After Becoming a Cannon Fodder Side Character, I Became the Group’s Favorite (GL) - Chapter 42.2

Wen Mubai lit the candles for her and then turned off the light. “Alright, make a wish.”

The curtains in the room were drawn, and when the lights were off, it was pitch black. The two candles were the only source of light.

Xu Chacha leaned close to the candles, put her hands together, and closed her eyes. The candlelight flickered on her face, stretching and pulling the shadows of her eyelashes and nose.

“I wish that next year, the year after, and the year after that… Auntie will be by my side for my birthday.”

“Wishes won’t come true if you say them out loud, silly,” Wen Mubai curled her lips.

“So what? I said it for you to hear. It’s more effective for you to handle this than for some immortal or demon.” Her eyes widened when she glared. “You wouldn’t reject me on my birthday, would you?”

“No, go on and blow them out.” Wen Mubai lightly raised her chin, signaling her. “Will it do if I, a mere mortal, fulfill this wish for you?”

“Yes.” Xu Chacha smiled, then took a breath and blew out the candles.

Accompanied by a faint smell of burnt wick, the room returned to darkness. At this moment, Wen Mubai heard a very soft voice. It was so unlike Xu Chacha’s usual tone that she almost doubted if she was hallucinating.

“You’ll always be by my side, won’t you?”

In the darkness, Xu Chacha couldn’t see Wen Mubai’s momentary peculiar expression, nor did she see her right hand gently cover her left wrist and twist the bracelet.

“Mhm.”

The next second, the light turned on. Xu Chacha was already smiling and holding a spoon. “Can I eat the cake now?”

“Eat.” Wen Mubai removed the candles and pushed the crepe cake toward her.

Xu Chacha, however, handed her a spoon. “Auntie, you eat too.”

Wen Mubai took the spoon, scooped a bite, and put it in her mouth. She remembered eating this same cake on her eighteenth birthday.

Unexpectedly, ten years later, the cake shop had become a popular internet sensation, yet it managed to maintain the original taste.

It was still that sweet.

After the cake, Xu Chacha went in for a quick shower. She felt sleepy as she washed, and by the time she came out, her eyes were nearly closed.

She was wearing Wen Mubai’s nightgown. The silk material was so slippery against her skin that she could barely feel she was wearing clothes.

The pajamas were nice, but they were also very thin. She gasped and hurried toward the bed.

Wen Mubai saw her about to collapse onto the bed with her long hair still dripping water. She walked over, grabbed her arm, and pulled her up.

“Sleeping with wet hair makes you sick. You were the one who told me that.”

“No need for health preservation today. I’ll just have some wolfberry tea tomorrow to make up for it,” Xu Chacha negotiated with sleepy eyes.

Wen Mubai didn’t listen to that eccentric excuse. She pushed her onto the sofa, wrapped a blanket around her, and brought a hairdryer to dry her hair.

“If you’re sleepy, go to sleep. I’ll carry you to bed later.”

“Oh.”

She said that, but with the hairdryer buzzing in her ear, Xu Chacha didn’t feel sleepy. Instead, she became a little more awake.

She could feel Wen Mubai’s slender fingers running through her long hair, gently stroking and separating it little by little. Her technique was learned from Xu Chacha, starting by blowing the hair roots first.

Her fingertips brushed against the scalp, creating a tingling sensation as if carrying an electric current. She shivered and hunched her shoulders.

“Are my hands too cold?”

Wen Mubai clenched her hands a few times and felt her fingertips were a bit icy. She warmed them with the hairdryer before placing them on Xu Chacha’s head.

“No, it’s ticklish.” Xu Chacha sat cross-legged, tilting her head back to look at the person behind her.

From Wen Mubai’s perspective, Xu Chacha had a head of voluminous, blown-dry long hair, and half of her smooth shoulder was exposed beneath the blanket. Her expression was obedient, like a large Chow Chow.

“What’s your bust size?”

Wen Mubai’s hand paused. “Why do you ask that?”

“It’s just strange. Our height and weight are similar, and the clothes fit well, but my chest feels empty when I wear your clothes.”

She hooked her finger into the neckline of the pajamas and tugged. Wen Mubai just caught a glimpse of fair skin before turning her head away.

“I forgot.”

“You didn’t forget. You just don’t want to tell me.”

