After Becoming a Cannon Fodder Side Character, I Became the Group’s Favorite (GL) - Chapter 38.2

Once the conversation started, the atmosphere was no longer as awkward as it had been at first. The seniors liked to tease, but they were all very considerate of the younger students. When the food arrived, the first serving was passed to the back. When the food got cold, a few people would share and clear the plate.

Xu Chacha was the type to speak less when there were many people, and her appetite wasn’t strong, so she ate slowly.

Jiang Miao thought she didn’t like the food they ordered and asked the owner for the menu, handing it to her. “Order something else if you want.”

Xu Chacha quickly shook her head. She had developed a psychological shadow from being fed like a pig by her elders when she was a child, and she was afraid Jiang Miao would do the same.

After all, so far, Jiang Miao had been almost as attentive as a mother caring for her half-daughter.

“No need, upperclassman. I ate too much at noon. I can’t eat any more.”

“Then have this scallop with minced garlic. It’s a small portion and stimulates the appetite.” Jiang Miao put some on her plate.

“Thank you.”

“By the way, freshman, are you acquainted with Professor Lang Shu?” The short-haired girl finally couldn’t help but ask after holding it in for half the meal. “I see you cooperate with him often.”

Xu Chacha didn’t intend to hide her past. With how advanced online information was these days, even if she didn’t say anything, people could dig up most of it. Zhu Zhu and the others had asked when school started, and she had answered them all.

“Yes, I know him. He’s a wonderful person. He brought me into the industry.” Xu Chacha smiled, looking into the senior girl’s eyes as she answered.

“It really is you!” The short-haired girl covered her face. “Would it be weird for an upperclassman to ask you for an autograph? My mom is your fan, I swear!”

“Your upperclassman’s mom…” Xu Chacha tilted her head, her expression a little unreadable, but she nodded. “An autograph is no problem, but my signature isn’t worth anything. I hope you don’t mind, upperclassman.”

“How could I mind? My mom will probably be so happy she’ll give me an extra two thousand yuan for living expenses!” The short-haired girl didn’t expect Xu Chacha to be so agreeable and immediately handed over the notebook she had prepared in advance.

“No class! Can’t you wait until after the meal to ask her to sign?” Jiang Miao gave her a side-eye.

“It’s fine, Upperclassman Jiang Miao.” Xu Chacha stood up, took the notebook with both hands, and skillfully signed her name.

Then, she drew a cartoon head with short hair on the side. The cartoon head was squinting and smiling, bearing a slight resemblance to her when she was little.

“Ahhh! Thank you so much! To celebrate my mom meeting her idol, tell me what you want to eat, and I’ll buy it for you!”

“Hahaha, upperclassman, you’re too funny! Really, no need. I’m very full.” Xu Chacha waved her hands repeatedly.

Hearing her praise the short-haired girl for being funny, Jiang Miao’s chewing somehow slowed down. She glanced at Xu Chacha out of the corner of her eye and saw her smiling happily, her eyes sparkling under the light.

How should she put it? She was so radiant it was hard to look away.

But she also knew that Xu Chacha was probably just naturally like that—able to quickly get along with anyone. Yet, she secretly felt that she might be a little more special than others in Xu Chacha’s heart.

Damn it, Jiang Miao, that’s not right, she cursed herself silently. Are you trying to turn yourself gay?

“Oh, right, I’m super curious about one more thing.” Since they finally got the topic onto Xu Chacha, they decided to dig deep. “Was Wen Mubai, the former Miss Campus of Q University, your aunt?”

“We’re not related by blood. Our families are just close, so I’ve known her since I was a child. I’m just used to calling her Auntie.” Xu Chacha answered while sipping her lemon water.

“Hahaha, A-Yang, this is the closest you’ve ever gotten to your childhood goddess!” Someone teased the buzz-cut boy.

“Freshman, if that’s the case, why don’t you give him her contact information and help him pursue her?” The short-haired girl laughed, patting the boy’s back.

The buzz-cut boy rubbed his neck awkwardly. “That wouldn’t be good. She probably has a boyfriend.”

