Fake Cannon Fodder A Becomes a Sensation in Romance Variety Shows - Chapter 36

“You’re absolutely right to criticize me. How could I perform private magic tricks for outsiders? I was being foolish. I accept the criticism.”

With that, Wen Huiyun flashed a sincere, guileless smile.

She gently hooked her fingers with Ye Zhuoyan’s, slowly sliding up through the gap of her thumb, then clasped the soft hand.

It felt slightly cool.

Holding Ye Zhuoyan’s hand like this, she drew her to her side and guided their joined hands into her own coat pocket.

Hand in hand, nestled in the warm pocket Wen Huiyun took slightly smaller steps while Ye Zhuoyan lengthened hers, matching their pace perfectly.

Ye Zhuoyan lowered her long lashes, her eyes shimmering. “Who criticized you? I was just making a small suggestion.”

Wen Huiyun knew Ye Zhuoyan sometimes liked to backtrack, so she played along. “Mhm, your suggestion was excellent. I’ll definitely take it to heart and improve.”

Inside the pocket, their fingers intertwined tightly.

Ye Zhuoyan curved her lips, her plump lips glistening.

Suddenly, Wen Huiyun remembered how Ye Zhuoyan had said, “You’ve been bullied,” then dragged her indignantly to Li’s shop, picking up a brick to smash the window like a bristling little cat.

The original novel had never depicted this side of the female lead. Perhaps because, following the original plot, Cheng Xiaoming had grandly arranged everything for Ye Zhuoyan with the classic line, “My woman deserves only the best,” leaving no room for Ye Zhuoyan’s fiery spirit to shine.

Nope, why did I just recite Ming-jie’s line? =.=

But the fact that Ye Zhuoyan dared to masquerade as an alpha to compete in the robotics contest showed she had plenty of grit and rebelliousness. Smashing windows was just part of her nature.

Wen Huiyun had awakened that side of Ye Zhuoyan.

That innate fierceness, the desire to protect those she cared about, to fear nothing, to run freely, to break free from society’s rigid stereotypes about alphas and omegas.

Zhuoyan was a bristling little cat who would risk herself to protect her fox.

Wen Huiyun’s heart melted.

How could anyone be as adorable as Ye Zhuoyan?

Overhead, the old buildings were crisscrossed with tangled power lines.

Unnamed birds perched on them.

The aroma of stir-fried dishes wafted from every household.

Car horns and bicycle bells mingled in the air.

Ye Zhuoyan stayed with Wen Huiyun to sweep up the broken glass at Solace Eatery, arranged for the cleanup crew, and planned to scrub off the paint on the door and replace the window the next day.

As they finished up and prepared to return to Lianlian Mansion, seven or eight figures emerged from the alley, carrying equipment.

Wen Huiyun stepped in front of Ye Zhuoyan, shielding her with one arm.

The outdoor lantern swayed gently, its light gradually illuminating the approaching group.

Wen Huiyun gasped. “Old Li?”

“Hey! Boss Wen!” Old Li grinned warmly and waved for his friends to follow.

The betas in the group carried glass panels, glue guns, and all sorts of tools and materials.

Ye Zhuoyan peeked over Wen Huiyun’s shoulder, curious.

Wen Huiyun asked, puzzled, “What are you all?”

Old Li quickly explained, “These are all friends from the neighborhood, we’ve known each other for years. That’s Aunt Wu from the fried dough stall, A-Qing from the home-style restaurant and that guy with the buzz cut is my nephew who runs the hardware shop. I called him over to help. We’ll make sure Solace Eatery’s window is fixed up nice and the door cleaned spotless!”

Scratching his head sheepishly, Old Li unzipped his jacket and pulled out a fruit-patterned plastic bag from his inner pocket, then carefully unwrapped an old envelope from inside.

“Here, this is what a few of us pooled together to compensate for your losses.”

Wen Huiyun pushed it back. “I’ll take a percentage from your online sales channels in the future.”

“Ah, that’s different! Boss Wen, we’ve all discussed it, this compensation is what we owe you. The percentage is your rightful earnings. Otherwise, why would you help promote us?”

Old Li turned around, his voice booming, “Isn’t that right, everyone?”

“Exactly!” “That’s how it should be!” “Boss Wen, just take it!”

“Boss Wen, we’ve all heard about what happened between you and Old Li. In business, we respect those who uphold integrity! We’re willing to work with you!”

Old Li stuffed the envelope into Wen Huiyun’s hand and turned away, waving. “Alright, let’s get to work!”

Wen Huiyun looked at the crumpled old envelope, her nose and throat tightening with emotion.

The money inside wasn’t even enough for a big live-streaming gift, but for small vendors like Old Li, it represented days of hard-earned income.

Ye Zhuoyan gently wrapped her arms around her and whispered, “This isn’t just compensation.”

It also carried the remorse, trust, and hopeful expectations for a better future from the ordinary people of this city.

Wen Huiyun clenched the envelope.

Yes, she understood what Ye Zhuoyan meant.

Tolerance, understanding, support, and cooperation between people had once built her success in her original world.

