The Beautiful Cannon Fodder Coveted by the Protagonist - Chapter 1

A late summer rain had washed away half the sweltering heat. Raindrops coated the emerald leaves, gathering into beads before falling into puddles and rippling outward. Carriage wheels splashed through the water as pedestrians carefully dodged the spray.

It was the start of the school term, and the roads outside H University were exceptionally congested. The incessant honking on the main road blended with the sharp whistles of the traffic police. The air was thick with mist, carrying the unique humid warmth of summer. Heavy clouds obscured half the sun, leaving the sky in a state of post-rain clarity.

A youthful, radiant face flickered in the shifting light. Occasionally, a stray beam of sun would dazzle him, causing the boy to pull his cap lower and snuggle deeper into his mother’s embrace.

The well-manicured hand of a beautiful woman gently patted the boy’s back. She woke the lovely youth with a tender voice. “Zhiou, we’re almost at the school. I had someone tidy up your dorm in advance, and your suitcase is full of your favourite snacks. Wake up, baby.”

At that moment.

An Alphard luxury van veered off the main road and came to a slow halt at the kerbside.

The students, fresh to the social scene, hadn’t seen many cars like this before. They couldn’t help but steal a few extra glances, and some even raised their phones to snap a photo.

The side door slid open, and a long leg stepped onto the concrete. The youth wore a white T-shirt and jeans, with a black baseball cap pressed down over his dark, messy hair. He had a pair of “peach blossom” eyes as clear as ink, deep and dark like a pool of water. His brow was slightly furrowed, his thin lips pressed tight, and his nose crinkled ever so slightly. Even with that look of impatience, his presence drew a significant amount of attention.

“Must be rich… Hey, look at that one. The one in the black hat.” A girl with short hair pointed shyly with her index finger before quickly retracting it, as if afraid of being noticed.

“What? I didn’t catch that.” The girl beside her, oblivious, took off one earphone and looked up.

The short-haired girl tugged at her friend’s arm and tilted her chin toward the car. “That one! The young master who just got out of the van.”

“Huh? …Oh!” The girl squinted, her voice booming once she saw him clearly.

“Shh! What are you doing? Keep your voice down.”

Amidst the chaotic chatter of the crowd, the subject of their discussion waved a reluctant goodbye to his parents. His tangled thoughts didn’t settle until the luxury van had vanished from sight. The sound of his suitcase scraping against the ground pulled him back to reality, and he began to pull his luggage along.

A few bold individuals tried to strike up a conversation, but they were all rejected; he didn’t even grant them a single glance.

Starting school was annoying enough as it was; he didn’t need people blocking his path.

He quietly pulled a mask from his pocket and put it on, bypassing the crowd of would-be socialites and heading for the freshman registration desk. Once he handed his luggage over to the student volunteers, he felt much lighter. This “young master,” fresh on campus, clutched his phone—his sole remaining possession and prepared to report to his dormitory.

The campus had decent greenery and even provided shared transport.

He glanced at a row of neatly parked bicycles, pulled out his phone, and scanned one.

The rain had left a lingering, romantic atmosphere in the air.

Suddenly, a burst of cheering erupted from the distance.

The screech of brake pads rang out instantly.

Is there a game going on up ahead? The “thud-thud” sound of a ball hitting the ground echoed from afar. Although Zhou Zhiou lacked any athletic ability, he was quite interested in who won or lost; he used to make a fair bit of pocket money by betting on horse races.

He brought the bike to a stop at the side of the road.

It was a small stadium. From the entrance, he could see that every available gap in the stands was filled with people—both boys and girls.

It must be an incredible game to draw such a crowd. He felt he simply had to squeeze in and see for himself.

Just then, a small space opened up in the throng, and Zhou Zhiou slipped in to fill the gap like a substitute player. His view suddenly cleared. In the middle of the crowded gymnasium, the basketball court was a flurry of activity. Players in red and blue jerseys were locked in a fierce battle for the ball, their trainers squeaking sharply against the floor.

