After Becoming a Cannon Fodder Side Character, I Became the Group’s Favorite (GL) - Chapter 55

Xu Chacha was already accustomed to the “jealous rivalry” between the two of them, but that was all in private.

She looked at the chaos of the live stream comments and felt a headache coming on. Fortunately, Shasha was excellent at controlling the situation. With a few words, she turned the page and returned to the main topic.

However, because of the two women’s behavior, the shaved ice machines, despite their less-than-affordable price, were quickly snapped up.

Xu Chacha and Tang Doudou were still signing on the side, and Shasha was demonstrating various milkshakes and shaved ice recipes using the ice cream blocks for the audience.

“Delicious,” she took a bite herself, then prepared a cup and handed it to Tang Doudou first. When she was about to prepare one for Xu Chacha, Tang Doudou stopped her.

“No need, Chacha and I will share one cup.”

Shasha didn’t know that Xu Chacha had a sensitive stomach and couldn’t eat too much ice cream. She thought the two were managing their figures and avoiding too many sweets. She nodded and teased, “The two endorsers really have a great relationship, sharing even a bowl of shaved ice.”

Tang Doudou chimed in, feigning a pitiful tone, “Of course. It’s just that Teacher Xu is so busy, she can’t find time to hang out with me. I’m already happy to share a bowl of ice cream with her today.”

Xu Chacha turned her head and gave her a look: We’re still live. Can you please restrain yourself?

These words would just be laughed off in private, but saying them in front of fans makes it too easy for people to misunderstand.

Sure enough, she looked back at the comments, and the speculation had already started again.

[Ship! Ship! Childhood sweethearts are the GOAT!]

[@TeacherXu’sCanary, fight! Fight! Fight!]

[You all @ the Canary, but I won’t. I’ll @ the Sister-Con CEO Xu!]

Xu Chacha silently prayed for the stream to end quickly. The moment the live stream was switched off, she felt a sense of relief. She tossed the signing pen, stood up, and stretched with a big yawn.

“It’s still early. Let’s go grab some late-night food later,” Tang Doudou tried to pull her.

Xu Chacha glanced at her watch. “It’s already 10:30 PM. How is that early?”

“It’s only 10:30 PM!” Tang Doudou, a professional night owl, couldn’t understand Xu Chacha’s view on health preservation. “Sleeping is a waste of life. Immediate pleasure is the truth.”

“I’ll take it slow. I want to live to a hundred,” Xu Chacha shook her head, looking at the manager who was walking toward the two of them. “Besides, are you sure your manager will agree to let you have a late-night snack?”

“Late-night snack? What late-night snack?” The manager walked over and stood behind Tang Doudou.

Tang Doudou suddenly felt a chill down her neck. “I don’t know, what late-night snack? Haha, hahahaha…”

“I’ll head back now. Someone is waiting,” Xu Chacha raised her hand in farewell.

“Who? Who is it?” Tang Doudou chased after her for two steps. “Is it that thing… the Canary?”

Xu Chacha pretended not to know. “What Canary? I can’t talk anymore; I need to hurry and leave.”

She hurried away. Once she turned to the stairwell, she answered a phone call. Before the person on the other end could speak, Xu Chacha angrily started talking.

“What are you doing?”

The woman on the other end of the phone let out a soft laugh, sounding very casual. “Exerting a little modest effort to support Teacher Xu’s career.”

“And changing the ID to something so misleading. You’re intentionally trying to provoke my sister,” Xu Chacha lowered her voice. “Netizens are so good at picking things apart these days. Aren’t you afraid of being exposed?”

“No, it’s a completely clean account. No phone number is even linked. I used my assistant’s phone.”

“…So you’re saying this was premeditated.”

The other side laughed again, the breathless sounds whispering over the microphone, making her ears tingle.

“Are you taking the stairs?” The phone could pick up Xu Chacha’s slight gasping.

“I’m afraid of running into them in the elevator and being questioned again. It’s only the third floor anyway. It’ll be fast.”

“What floor are you on?”

“Um…” Xu Chacha looked up at the marker. “First and a half. Almost down.”

“Alright. I await your presence.”

Xu Chacha quickened her pace. “Can you stop talking so strangely?”

“How is it strange?”

