Fake Cannon Fodder A Becomes a Sensation in Romance Variety Shows - Chapter 61

Snap.

A sound both gritty and crisp.

Wen Huiyun, blindfolded, caught hold of the thin, elastic fabric, it instantly sprang back.

“Who’s here?” she asked softly.

Wen Huiyun moved along the bay window. “Shall I guess?”

Perched on the narrow ledge of the bay window, an omega as graceful as a crane pressed close to the glass, her slender waist and long, jade-like legs on full display.

The oversized goose slippers had long been kicked off under the sofa, while invisible socks clung snugly to her legs.

“…” Ye Zhuoyan tightened her grip on the window latch, inching sideways with deliberate slowness.

Heavens above, please don’t let Huiyun guess it’s me.

Ye Zhuoyan glanced down at the invisible socks Wen Huiyun had just snapped.

The fabric was stretched thin at its most delicate point, and despite their high quality, Wen Huiyun’s careless nails had already snagged a tiny thread. The crisp sound of the elastic recoil left the pale skin beneath the socks flushed red.

The living room was thick with the scent of alcohol, making it hard to distinguish pheromones. Wen Huiyun moved cautiously, careful not to overstep.

Yet the familiarity grew stronger.

Wen Huiyun had an inkling now and stepped closer. “I know who you are. I think!”

Tickled at her waist, Ye Zhuoyan burst into laughter and scrambled along the window to escape.

Wen Huiyun scolded, “No running! The rules say you can’t move!”

“I didn’t run.”

“Didn’t run? Then how’d you get from here to there?” Wen Huiyun wrapped her arms around Ye Zhuoyan’s willow-thin waist, refusing to let go.

Ye Zhuoyan giggled, letting her weight sink into Wen Huiyun’s hold as she draped her arms over her shoulders.

Ye Zhuoyan was light Wen Huiyun lifted her effortlessly, her toes leaving the ground as she spun gently in midair.

Wen Huiyun grinned. “I think I’ve caught my plump little fairy goose!”

Ye Zhuoyan couldn’t stop laughing, her delicate hands lightly pinching Wen Huiyun’s shoulders before patting her. “Fine, fine, I admit it. Now put me down.”

“Heh, am I good or what?”

“You’re good. Hey, don’t take off the blindfold yet. You still have to find the others.”

“Huh?”

Ye Zhuoyan readjusted the silk scarf over Wen Huiyun’s eyes. “Game time isn’t over yet.”

Wen Huiyun groaned.

Still more to find? Where are those two hiding?

Inside the floor-to-ceiling storage cabinet at the corner of the grand living room.

Pitch black, the air thick with the aroma of liquor.

A faint buzzing, like mosquitoes, turned out to be hushed voices.

“I didn’t open the tequila tonight. Did you steal from my stash?”

A question asked despite knowing the answer playing dumb.

“I have plenty of my own hidden away.”

Easy enough to take the out offered.

Silence.

Outside, laughter bubbled blindfolded and bumbling around, yet somehow still having fun.

Cheng Xiaoming remarked, “You have a thing for cabinets, don’t you? You even debuted on the show by crawling out of Wen Huiyun’s wardrobe.”

Jiang Yining shrugged. “Yeah, I like hiding in them.”

Her tone turned theatrical. “When I was little, I got into huge trouble, and a stunningly beautiful older sister saved me. She told me to hide in her sweet-smelling wardrobe, stay quiet, and wait for her to come back for me.”

Cheng Xiaoming frowned, struck by an odd sense of déjà vu. “And then?”

“No ‘and then.'”

“…” Cheng Xiaoming felt foolish again. She already knew Jiang Yining was a madwoman, why expect anything coherent?

“Rumor has it that after she was caught sheltering me, her grandfather tied her up and made her kneel in the snow as punishment. He even slapped her so hard she spiked a fever of 42 degrees and spent a week in the hospital.”

Jiang Yining continued, her words light as air but her gaze heavy. In the darkness of the cabinet, Cheng Xiaoming couldn’t see.

