After Transmigrating Into A Cannon Fodder Character, I Only Want To Survive - Chapter 58

After the styling was done, it was almost time for the banquet to begin.

On the way, the yolk-like sun was squeezed between towering buildings, and the yellowish thin clouds floated around it. The orange-yellow afterglow was reflected on the glass of several high-rise buildings.

The car window was slightly open, and the warm breeze poured into the car through the gap, blowing the hair near Fang Bai’s ears.

Fang Bai ignored it, letting the wind use her hair to depict its mood.

Three minutes later, the tall buildings blocked the light, and the car suddenly darkened.

Fang Bai turned her gaze forward and lazily looked to the other side.

The little one hadn’t spoken since getting in the car, nor had she looked at her phone, and Fang Bai wondered what she was thinking.

If it was back when they had just met, Fang Bai could still rely on her initial understanding to have a vague idea of Ji Yuning. But now, she couldn’t guess the other’s thoughts at all. Even the subtle expressions on Ji Yuning’s face that she used to catch had been absent for a long time.

Fang Bai could only observe from the occasional softening of the usually coldness in her brows or the unconscious curve of her lips.

A seventeen-year-old child, more mature than some adults.

Was it an old character design? Or were the things pressing on her heart surging like waves again and again, crashing against the reefs in her heart and retreating, waiting for the next round of tempering, spurring her to become like this?

Fang Bai had too many unanswered questions in her heart, so much so that the look in her eyes when she looked at Ji Yuning contained an undisguisable scrutiny.

Ji Yuning turned her head. “What’s wrong?”

In a place where no one could see, a hand clenched helplessly.

The flat voice interrupted Fang Bai. She calmly shifted her gaze to the dress Ji Yuning was wearing and praised, “This color suits you very well. It looks great on you.”

The hand that had been curled up beside her leg slowly opened, a feeling of loss or relief she couldn’t quite discern in her heart. She had thought Fang Bai’s scrutiny meant she had noticed something.

Ji Yuning lowered her eyes and said softly, “Yours too.”

“You didn’t even look at me properly. Isn’t that a bit perfunctory?” Fang Bai smiled, her voice gentle. “Little liar.”

She had looked.

In the time Fang Bai hadn’t noticed, in the brief moment of appreciation after quickly withdrawing her gaze.

Not just the dress, not just the makeup.

Ji Yuning flicked her eyelids, dismissing any further explanation, and said faintly, “You believed it.”

“Of course~” Fang Bai took out a piece of candy from her bag and said to Ji Yuning, “Unless I see it with my own eyes, everything else—”

Fang Bai lowered her eyes to unwrap the candy, not noticing the emotions flickering in the eyes of the person beside her.

Putting the candy in her mouth, Fang Bai’s eyes curved as she said, “As long as it’s you who said it, I believe it all.”

“…”

Ji Yuning didn’t say anything, and Fang Bai, with the candy in her mouth, didn’t initiate any more conversation.

The car soon arrived at the hotel.

Facing the waiter who came forward to lead the way, Fang Bai said softly, “Just a moment,” then turned her head to look at the person getting out of the car on the other side.

Waiting for Ji Yuning to walk around the car to her side, Fang Bai raised her arm to take Ji Yuning’s hand while signaling to the waiter that he could continue to lead the way.

Lowering her eyes to the outstretched hand, Ji Yuning paused for a moment before grasping it. The moment her thumb touched the back of Fang Bai’s hand, Ji Yuning’s fingers unconsciously caressed it.

The movement was so gentle that Fang Bai didn’t notice at all.

But it was seen by He Ziyan, who had also just arrived at the hotel and couldn’t hide her delight after getting out of the car and seeing Fang Bai.

Ji Yuning’s peripheral vision caught He Ziyan. She turned her eyes slightly and saw He Ziyan stop in her tracks with a slightly pale face.

Noticing that Ji Yuning was looking at her, He Ziyan recovered her composure after a moment of surprise.

Their eyes met, and after a brief exchange, Ji Yuning was the first to look away.

In the past six months, He Ziyan’s personality had matured a lot. Before, she would most likely have rushed over to greet Fang Bai, but now, she just pursed her lips at Ji Yuning’s back and then turned to find Zhu Ping.

