Fake Cannon Fodder A Becomes a Sensation in Romance Variety Shows - Chapter 21

Ye Zhuoyan truly had no idea that the Wen family’s “Transcendence Technology” was in trouble.

If Wen Huiyun had told her this before, she wouldn’t have believed it. But now, she trusted that Wen Huiyun wasn’t lying.

Ye Zhuoyan’s mood darkened, and she frowned. “Frozen funds? What happened to the company?”

Wen Huiyun wasn’t entirely sure of the specifics either. The original novel hadn’t gone into detail, and she had skimmed through it carelessly, missing many nuances.

Recalling her conversations with her family and the bank, she gave a brief explanation.

“A major project was affected when the government revised product standards. The investors pulled out, and ‘Transcendence’ had all its capital tied up in it. Then the financing deadline hit, and the bank started demanding repayment.”

She paused, her voice resigned. “It’s been dragging on for a while now. Even the mortgaged properties have been repossessed.”

Ye Zhuoyan fell silent. The business world was volatile, one could double their fortune overnight or lose everything just as quickly.

With the Ye family in crisis, she had initially planned to seek help from the Wen family. But now, it seemed the Wen family was also sinking into quicksand.

She glanced at Wen Huiyun, and that inexplicable sense of dissonance rose in her again.

Despite the Wen family teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, Ye Zhuoyan didn’t sense much distress from Wen Huiyun. Moreover, the old Wen Huiyun had never cared about the family business, yet now she could clearly articulate the company’s predicament.

Ye Zhuoyan didn’t take the debit card. Wen Huiyun softly prompted her, “Zhuoyan?” and tried to press it into her hand.

But Ye Zhuoyan curled her fingers away. “If that’s the case, I can’t take this money.”

“I promised I’d help the Ye family, and I will.”

Wen Huiyun insisted.

“Even though the company’s funds are frozen now, it’s not beyond saving yet. My father is already trying to reach out to higher-ups to clarify the situation. Someone’s deliberately blocking us, but if we can get approval to retrieve the stranded shipments in Europe, there’s still a chance to turn things around.”

She slipped the card into Ye Zhuoyan’s pocket. “Zhuoyan, give me a chance to make amends. Otherwise, this guilt will keep eating at me.”

Otherwise, her heroine’s favorability rating wouldn’t budge, and she still hadn’t exchanged for the pheromone stabilizer! TAT

She had no idea how much favorability was needed to rewrite her cannon-fodder fate…

After a brief silence, Ye Zhuoyan accepted the card. “Fine, I’ll take this as a loan. I’ll pay you back. Wait, let me write you an IOU.”

Wen Huiyun quickly waved it off. “No need. Who writes an IOU to their,” She caught herself just in time, muttering under her breath, “…wife?”

It was unclear whether Ye Zhuoyan heard that last part, but she meticulously wrote out an IOU, had both of them sign it, and pressed a red thumbprint onto the paper.

With the card handed over, Wen Huiyun felt a weight lift off her shoulders.

She tucked the IOU away, fully intending never to collect on it. As for whether Ye Zhuoyan would remember the debt, they could discuss it later if it ever came up.

Suddenly, a light flickered behind her.

Wen Huiyun turned to see the small lamp on the nightstand glowing softly.

It was a silicone touch lamp, shaped like a chubby little animal, equipped with the latest remote sensing system developed by “Transcendence Technology.”

The set came with two lamps. Even when separated by great distances, they could sync their on/off states and interact through a networked data connection.

Tapping different parts of the lamp triggered different light patterns, forming various expressions on the animal’s face effectively conveying the owner’s mood.

The lamp now displayed the Cheshire Cat’s wide grin. Wen Huiyun’s lamp was synced with the one she’d given to Ye Zhuoyan. Since Wen hadn’t turned hers on, it meant Ye Zhuoyan had activated hers and chosen the smiling face.

With a chuckle, Wen Huiyun sat by her bedside and patted the touch-sensitive lamp.

Well, as long as Ye Zhuoyan was happy, she was happy too.

“Congratulations, rookie! Your recent performance has been outstanding, you’ve earned five favorability points from the female lead!”

Xiao La suddenly appeared on Wen Huiyun’s shoulder, clapping enthusiastically.

Wen Huiyun smirked. See? The system was delivering her dose of “happiness” right on cue.

Xiao La asked, “Wen Huiyun 2.0, would you like to exchange for the original host’s pheromones or maintenance suppressants now?”

Wen Huiyun replied, “Can I combine the five points from today’s date with my remaining balance for the exchange?”

