After Becoming a Cannon Fodder Side Character, I Became the Group’s Favorite (GL) - Chapter 46

“Say that again?” they both said in unison.

Seeing their reaction, Xu Chacha became bolder and puffed out her chest. “I like her, that’s all.”

“That kind of like?”

“What kind of like?”

“Just… that kind.”

“Oh, yes, that kind.”

Xue Miaomiao frowned. “What are you two talking about?”

Xu Chacha said, “I mean the kind of like where I want to marry her.”

“Are you sure it’s not a delusion because you’ve been too dependent on her all this time?” Xue Miaomiao remained cautious. “Do you see any difference between now and when you were little? Are you just single for too long and are falling for someone close to you?”

“Do I have to say something X-rated for you to believe me?” Xu Chacha asked.

“…Fine.” Xue Miaomiao took a tactical step back. “But when did you start liking her?”

“I don’t know either…”

If she had to pinpoint it, the first time she realized something was off was probably that night over late-night snacks, when everyone was playing matchmaker for the short-haired senior and Wen Mubai.

But at that time, she still thought it was simply because she didn’t want Wen Mubai to date someone else, as that would mean less time for her to spend with Xu Chacha.

However, later, when she saw the rumors about Wen Mubai and Du Fei, even though she knew they were fake, she still couldn’t help but pull up the picture and zoom in to examine it from every angle.

Then she realized that she didn’t just not want Wen Mubai to date someone else; she wanted she herself to be the one dating Wen Mubai.

The unfamiliarity brought by this change in affection had infiltrated their relationship, which was why Xu Chacha hadn’t dared to proactively chat with Wen Mubai much these past two days.

She worried that with Wen Mubai’s strong intuition, she would detect Xu Chacha’s secret thoughts even through a casual word or two.

“Why don’t you try to stay away from her for a few days?” Chen Xixi suggested. “Honestly, your Auntie is seriously gorgeous. If I were with such a beauty every day, I’d inevitably have romantic feelings too.”

“Chen Xixi?” Xue Miaomiao turned to glare at her.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” Chen Xixi mouthed to her.

Xu Chacha was contemplating the feasibility of Chen Xixi’s suggestion and paid no attention to their little interaction.

“But we’ve already been in contact very little lately. She has things to be busy with, and I…” She was also busy earning money.

Besides messing around with live streaming, Xu Chacha had attended three job interviews this week and was currently waiting for a response.

Xu Chacha was feeling quite uncertain. Three minutes on stage requires ten years of practice off-stage. Her runway walk skills had been neglected for a long time. She only crammed for it two nights before the interview, and she wasn’t sure if they would be impressed.

“Ah, let’s not talk about it. It’s best if feelings develop naturally. Otherwise, if you get your heart broken too quickly, neither of us will know what to say to comfort you.”

Xu Chacha: “Can’t you say something positive?”

“Positive? Fine.” Chen Xixi raised her hand. “My sister’s bar is opening next weekend, and I plan to crash for free food and drinks. Are you guys coming?”

“A bar?” Xu Chacha shook her head. “I think I’ll pass.”

“What’s wrong with a bar? You’ve been so down lately. It’s a good chance to relax.” Chen Xixi put her arm around her neck. “Don’t worry, my sister’s bar isn’t the noisy kind you think. It’s a lounge bar where people go to chat quietly. This opening night is probably the only time it will be lively.”

“Xue Miaomiao,” Xu Chacha looked at the silent person next to her.

“She’s going too,” Chen Xixi rallied her teammate.

“…Alright then.”

After agreeing to Chen Xixi, Xu Chacha didn’t think much more about the matter.

On Friday noon, she suddenly received a message from Wen Mubai.

Dear Auntie: Want to go out? Man Kee has new products. I’ll take you to try them.

Xu Chacha: Okay [obedient.jpg]

What should have been a happy occasion turned into a renewed sense of panic for Xu Chacha after she put down her phone, as she had a feeling that the matter hadn’t been concealed from Wen Mubai.

After adding Wen Mubai with the alternate account, she didn’t accept the first transfer, and the money was returned to her account the next day.

Xu Chacha sent a question mark and transferred the money again. The other side still didn’t accept it but would send her messages to confirm the design draft and style.

Each time she asked about it, the reply was always a concise three words—forgot it.

She had never seen anyone so indifferent to money!

After her afternoon class, Xu Chacha handed her books to Su Qing and the others to take back and walked to the back gate alone.

Wen Mubai always preferred to pick her up at the back gate, and she would always buy her a cup of milk tea to treat her on the way.

“Junior.” Someone patted Xu Chacha on the shoulder from behind. She turned around. “Senior Jiang Miao.”

Since her birthday party, she hadn’t seen Jiang Miao much, and she almost didn’t recognize her just now.

“Senior, you look pale. Are you too tired lately?”

“I’m fine,” Jiang Miao smiled at her. “Where are you going, all by yourself?”

