After Transmigrating Into A Cannon Fodder Character, I Only Want To Survive - Chapter 42

Ji Yuning’s attention was entirely focused on Fang Bai’s words.

Fang Bai had told her not to be afraid, that it would be like last time, that she would protect her.

Why was Fang Bai saying all this?

The warmth near Ji Yuning’s ear hadn’t faded.

It wasn’t until her body was enveloped in warmth that Ji Yuning realized Fang Bai had brought her into the pool.

Mu Xuerou had seen everything that happened after Fang Bai got out of the water clearly. Although she hadn’t heard what Fang Bai said to Ji Yuning, one moment Ji Yuning had refused her invitation and seemed very resistant to getting into the hot spring, and the next, Fang Bai was pulling her wrist towards the water.

There wasn’t the slightest hint of resistance.

Seeing Fang Bai pull Ji Yuning to the opposite side of her, Mu Xuerou asked with a smile, “Yuning, why are you acting like a child? Did Aunt Fang have to coax you to come down?”

The word “coax” was too intimate, and both of the people mentioned froze slightly.

Perhaps the water temperature was a bit high, as the heat that hadn’t left Ji Yuning’s ears resurfaced, but her expression was as cold as if the hot spring couldn’t warm it.

Ji Yuning looked at Mu Xuerou, her brow furrowed. “No.”

Ji Yuning’s voice was too cold and stern, and the smile on Mu Xuerou’s lips froze.

Mu Xuerou bit her lip, knowing she had said the wrong thing, but it was the first time Ji Yuning had spoken to her in such a cold tone.

Fang Bai glanced sideways at Ji Yuning, thinking that with this kind of attitude, no wonder she only caught up with Mu Xuerou after growing up; she didn’t know how to coax people at all.

Fang Bai leaned against the edge of the pool, her hand moving a strand of hair that was stuck to her cheek. She smiled at Mu Xuerou and asked softly, “Does Xiao Ning seem like the type who needs me to coax her to come down?”

Fang Bai hadn’t expected that she would not only have to coax Ji Yuning but also have to coax Mu Xuerou for Ji Yuning’s sake.

Hearing Fang Bai’s question, the awkwardness on Mu Xuerou’s face eased slightly, and she said softly, “She seemed like it just now, but not anymore.”

There was still a hint of complaining in Mu Xuerou’s words.

Fang Bai couldn’t help but chuckle. “Didn’t she come down because I coaxed her just now?”

Mu Xuerou looked at Ji Yuning and said softly, “Mmm.”

Seeing that Mu Xuerou had lost her interest in chatting, Fang Bai turned her head to look at Ji Yuning. “How does it feel? Comfortable?”

No feeling.

Apart from feeling the water temperature when she first got in, Ji Yuning’s attention wasn’t on the hot spring while Fang Bai and Mu Xuerou were talking.

It was on the hand under the water, the one Fang Bai was holding.

Before entering the pool, Ji Yuning had been distracted by Fang Bai’s words and hadn’t even reacted when Fang Bai dragged her along. But after getting into the water, Ji Yuning’s vigilance rose. Fang Bai released her wrist and then held her hand.

At this moment, she and Fang Bai were sitting in the water, hand in hand.

Ji Yuning couldn’t shake it off, nor could she break free.

She could only sit quietly, waiting for it to end.

From Mu Xuerou’s perspective, she only saw Ji Yuning and Fang Bai sitting very close together; she couldn’t see their hands clasped under the water.

Mu Xuerou sat alone on the other side of the two. She didn’t feel isolated but rather a sense of awkward superfluity.

She was the one who had suggested traveling together, and Fang Bai and Ji Yuning were willing to take her along. She was already very content with that.

Mu Xuerou glanced at the two of them, thinking that their relationship seemed to be getting better and better. She hadn’t seen any scars on Ji Yuning anymore, and even in the past few weeks when Fang Bai was mentioned, the previous disgust in Ji Yuning’s eyes was gone.

Mu Xuerou admitted that no one would dislike the current Aunt Fang.

After all, even the person who hated Fang Bai the most could sit calmly beside her.

