The Real Daughter Needs Saving by This Vicious Female Cannon Fodder? - Chapter 18

“Xiaxia, are you in a relationship?”

The classmate holding paint walked back, looking at Gu Xia with utter confusion. Her question instantly drew the attention of everyone in the art studio.

“Really? I noticed you’ve been staring at your phone all day, Xiaxia. I thought you must be dating someone!”

Hastily putting her phone away, Gu Xia cleared her throat and denied it outright.

“Of course not! I was just chatting with someone. No need to make such a big deal out of it.”

Her words sounded so confident that no one could doubt her—except for the faint blush spreading across her cheeks, which betrayed her true feelings.

“Liar~”

“Xiaxia, you’re acting exactly like I did during the honeymoon phase with my partner!”

“Come on, is he from our art academy?”

“If he is, why don’t you bring him over tonight so we can all have dinner together?”

The nosy crowd closed in, their sparkling eyes fixed on her, leaving Gu Xia speechless.

She had already rehearsed an explanation in her head—that the person on the other end of her phone was just an ordinary close friend, nothing more!

But just then, the message she had been eagerly waiting for finally arrived with a “ding.”

Instantly, the entire studio fell silent.

Even the students holding paintbrushes paused mid-stroke, ears perked up, eager for gossip.

Gu Xia was famously beautiful in their department, and no one had ever heard of her being interested in anyone before. There were rumors that she had a crush on someone from the neighboring Imperial University, but no one believed them. After all, this spoiled little princess—the second daughter of the Gu family—would never chase after someone, right?

Yet now, seeing Gu Xia clutching her phone with flushed cheeks, even the skeptics had to believe it.

Who reacts like that to a friend’s text?

It’s going pretty smoothly. The conditions here are great—meals and accommodation included.

Ning Anran sat in her office chair, finally finding a moment to glance at her phone. She always kept it on silent mode at work, and only now did she notice the flood of messages from Gu Xia—filled with stickers and cryptic greetings.

Imagining the Second Miss Gu puffing up in frustration at being ignored, Ning Anran couldn’t help but smile faintly.

Are you staying in the dorm!?

Gu Xia’s heart clenched, her expression betraying her panic. She absolutely couldn’t let Ning Anran stay in the company dorm!

Wouldn’t that just give the male lead an opening?

I haven’t decided yet. It’s not ideal for my mom and me to keep squeezing into the maid’s room at Uncle Fu’s place.

Once my mom agrees, I’ll probably move out.

There was no point hiding her plans, so Ning Anran stated them plainly.

No way! What am I supposed to do if you leave?!

Gu Xia knew that subtlety wouldn’t work on someone as stubborn as the female lead. She had to be more forceful—to make Ning Anran obey her.

You can stay in my spare room! I’ll talk to my mom and sister. Don’t stay at Uncle Fu’s—come live with me.

Gu Xia knew that when Ning Anran first came to Imperial University from her small town, she had lived with her mother in that cramped maid’s quarters.

Their life had been hard and frugal.

The rent near the Imperial Capital University was outrageously expensive, repeatedly crushing Ning Anran’s dream of moving out to live off-campus.

Money had always been tight for her, and with her father’s creditors constantly hounding her for payments, she was practically penniless.

Even affording meals and tuition had become a struggle.

“Second Young Miss Gu, aren’t you afraid I’ll bring you trouble?”

She was still the same—fiery and unyielding, refusing to take no for an answer.

“Afraid? What’s there to fear? I, Gu Xia, have never been afraid of anything since the day I was born!”

“Ning Anran, just take care of my daily needs. I’ll pay you 20,000 a month—how’s that?”

“You won’t have to work out in the wind and rain anymore. I swear I’ll be the best boss in the world!”

Why do latecomers surpass the early birds? Because the latecomers fight and claw their way up!

She had to seize this opportunity, lock the female lead firmly by her side, leaving no opening for the male lead to swoop in, nor any chance for him to seize control of the Yuanye Group—lest she end up minced into pulp.

A brilliant plan indeed!

“Congratulations, Host! Female Lead’s Favorability +3!”

“That’s right, Host! Let’s charge ahead and secure the female lead, dominating this world once and for all!”

“Ahahahahahaha!”

Listening to the system’s maniacal laughter, Gu Xia couldn’t help but feel exasperated. Why did it sound even more smug than her?

“What’s so funny?”

“I haven’t even succeeded yet. Don’t pop the champagne early—what if we mess up?”

“Also, why do you sound like a villain…”

“Host, you wrong me! As the Villainous Cannon Fodder Self-Rescue System, I’ve seen so many cannon fodders who never realize how ruthless they are. So, I’ve picked up a few things along the way~”

Was it just her, or was there some hidden sarcasm in that?

“Are you… talking about me?”

“Of course not, Host! If all those villainous cannon fodders had your self-awareness—letting go of past grudges and fighting tooth and nail for the protagonist—”

“I’d have long since soared to the top of the System Performance Rankings!”

At least it was ambitious. Good—a system like this was worthy of being hers. Together, they’d carve out a path to survival.

Staring at the figure of 20,000 a month, Ning Anran slowly typed back.

“I’m not worth that much.”

“If Second Young Miss Gu wants a housekeeper, 20,000 could get you a well-mannered one from a domestic service agency.”

What kind of response was this? Was she being gently rejected?

“What if I said I don’t want anyone else? Ning Anran, I only want you—no one else will do.”

“So… can you not refuse me? Puppy eyes.jpg”

Gu Xia’s heart pounded as she slumped over her desk.

At this point, she couldn’t care less about the stares from her fellow art students. Her striking eyes remained glued to her phone screen, dreading the moment Ning Anran’s rejection would appear.

Unbeknownst to her, the two lengthy green message bubbles had been thoroughly read by the people standing behind her. They shook their heads in disbelief.

So the little princess really had fallen for someone—and was pining helplessly!

That pitiful, pleading tone—who could’ve imagined Gu Xia, of all people, would ever sound like this?

Seeing the message, Ning Anran fell silent.

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, unsure how to respond.

If she chose to trust Gu Xia, only to be tricked, mocked, and humiliated by her again, wouldn’t that be asking for trouble?

The company dormitory might be shared with others, but it was still better than living under someone else’s roof, barely scraping by.

“Forget it, Ning Anran. If you feel uncomfortable, then… just pretend I never said that?”

“I can always visit you at your company if I want to see you.”

She typed the words with a hint of dejection.

Not wanting Ning Anran to notice her disappointment, Gu Xia decided to back down first.

“I agree.”

Those three short words sounded like heavenly music to Gu Xia’s ears.

She let out a happy squeal and immediately jumped up from her seat!

Ning Anran had agreed!

Ning Anran had said yes!