After Transmigrating Into A Cannon Fodder Character, I Only Want To Survive - Chapter 56

Scared, yet walking in front?

Fang Bai quickened her pace to walk beside Ji Yuning, moving forward shoulder to shoulder with her.

The hand holding hers was distinctly bony, her slender fingers wrapped around Fang Bai’s four fingers, her thumb pressed firmly against the hollow of Fang Bai’s palm. The tight grip brought Fang Bai a sliver of security in the darkness.

Security?

Fang Bai paused, turning her head to look at the person beside her. The other was now as tall as she was. Turning her head, all she saw was a pair of eyes that shone brightly in the dim light, their depths unreadable.

Suddenly, several “ghostly” roars echoed from the wall.

Fang Bai couldn’t help but call out, “Xiao Ning.”

Although Ji Yuning’s attention was focused on finding the way, she responded to Fang Bai immediately. “Mmm.”

Fang Bai was concerned about her image and didn’t want Ji Yuning to think she was scared. Besides, Ji Yuning had asked her to protect her, so Fang Bai said softly, “If you’re scared, walk behind me.”

Several screams came from behind them.

“…Forget it, let’s just walk together.” After saying that, Fang Bai’s other hand latched onto Ji Yuning’s arm.

It was the instinctive action of someone seeking shelter, something Fang Bai herself didn’t realize.

Ji Yuning, however, felt it. She pursed her lips. Her deliberate avoidance of the entire morning had been ineffective, or rather, it hadn’t worked at all.

No matter how far away she was from Fang Bai, those scenes would still vividly appear in her mind.

The problem wasn’t Fang Bai, it was her.

After a moment, Ji Yuning silently led Fang Bai in search of the exit.

Time slowly passed, and the surroundings were quiet, eerily quiet.

Shifting her gaze away from a stuffed doll in the distance, Fang Bai looked at the child searching for the exit. Her back blended into the shadows, and her slender figure seemed reliable for a fleeting moment.

“Actually, I originally wanted you to be in a group with Xiao Mu,” Fang Bai said, thinking this might be an opportunity to bring them closer.

As she spoke, Fang Bai remembered He Ziyan and Mu Xuerou were ahead of them, and the topic jumped abruptly. “I wonder if Xiao Mu and the others got out.”

With a “click,” Ji Yuning found the hidden door.

After entering another passage, Ji Yuning didn’t respond to Fang Bai’s question, but simply said, “There might be scares ahead, cover your eyes.”

After saying that, Ji Yuning looked at the person who had already covered her eyes, and the corners of her lips unconsciously curved up.

She didn’t know if she was smiling at Fang Bai’s forced bravery or at her own trust, obediently listening.

“Do you need me to help you cover them?” Fang Bai asked.

“No need,” Ji Yuning said softly, “I’ll do it myself.”

Fang Bai believed her without a doubt. “Okay.”

Ji Yuning pulled Fang Bai forward, coming face to face with an NPC that suddenly popped out from around the corner. Ignoring the “ghost” flailing its arms and making low, hoarse noises, she calmly continued forward.

Fang Bai, on the other hand, who couldn’t see anything with her eyes covered, couldn’t help but shiver when the “ghost” screamed.

After walking a few steps, Fang Bai heard Ji Yuning say to her, “Okay.”

The next second, Ji Yuning’s voice calling her “Sister” rang in her ears.

Fang Bai couldn’t help but cough, lowering her hands and playfully scolding, “What sister? Do you know you’re messing up the generations?”

“He Ziyan can?”

The light was too dim, and Fang Bai couldn’t see Ji Yuning’s expression. Ji Yuning’s voice was even and flat, so she couldn’t discern any emotion.

Fang Bai could only give a soft smile. “That was a joke, can’t you even tell a joke?”

Afterward, Fang Bai said softly, “Still call me Auntie.”

As she spoke, Ji Yuning led Fang Bai out of the passage. Looking at the two people waiting a few steps away, Ji Yuning tightened her grip on Fang Bai’s hand. “Mmm.”

When He Ziyan saw their clasped hands, her movement to greet them froze. It wasn’t until Fang Bai walked up to her that she called out, “Aunt Fang.”

