Peach-Orange! – Chapter 386 – The Urge to Control

Si Chen’s proposal was quite reasonable.

But to be honest, Su Tao didn’t want to agree.

In their luxurious villa, security and living conditions would undoubtedly be better. There would likely be servants attending to their every need, and Su Tao wouldn’t have to worry about money anymore.

But how would that be any different from being kept by them?

Moreover, both of them already had feelings for Xiaocheng. If they moved into their territory, wouldn’t that be like sending a lamb into a tiger’s den?

Su Tao was often busy, spending far less time at school than Chi Xiaocheng. Usually, they just went out on dates.

But if they moved into their house now… what might happen? She didn’t even dare to imagine!

To some extent, Su Tao had already developed hostility toward Si Chen and Dongfang Yang.

Especially toward the guy making this suggestion right now.

Su Tao secretly glanced at Si Chen. Since he had just helped her find Xiaocheng, it wasn’t the time to say things that might cause discord.

But after what had just happened, Si Chen’s concern for Xiaocheng and his timely proposal… whether he had ulterior motives, only he knew!

Gratitude and hostility were not mutually exclusive.

As the ambulance drove toward the hospital, Su Tao thought it over again and again but ultimately shook her head and declined Si Chen’s offer.

“For now, it’s fine. I’ll ask Chi Song to keep a closer eye on the surroundings. And if anything happens, Xiaocheng and I will come to you immediately.”

Seeing Su Tao’s insistence, Si Chen didn’t press further, assuming she simply didn’t want to change the status quo.

“Alright then. I’ll station more people near your neighborhood. Just be careful.”

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Of course, Su Tao cared deeply about Chi Xiaocheng’s safety.

She wouldn’t let her own selfishness put Xiaocheng in danger.

Soon, they arrived at the hospital.

After a more thorough round of treatment, before leaving, Su Tao and Chi Xiaocheng visited Fang Ning’s hospital room.

The girl, now in a patient gown, was even smaller and more delicate than Xiaocheng.

Fang Ning smiled helplessly at Chi Xiaocheng.

“Sister Xiaocheng, don’t worry about me. Being in the hospital means no work, good food, and plenty of rest.”

Chi Xiaocheng walked over and patted Fang Ning’s head.

“This was my fault. They targeted you to get to me, and you got hurt because of it. Don’t worry, Dongfang Yang will cover the medical bills. Just focus on recovering. Once you’re discharged, come over for dinner.”

“Mm~”

Fang Ning nodded obediently, then glanced at Su Tao.

Her sweet expression instantly turned sulky.

“You’d better protect Sister Xiaocheng, or I’ll have King scratch you to death!”

Su Tao was about to nod when she suddenly froze.

“Speaking of King… I think I forgot something.”

Chi Xiaocheng looked at her in confusion.

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“No? King came back with the ambulance. She’s outside catching butterflies on the lawn right now.”

Su Tao fell silent for a moment.

“King is back, but… I think I left Xiao Ran outside that abandoned building.”

Chi Xiaocheng: “…”

‘Are you trying to say Xiao Ran can just scavenge for food and find her way back?’

After confirming that Xiao Ran had indeed been left behind, the two bid Fang Ning farewell and took a car back to the abandoned building.

By the time they found Xiao Ran, it was already evening.

The once-graceful princess of cats now had a dirty plastic wrapper in her mouth, her glossy fur smudged with dirt.

As she rummaged through a trash can, tiny tears rolled down her face.

‘Can you believe it? After going through so much to deliver a message to my human, she just dumped me by the trash!’

‘Wuuu… No love left for meow….’

…

Upon returning home and after giving both cats a bath, Su Tao began making arrangements.

She had rejected Si Chen for a reason.

After explaining the situation to Chi Song and requesting additional protection, Su Tao turned to Chi Xiaocheng with a serious expression.

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“Xiaocheng, I want to talk to you about some precautions moving forward.”

Chi Xiaocheng sat on the bed, hugging a giant Grey Wolf plushie, and nodded obediently.

Su Tao continued, “First, when you go out, avoid secluded or dark alleys. Try not to go out at night alone. If you want to have fun, stick to the university district.

“Even if you take a car, don’t hail one yourself. Even if the license plate matches, it’s not safe. Always ask Chi Song to send someone to pick you up. Only ride with people we trust.”

“Second.” Su Tao raised a second finger. “If I’m not home, or if we’re not together, you need to report your location to me every hour.”

“Report my location….” Chi Xiaocheng murmured, finding it a bit troublesome. “That might be unnecessary. And what if I’m asleep? If you don’t get a message, you’d panic.”

“Then just send me a message before you sleep.” Su Tao’s expression remained stern. “We can’t be careless about safety, understand?”

“But it’s still so bothersome….”

“You’re right.” Su Tao rubbed her chin. Safety was important, but she didn’t want to burden Xiaocheng too much.

After some thought, she suddenly came up with a solution.

“Then how about this? We’ll share real-time location tracking 24/7. I’ll check it every hour. Once you turn it on, you don’t have to worry about it anymore.”

“…”

‘Is this really necessary?’

She wanted to say that she could actually hold her own when she was in her darkened state.

But after a moment’s consideration, she held back.

After what had happened to Fang Ning and her own injuries, she knew Su Tao was feeling insecure.

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She was afraid Chi Xiaocheng would get hurt, afraid Si Chen and Dongfang Yang would take her away, and even more afraid that, in her emotionally detached state, Xiaocheng might develop feelings for someone else.

If possible, Su Tao would have preferred if Chi Xiaocheng didn’t even go to school.

That way, she wouldn’t have to deal with so many confessions.

Because she understood this, Chi Xiaocheng didn’t make a fuss about it.

The fact that Su Tao was paying more attention to her, caring more about her… wasn’t that proof that she was growing more attached?

Su Tao’s possessiveness over me must be close to 90 now.

The rich female antagonist had already manipulated Chu Lingfeng into action. It wouldn’t be long before she made her own move, or perhaps she already had, in ways Chi Xiaocheng wasn’t aware of.

Chi Xiaocheng’s gaze lingered on Su Tao’s face, watching as the girl furrowed her brows, deep in thought about how best to protect her.

Her sharp yet soft features, her faintly pink lips… everything about her was so endearing.

‘Soon, I’ll truly be with Tao-Tao.’

‘Mutual attachment, love, possession, never to be separated.’

‘No accident will tear us apart, not even the will of the world can influence Su Tao.’

‘This… is the eternity I truly desire.’

Yet, as she lost herself in this fantasy, she had already forgotten one thing.

All the things Su Tao had just said… were symptoms of yandere emergence.