I, A Loyal Dog, Awaken to My Fate as Cannon Fodder - Chapter 19

As the broadcasts repeated their announcements over and over, the spectator stands of the aquarium’s dolphin performance arena were packed to capacity.

The seating consisted of plastic chairs arranged in a tiered, stadium-style fashion, much like a basketball gym.

The two of them were the center of attention wherever they went.

The gazes of the people nearby shifted from the dolphins on the performance stage to Shen Yinan and Cheng Wanqiu.

Whispering to her best friend beside her, one spectator said, “Those two must be a couple. You can tell the tall one is the ‘Top’ just by looking at her.”

Yet another pair of eyes fixed upon Shen Yinan and Cheng Wanqiu.

Shen Yinan overheard the discussion about her.

“Definitely. Even though she’s wearing a mask and you can’t see her face clearly, that look in her eyes is unmistakable.”

Hiss…

Shen Yinan caught an earful of their chatter. Was she the “Top”?

She turned back to look at the eldest miss—her makeup was exquisite, her hair had been meticulously styled to look beautiful, and she appeared soft and delicate. Indeed, she didn’t look like she possessed as much strength as Shen Yinan.

Right, she was definitely the “Top.”

Amidst the rhythmic whispers praising her as the “Top,” she got a little carried away and suddenly grabbed the hand of the young lady behind her.

“I’ll lead you; be careful,” Shen Yinan said, her tone devoid of any emotional ups or downs.

Cheng Wanqiu was momentarily startled by Shen Yinan’s initiative. She didn’t say anything, but her heart was brimming with sweetness, and she smiled secretly.

Because Shen Yinan and Cheng Wanqiu had arrived late, they sat near the back, right next to the entrance.

It wasn’t a prime viewing spot and didn’t allow for a close-up view of the dolphins.

But compared to watching dolphins, Cheng Wanqiu was more willing to watch them with the person she loved.

From the moment she sat down, her eyes were fixed solely on Shen Yinan’s face, never growing tired of the view.

Shen Yinan’s profile was stunning—the kind that could grace the cover of a magazine. She had a sharp jawline, a high-bridged nose, and deep-set eyes; when she stared at one spot for a long time, she possessed an air of captivating grace.

She looked like a painting, and Cheng Wanqiu desperately wanted to pull her close and give her a kiss.

Buzz, buzz, buzz—

Cheng Wanqiu’s phone rang again. She took it out of her bag and glanced at it; it was Shen Yinan’s old man.

On stage, the host held a microphone and announced, “The dolphin performance is starting!!! We will randomly select a lucky audience member to come on stage to feed the dolphins. You will also receive a kiss from a dolphin!”

As soon as the words left his mouth, the crowd erupted in excitement.

Cheng Wanqiu gave Shen Yinan a heads-up: “I’m going out to take a call first.”

Shen Yinan felt a gentle tap on her shoulder. She turned her head and saw the eldest miss looking quite troubled.

She wanted to ask something, but remembering that their current identities were those of strangers, she simply nodded in response.

She watched as the back door closed with a “thud,” and an immediate sense of emptiness filled her heart.

She knew she was going to take a call, but one might have thought she was leaving Shen Yinan for good and never coming back.

She was still that little dog who loved to follow behind her master.

“Congratulations to our lucky spectator!!!”

Snap. A white spotlight hit Shen Yinan, and her confused face was projected onto the large screen.

The crowd turned to look at her one after another, the sounds of envy never-ending.

“How lucky! To be chosen even while sitting so far back.”

“This young lady looks so familiar, like I’ve seen her somewhere before.”

“Oh my god, she looks so good even with a mask on.”

Shen Yinan stood up under the gaze of the crowd, her expression one of dazed helplessness.

She was completely bewildered; she hadn’t expected to be chosen while sitting so far back.

Her face didn’t betray much—one couldn’t tell if she was excited or shy.

