The Canary and Little Cannon Fodder [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 1

Ding Cheng returned after making a phone call to find Bo Shuyi lounging lazily on the sofa, scrolling through her phone.

Her voluminous, slightly wavy long hair cascaded down her slender neck, the ends playfully resting against her front. Her delicate waist, cinched in a black lace chiffon dress, seemed almost too slender to grasp. A beautifully curved, pale leg dangled from the vibrant red leather sofa, her fair and delicate foot suspended in mid-air. Her rounded toenails were small and adorable, tinged with a faint pink hue.

The striking red sofa, her snow-white skin, black hair, dark eyes, and the black lace chiffon dress, combined with her exquisitely enchanting face, created an intense and captivating beauty.

As Bo Shuyi’s agent, Ding Cheng saw her three or four days a week, yet every time he laid eyes on her, he was still struck by her breathtaking beauty.

With great effort, Ding Cheng averted his gaze and pinched the flesh on his outer thigh, the pain helping him regain his composure.

In a gentle tone, he said, “Shuyi, I’ve already contacted Zhang Haisheng, an investor for ‘The Dawn Decree,’ to see if he could arrange a role for you. What a coincidence Mr. Zhang is actually your fan. I barely mentioned it, and he immediately agreed, promising to secure a part for you. However, Mr. Zhang mentioned he has a dinner gathering tonight at Jin Manlou and would like to take you along to meet the other investors. I’ve already discussed it with him as long as you show up at Jin Manlou to meet everyone and fulfill Mr. Zhang’s dream of meeting his idol, the role will be guaranteed.”

Bo Shuyi’s lowered eyelids flickered slightly, and her long, thick lashes lifted gently, revealing a pair of mesmerizing dark eyes shimmering with a watery glow. “Do I really have to go? You know I don’t like these kinds of gatherings.” Her lips, thinner on the top and fuller on the bottom, looked incredibly seductive as she spoke.

Though her tone was calm, the rhythmic cadence of her voice made it sound as if she were coquettishly pleading.

Ding Cheng’s resolve began to waver. If she didn’t want to go, then perhaps she shouldn’t.

Wait, what am I thinking? Bo Shuyi must attend tonight’s gathering, or how else will I get the money to pay off my gambling debts?

Beauty is important, but my own life matters more.

Gritting his teeth inwardly, Ding Cheng feigned a troubled expression. “If you really don’t want to go, I’ll try to think of something. But you should know, Zhang Haisheng is a petty man. If we go back on our word, you won’t just lose the role in ‘The Dawn Decree’, you might even face a blacklist from him. Shuyi, it’s been a long time since you’ve received a good script. ‘The Dawn Decree’ is your last chance to turn things around.” He looked at her earnestly, his words dripping with apparent concern.

“If you put it that way, it seems I have no choice but to go.”

Bo Shuyi’s delicate, translucent eyelids lowered once more, her thick lashes veiling the light in the corners of her eyes. Her profile appeared both elegant and sorrowful, like a fragile, snow-white petal trembling on a branch.

Every movement she made was breathtakingly beautiful.

Hearing her agreement, Ding Cheng felt a surge of relief. “I’m glad you’ve agreed. Attending one gathering could pave the way for a limitless future, it’s such a worthwhile trade-off. It’s settled then. I’ll pick you up at six this evening.”

With that, Ding Cheng hurriedly took his leave.

Bo Shuyi watched his retreating figure disappear behind the door, her gaze gradually turning icy. The soft, rippling warmth in her eyes froze over, replaced by a cold, frost-like pattern.

The beauty’s slender, pale fingers idly dialed a number.

“Ding Cheng can’t hold back any longer. He’s arranged a gathering at Jin Manlou tonight. Coincidentally, I’ve been a bit bored lately. I think I’ll go and see what happens.”

“Yes, arrange the necessary preparations for me.”

Jin Manlou is a renowned five-star hotel in Yun City. The chefs are descendants of imperial court cooks, making the cuisine absolutely exceptional. Its most distinctive feature, however, is its waitstaff tall, fair-skinned, and beautiful young women dressed in silver-red cheongsams, greeting guests with warm smiles.

Anyu, a student at Yun University, worked part-time as a waitress at Jin Manlou. Her cousin, who served as the hotel’s lobby manager, knew she relied entirely on part-time jobs to cover her tuition and helped her secure the position.

Anyu worked from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily, earning eighty yuan per hour over three hundred yuan a day and close to ten thousand a month. Such earnings were beyond her wildest dreams before.

