Cannon Fodder – Chapter 4 – Chase and Crisis

Ye Liang noticed the odd expression on Su Tao’s face.

His heart tightened.

Turning to the suit-clad man, he demanded, “What happened just now? Speak!”

The man shrunk his neck slightly, glancing at Su Tao, who pressed her lips together in silence.

Finally, he gritted his teeth and confessed, “Young Master, when I entered earlier… Miss Su Tao was tied to the bed, and… and Chi Xiaocheng was on top of her. They were… kissing.”

His voice grew weaker by the end.

Ye Liang’s eyes widened abruptly.

The other bodyguards exchanged shocked looks.

Everyone knew how deeply their young master cherished Su Tao.

How could he say something so divisive?!

“Su Tao, is this true?!”

Su Tao averted her gaze, shaking her head lightly. “No. She just tied me up and… left me there. She warned me… to stay away from you.”

“Phew, that’s a relief.” Ye Liang glared at the suit-clad man. “How dare you tarnish Su Tao’s reputation?! Stop gawking and chase after Chi Xiaocheng through that hidden door!”

Hearing this, Su Tao reached out as if to stop him—

But the words died in her throat.

Even she didn’t understand why she wanted to defend Chi Xiaocheng.

Objectively, what Chi Xiaocheng did was unforgivable.

All Su Tao had ever wanted was to restore their former friendship.

But after this… could they still be friends?

Memories of their past together flooded her mind. Su Tao’s tongue swiped across the lingering taste in her mouth. She felt a faint, inexplicable sweetness.

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Is this what blood tastes like?

Almost like orange juice….

Regaining her composure, she said to Ye Liang, “Ye Liang, maybe… maybe just let Xiaocheng go?”

“You’re still speaking up for her?”

“I… she didn’t really hurt me. She just… just….”

Su Tao stumbled over her words, unable to explain what had transpired.

Ye Liang snorted. “I know. She’s just obsessed with me. But look at her. She’s short, plain, with makeup thicker than the grime on my shoes. How delusional!”

“I’d sooner see the sky fall than ever like her!”

Ye Liang radiated arrogance and confidence.

Su Tao opened her mouth again but ultimately stayed silent.

In a small voice, she murmured, “Xiaocheng… she said she won’t bother you anymore. Can’t we… give her one last chance?”

Seeing the tears glistening in her eyes, Ye Liang’s heart softened.

“Fine. Whatever you say.”

His voice gentled as he reached to pull Su Tao into an embrace.

To his surprise, she quickly took half a step back.

Avoiding him.

His expression froze in shock.

Noticing Su Tao’s conflicted look, he quickly rationalized it.

Right. She hasn’t even accepted my confession yet.

She must need space.

Or… is she shy because I saved her just in time?

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Yes, that must be it!

Who wouldn’t be charmed by my heroics?

Smugly sweeping his bangs aside, Ye Liang said, “Let’s get you to my private hospital first. I’ll have the doctors check you over.”

“Okay.”

Su Tao nodded blankly.

She maintained a careful one-step distance the entire time.

Ye Liang grew even more convinced that she was definitely shy.

Little did he know, Su Tao’s tongue was tracing the spot where Chi Xiaocheng had bitten her lip, her mind wholly occupied by that petite figure.

—

Meanwhile, Chi Xiaocheng, having escaped through the hidden door, raced toward home, relying on memory to navigate.

Her hair was disheveled, her injured hand stuffed in her pocket, head bowed low to avoid drawing attention.

But her face was frantic.

“Dammit! I overestimated this body. Losing less than 300cc of blood and I already feel dizzy!”

Worse, the suit-clad man was still hot on her heels.

[Host, hang in there! You’re almost home!]

“Shut up, useless system! Do something helpful for once!”

[Recommended purchase: Stamina Potion. Current emotional points insufficient. Apologies.]

“Screw you!”

Chi Xiaocheng mentally wailed, dodging a nearly-collided pedestrian before glancing back.

The man had closed the gap to under twenty meters.

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“No good. He’ll catch me at this rate. Think… think!”

Her eyes darted around—

Then lit up.

A tall, brawny college student approached, his eyes radiating that signature university-brand stupidity.

Her gaze dropped to his T-shirt.

A green-haired loli stared back.

The very image of Komurasaki from “Senren＊Banka”! ¹ I don’t know the reference here 😀

Perfect.

A fellow weeb too!

Chi Xiaocheng burst into action, her acting skills kicking into high gear.

In three quick steps, she deliberately stumbled and collapsed in front of the young man.

Chen Kun reacted swiftly, catching her. As a 23-year-old single guy, this was his first time being so close to a girl, and his heart raced nervously.

His eyes darted away awkwardly. “Uh… are you okay?”

Chi Xiaocheng whimpered, forcing tears to well up as she frantically pleaded, “Big brother, please help me! There’s a man in a suit chasing me!”

“What?!”

Chen Kun’s eyes widened.

To really sell the story, Chi Xiaocheng added some embellishments: “He, he tried to kidnap me! I barely got away, but he won’t stop following me! Waaah…!”

Tears streamed down her face.

The system’s new skill was being put to masterful use.

Chen Kun couldn’t stand idly by after that.

Righteous fury burned in his chest.

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“In broad daylight?! How dare he!”

He immediately shielded Chi Xiaocheng behind him, glaring at the approaching suit-clad man. “That guy over there?”

“Mhm!” Chi Xiaocheng nodded vigorously, then added with feigned concern, “But… he looks really strong. If you can’t handle him, maybe we should just run…?”

As if any man would admit to being “not up to it”!

Chen Kun rolled up his sleeves and marched forward.

Seeing this, Chi Xiaocheng smirked mischievously.

Seizing the chance, she bolted in the opposite direction while screaming, “Help! Kidnapper!!”

Chen Kun, playing along, pointed at the suit-clad man and rallied the crowd. “That’s him! He’s the kidnapper!”

The previously confused onlookers, now seeing the “fleeing victim,” quickly put two and two together.

No wonder the poor girl was running so desperately!

She’s being threatened!

Instantly, Good Samaritans emerged from everywhere. To subdue the “dangerous criminal,” they grabbed whatever was at hand as makeshift weapons.

One elderly bystander who’d been watching idly moments ago somehow procured a brick despite leaning on a cane and shuffled forward unsteadily.

The suit-clad man could’ve handled most of them….

But this old man looked like a small breeze would knock him over!

One wrong move, and he’d be liable for manslaughter!

Helpless, he could only watch as Chi Xiaocheng’s petite figure disappeared into the distance.

As for the mastermind herself….

By the time Chi Xiaocheng stumbled into her apartment complex and through her front door, she collapsed face-first onto the entryway rug.

Dizziness swamped her mind; her breathing came in ragged gasps.