The Cannon Fodder NPC Went Too Far [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 22
Chapter 22
“Host, Host, the plot actually aligned!” The system woke up and saw the score for the basement plot node soaring, and it excitedly bounced up and down in Xia Yu’s mind.
“So the system was wrong about the Host. The Host is the one who takes completing the mission most seriously. The system must learn from the Host.” Unpaid flattery poured sweetly from the little blue ball’s mouth.
It had thought the Host was going to give up on this plot node. Although abandoning one or two plot points wasn’t a major issue, the basement imprisonment scene accounted for a large portion of the score. If abandoned, the Host’s final score would be dangerously close to the passing mark.
“Host, if you were going to complete this plot, you should have said so earlier! The system will now read you the scoring criteria and verdict for this plot point.”
The little blue ball cleared its throat, shot up to the center, and excitedly read out loudly: “The big villain locks the Host in the basement. The Host struggles intensely and shouts curses. Detected emotions of pleasure and contentment from the big villain, and the use of tools such as ties for restraint.”
“Although the system did not record the event, based on big data scenario simulation, combined with various evidence, and considering the Host is a newcomer, we deem the plot node complete.”
Listening to the little blue ball’s dramatic reading, which sounded like a novel, Xia Yu seemed to recall something, and her earlobes grew even redder.
“So, Host, you two…” The little blue ball finished its dramatic reading. Its two eyes lit up, and it flew curiously in front of Xia Yu. Before it could say anything else, Little Xia Yu interrupted it.
“Alright, little system, stop asking.” Little Xia Yu suddenly jumped up, clapped her hand over the little blue light ball’s mouth, and smothered it against her stomach.
Even though they were in her own consciousness, the little phoenix’s actions were exceptionally sneaky. She glanced left and right. Seeing no one paying attention, she released the system, winked mysteriously at the little blue ball, and hushed it. Then, as the little blue ball stared at her intently,
Xia Yu triumphantly raised her eyebrows, cupped her hands around her mouth like a megaphone, and yelled at the little blue ball: “It’s a secret! I’m not telling you!”
Then, she dashed out of the consciousness sea, completely unaware that the little blue ball was severely heartbroken by her words.
The little blue ball sat down on the floor, its head drooping, a dark cloud vaguely forming above it. It muttered sadly: “The Host has secrets and won’t tell the system. The system is no longer the Host’s favorite little blue ball, boo-hoo-hoo X﹏X”
“I’m mad! The system is deducting one point from the Host, hmph ╯^╰”
Xia Yu, dressed in a suit, leaned back in her chair, a black pen in her hand occasionally tapping the desk, quietly listening to her subordinate report on the company’s status.
Behind her, the original female protagonist, Jiang Xiaoxiao, dressed in the company uniform, held a stack of documents and seriously handed them to Xia Yu one by one in order.
The meeting, which lasted several hours, finally ended. Xia Yu stretched and rotated her stiff neck.
Managing one company had so many trivial matters that were endless. She couldn’t imagine how Shen Zheng managed so many companies under her name, plus the entire Shen family.
Shen Zheng’s imposing, unsmiling face in the conference room involuntarily appeared in her mind. She needed to work harder; she absolutely couldn’t fall too far behind.
Xia Yu secretly cheered herself up, then instantly rejuvenated, and began to handle official business.
The original female protagonist, with excellent perception, poured Xia Yu a glass of water, then quietly exited the door, going into various offices to loudly urge people to deliver the materials Xia Yu needed.
Jiang Xiaoxiao came from a poor background. Her mother died when she was very young, and her father was heavily indebted from gambling. She had been on the run with her father since childhood.
She finally managed to get into a good university and leave that place after she became an adult. Unexpectedly, her father, to repay gambling debts, directly sold her to a creditor. The creditor, seeing her good looks, offered her as a gift to the Shen family’s eldest grandson, Shen Tingyu, to curry favor. She was tied to a bed and presented to him.
The author originally designed such a tragic background for the female lead to set the stage for a domineering male lead to descend from the sky and save her from despair. The male lead’s cruel and abusive methods of tormenting the female lead were masked by her tragic family history, making them seem less important.
Look, even though the male lead hurt her, he also helped her escape that disgusting family.
However, Xia Yu’s forceful intervention cut off the bond between the male and female protagonists at its root. Now, Shen Tingyu hadn’t even met the female lead, let alone developed any feelings.
A heroic figure descended and rescued her. Jiang Xiaoxiao secretly swore at that moment to repay her.
It just so happened that Xia Yu was short a secretary and the company was hiring. After tidying herself up, Jiang Xiaoxiao came to apply.
She went through numerous rounds, defeated all competitors, and stood before Xia Yu, becoming her secretary.
To survive fiercely in such a wretched family and get into a decent university, Jiang Xiaoxiao was actually a very capable person. Unfortunately, no one noticed her potential in the novel.
But Xia Yu could. Just as Shen Zheng saw the ambition in Xia Yu, when Xia Yu saw the proud and determined Jiang Xiaoxiao in the company, she immediately decided she would be her secretary.
