Fake Cannon Fodder A Becomes a Sensation in Romance Variety Shows - Chapter 48

Ye Zhuoyan’s soft voice tickled Wen Huiyun’s ear like the tip of a feather, and it tickled her heart too.

A tingling itch.

Wen Huiyun shivered slightly. Yun this was the first time Ye Zhuoyan had called her that.

Ye Zhuoyan sat on the edge of the bed near the desk, while Wen Huiyun was seated in the chair in front of it.

Ye Zhuoyan arched her foot, brushing it lightly against Wen Huiyun’s ankle.

The touch of skin against skin, along with the plush texture of the slippers, teased Wen Huiyun’s senses.

After Gu Rufeng moved in, Wen Huiyun’s room had become more cramped than before.

Aside from the extra bed, there were also boxes and a guitar.

Ye Zhuoyan glanced around the room before settling her gaze on the desk.

At the end of the table, near the wall, lay a bag filled with colorful little boxes.

Ye Zhuoyan leaned forward slightly, her hair swaying.

“I want a snack.”

Wen Huiyun covered the bag with a notebook. “There are no snacks. Zhuoyan, you can’t have anything besides milk at night.”

Ye Zhuoyan lifted her chin, pouting fiercely. “I want one.”

“There really aren’t any.”

“I saw jelly.”

Ye Zhuoyan pointed at the bag Wen Huiyun was hiding.

Wen Huiyun sighed, blaming herself for being greedy and leaving such a big bag on the desk. She moved the notebook aside.

Ye Zhuoyan curved her lips, her dark eyes sparkling as she playfully nudged Wen Huiyun’s ankle with her foot.

Like a happy little cat swinging its paws.

Wen Huiyun had heard actors lament about the pain of dieting to maintain their figures before, but she never fully understood until she started dating Ye Zhuoyan.

She felt for her, but Ye Zhuoyan was an actress.

“Just one.” She relented.

Wen Huiyun lifted the bag, letting Ye Zhuoyan look from a distance. “Which flavor do you want?”

Orange for tangerine, yellow for corn, red for strawberry, green for grape.

Ye Zhuoyan pointed at the white one.

Wen Huiyun took it out, pinched the seal, and tore it open. “Lactic acid flavor.”

Ye Zhuoyan hummed in agreement. “This one.”

Wen Huiyun opened it for her, and Ye Zhuoyan gathered her hair to the sides, pecking at it like a little bird, sipping the sweet juice that spilled out.

Ye Zhuoyan looked up without taking the jelly.

Her bright eyes curved, her fair cheeks flushing pink as she murmured in a soft, nasal tone, “Feed me.”

Wen Huiyun’s heart fluttered as if brushed by a cat’s tail, leaving her slightly dizzy.

She tapped the plastic jelly cup with her finger, leaning back in her chair, amusement flickering in her eyes. “Alright, close your eyes first.”

Ye Zhuoyan hesitated but obeyed.

Her long, slightly curled lashes fanned out like delicate little brushes.

Below her lovely face, her swan-like neck led to soft, fair skin, the alluring curves hidden beneath her cozy loungewear.

Wen Huiyun sat up, moving closer. The scent of Ye Zhuoyan’s shower gel enveloped her.

A sweet fragrance of vanilla cotton candy drifted from the collar of her clothes.

Wen Huiyun brushed against her collar, her fingers trailing behind Ye Zhuoyan’s ear, cradling the hair at the nape of her neck.

Ye Zhuoyan waited quietly, her lashes fluttering as she turned her face slightly in response to Wen Huiyun’s movements.

Wen Huiyun bit onto the jelly cup, slurping the jelly into her mouth.

She knelt one knee on the edge of the bed, pressing close to Ye Zhuoyan.

Leaning down, nose to nose, their breaths mingled.

“Hui, Yun?”

“Mm…” Wen Huiyun’s slightly husky voice carried a tender, affectionate hum.

