The Cannon Fodder Female Supporting Character Alpha Decides to Go On Strike (GL) - Chapter 22

In the afternoon, the guide arranged for them to explore a nearby natural cave.

The cave was a popular tourist attraction on the island. Su Li considered the rugged and complex terrain inside and, worrying that Shen Mo wouldn’t be able to handle it, thought about canceling the trip.

However, when the guide pointed out the direction, she realized that the cave’s exit was located right beneath the lighthouse she had seen outside her window the night before.

Seeing the eager expression on Shen Mo’s face, she retracted her disappointing suggestion and nodded in agreement.

As they set off, she leaned closer to Shen Mo and cautioned: “Once we enter the cave, you must stick closely to me. But don’t be too nervous; I will be careful to protect you.”

Shen Mo looked up at her, her expression proud and reserved, like a precious, expensive doll that wouldn’t easily comply.

But the next moment, she placed her hand on Su Li’s arm and softly replied, “Okay.”

Su Li’s face felt warm. She puffed out her chest, wanting to perform a peacock display on the spot—she absolutely loved the series of dependent little gestures Shen Mo made toward her with that cool, stunningly beautiful face!

It was heart-meltingly adorable!

She thought it would be a perfect trip, but upon arriving at the entrance, the two ran into the same couple they had seen at noon. Judging by their gear, they were clearly planning to explore the cave as well.

“What a coincidence…” The girl, belonging to the same nationality, waved and greeted them.

But her boyfriend pulled her back before she could finish speaking.

The man was clearly still holding a grudge about the earlier incident, his face dark as he reprimanded her: “Stop engaging with strangers.”

The girl pursed her lips and, wanting to avoid an argument, lowered her head voluntarily.

Su Li didn’t mince words, rolling her eyes at the man, then turned to help Shen Mo follow the guide.

She didn’t forget to caution again: “Be very careful walking once we’re inside. Watch your step. Don’t rush when you reach overly rugged sections. Wait for me to help you across.”

Shen Mo nodded. The large diamond ring on her left hand, which was resting on Su Li’s shoulder, glittered brightly in the sunlight.

The man tugged at the girl, who was staring blankly, and complained impatiently: “Don’t stand around stupidly! Hurry up and follow!”

The girl glanced sideways at him but said nothing, following meekly behind him.

The natural cave had not been overly developed, and the natural landscape was quite well-preserved.

Walking through such an exotic setting, Su Li and Shen Mo quickly forgot the earlier unpleasantness and immersed themselves fully in the exploration.

As Su Li had anticipated, some parts of the cave were very difficult to traverse.

“Slow down. Be careful, don’t rush,” Su Li jumped down a small slope herself. As soon as she stabilized, she turned back to help Shen Mo across: “Do you dare to jump? If not, you can slowly slide down.”

Shen Mo supported herself against the cave wall with her left hand.

The moment she turned her head, she suddenly realized she was still wearing her wedding ring—she had properly put the ring away earlier, but had forgotten about the small item after Su Li put it back on her at noon.

Now, with her movements, the ring was constantly bumping against the stalactite wall, and its surface already looked a bit grimy.

“Shen Mo?” Su Li called out again when she saw no movement from her.

“Coming,” Shen Mo refocused her attention and estimated the height. “I can jump. Move aside a little.”

“Okay.” Su Li cooperated, taking two steps back.

The next moment, Shen Mo’s figure was agile. She jumped down effortlessly.

Su Li watched her intently, timing her movement to catch her. She held Shen Mo securely in her arms: “Oof!”

Shen Mo straightened up: “Did I hit you?”

“No,” Su Li smiled brightly.

She pinched Shen Mo’s cheek: “I just didn’t expect President Shen, who sits in an office all year, to be so swift and clean in her movements.”

The gesture of pinching her cheek was too intimate. Both she and Shen Mo froze the moment she finished the action.

Shen Mo looked away, murmuring: “Don’t underestimate me. My physique isn’t weak…”

Su Li nodded with a stiff neck.

She was somewhat relieved that the light in the cave was dim, guessing Shen Mo couldn’t see her flushed ears: “It gets dark further inside. You might not be able to see clearly. You, you should hold my hand. I’ll lead you forward.”

Hearing this, Shen Mo quickly took off the ring and placed it in a small pouch at her waist.

Then, she placed her hand in Su Li’s palm.

Su Li closed her fingers, easily enveloping Shen Mo’s soft hand.

Unable to stop her smile, she coughed twice to cover her joy, gripping her hand tightly as she led them deeper.

“Don’t let go, okay?”

“Mhm.” Shen Mo looked at Su Li’s back and couldn’t help but call out, “Su Li.”

Su Li turned around.

Their gazes gently met in the air. Su Li suppressed the tingling sensation in her heart and quietly responded: “I’m here.”

Behind her, Shen Mo smiled faintly, like a satisfied kitten.

In the darkest section of the cave, the narrow passage barely allowed two people to walk side-by-side, but even so, Su Li never released Shen Mo’s hand.

