The Real Daughter Needs Saving by This Vicious Female Cannon Fodder? - Chapter 43

The call was ended by Gu Xia.

After much deliberation, the woman decided to send a message to Gu Lindong first.

“Lindong, have you seen Xia bringing anyone home recently?”

Gu Lindong replied quickly.

“No, Mom. Why do you ask?”

She was playing dumb.

Gu Lindong knew full well that if she revealed Gu Xia’s “ulterior motives” toward Ning Anran, their furious mother would likely show up in her office by tomorrow evening.

If their Xia had merely messed around with some flowers or grass, that would have been one thing. But Ning Anran was a genuinely good kid, studying at the Imperial Capital University, with a bright future ahead as long as she graduated successfully.

Their mother might usually indulge Xia, giving her whatever she wanted, but if push came to shove, Xia’s outrageous behavior would be enough for both parents to give her a stern lesson—maybe even a joint scolding.

Not content with being a troublemaker herself, now she wanted to drag a top student into her mess!

“Is that so?”

“Lindong, you wouldn’t be helping your sister lie to your dear mother, would you?”

“Sigh… My rebellious child, breaking my heart!!”

“Lindong, your sister is about to ruin someone else’s prized cabbage! Can’t you be more concerned?”

“And what if the other party is some wild boar trying to take advantage of your sister? You can’t afford to be careless about this!”

Reading this, Gu Lindong nearly spat out the coffee she was sipping, almost ruining her documents.

She coughed lightly, covering her lips with her hand to avoid her assistant’s curious gaze.

“Mom, what are you even thinking?”

“You know Xia’s temperament—do you really think she’d be interested in some idle delinquent?”

“As long as the kid is pretty and attractive, that’s enough! I gave birth to her—do you think I don’t know what she’s like?”

Gu Lindong couldn’t argue with that. It was the truth.

“Don’t even think about covering for her. Your dad and I are coming back for her birthday. I want to see just who has her so bewitched ^^”

Her mother’s gossipy side was acting up again.

Gu Lindong wasn’t opposed to her dear sister dating.

What worried her was whether Ning Anran was only pretending to be with Gu Xia for money. It wasn’t that she doubted Ning Anran’s character, but once Ning Anran returned to Yuanye Group as its heiress, this forced relationship might very well fall apart.

Gu Xia, who had never tasted the bitterness of love, would likely be heartbroken.

Then again, maybe a taste of heartbreak would do her some good.

Her sister had been spoiled rotten, and even Gu Lindong couldn’t bring herself to be harsh with her.

If someone could turn her unruly, domineering sister into a wilted flower, that might not be so bad.

Then she could step in as the caring older sister, guiding her devastated sibling back to the right path. Wouldn’t that be perfect?

Leaning back in her office chair, a faint smile touched Gu Lindong’s eyes.

She just wondered how Ning Anran—who had always bowed to financial pressures—would react once she learned her true identity.

Gu Lindong knew Yuanye Group’s unshakable dominance in the financial industry. She also knew how power could crush those beneath it.

So… Gu Lindong had no intention of intervening in this matter rashly.

When Ning Anran would learn about her identity, and what the Wen and Ning executives of Yuanye Group were thinking—it all depended on the choices these two would make.

…

Rubbing her thumping little heart, Gu Xia couldn’t shake the feeling that she’d been caught in a high school puppy love scandal by her parents!

How strange. With a clear conscience, one fears no midnight knocks. Since she wasn’t actually dating Ning Anran, why should she fear her dear mother’s scrutiny?

Heaven knows, she and Ning Anran were merely in a “lip friendship”—they weren’t officially dating!

What’s wrong with that?!

Isn’t that how city folks roll?!

“Gu Xia… Is your birthday coming up?”

Slender fingers pressed against the bedsheet as Ning Anran propped up her frail body, her pitch-black eyes fixed on Gu Xia.

A moist tongue licked parched lips. Whether from feverish delirium or natural craving, Ning Anran recalled the sensation of actively kissing Gu Xia that night.

Why hadn’t Gu Xia pushed her away? Why hadn’t she slapped her? Instead telling her to focus on recovery?

The joyful expression Gu Xia wore while tormenting her was completely different from her current demeanor.

Could it be… she wanted Ning Anran to make the first move?

To kneel voluntarily? To crawl forward and kiss her legs?

“Mhm, it’s soon.”

“So before my birthday, Ning Anran—you must recover properly!”

Gu Xia followed the conversation thread, her heart swelling with satisfaction at the sight of the couple’s bracelet on Ning Anran’s slender wrist.

‘System, see that?’

‘Ning Anran accepted my bracelet!’

‘This is proof of our sworn sisterhood! My ticket to becoming a winner in life!’

Brimming with accomplishment, Gu Xia felt a flicker of pride. At least Ning Anran seemed normal now, with no trace of their first encounter’s murderous chicken-soup intent.

Wasn’t that worth celebrating?!

‘Excellent. To commemorate your complete elimination of the female lead’s negative favorability, this system awards you 50 points!’

Heavens! Was this legendary god-tier system really hers? Such generosity! Gu Xia felt moved enough to cry—if only the tears could come from her mouth instead of her eyes!

Fifty points! Enough to skip tonight’s “100 Ways to Win Your Goddess’ Heart” mobile browsing and explore the strategy mall’s premium offerings.

‘Of course, host~ For a hardworking overachiever like you~ We simply must provide some beginner benefits~’

‘Keep up the good work~’

‘What birthday gift would you like?”

Bitterness filled Ning Anran’s heart. What could she possibly give? Nearly all her funds came from Gu Xia’s transfers.

Gu Xia had always gotten whatever she desired. Even several months’ salary might not buy anything comparable to that exquisite designer bracelet on her wrist.

“Ning Anran, if I tell you, will you really give me a present?”

Gu Xia crouched by the bedside, resting her chin like an endearing puppy.

“I… I can.”

The refusal that had been on the tip of her tongue ultimately went unspoken, and her negative answer transformed into a positive one.

Ning Anran suddenly realized she had somehow become someone who couldn’t pay the bill after enjoying a free meal.

Could she really afford what Gu Xia wanted?

But she didn’t want to refuse Gu Xia, didn’t want to see the heartbroken look in Gu Xia’s eyes when she looked at her.

“Great! Ning Anran, all I want is for you to share birthday cake with me.”

Gu Xia’s eyes curved into happy crescents.

Ding! Congratulations host, female lead’s favorability +1!

1% favorability corresponds to 10 points!