A spinning ball was just about to reach the hoop when a player from the red team jumped up and blocked it. It was snatched by another teammate, then launched from a pair of muscular arms, tracing a beautiful arc through the air.

It went in.

“AAAAAHHHHH!” A deafening cheer erupted from the crowd, interspersed with the high-pitched screams of girls.

The girl beside him jumped up in excitement. “Number three! That number three is so handsome! Bestie, help me get his WeChat, oh my god!”

Zhou Zhiou took note. Red number three—the one who had just caught the ball and sunk a three-pointer. He was tall and quite good-looking. Just as his gaze drifted across the court to find the player again, their eyes met.

Thud—

The world went black for a second as he pitched forward.

The girl beside him let out a startled cry and reached out to catch him, but another hand was faster. “Are you alright?”

“Damn it! If you’re going to lose, lose! Why are you kicking the ball around like a maniac!” A string of curses rang out from the court.

Zhou Zhiou coughed weakly. Something had hit his thigh, and it hurt terribly. The corners of his eyes began to redden with pain as he looked up at the boy who was supporting him.

The boy had a high bridge to his nose and full lips that were slightly parted. His eyes had a hint of blue in them, reflecting Zhou Zhiou’s pained, frowning face. After just that one glance, the boy hurriedly looked away.

Zhou Zhiou rubbed the painful spot and yanked off his mask. The air that had been trapped inside rushed into his lungs, his chest heaving. He waved a hand and said, “Thank you. I’m fine now.”

Just as he pushed past the boy to leave the stadium, the youth chased after him and blocked his bicycle. Startled, Zhou Zhiou immediately squeezed the brakes.

The six-foot-three giant scratched his head. “Um… let me take you to the infirmary.”

Zhou Zhiou refused. “No need.”

“Then… then let me have your number!”

Zhou Zhiou shook his head. While this “Number Three” was certainly a good player, he didn’t plan on coming back here again. “Move aside, please. I need to get back to my dorm.”

Bzzzt~

Ta-da! System 031 is online! Oh? Are we at the school already? Has Zhou-zhou met the Male Lead yet?

“No,” Zhou Zhiou replied, pedalling his bike.

What’s wrong, Zhou-zhou? You look terrible.

Zhou Zhiou said unhappily, “Someone hit me with a ball just now. My leg really hurts.”

What? Where? Your leg? I can help heal that for you! Heavens! Who on earth was the idiot who hit you like that!  031 detected the bruising on Zhou Zhiou’s upper thigh and began to complain on his behalf.

“Stop yapping. You said you could heal me, didn’t you?”

Oh, don’t be cross, Zhou-zhou. There, you’re all healed. See if it still hurts.

Zhou Zhiou stopped the bike and rubbed his thigh. The pain was gone. He continued riding.

Good. Let’s head to the dorm quickly. Maybe we can run into the Male Lead early. By the way, you remember his name is Shan Dao, right? Don’t get the wrong person.

Zhou Zhiou let out a huff. He felt as though the leg that had just been healed was still sending phantom pain signals to his brain.

The System had found him not long ago, informing him that his world was actually a “face-slapping” novel, and he was—unluckily enough—the “vicious cannon fodder” destined to have his face slapped.

031’s goal was simple: he had to bully the Male Lead of this world and ultimately serve as a stepping stone for the “Chosen One’s” rise to power. Once his role as a stepping stone was complete and he “exited” the plot, he would receive a massive cash prize from the System and a chance to live out his life in peace under a new identity.

But Zhou Zhiou only had a bit of a temper; he wasn’t really the type of person who knew how to bully others. It was a real headache.

Huh? That’s strange. While I was asleep, why did the mission log show the target appeared? If you haven’t met the Male Lead, there shouldn’t be a record. Is it broken?

“Shan Dao, did you catch up to him?” A teammate in a red jersey stepped forward to ask.