Her thumb gently tilted Ye Zhuoyan’s chin.

“Mmm.. ngh!” Ye Zhuoyan parted her lips slightly at her touch.

Wen Huiyun kissed her, gently pushing with her tongue as the warmed jelly slid playfully into Ye Zhuoyan’s mouth.

The sweet and tangy flavor enveloped her palate.

Before she could fully savor it, Huiyun’s tongue followed, entwining with Zhuoyan’s.

The rough surface of her tongue grazed the roof of her mouth, licking over pearly teeth, mashing the jelly into a pulp.

Juices burst between their lips, spilling everywhere.

Zhuoyan’s legs weakened, and she sank back onto the bed, Huiyun chasing her lips as she leaned down.

One hand cradled Zhuoyan’s head, while the other traced the elegant line of her jaw, gliding over her shoulders and further down.

Her chest was so soft.

“Mmm… Huiyun, Yun!”

Zhuoyan’s cheeks flushed crimson, arching slightly.

Huiyun caressed her face so hot.

Her throat trembled as she murmured, “Yanyan.”

“Mm.” Zhuoyan turned her head away, eyes glistening, damp strands of hair slipping from her cheeks and clinging to the flushed skin of her neck.

The room was thick with the scent of coffee and cotton candy.

Growing hotter, richer.

Gu Rufeng would be back soon.

Huiyun braced herself against the bed and returned to her chair, catching her breath before speaking evenly, “Just this one, okay?”

Zhuoyan lay on the bed, pulling a corner of the pillow over her face.

Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she mumbled, “Mm.”

The air was thick as if soaked in honey.

Zhuoyan asked, “The jelly!”

Huiyun leaned in, listening closely.

“And your tongue.

“Which one’s softer?”

Huiyun rubbed her lips, the jelly was bouncy and smooth, but Zhuoyan’s tongue.

“I’m a slow learner. I’d need to compare a few more times to be sure.”

Zhuoyan laughed, muffled by the pillow. “You said only one.”

Huiyun replied, “We’ll have another tomorrow.”

Zhuoyan adjusted her spaghetti strap, pulling up her collar, then reached out for Huiyun to help her up.

She sat on the edge of the bed, nestling into Huiyun’s embrace.

“Huiyun, the reason I came to you was actually.”

She paused, lifting her gaze. “Do you remember the day you took me out to play darts?”

Huiyun wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Mm.”

Those cruel acts weren’t hers, but she told Zhuoyan, “I’m sorry. I know I was awful, and I don’t expect your forgiveness.

“Thank you for giving me a chance to make amends.”

Zhuoyan’s delicate brows furrowed, her fragrant hand pressing against Huiyun’s lips.

Her eyes held a reproachful look. “That’s not what I meant.”

“Hm?”

Zhuoyan hesitated. “Do you remember what happened after? Those people cornered me, and I had no way out.

“I pulled down my zipper, but you suddenly pushed them away and covered me with your clothes.”

Her eyes sparkled with light. “Do you remember? What were you thinking?”

Huiyun had no memory of this.

Neither from the original host’s recollections nor from the exchanged memories.

But something similar had happened in Huiyun’s original world.

It was during a creative cooking competition.

A semifinal opponent, after losing, had hired thugs to harass the pastry chef on Huiyun’s team.

Huiyun had rushed over with her teammates, the girl had nearly been hurt.

The incident had blown up, and Huiyun’s act of bravery had even made the papers.

Similar events, similar emotions.

What had she thought back then?

Protect her people. Crush those bastards.

But what the original host had thought, she didn’t know.

After a moment of silence, Huiyun shook her head. “I’m sorry, Zhuoyan. My memory’s still hazy.”

Zhuoyan nuzzled against her neck. “It’s fine. Just a random question.”

“Thanks for playing darts with me today.”

“I know you’re deliberately protecting me.”

Wen Huiyun embraced her, fingers sinking into her silky long hair.