After experiencing betrayal and schemes, coming to this transmigrated world had reignited her original ideals and the spark of her early struggles.

Ye Zhuoyan smiled at Wen Huiyun. “You’ll only get better. I’ll wait for the day you truly amaze me.”

Wen Huiyun handed the envelope to Ye Zhuoyan. “That day will come.”

“This is your compensation.”

“And this is also your compensation.”

Ye Zhuoyan gave her a questioning look, what compensation?

Wen Huiyun gave her a brief, loose hug before letting go and whispering in her ear, “I’m sorry for making you worry today, my dear wife.”

A blush spread across Ye Zhuoyan’s cheeks as she lightly pushed Wen Huiyun’s chest.

“You’re doing just fine.”

Ye Zhuoyan planned to accompany Wen Huiyun over the weekend to gather material at Old Li’s place and give the compensation money to Li Lan. The apology was accepted, and the sentiment was deeply felt.

They didn’t return until the moon rose.

Tonight, the cotton candy absorbed the glow of the full moon.

Laughter scattered like falling stars.

She wanted to hold her tightly.

The first phase of the show’s “Love Nest” evaluation concluded successfully.

The production team’s committee scored Wen Huiyun and Liang Yuan tied for first place, followed by Mi Tao, Ye Zhuoyan, Cheng Xiaoming, and Jiang Yining.

“Congratulations, first place,” Ye Zhuoyan said to Wen Huiyun. “Any rewards from the production team?”

Wen Huiyun replied, “Does takeout from the director count?”

“What takeout?”

“This.” Wen Huiyun lifted a printed bag with a logo, Li’s Wontons.

Ye Zhuoyan gasped. “Li’s reputation has spread this fast? Even the director bought some?”

Wen Huiyun smiled faintly. “Never underestimate the power of influence.”

Her agent, Sister Li, had told Ye Zhuoyan many times that talent alone wasn’t enough, she needed to market herself and attract attention.

In this regard, Wen Huiyun was more skilled. In just two months since its founding, “Worry-Free Eatery” had nearly caught up to Ye Zhuoyan’s follower count.

Ding!

The “Lianlian” phone chimed. Ye Zhuoyan and Wen Huiyun exchanged glances.

“Not mine,” Ye Zhuoyan said.

“Me?” Wen Huiyun’s tone was skeptical. She was sitting in the garden having morning tea with Ye Zhuoyan, who could be messaging her?

『Guest Cheng Xiaoming has used a “Designated Wish Card” on you, inviting you to visit her love nest for a chat. Wish Cards cannot be refused. Please proceed as soon as possible. PS: The show has arranged a dedicated car for transportation.』

Wen Huiyun: “?”

“What is Cheng Xiaoming thinking? I’m an alpha! Is she asking me to build a love nest with her? More like she’s looking for free labor!”

This was definitely revenge.

Well played, Cheng Xiaoming. As expected of last season’s official alpha pairing coming up with such a petty move.

Wasn’t it just last time when we both summoned Ye Zhuoyan, and she chose me over you? How can you be so petty? Was it really necessary to pull such a dirty trick just to mess with me?

Ye Zhuoyan: “Huiyun, calm down.”

Wen Huiyun rubbed her temples. “Cheng Xiaoming is doing this because you refused her summon last time. She’s absolutely doing this on purpose.”

“It is really strange for Sister Ming to do this. I’ll go with you.” After checking her inventory, Ye Zhuoyan sighed. “Oh no, I don’t have a Designated Wish Card -.-”

Wen Huiyun steeled herself. “It’s fine. I’ll go and come back soon. It’s not like she can keep me there all day.”

Comments floated across the screen:

【How shameless!】

【Yunyun, don’t jinx yourself with that “all day” talk, okay?】

【Has CEO Cheng finally decided to make her intentions public?】

【The moment the show allowed alphas to invite other alphas, some doomed pairings were inevitable.】

【Oh please, stop overthinking it, A/A shippers. Sister Ming is just competing with Wen Huiyun for Goddess Ye.】

【My gut tells me this isn’t as simple as it seems.】

“Yining, do you have a Designated Wish Card?”

Wen Huiyun had already left in the show’s car. Ye Zhuoyan found Jiang Yining in the third-floor gym she remembered Jiang Yining had one.

Jiang Yining was jogging on the treadmill, her high ponytail swaying side to side. “Yeah, but I only have one, and I’m not trading.”

If she didn’t want to trade, there was nothing to be done. Sigh.

Jiang Yining stopped the treadmill, wiping her sweat with a towel as she stepped down. “You seem troubled. What do you need the Wish Card for?”

Ye Zhuoyan sat on the nearby bay window. “I want to go to Sister Ming’s love nest.”

Jiang Yining paused mid-sip, her eyes flicking toward Ye Zhuoyan before she resumed drinking. “Ohhh, regrets now? Should’ve gone when Cheng Xiaoming summoned you last time.”

Ye Zhuoyan explained, “It’s not about interacting with Sister Ming. She called Wen Huiyun over, and since the Wish Card is mandatory, Huiyun can’t refuse.”