Shan Dao walked into the changing room with a troubled expression, intending to take a shower. He pulled off his shirt, revealing a lean, muscular physique that would make anyone jealous. “No. What about the guy who kicked the ball?”

“Ha! That idiot got hauled off to the teacher’s office. He’s in for it.”

Shan Dao nodded, though his mood remained low. He turned on the shower.

The sound of water pitter-pattered in the dorm room, where two neatly made beds sat side-by-side.

Zhou-zhou, you’re showering as soon as you get back? You’re not going to look for the Male Lead?

Zhou Zhiou tilted his head back, accepting the spray of water. “I was hit by a ball. I feel dirty.”

031 sighed. Alright, then. But today is the first day of your mission. I’m looking forward to your performance.

“I’m curious,” Zhou Zhiou said, turning off the shower and looking down. “If you needed someone to bully the Male Lead, why was it me?”

The steam in the bathroom was thick, making the air feel heavy.

The System’s chirpy electronic voice suddenly turned cold. Because Zhou-zhou occupied his place as the “True Young Master” for so long. It’s only fitting that you play the villain. Don’t blame me; blame the author for writing a “True vs. False Young Master” drama.

Zhou Zhiou grabbed a towel to dry his hair. “Sigh, my life is so tragic.” He was referring to his destined fate of being hunted down and bullied to death.

We have to be optimistic, Zhou-zhou! Complete the missions actively, and a hundred million yuan and a new identity will be yours!

As the words fell, a stray droplet of water hit the floor, its soft sound echoing through the mist.

At the same time, the lock on the door rattled. Zhou Zhiou’s hand froze mid-dry as he looked toward the bathroom door with suspicion.

Ding! Target detected in the vicinity. Please prepare to receive your mission!

Is he here?

Zhou Zhiou’s mist-veiled lashes flickered. He kept the hairdryer running against his scalp until it was bone-dry before finally turning it off.

He unpacked his new toothbrush and cup. His gaze lingered for a few seconds on the cheap, frayed toothbrush and the dull, non-reflective steel cup.

The bin now held a thin plastic film and an empty toothpaste box.

“Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle… Ptooey.”

He lost track of how many times he had rinsed his mouth.

Zhou-zhou, the Male Lead entered the dorm twenty-eight minutes ago, and you’ve been in there the entire time.  031 knew he was stalling and its tone sharpened. If you keep this up, I’m starting the mission immediately. I won’t help you anymore.

The “gurgling” stopped.

The water drained away, taking the last of his peace with it.

Zhou Zhiou pouted. “You know I like to be clean.”

Wisps of white steam escaped the doorway as the “bathing beauty” emerged from the mist. A fragrance filled the room, and his beautiful eyes locked directly with another pair.

“It’s you!” The boy sitting on the stool jumped up instantly. In his clumsy haste, the chair beneath him wobbled. His hands hung stiffly at his sides, as though he were standing at attention in the army.

Zhou Zhiou recognized him immediately; it was the boy from earlier.

He’s the Male Lead?

Wow! This is our handsome and rugged “Dragon Hero” Male Lead. Look at those deep features, those gem-like eyes.

Before he could interrupt the System’s praise, the tall figure walked straight up to him. To Zhou Zhiou’s shock, the boy crouched down, reaching out to look at his leg.

“You… you… What are you doing?!” Terrified, Zhou Zhiou immediately scrambled back, yanking his trousers away.

The hand, with its prominent veins and obvious strength, dropped away. Zhou Zhiou looked at the boy’s face again.

Blue eyes, sharp brows…

Looking closely, he could actually see a trace of his own “father” in those features. A nameless fear rose like a tide, rapidly flooding the fortress he had spent so long building. It confirmed, beyond a doubt, that this person was indeed the Male Lead.

Target detected. Initiating mission.

Mission loading, please wait.

Melee the protagonist, or get shocked.

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