Seemingly noticing Mu Xuerou’s gaze, Mu Xuerou met Ji Yuning’s eyes as she looked over.

Mu Xuerou’s gaze faltered. Remembering Ji Yuning’s tone of voice a few minutes ago, embarrassment welled up in her heart again, forcing Mu Xuerou to turn around, placing her hands on the edge of the pool and opening her phone.

She only left Ji Yuning with the back of her head.

Fang Bai’s peripheral vision clearly caught the interaction between the two.

See? She’s angry with you! You really think everyone will tolerate your bad temper like I do!

Fang Bai was secretly amused, wondering if Ji Yuning would overcome her fear and go over to coax Mu Xuerou. But when she turned her eyes, she met Ji Yuning’s deep, dark pupils.

The smile that hadn’t yet left her lips was caught red-handed.

Fang Bai: “…”

No, aren’t you going to think about how to coax Mu Xuerou? Why are you looking at me?

Fang Bai blinked, dismissing the awkwardness of being caught watching the show, and asked softly, “What’s wrong?”

The sudden change in expression made Ji Yuning pause slightly.

After a breath, Ji Yuning turned her head to look into the distance, confirming that Mu Xuerou was playing on her phone and wouldn’t notice them. Then, her eyelids lifted, and she asked in a deep voice, “How did you know?”

“Know what?” Fang Bai asked.

Ji Yuning glanced sideways at Fang Bai without speaking.

Although she really didn’t want to admit it, Fang Bai understood that look.

Fang Bai leaned her elbow on the edge of the pool, her cheek resting on the back of her hand. “Isn’t it just a fear of water? It’s very easy to see.”

Fang Bai leaned back, and the hand holding Ji Yuning’s was pulled backward, Ji Yuning’s arm stretching straight in response.

Ji Yuning moved imperceptibly. “I wasn’t afraid.”

Usually, if Ji Yuning was being stubborn, Fang Bai might just pretend not to hear. But remembering being caught watching the show just now, Fang Bai felt a bit ashamed and a playful urge rose in her heart.

Fang Bai leaned towards Ji Yuning and whispered, “Then I’ll let go.”

As the words fell, Fang Bai pulled her hand holding Ji Yuning’s out of the water.

Fang Bai wasn’t deliberately teasing Ji Yuning; it was just that her hand had gotten wrinkly from being in the water for so long, and she was too embarrassed to ask Ji Yuning to switch hands.

Ji Yuning was slightly taken aback.

Contrary to what she had imagined, she had no reaction. She wasn’t afraid, and her heartbeat was as steady as if she wasn’t in the water at all.

Ji Yuning looked at Fang Bai.

Seeing this, Fang Bai thought Ji Yuning was scared. Knowing how stubborn Ji Yuning could be, Fang Bai silently switched hands and held Ji Yuning’s again.

Feeling Ji Yuning’s body stiffen noticeably, the corners of Fang Bai’s lips curled up, and she whispered, “Still not afraid?”

Ji Yuning looked away. “…Mmm.”

“Oh.” Fang Bai pretended to be about to let go again.

When their clasped hands separated, water instantly filled the gap between them.

As Fang Bai’s fingertip brushed against Ji Yuning’s palm, about to leave, her finger was tightly grasped.

Ji Yuning’s face was tense, her voice muffled. “That’s enough.”

The sound of water Fang Bai made was very obvious. Ji Yuning was afraid of attracting Mu Xuerou’s attention, afraid that Mu Xuerou… would notice her and Fang Bai holding hands.

Fang Bai looked down at the tightly clenched hand in the water, thinking that Ji Yuning was finally not being stubborn anymore. She didn’t tease Ji Yuning again and chuckled softly in response, “It was very easy to notice. Last time in the water, you hugged me so tightly.”

In an instant, a brief crack appeared in Ji Yuning’s gaze.

All because of the second half of Fang Bai’s sentence.

Feeling the hand holding hers tighten again, Fang Bai sighed silently and asked softly, “Do you want to overcome your fear?”

She thought Ji Yuning was holding her tightly as a threat because she had discovered her weakness.

