After Transmigrating Into a Cannon Fodder, I Got a Happy Ending with the Female Lead [Transmigration Into a Novel] - Chapter 34

Fan Xing’s trash bag dropped to the floor. Her body stiffened, her eyes wide with shock, and then as if remembering something, she shoved Xu Ruoci away.

She pushed so hard that Xu Ruoci stumbled back several steps, nearly falling.

Fan Xing clenched her hand, thinking to herself, is she really that fragile? She looked up and saw Xu Ruoci’s pale face, and the words just wouldn’t come out.

What happened?

Something was seriously wrong with Xu Ruoci.

“Is something wrong with you?”

Xu Ruoci endured the immense pain and forced a smile.

“Nothing’s wrong. I just missed you, so I came to see you.”

Fan Xing: “…”

That was the biggest problem.

Were those words Xu Ruoci would ever say? Absolutely not.

Remembering what Xu Ruoci said when she tried to reconcile with her in the past, her heart ached, and the momentary softness she had felt was completely gone.

“Is this some new game? A dare?”

“…No.” Xu Ruoci gave a bitter smile and cautiously approached Fan Xing. “I just…”

Seeing Fan Xing’s subtle resistance, Xu Ruoci stopped. The pain in her body turned into pain in her heart. Her already tattered heart seemed to have torn into several more holes, the kind that could never be repaired.

“Xu Ruoci,” Fan Xing called out, her voice very soft.

Their eyes met, and Fan Xing was the first to cry. She covered her eyes with her hand, her voice choked with accusation.

“You were the one who abandoned me first back then. While I was lying in a hospital bed, you were under the spotlight, basking in the adoration of the audience and your fans.”

Fan Xing choked up and couldn’t continue.

Xu Ruoci’s lips trembled, and she whispered, “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry…”

“You don’t need to say sorry to me. I don’t hate you because of that,” Fan Xing sniffled, her eyes wet with tears, making them look even deeper.

“That’s just how this industry is. Actors are replaced one after another. If you don’t climb up, you’ll be quickly replaced. It was understandable for you to make that choice.”

Fan Xing looked up at the sky, tears streaming down her face, making her look incredibly fragile, like a piece of delicate porcelain.

“When I went to find you back then, the moon was just as bright. But it was winter then, and I stood downstairs from your place for most of the night. Do you remember what you said?”

Xu Ruoci didn’t dare to answer. She knew how hurtful her words were back then, when she said them to make Fan Xing give up.

“You had become a hot new star. Many endorsements were coming your way, and you were about to become a top-tier actress. I would only drag you down…”

Fan Xing stared directly at Xu Ruoci, her eyes rimmed with red. She was already very thin, and the oversized pajamas made her look like a mere wisp.

Xu Ruoci stepped forward and pulled her into a hug. Fan Xing struggled in vain and then gave up, letting Xu Ruoci hold her while tears streamed down her face like a broken string of pearls.

They had known each other since high school, and after graduation, they formed a team for a talent show. They were inseparable every day, and their bond had long surpassed friendship.

She thought they would be together forever, so she wasn’t in a hurry to define their relationship. Who knew a car accident would change everything?

At first, she didn’t believe Xu Ruoci would abandon her, and she was certain that Xu Ruoci had a hidden reason. But after seeing her navigate various social circles, a fish in water, that thought vanished.

There was no hidden reason; she just chose the path that was right for her.

What Xu Ruoci wanted was flowers, applause, fame, and fortune, not Fan Xing.

They stood there, holding each other, neither one speaking, and time seemed to slow down.

A dog barked in the silent space, and Fan Xing, as if waking from a dream, pushed Xu Ruoci away. She bent down to pick up the trash bag from the ground and walked quickly toward the trash can.

Xu Ruoci followed behind her, looking timid and meek, a stark contrast to her usual confident and radiant self.

Fan Xing turned around, saw her like this, and asked helplessly, “What exactly do you want?”

Xu Ruoci didn’t speak, just looked at her with a pleading expression.

Fan Xing grew annoyed by her behavior and raised her voice slightly, “Don’t follow me. If the paparazzi see us, they’ll make a big deal out of it again.”

