Cannon Fodder – Chapter 74 – Accept Her or Abandon Her

This year’s early winter was colder than usual.

Stepping out from the warm, air-conditioned café into the biting wind and light snow, even with hands tucked deep in pockets, the damp chill of the Jiangnan region seeped relentlessly through.

But after parting ways with Chi Xiaocheng and facing the cold wind alone, Su Tao felt an unexpected sense of relief.

Ever since the incident in the basement, everything seemed different.

Her affection, her madness, her obsession.

Fragments of their conversations gradually overlapped with memories of the rooftop and the basement. The taste of orange juice still churned her stomach, yet her body had grown accustomed to it without her realizing.

Chi Xiaocheng was a paradox.

When indulged, she displayed a sweet, heartwarming smile. Her dependence was endearing.

But her hypersensitivity far outweighed that charm.

A single gesture, a word, even a glance could trigger her.

She was the one who was seriously ill. She was the one at fault. Yet, unwittingly, everyone around her had taken her side.

Dr. Cheng, Si Chen, Chen Qian, her roommates… even Liu Guijia, who had bullied her. Anyone who knew even part of Su Tao and Chi Xiaocheng’s relationship leaned toward Chi Xiaocheng.

The crux was, from their perspective, when comparing Ye Liang and Chi Xiaocheng….

Setting gender aside, Chi Xiaocheng’s treatment of Su Tao seemed to utterly surpass Ye Liang’s.

—Even if she was deeply troubled.

‘If Chi Xiaocheng wasn’t the one at fault, then was it me?’

Pressure coiled around her throat like a tightening hand, making it hard to breathe, the pain intensifying.

Physical exhaustion could be alleviated, but what about the mental toll?

Reаⅾ оո КαtRеаⅾіոɡCαfе

When “normal,” Chi Xiaocheng was lively, adorable, gentle, and refined. She could keenly sense Su Tao’s moods and offer emotional comfort, cheering her up.

On the surface, it seemed perfect, relaxing, didn’t it?

Yet by her side, Su Tao had to remain constantly vigilant, minding her words and actions, endlessly strategizing how to soothe her triggers, always bracing for her abrupt, insecurity-driven questions.

Forced to feign affection.

It wasn’t just Chi Xiaocheng. Even daily life piled on the pressure haunting her.

Her professors’ towering expectations, classmates’ admiration for her kindness, the pedestal she was placed on for her beauty, every move scrutinized under the spotlight.

Then there was work, finances, studies, survival….

Chi Xiaocheng applied the most pressure, yet she was also the only one who could relieve it.

Occasionally, in her company, Su Tao could reminisce and savor moments of calm.

Cupping icy water in her hands, she splashed it onto her face.

Emerging from the restroom, Su Tao felt slightly lighter.

She didn’t know how to handle Chi Xiaocheng, nor could she bring herself to follow Dr. Cheng’s advice and “enjoy” the yandere’s antics.

How could she enjoy what she feared?

“Would not dealing with it be the best way to deal with it?”

The urge to escape surfaced. Tucking her slightly reddened hands into her pockets, Su Tao slowly headed back toward where Chi Xiaocheng waited.

She wanted time to think.

But fate had other plans.

Reαd oո ΚаtRеαⅾіոɡCаfе

Ye Liang arrived.

A confrontation with Chi Xiaocheng erupted.

The glint of a blade flashed coldly.

Hidden behind a tree, just out of their sightlines, Su Tao witnessed everything.

“Guess who’ll be blamed if I end up hurt… or stabbed?

“Ye Liang, I’ve been wanting to make Tao-Tao stay away from you. Your timing is… perfect~”

Chi Xiaocheng’s voice turned unhinged.

Su Tao knew that Chi Xiaocheng had slipped into yandere mode.

‘Is Xiaocheng waiting for me to appear so she can hurt herself, frame Ye Liang, and win my sympathy?’

‘What if I don’t step out?’

Leaning against the tree, Su Tao lifted her gaze to the sky. Snowflakes dusted her lips, drawing out a bitter smile.

“So this is what Qianqian and Dr. Cheng meant by ‘a choice.'”

It wasn’t about choosing between Ye Liang and Chi Xiaocheng.

But rather—

—Accept her.

Or—

—Abandon her.

Reαd оո КatReαdіոɡСаfе

‘If I just run away now, how will things unfold between them?’

‘Maybe I really shouldn’t show up.’

Yes, she always forces these choices. Once it starts, it never ends. Just escaping will solve it.

Escaping will solve it!

Leave, and this agony will vanish.

One foot forward… then Su Tao froze, motionless.

A voice seemed to whisper from within:

‘Are you really going to flee like this?’

‘Isn’t she the little sister you cherish most?’

‘The one who accompanied your entire childhood, the sole support urging you forward?’

Suddenly, Ye Liang’s enraged roar pierced the air: “Chi Xiaocheng, have you lost your mind?!”

Time for choosing was nearly up.

Mechanically, Su Tao peeked out, and her pupils contracted upon seeing what was happening.

Chi Xiaocheng stood before Ye Liang, clutching her abdomen in apparent agony. Vivid “orange juice” dripped onto the snow, melting it.

Whether intentional or from abrupt movement, even Ye Liang was splattered with the crimson liquid.

From a distance, it truly looked like he’d struck ruthlessly, intent on leaving Chi Xiaocheng buried in the snow.

Clouds swallowed the last sunlight, shadows twisting Ye Liang’s face. “You lunatic! You think this will make Su Tao yours? Standing there so pathetically, aren’t you afraid I’ll just kill you here?!”

Reaԁ οn KαtRеaԁiոɡСαfе

He reached out, seemingly to snatch the fruit knife.

Chi Xiaocheng’s smile grew eerier, about to speak—

When the system’s voice abruptly rang in her mind:

[Host, calm down! Su Tao has returned and is watching from nearby!]

Chi Xiaocheng’s pupils flickered. Even the pain-dampening skill couldn’t fully numb the sting, sharpening her focus.

Seizing the moment, she altered her script.

Instead, she glared venomously at Ye Liang. “Don’t play dumb! You know Tao-Tao’s true identity, don’t you? You’re only using her!”

“What are you even—”

Chi Xiaocheng cut him off with a snarl. “I’ll never let you hurt Tao-Tao! Never let you near her!”

Ye Liang’s fury spiked. With a vicious grin, he ordered his bodyguard: “Find Su Tao. Stop her from coming here.”

Then to Chi Xiaocheng: “Since you’re so eager to play victim, I’ll make sure you stay here forever!”

The shout reached Su Tao’s ears. She knew she couldn’t wait any longer.

“Xiaocheng… is your love really this suffocating?”

Her chapped lips parted slightly. Su Tao stepped out from behind the tree like she’d just arrived, her pallid face wore an unconvincing act.

Trembling, she whispered, “Ye Liang… what are you doing?”

From start to finish, she never had a choice.