“Like just now, making it sound like we really have some… impure relationship.”

“Impure?” Wen Mubai said “Oh” meaningfully. “Well, that depends on how you define ‘impure’.”

Xu Chacha finally walked down, panting. As she turned around the last half-flight of stairs, she caught sight of the tall figure waiting at the stairwell entrance.

“You scared me,” there was no need to talk on the phone when they were face to face. Xu Chacha put her phone in her pocket. “Standing there without a sound.”

“I’m innocent. Weren’t we talking the whole time?”

Fine, she was the one who didn’t notice.

“Come down.” Wen Mubai opened her arms to her.

It might have been a reflex, but every time Xu Chacha saw Wen Mubai make this gesture, she wanted to leap into her arms.

When she reached the last two steps, she actually did it, jumping forward, wrapping her arms tightly around Wen Mubai’s neck in a hug.

“I’m going to choke you.”

Wen Mubai chuckled, her chest vibrating against Xu Chacha’s. “Have mercy on me, my Sugar Mommy.”

“You’re still acting! Still acting!” Xu Chacha tightened her grip but controlled her strength. “It’s a huge waste that you became a screenwriter. You should be acting!”

“If I had pursued another career, I wouldn’t have the time to look after you, my dear. Wouldn’t you be lonely?”

“Wen Mubai!” Xu Chacha grit her teeth, saying her name in exasperation.

Just then, the sound-activated light in the stairwell suddenly went out. As if a button had been pressed, all sounds fell silent.

Xu Chacha was silent for a moment, afraid Wen Mubai would think she was genuinely angry, so she spoke up to explain, “I’m not mad. Just stop teasing me. Even a cornered rabbit will bite.”

“Mhm. So, will the rabbit bite me today?”

Wen Mubai’s voice sounded a little closer than before. Xu Chacha felt her warm breath on her cheek.

“You’re still talking?”

“Then let me ask you something else.”

“What?” Xu Chacha struggled to open her eyes wide. She could barely make out Wen Mubai’s eyes, which were right in front of her, but couldn’t discern her expression or the look in her eyes.

Wen Mubai lowered her gaze, then dipped her head. The blending of their lips seemed to have become a matter-of-fact touch between them.

This kiss was much more passionate and lingering than the previous, more hesitant experiences. Xu Chacha couldn’t help but tense the hand around Wen Mubai’s neck, her long fingers curling and digging into the skin. When her breathlessness forced her mouth open, it became the other person’s chance to press their advantage.

The kiss left her more exhausted than climbing three flights of stairs. She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks again. Xu Chacha quietly tried to catch her breath, secretly praying that the light would never turn on again.

“Do you think this kind of relationship is pure?” Wen Mubai’s voice was slightly hoarse, sounding a hundred times sexier than usual.

Xu Chacha’s legs felt weak, but she forcefully slapped Wen Mubai’s shoulder. “You shut up.”

Why was someone so normally reserved so shameless when she let loose, like a sophisticated old fox?

Wen Mubai smiled. “Fine.”

Fortunately, the jacket Xu Chacha wore today had a hood. She pulled the hood over her head and tightened the drawstring with both hands, wishing she could completely hide her entire face.

“Aren’t you stuffy?” Wen Mubai asked her when she saw Xu Chacha still like this after they got into the car.

Xu Chacha turned her head away, her voice muffled inside the hood. “Mind your own business!”

Knowing the girl was easily embarrassed, Wen Mubai didn’t press her and brought up another topic.

“End the lease on your external apartment next semester, and move in with me.”

Xu Chacha adopted a defensive posture. “Why move in?”

“It’ll be convenient for pick-ups and drop-offs. And with your increasingly irregular eating habits, I need to supervise you personally.” Wen Mubai’s words sounded quite serious. “At home, your aunt and uncle could still manage you, but you truly don’t pay attention when you’re alone. Chen Qianqian told me you haven’t eaten a staple food in two weeks?”

“Have I? It’s fine…”

“Your period is late this month, isn’t it?”

“How do you know that?” Xu Chacha looked at her like she was seeing a ghost.

“Because you carry a hot water bottle with you when you’re on your period.” Taking advantage of a traffic light, Wen Mubai turned to look at her. “If you keep dieting like this, you won’t get your period next month either.”