“She doesn’t have a boyfriend,” Xu Chacha’s smile changed. Her lips were still curved, but her eyes were not as gentle as before. “But it’s not easy to give out her contact information. She’s completely focused on her work and has turned down all the blind dates her family arranged.”

Blind dates arranged by the family must be with people of comparable social standing. How could a college student like the buzz-cut boy compare to them, especially since even the former couldn’t meet Wen Mubai’s standards?

“That’s true. Your goddess is the Editor-in-Chief of HN in Country Y now. She wouldn’t have time for a little guy like you to talk about love.”

“I… I wasn’t thinking anything! Don’t talk nonsense.”

“Oh, come on. Your face is all red. Wasn’t it you who spent a whole class period staring at her magazine cover?”

The short-haired girl’s voice was loud and direct. Everyone laughed along, but Xu Chacha gradually lost interest.

Perhaps she didn’t like Wen Mubai being carelessly paired up, or she didn’t like the hidden admiration and shyness in the senior boy’s voice when he mentioned Wen Mubai.

Her hand under the table unconsciously clenched into a fist. She felt a surge of unpleasantness, as if her personal property was being coveted.

But Wen Mubai was never anyone’s property.

Xu Chacha shook her head, dispelling the terrible thought in her mind. She tilted her head, picked up a glass, and gulped down a large mouthful, but she didn’t realize she had picked up Jiang Shu’s glass next to her until she drank it—it was beer.

“Cough, cough, cough.”

“What’s wrong? You can’t even tell the difference?” Jiang Shu patted her back. “Are you okay? You said your alcohol tolerance was low.”

Xu Chacha shook her head. “Beer should be fine.”

“Are you dizzy?” Jiang Miao, concerned, was drawn over by the commotion and asked, “Do you not like them talking about you? I’ll tell them to stop.”

“No, it’s quite interesting. I like listening to the upperclassmen chat.” Xu Chacha stopped her.

“It’s just idle people gossiping. If you like it, I’ll add you to the group chat. They can reach 99+ messages in ten minutes.”

“Hahaha, then add Zhu Zhu. She’s a chatterbox, too.”

“Yes, let’s all exchange WeChats. It’ll be easier to keep in touch. If you want to go out for a late-night snack, just call us anytime,” the short-haired girl suggested.

“Great!” Zhu Zhu was the first to raise her hand.

The group mixed together and added each other as friends. Jiang Miao immediately created a group chat and added everyone.

Xu Chacha took the opportunity to stand up. “I’m going to the restroom. You guys keep eating.”

“Okay, the restroom is on the first floor, turn right when you enter,” Jiang Miao told her.

“Thanks, upperclassman.”

Xu Chacha put her phone in her pocket, walked down the stairs, but didn’t go to the restroom. She headed straight for the owner. “Boss, how much is our table? I’d like to pay the bill.”

“Ah, table six, is it? Wait for me to find the order.”

The owner pulled out the order and handed it to Xu Chacha. “Take a look. It comes to 1,723 yuan. I’ll round it down for you. 1,700 yuan, all right?”

Xu Chacha glanced at it, readily pulled out her phone to pay. “Thank you, Boss. I’ll definitely come back to eat here next time I’m free.”

“You’re welcome. Please give us more business!” The owner smilingly handed Xu Chacha a large bottle of Coke. “Here’s a Coke on the house. You’re all students; try to drink less alcohol.”

“Mhm, I’ll go keep an eye on them upstairs.” Xu Chacha took the Coke, thanked the owner again, and turned to leave.

As she turned, she saw Jiang Miao had already come downstairs and was standing by the railing at the corner, staring at her.

“Upperclassman, are you here to use the restroom, too?” Xu Chacha raised her hand to greet her.

Jiang Miao walked down, saw the Coke hidden behind her, and asked, “I said I’d treat, why did you secretly come down to pay the bill?”

“I had already told Zhu Zhu and the others that I would treat.”

“How much was it? I’ll transfer it to you.” Jiang Miao took out her phone.