At the second-floor ventilation shaft.

Gu Rufeng leaned against the windowsill, striking a match to light an oil lamp.

The vent faced the omega rest area, where a figure approached: “What are you doing there?”

Gu Rufeng glanced back, then turned away, covering the oil lamp with its glass shade.

Mi Tao moved closer to look. “You even have such an ancient lamp.”

“This one gives off warmth.”

She added, “It works outdoors too.”

“Do you need warmth?”

Gu Rufeng opened her clasped hands, revealing a frail moth resting on the windowsill, weakly fluttering its wings.

Mi Tao said, “It’s about to die.”

This cold weather wasn’t suitable for such moths, it should have perished in early winter.

Even giving it warmth wouldn’t help.

Gu Rufeng lowered her head, strands of hair falling as the kerosene lamp’s flickering light danced across her profile.

“Yeah, I know.

“I just want it to go comfortably.

“To feel warmth in its last moment.”

Mi Tao nodded silently.

After a while, she said, “You’re like a child. Only children are this kind.”

“No. Some children enjoy stepping on ants.”

“…” True! Mi Tao had been that kind of child in her youth.

The moth stopped struggling.

Lifting its wings gently, it no longer moved.

Gu Rufeng took out a dried flower from her pocket, burning it along with the moth into ashes, scattering them into the wind.

Go with the wind.

To anywhere.

“It’s not kindness.”

Mi Tao turned to her.

The kerosene lamp slowly radiated warmth.

Gu Rufeng said, “It’s because I relate.

“Wanting to find a sense of care in things that aren’t easily noticed.”

She smiled faintly. “Like how I was cared for.”

Mi Tao tightened her robe, gazing out the window where the lamp’s glow illuminated a circle of night.

“Someone always notices. That moth felt warmth in its final moments because of you.”

Mi Tao decided she’d never tell Gu Rufeng about her childhood ant-stomping habit.

Mi Tao said, “You’re like this oil lamp, already lighting up the night.”

Gu Rufeng smiled. “Thank you.”

Gu Rufeng had always been slow in everything since birth.

Slow to walk, even slower to speak.

She only learned to call her mother in kindergarten.

Later, Gu Rufeng developed a stutter,”H-h-hi everyone, m-my n-name is…”

The whole class burst into laughter.

No child wanted to play with her.

“Gu Rufeng can’t talk!” the kids said.

She wasn’t quick-witted either, learning to read and write slower than others.

But she understood everything.

If no one would keep her company, she’d find something else.

When she first met Yiyi-jie, she said this.

Gu Lin led the tattered beggar girl home:

“Ah Feng, this is **, Teacher Ning’s daughter. She’ll stay with us for a while. Call her sister.”

Yiyi-jie helped Gu Rufeng adopt a stray puppy.

She told her: “You can play with puppies, flowers. Even stones are fine.

“Besides, you’ve got me.

“I fight well, if anyone calls you mute again, I’ll beat them up.”

Gu Rufeng loved singing.

Her father laughed when he heard: “Good, good, keep it up.”

He bought her many instruments but never listened to her compositions.

Gu Lin hired speech and psychological therapists for Gu Rufeng.

She improved gradually.

Gu Rufeng completed her first full composition, singing it to the wind.

Under the night sky.

Back then, an oil lamp had also sat at her feet.

Because it was warm.

Like a person.

Accompanying her.

Rising music artist Wing’s debut album Wing dominated the charts.

Gu Rufeng’s phone vibrated.

Wen Huiyun had sent a message: Come back.

She extinguished the oil lamp. “Let’s go back.”

“I listened to your album,” Mi Tao said.

Gu Rufeng lowered her gaze, her eyes holding her.

“It’s the gentlest music I’ve ever heard.

“Just like you.”

Upstairs in the activity room, Cheng Xiaoming pushed the door open.

The lights were off, but the table was lined with scented candles.

The strongest incense.

Flickering smoke could be seen in the candlelight.

