The Real Daughter Needs Saving by This Vicious Female Cannon Fodder? - Chapter 20

Watching Gu Xia’s coquettish behavior toward the person on the other end of the phone, the others could only sigh in regret.

It seemed the second young miss of the Gu family was truly lovesick!

This level of clinginess—even they at the peak of their own romances couldn’t compare!

“Who do you think Xiaxia likes? That heartthrob from the computer science department?”

Another shook their head.

“Didn’t they say Xiaxia prefers athletic types? Probably the captain of our school’s basketball team, right?”

The group huddled together, their discussion growing heated as they debated back and forth.

“Shh! All of you, quiet!”

“I just came back from the bathroom and saw a stunning beauty heading this way!”

“Could she be someone’s family member?”

The buzz-cut guy smirked meaningfully, a finger pressed to his lips as he craned his neck to peek behind them.

“Family member? Where?”

“Guo Da, stop joking—everyone here is a certified single, lifelong solo act!”

“Haven’t even held anyone’s hand, let alone anything else. At most, it’s just left hand meets right hand.”

Guo Da shot them a disdainful look before plopping down beside them with an air of importance.

“I swear she was coming straight to our booth. She’s gorgeous—tall and slender, though maybe a little too thin. A bit more weight and she’d be even more stunning.”

Hearing the vague description, Gu Xia propped herself up on the seat cushion. Those adjectives… sounded like Ning Anran.

Could it be that Ning Anran had come to pick her up?

A knock sounded at the door, and everyone turned to look. A server stepped in, followed by an extraordinarily beautiful woman.

She wore a simple, long brown coat over a cream-colored fitted sweater.

“Holy—she’s unreal!”

The exclamation was cut short as the speaker choked on his whiskey, hastily grabbing a napkin to wipe the liquor from his mouth.

He couldn’t afford to embarrass himself in front of such a beauty—first impressions mattered!

“Gu Xia, I’m here to pick you up.”

Ning Anran had Gu Xia’s down jacket draped over her arm. She’d taken a taxi back specifically to drive the Bentley over for her.

After spending so much time together, Ning Anran knew Gu Xia was a pampered little princess who couldn’t stand the smell of smoke or the overpowering cheap air fresheners in taxis.

Gu… Xia!?

This beauty was here for Gu Xia!?

So, the one Gu Xia had been whispering sweet nothings to on the phone was this absolute stunner!?

The art students: “!!!?”

Since when was Gu Xia into women!?

Just one sentence—”Gu Xia, I’m here to pick you up”—filled the entire KTV room with the faint scent of citrus.

“Okay… Ning Anran, you’re the best~”

Whether it was the alcohol or the person standing before her that intoxicated her, Gu Xia swayed unsteadily as she tried to stand.

She stretched out her arms like a lethargic sloth, her strength completely drained.

Quick as lightning, Ning Anran stepped forward and caught her before she could topple over.

If she’d been even a second slower, this little troublemaker would’ve face-planted right in front of her.

Gu Xia had always been frail—sickly since childhood, only improving slightly as she grew older, thanks in no small part to the meticulous care of her parents and older sister.

Ning Anran hadn’t known these details at first, but over the years, she’d naturally picked up bits and pieces from the family maid, Li Ma.

She carefully helped Gu Xia into the down jacket, her slender fingers pulling up the zipper.

Gu Xia didn’t move, pressing her forehead against Ning Anran’s chest, breathing in that faint, comforting scent—so much so that she felt a reluctant attachment.

She didn’t want to let go of Ning Anran.

She must have had a really hard day today.

Being scolded by so many people, yet having to endure it silently for the sake of her three-month probation.

Just the thought of it made Gu Xia’s heart ache. She had been spoiled since childhood, and the only one who ever really got angry with her was Gu Lindong.

But even Gu Lindong doted on her deeply, only ever raising his voice when pushed to the limit—and even then, it was always out of concern for her.

“Gu Xia… don’t hold me so tight.”

“I can’t breathe.”

Ning Anran brushed aside the loose strands of hair falling over Gu Xia’s face and caught a strong whiff of alcohol. It seemed the girl had drunk quite a bit.

Not that it was surprising.

She had seen Gu Xia drunk out of her mind too many times—once even throwing up on her, another time tearing at her own clothes in a frenzy…

“Oh, okay… Did I hurt you just now?”

“Sorry… Ning Anran.”

“I didn’t mean to, Ning Anran.”

“Congratulations, Host! The female lead’s favorability has increased by 5!”

“Keep it up, Host!”

Rubbing her cheek against Ning Anran’s brown coat, Gu Xia murmured her thoughts under the influence of alcohol.

She didn’t understand why her pre-awakened self had done those things—it was as if her body had been controlled, making her act out in irrational, unreasonable ways.

“It’s fine… You’re drunk.”

Ning Anran wrapped an arm around her and led her out.

“Everyone, I’ll be taking Gu Xia home first.”

“You all keep having fun.”

Handling social situations with effortless grace, Ning Anran’s dark hair cascaded down like snow misplaced in the mortal world—utterly out of place amidst the neon lights and revelry.

“Oh, sure.”

“Be safe on the way back.”

……

The car stopped by the courtyard.

Ning Anran stepped out of the driver’s seat and walked to the passenger side, opening the door.

Leaning in, she unbuckled Gu Xia’s seatbelt with a soft click. Gu Xia’s hazy eyes fluttered open.

At this moment, Ning Anran was too close—so close that the ends of her hair brushed against Gu Xia’s neck, sending a tingling shiver down her spine.

Overcome by the sensation, Gu Xia instinctively lifted her head, her lips accidentally grazing Ning Anran’s cheek.

The warm touch carried the scent of alcohol.

Ning Anran froze, momentarily speechless.

But the pause lasted only a second before she regained her usual composure, pretending nothing had happened as she firmly steadied Gu Xia with both hands.

“Ning Anran, your face… why is it so red?”

Under the glow of the porch light, Gu Xia saw the rare flush on Ning Anran’s cheeks—clearly not from the cold.

“It’s nothing.”

“Who knows which drunkard was just randomly kissing people?”

Ning Anran lowered her voice, though she couldn’t entirely hide the tremor in it.

“Gu Xia, I want to ask you something. Why have you been so nice to me lately?”

“Is this some upgraded prank, or have you thought of a new way to punish me?”

They say liquor emboldens the timid. She wanted to see if the drunken, uninhibited Gu Xia would finally reveal the truth behind her recent behavior.

The night wind swept through, lifting a corner of Ning Anran’s brown coat that hung by her calves.

For the first time, her dark eyes showed a flicker of vitality, a spark of curiosity she’d never felt before.

Ning Anran herself didn’t realize she’d asked that question because she secretly longed for Gu Xia to draw closer to her.

She no longer had feelings for Cheng Chen.

Now she wanted to be kind to herself again.