Usually, Xu Chacha and her roommates always went out as a group; it was rare for her to be alone.

“Someone is waiting for me at the back gate.”

They hadn’t walked far when Xu Chacha saw Wen Mubai’s figure ahead. Wen Mubai always liked to lean on something when standing. Just like now, she was leaning slightly against the car door, looking down at her phone, seemingly indifferent to her surroundings.

“Auntie.” She raised her hand and waved to Wen Mubai. She still habitually used that address in front of outsiders.

“Oh, so it’s your Auntie.”

Hearing the voice, Wen Mubai looked up. Seeing Jiang Miao and Xu Chacha walking side-by-side in an intimate manner, her brow subconsciously furrowed, and displeasure showed in her eyes.

But by the time they walked closer, she had already reverted to her gentle elder persona. She took Xu Chacha’s bag and draped it over her shoulder, drawing her close.

“Do you have many classes lately?”

“Ah, it’s alright,” Xu Chacha smiled at her, trying to keep her demeanor natural.

“Mhm.” Wen Mubai gave a soft acknowledgement from her nose, but then said, “I thought you were too busy to even reply to messages. Did Xixi and the others say you’ve been very busy lately too?”

“I…” Xu Chacha’s muscles tensed up.

Wen Mubai wasn’t even interrogating her, just asking for an ordinary update, but she felt guilty and couldn’t even speak clearly.

However, it seemed Wen Mubai didn’t expect any answer from her. She quickly reached out and rolled up her sleeve.

“Don’t rub the white sleeve on the desk. It’s all dirty.”

Xu Chacha hadn’t even noticed until Wen Mubai pointed it out, so she scratched her head awkwardly. “I’ll be careful next time.”

The loose sweater sleeve was slowly rolled up, just enough to expose a section of her fair, slender wrist.

Jiang Miao noticed the bracelet on Xu Chacha’s left hand, and her expression involuntarily darkened.

The red string that Xu Chacha used to value so much was gone, replaced by this bracelet. Not long ago, Xu Chacha had told her that she didn’t wear the bracelet Jiang Miao had given her because she was afraid of scratching it.

This important bracelet, which had replaced the red string—wasn’t she afraid of damaging it?

Or was it just an excuse not to wear the bracelet she had given her?

Jiang Miao suddenly felt relieved that she hadn’t impulsively confessed to Xu Chacha in a moment of strong emotion.

“Do you have anything else planned later?” Wen Mubai asked her after rolling up Xu Chacha’s sleeve. “We’re going for dessert. Join us?”

Jiang Miao subconsciously shook her head and said blankly, “No, thank you.”

“Senior, you look very unwell. Are you too tired? Maybe you should rest early this weekend,” Xu Chacha leaned closer, worriedly trying to feel her forehead, but before her hand could reach, Wen Mubai grabbed it.

“Indeed. If you’re tired, you should rest early.”

“Mhm. Bye-bye.” Jiang Miao forced a smile, turned around, and walked away.

Xu Chacha stared at her retreating back, frowning. “I feel like Senior is acting weird.”

Wen Mubai put her arm around Xu Chacha’s shoulder and walked towards the car, her voice faint. “You’re overthinking it.”

“Oh.”

“Do you want milk tea?” Wen Mubai handed over the milk tea she had bought according to Xu Chacha’s usual preference.

“I’m quitting sugar lately,” Xu Chacha still took it. “I won’t drink it. I’ll just smell it.”

“Alright,” Wen Mubai smiled, putting her hand on the steering wheel. “Do you see Jiang Miao often lately?”

“She seems quite busy lately. That was the first time I ran into her since the birthday party,” Xu Chacha answered truthfully.

Wen Mubai nodded, tapping her fingers on the steering wheel, and then asked, “Did she say anything strange to you?”

“Strange things?” This piqued Xu Chacha’s curiosity. “Did she say something to you?”

“No. She said last time that she wanted to give you a gift, but she might have forgotten.”

“…Okay.” Xu Chacha felt that Wen Mubai was hiding something from her, but she couldn’t guess what it was, so she gave up.

The two arrived at the shop. Xu Chacha enthusiastically rushed in and bought one of each of the three new products.

After buying them, she didn’t eat them. She took a few pictures with her phone and then propped her chin up, blinking as she stared at Wen Mubai.

Wen Mubai’s fork had just picked up a piece of cake, but she stopped due to Xu Chacha’s overly intense gaze. “Do you want some?”

Xu Chacha quickly retracted her drooling look and shook her head somewhat unsteadily. “No. I’m quitting sugar.”

Wen Mubai nodded, ate the cake, and then speared a strawberry from the cake, offering it to Xu Chacha’s mouth. “Fruit is fine.”

“Just one then.” Xu Chacha opened her mouth and bit down. The sweet and sour juice burst in her mouth. The edge of the strawberry still had a little cream, which she secretly swallowed along with it. “Sweet!”

