The Beautiful Cannon Fodder Coveted by the Protagonist - Chapter 6

Inside the office, Zhou Zhou, as one of the parties involved, repeated exactly what had happened.

The counselor slammed her pen onto the desk, the sharp crack making everyone jump. “Causing trouble on the very first day… Shi Huairen, how am I supposed to explain this to your parents?”

“Auntie…”

“Don’t call me Auntie. You’re doing nothing but causing me headaches,” the counselor said. She looked over at Shanda’s head teacher and offered a polite, apologetic smile. “My apologies, my nephew is just immature.”

Shanda’s head teacher was a stern-looking woman. “Ms. Shi, my student was the one who threw the first punch. Let’s discuss the matter of the medical expenses.”

“If we’re being honest, he started it. The surveillance footage shows everything clearly,” the counselor said, turning to look at her nephew. “Shi Huairen, apologize to Classmate Zhou Zhouo!”

Zhou Zhou blinked and licked his lips. Watching Shi Huairen’s eyes turn red with resentment as he was forced to bow and say “sorry” felt surprisingly good.

This teacher is actually quite decent. But now I know why this Shi Huairen guy is so arrogant—he’s got connections.

Zhou Zhou looked at Shi Huairen, who was gripping his written confession so hard the paper was wrinkling, and fought the urge to laugh.

“Shanda, come here for a moment.”

Zhou Zhou’s gaze followed Shanda until the door closed between them.

“If there’s nothing else, you can head back. What happened today was Shi Huairen’s fault, and I’ll give you a proper explanation later. But Classmate Zhou Zhouo, this involves the reputation of the Academy. I hope you understand.” The counselor was clearly dismissing him so she could scold her nephew in private.

As he pushed the door open to leave, he saw Shanda had been pulled into a corner. The massive guy was nodding like a little chick in front of his stern teacher.

System, why did the mission count as completed? I thought that tray of food was going to be dumped on my head. I was already prepared to go back and take a shower.

【It was detected that the male lead was indeed angry and that the food was ‘dumped.’】

Zhou Zhou crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. If that’s the case, maybe there are shortcuts to these missions?

Zhou Zhou, I know what you’re thinking. Stop. You have to ‘die’ once in this novel, and you have to bully the male lead. There’s no skipping it.

“I know that. I just want to die with a little more dignity. Is that so wrong?”

The system made a static-like noise. Zhou Zhou, you could wear a suit. That would be very dignified.

…? Where did you learn that?

Before Zhou Zhou could snap at the system, he saw Shanda nodding vigorously one last time before his teacher sighed, turned on her heels, and walked away.

Zhou Zhou stepped away from the wall. “Finished?”

Shanda turned around, looking pleasantly surprised. “You… were you waiting for me?” He looked so happy he practically had a wagging tail. Zhou Zhou gave a simple, “Mm.”

Having received the answer he wanted, Shanda’s lips curved into a smile. “The teacher told me that even though that guy was in the wrong, I was the one who hit him, so I still have to pay the medical bills.”

Zhou Zhou didn’t see what there was to be happy about. He raised an eyebrow. “Is that something to be glad about?”

“I’m happy because that ‘Shi’ guy had to apologize to you.”

Zhou Zhou felt a strange tug at his heart. He looked away. “Whatever. I’ll pay the medical bills for you.”

Shanda seemed to hit a “pause” button; the smile on his face froze.

“It’s mostly because I have money,” Zhou Zhou muttered, looking down at the tips of his shoes. His next words were so quiet they were barely a whisper. “Besides, you only got dragged into this because of me. Shi Huairen and I already had issues. You should have been able to finish your lunch in peace, and you shouldn’t have to waste your meal money.”

Zhou Zhou, a reminder: you’re crossing a line here.

Zhou Zhou smirked inwardly. Just watch how I ‘bully’ him. Don’t interrupt. Do you want this mission finished or not?

031 thought its host had finally seen the light. I’m glad you’ve come to your senses. I look forward to your performance, Zhou Zhou.

A sudden warmth enveloped Zhou Zhou’s hand. He looked up to find Shanda’s eyes sparkling like a vast ocean full of life.

Unable to bring himself to shatter that beautiful look, Zhou Zhou said, “There’s nothing left to eat at the cafeteria now. Come on, I’ll take you out for a meal.”

“Really?” Shanda gripped his hand even tighter. “Just the two of us?”

Zhou Zhou looked back at the man following him like a devoted little wife and admitted to himself that he was acting on a bit of personal bias.

They took a taxi to a high-end restaurant in the city center. It was a property under the Zhou family name.

Before they could even step through the doors, a well-dressed server blocked their path. “Gentlemen, do you have a reservation?”

The smile was professional, but the server’s eyes were sharp.

Shanda stood behind Zhou Zhou. “You need a reservation just to eat?”

The server replied, “It’s like this, sir. All our ingredients are shipped in daily—fresh and expensive. Our head chef studied in Italy, and everything is made to order. Since ingredients are limited, I’m afraid I can’t let you in without a reservation.”

Zhou Zhou frowned. He remembered that a reservation was never necessary. Every time he’d had a whim to eat here, his parents had just walked right in.

He decided to test the waters. “Isn’t this chain part of the Zhou family’s assets? I know the Chairman. I’ve never needed a reservation before.”

The server’s expression stiffened. “Sir, a reservation has always been required. Even if the Chairman were your father, I still couldn’t let you in today without one.”

Right. The real Young Master Zhou wasn’t him; it was the guy standing right behind him.

“You’re welcome to visit the vendors nearby,” the server said with a polite smile, his gloved hand pointing toward a row of street stalls.

