After Transmigrating Into A Cannon Fodder Character, I Only Want To Survive (GL) - Chapter 25

The second Fang Bai sent the message, she realized her explanation was redundant. Not only did it fail to eliminate the questioning tone of the previous message, but it seemed to add a hint of… resentment?

Fang Bai: ?

What was she resenting?

It was too late to recall the message, and “Typing…” appeared at the top of the screen.

It seemed that Ji Yuning hadn’t exited the chat interface after sending her message.

Just as Fang Bai thought this, Ji Yuning’s message popped up:

Ji Yuning: [A little something.]

Fang Bai looked at the three words Ji Yuning sent, a response to her question.

Straightforward, as if she didn’t feel she was being questioned.

Fang Bai breathed a sigh of relief. Afraid that Ji Yuning would notice something, Fang Bai decided to end their contact for the night.

Fang Bai: [Okay, I won’t bother you.]

Fang Bai: [Rest early, good night.]

Fang Bai: [Image]

Three messages appeared on the screen one by one.

Ji Yuning opened the last image, a picture of Beibei sleeping on its side, with the words “sweet dreams” written next to it.

Ji Yuning silently downloaded the image, then tapped the screen twice.

Ji Yuning: [Okay.]

Fang Bai didn’t reply to Ji Yuning’s message. Her hand stroked Beibei’s belly as she looked at the friend request that had appeared a moment ago.

It showed it was added via phone number search.

Fang Bai looked further down, and the note said: [He Ziyan.]

“?”

Why was He Ziyan adding her?

Fang Bai hesitated and clicked “accept.”

She only clicked “accept” because He Ziyan was Ji Yuning’s classmate and even lived in the same dormitory. If it weren’t for these two points, Fang Bai rarely added strangers.

At the same time, He Ziyan, who was lying on her bed with a face mask on, sat up abruptly when she saw that Fang Bai had accepted her friend request.

She had just gotten the phone number from her mother and tried adding Fang Bai. She didn’t expect Fang Bai to actually accept!

She thought she would be rejected, especially since she hadn’t left a good impression on Fang Bai.

The noise wasn’t loud, but it caught the attention of Ji Yuning, who had just taken off her headphones and was about to lie down to read a book.

Their eyes met, and He Ziyan held up her phone, coughing lightly as she asked, “Whose cat was that in the video you were watching?”

Ji Yuning: “…Mine.”

He Ziyan said “oh” and held up her phone to Ji Yuning. “So Fang Bai’s profile picture is that cat?”

Ji Yuning looked over and saw Fang Bai’s profile page on He Ziyan’s screen.

Seeing Ji Yuning looking over, He Ziyan even clicked on Fang Bai’s profile picture. “Is it this cat?”

“…Yes.”

“Can you tell me when you got this cat? I don’t remember seeing it last Friday.” He Ziyan asked, trying to find a common topic to chat with Fang Bai about.

Ji Yuning lowered her eyes. “You can ask her.”

After saying that, Ji Yuning lowered her head to read her book, ignoring He Ziyan.

He Ziyan was very nervous, so nervous that she forgot to argue with Ji Yuning. She was thinking about what to chat with Fang Bai about.

Ji Yuning, on the bed opposite her, frowned slightly, as if she didn’t understand the content of the book.

••••

On Friday.

Fang Bai was still waiting for Ji Yuning at the school gate.

As soon as Ji Yuning exited the school gate, she saw Fang Bai.

Like last week, Fang Bai was the center of attention, no matter where she was.

This time, without Mu Xuerou delivering notes to Ji Yuning, they walked to the car smoothly.

After getting into the car, Fang Bai said to Ji Yuning, “You probably heard when I was chatting with Liao Li on Sunday. Today is Fang Yimu’s birthday, and the old man wants me to go back.”

Fang Bai continued, “We’ll go through the motions and leave after an hour.”

Ji Yuning hugged her backpack and said softly, “Master Fang didn’t invite me.”

Fang Bai: “Why wouldn’t he? You’re family with me. Inviting me is the same as inviting you, right?”

