After Transmigrating as a Scumbag Gong, I Ended Up with the Cannon Fodder - Chapter 16

Wen Si was hospitalized, and Yin Youxia had indeed agreed to the arranged marriage.

Recalling the ruthless glint in Yin Youxia’s eyes that day, Yin Man felt uneasy. Her gaze involuntarily drifted to the woman beside her. “Once you’re feeling better, let’s move out, okay?”

Although the doctor had said Liu Siyin’s vision was unlikely to recover, Yin Man still clung to a sliver of hope. Liu Siyin asked uncertainly, “Move out?”

Yes, move out.

That way, they could avoid conflicts with Yin Youxia and prevent Yin Man from losing control so frequently.

“Mm, let’s go somewhere just for us.”

Liu Siyin simply nodded obediently. “Okay.”

Liu Siyin’s demeanor toward her was almost too docile, lacking the spark of romance but deeply reassuring. She was like a pet that would never leave her side—obedient and gentle.

Yin Man’s thoughts abruptly halted. She had actually referred to Liu Siyin as a pet.

This realization troubled her deeply.

That night, Yin Man guided Liu Siyin to the bathroom. “Can you manage on your own?”

“Mm-hmm.” Liu Siyin confidently entered the bathroom. She had indeed felt strength returning to her leg muscles that day. Why can’t I move them? As Liu Siyin soaked in the tub, Yin Man tried to get out of her wheelchair in the room. If she could truly recover, her range of movement would be much freer.

Again and again, Yin Man tried, and again and again, she failed.

After what felt like an eternity, she remained motionless in her wheelchair, slumped in frustration. As she sat there, lost in thought, she suddenly felt a warmth on her foot. Looking down, she saw a small dog licking the back of her foot.

The dog had pure white fur and a petite frame—the very dog the Original Host had used to humiliate Yin Youxia. Yin Man, who loved dogs, leaned down slightly and scooped the creature into her arms. The dog, sensing her intentions, eagerly jumped into her embrace.

Stroking the dog’s fluffy back, Yin Man’s eyes lit up with amusement. “Xiao You,” she murmured.

“Woof woof!” Xiao You responded with enthusiastic barks, instantly lifting Yin Man’s spirits. “So adorable,” she cooed.

But her smile slowly froze. The Original Host’s leg condition had been congenital, leaving her lower body devoid of sensation. Though she appeared normal, her legs were completely numb. Yet just now, Yin Man had clearly felt Xiao You licking her foot, and earlier, she had experienced full-body pain. These sensations were undeniable proof that her sense of feeling was returning.

Hope surged through Yin Man.

She might actually be able to stand again.

Yin Man clutched her chest, her heart pounding with excitement. This was wonderful news.

If Liu Siyin knew, she would be so happy for me too.

Yin Man didn’t assign Liu Siyin a separate room. Instead, she had him stay in her own room, just as they had shared a room in the hospital. But this was different. In the hospital, Yin Man had restrained herself, but this was her home now.

Yin Man wasn’t Yin Youxia. Youxia had never shown any interest in her, but Yin Man did.

Given Yin Man’s reputation, Liu Siyin expected something to happen between them tonight.

But rumors and Jiang Wan’s words that day suggested Yin Man had no interest in such matters. During her hospitalization, Liu Mei had even visited, warning her not to expect too much from Yin Man—to be content with simply getting into her bed, let alone marrying her.

Yin Man had promised to marry her, and she believed Yin Man wouldn’t lie. Yet doubt lingered in her heart. Why would the Miss, who had once scorned her illegitimate status, be so kind to her now that she was blind?

Unable to see Yin Man’s expressions, Liu Siyin could only rely on her voice and touch to sense Yin Man’s care. She couldn’t even tell if Yin Man was acting, but if she was, wouldn’t it be a waste of her time to deceive her?

If Yin Man wanted her, she would be hers.

Yin Man was so high above her.

Liu Siyin herself found it absurd to beg for affection from Yin Man, yet Yin Man had been genuinely kind to her—kinder than anyone else.

She sank to the bottom of the bathtub, letting the warm water envelop her completely. She wasn’t fully awake, and she found herself thinking that as long as Yin Man didn’t abandon her, she would continue living like this, even if they never married, even if it was all a pretense.

Having grown accustomed to the darkness and regained some independence, she groped for the towel beside the tub and dried herself off. Then, she felt for her nightgown and, using the wall as a guide, slowly made her way out of the bathroom. The first thing she heard was Yin Man’s joyful voice: “Si Yin, it seems there’s hope for my leg to recover!”

“Would you come with me to the hospital for a checkup tomorrow?”

It felt like something had exploded in her ears, and Liu Siyin swayed slightly.

Yin Man possessed not only power, influence, and beauty, but also intelligence and social acumen. She had never been a burden to her brother Yin Zhe; on the contrary, she had always been his greatest asset. Her only flaw, in the eyes of the world, was her disability.

If she were healthy…

Liu Siyin dared not let her thoughts wander further. As things stood, they were both flawed—one blind, the other disabled. If Yin Man’s legs truly recovered, the men and women vying for her attention would only multiply. Without her disability, Yin Man would become even more perfect, making Liu Siyin feel even less worthy of hoping for her hand in marriage.

I must have misheard her, Liu Siyin thought desperately. She struggled to open her mouth. “Sister Man, what did you say?”

“I think I can feel something in my legs,” Yin Man repeated.