No dartboard.

Cheng Xiaoming searched the room again still nothing.

Jiang Yining lay sprawled on the sofa, her long hair disheveled.

“Stop looking. I’m not competing with you. Are you three years old?”

Cheng Xiaoming shot her a glance and sat on the adjacent sofa.

A few hours earlier.

The eight guests had gathered around the dining table for dinner.

Mi Tao cheerfully said she wanted to see the special prize, and Jiang Yining urged Gu Rufeng to bring over the gift box.

Inside were two themed T-shirts, one black with a green sauce mascot print, the other white with a pink sauce mascot.

They were marketed as a “besties set,” but wearing them was practically couple attire.

The production team sure knew how to stir the pot.

Cheng Xiaoming watched as they held the shirts up against themselves.

She downed her vegetable porridge in one gulp.

Jiang Yining noticed.

That was the flavor of porridge Cheng Xiaoming hated the most.

What kind of person was she?

Always this stubborn, ever since they were kids.

Jiang Yining closed her eyes, not bothering to look at Cheng Xiaoming.

“The shirt’s in the box. Gu Rufeng said the size was too big, you’re the only one among the four alphas it fits.”

Cheng Xiaoming lifted the lid. The green sauce T-shirt was neatly folded inside.

Jiang Yining was wearing the pink one.

“I know you’re stubborn. Take it or leave it. Gu Rufeng hasn’t worn it.”

Cheng Xiaoming’s gaze swept over the T-shirt on her before silently closing the box.

Jiang Yining said, “Take it if you want. Close the door on your way out, thanks.”

A moment later, Jiang Yining heard the door shut.

She cracked an eye open, the box was still on the table.

The incense burned.

The USB drive had been sent to Jade City.

Except Jiang Yining had altered the files inside.

Cheng Xiaoming.

This lifetime, it’ll just be like this.

Don’t you dare remember me.

Otherwise, I’ll cry.

And crying is so ugly.

The morning sun shone golden.

The day had barely begun, and Ye Zhuoyan already wanted to eat today’s jelly.

Wen Huiyun smiled, how could she not know what Ye Zhuoyan was really thinking?

It wasn’t about the jelly.

She wanted to eat something else soft.

Wen Huiyun asked, “Yining, last time you and Gu Rufeng went to the woods across the way, wasn’t there a lake further in?”

“Yeah,” Jiang Yining mumbled around a mouthful of bread.

Ke Yuxin, ever eager to insert herself, chimed in, “Ooh, the little woods?”

Cheng Xiaoming, who had been silently eating a sandwich nearby, abruptly left.

Jiang Yining corrected Ke Yuxin, “Big woods. Huge. An omega like you would get snatched by goblins and gobbled right up.”

Ke Yuxin paled. “Yining-jie, don’t scare me like that! I’m timid!”

Wen Huiyun thought, If only she could actually be scared to death.

The woods were indeed vast.

And the lake was truly beautiful.

There was even a bridge, its name poetic, the Bridge of Three Lives.

The director said it was most breathtaking in the snow.

Walk three lifetimes, grow old together.

Wen Huiyun held Ye Zhuoyan’s hand, fingers interlaced, as they strolled leisurely across the bridge.

At the center, Wen Huiyun stopped.

Ye Zhuoyan rose on her tiptoes, wrapping her arms around Wen Huiyun’s neck, her breath forming little clouds in the cold air. “Can I have my jelly now?”

“I forgot to bring it.”

“I don’t believe you. Did you steal a bite? Open your mouth, let me check.”

“Ah!” Wen Huiyun suddenly captured Ye Zhuoyan’s lips in a kiss, her arms tightening around her waist.

She nipped at her lips, sucking gently before releasing, only to claim them again.

Their tongues tangled, curling and twining, then drawing together in another deep pull.

“Ah, mmm.. hah!”

Ye Zhuoyan’s face flushed crimson, her breath growing ragged.