“Then she got so sick she lost some of her memories. So there was no ‘then’ after that.”

“…” Cheng Xiaoming had also suffered a severe bout of the flu at fifteen, burning up with fever until she woke up feeling like she had blacked out. Her father had stayed by her side the whole time, pressing an ice pack to her forehead, blaming it on winter flu, she’d caught it playing baseball with classmates in the snow.

Silence.

“Do you really want to go on a date with Gu Rufeng?”

Cheng Xiaoming asked her the question as casually as if she were asking a subordinate why the weekend report hadn’t been submitted.

For the third round of dates, Jiang Yining and Wen Huiyun had first pick.

That day, when the list of invitations was announced, the director projected the guests’ names on screen. On the alpha side, the first name to appear was Gu Rufeng.

Gu Rufeng stared at the name, unmoving even as it faded away. She had promised Jiang Yining a favor. After Cheng Xiaoming left due to the incident, Jiang Yining had asked Gu Rufeng to drink with her, saying:

“The documents I altered couldn’t have caused the Changxin project leak. The shadow organization must have been hired by someone inside Changxin otherwise, they wouldn’t have been able to correct the data.

“I have to keep acting the same as before. The further I stay from Cheng Xiaoming, the safer she’ll be. I shouldn’t have indulged my selfish desires out of wishful thinking. Ah Feng, I’ll pick you for the date just reject me outright. It won’t affect your date with Xiao Taozi.”

Jiang Yining hadn’t expected Cheng Xiaoming to ask if she wanted to go on a date with Gu Rufeng.

Tch, this woman some things never change. Always meddling in other people’s business.

“I want to ask you,” Jiang Yining said.

Cheng Xiaoming’s breath hitched.

Jiang Yining raised an eyebrow. “Does Director Cheng like hearing that?”

Cheng Xiaoming: “?”

Jiang Yining added, “Who wouldn’t like a sweet little puppy like Rufeng?”

Cheng Xiaoming: “…”

Silence.

“How’s work going? I saw the news.”

The Changxin project leak, the one that caused massive losses.

“Nothing major. Just a little rough.”

No point hiding it.

“Don’t worry. Everyone who’s hidden in a closet with me has had great luck. It’ll work out.”

“Thanks for the comfort.”

Jiang Yining nodded.

Don’t worry, it’s not just comfort. It will work out.

My dear ex-ex-ex-ex-ex-ex-ex-boss.

The rainy season passed, and the skies cleared again.

Sunlight streamed back into the mansion.

Wen Huiyun had just changed her bedding, the soft scent lingering in the air. The laundry pod fragrance was called Lazy Afternoon, just the name alone sounded warm and cozy. It was a gift from Ye Zhuoyan.

Wen Huiyun lay sprawled on the fresh sheets, resting.

Hangover. Stayed up all night. So miserable QwQ

*Thank goodness Ye Zhuoyan made me hangover soup. Having a wife is the best.

Her head still throbbed a little. Never playing Jiang Yining’s games again.

Who knows what I went through last night.

After Wen Huiyun found Ye Zhuoyan, the game wasn’t over yet, so Ye Zhuoyan told her to keep searching.

Stumbling around, she combed through the entire living room without finding a single soul.

When the game finally ended, she pulled off the blindfold, only to realize that apart from her and Ye Zhuoyan, there wasn’t a third person in sight.

Ye Zhuoyan had mentioned hearing a faint buzzing from the tall cabinet. Could there be mice? The two of them grabbed a broom and cautiously approached, slowly pulling the cabinet door open only for an overwhelming wave of alcohol to burst out.

Ugh, that smell it nearly knocked Wen Huiyun and Ye Zhuoyan out!

Wait, the living room windows had been open for ventilation, so most of the alcohol scent should’ve dissipated. How was the inside of the cabinet even stronger?

But that wasn’t all two people tumbled out.

Remember Ms. Jiang Yining’s debut act?

One of the four iconic scenes from That Love and Love Nest 4.

Now, this iconic scene has been upgraded: the intensely aromatic edition.