Anyu was strikingly beautiful, standing out even among the hotel’s exceptionally attractive waitstaff.

“Please follow me,” she said, leading the way with a natural, friendly smile.

A group of men followed, chatting among themselves.

“The waitresses at Jin Manlou keep getting prettier,” remarked a pot-bellied middle-aged man in the center, his lecherous gaze sweeping over Anyu before lingering on her slender waist and the curve of her hips.

Another man chimed in, “You’re right, Zhang Zong. It’s rare to see such beauty even in the entertainment industry.”

Zhang Haisheng stared at the sway of her hips, unable to resist reaching out to grope her.

“Ah!” Anyu gasped, her face flushing crimson as she turned around to meet Zhang’s brazen grin. He even brought his hand to his nose and sniffed.

Disgust churned in her stomach, but she knew the patrons of Jin Manlou were either wealthy or influential. This lecher, surrounded by his companions, was someone she couldn’t afford to offend. Unwilling to lose her job, she bit her lip, turned back, and continued leading the way, though her chest felt tight, as if she couldn’t breathe.

Inside the private room, An Yu placed the evening’s menu in front of Zhang Haisheng. “Here are tonight’s dishes. Please let me know if any ingredients are unsuitable.”

At Jin Manlou, there was no ordering, the chefs decided the menu, and the guests ate what was served.

“We’re not picky. Go make us some tea,” said the bespectacled man seated beside Zhang.

An Yu retreated to the side room to prepare the tea.

Zhang watched her until she disappeared, then smirked at his companions. “Beauty has its tiers. She’s just a simple, plain dish fine for a taste now and then, but not for regular consumption.”

“Then, in your esteemed opinion, Zhang Zong, who is the most exquisite woman you’ve ever seen?”

“Bo Shuyi, without a doubt,” Zhang declared, his eyes gleaming, his smile growing slicker.

“Ha! The beauty of the vase? But you’re right Bo Shuyi is in a class of her own. Your taste is truly refined, Zhang Zong.”

Zhang stroked his chin, his thick lips curling into a grin as he let slip a tidbit: “In the past, I wouldn’t have dared dream of Bo Shuyi not with her godfather, the famous director Wei Chunze, backing her. But things have changed. After Wei died in a car accident earlier this year, Bo lost her support and has been struggling in the industry. I recently invested in a TV series, and her agent approached me a few days ago, asking me to put in a word with the crew to get her a role.”

“Bo Shuyi wants a role? What’s in it for you?” The bespectacled man grinned knowingly.

The other men exchanged meaningful smirks.

Zhang burst into laughter, unable to contain his delight. “Isn’t it obvious? Whatever I want, she’ll have to give.”

From the adjacent room, An Yu could clearly hear their conversation. When Zhang Haisheng mentioned Bo Shuyi, her first thought was that he was boasting.

Bo Shuyi was universally acknowledged as the most beautiful actress in the entertainment industry. People could only think of one word to describe her enchanting. Any other woman standing beside her would pale in comparison. How could Bo Shuyi possibly go to a lecherous pervert who looked like a pig to ask for a role?

Even if such a thing had happened, it must have been her agent acting on their own, forcing Bo Shuyi to do it!

After brewing the tea, An Yu cursed Zhang Haisheng in her heart before carrying the tea out of the room.

With her brows slightly furrowed and eyes lowered, she moved gracefully as she poured tea for each of them in turn.

When she approached Zhang Haisheng to pour his tea, An Yu felt a wave of nervousness, fearing he might shamelessly grope her again. Fortunately, he kept his hands to himself this time.

Having successfully poured the tea, An Yu breathed a sigh of relief. She stole a glance at Zhang Haisheng and noticed the smug, lecherous expression on his face. It didn’t take much to guess that his mind was completely occupied with thoughts of Bo Shuyi, which was why he hadn’t bothered with her.

An Yu found it even more disgusting.

A disgusting man with his brains tied to his belt.

Setting down the teapot, she put on a professional smile and said, “Please wait a moment, gentlemen. The food will be served shortly. I’ll be standing outside the door, so if you need anything, just call me in.”

After An Yu left, the men began speaking more freely.

“There’s a new club on Guanghua Street with some fresh, young girls. Want to check it out after dinner?” the bespectacled man said with a lewd grin.

The others seemed tempted, but the final decision rested with Zhang Haisheng.

Just as Zhang Haisheng was about to speak, his phone on the table vibrated three times. His eyes lit up as he picked it up and opened the message. After reading it, his face flushed with excitement, and he rubbed his thick hands together eagerly.

