After Becoming a Cannon Fodder Side Character, I Became the Group’s Favorite (GL) - Chapter 16

“I like Auntie the most,” Xu Chacha muttered softly, then pulled Xu Yanshu’s hand. “But I have to listen to Sister too.”

Xu Yanshu’s expression softened considerably because of her words. Upon reflection, she felt that her behavior was quite childish.

Isn’t this kind of rivalry reserved for children?

“Sure,” Wen Mubai smiled. “Learning to spread the favor so young?”

Xu Chacha blinked her eyes, feigning innocence. “What does ‘spread the favor’ mean?”

“You’ll know when you grow up, no need to understand now.” Jiang Panpan burst out laughing. “This little one is too entertaining.”

“Thank you, Sister Panpan.” Thank you for asking me that question of death just now!

“Are you still hungry?” Xu Yanshu handed her a cup of orange juice. “If you really can’t eat it, forget it.”

Xu Yanshu calmed down and felt that Wen Mubai had a point. Plus, she couldn’t adopt the bad habit of Mr. and Mrs. Xu, who seemed desperate to feed Xu Chacha until she became a chubby girl.

Xu Chacha took a gulp of orange juice. The sweet and sour taste diluted the fishy smell in her mouth, and her appetite returned somewhat.

“I want to eat meat.” She put on disposable gloves and picked up a lamb chop.

The lamb chop was exquisite and small, with rich meat juices and a buttery, almost milky, fat. She ate it in a few bites, her mouth full of oil.

Xu Yanshu waited quietly for her to finish, then patiently wiped her mouth with a napkin.

“This is delicious. Sister, you eat some too.” Xu Chacha stuffed one into her hand.

Xu Yanshu opened her mouth obediently and nodded. “Mhm, it is delicious.”

“Right?” Xu Chacha winked proudly.

Wen Mubai didn’t interfere between the two sisters again, turning instead to continue talking with Jiang Panpan.

She had first met Jiang Panpan through an art competition held at school. The girl was talkative and good-natured, so they naturally struck up a conversation.

“I really envy you for having such a smart brain. You don’t have to worry about your future,” Jiang Panpan leaned against the table. “I’m different. If I can’t make a living from this, I’ll be stuck.”

“Just lucky,” Wen Mubai replied casually.

Standing behind Jiang Panpan were three girls and one boy. The girls were all art students from her school, and the boy was a classmate of Wen Mubai.

Unfortunately, he realized he had been standing there for over half an hour, yet Wen Mubai hadn’t even looked his way.

Was he not standing high enough?

Xue Zikai moved his 1.75-meter height and stepped onto the nearby step.

Okay, now he was finally visible.

“Mubai, you look really beautiful today.” He struggled to force out a sentence, trying to catch the attention of the person in the middle of the crowd.

The air was silent for a few seconds before Wen Mubai finally spoke softly, giving a rather unemotional “Thank you.”

Xue Zikai tried again. “You seem to really like kids. I have a little sister at home too. I’ll bring her to meet you next time.”

No one replied.

“By the way, where did you apply for college? I’ve never heard you mention it.”

Still no reply.

“Little Xue, shut up,” Jiang Panpan scrunched up her face at him. “You’re making me cringe so hard.”

“Hehe…” Xue Zikai scratched his head. “Sorry.”

“It’s enough for Auntie to love just one child—me. Brother, you can’t steal the affection!” Xu Chacha poked her head out, a smear of cream still on her lips.

Wen Mubai’s eyes were smiling. Her thumb wiped away the food residue from the corner of Xu Chacha’s mouth. “You don’t understand the meaning of ‘spreading the favor,’ but you’ve learned ‘stealing affection’?”

Xu Chacha immediately shrank back. “I… I think I’ll just keep eating cake.”

Xue Zikai felt awkward and couldn’t interject into the girls’ conversation with Jiang Panpan. He quietly left after a short while.

Wen Mubai didn’t talk much either, only giving faint replies when prompted, remaining silent the rest of the time.

Her gaze fell on Xu Chacha, who was playing with Xu Yanshu. Somehow, she suddenly became interested in the bouncing bow on the back of her dress.

Her fingers wrapped around the ribbon tail. She originally only intended to tug at it playfully, but she misjudged the strength and accidentally untied it completely.

“Ah!” Xu Chacha threw her two small hands behind her. Feeling the loosened bow, she turned around, puffing out her cheeks angrily. When she realized it was Wen Mubai, she pouted, looking like she wanted to be mad but couldn’t bear to be. “Auntie, Mommy spent a long time tying this bow for me.”