Wen Mubai placed a palm on her head, pushing it down, and turned on the hairdryer to continue blowing.

“What are you planning to do if you know?”

“Oh, you’re right.” She couldn’t do anything yet.

Since Xu Chacha was barefoot, after drying her hair, Wen Mubai simply lifted her, blanket and all, and carried her horizontally to the bed in the master bedroom.

“Sleep. I’ll take a shower and go to sleep too.”

Xu Chacha, hidden under the quilt, revealed a pair of eyes and blinked at her. “Hurry up and come back.”

“Mhm.”

Wen Mubai didn’t immediately understand what “Hurry up and come back” meant. She understood when she went to say goodnight after drying her hair.

“Don’t go to the guest room.” The young girl grabbed her wrist. Her tone was so straightforward and candid that it left Wen Mubai no room to refuse. “I want to sleep with Auntie tonight.”

Wen Mubai stood there without speaking. If it had been before today, she would have agreed without any burden, but now that she knew the filthy thoughts hidden deep in her heart, she couldn’t sleep with Xu Chacha innocently anymore.

“It’s my birthday,” Xu Chacha said softly, sounding like she was pleading.

In her expectant gaze, Wen Mubai finally nodded. Her straight back relaxed slightly, and she lifted a corner of the quilt and lay down.

It had been a long time since she had slept with anyone. She was used to warming the quilt herself little by little, but now she was taking advantage of Xu Chacha’s small furnace.

Wen Mubai was sleeping too close to the edge. Xu Chacha proactively moved closer to her and stretched out her leg. “Hiss, your foot is so cold.”

“A little.”

Wen Mubai moved her leg, trying to move her foot away from Xu Chacha, but found her foot was already held by the other person.

“I’ll warm it up for you. It’ll be quick.” Xu Chacha rested her head on Wen Mubai’s pillow, her face only an inch away from hers.

If Wen Mubai had time, she could even count Xu Chacha’s eyelashes.

“Mhm.” Wen Mubai couldn’t quite handle the close scrutiny and reached up to turn off the bedside lamp.

The darkness finally provided her with a thin layer of security. At least Xu Chacha couldn’t see her expression and wouldn’t know about the sacrilegious look that shouldn’t be there.

The sound of breathing was warm and close to her ear. Wen Mubai endured it with all her might, trying not to move her body or turn her head away.

After all, if she dodged any further, she would fall off the bed.

Both of their breaths gradually became steady, changing from a chaotic rhythm to a neat duet. Just as Wen Mubai thought Xu Chacha was falling asleep, she suddenly spoke.

“Can I hug you while I sleep?”

Wen Mubai’s breathing hitched. The harmonious symphony was broken, the flaw glaringly obvious.

Xu Chacha would definitely notice.

“Mhm?” Seeing Wen Mubai not respond, Xu Chacha took it as an affirmative. Her arms circled around Wen Mubai, and the scorching body heat quickly transferred to her. “I’m already hugging you.”

“If you sleep like this, you’ll be uncomfortable.” After a long pause, Wen Mubai finally came up with a relatively reasonable explanation.

“I’m comfortable.” Xu Chacha’s chin was tucked into her collarbone, and her voice sounded like it was right next to her ear. “Auntie is so fragrant and soft. It feels so good to hug you.”

Xu Chacha was completely pressed against her. Wen Mubai could even feel her heartbeat, the heavy thumping carrying her along in the frenzy.

She raised her hand and patted the back of Xu Chacha’s head, just like she did when she was little. “Alright, hurry up and sleep.”

“What about a goodnight kiss?” Xu Chacha asked again. “Is that a limited edition for underage Xu Chacha?”

A chuckle escaped Wen Mubai’s lips, very faint, almost just a breath of air. “Alright.”

She turned her head, preparing to plant the goodnight kiss on Xu Chacha’s forehead.

Xu Chacha noticed her approach, tilted her chin up, and leaned in closer. “Can you see clearly? You won’t miss, will you?”

Wen Mubai’s movement stopped. She didn’t know how to answer. Their breaths were very close. She could even smell the faint mint of the lip balm Xu Chacha wore before bed.

Then she heard Xu Chacha laugh lightly twice, and she took Wen Mubai’s hand and placed it on her own forehead.

“Here. Aim here.”

The kiss finally landed, and Wen Mubai felt a sense of closure.

