The Real Daughter Needs Saving by This Vicious Female Cannon Fodder? - Chapter 42

After taking the medicine, Ning Anran lay back down. Her previously clear mind began to grow drowsy under the medication’s effects.

At that moment, Gu Xia’s warm hand rested on Ning Anran’s wrist. She took out the couple’s bracelet that the sales associate had given them last time.

This bracelet, a free gift with purchase, was something Gu Xia had even looked up online. It wasn’t just a symbol of affection—it also carried a blessing for the wearer’s good health.

Though Ning Anran wasn’t her lover, the wish for her health was sincere. Besides, since the bracelet came with the clothes she bought for Ning Anran, putting it on her wrist didn’t count as forcing it on her, right?

“Ning Anran, look—doesn’t it look good on you?”

After fastening the bracelet, Gu Xia lifted Ning Anran’s fingers, pressing their palms together and interlocking their fingertips.

The sight was undeniably intimate.

“It looks nice.”

Her hand was slender, the tendons taut yet exuding strength.

“As long as you like it.”

“It was a free gift from last time when I bought those clothes.”

“I’ve been thinking about when to give it to you.”

Ning Anran hadn’t rejected the pile of designer clothes Gu Xia bought for her. She knew Gu Xia had a spoiled young mistress’ temper—if she didn’t wear them, Gu Xia would definitely get upset.

But the luxury brands draped over her had already sparked whispers at school, rumors that she was being kept by some rich benefactor.

Ning Anran could only laugh dryly when she heard them. If people wanted to think that way, so be it.

To her, Gu Xia was indeed wealthy—a pampered young lady raised in privilege.

Curling her fingers, Ning Anran tugged lightly, pulling Gu Xia toward her.

Caught off guard, Gu Xia nearly toppled straight into Ning Anran’s arms.

“Gu Xia, is this a couple’s bracelet?”

The female lead truly lived up to her role—even feverish and muddle-headed, she was sharp as ever!

Was Ning Anran part bloodhound?

Her nose was way too keen!

“Yeah, it’s a couple’s bracelet.”

“If you like it, I’ll give you the other one too.”

Staring into Ning Anran’s eyes, Gu Xia felt herself on the verge of falling.

Ahhhh! How could Ning Anran be this gorgeous? She was practically a succubus walking among mortals!

“Of course, Host! As the female lead of this novel, how could she captivate thousands without some protagonist buffs?”

“So before you successfully romance her, don’t go falling first!”

“System, who do you think you’re looking down on? I’m not that lame!”

“If I’m going to fall for Ning Anran completely, I’ll at least need her to reach 50% favorability first!”

“Only 50%? Host, you’re still too weak~”

“You keep it.”

“It suits you.”

Ning Anran had never owned much jewelry growing up, nor was she particularly interested in accessories.

This was probably the first bracelet she’d ever received.

Hearing Ning Anran’s praise before even seeing the bracelet on her, Gu Xia was speechless.

Ning Anran really had a natural talent for flattery!

She couldn’t compete even if she rode a motorcycle!

“Then I’ll take the other one…”

Before Gu Xia could finish, her phone buzzed in her pocket—an incoming call.

“Ning Anran, I need to take this.”

Standing up, Gu Xia walked to the window.

She had noticed the caller ID displaying “Mommy” when answering the phone—it must have been her mother calling.

“Xiaxia, your father and I are in France right now. We just finished a meeting with clients and plan to come back this month to celebrate your birthday.”

“Have you thought about what gift you’d like?”

“We already bought you that limited-edition sports car you mentioned last time. Anything else you want?”

Her mother’s warm voice reminded Gu Xia that her birthday was approaching.

Her name contained the word “summer,” but she was actually born in the dead of winter. Her dear older sister, on the other hand, was born in summer—hence the name Lindong (Approaching Winter).

According to her parents, this was called “summer longing for winter, winter longing for summer”—where winter had summer, and summer had winter.

Gu Xia had no opinion on the matter.

As long as they didn’t name her Gu Cuihua (a rustic name), she was fine with it.

“Oh dear, Xiaxia, I was in such a hurry I forgot to turn on the camera!”

“Your father and I are at the dealership right now. Take a look and tell us what color you prefer.”

The moment the camera turned on, Gu Xia shifted uncomfortably. She definitely didn’t want her mother to see the frail Ning Anran lying on her bed.

It felt like she had just rolled out of bed, disheveled, facing her parents’ interrogation!

And Ning Anran was the “hidden beauty” she had boldly “kept in a golden house.”

“That’s right, Xiaxia. Your mother and I just closed a big deal. We could easily buy you two of these cars.”

A handsome middle-aged man appeared on the screen, dressed in a long black trench coat. Behind him, his assistant was speaking fluent English to the dealership manager, discussing something.

“Go talk to the manager about pricing first. I want to chat with our Xiaxia for a bit.”

As the camera moved, Gu’s mother caught a glimpse of someone lying on the bed behind Gu Xia. Alarm bells instantly rang in her head.

Still in bed at this hour? Had they just… done something?

And from the silhouette, it was clearly a long-haired woman.

Gu’s mother, in her forties, had spent years abroad with her husband for business, almost settling there permanently.

How could she not recognize the implications?

Not to mention her daughter’s unusually stiff expression. Normally, if Xiaxia heard her parents agreeing to buy her a long-desired gift, she’d be blowing kisses and throwing herself at them in excitement.

Hearing the fragmented conversation, Ning Anran began to piece things together. She vaguely recalled that Gu Xia’s birthday was around this time.

Her parents were probably calling about that?

In all her time here, Ning Anran had only seen Gu Xia’s parents a handful of times—mostly during holidays, from a distance.

There had never been much interaction.

Her own mother, however, loved cozying up to them. In fact, she seemed to know every resident in the neighborhood by name.

“Mom, I’m fine with anything.”

“You and Dad can pick the color.”

Gu Xia had no desire to revisit her past childish antics!

But hey, there was no harm in having a luxury car. If her parents wanted to gift her one, she’d take it—maybe even let Ning Anran test-drive it later.

“I have class soon, Mom. Maybe… I should hang up now?”

Although hanging up on her mom’s call was an utterly heartless move! But she simply couldn’t let her dear mother see there was someone lying in her bed.

Honestly speaking.

If she were in her mother’s shoes, she’d suspect herself of hiding something in the bedroom too.

Hiding a man for secret rendezvous!