Cannon Fodder – Chapter 29 – Why Won’t You Act Cute For Me?

Upon returning to the ward, both tacitly avoided bringing up the earlier topic.

But there was one thing Chi Xiaocheng couldn’t escape: The exorbitant medical bill!

Staring at the invoice in her hands, Chi Xiaocheng felt her head spin. She looked up at Dongfang Yang in disbelief.

“Twenty-three thousand? Why is it so expensive?!”

Dongfang Yang replied coolly, “Have you seen what kind of room you’re staying in? The services you’re receiving? Doctors and nurses on standby 24/7, top-tier equipment, premium medication… Twenty-three thousand is already a discount.”

Chi Xiaocheng’s hands trembled slightly. This time, it wasn’t an act. She was genuinely on the verge of tears.

“But… this is too much!”

“Your phone isn’t even included yet.” Dongfang Yang pointed at the new device in her hand. “I had someone buy it for you last night. It’s a Xiaomi 14, four thousand. Call it twenty-five thousand total, and we’ll round it down.” ¹ 25000 yuan is around 3500 dollars

Chi Xiaocheng’s teary eyes turned to Su Tao.

“‘Tao-Tao~”

Her voice was sweet and coquettish as she clung to Su Tao’s hand, leaving Dongfang Yang dumbfounded.

‘That soft, delicate, loli-like tone… what man could resist it?!’

Between his negative impressions of Chi Xiaocheng and Su Tao’s presence, Dongfang Yang had overlooked one fact:

Chi Xiaocheng was a ‘legal loli’ whose looks rivaled Su Tao’s.

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Both were stunning beauties. Even among the noble young ladies he knew, they stood out.

Su Tao, meanwhile, awkwardly twirled a lock of hair, her lovely profile turned toward Dongfang Yang.

In his eyes, seeing two girls cling to each other like this was nothing short of ‘bliss’.

‘Honestly, taking either of them wouldn’t be a bad deal….’

Su Tao cleared her throat. “Sorry, Xiaocheng… I don’t have much either. My part-time salary hasn’t come in yet, and I’ve only got two thousand left. I can… lend you fifteen hundred?” ² 1500 yuan is around 210 dollars

Only two thousand to her name, yet offering fifteen hundred. Chi Xiaocheng was genuinely touched.

But against the ‘twenty-five thousand’ mountain of debt, it was a drop in the ocean.

Slumping against the headboard, Chi Xiaocheng contemplated how to leverage her transmigrator advantages for quick cash.

She only had four hundred to her name.

‘Throwing away my phone was too impulsive!’

In her past life, Chi Xiaocheng had just graduated university. She’d studied new media and earned her living expenses by writing novels, though despite years of effort, she’d remained an obscure author, barely scraping by on a thousand a month (including bonuses).

Now, in this parallel world, although its culture and common sense mirrored her previous China, this was a ‘romance novel’ universe where the world bent to serve the male leads.

Corporate conglomerates and aristocratic families dominated, the entertainment industry was oversaturated, and classic transmigrator strategies like plagiarizing novels, anime, or films were impossible.

Though there weren’t outright urban superpowers, the novel’s setting included ancient martial artists.

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‘Survival first, repayment later. Dongfang Yang’s loaded. If I drag this out ten years, maybe he’ll forget?’

Her gaze shifted to him just as he glanced over. Their eyes met.

Dongfang Yang smirked teasingly. “If you act cute for me like you did with Su Tao just now, I might knock off a bit more.”

He wore the expression of a man holding all the cards.

‘If she calls me “big brother” in that soft voice, I could waive two thousand.’

But the moment he spoke, Chi Xiaocheng’s hopeful puppy eyes morphed into disgust.

She turned her head away, pouting. “No.”

Dongfang Yang’s eye twitched. “You confessed to me before. Now you’re acting like this?”

Chi Xiaocheng huffed lightly. “I only act cute for Tao-Tao.”

Watching her outright refusal, Su Tao realized that just like with Ye Liang, her earlier confessions to Dongfang Yang were likely to keep them apart.

Every “I like you” she uttered was backed by action.

Warmth blossomed in Su Tao’s chest as she turned to Dongfang Yang.

“How about this? I’ll help cover part of Xiaocheng’s debt. You’re not strapped for cash, right? We’ll pay you back within a year.”

Seeing Su Tao defend Chi Xiaocheng again, Dongfang Yang genuinely felt like the genre of his life was slowly changing to NTR.

‘Just days ago, she was sticking to me. Now it’s all Xiaocheng this, Xiaocheng that….’

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He ruffled his hair with a sigh. “Fine. I invested in a café near campus. Chi Xiaocheng, work there for three months, and I’ll consider the debt cleared.”

“Really?!” Chi Xiaocheng’s eyes sparkled.

“It’s just a family task anyway. Don’t wreck the place.”

“Thank you, Young Master Dongfang!” She smiled, her tiny fang peeking out adorably.

Dongfang Yang nodded coolly. “Only for Su Tao’s sake. Also, for these three months, you’re’under my wing. No more cowering. If anyone messes with you, clap back. Got it?”

“Mm!”

His lips curled. “Call me boss.”

“‘Boss Dongfang~'”

Her sweet, bell-like voice was downright intoxicating.

‘…She really is kinda cute.’

After stealing another glance at her lovely face, Dongfang Yang awkwardly looked away.

They chatted a while longer until the doctor arrived for a follow-up. Only then did Su Tao and Dongfang Yang leave.

Out in the hallway, Su Tao glanced back at the door. “Thank you, Dongfang Yang.”

He shrugged. “Just preventing future incidents. With my name backing her, Ye Liang won’t go too far.”

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“You planned that far ahead?”

“Obviously.” He smirked. “The repayment bit was just teasing. Twenty thousand doesn’t even cover a proper meal for me. With the cheap makeup she used before, it’s clear she’s broke.”

Su Tao scratched her cheek. “I was worried you hated her.”

“I did, a little.” Hands in pockets, he recalled that sugary ‘”Boss Dongfang”‘ and grinned.

“But now? She’s not bad.” ³ Waw best male character of this novel

Though accidental, the outcome was favorable.

Chi Xiaocheng understood that after learning about her “bullying,” Dongfang Yang had chosen to protect her.

‘This young master… kinda tsundere, huh?’

Time flew. After three days of rest, Chi Xiaocheng was discharged.

Throughout, Su Tao stayed by her side, even feeding her on the first day.

Though still a girl, Su Tao exuded a faint wife-like charm.

Chi Xiaocheng reveled in it.

No incidents occurred, and she behaved exceptionally well, further convincing Su Tao that:

‘Yanderes can be cured!’