hurt herself?

Su Tao’s mind raced for a solution.

Then, she remembered: Last night, Dongfang Yang had mentioned Xiaocheng being bullied and coerced.

‘That’s it!’

If Xiaocheng just nodded along, they could temporarily deceive him.

Just as Su Tao was about to speak, Chi Xiaocheng beat her to it.

“The wounds on my arms… I did them myself.”

“Xiaocheng?!” Su Tao stared at her in shock.

Dongfang Yang frowned but remained silent.

Chi Xiaocheng took a deep breath.

“I didn’t want Tao-Tao to be with Ye Liang.”

She lifted her head, her crimson eyes unwavering.

Dongfang Yang paused. “Why? I thought you ‘liked’ Ye Liang.”

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“I ‘never’ liked him.” Xiaocheng scoffed. “He’s so harsh, always scowling. I’ve seen him scream at people who worked for him.”

“If they messed up, he’d berate them. I don’t want Tao-Tao with someone like that.”

Her voice softened as she lowered her head again.

“Last night’s banquet was important, right? The last time, he tried to take Tao-Tao to one just to show off.”

“I knew he’d introduce her as his girlfriend. With all those wealthy people there, once it’s said, everyone would know.”

She turned to Su Tao, her gaze tender.

“Tao-Tao’s just an ordinary girl. If she’s labeled as his, how could she refuse? And if Ye Liang gets upset, who knows what he’d do? If she really became his girlfriend, she’d be miserable forever.” ² Waw so true. All my homies hate Ye Liang

In the original story, Su Tao was so passive. She rarely resisted the male leads’ whims, enduring everything until the late-game betrayals drove her to suicide.

Chi Xiaocheng’s words sent shockwaves through both Dongfang Yang and Su Tao.

For Su Tao, it was a revelation.

‘So the real reason Xiaocheng snapped in the basement was because Ye Liang planned to publicly claim me as his girlfriend.’

Had she stayed quiet all this time because nothing crossed her line… until now?

‘She targeted Ye Liang, even confessed to him… all for me?’

Su Tao felt guilt and warmth.

Dongfang Yang, however, was skeptical.

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‘She confessed to Ye Liang so many times… for Su Tao’s sake?’

He’d genuinely believed Chi Xiaocheng liked Ye Liang, that she saw Su Tao as stealing her man and lashed out.

But if she was willing to sacrifice herself for a friend… did such friendship even exist?

Just then, Chi Xiaocheng glanced at him and added softly,

“Actually… I think you’re much better than Ye Liang, Young Master Dongfang.”

Dongfang Yang: “!!!”

Wait—

‘Does she think I’m a better match for Su Tao?’

‘Her confessions to Ye Liang were out of hatred, to keep Su Tao away from him. But she also confessed to ‘me’, just fewer times, and never targeted me….’

‘Does that mean… she actually likes me a little?’

‘She even sabotaged Ye Liang and Su Tao… for me?!’

Logically, her words had inconsistencies, but Dongfang Yang’s train of thought had already derailed.

Shaking his head, he decided to drop the speculation.

“Then what about the wounds? If you just wanted Su Tao back from the banquet, a lie would’ve sufficed. Why go this far?”

Su Tao tensed.

Chi Xiaocheng averted her eyes.

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“…It’s not like anyone wants me anyway. If ‘Tao-Tao ends up with Ye Liang, she’ll abandon me. I might as well—”

‘Might as well die.’

She didn’t finish, but the implication was clear.

Dongfang Yang opened his mouth to press further—

But Su Tao grabbed his sleeve, shaking her head before pulling him out of the room.

“What’s wrong?”

Su Tao tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, agitated. “Dongfang Yang, stop pushing. Can’t you see Xiaocheng has ‘psychological issues’?”

Dongfang Yang hesitated. “She seemed fine to me. But her self-harm, the suicide attempt… don’t you want answers? What if it happens again?”

“I’ll watch over her.” Su Tao bit her lip. “Those injuries… she was ‘bullied’ into it. When I returned to the dorm yesterday, I saw her getting beaten. You know how some people enjoy tormenting others.”

Dongfang Yang sighed.

“Fine. I’ll drop it.”

He could tell Su Tao was hiding something about Chi Xiaocheng. The truth was likely more complicated.

But whatever, Su Tao had her reasons. He wouldn’t pry.

Glancing back through the door at the dazed Xiaocheng, he added, “Still, those delinquent girls can wait. You should think about how to explain things to Ye Liang after discharge.”

“That guy… I doubt he’ll let Chi Xiaocheng off easily.”