“CEO Xia, it’s time to get off work. CEO Shen is here to pick you up,” Jiang Xiaoxiao whispered, leaning close to Xia Yu’s ear.
Xia Yu’s eyes lit up. She quickly packed up a few things and rushed downstairs.
Downstairs at the company building, Shen Zheng was lazily leaning against a luxury car, gazing gently as Xia Yu hurtled toward her like a cannonball.
Opening her arms, Shen Zheng caught Xia Yu steadily, then nodded to the original female protagonist in greeting.
She had heard Xia Yu mention the girl and deeply sympathized with what happened to her.
Thanks to Yu Yu’s rescue, a major disaster was averted. She knew her nephew too well; how could he refuse a gift delivered to his door? As his aunt, she felt deeply ashamed and apologetic.
However, her nephew had incredible luck. He was shot by her aiming directly at him and still survived, now running around causing trouble right under her nose.
Most of the Shen family’s illicit forces had been eliminated by her. The remaining forces were consolidated around Shen Tingyu, who intended to use them to challenge her.
Like grasshoppers after the autumn harvest, they won’t last long. Once she fully controlled the Shen family and had time, she would deal with them.
The Shen family had long been turned upside down by Shen Zheng. Those deeply involved in illegal activities were sent to prison. Those who opposed her were kicked out. The neutral ones were brought over to her side.
Recalling Shen Zhengming lying in the hospital bed, glaring but having to endure his disgust and humbly ask her to take over the position of Shen family head, Shen Zheng found it amusing.
Did he think that if she became the Shen family head, she would let off his eldest grandson, Shen Tingyu, for old times’ sake?
Dream on. After she took the position, Shen Tingyu’s actions would be nothing short of treason. She would simply be eliminating a traitor. Could they stop her? She had clearly given him a chance, but he chose to disobey.
Shen Zheng leaned in to buckle Xia Yu’s seatbelt. She stepped on the gas pedal, and as they drove away, she slightly curved her lips at Jiang Xiaoxiao.
She believed that Jiang Xiaoxiao would become Xia Yu’s right hand, just like Qin Ying, accompanying her as she grew. They would form a perfect partnership.
As for whether she would be jealous of their friendship? Shen Zheng scoffed. She wasn’t some naive teenager anymore. Why would she panic over such baseless things?
Thirty-year-old Shen Zheng had strong power, sufficient rationality, and rich life experience. She was confident she could skillfully guide her slightly younger lover, ensuring she hit fewer walls and took fewer detours, enabling her to stand side-by-side with her sooner.
In fact, besides competition and love, there was also an unbreakable friendship between women.
They were never high or low, and friendship was just as precious as love.
Shen Zheng had experienced it firsthand, and she hoped Xia Yu would too.
She hoped Xia Yu would be surrounded by loving family, caring friends, and a booming career, not just her.
The little phoenix was born to be surrounded by kindness and embraced by love.
Xia Yu secretly peered out from the second floor, scanned the first floor, and saw no sign of Shen Zheng. Her eyes lit up. She tiptoed stealthily down the stairs, intending to sneak toward the basement.
By a coincidence, most of the basement plot had been completed. According to the novel, she should still be locked up by Shen Zheng for a few more days.
Lying in bed, she felt dissatisfied, so close to the finish line. If she secretly stayed in the basement at night and got up early in the morning, Shen Zheng definitely wouldn’t find out.
Xia Yu crouched down, just about to slip behind the stairs, when a questioning voice slowly came from behind her.
“Little cub, what are you sneaking around for?” Shen Zheng stood at the very top of the stairs, looking down at her and raising an eyebrow.
Which means Shen Zheng saw all her actions just now. She didn’t say a word, letting her perform the entire thing like an idiot.
Damn it. Too much! How could someone be so despicable!
She was angry.
Xia Yu, flushed with embarrassment and anger, raised her head, rushed to Shen Zheng, and gently bit her lip.
After successfully ambushing her, she swung her head and prepared to run. Before she could take a step, Shen Zheng, with quick eyes and hands, grabbed the back of her collar.
Shen Zheng gripped the back of Xia Yu’s neck with one hand and her shoulder with the other. With a twist, she directly brought Xia Yu’s lips to hers.
Only when Xia Yu’s legs went soft and she was docile in her arms did Shen Zheng ease her grip. She poked Xia Yu’s head with her finger and softly asked:
“What mischief were you planning?”
“The bed upstairs isn’t comfortable. I want to stay in the basement.” Perhaps because Shen Zheng was being so indulgent, Xia Yu thought there was no need for all the trouble and directly stated her request with righteous confidence.
Shen Zheng was momentarily stunned. Her usually light eyebrows suddenly changed, like two burning flames. Her deep pupils stared gloomily at the little phoenix who had made such a request.
Clearly, the simple request Xia Yu casually uttered held an entirely different meaning and suggestion in Shen Zheng’s ears.
“Little cub, are you inviting me?”