“I’m sorry,” Wen Mubai suppressed a laugh. “How about Auntie ties it again for you?”

“Tie it beautifully, okay?” Xu Chacha trustingly offered her back to her. “It has to be as beautiful as Mommy tied it.”

“Okay, Auntie will try her best.”

Wen Mubai’s fair, slender fingers wrapped around the pale green ribbon. She quickly tied it, forming a bow, and then carefully adjusted the fluffy shape and straightened the two ribbon ends.

“All done,” she patted Xu Chacha’s back.

Xu Chacha took tiny steps to turn around and show Xu Yanshu. “Sister, check it for me. Does it look good?”

“It looks good,” Xu Yanshu humored her.

“Well, alright then.” Xu Chacha said magnanimously. “I forgive Auntie.”

“Auntie thanks you.” Wen Mubai straightened her wrinkled skirt but then noticed the bandage on her knee. “How did you get hurt?”

Xu Yanshu replied, “You’ll have to ask your sister about that.”

Wen Mubai’s face darkened. She held Xu Chacha’s hand and looked into her eyes. “Tell Auntie, did someone bully you?”

“Ah…” This matter had actually been resolved satisfactorily. Xu Chacha didn’t really want to tattle. Otherwise, the back and forth with Wen Shiyu might drag on indefinitely.

“Chacha.” Mrs. Xu walked towards them from a distance. “Come quickly.”

“Auntie, Mommy is looking for me. I’m leaving now, okay?” Xu Chacha bolted over as if clutching a life raft. “Mommy!”

Mrs. Xu caught the little girl who jumped into her arms. “Did you have fun playing with your brothers and sisters?”

“Mhm, mhm. The Sisters all dote on me,” Xu Chacha said.

“Because Chacha is a little beauty. Who wouldn’t like her?” Mrs. Xu took Xu Chacha’s and Xu Yanshu’s hands, greeted Wen Mubai, and led them away.

Mr. Xu was speaking on the stage. He wanted to use this opportunity to introduce Xu Chacha to everyone. His little princess deserved to be the center of attention.

“Everyone knows the purpose of inviting you here today.” Mr. Xu took Xu Chacha from Mrs. Xu’s hands. “My precious daughter has finally returned to my side.”

Xu Chacha felt a bit awkward. She wasn’t used to this kind of public display.

“Daddy and Mommy swear they will never let you be hurt or wronged again,” Mr. Xu touched her forehead. “We hope our darling can always be healthy, happy, and worry-free.”

“Chacha will grow up quickly and be filial to Daddy and Mommy.”

“Hahahaha, it’s okay.” Mrs. Xu rubbed Xu Chacha’s head. “You can be Mommy’s little darling forever.”

“Come, Chacha, do you want to say a few words?” Mr. Xu moved the microphone close to Xu Chacha’s mouth.

Xu Chacha held the microphone with both hands. Her energetic, childish voice amplified. “I wish all the Brothers, Sisters, Uncles, and Aunties good health, success in everything, to earn lots of money, and to have a good mood every day!”

“Hahahaha.” Laughter erupted from below, and everyone raised their hands to applaud Xu Chacha.

After listening to Mr. Xu speak a few more words, Xu Chacha was finally let down. She sighed and scurried back toward Wen Mubai.

As she ran, the bow on her back bounced along, making people’s hearts itch.

Jiang Panpan was the one whose itch couldn’t be ignored. She quietly followed behind Xu Chacha, wanting to secretly pull her bow.

Just as her mischievous hand was about to succeed, a hand descended out of nowhere and slapped it away. Wen Mubai glared at her. “Don’t pull it.”

“Only the magistrate is allowed to set fires, but the common people aren’t allowed to light lamps!” Jiang Panpan complained unfairly.

“Correct.” Wen Mubai replied with conviction.

Jiang Panpan’s jaw nearly dropped. Is this the Wen Mubai I know?

“Sister, shall we go play with the kitty?” The required appearance had been made. Xu Chacha felt it was fine to leave now. “Auntie, you come too.”

She pulled one with each hand, yanking them forward like a little ox.

Wen Mubai put down her glass, forced to follow her steps. “I know, my ancestor. Slow down.”

Fortunately, the little calico cat was still there. As soon as Xu Chacha approached, it fluttered its short legs and jumped up, seemingly recognizing her.

“Don’t go too far. Just play here.” Xu Yanshu tied up her hair, making it easier for her to play.

“Got it,” Xu Chacha promised repeatedly.

