Cannon Fodder – Chapter 45 – Darkening

The two walked one after another into the depths of the alley.

The place was filthy, reeking of mildew. In the dim shadows, aside from occasional cat cries, only the wind could be heard.

Si Chen stopped and turned around.

His gaze instinctively looked forward before lowering.

Seeing Chi Xiaocheng still wearing her hood and shrinking back warily, he said calmly, “Relax. As a member of the Si family, I wouldn’t bring you here to lay hands on you. I just want to talk.”

Chi Xiaocheng remained vigilant, taking a step back.

Her back pressed against the wall, her right hand stayed firmly in her hoodie pocket.

Si Chen shrugged helplessly. “Really? You once confessed to me, saying you liked me. Why so afraid now?”

He hadn’t brought her here to tease her but to verify something.

Cutting to the chase, he said, “You like Su Tao, don’t you?”

Chi Xiaocheng frowned but nodded. “So what if I do?”

The fragile act she used with Dongfang Yang wouldn’t work here. Every expression, every movement would be seen through.

Chi Xiaocheng could only face those serpent-like eyes with her “true nature.”

Si Chen spread his hands, smiling lightly. “Nothing much. Just wanted to tell you something.”

Chi Xiaocheng raised an eyebrow.

Then her pupils instantly narrowed into slits.

The previously mild-mannered Si Chen suddenly leaned in, his smile vanishing as his gaze sharpened like a blade piercing Chi Xiaocheng.

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The sunset was behind him.

At this moment, his shadow engulfed Chi Xiaocheng entirely, forcing her into darkness.

Finally, the male lead issued a low, threatening voice: “Chi Xiaocheng, I warn you: Su Tao is my woman!”

“What did you say?!!”

Instantly, Chi Xiaocheng’s eyes underwent an eerie transformation. Her slit pupils, like those of a feral stray cat, locked onto Si Chen.

Though shrouded in darkness, those eyes seemed to emit a defiant glow.

One hand clenched tightly around the small knife in her pocket, squeezing harder.

A strange sensation rose in Si Chen. For a moment, he felt fear. The terror of a weak human being stared down by a vicious tiger!

Then he remembered: he was 1.9 meters tall. How could he be scared by a 1.5-meter-tall girl?

Shame and anger overpowered his fear. Straightening up, he said coolly, “I said, Su Tao is my woman.”

As he spoke, he observed Chi Xiaocheng’s state. The petite figure just hung her head, motionless.

He scoffed internally.

‘A real yandere would’ve attacked by now.

‘Acting because of my status?

‘Seems Su Tao’s worries weren’t unfounded.’

Si Chen decided to stoke the flames further, testing her reaction.

He took a deliberate step back, extending one hand. Starting with his pinky, he slowly curled each finger into a fist.

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As if grasping the world itself.

Snowflakes drifted down, as if choreographed to his movements.

Si Chen’s tone was mocking and slow: “What’s so surprising? Su Tao’s a perfect woman, anyone would like her. Don’t tell me you thought she’d fancy you?

“Don’t kid yourself. What could a girl like you possibly offer to attract Su Tao?”

“Su Tao’s already mine.” His voice deepened, applying pressure.

“While you were hospitalized, she came to confide in me.

“When you were bullied, she sought my comfort.”

“Remember seeing us at the school gate? We were…

“…on a date~” ¹ NTR! I love NTR!

He savored the last words, eagerly awaiting Chi Xiaocheng’s response.

Yet the small figure remained head-down, one hand in her pocket. Only a slight tremble betrayed her; she was without any further action.

Si Chen’s eyebrow rose in surprise.

‘This much restraint? Definitely not a yandere.’

Finally, after a prolonged silence, Chi Xiaocheng spoke.

“You’re lying!”

Her voice was hoarse, as if suppressing something.

Snowflakes landed on her, melting instantly. A passing cloud blocked the sunlight, casting her petite shadow long against the wall.

Si Chen laughed, declaring, “Chi Xiaocheng, drop the act!

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“You’re lying!!”

Chi Xiaocheng ignored him, her voice growing darker.

Si Chen sneered. “So what if I am? But I heard Su Tao’s going to be Ye Liang’s maid. The girl you like… tainted by another.”

‘If this doesn’t anger her, the yandere act is definitely fake.’

Confidence brimmed in Si Chen’s expression.

Then—

His face froze in shock. A sharp pain shot through his calf as an immense force slammed him against the wall.

His legs gave out, collapsing him to the ground.

The 1.9-meter-tall man could only look up at Chi Xiaocheng!

“You—”

Before he could finish, a knife whistled through the air!

Si Chen barely dodged.

Thunk!

The blade embedded itself three centimeters into the wall beside his head.

Chi Xiaocheng braced one hand against the wall, the other gripping the knife’s hilt. Her cat-like crimson slits glowed unnervingly close.

A thin red line slowly appeared on Si Chen’s left cheek.

Blood, vivid as fresh paint, welled and trailed down.

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“You. Are. Lying!”

Hot breath fanned his face. The creature before him was no delicate girl, but a feral beast.

Her grin revealed not cute canines, but fangs!

Si Chen’s throat moved, eyes wide with terror.

Sweat and warm crimson droplets hit the ground, melting the snow beneath. The ever-rational, composed man felt his heartbeat accelerate uncontrollably.

He glanced sideways at the small hand pinning him. With a shoulder jerk, he tried to resist.

Yet—

Chi Xiaocheng was faster!

Her hand slammed his shoulder back. Excruciating pain erupted as his shoulder dislocated!

‘Since when was she this strong?!’

That tiny hand might as well weigh a ton.

“Tao-Tao is mine.”

A whisper escaped Chi Xiaocheng.

Shink! The knife wrenched free, stabbing into the wall mere inches from Si Chen’s skin. The blade’s chill prickled his peripheral vision.

“Tao-Tao is MINE!”

This time, her voice teetered between suppression and madness.

‘This… is a yandere?’