Cannon Fodder – Chapter 87 – What You Want, I’ll Give You

The single drop of orange juice was translucent and crimson, carrying a faint metallic scent that felt oddly familiar to her.

Perhaps it was the same scent.

But compared to the bottled orange juice sold in stores, it was worlds apart.

Su Tao stared blankly at the solitary drop clinging to the delicate fingertip.

The bright red liquid resembled a mirror, capturing and sealing her reflection within it. A wave of panic surged in her heart, momentarily overwhelming even the expected nausea.

When Su Tao looked up dazedly, she saw Chi Xiaocheng examining the tiny wound with a slight frown.

The unease suppressed her panic, and Su Tao remembered her purpose. She asked softly, “Xiaocheng, did it hurt?”

Logically, she knew this was probably routine for Xiaocheng.

In her yandere state, including during the “black room” incident, she had done this many times.

But this time, Su Tao had caused it herself.

Now, she was even worried that her inexperience might have made it more painful.

This strange, irrational concern shouldn’t have existed, yet she couldn’t stop her mind from wandering.

‘Should I… practice more in the future?’

The thought flashed through Su Tao’s mind, startling her.

A cold sweat broke out.

Just then, Chi Xiaocheng’s voice whispered beside her ear, “Is this little bit really enough? Should we try again?”

Try again?

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Consider it practice.

After all, there might be many more times in the future~

The words seemed to summon countless phantom Chi Xiaochengs around her, breathing softly, murmuring, their delicate fingers plucking at her heartstrings.

Su Tao shuddered and forced a dry laugh. “N-No, it’s fine. I said I just wanted to try a little. This is enough.”

Yes.

Just once.

Just this time.

If she didn’t do this, Xiaocheng might hurt herself. And next time, it wouldn’t be just a fingertip.

Su Tao truly didn’t want to see that slender arm marred by scars again.

To end the discussion, Su Tao closed her eyes, took the small hand, and brought the orange juice-tipped finger to her lips.

No matter how much she suppressed her revulsion, her frown still showed.

Her expression was full of resistance, yet she forced herself to comply.

Su Tao even thought: if only this “orange juice” tasted normal, like iron and sweetness, how much better would it be?

But that was wishful thinking.

The taste was still the same nauseating “orange juice.”

Yet, whether due to her recent attempts or the adaptation from the “black room,” her body’s rejection wasn’t as severe as before.

To suppress the discomfort, Su Tao shifted her focus from the juice to the delicate finger itself.

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Her tongue gently traced over it, and the strange sensation seemed to please Chi Xiaocheng.

Perhaps this was the limit of what Su Tao could endure for now.

Pushing further might yield results. She could even force Su Tao to go deeper than this.

But that would go against Chi Xiaocheng’s true intentions.

Today had been full of surprises and joy for Chi Xiaocheng.

‘Tao-Tao took the initiative! She deserves a reward~’

‘If she wants to “cure” me so badly….’

‘Then I’ll pretend her treatment is working.’

The cut was small, and with Chi Xiaocheng’s accelerated healing, the taste soon faded.

Su Tao continued the act for a while longer before finally ending the unsettling experience. She looked up nervously at Chi Xiaocheng’s satisfied smile. “X-Xiaocheng, um… thanks for the… meal?”

Chi Xiaocheng nodded eagerly. “Did you like it?”

Su Tao gulped, her tongue moving unconsciously.

Instead of answering directly, she tested the waters. “I… don’t hate it. But I still need to get used to it.”

Before, any response short of “I love it” would have drawn dissatisfaction.

But now….

Chi Xiaocheng only smiled shyly. “As long as Tao-Tao doesn’t hate it. Next time, I’ll let you enjoy it properly~”

“Uh… Xiaocheng, you’re still too weak right now.” Su Tao grasped for an excuse. “Losing too much ‘orange juice’ isn’t good for you. Let’s… talk about this after you’ve recovered.”

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“Okay!”

Chi Xiaocheng nodded seriously. “I’ll work hard to get better!”

Not a trace of yandere tendencies.

Just sweet obedience.

Su Tao was overjoyed.

She had succeeded!

She had controlled Xiaocheng’s self-harm.

And when tested, Xiaocheng showed no signs of regression. This was the first major milestone in her treatment!

‘Thank you, Dr. Cheng. Thank you, Chengcheng.’

Grateful, Su Tao excused herself to rinse her mouth before returning to chat cheerfully with Chi Xiaocheng.

It wasn’t until noon, when she had to leave for work, that Su Tao finally said goodbye.

A weight had lifted from her heart. The past feelings of oppression, confusion, and fear were now dispelled by hope.

‘If I pretend to like Xiaocheng and treat her patiently, there’s a chance!’

Meanwhile, Chi Xiaocheng completed her hospital discharge procedures that afternoon.

“Time to go home. But it’s snowing again. I’d better take a taxi.”

She checked her phone, then froze.

237 yuan!

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Her brother had sent 2,000 yuan earlier, but Chi Xiaocheng hadn’t been frugal.

New clothes, cameras for the “black room,” sky-high heating bills from running the AC nonstop, and miscellaneous expenses….

She was broke again.

“Money really doesn’t go far these days!”

Resigned, she decided against the taxi.

The snow wasn’t heavy. She could take a shortcut home.

The streets were busy with hurried pedestrians and occasional cars. Snowflakes settled on her chestnut-brown hair as her lonely figure walked on.

Entering a deserted alley, she recalled that this place used to be a gathering spot for delinquent girls with nowhere to go. Now, in winter, even the old buildings couldn’t shield them from the cold.

But it wasn’t completely empty.

Turning a corner, Chi Xiaocheng spotted a small figure huddled against a wall, shivering under a tattered coat.

The girl’s waist-length black hair was messy and brittle. There were signs of long-term malnutrition.

More importantly, Chi Xiaocheng recognized her.

She approached curiously.

The figure stirred, looking up in confusion.

Meeting those eyes, Chi Xiaocheng was certain.

It was the girl who had once visited her home with Liu Guijia.