“You guys go ahead. I have plans tonight, so I won’t be joining,” Zhang Haisheng said, leaning back comfortably in his chair.

The balding man joked, “Don’t tell me you have a date with the stunning Bo Shuyi.”

Zhang Haisheng squinted at him and chuckled twice.

The balding man stood up in surprise. “It really is Bo Shuyi? Boss Zhang, you’ve got some moves!”

Zhang Haisheng smoothed his hair. “I’m not leaving you guys out. Bo Shuyi will be here soon. When we eat later, be enthusiastic and offer her a toast.”

The bespectacled man and the balding man exchanged glances, patting their chests confidently. “Don’t worry, Boss Zhang. Leave it to us. We’ll make sure Bo Shuyi can’t refuse.”

The Counterattack Management Bureau had recently held its spring recruitment. Lin Nanyun stood out among the competitors and was selected to become a member of the time-space workers.

Her job was to travel through various small worlds and help the delicate, captivating canary heroines break free from the control of the male leads, allowing them to live their own lives.

Lin Nanyun entered her first small world, becoming the youngest daughter of Lin Xingshan, the CEO of the entertainment giant Xingshan Media. The male lead was her current older brother, Lin Dongting, the crown prince of the entertainment industry.

[Hello, Host. I am System 199. In the upcoming small worlds, I will do my best to assist you in saving the canary heroines. I look forward to working with you.]

Hearing System 199’s steady voice, Lin Nanyun felt it was very reliable. Her previously anxious heart immediately calmed down.

Lin Nanyun: Hello, 199. I look forward to working with you.

【Plot Introduction: The female lead, Bo Shuyi, lost both her parents in a car accident when she was ten years old and was later adopted by Wei Chunze, her mother’s first love.

Wei Chunze came from a family with a background in the performing arts. He studied directing at the Allen’s Film Academy in the United States during college. After graduating and returning to China, his first film, made with a budget of only two million, grossed over two hundred million at the box office, shocking the film industry. Every film Wei Chunze directed afterward became a blockbuster, and his name became synonymous with a “cash cow” in the entertainment industry.

As Wei Chunze’s adopted daughter, Bo Shuyi had one foot already in the door of the entertainment world.

Under Wei Chunze’s influence, Bo Shuyi developed a passion for acting and appeared in almost every one of his films.

By the time Bo Shuyi turned sixteen, she had blossomed into a stunning beauty. To curry favor with Wei Chunze, someone offered her the lead role in a TV drama. After the drama aired, Bo Shuyi’s looks captivated the entertainment industry, but her acting skills received overwhelmingly negative reviews. Whether she played leading or supporting roles afterward, her acting showed no improvement whatsoever. She soon earned the nickname “Vase Beauty” in the industry, a sarcastic label implying she was all looks and no substance.

After Bo Shuyi came of age, Wei Chunze planned to direct a film for her to change the audience’s perception of her as a “vase beauty.” However, halfway through filming, Wei Chunze died suddenly in a car accident.

Without Wei Chunze as her backing, Bo Shuyi’s acting career came to a near standstill.

It was at this time that Bo Shuyi’s agent, Ding Cheng, approached Zhang Haisheng, an investor for the TV drama “The Decree of the Morning Sun,” and, without Bo Shuyi’s knowledge, attempted to pimp her out to Zhang Haisheng in exchange for benefits to pay off debts.

Zhang Haisheng had long coveted Bo Shuyi. Previously, he had not dared to make a move because of Wei Chunze’s presence. Now that the opportunity was right in front of him, he was not about to let it slip away.

Ding Cheng brought Bo Shuyi to a drinking party hosted by Zhang Haisheng. At the party, in order to secure a role, Bo Shuyi felt compelled to drink every toast offered to her by everyone present.

After getting Bo Shuyi drunk, Ding Cheng made an excuse to leave. Zhang Haisheng intended to take Bo Shuyi to a hotel room, but as soon as they entered the hotel, they encountered the male lead, Lin Dongting.

Lin Dongting rescued Bo Shuyi from Zhang Haisheng and took her to a room to rest. Unable to suppress his desires, he slept with her.

Lin Dongting was highly controlling. After sleeping with Bo Shuyi, he regarded her as his private property. He kept her in a luxurious high-end apartment, forbidding her from seeing anyone else.

Bo Shuyi, being weak-willed, resigned herself to her fate when she found she couldn’t resist. With Lin Dongting as the only man in her life, she gradually fell in love with him over time.