Xu Ruoci said “Mm-hmm” in agreement, but still followed her. Fan Xing quickened her pace, and the closing elevator door left Xu Ruoci behind.

As the elevator went up, Fan Xing leaned against the wall, feeling as if all the strength had been drained from her body. Her mind was in a haze.

Their relationship hadn’t been good for the past few years. While it wasn’t as hostile as the public thought, it wasn’t a level where they could have heart-to-heart talks late at night.

She got the cold shoulder, so she should go back, right?

Fan Xing felt exhausted and threw herself onto the bed. The soft comforter swallowed her up.

Who cares about her? She’s acting like a lunatic.

Fan Xing closed her eyes, forcing herself to stop thinking.

The dinner was substantial. Ji Shuang didn’t know what she was so happy about, but she finished half a bottle of white wine by herself and, as expected, got drunk.

“Hey, beautiful, come give me a kiss.”

Ji Shuang was not a very self-controlled person to begin with, and when she was drunk, her true nature was even more exposed. She was now clinging to Pei Ying, playfully teasing her.

“You’re so beautiful, why do you always have a long face? Come on, give me a smile.”

Pei Ying grabbed the hand that was moving around on her body, but as soon as she held one, the other started up. She had to anxiously seek help from Yue Xi.

Yue Xi naturally ignored her gaze and turned to Xiao Qing, “You want to go to the bathroom, right? Sister will go with you.”

Xiao Qing’s eyes lit up, and she gave a big smile, “Okay!”

Only Pei Ying and Ji Shuang were left in the large private room. Ji Shuang was completely high, hooking her arm around Pei Ying’s neck and trying to kiss her.

“You’re so stingy. What’s wrong with a kiss?”

Pei Ying’s breathing grew heavier. She blocked the lips that were brushing against her chin and stared intently at Ji Shuang.

“Are you sure? Will you regret it when you sober up?”

Ji Shuang couldn’t hear anything; all she knew was that there was a beautiful woman in front of her.

Pei Ying was usually so serious that Ji Shuang didn’t dare to have any illicit thoughts about her. In reality, she was quite a fan of Pei Ying’s looks; she was completely her type.

Ji Shuang blinked, opened her mouth, and bit Pei Ying’s finger. She slurred her words, “Professor Pei, your fingers are so long, too.”

Pei Ying’s eyes turned red. She controlled her breathing with great effort. Ji Shuang took the opportunity to push her hand away and kissed her.

Pei Ying froze for a moment, then pressed the back of Ji Shuang’s head and closed her eyes.

Yue Xi and Xiao Qing stood in the hallway. Xiao Qing asked, “Why aren’t we going in?”

Yue Xi thought for a moment, not knowing how to explain it to her.

“Sister Ji Shuang and Professor Pei are doing something fun. We can’t disturb them.”

“Oh.” Xiao Qing seemed to understand and snuggled into Yue Xi’s arms. “Then let’s do something fun too.”

Before Yue Xi could say anything, Xiao Qing wrapped her arms around her waist. Her height was just low enough for her to look up at Yue Xi, and her eyes were brighter than the stars. When she stared at Yue Xi, it was as if she was looking at her whole world.

“Sister, you are also very beautiful.” Xiao Qing said, then pecked her on the chin. “Hey, beautiful, come give me a kiss.”

Yue Xi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry and pressed her into her embrace.

“Don’t copy everything.”

Xiao Qing quietly rested in her arms, as well-behaved as a rabbit.

They went in about half an hour later. The atmosphere in the room was warm. Ji Shuang was straddling Pei Ying’s lap, her face buried in Pei Ying’s shoulder. It wasn’t clear if she had fallen asleep. Pei Ying’s eyes were flushed, and her lips were a soft, watery red.

“Professor Pei, it’s getting late. Why don’t we go home?”

Pei Ying was a little embarrassed. She nodded with a flushed face and directly picked up Ji Shuang to stand, leaving through the VIP exit to avoid being noticed.

Ji Shuang was, after all, a slightly famous internet celebrity, and her dating show was about to air. It was best to avoid being photographed in any controversial situations.