Wen Mubai curved her lips. “The sudden body management—do you have work coming up again?”

“Maybe… yes,” she still hadn’t received the notification.

Wen Mubai nodded. “Your sister said you suddenly started investing and managing your finances. Are you running out of money?”

“No, no, no. I have a lot of money.” Xu Chacha shook her head repeatedly. She looked ready to pull out her app balance and show Wen Mubai if she dared to say she didn’t believe her.

“You’re not short on money.” Wen Mubai played with the dessert fork, her eyes lowered, but the topic suddenly shifted one hundred and eighty degrees. “So you’re spending it carelessly?”

“Spending what carelessly?” Xu Chacha held her breath.

The bubble of lies was mercilessly popped the next second, putting the terrified Xu Chacha out of her misery.

“Ms. Wang, she’s your friend, isn’t she?”

Hearing this from Wen Mubai’s mouth, Xu Chacha wasn’t surprised at all. She slumped her shoulders, looking dejected. “You already knew?”

“Your friend used a student ID card. It was quite obvious.”

Darn it? Xu Chacha had considered everything except for that detail.

“So you knew from the start?”

“I knew,” Wen Mubai put her hand on her forehead, looked up at her, smiling faintly. “I just wanted to see what kind of tricks you were up to this time.”

“…”

“Tell me, why did you do it?”

Xu Chacha pouted, lowering her head. “I just wanted to help you.”

“Help me?” Wen Mubai questioned. “Help with what?”

“Sister Lai Qian told me that your family has been having a hard time lately. Didn’t they even push you to go on that blind date because of it? And the studio—starting out must be tough, and since it’s your dream, I wanted to…” get involved.

“So you thought I was close to going broke, and you rushed to send me money.” Wen Mubai’s voice held an undeniable hint of laughter. “My little ancestor, what on earth goes through your head all day?”

“It’s true! Sister Panpan complains about being broke on her Moments every other day. You two are partners. If she’s poor, you can’t be doing well either. I thought this was the only way I could help you, but you’re not even grateful.” Xu Chacha glared at her indignantly. “You knew but didn’t expose me. You just wanted to see me panicking but not daring to ask, right?”

Wen Mubai didn’t deny it. She replied with a look of refined villainy, “Mhm. It was quite amusing.”

“You—” If I didn’t like you, I would have been so angry I’d have punched you already!

“It’s normal for Jiang Panpan to complain about being broke,” Wen Mubai explained to her. “She’s afraid she can’t control her spending, so she deposited her money with me and only kept her monthly living allowance. It was the end of the month a few days ago, and she was out of money, so she deliberately posted that on her Moments to get me to feel sorry for her and transfer money.”

“So, are you really okay?”

Wen Mubai tilted her head, suddenly interested in the answer to a question. “If I really went bankrupt, what would you do?”

“I’d support you,” Xu Chacha seriously pulled out a bank card. “From now on, I’ll transfer all my salary to this card. You keep it. Mine is yours, and yours is still yours.”

“Xu Chacha.” Wen Mubai pressed down on the card. “Are you a simpleton?”

“Just take it as compensation for ruining your blind date last time. If it weren’t for me, your family wouldn’t have offended Wang Zhi.” But if I had to do it again, I probably still would.

“I should thank you for that,” Wen Mubai looked at her and said word by word. “I told you I’d only marry after you do. I never intended to take the blind date seriously.”

Then why did you treat it as a joke when I said I wanted to marry you? Xu Chacha muttered inwardly.

“Do you want to eat more?” Seeing that Xu Chacha was silent, Wen Mubai proactively changed the subject.

“No,” Xu Chacha said gloomily.

With the mindset of not wasting food, Wen Mubai could only silently finish the cake by herself. She didn’t usually eat much dessert, only taking a bite or two when she was with Xu Chacha. Today, it was the opposite.

“You have something on the corner of your mouth,” Xu Chacha pointed to the left side of her own mouth.

“Mhm?” Wen Mubai folded a napkin to wipe it.

“No, on your left side.”

Wen Mubai still didn’t get it. Xu Chacha became anxious and reached out to wipe it for her, but just then, Wen Mubai extended her tongue to lick it.

Her tongue didn’t touch the cream but instead met Xu Chacha’s helping finger. Both of them froze for a moment. Xu Chacha quickly blinked her eyelashes, blushed, quickly wiped the spot for her, and withdrew her hand.

“It’s clean now.”

“Mhm.” Wen Mubai seemed oblivious to Xu Chacha’s expression, lowering her head to continue eating with a normal demeanor.

Xu Chacha’s hand, hidden under the table, was stiff. The index finger that had reached out was still foolishly motionless. The soft, warm sensation her fingertip had just felt was like a cat’s paw, scratching at her heart one stroke at a time.

Ahhh, I’m going crazy!