Her words weren’t convincing at all. Even Uncle Li couldn’t help but glance at Fang Bai in the rearview mirror.

Meeting Ji Yuning’s eyes, Fang Bai tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and said frankly, “Okay, actually, I want you to come with me so I have someone to talk to. I’m too bored alone, and I have nothing to talk about with the people at the banquet.”

I have nothing to talk about with you either.

Ji Yuning turned her head away.

The car drove off.

Fang Bai tried to find a topic. “I heard you’re participating in an English competition next month?”

Ji Yuning: “Yes.”

Fang Bai continued, “With He Ziyan?”

Ji Yuning was about to nod, but suddenly remembered something and asked, “How do you know?”

Fang Bai didn’t hide anything. “Oh, she told me when we were chatting last night.”

After Fang Bai finished speaking, she asked, “How has she been to you this week? Has she caused you any trouble?”

Ji Yuning: “…No.”

“Then it seems she’s keeping her promise.”

Ji Yuning moved her gaze to Fang Bai’s face. “What… did you say to her?”

Fang Bai cherished Ji Yuning’s initiative to talk to her. She said without hesitation, “He Ziyan said she wanted to live in the same dormitory as you to get closer to you. Last week, when she was doing homework at our house, I asked her how to get closer to you, and she stammered and couldn’t say a word.”

Fang Bai remembered He Ziyan’s expression at the time and smiled. “I told her that not causing you trouble was the biggest help she could give you. She agreed, but…”

Fang Bai paused and said, “But she discussed something with me that concerns you.”

Ji Yuning looked at Fang Bai.

Fang Bai said slowly, “She wants to come to our house every week to do homework with you.”

Ji Yuning: “…?”

Fang Bai looked at the confusion on Ji Yuning’s face, remembering her own reaction when she heard He Ziyan’s request. “I didn’t agree at the time. I told her I would ask for your opinion.”

Fang Bai: “But if you want, you can invite student Mu too. It would be nice for the three of you to help each other, like that day. If it’s too troublesome for student Mu to take the bus, I’ll have Uncle Li pick her up.”

After Fang Bai finished speaking, she felt that she was too open-minded. Other parents would prevent their children from having puppy love, but she was different, creating conditions for the female lead to have puppy love.

Of course, this was on the premise that Fang Bai knew Ji Yuning’s academic performance wouldn’t be affected by these factors.

Fang Bai thought she would get Ji Yuning’s consent, but Ji Yuning’s face showed a calm rejection. “No need. Xuerou has other things to do every weekend.”

“Okay.” Fang Bai didn’t insist. “What about He Ziyan?”

“…” Ji Yuning turned to look out the window. “I’ll talk to her.”

Half an hour later, the car stopped in front of a clothing store.

Fang Bai told Ji Yuning to leave her backpack in the car, got out of the car, walked to Ji Yuning’s side, and said, “The clothes the old man ordered for us two months ago. We’ll wear the new clothes tonight.”

Two months ago?

Ji Yuning noticed the time Fang Bai mentioned.

Like Fang Bai, Fang Maozhou didn’t have a good impression of her. Unless Fang Bai took the initiative to tell him she wanted to take her to the banquet, he wouldn’t have ordered a dress for her two months ago.

So Fang Bai’s decision to take her to the birthday party on Friday wasn’t sudden, but decided two months ago?

Why?

Ji Yuning’s dark eyes were dim, and she lowered her head, her gaze falling on the exquisite floor of the clothing store.

Two months ago… Fang Bai hadn’t pretended to be kind like she was now. All of Fang Bai’s seemingly kind actions were ill-intentioned…

Was this time the same?

“Xiao Ning.”

Fang Bai’s voice interrupted Ji Yuning’s thoughts.

Ji Yuning looked up and saw a person in a dark blue uniform standing in front of her, smiling kindly. “Hello, Miss. Please follow me.”

Fang Bai walked to Ji Yuning’s side and said softly, “You follow this guide, I’ll go somewhere else.”