Pei Ying placed her in the passenger seat and buckled her in. Ji Shuang opened her eyes, looked at her, and frowned in dissatisfaction.

“Why aren’t you holding me anymore?”

Pei Ying’s voice was gentle as she coaxed her like a child, “I have to drive. I’ll hold you later, okay?”

“Okay then.” Ji Shuang blinked, as if she couldn’t fight off her drowsiness.

Pei Ying drove them back. Halfway there, the talisman in Yue Xi’s hand suddenly burst into flames.

“Professor Pei, something came up on my end. Could you drop me off at Zhou Jiang Apartment Complex?”

She didn’t know what was happening with Xu Ruoci, and taking a taxi would waste too much time.

Pei Ying immediately turned the car around and headed to the place Yue Xi had mentioned.

Fan Xing tossed and turned in bed, unable to fall asleep. Her heart felt so heavy that she could barely breathe.

Feeling so uncomfortable, Fan Xing got out of bed, put on her coat, and prepared to go out for some fresh air.

Just going down for some fresh air. Definitely not to see Xu Ruoci.

After a little pep talk, Fan Xing left her apartment.

The moment she opened the door, Xu Ruoci, who was curled up in a ball, looked up at her. Her face was ashen, her eyes were bloodshot, and she looked pitiful, like a lost puppy.

“Why are you…”

Before Fan Xing could finish her sentence, Xu Ruoci collapsed into her arms.

Xu Ruoci just wanted to stand up, but her legs were numb from squatting for so long, so she just fell straight onto Fan Xing.

Fan Xing had a faint scent of body wash and shampoo, a gentle and warm fragrance after being warmed by her body heat.

The moment she smelled it, Xu Ruoci felt her entire being calm down. She greedily inhaled the scent, forgetting to let go of Fan Xing.

Fan Xing could vaguely smell a strange, foul odor on her, like old blood. It wasn’t pungent, but it was unpleasant and made her feel sick.

“Xu Ruoci, what’s that smell on you?”

Xu Ruoci, who had just been immersed in Fan Xing’s fragrance, was pulled back to reality by that question. She instinctively wanted to run away but was grabbed by Fan Xing.

“What in the world is wrong with you?!”

Fan Xing also grew anxious. She ignored Xu Ruoci’s struggles and made her face her. When she saw the horror in Xu Ruoci’s eyes, she suddenly choked up.

“Let me go, Xiao Xingxing.”

Xu Ruoci didn’t dare to look at her, her eyes darting around in a panic. She was filled with a sense of unease.

Fan Xing’s heart couldn’t help but be moved. Xu Ruoci had called her “Xiao Xingxing” twice in one night.

It was a nickname Xu Ruoci gave her, one that belonged only to Xu Ruoci.

“Come inside first.”

Fan Xing pulled Xu Ruoci in. Xu Ruoci didn’t dare to resist and was led inside.

She had always wanted to see Fan Xing’s home, but now that she was here, she had no desire to appreciate it. All she wanted was to escape.

If Xiao Xingxing saw the marks on her body, she would hate her even more.

“Let me go home.”

Her humble plea received no response from Fan Xing. Fan Xing stopped, turned around, and looked at her with a cold and sharp gaze, as if she could see right through her.

“I’m giving you one last chance. If you don’t tell me the truth, don’t ever come looking for me again.”

Xu Ruoci smiled bitterly to herself. After tonight, Xu Ruoci would no longer exist in this world.

She would get what she wanted, and Fan Xing would live a peaceful and happy life. Wasn’t that what she wanted? Why did it hurt so much?

“Xiao Xingxing, take good care of yourself.”

After saying that, Xu Ruoci turned to leave. She felt like she couldn’t hold on any longer.

Fan Xing’s temper flared. She wished she could grab Xu Ruoci and give her a good beating, but she suppressed her anger and quickly walked over to block Xu Ruoci’s path.

“You…”

Before she could speak, Xu Ruoci let out a pained groan and collapsed in front of her.

Fan Xing tried to help her up, but Xu Ruoci pushed her away.

“Don’t touch me! I’m so dirty!”