“No need, upperclassman.” Xu Chacha pushed her hand away. “It’s just one meal. How much could it be? You can treat me to the canteen next time.”

The owner, who was organizing the liquor cabinet nearby, heard Xu Chacha’s casual tone and specially went back to check the bill again.

Seriously? It’s no big deal for these young kids to spend 1,700 yuan on a meal now?

Seeing her refuse so persistently, Jiang Miao knew she wouldn’t be able to pay the money, so she changed the subject.

She took out a gift box from her bag and handed it to Xu Chacha. “Here. This is a thank-you gift for lending me your umbrella last time.”

“It was just an umbrella. It’s not worth anything. You didn’t have to specially buy me a gift.” Xu Chacha shook her head.

“Then will you accept my payment for the meal?”

“…” Xu Chacha conceded, thinking she could just give Jiang Miao a gift back on her birthday or something. “Fine, thank you, upperclassman.”

“Let me help you put it on.” Jiang Miao opened the box. Inside was a simply designed silver bracelet.

She had bought it on impulse the first time she saw it, thinking it would look great on someone with pale skin like Xu Chacha.

Since Xu Chacha was already wearing a watch on her right hand, Jiang Miao pulled up her left hand, only to find a red string bracelet tied there.

Unlike Xu Chacha’s other accessories, this string bracelet looked a bit faded, and the style wasn’t very delicate—it could even be described as cheap.

Xu Chacha quickly retracted her hand, avoiding contact with the string. “I’ll just wear it on my right hand. It’s fine.”

Presuming the string bracelet held some special meaning for Xu Chacha, Jiang Miao didn’t press the issue and put the bracelet on her right hand.

Xu Chacha raised her arm and shook it. “It’s really beautiful. Upperclassman, you have great taste.”

“Not at all. I’m just happy you like it.”

By the time the two returned, everyone was nearly finished eating. The short-haired girl was organizing everyone for a group photo.

“Jiang Miao, Chacha, hurry up. We’re waiting for you. What took you so long to use the restroom?”

“Mhm, we’re here.”

Xu Chacha walked toward Zhu Zhu and the others. Jiang Miao glanced at her back, then walked over to her own friends.

“I’ll send the photos to the group chat. If you post them on your Moments, remember to touch up my face,” the short-haired girl said.

“We know! Hahahahaha.”

“Ready, one, two, three, cheese—”

…

The alcohol from the sip of beer didn’t hit Xu Chacha until she had finished washing up and was lying down. She wasn’t exactly dizzy, but her face was flushed and felt hot.

She fought off the sleepiness and sent a copy of the photos taken that night to Wen Mubai, the message being that she was a very good girl and had obediently socialized.

It was almost dinner time for Wen Mubai, and her work was mostly done. She happened to see the message while taking a coffee break.

There were many people in the group photo, but Wen Mubai only recognized her three roommates. However…

Her gaze shifted to Jiang Miao, who was a few people away from Xu Chacha.

Perhaps it was a sixth sense or something else, but she felt this must be the upperclassman named Jiang Miao that Xu Chacha had mentioned.

She flipped to the next picture. At this point, Jiang Miao probably thought the photo had been taken, as she was tilting her head to look in Xu Chacha’s direction.

Wen Mubai squinted and pondered. This girl didn’t appear to have any physical contact with Xu Chacha, but that look in her eyes was slightly off.

She had received similar stares too many times in school, and it hadn’t lessened even now.

She let out a chuckle filled with unspoken meaning. “She’s grown up, and she’s even more of a magnet for people.”

Wen Mubai had always set the time on this phone to the time in China. Looking up, she saw the time in the taskbar was nearly 1 AM. She raised her hand and sent a question mark.

‘Staying out so late?’

She had underestimated the late-night stamina of contemporary college students. Was 2 AM the norm with no pressure?

She figured Xu Chacha was probably asleep, but she didn’t expect a message to pop up so quickly, and it was a video call.

Wen Mubai stood up, closed the office door, put on her earphones, and answered.