However, the way her fingers tightly gripped a corner of her trousers revealed just how panicked she was on the inside.

The host, holding the microphone, praised Shen Yinan with a smile.

“This sister is so beautiful. Being chosen today means you’ll have great luck!”

“Come on up!” the host invited with a smile.

One must understand that what Shen Yinan feared most was being stared at and critiqued by a crowd. She had strong self-esteem and did not allow anyone to point fingers at her.

When Shen Yinan didn’t move for a long time, the atmosphere became momentarily awkward.

People began to rustle and whisper criticisms under their breath.

“She must be really ugly. She has some self-awareness; once she takes off the mask, her face is probably full of pits and scars. I have a friend just like her.”

“She’s probably just playing hard to get after getting such a lucky break.”

“Hmph, someone who hasn’t even seen the world like this must be a country bumpkin. It’s just winning a prize; look at her acting like she was hit by a falling meat pie. Tsk, tsk, tsk.”

Shen Yinan clenched her fists. The vines from the dark swamp began to crawl up bit by bit.

If Cheng Wanqiu hadn’t led her away from the circle of classmates surrounding her when she transferred schools years ago, she definitely would have used sinister means to retaliate in secret.

Shen Yinan swept her gaze over those who were critiquing her, her teeth grinding together with a creaking sound.

Separated only by a wall, Cheng Wanqiu heard the excitement inside the hall. She had promised Shen’s father that she would transfer the 5 million into his hands within a week.

Shen’s father was naturally happy and immediately praised Cheng Wanqiu. He also added that if Shen Yinan ever did anything wrong, she could tell him, and he, as her old father, would educate her.

This feeling gave Cheng Wanqiu the strange illusion that she had truly purchased Shen Yinan like a piece of merchandise.

It really was as if she had bought a dog.

Cheng Wanqiu hung up the phone and didn’t think too much of it. As long as she could protect Shen Yinan, what would it matter if she had to spend another 5 million?

Creak— The back door opened.

Suddenly, Shen Yinan’s ears twitched. She whipped her head around toward the source of the sound.

“Miss.”

The dark vines climbing through her heart vanished in an instant, replaced by the feeling of clouds parting to reveal the sun.

She called out softly, her sense of helplessness and bewilderment disappearing.

Cheng Wanqiu also noticed the hopeful look Shen Yinan cast her way and waved the hand holding her phone.

“I remember them! They’re a couple! I’m totally shipping this!!!”

“Wow, she’s gorgeous! It’s a beauty paired with another beauty!!!”

“Please, get closer!!!”

The photographer focused the lens on Cheng Wanqiu. Under the high-definition camera, her every smile and gesture was so exquisite and vivid; she stood out like a crane among a flock of chickens.

The moment Shen Yinan and Cheng Wanqiu’s eyes met, the entire audience, including the host, felt the chemistry.

To be able to sense one’s girlfriend entering a noisy hall in a single second—that was no ordinary level of unspoken understanding.

The host reacted quickly and changed his tune: “Congratulations to both of you! You two will have a continuous streak of good luck today.”

Those who had been speaking spitefully shut their mouths the moment they saw Cheng Wanqiu appear.

Because, at a glance, Cheng Wanqiu looked like someone who wasn’t easy to mess with.

“Let’s go,” Cheng Wanqiu said, taking Shen Yinan’s hand. She whispered the last part very quietly: “…little dog.”

Shen Yinan’s eyes were full of light. Being held by the hand, she felt she had someone to rely on and was willing to play the role of that little dog.

In the afternoon, the two “strangers” had to return to their respective homes.

At the entrance of the aquarium, Cheng Wanqiu hugged Shen Yinan, pressing her head against Shen Yinan’s back.

“We’ll see each other again, right? I really like you.”

Shen Yinan, who had always thought her disguise was perfect, didn’t answer. She liked Cheng Wanqiu too.