Fang Bai was afraid that Ji Yuning would feel uncomfortable, but it was clear that she was overthinking it. Ji Yuning didn’t seem awkward at all.

Ji Yuning pursed her lips and remained silent for a few seconds, then nodded. “Okay.”

Fang Bai watched Ji Yuning’s figure disappear around the corner, then turned to the salesperson beside her and said, “Let’s go.”

“Okay, Miss Fang, please follow me.” The salesperson said, gesturing in a direction.

It was the staircase leading to the second floor.

Fang Bai paused. “Why is mine on the second floor?”

The salesperson said, “Yes, because your dress is more expensive and is stored in the VIP area.”

“…”

Fang Bai smiled inwardly. Why did Fang Maozhou still do this? Did he think this would please the original owner?

The original owner’s relationship with her father, Fang Maozhou, was strained, mainly because when the original owner was eighteen, Fang Maozhou married a recent college graduate who was only five years older than her to be her stepmother. He married her because the woman was pregnant.

What did this mean? It meant they had been together for some time, and Fang Maozhou had always been the “good father” figure in the original owner’s eyes. The original owner trusted Fang Maozhou and believed he wouldn’t betray her deceased mother.

But reality hit the original owner hard. Men were all the same in the end.

Upon hearing this news, the original owner moved out of the house overnight and had been living outside ever since, rarely returning home except for the New Year.

And the reason the original owner agreed to attend Fang Yimu’s birthday party two months ago, and even actively told Fang Maozhou she would bring Ji Yuning, was because—

The original owner wanted to use Ji Yuning to ruin the birthday party.

“…”

Fang Bai, recalling the events of the birthday party in the book, had already put on her dress and walked out of the dressing room.

“Miss Fang, you look absolutely stunning! This dress looks perfect on you.”

The salesperson’s praise suddenly rang out, interrupting Fang Bai’s thoughts.

Fang Bai looked at the person in the mirror, slightly surprised.

Fang Bai’s face was the same as the original owner’s, even the moles were the same, so Fang Bai quickly adapted after transmigrating. But at this moment, Fang Bai felt a slight sense of dissonance. The person in the mirror was too beautiful to be her.

Ji Yuning, watching the person slowly walk down the stairs, had the same thought flash through her mind. Ji Yuning was even stunned for a moment when she saw Fang Bai.

A champagne-colored mermaid dress perfectly accentuated her slender waist and the curves below her hips. With every step of her long legs, the hem of the dress swayed, making her look like a swaying branch on the ground, a mermaid swimming in the sea.

The dress’s color complemented Fang Bai’s gentle and elegant demeanor. Her long hair cascaded down her shoulders, and the sparkling earrings on her earlobes shimmered in the light.

When the light flashed into Ji Yuning’s eyes, she instinctively closed them. When she opened them again, the amazement in her eyes was suppressed, and the momentary stunned look was hidden deep within her heart.

Ji Yuning wouldn’t admit that, for a moment, she thought Fang Bai was very beautiful.

Fang Bai saw Ji Yuning as she walked down the stairs, not knowing when she had changed her clothes and was waiting for her in the hall.

Before they changed, both of them had their hair styled. Ji Yuning’s usual high ponytail was let down by the stylist, and several curls were added to the ends, making her look mature, which complemented her deep expression.

Although the material of the dress Fang Maozhou ordered for Ji Yuning wasn’t as good as the original owner’s, the cheapest dress in this clothing store was still nearly six figures. How could it be bad?

A black French off-the-shoulder dress wasn’t too revealing, only showing off the girl’s fair shoulders and collarbone. The hem of the dress reached her knees, neither too long nor too short, just right.

“Xiao Ning.” Fang Bai couldn’t help but call out.

Ji Yuning shifted her feet, facing Fang Bai. “Aunt Fang.”

With the clacking of her high heels against the floor, Fang Bai walked up to Ji Yuning. There was only a step between them, and Fang Bai generously praised, “You’re very beautiful.”

Ji Yuning pursed her lips. “You too, Aunt Fang.”