With pheromones in the air and hiding in the closet, Wen Huiyun even managed to pull open the closet door, causing two people to tumble out. The situation was so awkward four eyes staring at each other, unsure whether to close the closet door or leave it open, whether the hide-and-seek counted as a success or a failure. Wen Huiyun wished she could vanish on the spot.

In the end, it was Ye Zhuoyan who swiftly closed the closet door.

Wen Huiyun would never forget the moment she opened the closet Cheng Xiaoming’s Lucifer-like glare and Jiang Yining’s laughter that sounded like a turkey hiccup.

The only silver lining was that this four-person farce was a hit, with viewership skyrocketing. The producers finally let the two rule-breakers off the hook.

“Finished the hangover soup? Feeling better?”

Her wife had come to check on her.

“Much better after drinking it, just a little dizzy.”

Wen Huiyun sat up from under the covers and patted the edge of the bed. Ye Zhuoyan sat down and wrapped her arms around her.

Ye Zhuoyan touched Wen Huiyun’s forehead, worried she might have caught a cold.

Wen Huiyun lifted the hem of Ye Zhuoyan’s dress to take a look today, her wife was wearing a plain-colored long dress with lace trim.

“Yanyan, did I ruin a pair of your stockings?”

Last night, she’d heard a snap probably from tearing the thin fabric while blindfolded.

Ye Zhuoyan shot her a playful glare. “You still have the nerve to bring it up.”

“It wasn’t on purpose! I’ll buy you new ones. What brand do you like?”

As she spoke, Wen Huiyun opened a shopping app.

Back home, they used to live separately, so Wen Huiyun had little idea about Ye Zhuoyan’s preferences or belongings.

Glancing at Ye Zhuoyan’s legs, Wen Huiyun wondered Bally, maybe?

She browsed and clicked.

Sheer, fair skin, black front, embossed.

Ye Zhuoyan snatched the phone from her. “It’s just a pair of stockings. No need for you to buy them.”

“Then I’ll buy some for myself matching ones with my wife.”

“You?” Ye Zhuoyan smirked. “Wouldn’t that clash with your usual style?”

Wen Huiyun pulled Ye Zhuoyan closer, resting her head against her shoulder, and whispered, “I can wear them at home just for you.”

Ye Zhuoyan thought for a moment. “Fine,” she said, helping Wen Huiyun pick some out.

Wen Huiyun thought, I’m so clever.

Then she saw Ye Zhuoyan select a pair of black lace garters.

“!” That level of fashion was still too advanced for her!

Ye Zhuoyan: “Didn’t you say you’d wear them at home for me?”

Wen Huiyun: Wear

Ye Zhuoyan happily continued shopping online when a melodious piano ringtone chimed.

An incoming call from the property management center.

What’s going on? Usually, the villa’s butler would contact them via text.

Maybe something was up since they hadn’t been back in a while?

Ye Zhuoyan put it on speaker:

“Hello, dear homeowner, Happy New Year! This is the property management center. We’ve prepared New Year gifts for all residents, and there’s a special discount for prepaying property fees during the holiday season. The promotion period is…”

Wen Huiyun was baffled. Before transmigrating, she’d lived in a modest apartment and had never experienced high-end villa living. Do luxury properties even run prepayment promotions? It didn’t seem very upscale.

Sure enough, Ye Zhuoyan replied, “Hasn’t the butler always notified us in writing? And House A is already prepaid for the next three years. What kind of promotion is this? Didn’t the property company explicitly forbid this?”

Wen Huiyun’s heart skipped a beat was this a scam call?

Not long ago, Ye Zhuoyan had received a call trying to sell her a storefront. It seemed her contact info had likely been leaked.

Ye Zhuoyan hung up the phone and texted the villa housekeeper, asking her to contact the residential security department.

“Yanyan, you should change your number.”

Ye Zhuoyan sighed, “Seems necessary.”

She wasn’t sure which part of the process had gone wrong, but she had to report it to her agent. Sister Li would surely lecture her again.