“What’s wrong?”

The angle of Xu Chacha’s screen was a bit tricky. It was probably just propped up against the pillow. Wen Mubai could see her drowsy, half-closed eyes and her flushed face pressed against the pillow.

“I’m so sleepy. I don’t want to type.” Xu Chacha’s voice sounded a little hoarse.

Wen Mubai frowned. “Did you drink?”

“Just a little bit.” Xu Chacha held up her hand, showing her half of her pinky finger.

“Don’t drink when you go out so late next time.”

“I know. I don’t even like drinking.” Xu Chacha buried her face in the pillow, her voice muffled. “Drinking is bad for your health. Auntie shouldn’t drink too much either.”

She didn’t know if it was her imagination, but Xu Chacha seemed a bit like her childhood self now, knowing how to be spoiled.

“Mhm, I won’t drink.” Wen Mubai looked at her undisguised sleepiness. “Go to sleep if you’re tired. Rest well on the weekend tomorrow.”

Xu Chacha blinked, weakly closing her eyes. Her lowered lashes made her look very obedient, and she clearly looked like she was about to fall asleep.

“Okay.”

“Good night.”

“Good night, Auntie…” She squinted, curved her lips into a smile, looking both obedient and sweet. “I missed you today, too.”

The girl’s voice trailed off, soft and sweet. Wen Mubai felt a softness in her heart and, for some reason, smiled gently along with her.

“Good night. Auntie missed you today, too.”

…

At the end of November, Wen Mubai finally completed the handover and began preparing for her return to China. She planned to open her own studio back home. However, she didn’t plan to rely on her father’s connections. The connections and savings she had accumulated over the years of working were enough for her to start something.

She didn’t tell anyone when she booked her flight, intending to surprise Xu Chacha when she got back.

When the plane landed in City A, it was nearly 7 PM. Wen Mubai had no desire to adjust to the time difference. She hailed a taxi and drove toward Q University.

She was just thinking about how to stage a natural encounter with Xu Chacha when the other party unwittingly revealed her location.

Cha: Auntie, we have a club dinner tonight, so I won’t video call you.

A crying emoji followed below.

Wen Mubai remembered Xu Chacha telling her about joining a club.

Apparently, the president of the Etiquette Club had found Xu Chacha through Jiang Miao and persuaded her for a long time before she agreed, even giving her conditions: no club fees, and she wouldn’t be disturbed except for important competitions and events.

Wen Mubai’s fingers moved slightly, sending a message.

‘Where are you eating.’

Although Xu Chacha was puzzled why Wen Mubai suddenly asked this, she still sent her the location.

Cha: Jiang Shu is here, too. The restaurant is very close to the school, and I promise I won’t drink. Don’t worry.

Wen Mubai clicked on Xu Chacha’s location and pasted the restaurant name into an app search. It turned out to be a self-service mini-hotpot place.

It was indeed not far from the school.

Estimating the time Xu Chacha and the others would finish eating, Wen Mubai slowly dragged her luggage to her usual old noodle shop and ordered a bowl of pork liver noodles.

“Are you a teacher? Just back from a business trip?” The owner’s wife was different; the previous one was an elderly grandmother, or she probably wouldn’t have failed to recognize Wen Mubai’s face.

Wen Mubai nodded along. “Mhm, just back from a business trip.”

“Going back to school so late. That’s hard work.” The owner’s wife grabbed a small extra handful of noodles into the bowl. “I’ll cook you a little extra. You need to eat well to have the energy to work.”

“Thank you.”

Wen Mubai slowly chewed and finished her bowl of noodles. Her phone received a new message.

Cha: All done eating. Getting ready to head back. Isn’t that super fast!

It was indeed very fast. She had thought she would have to wait an hour or so before seeing anyone.

Wen: ‘Mhm, head back to the dorm early.’

Cha: ‘Okay, I’m going with Jiang Shu to get some milk tea and then we’ll head back.’

“Boss, I’ve paid.”

“Great, the payment has arrived.”