Xu Yanshu shook her head and sat down on the long bench next to Wen Mubai.

She looked at Xu Chacha’s radiant smile and felt a sense of surreal satisfaction.

Just a few days ago, this little girl was timid and self-conscious, in a way that couldn’t help but tug at the heartstrings. Under the care of her biological parents, she recovered her lively demeanor so quickly.

“It’s good. She should be like this at her age.” Innocent and carefree, not having to worry about anything, just enjoying the love of others.

Xu Yanshu said, “It’s a good thing she met you. Otherwise, she might have…”

Wen Mubai’s voice was very soft. “Is that so? I think it might be the other way around.”

Her mother and father’s relationship wasn’t good. Her mother was a privileged young woman, raised with doting attention. She was proud, aggressive, and beautiful like a thorny rose.

Mr. Wen spent many years trying to enclose this rose, only to realize he was wrong. A woman like her mother shouldn’t hide behind a man, being a “woman behind the scenes.”

Before her death, her mother was an internationally renowned fashion designer. She often traveled abroad to various fashion weeks, always surrounded by excellent men. Even the wedding ring on her hand couldn’t deter those men from approaching her.

So, when she learned about her mother’s infidelity, Wen Mubai wasn’t particularly surprised. She even recalled an online saying: She just made the same mistake every man makes.

Because of her mother, Mr. Wen’s attitude toward Wen Mubai was conflicted. He was proud of her talent and aura, acting like a loving father in public. In reality, when they returned home, they rarely talked.

He only cared about her exam rankings and competition results, striving to mold Wen Mubai into a second version of himself, ensuring she had as little resemblance to her mother as possible.

Perhaps at Mr. Wen’s age, he only cared about profit and reputation. Therefore, the unreserved and passionate affection Wen Mubai felt from Xu Chacha was something she had never received in her life before.

Why do family members not want to let go of their grudges and break free from their restraints, a concept even a child understands?

“It’s good that I met her,” she told Xu Yanshu the latter half of her thought.

…

As the banquet was about to end, Wen Shiyu found them with a stern face. “Hey, Dad is calling you.”

Wen Mubai remained still, looking down at her.

“Wh-What is it?”

“The injury on Chacha’s leg, did you do it?” Wen Mubai got straight to the point.

“I, I, I…” Wen Shiyu stammered. “Didn’t we agree not to tell on anyone?”

“I found it myself,” Wen Mubai said, pointing to Xu Chacha, who was petting the cat on the side. “Did you apologize?”

Her cold expression was quite intimidating, and since Wen Shiyu was still only a thirteen-year-old brat, she pursed her lips, terrified, on the verge of tears. “I already apologized! She even kicked me! Why don’t you care about me? You’re my sister!”

Wen Mubai wasn’t softened by her tears. She let out a laugh with a hint of mockery. “You remember I’m your elder now, but why have you never shown any respect normally?”

“You never gave me a nice look either! Why… why are you telling me off? Wah, wah, wah…”

Xu Yanshu looked at Wen Shiyu, who was sobbing uncontrollably with snot and tears, with confusion, instinctively looking over at Wen Mubai.

The latter stood calmly in place, wearing an expression that seemed to say, “Keep acting. I’ll believe you when I’m defeated.”

After crying for a long time, and with no one coming to comfort her, Wen Shiyu knew her tactic wouldn’t work on this group. She bit her lip and wiped away her tears, her eyes red. “You’re ganging up on me! I’ll tell my mom!”

“Little kids shouldn’t tattle so much,” Xu Chacha walked over holding the cat. “If you tell on someone, I will too.”

As Xu Chacha finished speaking, the calico cat bared its teeth and swiped its claws forward. Wen Shiyu’s face went pale with fright.

“Quickly make it stay away from me! Ah, ah, don’t come near me!”

“Huh?” Xu Chacha released her hands, cupping them over her ears. “Are you saying you really like the kitty and want it to play with you?”

The calico cat seemed to understand their conversation. Meowing, it clawed at Wen Shiyu’s skirt, trying to climb up.

“Help, help! Someone help me! I know I was wrong! I won’t dare again! Let me go, let me go! My skirt!” This time, her voice truly sounded tearful.

Xu Yanshu and Wen Mubai stood on the side, very harmoniously looking down at their fingernails together. After examining their own, they helped check each other’s, deliberately refusing to look in Wen Shiyu’s direction.

Meanwhile, Xu Chacha smiled innocently, hopping and clapping her small hands nearby. “That’s good, that’s good. The kitty seems to really like you. You two get along well.”