He Ziyan’s voice was a little low. Fang Bai asked, “How was it? Were you scared?”

Hearing Fang Bai’s question, He Ziyan was taken aback. She immediately looked at Mu Xuerou, wanting to stop her, but it was too late.

“Yes,” Mu Xuerou giggled, covering her mouth. “She was so scared she kept burrowing into my arms.”

He Ziyan turned her head away. She never expected Mu Xuerou, who looked delicate and gentle, to be so brave. When others saw a ghost, they turned and ran, but Mu Xuerou was stunned for a moment before striding forward and asking the ghost where the exit was.

Hearing the laughter beside her, He Ziyan turned her head to explain, but seeing Fang Bai and Ji Yuning still holding hands, she felt a sudden annoyance and turned to walk outside. “Hurry up, let’s go eat!”

After eating, the group played two more rides and then left the amusement park.

Fang Bai dropped off Mu Xuerou and He Ziyan at their homes. By the time they got home, it was already six in the evening, and the sky was dark.

As soon as she entered the house, she was greeted by the rich aroma of food. A conspicuous birthday cake stood on the table.

Ji Yuning stood in place, watching Wu Mei’s figure in the kitchen. Hearing the door open, Wu Mei hurried out and said, “Xiao Ji, happy birthday.”

Wu Mei said with an embarrassed smile, “Look at my memory, if Miss hadn’t called me to get the birthday cake, I would have forgotten it was your birthday today. Luckily, Miss called early, so I had time to prepare.”

Ji Yuning glanced subtly at the person beside her, then turned to Wu Mei and said, “Thank you, Aunt Wu.”

“No need to thank me, no need to thank me,” Wu Mei said to Fang Bai. “Miss, come over with Xiao Ji and see if there’s anything else you want to eat? I’ll make it.”

Fang Bai hummed in agreement, took Ji Yuning’s hand, and led her to the dining table.

Because Ji Yuning had taken her hand in the haunted house today, Fang Bai’s action of pulling Ji Yuning’s hand was incredibly natural.

As if… they held hands often.

Ji Yuning’s eyelashes lowered.

Fang Bai felt that ever since Ji Yuning’s birthday, just like it was written in the book, Ji Yuning’s attitude towards her had been steadily softening.

Half a year passed in a flash. During this time, their relationship remained harmonious, with no problems arising.

Although it remained stagnant, neither improving nor worsening, this was already very good for Fang Bai. As long as it didn’t plummet to freezing point, it meant her efforts were working.

In mid-May, it happened to be a day off, and Fang Bai planned to ask Ji Yuning to go swimming with her.

Fang Bai had bought Ji Yuning several swimming lessons, and the results were significant. From someone who feared water to overcoming that fear and swimming freely, Fang Bai couldn’t help but marvel at the hidden tenacity in Ji Yuning’s bones. Whatever she set her mind to, she could succeed.

Just as Fang Bai came out of her room, intending to go upstairs to find Ji Yuning, Wu Mei quickly ran upstairs and said softly, “Miss, that person has arrived.”

Fang Bai didn’t understand who Wu Mei was talking about and frowned slightly. “Which person?”

Wu Mei walked up to Fang Bai and said softly, “Chang Suyao.”

Fang Bai raised an eyebrow, feeling surprised.

In the more than a year she had been here, she had only had contact with Chang Suyao once, at the Fang family home. Apart from that, there had been nothing. Even when Fang Maozhou invited her home for the Spring Festival, she had flown abroad to find Liao Li for two weeks to avoid too much contact with the Fang family, only returning after the holiday was over.

Now that Chang Suyao had come to find her, Fang Bai’s intuition told her it definitely wasn’t a simple matter.

Going downstairs, she saw Chang Suyao, wearing a black dress, sitting on the sofa, sipping tea with her head lowered.

Hearing the movement, Chang Suyao put down her cup and looked at Fang Bai with a smile. “Am I disturbing you?”

Fang Bai walked over and picked up the tea Wu Mei had poured for her. “No.”

Chang Suyao didn’t beat around the bush and directly stated the purpose of her visit today. “I’m not here for anything else today, just to bring you an invitation.”

Fang Bai looked at Chang Suyao. What kind of invitation required Madam Fang to deliver it personally?