Wen Mubai stood up and pulled her luggage toward the back street. There were still quite a few shops open at night. The milk tea shop closest to where Xu Chacha was eating was further inside and required walking up a slope.

But when she got there, she didn’t see the person she expected. She scanned the surroundings and finally chose to wait quietly where she was.

Xu Chacha should have come out earlier, but at the entrance, she and Jiang Shu were stopped by a boy from the club they had only met a few times.

“Chacha, can I talk to you for a few minutes?” the boy said quietly, head bowed.

Xu Chacha happened to be wearing heeled shoes that night, so she stood half a head taller than the boy and could see the two cowlicks on the top of his head.

Jiang Shu smiled at her. “You guys talk. I’ll wait outside.”

Xu Chacha’s head ached. She kept sending distress signals, but Jiang Shu ignored her, so she could only turn to face the boy.

“Sure, go ahead, but could you make it quick? I’m rushing back to the dorm to sleep.”

“It won’t take long!” The boy looked up, stammering the rest of his words. “I just wanted to ask if you have a boyfriend.”

“No.” Before the boy could breathe a sigh of relief, Xu Chacha quickly added, “And I’m not planning to get one. Why do you ask?”

“Ah… ah?” The boy felt like backing out, but his friends watching the show behind him kept signaling him to cheer up. He could only pluck up the courage to say, “I mean, you don’t have anyone you like, right? If so, would you like to… would you like to…”

“Someone I like? Yes, I do.” Xu Chacha gave him a smile that looked careless but was, in fact, the sharpest dagger plunging into the boy’s heart. “Do you have any other questions?”

“No.” The boy shook his head blankly.

From just those few sentences, he could clearly see that Xu Chacha was not interested in him. If he insisted on saying the rest, they would probably be very awkward in the club later.

“That’s good. Go back and rest early. It’s too late.” After saying that, Xu Chacha didn’t wait for his reply. She waved at him. “Jiang Shu is waiting for me. I’m going now. Bye.”

The smile on Xu Chacha’s face dropped as she turned around. She sighed deeply and walked up to Jiang Shu. “You are so heartless. Couldn’t you have saved me?”

Jiang Shu shook her head. “I don’t want to make enemies.”

“You cold-blooded woman.” Xu Chacha pretended to strangle her neck.

“Hahahaha, stop, stop! That tickles, my dear!”

The two joked around as they walked toward the milk tea shop. Jiang Shu also had to buy for Zhu Zhu and Su Qing. Xu Chacha was the only one not buying, so she squatted by the door, waiting boredly.

It was nearly December, and the weather was getting a bit cold. The wind was quite strong that night. A gust of wind just swept across Xu Chacha’s face, making her almost lose her balance in the squatting position.

The wind carried a light gardenia scent. Xu Chacha sniffed, asking in confusion, “Are there gardenia flowers planted near our school?”

Jiang Shu was getting the straw, and she replied casually, “Gardenias are so hard to maintain. Why would they be planted here?”

“You’re right.” Xu Chacha stood up and linked arms with Jiang Shu to walk back. As she stood up, her eyes casually swept over the broken streetlamp next to her, where she saw a person standing.

The woman was wearing a long, very English-style coat, with straight legs tucked into a pair of knee-high boots. She was tall and slender, her shadow stretching long on the ground, making her look as thin as a skeleton.

No, she should be a beautiful skeleton, Xu Chacha silently corrected herself.

Although she couldn’t see the person’s face clearly, judging by her stance and aura, that was her unconscious thought.

“Let’s go. What are you looking at?” Jiang Shu pulled her.

“Oh.” Xu Chacha followed her.

But as she walked, Xu Chacha finally realized something was wrong, one beat too late.

She remembered Wen Mubai asking her for the address that night, and that familiar gardenia scent.

It was quite something that she hadn’t immediately recognized the fragrance she had personally blended.

Thinking of this, Xu Chacha was so nervous that her breathing almost stopped. She shook off Jiang Shu’s hand and walked toward the direction she had just looked. The closer she got, the louder her heart pounded.

“Auntie…?”