After Transmigrating Into A Cannon Fodder Character, I Only Want To Survive (GL) - Chapter 27

Fang Bai walked in front, with Ji Yuning following half a step behind her.

The two entered the hall one after the other.

Most of the people in the hall showed surprise when they saw Fang Bai.

The fact that Fang Bai and Fang Maozhou were at odds was well-known among the influential people in Hu City. They had thought that Fang Bai, given her personality, would never attend her second brother’s birthday party. But now, not only had she come, but she was also… carrying a gift?

Just as Fang Bai finished chatting with someone who had come up to greet her, she turned around and saw a middle-aged man in a black tunic suit walking towards her. Upon seeing his face clearly, the man’s identity flashed through Fang Bai’s mind.

Fang Bai led the man a few steps away and called out, “Uncle Chen.”

The man’s name was Chen Xiandong, the Fang family’s butler. He had worked for the Fang family for over twenty years and had watched the original owner grow up. The original owner had a good relationship with Chen Xiandong and always treated him like a close uncle.

Although Chen Xiandong had heard from Fang Maozhou that Fang Bai was coming, he still couldn’t hide his joy when he saw Fang Bai in person. He happily called out, “Miss.”

Then, Chen Xiandong’s gaze shifted to Ji Yuning behind Fang Bai, and his tone lowered slightly, but he still said politely, “Miss Ji.”

Ji Yuning nodded slightly. She had never interacted with Chen Xiandong and didn’t know if he was as simple as he appeared. But being able to stay in the Fang family for so long meant he was no ordinary person.

Fang Bai handed the gift she was carrying to Chen Xiandong and asked, “Where’s the old man?”

Chen Xiandong took the gift box, surprised that the young lady would give a gift, and replied, “Master is in the study discussing business. He should be finished soon. I’ll go call him.”

Fang Bai nodded. “Thank you, Uncle Chen.”

“Why are you being so polite, Miss?” Chen Xiandong said. “If you find the hall too noisy, you can go back to your room to rest. Master has someone clean your room every day.”

Fang Bai looked around. “I’ll wait in the living room. I’ll say a few words to him and then leave.”

Chen Xiandong was surprised. “Miss isn’t staying overnight?”

Fang Bai: “No.”

Chen Xiandong wanted to say something, but felt that it would be inappropriate given his position, so he said, “…Then please wait a moment, Miss. I’ll go find Master.”

Chen Xiandong took the gift box to the study. On his way, he asked a waiter to bring wine and juice to Fang Bai and Ji Yuning.

Fang Bai picked up a glass of wine and turned to look at Ji Yuning, only to find Ji Yuning staring at the food table in the distance.

She had forgotten that Ji Yuning hadn’t eaten yet.

Although she hadn’t eaten either.

After the waiter left, Fang Bai walked to Ji Yuning and asked softly, “Are you hungry?”

Ji Yuning took a sip of juice and nodded. “Yes, I’m hungry.”

Fang Bai raised an eyebrow. “I thought you would say you weren’t.”

Hunger was hunger; there was nothing to be embarrassed about.

Fang Bai chuckled and suddenly glanced into the distance. “Are those people looking at you over there from your school?”

Ji Yuning followed Fang Bai’s gaze and saw four or five young men and women gathered together, looking at her. When they saw Ji Yuning and Fang Bai looking back, they quickly looked away.

But Ji Yuning still saw their faces clearly. They were familiar.

Ji Yuning: “Yes.”

Fang Bai understood.

Since they entered the door, those kids had been staring at them with unfriendly eyes. She could guess that they were probably rich kids from school who had bullied Ji Yuning.

“I’m hungry too.” Fang Bai half-lifted her eyelids and said softly to Ji Yuning, “Let’s go get some cake first. We can have Sister Wu cook when we get home.”

Before Ji Yuning could say “okay,” she saw Fang Bai’s jade-like arm reaching out to her.

The next second, her wrist was grabbed.

After holding hands once, the second time felt natural.

Although Fang Bai was afraid Ji Yuning would punch her in the car, she felt relatively safe in public.

Fang Bai said without turning her head, “There are too many people. Follow me.”

Ji Yuning wanted to pull her hand away, but when she glanced at the people in the distance, she suddenly changed her mind.

They were friends with He Ziyan. To curry favor with He Ziyan, they surrounded Ji Yuning like hoodlums, making all sorts of sarcastic remarks.

Ji Yuning wasn’t afraid of them and hadn’t paid them any attention, but she found them annoying. If she could use Fang Bai’s influence to get rid of them, then today… wouldn’t be a waste.