Ji Yuning’s deep eyes looked at Fang Bai, her expression obscure and uncertain.

VIP swimming room.

Most of the guests who came to the hotel were here for the hot springs, and very few would come to swim, let alone use the VIP-only pool.

There was no one else.

Fang Bai and Ji Yuning stood by the edge of the pool.

Fang Bai looked down at her feet, then turned to Ji Yuning and said, “Today, let’s practice holding your breath first.”

This was the most direct way for Ji Yuning to face her fear.

It was also the most important thing for Ji Yuning.

Hearing this, Ji Yuning nodded slightly. “Okay.”

Ji Yuning stood right next to Fang Bai, extremely close to the pool. Just one small step would send her falling in.

But surprisingly, Ji Yuning didn’t have the same resistance she had when she was alone in the hot spring room in the afternoon. She wasn’t timid; instead, she was as calm and composed as if walking on flat ground.

The person who gave her a sense of security was Fang Bai beside her.

Just like last time.

Not just last time.

It was the same when they were in the hot spring.

Fang Bai had let go of her hand but hadn’t left her side, so she didn’t feel any fear.

Fang Bai didn’t know what Ji Yuning was thinking. She opened the timer on her phone, turned her head to look at Ji Yuning, staring at the other girl’s profile. “Hold your breath, and I’ll time you.”

Ji Yuning looked down at the pool without moving.

Fang Bai put her hand on Ji Yuning’s back and patted it lightly. “Just submerge a little, I’ll watch you from above. It’s okay.”

Ji Yuning lifted her eyelids slightly and said softly, “Mmm.”

Ji Yuning didn’t hesitate as she squatted down, sat on the edge, and entered the water.

Her neat movements didn’t look like someone afraid of water at all.

Fang Bai squatted down as well. She asked, “Are you ready?”

Ji Yuning was the only person in the large pool.

The pool water was very cold, so cold that Ji Yuning’s eyelashes trembled. She said in a hoarse voice, “Mmm.”

Fang Bai pressed the start button with her thumb and said, “Go down.”

The commanding tone brought a sense of half-familiarity to Ji Yuning.

The woman’s mouth had issued such commands countless times, and every time she heard it, it would stir up a rebellious feeling in Ji Yuning’s heart.

But this time, after taking a breath of air, Ji Yuning submerged into the water.

Ji Yuning’s hair was tied up, and the bangs on her forehead spread out and floated. The flower at her waist unfolded even more.

Fang Bai looked down from above and saw a blooming flower.

Cold and arrogant.

The person drowning in the water didn’t know how long had passed. The only sound in her ears was the flowing of water, and the air she held in her mouth gradually disappeared.

The numbers on the timer changed quickly.

The instant Ji Yuning broke out of the water, Fang Bai pressed the pause button.

“37 seconds.” Fang Bai raised her eyebrows in surprise. This was a very good result for someone afraid of water.

Thinking this, Fang Bai didn’t hesitate to say, “Very good, longer than I expected. Take a break and try again.”

Fang Bai was very good at encouraging and teaching.

During the few days she took Beibei home, Ji Yuning went to school, and Wu Mei wasn’t good at interacting with small animals, so Fang Bai taught Beibei things like going to the bathroom.

Once, Ji Yuning unintentionally witnessed a teaching scene. Fang Bai asked Beibei to give her the toy it was holding in its mouth. At first, Beibei didn’t understand at all and ignored Fang Bai’s words, pressing the toy under its body.

But Fang Bai wasn’t impatient at all. She softly called Beibei’s name, waved at Beibei, and dangled the cat treats she held in her other hand to lure Beibei.

Within a few minutes, Beibei brought the toy to Fang Bai.

When Beibei released the toy, Fang Bai praised it like this: “Beibei is even smarter than I thought.”

Remembering Beibei being praised, Ji Yuning: “…”

Taking the towel Fang Bai handed her, Ji Yuning wiped the water from her face.

After resting for a dozen seconds, Ji Yuning raised her chin slightly, looked at the person on the shore, and said calmly, “Okay.”

Fang Bai hummed in agreement. “I’m ready too.”