“I know…” Xu Chacha muffled her head. “That’s a separate matter. I can take care of myself. I don’t need to move in with you. I’d just be a bother.”

“If you come, it’ll be convenient for me to serve you.”

“You’re starting again?”

“Hahaha.”

The live stream that night had excellent results. AS even paid to secure two top-ranking trending spots. Some people shipped the “sisterly” bond, while others were curious about the identity of the so-called Canary.

Xu Chacha’s identity could no longer be kept secret and was thoroughly investigated. Videos and photos of her from as early as age five were unearthed.

With her fame rising, many collaborations approached her. Xu Chacha was selective and turned them all down.

“Seriously, sister? You keep saying you want to make money, but you’re turning down opportunities that come to you?” Chen Qianqian asked, confused. “Is it only good if you seek it out yourself?”

Xu Chacha leaned on the sofa, chewing on dried sweet potato casually. “I can’t just accept anything that comes along. I have to distinguish. Some are not the right price, and some are not the right brand.”

“So, what catches your eye?”

“What can boost my value catches my eye.” The modeling reality show Chen Qianqian had recommended to her was on TV. Xu Chacha pointed to it casually. “See, something like this.”

Domestic modeling reality shows had been done before, but the so-called champion prizes were always grand-sounding but empty promises, with meager cash prizes. Not a single person had been successfully promoted.

The current show, Super Newcomer, was different. Initiated by former international supermodel Zhang Dingding, the initial assessment was so ruthless that it threw novice contestants onto actual runways for training. Due to her connections, the collaborating photographers and mentors were highly influential figures in the country and even globally.

Not to mention the final cash prize amount, the winner would also receive a three-year contract with a famous magazine and a partnership with the renowned luxury brand TY, allowing them to participate in the upcoming four major Fashion Weeks and make a mark on the international stage.

Because of the excellent production team, the program quality was also high, and its popularity remained consistently high after several episodes aired. Even contestants ranked outside the top ten in the first round garnered significant discussion.

Xu Chacha wasn’t envious of anything else; she was specifically challenging TY. TY was one of the companies that had rejected her when she auditioned previously.

She chewed her dried sweet potato with a hidden intensity, feeling utterly and truly unconvinced.

“Ah, I really like Wu Yao. Can’t they avoid eliminating her? She only made a mistake this time. It would be such a pity to eliminate her.”

Xu Chacha had followed a few episodes and couldn’t help but feel invested. “But the editing gave a lot of hints; it’s probably her. Sigh, I hope it’s just the script and she can come back later.”

She did think this Wu Yao had a lot of potential.

“Cha, your phone,” Xue Miaomiao, who was in the kitchen preparing tea for the two ladies, brought Xu Chacha’s phone over. “You’re so scatterbrained. I heard it ringing for ages and finally found it in the refrigerator.”

Leaving her phone in the refrigerator was a talent in itself.

“Unknown number.” Xu Chacha glanced at the number’s location and decided to hang up. The show was at a critical point; they were about to announce the elimination, and she needed to watch.

But the caller didn’t give up and quickly called again. Xue Miaomiao had mentioned the phone had been ringing for a long time. Thinking that a typical spam call wouldn’t have this much patience, Xu Chacha answered it.

“Hello, this is Xu Chacha.”

“Hello, Miss Xu. I am a staff member from the Super Newcomer production team.”

Because she had the speaker on, the two people beside her also heard. The three of them exchanged confused glances, and then Xu Chacha asked with some uncertainty.

“Excuse me, are you a scammer?”

“Uh…” The person on the other end didn’t expect her to ask that. “Of course not. We sent you a private message through our official Weibo last night, but you didn’t seem to reply. Because the show’s recording schedule is quite tight, we had no choice but to call you.”

Xu Chacha had two phone numbers: one for work and one for personal use. The work number was listed on her Weibo homepage.

“Really?” Xu Chacha focused on the intensely suspenseful program. The host, Zhang Dingding, was deliberately drawing out the suspense and wouldn’t say who was eliminated. “Then can you tell me who was eliminated in the second episode? Was it Wu Yao? Did she come back?”

“Huh?”

“Hurry!”