Cannon Fodder – Chapter 79 – You Can’t Escape

Regarding the original Xiaocheng’s reputation, it was extremely polarized among readers in the original work.

Some readers believed that since the original host did so many terrible things early on, she deserved to die, and her later redemption was just the author having mental issues.

After all, the original author ruined the entire work for money, so writing some trash at the end was normal.

But there was another group of readers who were pure Su Tao fans.

It’s undeniable that “Cannon Fodder Female Character Shoots Them All, Male Gods All Fall For Me” was a terrible work where the author ruined the entire book for money.

But in terms of plot cohesion, the author’s writing skills were still present.

Viewed from Su Tao’s perspective: being loved by many early on, experiencing confusion and pain mid-story, then being betrayed by those close to her later… if you treat this novel as Su Tao’s tragic life rather than the author bowing to money, the resonance and affection for Su Tao only deepens.

Although the original Xiaocheng died early in the story, she frequently appeared in Su Tao’s memories as her spiritual support, alleviating the repeated pain after each betrayal.

—If I were to die like this, how could I face Xiaocheng in the afterlife?

—I was the one who killed her, I was the one who killed Brother Chi Song. I should carry all of her burdens and live on, spending my life regretting, atoning, and accomplishing everything she wanted to do when alive.

It was precisely because of these descriptions that Su Tao’s independent thinking and the original Xiaocheng’s redemption in the final flashback seemed much more natural.

Even though just a cannon fodder antagonist, the name “Chi Xiaocheng” accompanied Su Tao throughout all 4 million words of the novel.

Su Tao’s final despair came from just a dream she had while on the verge of death.

A years-long inner demon.

The already-deceased original Xiaocheng appeared in the dream, apologizing to her, forgiving her, confessing to her.

—Tao-Tao, you’re not unloved. You still have me. If we could start over, I would absolutely, definitely fill your surroundings with love! I’d never let anyone bully you again!

The dream ended.

Su Tao felt that even if she couldn’t obtain forgiveness, perhaps by dying she could atone for her mistakes to the original Xiaocheng in the afterlife.

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Falling tears dampened the photo she clutched even in sleep. Su Tao hugged the photo tightly to her chest.

“I’m sorry.”

Was this Su Tao apologizing to the original Xiaocheng?

Or was it the novel’s author apologizing to the readers?

With these final words as the conclusion, Su Tao committed suicide.

The novel ended.

No epilogues, no sequels, no cash-grab second installment to extend the IP.

The author left all mysteries as blank space for readers to discuss.

Chi Xiaocheng ran through the plot she currently knew once more, bringing the topic back to the present. “System, that’s why I say Su Tao won’t break down so easily. As long as she still has me in her heart, she’ll eventually stand back up after her confusion.”

Chi Xiaocheng’s lips curled into an amused smile. “Tao-Tao still needs to cure my yandere tendencies and return to how things were before. How could she just break down like this?”

“But I’m not actually yandere. There’s nothing to cure. What a troublesome problem.”

Looking at the sleeping Su Tao, Chi Xiaocheng already understood why Su Tao was like this.

“She’s just escaping right now. Because my method of self-harm to frame Ye Liang and bind her to me was too extreme, it shattered her perception of me and made her afraid.

“Worried I might use the same methods to hurt others around her, repeatedly forcing her to make choices, even using it to harm myself.

“She’s afraid of making choices, unwilling to accept that I’m yandere. Even though I’ve been guiding her as Dr. Cheng, she still clings to the idea of curing me.

“But this won’t do~”

Chi Xiaocheng watched the surveillance feed on her phone. Even without the sachet nearby, Su Tao slept soundly.

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Unconsciously, Chi Xiaocheng’s gaze at Su Tao grew somewhat intoxicated. “Tao-Tao can’t be afraid of me. If she’s afraid, how can she like me? If she can’t take the first step, there’ll never be progress.

“Even if forced, she must actively accept me!”

This was the most crucial part of Chi Xiaocheng’s plan!

The morning’s date had initially shown results. She’d been confident that after a full day, she could immerse Su Tao in her tenderness.

To create the thought: “Even if Xiaocheng is slightly yandere, being with her brings such happiness and fulfillment.”

For this goal,

Chi Xiaocheng had been pressuring Su Tao relentlessly.

Once Su Tao could barely breathe, she’d naturally realize Xiaocheng’s embrace was the only place for relief.

Thus growing fond, becoming attached.

Just like during the dark room confinement.

All food and water carried the orange juice flavor she hated.

Only her lips offered sweetness distinct from that.

Making her crave, adapt, enjoy… and love.

But Ye Liang’s appearance disrupted all Chi Xiaocheng’s plans and groundwork!

The gentle approach was no longer viable.

‘Tao-Tao, if you keep escaping like this, when will you ever come to like me?’

‘When will we ever be together?’

‘The pressure isn’t enough yet.’

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Chi Xiaocheng lay in the hospital bed, quietly waiting as time passed.

After Chi Xiaocheng dealt with doctors and her brother Dongfang Yang who took time from his busy schedule to visit, Su Tao finally awoke after a full 10 hours of sleep from noon to midnight.

Prolonged sleep didn’t refresh her, instead leaving her temporarily more exhausted and lethargic.

Su Tao felt dizzy with a stifling chest pain.

After recovering somewhat, though still tired, the struggle and pain from before sleeping were gone.

Looking at the giant panda pillow still in her arms, Su Tao smiled. “Mr. Panda, you’re even softer than Xiaocheng.”

She nuzzled the panda’s belly with her face.

But after saying this, Su Tao froze.

Xiaocheng….

‘She’s still at the hospital!’

Memories flooded back.

Self-harm, enticement, Ye Liang’s betrayal, choices.

Each flash brought back pained expressions. But when she looked up again, her face showed hesitation.

‘Maybe… just let things take their natural course?’

As this thought emerged, her phone rang in the living room.

A sense of foreboding arose.

She walked out to check the caller ID and relaxed slightly.

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It was Chi Xiaocheng’s mother.

She really didn’t want to face Chi Xiaocheng now, nor think about her yandere nature. This matter seemed buried deep in her heart.

Facing Mother Chi, Su Tao put on an easy smile. “Hello, Auntie, good evening.”

As the call connected, Chi Xiaocheng in the hospital heard the voice through her phone, lips curving up.

Activating her voice mimicry skill, an imitation of her mother’s aged, anxious voice spoke into Su Tao’s ear:

“Thank goodness, Xiao Tao, your phone went through.

“Xiao Tao, is Xiaocheng not with you? I can’t get through to her phone at all.

“Where… is Xiaocheng?”

The elderly, kindly voice in her ear revived beautiful childhood memories.

But now those memories brought pressure.

‘Is Xiaocheng not with you?’

‘Did you, as her older sister, fail to take care of her?’

‘I entrusted her to you when letting her study in Jiuzhou City with you.’

‘Or… have you abandoned Xiaocheng, Xiaotao?’

A suffocating feeling like drowning returned.

As if Chi Xiaocheng’s loving voice whispered in her ear: Tao-Tao, you can’t escape~