That’s enough, my dear. Stop tormenting me.

As if her prayer had been heard, Xu Chacha finally fell asleep quietly this time.

Listening to the gradually prolonged breathing beside her, Wen Mubai grew more and more awake. She was recalling Jiang Miao’s words from earlier in the day.

The words seemed to be etched into her mind, impossible to forget.

“‘In her heart, she probably just sees me as an easygoing senior, but I don’t want to stop there. I want to be the most special person in her heart. I want to do more intimate things with her. I want our relationship to become special and even more special…'”

Even more special, even more important. What would that look like?

Wen Mubai, as if possessed, asked the sleeping person, “Who is the most important person in your heart?”

The person in her sleep turned over. Her lips met a few times, and she happened to murmur a phrase.

“Chacha loves Auntie the most. I want to be with Auntie forever and ever.”

Wen Mubai smoothed the hair covering her face and replied with a gentle “Good.”

The girl’s soft arm hooked around her neck again, embracing her, and then nestled in, resting her chin in the same spot as before.

Wen Mubai’s sleepiness gradually crept in. She slowly closed her eyes, so of course, she didn’t see the smile that suddenly curved on the lips of the supposedly sleeping Xu Chacha.

The smile held a hint of mischief and smugness, like someone whose scheme had succeeded.

…

Su Qing wasn’t kidding when she said she would arrange a group blind date for the dorm mates.

She was highly efficient, practically a professional matchmaker, and she had the matter settled before Zhu Zhu’s next round of lamenting about being lonely, empty, and cold.

“It’s four against four. They’re all people Zhou Yang and I know. Their character is guaranteed, and they all look pretty decent.”

From the upper bunk, Xu Chacha extended an arm. “I’m not going. I’m not lonely.”

“You’re just going to make up the numbers,” Zhu Zhu assigned her task. “It’s just a group date, not a match-making session. You can just make some friends. At the very least, you can just sit there, eat and drink, not say anything, and be a pretty face to hold the fort.”

Xu Chacha flipped over, her voice lazy. “Huh? Aren’t you afraid I’ll steal the one you like?”

“Anyone who can be stolen was never mine to begin with. I see things very clearly,” Zhu Zhu said while drawing her eyebrows.

Xu Chacha kicked the bed rail. “Jiang Shu, you talk to her.”

“Zhu Zhu, you need to know that men usually can’t withstand temptation, especially beauty.”

“What about beauty? I have it too.” Zhu Zhu puffed out her chest. “Don’t be sarcastic. You have to come too, or I’ll be sitting there alone, watching Su Qing and her boyfriend’s public display of affection. I’ll cry for you.”

“But I already came out on social media,” Xu Chacha continued to find an excuse.

“That’s why I’m relieved to bring you along,” Zhu Zhu said, not making sense but sounding confident.

“…” Xu Chacha understood.

Zhu Zhu really only planned to bring her along to fill a spot. She was never worried about Xu Chacha finding a partner.

Su Qing scheduled the date for Wednesday afternoon when everyone had few classes. They left a little early.

Xu Chacha and the others were ten minutes early, but the guys arrived even earlier and were already seated at the cafe.

Four beautiful girls appearing side by side was too big of a target. The moment the door opened, the people at that table noticed them. Zhou Yang was the first to stand up and wave hello.

“Su Qing, over here.”

“Let’s go.” Su Qing pulled Zhu Zhu’s hand and walked over.

Jiang Shu and Xu Chacha followed at a leisurely pace, as if afraid of accidentally catching a Cupid’s arrow if they walked ahead.

When the four slowly took their seats, the guy in the white hoodie sitting across from Xu Chacha leaned in and quietly asked, “Xu Chacha?”

“Mhm?” Xu Chacha looked up from the menu at him.

The guy was wearing a hoodie, his skin was a shade darker than the others, but his features were sharp, and his demeanor was sunny. He was a decent-looking guy.

The main thing was, why did he look so familiar?

“It’s me. Don’t you recognize me? Feng Zhuang.”

“Zhuang Zhuang?” Xu Chacha subconsciously uttered the familiar name.

“Hahaha, buddy, is your nickname Zhuang Zhuang?” Zhou Yang asked with a laugh.

“What’s wrong? Do you think Yang Yang sounds good?” Feng Zhuang retorted.