But what was the situation now? The Miss had spent one day with a stranger and fallen in love with them.

She felt a strange sensation of being cheated on by herself.

Unbeknownst to her, Cheng Wanqiu was secretly smiling mischievously as she hugged her.

Shen Yinan didn’t even realize she was being played; she was being manipulated perfectly by Cheng Wanqiu.

“Why aren’t you saying anything? Do you not like me? Have I made you dislike me?”

Cheng Wanqiu began to sob, pretending to cry.

Shen Yinan became instantly tense and hurriedly said, “No.”

“I like you. You haven’t made me dislike you.”

Little did she know, she had already walked right into Cheng Wanqiu’s trap.

Cheng Wanqiu held the hug a bit longer, resting her head on Shen Yinan’s back and inhaling the comforting scent of cedar.

It wasn’t that Shen Yinan didn’t know how to express her love; she was just afraid to.

Hearing her confess her love so frankly was enough to satisfy Cheng Wanqiu.

“I have to go home. Here, take this. We can meet again next time, right?”

As she spoke, Cheng Wanqiu gave Shen Yinan a dolphin bracelet—a souvenir she had picked up on her way out.

Shen Yinan felt the dolphin bracelet in her palm. She hesitated for a moment, then gripped it tightly.

“Yes. We will meet again.”

If the Miss knew her true identity, she probably wouldn’t say such things.

Her status was so humble, and she herself was so lowly.

Buzz, buzz, buzz—

Cheng Wanqiu’s phone rang again.

She frowned in annoyance, leaned against Shen Yinan for a few more moments, and then reluctantly pulled away.

“I have a call. I have to go first.”

Cheng Wanqiu had a smile on her face. “See you next time. Bye-bye.”

Feeling the warmth on her back leave, Shen Yinan also felt a sense of reluctance.

“Yeah. Bye-bye.”

…

Cheng Wanqiu found a secluded spot to answer the phone. On the other end was Shen Yinan’s old father again, sounding particularly anxious.

“Uncle Shen, what’s the matter?”

Shen Yinan’s father urged irritably, “Eldest Miss Cheng, I need this money tonight. I can’t wait a week.”

Cheng Wanqiu: “???”

Cheng Wanqiu had already promised to transfer the money to Shen’s father’s card within a week, and now he was demanding it tonight.

“Wait, Uncle Shen, has something happened to the Shen family?”

Clearly, this was something that made Shen’s father feel very ashamed, and he refused to tell the truth.

“Miss Cheng, can you do it or not? If not, just tell me, and I’ll go find your uncle.”

“I…”

Before Cheng Wanqiu could finish, she was interrupted.

“If you don’t give me the 5 million tonight, I’m taking Shen Yinan back to the Shen family!!!”

Hearing that he would take Shen Yinan back, Cheng Wanqiu immediately promised, “I can do it. I’ll give you the 5 million tonight.”

Shen’s father was smug, and his tone softened considerably.

“Miss Cheng, that’s more like it. Is Shen Yinan being well-behaved at the Cheng house? If not, I’ll come and educate her.”

The four o’clock sun was already showing signs of setting, and the afterglow on Cheng Wanqiu’s face didn’t look so pleasant.

She wanted to laugh, but she couldn’t.

The Shen family that Shen Yinan loved simply treated her as a commodity.

“No need. Shen Yinan is very well-behaved at the Cheng house.”

“Haha, that’s good. She hasn’t been back to the Shen house for a long time. When will the Eldest Miss let her come back to visit?”

Hearing this sentence, Cheng Wanqiu was slightly stunned.

Hadn’t Shen Yinan just returned to the Shen family?

She didn’t reply directly by saying Shen Yinan had already been back.

With a fake smile, she said to the man on the other end, “It’s a busy year. I’ll let her stay a bit longer, but I’ll have her go back to the Shen house to see you all.”