Liu Siyin had just emerged from the bath. She shifted slightly, reaching for the wall and leaning her slender waist against it to steady herself. Her lips trembled faintly, unable to form words.

Finally noticing Liu Siyin’s distress, Yin Man set Xiao You down from her lap and wheeled closer. Liu Siyin’s hair, still damp from her bath, clung to her chest, her delicate skin glowing with a soft, rosy-white hue. Yet her once-radiant eyes now stared blankly, and a fragile sorrow shadowed her beautiful face.

“You look a little sad,” Yin Man said, her gaze slowly drifting down to Liu Siyin’s delicate white ankles. She had been hoping Liu Siyin would want to stand up, but Liu Siyin seemed to have no such desire.

“How could I be? This is good news,” Liu Siyin replied. Good news for Yin Man, good news for everyone—except for Liu Siyin herself.

Has Liu Siyin never lied before? She can’t even hide her emotions. How am I supposed to believe her?

Yin Man’s gaze slowly shifted to Liu Siyin’s eyes, and she remembered the breathtaking impression those eyes had made when they first met. Suddenly, she understood the source of Liu Siyin’s sadness.

Yin Man gripped Liu Siyin’s wrist.

“Liu Siyin,” she said abruptly, “let’s talk.”

Liu Siyin’s heart skipped a beat. Yin Man tugged her hand forcefully, and Liu Siyin tumbled onto Yin Man’s lap. Yin Man cupped her chin. “Are you afraid that once my leg heals, I won’t need you anymore?”

So I’ve been that obvious.

Liu Siyin bit her lower lip, remaining silent.

She really had a habit of biting herself. Yin Man pried open Liu Siyin’s lips and teeth, then pressed the back of her hand to Liu Siyin’s mouth. “I’ve told you countless times—no biting yourself. If you need to bite something, bite me.”

Yin Man’s kindness was enough to make anyone fall for her effortlessly.

Before Yin Man could formulate her next words, a soft body suddenly pressed against her chest. Liu Siyin’s arms tightened around her back as she buried her face in Yin Man’s neck. Soon, Yin Man’s collar grew damp with Liu Siyin’s wet hair and tears.

Yin Man froze.

Liu Siyin didn’t speak, simply weeping silently.

Yin Man could only sense the warmth on her neck and shoulders to know she was crying. Gradually, faint sobs began to echo softly in her ear.

She could probably understand. Liu Siyin now saw her as her only lifeline. Liu Siyin might not love her, but she certainly couldn’t live without her. Without Yin Man, Liu Siyin would die, drained of her last shred of value by Liu Mei.

Just like Yin Man herself. She might not have fallen in love with Liu Siyin, but she undeniably wanted to protect her and make her completely dependent on her. After all, Liu Siyin was someone she had saved, proof of her kindness in this world.

Yin Man lowered her gaze, studying Liu Siyin’s thick, dark hair. Her lips were pressed into a thin line, and for a moment, Yin Man was at a loss for words to comfort her.

She wasn’t good at saying comforting things.

The heartbreaking sobs in her ear made Yin Man frown. “Why don’t we dry your hair first? You’ll catch a cold.”

The body in her arms stiffened slightly. After a moment, Liu Siyin’s choked voice came from within her embrace, her grip tightening as if trying to meld into Yin Man’s body, refusing to let go.

Yin Man held her back, returning the embrace. When Liu Siyin’s emotions had calmed slightly, Yin Man patted her back and said, “I won’t abandon you. You believe that, don’t you? I’m here to save you.”

“I… I’m scared,” Liu Siyin murmured, biting her lower lip, her eyes reddening.

Yin Man suddenly wanted to pry her lips apart. Before she could act, Liu Siyin belatedly released her lip. Yin Man was pleased with the sight. “I’ll marry you.”

“Once my leg heals, we’ll move out together, with Xiao You.” The little dog barked obediently twice, wagging its tail at Yin Man. Its adorable demeanor made Yin Man want to reach out and pet it, but she was still holding Liu Siyin. It was a pity Liu Siyin couldn’t see it; she would have been charmed too.

A sudden longing for those eyes, brimming with spirit, overwhelmed her. She truly missed them.

Perhaps Liu Siyin’s sight would return. Yin Man finally managed to coax Liu Siyin with her less-than-stellar persuasion skills and led her to have her hair dried.

Liu Siyin sat at Yin Man’s feet, her fingers gently weaving through Liu Siyin’s hair. The tender scene made Zhang He and the other servant who had come to attend to Yin Man pause in surprise, wishing this moment could last forever.

“Miss, should we take Miss Liu back to her room now?”

It turned out Yin Man had arranged a separate room for her, a fact Liu Siyin hadn’t known.

Liu Siyin felt ashamed for her overthinking and worried about the distance Yin Man was maintaining. She could feel the tenderness in Yin Man’s touch as she dried her hair, and emboldened by this warmth, she mustered her courage and asked, “Sister Man, can I sleep with you?”

Aunt Zhang glanced at the frail Liu Siyin. “Miss Liu, living together before marriage might harm your reputation.”

“I’m scared,” Liu Siyin said, clutching at Yin Man’s clothes. Yin Man felt her pitiful, rabbit-like plea and attributed it all to her fear of the dark.

At the hospital, Liu Siyin had only been able to sleep when clinging to her.

“Then stay. We’re going to get married eventually anyway.”

So there was no need to worry about such things.