After Becoming a Cannon Fodder Side Character, I Became the Group’s Favorite (GL) - Chapter 3

The police department handled the case very efficiently. After questioning the two individuals, they began to address the issue of Xu Chacha’s living arrangements.

Since her parents were still unknown, they could only search for them by publishing Xu Chacha’s photo. According to regulations, she would be placed in the nearest children’s welfare institution until her parents arrived.

When the female police officer finished speaking, she expected Xu Chacha to have some reaction, whether crying or smiling, but the girl just sat there like an expressionless puppet, devoid of life, looking abandoned.

Wen Mubai noticed the change in her mood and tightened her grip on her hand. “What’s wrong?”

“Can I stay with Sister?” Xu Chacha clutched Wen Mubai’s sleeve corner, looking up with red eyes. “Sister, I want to be with you. I don’t want to go to the welfare institution.”

She had lived in a welfare institution for a while in her previous life, and frankly, those memories weren’t particularly pleasant.

“Don’t be scared, little one,” the female police officer gently reassured her. “The teachers at the welfare institution are people Sister the police officer knows. They’re very kind and will take good care of you.”

Xu Chacha held onto Wen Mubai, refusing to let go, and wrinkled her red, tear-stained nose. “Sister is also very kind, and she will also take good care of me.”

After saying that, she asked Wen Mubai with a hint of uncertainty, “Sister, Chacha will be very good and won’t cause you any trouble. You won’t leave Chacha, right?”

Wen Mubai met her watery eyes, and the words practically tumbled out before she could think. “Sister said I would stay with you until your mommy and daddy come.”

The police officer looked troubled and said to Wen Mubai, “We understand that the little girl might trust you more since you just rescued her, but you are not qualified to be a guardian. Furthermore, it’s against regulations to casually foster a lost child with just anyone.”

“Chacha understands.” Xu Chacha gently shook her head. “Then forget it. Chacha can’t trouble Sister anymore.”

As a complete stranger she had just met, Wen Mubai had already done more than enough for her.

Even if she disliked the welfare institution, that was her personal desire, and she couldn’t make things difficult for Wen Mubai because of it.

The more Xu Chacha acted obedient and sensible, the more Wen Mubai’s heart ached.

This feeling was strange; she had never experienced it before.

She only knew that looking at Xu Chacha’s small face, filled with disappointment and a forced pretense of strength, she felt an overwhelming urge to do something more for her, even if it was just to make her happy for a little while longer.

“Could you tell me which welfare institution it is?” Wen Mubai asked the police officer.

“The nearest one is probably this one… it’s called Lu You Welfare Institution. Don’t worry, we’ve sent a few children there before, and the director takes excellent care of them.”

Wen Mubai searched for the name of the welfare institution on her phone. “I checked, and even without traffic, it would take at least four or five hours to drive there. It’s already 4:30 PM, so you’d arrive in the evening.”

“We have a dedicated police car for transport.”

“My point is that she’s been exhausted all day and hasn’t eaten much. The most important thing now is to rest well and calm her emotions.” Wen Mubai’s composure was rare among her peers. Even when facing the police, her tone was respectful but firm. “The guesthouse I rented is less than ten minutes away by car. If you don’t trust me, I can leave my personal information, and you can even send someone to monitor us.”

“But…”

“Just for tonight, only for tonight,” Wen Mubai repeated, stating firmly, “I will take good care of her.”

No one saw that Wen Mubai’s hands, resting on her knees, were clenched so tightly that her knuckles were white. This was the first time she had fought so hard for something as herself.

In the past, whatever she wanted or didn’t want was imposed upon her by her parents without mercy, because it was her duty as the eldest daughter of the Wen family, the future face of the Wen corporation.

She slowly became resigned to her fate, learning to pretend she didn’t care about anything. Having lived this way for so long, Wen Mubai was almost forgetting what her original personality was like.

But this time, she couldn’t pretend not to care. She felt she might never forget the feeling of being hugged so tightly and trustingly by this girl.

Xu Chacha believed in her so much; she couldn’t let her down.

“Which guesthouse?”

Wen Mubai gave the address.

The female police officer’s expression was subtle, and she muttered softly, “That’s quite a coincidence.”