Ji Yuning stopped trying to pull her arm out of Fang Bai’s hand.

Noticing that Ji Yuning wasn’t moving, Fang Bai’s thick eyelashes flickered with joy. She knew Ji Yuning was smart and that it was worth risking her displeasure to hold her hand.

Fang Bai let go of Ji Yuning after pulling her to the table. She only needed to let those kids see that Ji Yuning was close to her. There was no need to hold her hand all the time.

Fang Bai picked up a cake with less cream and a small strawberry on top and handed it to Ji Yuning.

After Ji Yuning took it, she picked up the same one and ate a small piece.

After tasting it, Fang Bai turned to Ji Yuning and chatted with her, her smiling eyes and eloquent lips showing the kind of attitude one would only have towards a close friend.

To outsiders, Fang Bai and Ji Yuning had a harmonious relationship and a pleasant atmosphere.

Fang Maozhou stood at the top of the stairs, looking at Fang Bai’s smiling face, and his stern expression softened.

He hadn’t seen Fang Bai smile in a long time. He couldn’t remember the last time.

Every time he met Fang Bai, they would invariably argue.

Fang Maozhou suddenly hesitated. He was afraid that his appearance would ruin Fang Bai’s smile.

Before Fang Maozhou could make a decision, the people in the hall noticed him on the stairs and greeted him.

A series of “Hello, Mr. Fang” revealed Fang Maozhou’s presence.

Fang Bai put down her cake and turned to look.

Fang Maozhou was always called “old man” by the original owner, but he was only 48, in his prime. He didn’t have a greasy beer belly, and his thick black hair had a few strands of white. With his glasses, he looked like he was only about forty.

Their eyes met, and Fang Maozhou had no way out.

He nodded to those who greeted him and walked down the stairs.

Fang Bai stood still, waiting for Fang Maozhou to walk up to her.

Fang Maozhou’s lips moved, and he called out with a hint of a sigh, “Bai Bao.”

“…” Fang Bai was silent.

Although she knew that Fang Maozhou had always called the original owner that, she still felt a bit numb.

Ji Yuning glanced at Fang Bai. This was the first time she had heard it. Usually, before Fang Maozhou could say anything, Fang Bai would start an argument.

…The cream in her mouth suddenly tasted cloying.

After calling out, Fang Maozhou’s gaze shifted to the person standing behind Fang Bai. Remembering what Chen Xiandong had told him, Fang Maozhou realized it was Ji Yuning.

“Xiao Ji.” Fang Maozhou called out, “You’ve grown into a young lady in just a year. I almost didn’t recognize you.”

Ji Yuning lowered her head slightly. “Mr. Fang.”

Fang Maozhou nodded and turned his gaze back to Fang Bai, sternly asking, “Why aren’t you saying anything?”

As soon as he asked, Fang Maozhou regretted it.

It was good that the little firecracker wasn’t talking. Why did he have to light the fuse?

The whole hall would explode.

Fang Bai wasn’t the original owner. She had no prejudice against Fang Maozhou. But facing Fang Maozhou, who was so focused on his daughter, Fang Bai didn’t know what to say.

Fang Maozhou loved the original owner very much. Besides his love for his daughter, he also felt guilty towards her. When the original owner was killed by the cannon fodder, Fang Maozhou went crazy and attacked Ji Yuning…

Fang Bai wasn’t qualified to forgive Fang Maozhou on behalf of the original owner, but she wasn’t qualified to hate him either. She could only treat Fang Maozhou like a normal person.

“Say what?”

Fang Bai’s tone was calm, but to Fang Maozhou and Chen Xiandong, it sounded impatient.

Chen Xiandong was used to the father and daughter’s interactions. Although he felt that Fang Bai was very different today, he suggested as a precaution, “Master, there are many people in the hall. How about we talk in the side hall?”

“Good idea.” After Fang Maozhou agreed, he put his hands behind his back and led the way to the side hall.

Seeing that Fang Bai wasn’t moving, Chen Xiandong smiled and said, “Miss, let’s go.”

Fang Bai nodded and looked at Ji Yuning. “Follow me.”

After the four of them arrived at the side hall, Chen Xiandong, who was busy with other matters, leaned over and said a few words to Fang Maozhou before leaving.

In the side hall, only Fang Bai and the other two remained.

At first, no one spoke. Fang Maozhou was afraid that speaking would displease Fang Bai, Fang Bai didn’t know what to say, and Ji Yuning… she sat in the corner, quietly eating her cake.

After three minutes of silence, Fang Maozhou finally asked in a deep voice, “Old Chen said you’re not staying overnight?”