Yue Xi’s talisman was only effective for one day. As it approached midnight, Xu Ruoci’s body deteriorated more and more. The evil energy trapped in her body materialized and leaked out, and her entire being gave off a foul stench.

Xu Ruoci’s hair turned white, inch by inch. Wrinkles appeared on her face, and she visibly aged and decayed.

Fan Xing was horrified, and her pupils widened abruptly.

“What…what did you do?”

Xu Ruoci looked at her with the only clear part of her eyes. Her withered lips moved, but no sound came out.

Black, vein-like things climbed from Xu Ruoci’s neck to her cheeks. Her aged face seemed to be split in half, looking eerie and terrifying.

Fan Xing reached out to help Xu Ruoci, but she was met with a fierce struggle.

“Don’t touch me! I smell so bad. I’ll make you dirty too.”

Fan Xing didn’t care. She tore at Xu Ruoci’s clothes and saw the skin over her heart cracked open, revealing a heart that had been completely corroded and turned black.

This was completely beyond Fan Xing’s comprehension. She was so flustered that her hands were shaking uncontrollably.

Xu Ruoci pulled her clothes back together and comforted her in her aged voice, “Don’t be scared, Xiao Xingxing. I’ll leave soon. Just pretend what happened tonight was a nightmare and forget about it when you wake up, okay?”

How could Fan Xing forget? She was watching Xu Ruoci’s life fade away with her own eyes. Maybe in the blink of an eye, she would be gone.

“How can I save you? You must know, right?”

Xu Ruoci knew. She was beyond saving. She had sacrificed herself to an evil entity, and this was her deserved price.

“Xiao Xingxing, I…”

I love you. I have always loved you.

Fan Xing waited for a long time, but there was no follow-up. She said angrily, “Xu Ruoci, you’re such a coward!”

Then she picked Xu Ruoci up and walked out.

Xu Ruoci grew anxious and asked, “Where are you taking me?”

“To find someone who can save you.”

A hospital would be useless in this situation. She needed to find an expert who could ward off evil, and she only knew one.

Xu Ruoci’s hand, which was holding onto her clothes, dropped. She said faintly, “It’s no use, Xiao Xingxing. Not even a deity in this world can save me.”

Fan Xing stopped in her tracks, her voice a little choked, “How is that possible? I don’t believe it. There must be a way!”

“She’s right.”

Yue Xi stood in front of Fan Xing, looking at Xu Ruoci in her arms, her eyes deep and somber.

“Take her inside, or when the seal inside her breaks, she might harm others.”

Fan Xing didn’t understand these things, but she knew from Yue Xi’s expression that the situation was serious. After a moment of hesitation, she carried Xu Ruoci back into the house.

“Daoist Priest, is there really no way at all? Maybe you just can’t save her? I heard there’s a Daoist Association. I’ll go find others. If I find a few more with deep cultivation, we can definitely find a way.”

Fan Xing’s mind was in turmoil. In this situation, she didn’t care if her words were appropriate; she just wanted to save Xu Ruoci.

Yue Xi sighed deeply and said, “You’ve seen her condition. In this situation, unless a deity is present, otherwise…”

Yue Xi’s words were tactful, but Fan Xing collapsed onto the floor, her face completely drained of color.

Xu Ruoci wanted to comfort her, but the pain suddenly intensified. The evil energy on her body leaked out, and her facial features became distorted, completely controlled by the evil entity.

Yue Xi immediately protected Xiao Qing and Fan Xing, trapping Xu Ruoci in a talisman array.

“Stick these four talismans on the four corners of the room. Burn the last one into ash and drink it with water.”

Yue Xi handed Fan Xing five talismans drawn with cinnabar.

Fan Xing hardened her heart, not looking at Xu Ruoci, and did as Yue Xi instructed.

Xu Ruoci was enveloped in a black mist, no longer recognizable as a human. She let out a hoarse roar, and the stench filled the entire room.

“It stinks.” Xiao Qing covered her nose.

The evil entity roared in response and constantly tried to break out of the talisman array. Yue Xi saw its body expanding and had a bad feeling.

This evil entity seemed to be more powerful than she had thought. Could it have other helpers besides using Xu Ruoci?