Wen Huiyun asked, “Did the housekeeper say how things are at home?”

While explaining the situation to Sister Li, Ye Zhuoyan took a moment to reply to Wen Huiyun, “It’s passable. It’s an old house from ten years ago, and you never liked coming home anyway, always had other places outside.”

Wen Huiyun drooped her head dejectedly.

Noticing her low spirits, Ye Zhuoyan softened her tone, “I meant the old Wen Huiyun.”

“Mmm… After that thing happens, we’ll move to a new place.”

Wen Huiyun decided to start house-hunting right away, emphasizing, “Our marital home.”

“Oh! If you want to wrap things up quickly, you’ll need to find a ready-built property or a second-hand one.”

“Definitely ready-built. Leave it to me.”

She was full of determination.

Ye Zhuoyan asked, “What about all those other properties you have outside?”

Who knows how many of them Ke Yuxin had slept in.

Without hesitation, Wen Huiyun replied, “Sell them. If they don’t sell, rent them out. If they can’t be rented, just leave them empty.”

Ye Zhuoyan nodded. Fine, she could live with that.

They ordered takeout for lunch.

“Are those two still not up yet?”

Wen Huiyun unpacked the takeout boxes and handed Ye Zhuoyan her utensils. “No idea. Probably oversleeping from excess pheromones.”

Ye Zhuoyan sipped her soup. “That alcohol scent was so strong. What are the odds they both hid in the same cabinet during hide-and-seek?”

“One hundred percent.”

Ye Zhuoyan looked puzzled. “You’re serious?”

Wen Huiyun shrugged. “Cheng Xiaoming said so. Coincidence.”

Another call came in this time for Wen Huiyun.

She showed the screen to Ye Zhuoyan. “Gu Rufeng.”

Weren’t they supposed to be on a date? Why was Gu Rufeng calling Wen Huiyun now?

“Hey, Rufeng, shouldn’t you be focusing on your date? Why call me?”

“Huiyun, are you at the mansion?”

Wen Huiyun chuckled. “How’d you know?”

“I’ve been secretly calling around to ask. It’s great you’re there! Later in the afternoon, when the sun’s not so strong, could you and Taozi help water the strawberry seedlings on the third floor? Please!”

“Sure.”

After hanging up, Ye Zhuoyan laughed. “Well, hello there, resident dog-food eater.”

Wen Huiyun pulled her along. “The weather’s nice today. Let’s go up to the third floor for some sun.”

They sat on the rooftop garden, swaying on the swing.

Wen Huiyun had been too busy the past few days to check “Worry-Free Eatery.”

Opening the account, she was bombarded with notifications.

A flood of comments demanding updates: Yunyun, it’s been so long since your last video! Hurry up and post! We want something sweet!

Wen Huiyun glanced at Ye Zhuoyan flipping through a magazine beside her. Hmm, time to sprinkle some sugar.

“Yanyan, I’d like to interview you for a food video about you.”

Ye Zhuoyan closed the magazine. “Me?”

“Yep.” Wen Huiyun opened her notes app to jot down Ye Zhuoyan’s favorite foods.

Checking the video earnings, Evan’s last donation was several days ago.

Wen Huiyun took the opportunity to say, “Sweetheart, you don’t have to spend money on me anymore.”

Ye Zhuoyan looked at her. “Spend money on what? A few pairs of socks aren’t that expensive.”

Wen Huiyun grinned slyly. “No more acting. I already know, you used the name Evan before.”

Ye Zhuoyan’s expression suddenly became indescribable.

Wen Huiyun: ●ｖ●?

“Actually! Huiyun, your top patron, that Evan, she’s…”

Wen Huiyun didn’t suspect anything and asked, “Her? Zhuoyan, isn’t Evan you?”

Outside the garden, in the third-floor activity room, Cheng Xiaoming hung up the phone and walked out, passing by.

Ye Zhuoyan said, “I’m not Evan, but I know who she is. Huiyun, are you really sure you want to know?”

Cheng Xiaoming clenched his phone.

“?”