Just as Bo Shuyi was about to confess her feelings to Lin Dongting, his fiancée suddenly appeared, bringing reporters to Bo Shuyi’s apartment to catch them in the act. They took compromising photos of her and spread them online.

Unable to bear the shock of discovering that Lin Dongting already had a fiancée, Bo Shuyi opened the window and jumped from the penthouse, ending her life at the age of twenty.】

【Ding! Mission issued: Save the Canary. Prevent Lin Dongting from keeping Bo Shuyi captive, help Bo Shuyi find value in her life, and change the outcome of her death at twenty.】

After System 199 issued the mission, it noticed that Lin Nanyun’s eyes were red and brimming with tears. 【Host, are you feeling unwell?】

Lin Nanyun sniffled: “Bo Shuyi is so pitiful, wuwu.”

【That’s exactly why we need you, host, to save her. With you and me here, we definitely won’t let Bo Shuyi become that pitiful caged canary again!】

Lin Nanyun rubbed her eyes, clenched her fists and declared: 199, you’re right. I must save Bo Shuyi and ensure she lives a happy life!

Ding Cheng arrived punctually at 6 PM at Bo Shuyi’s villa to pick her up.

The housekeeper, Aunt Wang, opened the main door to let him in.

Ding Cheng scanned the lavishly decorated living room but didn’t see anyone, so he asked, “Aunt Wang, where’s Shuyi?”

Aunt Wang invited him to sit on the sofa and wait. “The young lady is changing clothes and will be down shortly.”

After Aunt Wang went to the kitchen to prepare tea, Ding Cheng was left alone in the living room.

He settled into the golden-brown European-style sofa, looking up at the massive crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Its two-meter diameter featured layers upon layers of transparent crystals cascading down like delicate tassels. One could only imagine how dreamy and beautiful it would look when lit up at night.

Ding Cheng closed his eyes and took a deep, intoxicating breath this was the unmistakable scent of money.

Wei Chunze had invested his entire fortune, aside from this villa, into producing a film to promote Bo Shuyi. But halfway through filming, he died in a car accident.

After paying for salaries, props, and other production costs, the hundreds of millions Wei Chunze invested were nearly depleted. This villa was the only inheritance he left to Bo Shuyi after his death.

When Aunt Wang returned with the brewed tea, Ding Cheng quickly straightened up upon hearing her footsteps. “Aunt Wang, the place I’m taking Shuyi to won’t have food. Could you please hurry her along? Sorry to trouble you.”

“Don’t mention it. I’ll go check on her upstairs in a moment,” Aunt Wang replied, pouring a cup of tea and placing it in front of Ding Cheng. She then looked up and smiled. “No need to rush, the young lady is coming down now.”

Ding Cheng immediately stood up and turned around, ready to lecture Bo Shuyi about not wasting time. But the moment he saw what she was wearing, the words caught in his throat, and he nearly teared up.

“My dear lady, you’re going to a business dinner! Why are you wearing jeans?” Ding Cheng hurried over to Bo Shuyi, growing increasingly anxious as he took in her fully covered outfit. “That black lace dress from this morning was perfect. Why did you change? There’s still time, go change back now.”

“No,” Bo Shuyi refused flatly. “I always wore jeans when I attended these events with my dad.” She lazily tossed her long hair behind her back, bypassed Ding Cheng, and sat down on the sofa. Pouring herself a cup of tea, she held it delicately with her pale, slender hands and took a slow sip.

Bo Shuyi’s fair face was free of makeup, yet her dark eyebrows, captivating eyes, and naturally rosy lips radiated an intense beauty.

Setting down the teacup, her red lips glistened with moisture, as lush and vibrant as dew-kissed roses.

Ding Cheng was momentarily stunned before following her over and sitting opposite her. Frowning earnestly, he pleaded, “Shuyi, things are different now. Those investors only care about money. When Director Wei was still here their cash cow they didn’t mind what you wore because they wanted him to make movies and earn money for them. But Director Wei is gone. You have no one to rely on now. You can only depend on yourself.”

Bo Shuyi picked up her teacup and took another sip, her thick lashes lowering to veil the emotions in her eyes.

Seeing Bo Shuyi didn’t refute, Ding Cheng felt his persuasion was working and pressed on: “Wearing jeans to a business dinner isn’t really appropriate, what if you offend the investors? Think about Director Wei. His greatest wish before he passed was for you to shed the label of being just a pretty face. The role in ‘Chao Yang Ling’ suits you perfectly, and if you miss this chance, who knows if there’ll be another. Shuyi, please think it over carefully.”

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