“What?! She kidnapped my little Yunyun?! 0皿0#”

Jiang Yining threw aside her towel and water bottle, rushing downstairs. “Don’t worry, Yanyan! I love Yunyun too! I’ll take on the mission to save her! o(=ω=)Y”

【Help, what kind of bizarre twist is this?】

【(|||-ω-) Why do I feel like Jiang Yining’s involvement will only make things more confusing?】

【+1, the absurdity level just skyrocketed】

Wen Huiyun arrived at a 30-story old apartment building.

Standing at the elevator entrance, she checked the floor indicated in the message.

The rooftop?

Not the 30th floor but the terrace above it.

When she got up there, she realized it was a rooftop cabin built atop the building.

The rooftop was paved with a layer of cement, different from the ordinary kind, it was clear and pristine.

Along the railing stood several inverted trapezoidal cement planters, housing unnamed saplings.

Near the edge of the small house was a transparent awning, beneath which sat a barbecue grill and a portable golf set.

The door was open.

Inside, by the entrance, stood a side cabinet made of long, rainbow-colored glass, alongside a wine rack.

Rows of dazzling wine bottles shimmered with red and black hues under the scattered light filtering into the room.

The interior followed a black, white, and gray aesthetic cement floors, cement walls giving the illusion of being unfinished at first glance, but upon closer inspection, it was clear that meticulous design had gone into it.

“Ouch.”

Wen Huiyun hadn’t noticed and bumped into an animal head specimen hanging on the arched doorway, startling her.

Cheng Xiaoming walked out, holding a business laptop in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other. “Is that Huiyun?” Spotting her, she smiled. “Have a seat.”

“Ming-jie, why did you ask me here? If it’s about Zhuoyan.”

“No. Sit for a while first. I need to reply to a client’s email. Just a moment.”

Cheng Xiaoming settled onto the leather sofa and gestured toward the wine rack and coffee machine, inviting Wen Huiyun to help herself.

“…” Wen Huiyun didn’t drink alcohol or coffee, so she picked up what looked like the cheapest bottle of Fillico (a mineral water in a crystal-crowned bottle) from the coffee table.

She glanced around. Among the six of them, Cheng Xiaoming’s renovation speed was likely the fastest after all, money could move mountains, and CEO Cheng naturally got things done swiftly.

“Alright, Huiyun.”

Cheng Xiaoming closed her laptop and led her into a spacious kitchen outfitted with world-famous cookware, arranged like a five-star hotel’s back kitchen something completely unnecessary for an average household.

“Ming-jie, what’s all this?”

Cheng Xiaoming chuckled. “Sorry for calling you over so suddenly. There are two things I’d like to ask of you.”

Wen Huiyun eyed the kitchen full of high-end appliances and thought to herself: Damn, is Cheng Xiaoming about to make me cook and then give me a hard time?

Cheng Xiaoming continued, “First, the New Year is coming up. I’d like to take this chance to learn a dish from you something I can show off to my family during the reunion dinner.”

Huh? Wen Huiyun hadn’t expected that. But was Cheng Xiaoming really just here to learn cooking?

Cheng Xiaoming took a step forward. “Second, your ‘Love Nest’ renovation scored first place, and ‘Worry-Free Eatery’ is thriving. I’d like to learn from you how to upgrade my own ‘Love Nest’ and improve my ranking.”

Wen Huiyun took a step back. “Liang-jie also got first place. You could ask her instead.”

“You and her are different.”

“How so?”

Wen Huiyun was nearly at the kitchen door, with Cheng Xiaoming just a step away. She could even smell the mix of cologne and silver tequila in her pheromones (x_x|||).

Cheng Xiaoming leaned in slightly. “Huiyun, you!”

Ding-dong!!!

Ding-dong! Ding-dong! Ding-dong!!!

Cheng Xiaoming glanced toward the closed front door, while Wen Huiyun quickly slipped into the living room. “Ming-jie, someone’s here!”

“Who is it?” Cheng Xiaoming strode over, gripped the doorknob, and pulled it open.

A fiery beauty leaned against the doorframe, her dazzling platinum hair and snow-white back radiating an enchanting aura.

Jiang Yining slowly turned, her eye makeup glimmering, a seductive crimson rose between her lips, and a fan of cash spread in her hand.

Wen Huiyun: “=0=?!”

Cheng Xiaoming: “=_=……”

Jiang Yining plucked the rose and handed it to Wen Huiyun, then flung the stack of cash straight at Cheng Xiaoming.

“Today, I’m going to claim her!”

A bill was tucked into Cheng Xiaoming’s collar. He pulled it out to look, his face darkening to the point it seemed like water could drip from it.

-Good Kid Stationery · Toy Banknote · Denomination: 1 Billion –

Wen Huiyun asked Jiang Yining in surprise, “Did you use a wish card for this?”

Jiang Yining nodded and whispered to her, “Don’t worry, Yunyun, I won’t let Cheng Xiaoming bully you.”

As she spoke, Jiang Yining secretly showed her private phone to Wen Huiyun.

Wen Huiyun’s eyes widened in shock, the phone screen was displaying a live video call.

Ye Zhuoyan waved from the screen with a gentle smile.

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