Hearing Fang Maozhou’s voice, Fang Bai moved her eyes away from her manicure. “Yes, I came to give the second young master a gift and then I’m leaving.”

Fang Maozhou frowned. “Why are you in such a hurry to leave?”

“The mountain road is difficult to drive at night.”

“Then don’t leave.”

“…I promised Sister Wu I’d go back.”

Fang Maozhou scolded, “I’m your father.”

Was her father’s word less important than a nanny’s?

“…”

Ji Yuning, who had finished her cake, found the back-and-forth conversation between the two of them very dull.

Her handbag, which was placed on her lap, vibrated. Her phone had vibrated at least five times since she got out of the car.

Ji Yuning lowered her eyebrows and stared at her bag. The two in the side hall had finished their exchange, and the side hall returned to the silence of a minute ago.

Ji Yuning hesitated and stood up.

As soon as she stood up, Fang Bai noticed and asked softly, “What’s wrong?”

Ji Yuning picked up her handbag. “Bathroom.”

Fang Bai said “oh” and “go ahead.”

After Ji Yuning walked out of the side hall, Fang Maozhou’s cold face softened, and he asked, “Don’t you dislike that child?”

But what he saw was that his daughter was nicer to Ji Yuning than to him.

Fang Bai crossed her legs. “It’s not about liking or disliking. I just figured some things out.”

After hearing this, Fang Maozhou thought for a moment and asked, “I heard Xiao Ji is doing very well in school?”

Fang Bai: “Yes.”

Fang Maozhou asked, “Is there anything she needs help with at school?”

Fang Bai could tell that Fang Maozhou wanted to improve their relationship. Despite playing the role of a father, he kept asking for his daughter’s forgiveness.

Fang Bai pursed her lips. “…Not for now.”

“Xiao Bai is here?”

A woman’s voice suddenly rang out.

Fang Bai looked up and saw a woman in a red dress and heavy makeup walking in.

The person was Fang Maozhou’s second wife, Chang Suyao.

Seeing Chang Suyao, Fang Maozhou’s face immediately changed. He stood up. “Why did you come in? Get out.”

His little firecracker seemed to have been doused with water today, and was finally not arguing with him. Now that Chang Suyao appeared, the warmth he had just felt was gone.

Chang Suyao hooked her arm around his and said tenderly, “Why can’t I come in? This is my home, too, isn’t it?”

After saying that, Chang Suyao looked at Fang Bai. “Butler Chen has already given Yimu the gift you sent. He likes it very much.”

Fang Bai stood up and walked to Chang Suyao, saying calmly, “I’m glad he likes it.”

The unusual reaction surprised the two people present. Even Chen Xiandong, who had just walked in, paused for a few seconds.

Why wasn’t the young lady… arguing?

Chen Xiandong quickly reacted and walked to Fang Maozhou, saying, “Master, everything is ready.”

Then, Chen Xiandong looked at Fang Bai and said, “Miss, the birthday party is about to start. Would you like to wait for the candle blowing before leaving?”

Ji Yuning hadn’t returned from the bathroom yet. Fang Bai shook her head. “I’ll wait for Xiao Ning here.”

Chang Suyao hooked her arm around Fang Maozhou’s. “Let’s go. It’s time to see the guests.”

“You go first. I have something to say to my daughter.”

Chang Suyao’s expression changed slightly. “It’s not appropriate for me to go out alone with so many guests outside, is it?”

Fang Maozhou: “Isn’t Old Chen with you?”

Fang Bai wasn’t interested in Fang Maozhou and Chang Suyao’s interaction. She glanced at the door, wondering if she should go out and wait for Ji Yuning.

Before Fang Bai could look away, she saw a waiter hurriedly walking in. He walked straight to Chen Xiandong and whispered, “Butler Chen, the guests at the pool are arguing.”

Although his voice was very low, it was still heard by everyone present.

The word “pool” immediately caught Fang Bai’s attention.

She felt that Ji Yuning was involved.

Fang Bai still had lingering fear from the description of Ji Yuning and the pool.

Before Fang Bai could ask, the woman’s next words confirmed Fang Bai’s intuition. After glancing at Fang Bai, she said timidly, “Miss Ji is also by the pool.”

Author’s Note:

Regarding the relationship development, I’d like to clarify that before Xiao Ji turns eighteen, Aunt Fang won’t have any romantic feelings towards her.

Only Xiao Ji has romantic feelings for Aunt Fang, but because of Xiao Ji’s hatred for the original owner, this feeling will be discovered gradually.

The mutual romantic relationship between the two will begin after Xiao Ji turns eighteen.