“Good, good, good. I was just asking casually. You can treat Shen Yinan however you want; she’s thick-skinned and used to it.”

Shen’s father said with a laugh, “Then I’ll hang up, Miss. This lowly one will be waiting for the Miss’s 5 million.”

“Mm.”

Cheng Wanqiu hung up the phone, her eyes darkening.

Getting into the car to head home, she intentionally told the driver to go slowly, because she had to wait for Shen Yinan to get back to the Cheng house ahead of time.

That silly dog thought that by changing her outfit and wearing a mask, she wouldn’t recognize who she was.

All her frustrations disappeared at the thought of Shen Yinan’s dazed, silly face, and Cheng Wanqiu couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh as she leaned her head against the window.

Shen Yinan got out of the taxi, paid the fare, and immediately sprinted like a hundred-meter dasher to climb over the wall into the Cheng family’s backyard.

She cleared the two-meter fence in one smooth motion.

Once in her room on the second floor, she began taking off her clothes and removing the accessories from her hands.

When she went to take off the dolphin bracelet on her wrist, she examined it for a moment.

Different-shaped dolphins were strung on a black cord. It looked like an amulet, but it didn’t have that sense of divinity.

It looked so cute that it didn’t seem like it could protect anything at all—it couldn’t drive away ghosts or keep a person safe.

But Shen Yinan carefully removed the bracelet from her wrist and held it in her palm.

Even if it was just an ordinary decoration, it was given to her by the Miss. To her, it was more important than any amulet.

She gently placed the dolphin bracelet Cheng Wanqiu had given her under her pillow.

Under Shen Yinan’s pillow were all the little trinkets Cheng Wanqiu had given her; she cherished them and hid them there.

Knock, knock, knock—

The butler knocked on Shen Yinan’s door and said in his aged voice:

“Shen Yinan, the Miss is back.”

Shen Yinan pulled on a random set of clothes from her closet and replied:

“Okay, I understand.”

Without giving herself time to double-check, she hurriedly opened the door and went downstairs to welcome Cheng Wanqiu home.

But what she didn’t know was that she had forgotten to take off her earring.

By five o’clock on a winter day, the sky was already pitch black. Bright, warm yellow lights illuminated both sides of the road.

“Miss, you’re back!”

Shen Yinan looked very obedient, her hands folded over her stomach. Ignoring the fact that her hair was a bit messy—looking exactly like she had been out having a wild time—she acted as if absolutely nothing had happened.

Cheng Wanqiu got out of the car and shot a glance at Shen Yinan.

“You didn’t step a foot out of your room today, did you?”

“No.” Shen Yinan shook her head without a moment’s hesitation.

The butler also echoed Shen Yinan’s words.

“Miss, Yinan stayed in her room properly all day; she didn’t take a single step out.”

Cheng Wanqiu caught a glimpse of the earring shimmering under the lights but couldn’t bear to expose her.

She smiled and replied, “Alright then.”

The matter passed just like that.

Before midnight, Cheng Wanqiu used every method she could think of to transfer the 5 million to Shen Yinan’s father.

On the other side, he was all smiles, looking as if he wanted to worship Cheng Wanqiu like an ancestor.

Cheng Wanqiu felt physically and mentally exhausted and lay down.

But the moment she thought about the “little dog” who played stranger with her today, and that final, probing confession…

Shen Yinan really thought she had disguised herself well just by wearing a mask and changing her clothes.

The thought made her smile in spite of herself.

“Shen Yinan… let’s take it slow. I’ll wait for you.”

She even dreamed of being with Shen Yinan. Her eyes slowly closed. Next month was Shen Yinan’s birthday, and she really wanted to be with her.

Shen Yinan pulled the bracelet out from under her pillow. Thinking about her birthday next month, she was truly looking forward to what gift the Miss would give her.

Clutching the bracelet she had received today, Shen Yinan slowly fell asleep.

She murmured in her sleep: “Miss.”