Cannon Fodder – Chapter 36 – A Split Personality

“Tao-Tao, is that you?”

Chi Xiaocheng “woke up” groggily just as Su Tao hung up the phone. Her voice was hoarse, choked with tears.

Su Tao’s expression softened, her heart aching as she asked tenderly, “Xiaocheng, don’t speak yet. You’re still hurt. Dongfang Yang’s doctor will be here soon.”

Chi Xiaocheng forced a weak smile. “It’s okay, Tao-Tao. Just some pain on my forehead and face. The rest isn’t too bad.”

“But your face….” Su Tao finally noticed.

Gently wiping away the moisture, she saw a distinct fist mark. Brushing aside Chi Xiaocheng’s hair, she then discovered the long but shallow gash on her forehead, still oozing faint red.

Su Tao inhaled sharply, forcing herself to stay calm.

Chi Xiaocheng, observing Su Tao’s microexpressions, could easily guess her thoughts.

With a nervous yet relieved tone, she asked, “Tao-Tao… my face… it’s not ruined, is it? If I become ugly… you won’t abandon me, will you?”

Her lips trembled as if on the verge of tears. “She… she said she wanted to slash my face. If I hadn’t dodged that knife, I’d really… really be disfigured now… Wuwuwu….

“Tao-Tao, p-please don’t leave me!”

Su Tao, initially composed, felt fury ignite in her chest upon hearing this! She grabbed an apple nearby and squeezed it like a stress ball.

CRACK!

The apple exploded in her grip.

Rеаԁ oո ΚatRеadіոgСаfе

Chi Xiaocheng, mid-fake-sobbing, froze. She knew Su Tao had some combat skills, but this was beyond excessive! How had the original host ever managed to knock Su Tao out and lock her up?

Shock aside, the show must go on.

The crying continued.

Only when Su Tao gently wiped her tears did Chi Xiaocheng’s sobs gradually subside.

“Tao-Tao?”

Su Tao smiled reassuringly. “Don’t worry. When have I ever said I’d leave you?”

“Don’t ever think like that again.” After this admonishment, Su Tao checked Chi Xiaocheng thoroughly, confirming only the forehead cut and residual facial bruising.

Helping Chi Xiaocheng to a chair, Su Tao said softly, “Rest a bit, Xiaocheng. I’ll do some basic first aid.”

She headed to the TV cabinet, opened it familiarly, and retrieved the emergency medical kit. But while selecting supplies, she paused.

This scene… it felt so familiar.

Ever since Xiaocheng started living here during senior year, there’d been times she’d return injured during their cohabitation.

She’d always claimed she “fell.” But now….

A grim realization settled in Su Tao’s heart as she brought disinfectant and gauze to Chi Xiaocheng. “This might sting a little. Bear with it, okay?”

Rеαⅾ оո КαtRеaⅾіngСafe

“It’s fine! I’m used to it!”

Chi Xiaocheng obediently closed her eyes and tilted her head up. In her mind, the system’s notifications trickled in:

[Emotion Points +3…]

[Emotion Points +5…]

[Emotion Points +10…]

She knew Su Tao’s emotional fluctuations from her words were being harvested. Unfortunately, emotion points diminished as protagonists adapted. Chi Xiaocheng couldn’t farm points by repeating the same tricks.

Early pity generated massive points. Later? Diminishing returns.

Every single point counted now!

Su Tao wasn’t a professional. She was just trained in basic first aid. Stop the bleeding, apply medicine, temporarily bandage the forehead. A real doctor’s assessment was needed.

Speak of the devil….

The unclosed door swung open as Dongfang Yang entered with two physicians. His eyes immediately locked onto the crimson pool on the floor.

“What the hell happened here?”

Su Tao stood up. “Some delinquents from Xiaocheng’s high school came to harass her. By the time I arrived, she was already hurt. I prioritized care over chasing them.”

Dongfang Yang gestured to the doctors. The female physician took charge of examining Chi Xiaocheng.

Rеαd оո КαtReαdiոgСαfе

“Minor bleeding, facial trauma, but no oral damage. Anti-swelling topical treatment recommended. She should stick to bland foods for recovery.”

Her diagnosis eased the room’s tension.

Su Tao then suggested, “Xiaocheng, rest first, then shower.”

Chi Xiaocheng looked up eagerly. “Tao-Tao, can you help me wash?”

Dongfang Yang’s eyebrow twitched.

Noticing Su Tao’s stained clothes from first aid, Chi Xiaocheng added, “Or let’s shower together? I got your clothes dirty too.”

Dongfang Yang’s eyes began spasming as his gaze ping-ponged between their faces. Pre-revelation, Su Tao would’ve agreed instantly.

But knowing Chi Xiaocheng’s… peculiar feelings and yandere tendencies?

Danger, abort!

She smiled tightly. “How about the doctor helps? She’ll know which areas to avoid wetting.”

Dongfang Yang seized the out. “If you can still walk, shower alone. Your tiny bathroom can’t fit two.”

“Ah… okay.” Chi Xiaocheng feigned disappointment but complied.

Su Tao massaged her temples. Beyond today’s incident, Xiaocheng’s yandere nature was a ticking bomb. Would she have insisted on joint bathing if Dongfang Yang weren’t here?

Rеaⅾ oո KαtRеаⅾіոɡСafе

Apologetically, she told Dongfang Yang: “Thanks again. Why don’t you sit? I’ll clean this up.” Like a dutiful spouse, she donned an apron and began mopping.

Dongfang Yang stepped outside, eyeing the hallway camera. To his bodyguard: “Let’s check the surveillance.”

At the property office, his family name granted instant access.

Footage showed Chi Xiaocheng’s cowering first encounter with Liu Guijia, too terrified to even meet the bully’s eyes.

“Pathetic indeed.”

Dongfang Yang saw nothing suspicious.

But one inconsistency nagged him.

Turning to his bodyguard: “What’s your read on Chi Xiaocheng?”

The bodyguard hesitated. “Classic abuse victim. Not someone who’d demand repayment.”

“Exactly. She’s spineless.” Dongfang Yang stroked his chin. “So why’d she dare kidnap Su Tao?

“Ye Liang’s scarier than some school bullies, no?”

The “self-sacrifice for Su Tao” excuse now seemed flimsy.

Such cowardice… where did that reckless courage come from?