Cannon Fodder – Chapter 53 – You Must Accept Treatment Properly~

Chi Xiaocheng had been saving this skin-refining candy from the system gacha for Su Tao, waiting for the perfect moment to make her even more flawless.

“Plans change~”

She popped the candy into her mouth, then picked up a mirror from the dresser.

The transformation was instantaneous. Under the warm lighting, her skin took on a new radiance.

She touched her arm experimentally.

Silky. Tender. Fair. Exquisite.

A simple photo would look like it had beauty filters applied.

Her fingertips brushed against her lips next, though the change seemed less noticeable there.

“But all this… is for Tao-Tao to experience~

“To make you love me more, I’m willing to become perfect.”

A dangerous glint flashed through her pupils as she checked the time – only five minutes had passed.

[Host, the guest room next door has its own bathroom. Wouldn’t that be better? Now the heroine Su Tao has to bathe inconveniently, and it’s troublesome for you too. Isn’t this putting the cart before the horse?]

“Private bathroom won’t do.” Chi Xiaocheng had already considered everything.

She patiently explained to the system: “In my plan, Tao-Tao can’t be allowed to touch water I haven’t handled. Besides, though my room has been cleaned, the layout remains unchanged to better evoke her fond memories.”

“The learning process means gaining knowledge. When she realizes the old me who scored zero can never return, that’s when she’ll take initiative to teach me again.

“When she willingly offers to teach me, the plan will be half complete.”

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[This… this is only half?]

“Of course?” Chi Xiaocheng’s gaze darkened with excitement. “I love her desperately, so she should love me just as desperately!”

Checking the time again, fifteen minutes had passed.

With thirty minutes allotted for bathing, she stood and knocked on the door.

“Tao-Tao, time’s up~ May I come in?”

“Wait!”

Through the door crack came rustling sounds of someone dressing.

After a moment, a hesitant voice responded: “O…Okay.”

Seeing Su Tao wearing the little bear T-shirt, she smiled foolishly with happiness. “We match like a couple~”

Su Tao’s smile faded.

This was from the clothes she’d left here during their previous stays, bought together with Chi Xiaocheng back then.

Same style. Same color. Two identical pieces meant to symbolize their close friendship… now misinterpreted as a couple’s outfits.

Was this karma coming back to bite her?

While lost in thought, Chi Xiaocheng finished mopping the floor and returned to sit facing Su Tao with a smile.

“So, Tao-Tao, what did you want to talk about?”

Suppressing her emotions, Su Tao sat upright. “Xiaocheng… why are you doing this?”

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Chi Xiaocheng tilted her head in confusion. “Why… because Tao-Tao is sick. I’m taking care of you.”

“I’m not sick!” Su Tao emphasized each word. “You’re the one who’s ill. Keeping me here will make people look for me, making it dangerous for you. Please let me go.”

“It’s fine~” Chi Xiaocheng waved it off. “Nothing matters as long as I’m with Tao-Tao. Even if Ye Liang comes….”

Her eyes suddenly glowed crimson.

“I’ll just take him down with me!”

Returning to her infatuated gaze: “Don’t worry, Tao-Tao. I’d never let him hurt you~”

‘You’re the one who’ll get hurt!’

Though anxious, Su Tao realized Chi Xiaocheng could only communicate normally about trivial matters.

Any mention of herself, Ye Liang or others triggered that obsessive side beyond reasoning.

Su Tao pressed on: “Then how do I recover from this illness? When can I leave?”

“Tao-Tao has heart-sickness that needs curing~” Chi Xiaocheng’s smile didn’t waver. “You’ll be discharged when you fall for me!

“Right now Tao-Tao likes Ye Liang, right?

“That won’t do~

“Right now Tao-Tao doesn’t love me, right?

“No helping it~ Tao-Tao loved me so much before, but now claims to like Ye Liang? So very sick~”

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“Tao-Tao!” Chi Xiaocheng’s tone grew increasingly unhinged, baring her cute little fangs aggressively. “You’re only allowed to love me!”

“Oops, got carried away again~” As if catching herself, she reverted to normal, the fangs now appearing merely adorable.

Su Tao took it all in with a heavy heart.

Communication… completely ineffective.

A sense of helplessness washed over her as she stole glances at Chi Xiaocheng’s sweet face. How long had she been confined here? How much had she slept?

Judging by the exhaustion upon waking, perhaps two days?

What was happening outside? Had Dr. Cheng, Qianqian ¹ Chen Qian, the girl that pretends to be Su Tao’s best friend and Sichen, the three who knew the truth, started searching through their own channels?

Only one option remained.

Su Tao clenched her fists.

Though still weak, overpowering petite Xiaocheng might be possible.

She assessed the harmless-looking girl. Those slender, fair arms didn’t seem strong.

Worth a try.

…But failure would only provoke Xiaocheng further!

Her gaze hardened with determination.

Could she win?

In a flash, Su Tao lashed out, hands shooting toward Chi Xiaocheng’s shoulders!

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Yet Chi Xiaocheng simply tilted her head, effortlessly catching Su Tao’s wrists.

With a push, she pinned Su Tao down on the bed.

It was hopeless from the start.

Disheveled hair splayed out as Su Tao stared up in shock.

Chi Xiaocheng smiled like everything had gone according to plan. “Naughty Tao-Tao~ Didn’t I say this little thing helps regulate your body? Sick people shouldn’t act rough~”

Su Tao’s expression froze. Her head turned stiffly toward the desk in horror.

“That incense burner…”

Chi Xiaocheng’s grin said it all. Her fingers traced Su Tao’s lips. “Disobedient patients get punished~”

“Mmph—!”

Again.

Once more.

How… wretched.

A single tear rolled down Su Tao’s cheek.

Despite her mental resistance, she failed to notice that her breathing and heartbeat steadily quickened.

The human body’s wonder lies in its uncontrollable nature~

Translator Note

Here is art!