Ji Yuning submerged into the water again.

Minute by minute passed, and Fang Bai watched the person in the water intently.

When she asked Ji Yuning if she wanted to overcome her fear, she hadn’t expected Ji Yuning to agree, because in Fang Bai’s mind, Ji Yuning’s first reaction to her suggestions would only be refusal.

Even this trip to Qing City was something Fang Bai had decided on her own, without giving Ji Yuning the option to refuse.

Moreover, exposing a weakness in front of an enemy wasn’t Ji Yuning’s style.

But Ji Yuning had agreed.

Fang Bai couldn’t describe the feeling. On one hand, she was happy about Ji Yuning’s trust, and on the other hand, she was puzzled as to why Ji Yuning would trust her.

Completely perplexed, Fang Bai’s hand slowed down for a second when the black flower in the water emerged.

Before Ji Yuning looked at her, Fang Bai subtracted a second. “65 seconds.”

Fang Bai collected her thoughts and smiled at Ji Yuning. “Over a minute.”

In just a few short minutes, this was already a very good result.

A faint light rose in Ji Yuning’s eyes. “Mmm.”

“Then rest a little longer.” Fang Bai said, handing over the towel.

Half a minute later, just as Fang Bai was about to ask Ji Yuning if she was ready, her phone rang.

Fang Bai looked down at the caller ID. It was the investment manager.

Fang Bai hesitated for a moment and said to the person sitting by the pool, “I’ll go answer the phone. You rest a little longer, and we’ll start when I get back.”

With that, Fang Bai walked away, but after taking only two steps, she heard a faint splash of water behind her. Fang Bai didn’t hear it clearly, as she had already answered the phone.

Not long after Fang Bai turned around, Ji Yuning submerged into the water.

Ignoring the resistance her body produced and the fear coursing through her veins, she didn’t stay near the surface as Fang Bai had asked but sank to a deeper place.

There was something Ji Yuning wanted to understand.

And only by doing this could she know.

Fang Bai didn’t know how long she talked to the manager on the phone, only that after hanging up, she turned around and didn’t see Ji Yuning by the edge of the pool.

Recalling the soft splash, Fang Bai opened her phone and looked at the call duration.

2 minutes and 20 seconds.

Fang Bai walked to the edge of the pool, not yet having time to be happy that Ji Yuning had lasted so long this time, when her eyes looked into the pool and saw the person who should have been near the surface curled up in a ball at the bottom.

Motionless.

Like—

“Splash.”

Fang Bai threw her phone and jumped into the water.

With Fang Bai’s jump, the water surface, which had been quiet for two minutes, was stirred up. The lights on the surface were scattered by the ripples, flickered, and then returned to normal.

And Ji Yuning underwater, before losing consciousness, mistook the light entering her eyes for the moon.

Moon in the water.

On the verge of suffocation, Ji Yuning only felt her waist being hugged, and the strength in the arm woke her up.

But it was only for an instant. Ji Yuning’s brain went blank again. As her heartbeat weakened, two soft lips pressed against Ji Yuning’s…

Her lips were pried open, and a breath of air was passed into Ji Yuning’s mouth. Oxygen drove the blood in her body to fill her brain and flow into her heart.

Ji Yuning briefly regained consciousness. Before she could recover from the dizziness, she was pulled out of the water.

At the same time, the hand around her waist was withdrawn.

As Ji Yuning slightly parted her lips to gasp for air, a vague voice entered her ears.

“Get up yourself.”

Ji Yuning pursed her lips and opened her eyes. What entered her sight was a pair of slender, fair calves walking further away. Her heavy eyelids lifted slightly, and Fang Bai’s solitary back looked illusory like a dream under the effect of the water mist.

Even rarer than the moon in the water.

When she could no longer see Fang Bai’s back, Ji Yuning slowly withdrew her gaze and lowered her eyelashes.

On the rippling water surface, the reflection showed thin lips curving into a faint arc.

Using her life as a wager, the long-unsuccessful test finally yielded an answer.

It was just that,

She seemed to have made the other person angry.

Author’s Note:

Xiao Ji’s diary:

October 2nd… hehe…