The Real Daughter Needs Saving by This Vicious Female Cannon Fodder? - Chapter 23

With her legs intertwined, Gu Xia couldn’t help but gently rub against that smooth, jade-like skin that had been warmed by their embrace.

“It’s time to get up.”

Ning Anran had been awake for a while. If Gu Xia hadn’t been holding her so tightly, she would have already finished her morning routine.

Thinking about how she’d completely fallen out with the senior members of her team last night, Ning Anran had already prepared herself for being fired.

There really wasn’t any reason to stay in such a toxic work environment—remaining would only mean becoming everyone’s punching bag.

“Mmm… I know.”

“Ning Anran, can I hold you for just a little longer?”

Still half-asleep, Gu Xia thought she was dreaming as she wrapped her arms around Ning Anran’s waist and draped a leg over her.

This was hardly the posture of someone ready to get up—it was clear she intended to go back to sleep and laze around.

“If I let you hold me any longer, I’ll be late for work.”

Hearing this, Gu Xia jolted awake as if from a dream. When she opened her eyes, she was met with a expanse of snow-white skin.

That was… Ning Anran’s collarbone!

Several buttons of her collar had come undone, and the culprit was obvious.

It was her!

“I… I didn’t mean to!”

“I just overslept a bit.”

The fog in Gu Xia’s mind began to clear, though her drowsiness hadn’t completely faded.

“I know you didn’t mean to. I didn’t say anything.”

Not unintentional, but deliberate.

With a soft laugh, Ning Anran’s warm breath brushed against Gu Xia’s cheek. Staring dazedly at her face, Gu Xia momentarily lost herself.

As expected of the female lead—so beautiful.

I really want to…

Stop! Gu Xia, what are you thinking so early in the morning? How dare you entertain such indecent thoughts about the sacred and untouchable female lead!

You’re being so rude!

Gu Xia forcibly reeled in her wandering thoughts and quickly released Ning Anran.

But after holding her all night, how could her arms not be sore? As she abruptly withdrew her hand, Gu Xia winced.

Her arm had stiffened, completely immobile.

“I’m not going to eat you. Why are you so afraid of me?”

Ning Anran’s slender fingers rested helplessly on Gu Xia’s wrist as she massaged her arm.

The numbness gradually eased, and Gu Xia stared blankly at Ning Anran, her heart itching.

“What’s wrong? Last night you were desperate to hold me, but now that your arms are sore and numb in the morning, you regret it?”

Ning Anran pulled over her other arm and continued the massage. Gu Xia’s sleeping posture was terrible—she had kicked her more than a few times during the night.

Fortunately, her strength was about that of a kitten’s, so the kicks didn’t hurt much.

Even her slaps were all bark and no bite—they didn’t actually hurt.

“That’s not it.”

“Ning Anran, does it hurt when I hold you?”

Gu Xia’s hand felt so comfortable being massaged that she was reluctant to pull away, so she changed the subject.

The question wasn’t entirely selfless—if Ning Anran’s arms ached, Gu Xia planned to ask a friend to cover her morning classes.

She would visit a doctor her sister knew to get some ointment and deliver it to Ning Anran.

“It hurts—sore and numb.”

“But I’m used to it by now. Being held by you to sleep—it’s not for free, after all. Didn’t the Second Miss Gu promise to pay me for it?”

“This is much better than peeling potatoes in the dead of winter. I couldn’t be happier about it.”

Ning Anran had long mastered how to quickly massage her sore muscles back to normal.

She’d endured too much hardship—even stolen moments of leisure proved useless.

Staying by this person who treated her “badly” turned out to be the best thing for her.

She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at the irony.

At this point, Gu Xia recalled the faint sounds of scolding she’d heard over the phone last night.

“Ning Anran… maybe you shouldn’t go to that job. Wait a few more days.”

“I’ll talk to my sister and mother—they can arrange a position for you.”

Hearing Gu Xia’s concern, Ning Anran shook her head and gently returned her hand.

“Miss Gu, I appreciate your kindness.”

“But if I leave just like that, wouldn’t I be giving those people exactly what they want?”

Today, Ning Anran was going for closure—to see how Shengding Group would choose. If they didn’t want her to stay, she’d walk away with dignity.

If they wanted her to stay, she’d demand answers—to settle accounts for their workplace bullying.

This plot existed in the original novel, and Gu Xia remembered it vividly.

Ning Anran would meet the male lead here!

“Then I’m going with you.”

“Let’s see if they dare bully anyone then.”

Gu Xia was determined—she wouldn’t let the male lead swoop in and steal this opportunity. So what if she fought for it?

She’d fight fair and square!

Host, your awareness is truly remarkable! This is something most hosts never achieve!

This system applauds you!

“What about your classes?”

Hearing that Ning Anran still remembered her schedule made Gu Xia’s heart swell with joy, her delight evident on her face.

“It’s just painting—one day won’t make a difference. I’m more worried about you getting bullied.”

“That’s more important.”

Hahahahaha! Congratulations, host—female lead’s favorability +5!

The system’s chime in her ear dispelled Gu Xia’s lingering doubts—Ning Anran clearly didn’t mind her tagging along.

As long as the female lead didn’t resist, she was already halfway to success!

“Why am I more important than your painting?”

Ning Anran seemed puzzled.

“Of course! I won’t allow my people to be bullied outside… Well, Ning Anran, if anyone’s going to bully you, it should be me. Who else is worthy?”

“They should take a good look in the mirror!”

Gu Xia’s deadpan nonsense made Ning Anran burst into laughter.

…

Outside Shengding Group.

A man sat by the car window, a cigarette between his fingers. He rolled down the window and sighed in relief.

“Finally, Young Master Ning went inside.”

“Not smoking for even a short while is torture.”

The lighter flickered, igniting his cigarette as he blew a smoke ring out the window.

Squinting at the scenery outside, two figures gradually came into view.

Recognizing one familiar silhouette, the man nearly dropped his cigarette in shock.

That back looked exactly like the Madam’s!

“Could the Madam have followed Young Master Ning here out of concern…?”

Rubbing his eyes in disbelief, he watched as the woman turned around in the breeze—her youthful features strikingly reminiscent of the Madam and Master in their younger days.

There had long been a rumor in Yuanye Group that two phoenixes had given birth to a sparrow.

The eldest daughter of Yuanye Group, Ning Jin, had inherited none of her parents’ superior genes. On the contrary, she was plain in appearance and exceptionally lacking in talent.

Over the years, she had made countless loss-making deals. If not for the vast wealth of Yuanye Group, she would have long since squandered it all!

As the Ning family’s chauffeur, he had overheard the servants whispering behind the young CEO’s back more than once.

They said she was the debt collector from her parents’ past life, the bane of their present existence.

“How could her features be so similar? Could it be…”

He didn’t finish the thought. Clenching the cigarette between his teeth, his hands trembled as he unlocked his phone. Zooming in the camera, he snapped several quick photos of the woman.

Then, just as swiftly, he moved those pictures into a private album.

“This matter must be reported to Madam first!”