Cannon Fodder – Chapter 43 – Redemption Weakens by Three Points, Darkening Strengthens Tenfold

“Dare to try?”

Su Tao sat frozen on the stone bench, fingertips resting on the chilly surface of the stone table.

Though the sunlight was warm and the sky cloudless, she felt as if she’d plunged into an icy abyss.

Just the word “test” made Su Tao envision multiple scenarios of Chi Xiaocheng’s yandere transformation.

Worried, she told Si Chen, “Last time, just because Ye Liang took me to a yacht banquet where I had to pretend to be his girlfriend to support him. When Xiaocheng found out….”

Su Tao recalled the rooftop scene.

Chi Xiaocheng clinging to her, tears mixing with rain, soaking her evening gown.

Sobbing while trembling with fear, she’d said: ‘The 14th floor is too high. I’m scared.’

She survived, but her phone had shattered on the ground below.

Su Tao could vividly imagine Chi Xiaocheng standing at the rooftop’s edge, trembling as she urged herself to jump.

What exactly happened, what psychological battles Chi Xiaocheng fought… Su Tao didn’t know.

But that obliterated phone seemed to display what would’ve happened if Chi Xiaocheng had gon through with it.

Relieved yet terrified, that had been Su Tao’s state then.

Even now, remembering those moments occasionally made her shiver uncontrollably.

Si Chen sighed beside her. “So… you don’t dare?”

Su Tao pressed her lips together and nodded. “I’m afraid she’ll become extreme again.”

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“Which proves you’re avoiding and fearing this.” Si Chen removed his glasses, polishing the lenses with a cloth from his pocket. “By your logic, if Chi Xiaocheng isn’t a yandere, then no matter how extreme she gets, she wouldn’t threaten her own life.

“After all, dying means never seeing you again.

“Though regarding self-harm, I can’t say for sure.”

He snapped his fingers. “Then let’s try the second method. I’ll test her for you.”

Su Tao looked up. “Test?”

“Mn.” Si Chen nodded. “I’ll pretend to be your love rival in front of Chi Xiaocheng, outright stating I’ll take you away to the capital.

“You keep calling her a yandere, but I’ve never witnessed it firsthand. At close range, by observing her expressions and demeanor, I can basically draw conclusions.”

Even the best acting can’t fake microexpressions, right?

Su Tao hesitated. “Would it be dangerous?”

“A 1.5-meter-tall girl, what danger could she possibly pose to me?”

At 1.9 meters tall, with a 40-centimeter height difference, how could he lose?

With no better options and her mind in turmoil, Su Tao reluctantly agreed to Si Chen’s plan. Pulling out her phone, she stared blankly at the screen.

Maybe… consult Dr. Cheng again?

Opening the chat with Chi Song, his unanswered question remained: ‘Xiao Tao, do you like my sister?’

A thousand emotions swirled within her. Yet, “like” wasn’t among them.

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Exhaling, Su Tao prepared to reply honestly—

When Si Chen suddenly spoke beside her: “It’s snowing.”

Su Tao looked up in surprise. The sun had been obscured by clouds without her noticing, delicate silver strands now drifting from the sky.

“Jiuzhou City’s first snow. It’s quite late this year.”

Breathing out a visible puff of warmth, Su Tao lowered her head and sent the typed response:

‘Sorry, Brother Chi Song. I’ve always treated Xiaocheng as a younger sister.’

A gust of wind carried snowflakes onto her.

Shivering, her hair swayed.

“So cold….”

……

Inside the café, Chi Xiaocheng received her brother’s transfer.

2145 yuan.

Along with the system notification:

[Supporting character Chi Song generates happiness toward host]

[Emotion Points +12]

The precise odd amount and his happiness over her smile confirmed this was likely all the money her brother had.

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“How sweet.” Chi Xiaocheng sighed, the sum feeling almost scalding in her hands.

The original host was gone. She herself had little attachment to this brother. Such selfless devotion was something she’d never experienced as an orphan in her past life.

Chi Xiaocheng wasn’t heartless either.

Only by changing her cannon-fodder fate could she save herself, Su Tao, and fulfill Chi Song and her family’s hopes!

“System, current Emotion Points?”

Her gaze turned resolute.

[Host, 1236 points]

“One ten-draw!”

She was still too weak, being mostly passive in situations. The pitiful weakling act only worked on certain people. In real crises, she’d be in grave danger.

Chi Xiaocheng desperately needed to grow stronger.

With a wave, she flipped all ten cards.

To her delight, one card glowed orange-red, meaning an advanced skill!

[Host drawing cards….]

[Obtained Hacker Toolkit x1 (Standard tools for basic hacking and protection)]

[Obtained Nutritious Pickled Beef Noodles x3 (3 boxes total, 10 packs per box. Contains trace nutrients, no side effects. Note: Pickles stomped by silver-haired beauties)] ¹ Not sure if this is a reference or not but the Chinese love silver-haired red-eyed beauties (me too!!!!!!)

[Obtained Boneless Powder x4 (Consuming renders target limp and powerless for 30 minutes)]

[Congratulations! Obtained active skill: Voice Mimicry (Beginner)] [Voice Mimicry (Beginner): Host can actively learn and imitate others’ vocal ranges, regardless of gender]

[Congratulations! Obtained passive skill: Darkening (Advanced)] [Darkening (Advanced): As the saying goes, “Redemption weakens by three points, darkening strengthens tenfold.” When enraged, host enters darkened state. Based on anger intensity, combat power increases 3-10x. Greater rage yields higher boosts.]

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Chi Xiaocheng’s expression turned peculiar.

After several draws, she’d realized system items were just filler. Skills were the real prizes.

Voice Mimicry’s current utility seemed limited, and the advanced Darkening skill’s combat boost was great, but why was it passive?!

“Do I have to fly into a rage to get stronger?”

[Not necessarily, Host]

The system explained:

[Genuine dislike for someone or suppressed fury while smiling outwardly also counts as anger, triggering minimum 3x boost. If rage overcomes reason, maximum 10x multiplier applies.]

Now Chi Xiaocheng understood that her base physical capabilities were crucial. The stronger her foundation, the greater the amplified results.

“Still feels somewhat limited though.”

She sighed inwardly. Being level-headed, losing herself to anger seemed unlikely.

“Better focus on making money first.”

Ding-dong—

Her phone chimed. It was her alternate account as “Dr. Cheng.”

Chi Xiaocheng’s eyes flickered, startled by Su Tao’s message:

Peach: “Dr. Cheng, would a yandere know they’re a yandere?”