Seeming to see Fang Bai’s confusion, Chang Suyao smiled and gracefully took a red invitation from her bag, saying, “It’s not an important banquet, just a celebration party. Originally, your father thought you wouldn’t go, so he didn’t plan to send you an invitation. But then he thought that after your birthday, you’ll be 26, and it’s time for you to take over the company’s affairs, so he wanted you to meet those uncles and aunts first, to get familiar.”

Chang Suyao said, “But I told him you probably wouldn’t go, after all, you’ve always been used to freedom and can’t stand those constraints.”

As she spoke, Chang Suyao had already pushed the invitation in front of Fang Bai.

Looking at the strokes of ink on the invitation, the corner of Fang Bai’s mouth curved into a smile.

From the first time she met Chang Suyao, Fang Bai felt that the other woman was not simple. Every sentence seemed to consider her, yet every sentence pushed her deeper, seemingly caring but actually wanting to tarnish her image in Fang Maozhou’s eyes.

And now, she was directly probing whether she had any intention of inheriting the company.

Fang Yimu was only seven years old, and this stepmother was already paving the way for him?

Fang Bai didn’t have the slightest interest in Fang Maozhou’s property. After all, according to her plan, she would likely disappear in a year, and it was impossible for her to step forward and manage the company.

But for now, since she was bored anyway, she might as well find something to do.

“Thank you, Auntie. You’re right, I’m already 26, I can’t be as idle as before.”

Fang Bai picked up the invitation, opening it as she spoke. “I’ll go to the celebration party. Please trouble you to tell my dad for me.”

Fang Bai’s repeated “my dad” made the smile on Chang Suyao’s face stiffen.

She thought Fang Bai would tear up the invitation and continue her usual aimless, freeloading life, but the other woman actually said she was considering taking over the company?

This was not what she wanted to hear.

Chang Suyao’s expression quickly returned to normal. Just as she was about to speak, she saw a person suddenly appear on the stairs. When that person looked at her coldly, Chang Suyao asked in surprise, “Is this Xiao Ji? She’s changed so much.”

Fang Bai turned her head and saw Ji Yuning coming down the stairs with a water glass in her hand.

Perhaps because they saw each other every day, Fang Bai didn’t think Ji Yuning had changed much, just that her hair had grown a bit longer, she had gotten a bit taller, and her facial features were more defined, giving her a distant, cool air from afar.

Stepping down the last flight of stairs, Ji Yuning saw Fang Bai looking at her before turning her gaze to Chang Suyao and calling out coldly, “Madam Fang.”

After calling out, Ji Yuning walked towards the kitchen.

Chang Suyao narrowed her eyes, took a sip of tea, and looked at Fang Bai. “Your father has been constantly mentioning to me that he wants to see you settle down soon. Several people have proposed marriage to your father in the past six months, all with excellent conditions, but…”

Chang Suyao glanced in the direction of the kitchen and smiled without saying anything.

Even without Chang Suyao finishing her sentence, Fang Bai could guess what she meant.

——But after knowing you were raising a child, no one mentioned it again.

The warmth in Fang Bai’s eyes cooled down. She felt that accepting the invitation earlier was the right decision. Someone like Chang Suyao couldn’t be dealt with too easily, even if she was offering something for free.

“My love life doesn’t need Auntie’s concern,” Fang Bai crossed her legs. “When I get married and have children, I’ll let the old man take care of them, so I can take over the company sooner.”

Chang Suyao frowned. “Who lets their father take care of the children?”

But that wasn’t what made her frown.

“Then are you willing, Auntie? If you’re willing to take care of them, I don’t have any problem.” Fang Bai raised an eyebrow. “I just don’t know who would take care of Yimu.”

“…”

Chang Suyao came with a smile and left with a stern face.

Fang Bai watched Chang Suyao leave. When Wu Mei closed the door, her usually cold eyebrows curved slightly.

The sound of slippers dragging on the floor came from behind her. Fang Bai turned her head and saw Ji Yuning walking out of the kitchen with a water glass.

The other gave her an indifferent look.

“…Did you hear that?” For some reason, Fang Bai said subconsciously, “Auntie was joking.”