Cannon Fodder – Chapter 33 – Stepping on a Landmine

Liu Guijia leaned against the wall, watching Chi Xiaocheng with amusement as she fiddled with her phone. She nudged her companion, who was crouched on the ground, with her foot.’

The follower, wearing black-framed glasses, her hair disheveled, her head lowered with a gloomy expression, was easily startled and immediately put away her phone.’

She stood up, hanging her head, staring blankly at Chi Xiaocheng.’

The sinister gaze made Liu Guijia, the ringleader, seem even more intimidating.’

Chi Xiaocheng steadied herself, gripping the brim of her hood and pulling it lower, obscuring half her face. Only a faint red glimmer shone from her crimson eyes in the shadow of the hood.’

Faced with such bullies, the weaker she acted, the more she would push her luck. Chi Xiaocheng knew this well. Trembling, she made her way to Liu Guijia.’

Her head bowed, a strand of hair slipping out from under her hood, she stretched out a small hand nervously.’

“Money… give me back my money….”‘

Liu Guijia smirked. She was about to erupt in mocking anger when her follower abruptly tugged at her.’

Liu Guijia turned, annoyed. “What?”‘

The follower, her hair covering her face, silently pointed to a corner of the hallway where a red light blinked.’

Liu Guijia’s pupils contracted. Her tense shoulders relaxed. She gestured to the apartment door. “Since we’re here, aren’t you gonna invite us in? It’s freezing out here. The snow’s late this year. Just a few more days, and it’ll be unbearable, right?”‘

As she spoke, she and her follower stepped aside, clearing the doorway.’

Chi Xiaocheng glanced at the surveillance camera in the hallway; installed by the property management, one on every floor for safety.’

‘If they attacked her here, it’d be perfect.’

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But it didn’t matter. Chu San would come looking for her because of the handkerchief anyway.

Chi Xiaocheng opened the door and stepped inside, leaving it slightly ajar after Liu Guijia and her follower entered.

Once inside, Liu Guijia strode over to the fridge, pulled out a cola, and plopped onto the sofa like she owned the place.

Crossing her legs, she mused aloud, “It’s crazy. We’re both from the bottom, so how come you get to live in such a nice place in such a good area?”

Chi Xiaocheng stayed silent, watching as Liu Guijia cracked open the cola and took a sip. Then, slowly, she walked up to her and lifted her chin. “Now can you pay me back?”

Liu Guijia turned, looking down at her with disdain. “Sure. How much do you want?”

Chi Xiaocheng bit her lip. “T-Three years… Not counting middle school… Just seven thousand is fine!”

Liu Guijia let out an exaggerated sigh. “Seven thousand? I didn’t realize I’d taken that much from you.”

Even she found it hard to believe.

After all, Chi Xiaocheng was just as dirt-poor as she was. Her family couldn’t even afford her tuition. Her older brother, who’d dropped out to work, was the only one supporting her.

Liu Guijia’s lips curled into a sneer. “Pay you back?”

Chi Xiaocheng flinched, taking a step back in fear. “W-What do you mean? You promised you’d pay me back!”‘

Liu Guijia pressed her fingers to her lips, stifling a laugh. Then she dragged them up to her forehead, pushing back her bangs as she burst into laughter.

“Hahahaha! You actually think I’m gonna pay you back?!”

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“Who gave you the guts to stand up to me, huh? Who?”

Her voice rose to a shriek.

“Was it Teresa Teng?!”

BAM—!

A heavy fist smashed into Chi Xiaocheng’s face.

The force of the blow sent her hood flying back, and she tumbled to the ground, rolling twice before crashing into a chair.

It hurt badly.

Even with Pain Reduction, her cheek burned like fire. It was no different from the time she’d sliced open her own arm.

But… she could endure it.

She wouldn’t let anger cloud her judgment. Pain only sharpened her focus.

All she had to do was wait for Chu San to arrive with the handkerchief.

The harsher Liu Guijia was, the more credible her excuse would be.

This punch was part of the plan. No need to get mad.

Chi Xiaocheng knew exactly what she was doing. The moment she lifted her head, her calm eyes transformed into being wide with fear, lips trembling.

“Y-You… how could you?!”‘ She clutched her cheek, feeling blood in her mouth.

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‘Ugh, blood tasted awful. Might as well imagine it was the same blood Tao-Tao had to drink.’

A flash of something eerie passed through her eyes. Seeing Liu Guijia stand up, Chi Xiaocheng let her body shake uncontrollably, as if old terrors were resurfacing.

“Honestly, I never thought you’d dare ask me for money. But this works out perfectly.”

She crouched in front of Chi Xiaocheng, yanking her hair back, forcing her head up. “You’ve been avoiding me for half a month. Time to remind you who’s in charge.”

SLAP—!

Another strike landed on Chi Xiaocheng’s face. The soft impact and sharp sound made Liu Guijia frown.

Normally, by now, Chi Xiaocheng would be snot-nosed and tearful, begging her to stop. Why was she so… blank?

‘Looking down on me?’

And that face—’

“Tch!”

She slapped her again.

“That face, always that face! Why do you get to be so pretty? So delicate? So likable? WHY?!”

A small knife slid from her waistband, pressing against Chi Xiaocheng’s cheek. Liu Guijia grinned. “What do you think’ll happen if I carve up this pretty face, huh?”

Chi Xiaocheng’s pupils shrank. Fear flashed across her features as she thrashed weakly.

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Satisfied, Liu Guijia finally smirked.

To her follower, she ordered: “Hey. Check the windows. We don’t want her screaming.”

The follower, still crouched against the sofa, knees drawn up, arms wrapped around herself, as if sharing in Chi Xiaocheng’s torment, shivered violently.

When no movement came, Liu Guijia scowled. “What, deaf now?!”

“Y-Yes!”

The follower scrambled toward the open balcony window.

Liu Guijia watched, pleased, then turned back to Chi Xiaocheng.

“See? You should be like her. Don’t act like you’ve got spine.”

She didn’t notice the icy calm hidden beneath Chi Xiaocheng’s gaze. The knife’s cold edge traced her cheek as Liu Guijia delivered her victor’s speech.

“Three years, and you still haven’t learned your place. Who gave you hope, huh?”

Her eyes flickered, landing on a framed photo beneath the TV. A picture of two people.

“Was it that bitch Su Tao?”

CRACK—!

A small hand clamped around Liu Guijia’s wrist. A pair of crimson eyes narrowed at her.

“Say that again, I dare you.”