Shen Mo asked: “How much further?”

Su Li asked with concern: “Are you tired?”

She looked ahead: “I can see the light from the exit now.” She tried to encourage Shen Mo: “We’ll be out soon, and once we’re outside, you’ll be able to see the lighthouse you’ve been thinking about.

“Just hold on a little longer.”

“I can hold on for a long time,” Shen Mo said.

Su Li grinned.

She teased: “Mhm, I know. Our President Shen is a formidable person who can do anything.”

Shen Mo gripped her hand tighter: “…Because of the lighthouse.”

“…” Su Li stopped smiling, feeling a pang of bitterness.

She didn’t know why her mood changed so quickly, fluctuating dramatically just because of a single sentence from Shen Mo. After taking a deep breath, Su Li forced herself to cheer up, muttering a dull “Mhm” as they walked.

But what she didn’t know was that when Shen Mo said the word “lighthouse,” her heart and eyes were entirely on Su Li, without shifting at all.

After walking for nearly another twenty minutes, the darkness receded. The light ahead was clearly visible. Su Li could even hear the sound of waves hitting the rocky shore.

“We’re almost out,” she said, more sour than she intended. “You’ll be able to see your lighthouse soon.”

“The lighthouse…” Shen Mo had only gotten out two words when a gasp came from behind them.

The two turned around in surprise. Su Li frowned: “It sounds like the girl from earlier.”

The passage was now very wide and bright. She gently pushed Shen Mo forward: “I’ll go check.”

Shen Mo, still uneasy, followed closely behind her.

The two walked back about ten meters and found the girl sitting on the ground, clutching her knee, while her boyfriend stood nearby with his arms crossed.

For some reason, the man’s gaze flickered when he saw Su Li and Shen Mo. He subconsciously covered his pocket, shrinking his shoulders as he retreated two steps into the corner.

Su Li automatically ignored the man, looking at the girl and asking: “What happened? Do you need help?”

“N-Nothing,” the girl lowered her head when she saw them. “I just accidentally fell.”

Su Li took two steps closer: “Can you stand up?”

The girl nodded softly.

“Stop being so dramatic, get up already!” The man urged in a loud voice. “Dragging your feet like this, we’ll miss the sunset!”

The girl slowly stood up, holding onto the wall for support.

Su Li couldn’t bear to watch. She walked over and supported the girl.

She glared at the man: “Isn’t she your girlfriend? She hurt her knee. Don’t you think you should help her? All you can do is stand there and shout?”

“What business is it of yours?!” The man stared at her, blustering. “Besides! She can stand up, can’t she? She’s faking it. There’s nothing wrong with her!”

With that, he continued to scold the girl: “I told you there was nothing good to see in the cave, but you insisted on coming. Now look, happy that you fell?”

The girl politely declined Su Li’s help and stood steady on her own, leaning on the wall.

The light was dim, but it was clear that her nose was slightly red: “I’m fine now. Let’s go.”

The man scoffed, turned, and strode out, not looking back once.

The girl didn’t call after him. She lowered her head and slowly dragged her injured leg toward the exit.

Su Li couldn’t see the extent of her injury, but judged it wasn’t too severe since the girl could walk on her own.

She didn’t offer further assistance, but she and Shen Mo tacitly slowed their pace, maintaining a distance of two or three meters from the girl to ensure she didn’t fall behind.

Once they exited the cave, Su Li immediately found the guide to explain the situation.

The guide, seeing someone was injured, brought a first-aid kit and tended to the girl’s wounds. The girl didn’t make a sound throughout the process, while her boyfriend stood nearby with one hand in his pocket, making sarcastic remarks.

Su Li and Shen Mo had already walked to the foot of the lighthouse.

Up close, the lighthouse that guided countless ships was actually very old. The peeling paint on the wooden frame was deeply marked by the passage of time. If she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes, Su Li would have found it hard to connect it with the brilliant light she saw last night.

Shen Mo touched the lighthouse, her fingertip tracing the patterns on its surface.

Su Li broke the silence: “I didn’t expect it to look like this.”

Shen Mo looked up at her upon hearing this, the stars in her eyes shining even brighter than the lighthouse.

She countered: “What did you think it should look like?”

Su Li thought for a moment: “At least it should be bright and tidy, shouldn’t it?”

“But reality often falls short of expectations,” Shen Mo shook her head. “The cost of maintaining a bright and beautiful exterior is often a thousand holes inside.”

Su Li could tell she was speaking metaphorically, but she found it difficult to imagine what the analogy had to do with a heavenly figure like Shen Mo.

Shen Mo didn’t continue. She reached her right hand toward her waist, suddenly froze, and then frantically began searching her body.

“What’s wrong?” Su Li asked, puzzled.

“Su Li…” Shen Mo raised her head, her face pale.

She gasped for air, the stars in her eyes completely submerged: “The ring, our wedding ring is missing…”