“OK! The system has processed your request. A delivery will arrive shortly! If there’s nothing else, I’ll take off now~”

Wen Huiyun quickly grabbed Xiao La. “Wait, I still have questions.”

“The original host had a scheming white moonlight. According to the plot, she was supposed to show up and scam me for money. Why hasn’t she appeared? Where is she?”

That white moonlight side character had always been a lingering concern for Wen Huiyun, a potential landmine she needed to defuse proactively.

Xiao La blinked innocently. “Due to your interference, the original storyline has changed. Our bureau can’t track individual characters’ movements. But don’t worry! The director has issued orders, you won’t be held accountable for altering the plot. From now on, you’ll shape the narrative!”

“…”

Wen Huiyun was speechless. Well, wasn’t that just… fantastic.

The touch lamp shifted to night-light mode, its expression changing from a smile to a sleeping “zzZ.”

Wen Huiyun pressed the little animal tail, a button that did nothing in her room. But on Ye Zhuoyan’s bedside, the lamp projected an image from its eyes.

A cute kitten pattern flickered onto the wall.

Startled, Ye Zhuoyan sat up and realized the lamp had a built-in projector.

Jiang Yining, her roommate, noticed and walked over to touch the shadow. “So adorable! Zhuoyan, did you make this appear?”

Ye Zhuoyan shook her head. She picked up the lamp to examine it while Jiang Yining peered over, pointing at the label on its base. “Look at this, it’s a remote-sensing lamp.”

Jiang Yining crossed her arms, pouting like a little lemon. “This is Wen Huiyun’s gift, so she must’ve sent you this projected kitten from afar. Ugh, you two are disgustingly romantic~”

Ye Zhuoyan held the lamp quietly for a moment before placing it back on the nightstand.

She hugged her knees under the blanket, resting her cheek against her silky hair. Her sparkling eyes reflected the soft glow of the remote-sensing lamp.

So… this was what “far yet near” meant.

Distant, prolonged, but I will arrive.

Lost in thought, Ye Zhuoyan reached under her pillow for the kraft envelope containing the savings card Wen Huiyun had given her.

She closed her eyes, silently repeating a name filled with doubt, emotion, and countless indescribable feelings.

Wen Huiyun…

The AI broadcast chimed in: “Today’s date has ended. Did everyone have fun? Please submit your daily love messages and stickers~”

Jiang Yining rolled excitedly on her bed. “Hmm! Let this big sister see who’s today’s honey~”

Jiang Yining sent Cheng Xiaoming a chili emoji, then texted Liang Yuan: “Tianma pigeon soup – will it make me numb after eating?”

Her personal phone vibrated. Grinning, Jiang Yining swiped to unlock it, but her smile vanished instantly upon reading the message.

Unknown Contact (International Number): Escort the Florence jade artifacts overseas. Your cut: 300,000 euros.

Jiang Yining replied swiftly: Make it a million.

Unknown Contact: Think carefully. This opportunity won’t come again. A Chinese woman contacted us half a month ago offering assistance. We’re only considering you because “Emerald City” recommended you with high credibility in the circle. If you’re this greedy, we’ll find someone else.

A mocking smile played on Jiang Yining’s lips: Bye then!

Ye Zhuoyan noticed Jiang Yining’s odd expression and asked with concern, “Yining? What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

Jiang Yining turned off her phone, laughing it off. “Nothing, just some old classmates bothering me.”

“Oh, I remember you mentioned studying abroad in Italy since childhood. Were your classmates all foreigners?”

“Yeah, Florence. I’ll take you there someday!”

Changing the subject, Jiang Yining asked, “Have you sent your private message yet?”

Ye Zhuoyan looked troubled, reluctantly putting down her phone. “No… I’m still hesitating.”

“What’s holding you back? Wen Huiyun?” Jiang Yining sat cross-legged, adopting a heart-to-heart posture. “She clearly likes you. Tell me what’s worrying you?”

“……”

The complicated history between Ye Zhuoyan and Wen Huiyun wasn’t something she could share with anyone.

Ye Zhuoyan was certain Wen Huiyun had changed and strangely so, as if her very soul had been replaced.

Logically, Ye Zhuoyan should distance herself from the troublesome Wen household immediately.

Yet emotionally, she desperately wanted to understand what had truly happened to Wen Huiyun.

After wrestling with her thoughts, Ye Zhuoyan finally told Jiang Yining it was nothing and sent the private message to that person.

She opened their chat window.

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