“What did you say?”

“That guesthouse is run by my mother.” The small town only had so many people; upon reflection, it wasn’t too surprising.

The female police officer extended her hand to Wen Mubai. “Leave your ID number and contact information. Also, I need to emphasize that she can only stay one night. My colleagues will pick up the child promptly tomorrow morning.”

Xu Chacha’s heart brightened. “Thank you, Sister Police Officer! You’re super pretty! And super cool!”

The female police officer smiled in defeat. “You too. Your mouth is super sweet.”

“Hehehe.”

…

It was nearly five o’clock when Wen Mubai walked out of the police station with Xu Chacha.

Summer days are long, and the sky hadn’t completely darkened yet. She raised her arm to block the sun, remembering that her parasol and sun-protection jacket had been left behind.

She had been so anxious to save Xu Chacha that she hadn’t bothered to grab her things.

“Doesn’t Sister like the sun?” Xu Chacha noticed Wen Mubai’s action, lifted her hand, and tried hard to reach her face. “Then Chacha will help block it for you.”

Wen Mubai looked down, amused by her silly gesture, and rubbed her soft hair. “Sister isn’t that delicate.”

Xu Chacha laughed with her, her eyes crinkling into slits, and her apple cheeks puffed out. “Sister looks so beautiful when she smiles.”

Smile?

Wen Mubai only then realized she was smiling.

“Mhm, Sister was amused by Chacha.” Wen Mubai took her hand.

“Then Chacha will make Sister smile often, okay? Ah, but…” Halfway through her sentence, Xu Chacha seemed to suddenly realize something and lowered her head in disappointment.

But it would be difficult for her to see Wen Mubai again.

Xu Chacha felt she couldn’t take these good things for granted. Being able to have something good even once was rare enough. Just like Wen Mubai in front of her, she couldn’t ask for more.

The little sweetheart’s dejected look didn’t escape Wen Mubai’s notice. She pursed her lips, wanting to say something.

Yet, she also thought that making promises she couldn’t keep would be cruel to Xu Chacha.

Her gaze fell on Xu Chacha’s limping gait, and Wen Mubai stopped walking.

“What’s wrong, Sister?” Xu Chacha looked up at her. “Are you tired? Then Chacha will lead you.”

She took a big step, stood in front of Wen Mubai, and offered her hand.

Wen Mubai lowered her eyes. She had originally intended to answer Xu Chacha but changed the subject when she saw the raw, red, swollen injury on her delicate palm.

“When did you get hurt? Why didn’t you say anything at the hospital?” Wen Mubai cupped her hand and brought it closer to look. Not only did the wound seem to be getting worse, but it also had mud and wood splinters mixed in that hadn’t been cleaned out. Looking at the cloth shoes on Xu Chacha’s feet, they were already worn beyond recognition.

She couldn’t imagine how a child so small endured these injuries and kept quiet about them until now.

“I forgot. It doesn’t hurt much.” Xu Chacha pulled her hand back, forcing an awkward smile.

Knowing it was almost certainly related to the couple, Wen Mubai didn’t press.

“Come here, Sister will carry you back.” Wen Mubai squatted down.

Xu Chacha backed away slightly. “No need. Chacha can walk by herself.”

“It’s Sister who wants to carry you.”

“Then… can I come up?” Xu Chacha blinked her little eyes and leaned towards Wen Mubai. “I might be a little heavy. If you can’t carry me, Sister can put me down.”

Wen Mubai didn’t speak, silently lifting the girl onto her back.

She had heard Xu Chacha introduce herself as seven years old at the police station, but she only reached her hip. She was shorter than the average five-year-old and weighed almost nothing.

Xu Chacha wrapped her thin, soft arms loosely around Wen Mubai’s neck, careful not to use any force, likely afraid of choking her.

The child’s slightly elevated body temperature transmitted through the thin clothing to Wen Mubai’s skin, accompanied by the sound of her pounding heartbeat—one beat, then another, getting faster and faster.

“Sister, my heart is beating so fast.”

“Hmm?”