Yue Xi added two more talismans and told Fan Xing to take Xiao Qing and leave first. Fan Xing glanced at the unrecognizable Xu Ruoci, her eyes full of tears, and took Xiao Qing with her to leave.

This action completely enraged the evil entity. It slammed into the ground, and the talisman array shattered in response. The evil energy flew toward Fan Xing and Xiao Qing. Yue Xi saw this and rushed forward to push the two away, but she took the full brunt of the attack.

Her chest ached. Yue Xi no longer held back.

The evil entity was beaten back, its form shrinking significantly. Fan Xing watched nervously, afraid that Xu Ruoci would be completely devoured.

“Daoist Priest, if the monster dies, will Xu Ruoci die with it?”

“Daoist Priest, please, spare her life.”

As Fan Xing spoke, she was about to kneel, but Xiao Qing grabbed her. Kneeling would restrain Yue Xi and prevent her from using her full power.

Xiao Qing didn’t care about anyone else; she just wanted her sister to be safe.

Yue Xi felt a bit helpless. She wasn’t holding back, but the evil entity’s power was increasing.

She had clearly used a talisman to sever its connection to the outside world, so where was it drawing its power from?

The evil entity let out a low growl, and a foul-smelling gust of wind swept through the room. The talisman on the west wall fell off, and the evil entity’s body swelled up.

The peach wood sword was knocked away, and her palm felt numb. The evil entity bypassed her and headed straight for Xiao Qing and Fan Xing.

“Run!”

Yue Xi had no time to grab her sword and tried to block the evil entity with her bare hands. She was flung back, hitting the shoe cabinet hard before falling to the floor.

Fan Xing was terrified. She rushed forward without a second thought and stood in front of Yue Xi.

“Xiao Ci, don’t let the monster control you. Look at me carefully and see who I am.”

The monster’s head moved for a moment, as if it was mocking her. Then it let out a sinister roar and reached out, grabbing Fan Xing by the neck.

Fan Xing’s face turned red. She struggled to speak, “Are you scared of being lonely? Then I’ll go with you. Don’t hurt innocent people.”

The monster’s head moved again, as if in a sneer. Fan Xing shed a tear and reached out to touch the evil entity.

She still believed it was Xu Ruoci and wanted to touch her face one last time before she died.

Fan Xing’s vision began to blur. She didn’t struggle at all and calmly closed her eyes.

Yue Xi threw a talisman at it. The evil entity turned its head to look at her, let out a furious roar, threw Fan Xing aside, and walked toward Yue Xi.

Yue Xi barely managed to fend off two attacks and was sent flying backward. She only had time to push the Xiao Qing behind her out the door.

“Find a safe place to hide. Don’t worry about me.”

How could Xiao Qing not worry? She cried and reached out to grab Yue Xi. Yue Xi’s face suddenly changed, and a bloody hole appeared on her shoulder.

“Sister, are you okay?!” Xiao Qing shrieked in terror, her voice trembling.

Yue Xi wanted to comfort her and say she was fine, but the pain was so intense that she couldn’t speak. She could only use all her strength to protect Xiao Qing.

The door was not closed in time and was yanked open by the evil entity. Yue Xi had no time to close it. She turned and began to fight it, and a few more bloody holes appeared on her body.

Yue Xi couldn’t even hold a talisman. She was fighting the evil entity purely on willpower, and when her strength finally ran out, she couldn’t hold on any longer and collapsed.

Blood splattered on Xiao Qing’s face, still warm. Xiao Qing looked at the bloodied Yue Xi on the floor, and a sharp pain shot through her head.

Suddenly, her eyes changed, and the entire room’s pressure dropped.

A faint mark appeared on Xiao Qing’s brow, and vines wrapped around the back of her ears. As she walked, green grass grew under her feet.

The evil entity saw this and let out a low growl of excitement. The next second, it was pierced by a life-giving vine.

“Looking for a death wish?”

Xiao Qing’s eyes were cold as ice. With every step she took, the vines tightened, until the black mist around the evil entity was torn to shreds.

“Then I’ll grant it.”

Do you want Xu Ruoci to live or die?