Zhou Zhou: “…”

Zhou Zhou, I think you could learn a thing or two from this server’s way of humiliating people. It might come in handy later.

Zhou Zhou fell into a deeper silence.

Finally, he made a phone call to the man who was still his father on their household register. A moment later, a voice came through the server’s earpiece. The disdain in the server’s eyes vanished instantly, replaced by sheer embarrassment. He personally escorted them to the elevator.

The elevator was lined with mirrors. On one side stood a silent Zhou Zhou, and on the other was Shanda, looking around like a curious toddler. Eventually, Shanda’s eyes settled back on Zhou Zhou. “Are you really the Chairman’s son? I thought you were just trying to scare that guy. Wait… does that mean you’re a Young Master?”

Zhou Zhou’s body tensed as a thousand thoughts raced through his mind. He gave a quiet reply.

No, I’m not. You’re the real Young Master.

Ding—Fourth Floor.

Zhou Zhou took the first step out. A server at the entrance bowed. “Please follow me.”

They were led to a window seat, facing each other.

With practiced ease, Zhou Zhou ordered his favorite steak and some appetizers before handing the menu to Shanda.

Looking at the all-English menu, Shanda scratched his head and gave Zhou Zhou a helpless, pleading look.

“Make it two of the same,” Zhou Zhou said, taking the menu back and handing it to the server.

When he turned back, he saw that Shanda’s face was beet-red. Under Zhou Zhou’s gaze, the man lowered his head as if trying to hide.

Zhou Zhou asked the system, What’s wrong with him?

Maybe you humiliated him? You’re acting like a rich young master, and anyone would feel a bit ashamed or out of place in this setting, right? Especially a man as competitive as the male lead.

Is that it? Zhou Zhou looked at Shanda with a complicated expression. Shanda lowered his head even further.

The food arrived exceptionally fast, perhaps because they were the only two people in the massive restaurant.

Zhou Zhou picked up his knife and fork to cut his steak. Just as he was about to put a piece in his mouth, he stopped. He set his utensils down and looked up.

Shanda frantically looked away, his eyes darting between his left and right hands. He swapped his knife and fork back and forth, looking quite clumsy.

System, do you think making him feed me counts as ‘making things difficult’?

031 sounded delighted. I’m so proud of you for having that thought! I’ll issue the mission now.

Mission: Humiliate the male lead by making him feed you.

Zhou Zhou narrowed his eyes, recalling how bullies acted in TV dramas. He decided to kick Shanda’s leg under the table.

Instantly, Shanda sat bolt upright, his cheeks flushing even darker.

“I’m treating you to a meal, so you have to feed me.” Zhou Zhou pointed his fork at his steak and then at his own mouth.

Shanda blinked, his blue eyes filled with a mix of fire and water. “I don’t know how.”

Is he already mad at me? Zhou Zhou figured if he could find a loophole before, he could do it again, but it didn’t seem to be working this time.

Host, please complete the mission.

“You’re so slow. Fork in the left, knife in the right. Haven’t you ever seen anyone eat before?”

“I’ve seen it,” Shanda muttered, rubbing his burning cheeks, his eyes locked onto the person across from him.

The tender beef was sliced open, revealing a beautiful texture and an aroma that made one’s mouth water. Shanda cut the meat carefully and neatly; half the steak was soon reduced to uniform strips.

Seeing that he looked ready to cut the entire thing at once, Zhou Zhou pointed at his mouth. “I’m starving.”

Shanda quickly skewered a piece. The silver fork looked tiny in his large, vein-lined hand. Looking closely, Zhou Zhou could see beads of sweat on the man’s forehead.

The beef brushed against Zhou Zhou’s pink lips. He leaned forward and took the meat from the fork. As expected of his favorite steak, it was tender yet chewy, and the sauce perfectly hit his taste buds. He chewed slowly before swallowing.

Shanda pulled his hand back sharply and then immediately offered another piece, looking extremely eager to please.

Congratulations, Zhou Zhou! Mission completed. Progress: 12%. Keep it up!

Zhou Zhou nodded in satisfaction. He took out his phone and began scrolling aimlessly, his mouth open as he waited to be fed. He was completely unaware that Shanda was staring at his slightly protruding tongue with a darkened gaze.

Zhou Zhou’s cheeks puffed out as he chewed, making him look like a little hamster.

Zhou Zhou, you should read more posts about how to bully people. Things like cornering someone in the bathroom can make the mission index skyrocket.

Zhou Zhou’s lip curled. Bathrooms are so dirty. No thanks.

Listen to this post: ‘I kept crowding my rival in the car, and he got so mad he started slapping my butt.’

Uh… the first part is fine but forget the rest.

After the meal, Zhou Zhou was hiccuping as they sat in their ride-share car.

He suddenly remembered the system’s words.

Glancing at Shanda, who was sitting upright and stiff beside him, Zhou Zhou took a deep breath. He slid his hips over, pressing right against the man. “The sun is too bright on that side. It’s hot.”

He gave himself an excuse while keeping a close eye on Shanda’s expression.

His face is red again. He really is like a pufferfish.

Keeping in mind that a “villainous side character” should always be looking for ways to bully others, Zhou Zhou kept pressing into Shanda. He forced two people into the space meant for one. Half of Zhou Zhou’s body was practically draped over Shanda, their sides pressed tightly together.

The sound of breathing in his ear suddenly intensified. Zhou Zhou was still feeling smug about his “bullying” when, in the next second, his shoulder felt a weight. Shanda had pulled him firmly into his embrace.

Hot air tickled his ear. “Sit properly and don’t move.”

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