He wasn’t from Q University. He met Zhou Yang during a basketball game. Because they had similar personalities, they became friends and occasionally played basketball together on the weekends. He was also dragged along to make up the numbers for this group date.

Who knew he would run into Xu Chacha? If he had known, he would have done his hair before leaving the house today.

Xu Chacha went straight from primary school to the rocket class at Q Middle School, while he was only assigned to the regular class. Their paths crossed less and less. When he failed to get promoted straight into the high school section after the middle school entrance exam and instead went to an outside school, he completely lost touch with Xu Chacha.

They say a girl changes a lot between the ages of seven and eighteen, but Xu Chacha had only grown more beautiful.

He had had girlfriends before, but most of them broke up with him soon after, complaining about his stubborn, straight-guy personality. Today, running into his childhood crush, his heart couldn’t help but pound out of control.

“You guys know each other?” Su Qing asked.

“Elementary school classmates, same class,” Xu Chacha explained. “We were in different classes in middle school and haven’t seen each other since.”

Feng Zhuang didn’t have the nerve to remind her that they had actually seen each other later, but Xu Chacha probably hadn’t noticed him.

“Are you still hanging out with Xue Miaomiao and the others?” Feng Zhuang said, trying to seize the opportunity to ask Xu Chacha for her contact information on his phone.

Xu Chacha pretended not to see his small gesture, put her fingers together, and pointed at the guy next to Feng Zhuang. “Your friends haven’t introduced themselves yet. Should we all get to know each other first?”

“Yeah, buddy,” Zhou Yang put his arm around Feng Zhuang. “No rush.”

“Then I’ll introduce myself. I am…”

Xu Chacha only wanted to shift the topic away from herself. She wasn’t genuinely interested in those guys, but to save face, she still listened intently to the introductions and offered some reactions.

“B University fashion design? That’s really impressive.” Zhu Zhu became interested in the guy next to Feng Zhuang.

Xu Chacha scanned the group and noticed that this guy was the best-looking and, due to his major, also dressed well.

He was the type who could be an internet celebrity’s profile picture after a little editing.

No wonder Zhu Zhu, the face-lover, would take the initiative.

And Jiang Shu, who initially said she wasn’t interested in the group date, had also started chatting with the remaining guy about poetry collections. Xu Chacha wasn’t very interested, so she didn’t listen closely.

Feng Zhuang was still looking for an opportunity to talk to her. Xu Chacha simply looked away and avoided eye contact, so he didn’t have a chance to speak.

In just half an hour, Xu Chacha had checked the time on her phone three times.

Su Qing’s plan was an hour of initial getting-to-know-each-other, followed by free time, which essentially meant those who hit it off would go on a separate date to get to know each other better, and those who didn’t would go home to their mothers.

But she really wanted to go home right now.

“Chacha, your auntie.” Jiang Shu suddenly patted her next to her.

Xu Chacha looked down at her phone. “Hmm? She didn’t send me a message.”

“No.” Jiang Shu pointed to the window. “Your auntie is there.”

Xu Chacha jolted in her seat, dropped the straw in her mouth, and looked up. The panic on her face was like a student caught by their parents sneaking a spicy snack after school.

Jiang Shu hadn’t lied to her. Wen Mubai was indeed standing at the entrance.

She wasn’t just standing there. She was looking in their direction. Next to her stood the much shorter Jiang Panpan.

Jiang Panpan’s expression was much more telling than Wen Mubai’s. She covered her mouth with one hand, looking utterly heartbroken.

Through her excellent facial expression reading ability, Xu Chacha deciphered what she was trying to convey.

“Is my darling being courted by a pig again?”

In Jiang Panpan’s eyes, anyone who had any interest in Xu Chacha was a “pig,” regardless of height, weight, or excellent qualities.

She was one of Xu Chacha’s earliest “fans,” the kind of fiercely devoted fan. Therefore, she believed that no one was good enough for Xu Chacha and that she was a saint meant to grow old alone.

Feng Zhuang, sitting across from Xu Chacha, also saw Wen Mubai. Seeing that face again after so many years, he still instinctively shrank his neck.

He still hadn’t forgotten the embarrassing incident from childhood, and now both parties involved were present today.

He saw Wen Mubai glance at him with a detached expression, then raise her hand without any emotion and beckon toward Xu Chacha.

The slightly parted shape of her mouth seemed to be saying.

“Come out.”