The Real Daughter Needs Saving by This Vicious Female Cannon Fodder? - Chapter 33

Wen Wanbai took the elevator down, and Gu Lindong, out of courtesy, personally escorted her.

“Ning Anran, what do you think?”

“Isn’t the environment here quite nice?”

Gu Xia stood cheerfully in front of Ning Anran, her voice brimming with excitement.

“Yes, it really is nice.”

“Thank you for your kindness, Second Miss.”

This wasn’t just empty flattery.

For the first time, Ning Anran genuinely felt this job was a good fit. The salary and benefits Gu Corporation offered her were on par with full-time employees.

It didn’t take much to guess that Gu Lindong must have been worn down by Gu Xia’s persistence before agreeing to her unreasonable request.

As their conversation drifted over, Wen Wanbai paused by the potted plants near the elevator, making no move to step forward.

Gu Lindong had long noticed how shamelessly his sister was grinning.

Now, he was questioning everything—had his sister’s previous hostility toward Ning Anran actually been because she liked her?

“Hey, Ning Anran!”

“How many times do I have to say it? Stop calling me ‘Second Miss’… Just call me Gu Xia.”

Gu Xia didn’t even realize her voice had taken on a coquettish lilt, completely different from the smug, fox-tailed demeanor she’d had when she first entered the company.

Ning Anran merely responded with a soft “Mm,” her lips curling into a faint smile as she tilted her head slightly.

Watching this scene, Wen Wanbai turned to Gu Lindong and asked, “President Gu, is that your sister?”

Gu Lindong nodded, his tone laced with affection.

“Yes, she’s been mischievous since childhood. I hope you’ll be understanding, President Wen.”

Forcing herself not to glance in their direction again, Wen Wanbai knew she shouldn’t intrude on the girl’s life now.

“That’s nice.”

…

Rising onto her tiptoes, Gu Xia felt her heart race at the sight of Ning Anran’s smile.

Damn it, the female lead’s ridiculously good looks were seriously heart-fluttering!!!

“Gu Xia.”

Bending slightly, Ning Anran’s red lips brushed against Gu Xia’s fair cheek as she called her name softly.

“Yeah! I’m here!”

“Ning Anran!”

Like a puppy hearing its name, Gu Xia immediately straightened up, her voice unconsciously rising a little.

Was she really this happy just from being called?

Ning Anran froze for a moment at the silly grin plastered on Gu Xia’s face.

“Ning Anran… could you say my name again?”

“It sounds really nice.”

Gu Xia didn’t feel the slightest bit embarrassed—she saw this as the perfect start to their “beautiful friendship.”

This was the turning point where she’d no longer end up as cannon fodder. It had to be commemorated!

Used to Gu Xia’s odd requests, Ning Anran obliged without hesitation, her tone softening further.

“Gu Xia.”

Congratulations, Host. Female Lead’s Favorability +1.

The system’s prompt chimed in her ear, and Gu Xia gazed at Ning Anran, her heart swelling with sweetness.

Ning Anran definitely had feelings for her!

“I’m here, Ning Anran.”

“If anything ever happens—if you’re unhappy with life or work—”

“You can call me anytime. No matter when, I’ll be there for you, Ning Anran.”

Miming a phone with her right hand, Gu Xia held the “receiver” to her ear.

“If you have happy news, remember to share it with me. I’ll join you for meals and celebrate with you.”

“Ning Anran, okay?”

Ning Anran listened as Gu Xia repeatedly called her name, unsure what intentions lay behind those words.

A sudden thought arose in her heart—no matter what motives Gu Xia had for teasing her, she was willing to step into her embrace.

“Okay.”

Lowering her arms, Ning Anran pulled Gu Xia into a hug.

“Gu Xia, I promise you.”

She smelled wonderful. Ning Anran didn’t recognize the perfume brand, but Gu Xia had always favored expensive luxury goods.

It definitely wasn’t some budget-friendly label.

The scent was comforting, so much so that Ning Anran didn’t want to let go.

The embrace was tight—almost too tight—but Gu Xia felt warm and content, unwilling to push her away.

“Ahem…”

Gu Lindong, having just seen Wen Wanbai off through the side door, returned and found her younger sister looking utterly smitten, like a lost puppy completely bewitched.

For the first time, she felt a twinge of doubt and disappointment in her own upbringing.

By all accounts, aside from not spending enough time with Gu Xia, Gu Lindong considered herself a responsible older sister.

But it seemed inevitable—once they grew up, they’d drift away.

Her heart was already elsewhere.

“Big sis, do you have a cold?”

Turning, Gu Xia saw Gu Lindong in her formal attire and immediately put on an ingratiating smile, as if performing a face-changing act from Sichuan opera.

In this company, Gu Xia knew exactly who held the real power—her sister was the queen, and she was merely the jack.

“No, I’m fine.”

“Xiaxia, what brings you to the company today?”

“What, afraid I’d bully Miss Ning?”

Teasing laced her tone as Gu Lindong crossed her arms and leaned in, observing her sister’s flushed cheeks with a hint of inexplicable jealousy.

Was she really that infatuated with Ning Anran?

Even in front of her, she couldn’t stop mentioning her name.

“Of course not, sis! My dearest, most wonderful sister in the whole world! From now on, at the company… you’ll look out for Ning Anran, won’t you?”

“She just graduated and doesn’t have much experience. Please go easy on her.”

Three sentences, and Ning Anran’s name came up every time.

Gu Lindong massaged her temples and sighed.

“Understood, my dear sister.”

“Though, from what I’ve seen of Miss Ning’s work, even without extensive experience, her performance is among the best of recent graduates.”

“My dear sister, you’re overthinking it.”

The repeated “my dear sister” made even the usually shameless Gu Xia blush.

Lifting her gaze, Gu Lindong studied Ning Anran standing behind Gu Xia, a quiet realization dawning.

She hadn’t expected Ning Anran’s background to carry such a history, but upon closer inspection, she could vaguely trace the resemblance between Ning Anran’s features and those of Wen Wanbai from Yuanye Group.

Ning Anran met Gu Lindong’s gaze without flinching. She was calm—almost detached—except for the faint emotions that surfaced around Gu Xia.

Otherwise, she seemed like nothing more than a work-worn machine.

Noticing her sister’s gaze, Gu Xia immediately pulled Ning Anran behind her, clearly intending to hide her away.

Sigh… this overprotective behavior from my little sister is truly hopeless.

Who knows if she’ll still dare to flaunt Ning Anran around like this once she discovers the secret of her background?

She might just end up hiding behind me too scared to make a sound.