Although Fang Bai hadn’t seen He Ziyan, Zhu Ping had messaged her last night asking if she would attend the banquet, so she figured Zhu Ping would be there.

The elevator doors opened, and Fang Bai released Ji Yuning’s hand. “Xiao He might come. If you get bored later, you can look for her.”

As Fang Bai withdrew her hand, Ji Yuning’s hand suddenly felt empty. She loosely half-clenched her fist and followed Fang Bai into the elevator.

Hearing Fang Bai’s words, Ji Yuning lowered her eyes. “Mmm.”

To make it easier for the waiter and others outside the elevator to get in, Fang Bai walked to the corner of the elevator, and Ji Yuning stood beside her.

Ji Yuning was expressionless, and Fang Bai couldn’t tell if she was happy or not. After thinking for two seconds, she leaned her upper body towards Ji Yuning and said softly, “Don’t worry, we won’t stay too long.”

She was just here to make an appearance and would leave after a while.

The stylist had sprayed perfume on Fang Bai, a very light scent, like the tender buds breaking through the soil in early spring, the catkins emerging on the willow branches.

After speaking, Fang Bai straightened up, hugged her other arm, and looked up at the changing floor numbers.

In just a few seconds, the number stopped at twelve and didn’t move.

The waiter turned to Fang Bai and said, “Miss Fang, we’ve arrived.”

After thanking the waiter, Fang Bai and Ji Yuning walked out of the elevator one after the other, while the waiter went downstairs to pick up new guests.

The banquet hall was to the right after exiting the elevator.

The invitation didn’t specify what the celebration banquet was for, only the hotel address and banquet time.

Fang Bai gave the invitation to the usher standing at the door. The latter politely greeted Fang Bai and pushed open the closed door.

People in elaborate attire gathered together, talking to each other. Amidst the clinking of glasses and the exchange of toasts, no one noticed who arrived or left.

There were more people than expected. Fang Bai turned to Ji Yuning and asked, “I’m going to find the old man. Do you want to come with me?”

Before entering, Ji Yuning had glanced at her phone. When she stepped into the banquet hall, she spotted the person standing not far away.

After making eye contact with Yuan Yizhen, Ji Yuning looked at Fang Bai. “No.”

“Okay, go have fun yourself,” Fang Bai said. “Call me later if you can’t find me.”

Ji Yuning nodded. “Mmm.”

After Fang Bai walked away, Yuan Yizhen appeared beside Ji Yuning. She pushed up her glasses and said, “You said yesterday you wouldn’t come with me. I thought you weren’t coming at all.”

Ji Yuning glanced sideways at Yuan Yizhen, her gaze returning to the distance, her voice clear and cold. “How is it?”

Yuan Yizhen followed her gaze and only saw the back of Fang Bai disappearing into the crowd. She only glanced at it before quickly looking away.

“It is her,” Yuan Yizhen said to Ji Yuning. “But Chairman Lu doesn’t know she’s here.”

After separating from Ji Yuning, Fang Bai walked towards the inner part of the banquet hall.

Fang Maozhou should be in the lounge at this time, usually only coming out ten minutes or so before the banquet starts.

When Fang Bai reached the door of the lounge and knocked twice, Chang Suyao’s voice sounded from inside, “Who is it?”

Fang Bai had no intention of barging in. She said, “Fang Bai.”

Three seconds later, the door was pulled open from the inside. Seeing Fang Bai, Chang Suyao greeted her with a smile. “You’ve arrived?”

Before Fang Bai could respond, Fang Maozhou’s cheerful and loud voice rang out, “Bai Bao, come in quickly. Dad wants to introduce you to someone.”

The smile on Chang Suyao’s lips stiffened slightly. Fang Bai pretended not to see it, nodded at Chang Suyao, and stepped into the room.

When Fang Bai entered the room and saw another person besides Fang Maozhou, her expression, like Chang Suyao’s, paused for a moment. Although it quickly returned to normal, it was still caught by that person.

Lu Raomei rested her hand on her forehead, looking at the person who came in with a smile. Her red lips curved into a beautiful arc. “Is this Mr. Fang’s daughter?”