“Because it’s the first time someone has been so good to me.” Wen Mubai heard the small, hushed voice move closer to her. She must have been smiling; a warm breath fanned her earlobe, tickling her. “I’m so happy.”

The corner of Wen Mubai’s mouth curved upward without her realizing it.

She let out a low hum from her throat. “Sister is also very happy today.”

Xu Chacha, carried on Wen Mubai’s back, was able to chatter for a bit at first, but soon her voice grew softer and softer. Finally, her head tilted, and she fell asleep resting against Wen Mubai’s neck.

“Chacha?”

Wen Mubai called her name and, finding no response, knew the little sweetheart was exhausted and had fallen asleep. She quickened her pace towards the guesthouse.

She hadn’t told her parents about this trip, claiming she needed a break before the college entrance exams to get away. The few art students she was with were just a convenient excuse; they weren’t close.

She originally planned to part ways once they arrived, but the girl who dragged her to buy the bracelet was very enthusiastic, saying she was worried about her being alone and kept trying to include her in their activities.

She was doing the same now, having received her text message and waiting with her neck craned outside the guesthouse entrance.

“Mubai! You’re finally back!” The girl ran over in small steps, her expression surprised when she saw Xu Chacha on her back. “This little girl…”

“The welfare institution is too far. She’s staying with me for one night,” Wen Mubai said concisely.

“Oh, okay.” The girl patted her chest. “I really didn’t realize she was abducted earlier, and we almost didn’t save her. Good thing you’re smart. If you need any help, just call me!”

Wen Mubai shifted Xu Chacha up higher on her back. “Actually, I might really need something.”

“What is it?”

“Can you help me buy a few sets of children’s clothes? I can’t leave her right now.” Wen Mubai looked at the girl. “Sorry for the trouble…”

She realized she still didn’t know the other girl’s name, or perhaps she had known it before but hadn’t remembered it.

“Jiang Panpan, my name is Jiang Panpan,” the girl said louder. “I’ll go buy them now. You can contact me by phone if you need anything else.”

“Sorry,” Wen Mubai said, handing over her wallet. “There’s some cash in here. If it’s not enough, the bank card PIN is six eights.”

“Are you really not afraid I’ll steal your money?” Jiang Panpan knew about Wen Mubai’s family wealth, but seeing that the other girl lacked the shrewdness expected of a rich person, she couldn’t help but laugh, a very exaggerated laugh. “Alright, I’m off.”

“Mhm, be careful on your way.”

Wen Mubai carried Xu Chacha into her room. The guesthouse owner, who must have received a call from the female police officer, purposely knocked on the door to deliver some food.

Wen Mubai thanked the person, carried Xu Chacha to the bed, and then took off her shoes.

The cloth shoes were faded from being washed, the soles were cracked, and the size wasn’t quite right for Xu Chacha’s feet, making them too tight.

After the shoes were removed, Xu Chacha was left with only a pair of white socks—socks stained with blood.

Wen Mubai frowned and, using gentle movements, slowly peeled the socks from the pair of young but scarred little feet. Only then did she see how severe Xu Chacha’s foot injuries were.

The toenail of her right big toe was cracked from the earlier dragging. The toe, which should have been like clear white jade, was now swollen into a small bump, and the large areas of redness on the top of her foot were caused by abrasions.

Fortunately, there was a first-aid kit in every room of the guesthouse. Wen Mubai opened the box, took out a cotton swab dipped in water, and slowly picked out the mud and wood splinters from Xu Chacha’s wounds before disinfecting them.

She must have been in pain from the disinfection, as Xu Chacha’s body twitched, and she mumbled in her sleep, “Pain… don’t hit me, don’t hit me. Chacha will be very good.”

Wen Mubai paused her movements and looked up at Xu Chacha’s sleeping face.

Her enviably thick eyelashes lightly brushed her eyelids. The tip of her nose still bore traces of redness from crying. Her porcelain-white skin, almost poreless with a faint pink undertone, made her look like a delicate and fragile piece of art.

Any person would be unable to hurt such a well-behaved and beautiful child. Wen Mubai felt like she wanted to tear the couple apart.

“No, you won’t.” Wen Mubai spoke very softly, yet her words were solemn, like making a sacred vow. “No one will ever bully you again.”