“Yes.” Fang Maozhou smiled, got up, and walked to Fang Bai’s side. “This is Ms. Lu, Dad’s new business partner.”

Business partner?

A look of surprise flashed across Fang Bai’s eyes, and a turbulent wave surged in her heart.

The person sitting on the chair stood up.

Lu Raomei’s smile didn’t diminish. She walked up to Fang Bai in red high heels, reached out her hand, and said, “Nice to meet you, Lu Raomei.”

Fang Bai looked up.

Nice to meet you?

…Had she forgotten her?

“Fang Bai.”

Fang Bai had already shaken hands with Lu Raomei. When she finished her name and wanted to withdraw her hand, her hand was held tightly.

Fang Bai instantly realized that Lu Raomei hadn’t forgotten her, she was acting.

“Although it’s our first meeting, why do I feel like I’ve met Miss Fang somewhere before?” Lu Raomei’s voice was alluring. “There’s even a feeling of wishing we had met sooner.”

Fang Maozhou noticed that Fang Bai’s expression wasn’t right. He smiled and said, “Ms. Lu is joking.”

After speaking, Fang Maozhou gestured behind him. “Ms. Lu, let’s continue our tea.”

Lu Raomei gave the person in front of her a meaningful look before releasing Fang Bai’s hand and turning to Fang Maozhou. “Alright, Mr. Fang.”

Fang Maozhou asked Chang Suyao to pour tea for the two of them, then waved at Fang Bai. “Bai Bao, if you have nothing to do, go find Old Chen and have him take you around to greet those uncles and aunties.”

Fang Bai subtly glanced at Lu Raomei and then nodded. “Mmm.”

After leaving the lounge, Fang Bai didn’t look for Chen Xiandong. She walked alone to a quiet corner and sat on the sofa, pondering why Lu Raomei had suddenly appeared.

The book hadn’t mentioned any cooperation between Lu Raomei and Fang Maozhou. Apart from Ji Yuning, no one from the Lu family had had any contact with the Fang family. But now, the villain had not only appeared but had also become Fang’s business partner.

If she wasn’t mistaken, Lu Raomei was the second protagonist of this celebration banquet.

Was it a hidden thread she had overlooked? Or…

“Aunt Fang?”

A voice interrupted Fang Bai.

Fang Bai raised her eyelashes and responded after seeing the person clearly, “Xiao He.”

He Ziyan followed Zhu Ping, looking around aimlessly. Suddenly, she saw a figure resembling Fang Bai walking over here. She made an excuse to come over and indeed saw Fang Bai.

He Ziyan stood in front of the sofa, remembering what she had seen before entering, hesitated for a moment, and said, “Aunt Fang, I just saw Ji Yuning go out with a woman wearing glasses.”

Fang Bai was taken aback. Wearing glasses?

Was it… Yuan Yizhen?

Fang Bai rubbed her brow, feeling like some things were subtly slipping out of her control, but she hadn’t yet figured out what.

The crisp sound of high heels hitting the floor rang in her ears, the sound getting closer and closer. Fang Bai lowered her hand and saw Lu Raomei walking towards her.

He Ziyan saw her too.

It was an unfamiliar face.

He Ziyan had never seen anyone who could look so vixenish. The red dress she wore was like an untamed rose, but the undeniable aura around her erased the rose’s softness, leaving only sharp thorns.

Lu Raomei sat down opposite Fang Bai, naturally crossing her legs, and smiled at Fang Bai. “I’d like to have a word with you alone.”

He Ziyan subconsciously looked at Fang Bai. Seeing Fang Bai nod at her, He Ziyan hesitated for a moment before turning and walking away.

Before leaving, He Ziyan said to Fang Bai, “Call me if you need anything.”

Lu Raomei was amused by He Ziyan’s words before leaving. She actually laughed out loud, then her fox-like eyes narrowed as she looked at Fang Bai and said slowly, “I didn’t expect you to be so popular with children.”

“But…” Lu Raomei leaned forward, her tone teasing, “One isn’t enough, you have to provoke three?”

Author’s Note:

I’m not sure how many more chapters until adulthood, but it should be within ten chapters~