Transmigrated as the Cannon Fodder Marked by the Villain (GL) - Chapter 36

Fu Qingyun was hesitant, and the expression on her face could not hide the truth from Ruan Jiyan.

“Sister, please tell me the truth. My mom, what’s wrong with her?”

Fu Qingyun remembered that in the original book, the death of Ruan Jiyan’s mother was the final straw that broke the camel’s back.

At the time, Ruan mother’s illness was incurable. Ruan Jiyan didn’t have the money to treat the cancer, and Ruan mother, to avoid worrying her, deliberately concealed the illness and kept delaying treatment. This caused the lesions to spread quickly, and she ultimately passed away in front of Ruan Jiyan.

Fu Qingyun was afraid Ruan Jiyan wouldn’t be able to handle the shock.

“Sister.”

Ruan Jiyan already knew. Fu Qingyun intended to continue concealing her mother’s illness from her.

“Actually, Auntie…”

She had announced such bad news to countless families. Fu Qingyun looked at the weeping and grieving children or parents and felt sorrow for them. Now, she was facing the mother of Ruan Jiyan, and this made it impossible for Fu Qingyun to speak.

“Auntie doesn’t have much time left.”

Ruan Jiyan lowered her eyes when she heard this. Even though she was mentally prepared, facing the reality made her feel as if her entire chest was filled with sharp pebbles, ready to pierce her body.

No one knew better than her that her mother was already terminally ill, but Ruan Jiyan always felt that being reborn gave her a chance to remedy everything.

But now, it seemed that her rebirth was a mistake. She had lost her last close relative again.

After saying this, Fu Qingyun gently squeezed Ruan Jiyan’s hand. She knew clearly that Ruan Jiyan was a sensible person who could handle things. No matter how many comforting words she said, they would ultimately be superficial.

“Ruan Bao, shall we bring Auntie back tomorrow?”

“Mhm.”

From Fu Qingyun’s perspective, Ruan Jiyan lowered her head, bit her lower lip, and remained silent.

“Sister.”

Crystalline tears quietly slid down Ruan Jiyan’s cheeks. Seeing this, Fu Qingyun walked over, gently embraced her, and comforted her: “Ruan Bao, Sister is here.”

Ruan Jiyan once again hated her powerlessness. She desperately clutched Fu Qingyun’s wrist, biting her lip until it almost bled.

“Ruan Bao, let go.”

Fu Qingyun cupped Ruan Jiyan’s slightly gaunt face with both hands, looking into her moist eyes.

“No matter what happens, you are not allowed to harm yourself, understand?”

“Mhm.”

Ruan Jiyan obediently released her lips. She was held in Fu Qingyun’s arms, who gently patted her back repeatedly.

“Auntie, your daughter is here to see you.”

The nurse raised the bed and wheeled the cart away.

Upon hearing the word “daughter,” Yu Minjun’s cloudy eyes suddenly brightened. Her dry lips trembled slightly, and she stared unblinkingly at the ward door.

The ward door opened. The moment Ruan Jiyan saw Yu Minjun, her eyes instantly welled up.

“Mom…”

Fu Qingyun followed Ruan Jiyan, gently closing the door. She looked at the warm and harmonious scene and smiled with relief.

“Jiyan, Mom is doing well. Don’t worry about me. Studying hard is what’s most important.”

Yu Minjun smiled and stroked Ruan Jiyan’s hair, then her gaze fell on Fu Qingyun by the door.

“You must be Yun’er. Your Auntie often heard Nanyan mention you.”

Song Nanyan…

Ruan Jiyan heard this name again. She looked at Yu Minjun in confusion: “Mom, you know Song Nanyan?”

“Nanyan is a good child. Nanyan sent people to pick me up so I could come back today.”

“Yes, Auntie,” Fu Qingyun walked to the bedside with a fruit basket and flowers, smiling: “I am Ruan Jiyan’s friend, Fu Qingyun.”

“Good child, you brought so many things to see me.”

In Fu Qingyun’s eyes, Yu Minjun was an elegant and intellectual woman. Even though she was suffering from the torment of her illness, her unique temperament was hard to mask.

Yu Minjun was smiling. In fact, Song Nanyan had already told her everything. Fu Qingyun was now with her daughter.

She had always wanted to see what the other person looked like, and today she finally did. Yu Minjun smiled with satisfaction.

She was surprised at first when she heard it was the second young miss of the Fu family. Logically, the Fu family and their Ruan family didn’t have much history, and she had always heard that the second young miss of the Fu family was arrogant.

Initially, Yu Minjun was worried their relationship wouldn’t last, but after meeting her once, she felt Fu Qingyun was a good child and a trustworthy person.

Yu Minjun was an excellent judge of character. She also knew her daughter’s judgment wouldn’t be poor.

She knew very well that she had late-stage stomach cancer and would not be alive for long. Therefore, she viewed everything lightly, with her only worry being her only daughter.

“Jiyan, Mom is fine. You must prioritize your studies, understand?”

Ruan Jiyan’s throat was choked up, as if a small stone was blocking it, almost suffocating her.

“Auntie, I won’t disturb you any longer.”

Fu Qingyun glanced at Ruan Jiyan, then pushed the door open and left. She wanted to give the mother and daughter some private time to talk, especially since such days would soon be limited.

“Jiyan, Mom thinks Yun’er is very nice. Nanyan also often mentioned her when she was overseas with me.”

“Sister treats me very well,” Ruan Jiyan curved her lips: “Mom, how did you meet Song Nanyan?”

Yu Minjun smiled: “Nanyan is Yun’er’s good friend. When I was hospitalized alone, she would take time out of her busy work schedule to visit me and chat. Otherwise, I would have been incredibly bored.”

Ruan Jiyan was silent. She had always thought Song Nanyan was interested in Fu Qingyun, but she hadn’t expected her own possessiveness had clouded her judgment. She thought Song Nanyan was trying to compete with her for Fu Qingyun.

“Then I’ll find time to thank her properly.”

Fu Qingyun sat alone in the hallway outside, calling Song Nanyan.

“Thank you so much for your trouble, running back and forth between China and abroad. When you’re free, let’s go out for dinner.”

Song Nanyan was organizing documents in her office and laughed: “You’re thanking me? Did I hear that correctly? Is today a special occasion?”

“Take the meal or don’t.”

“Now that’s more like you.”

Fu Qingyun: “…”

“By the way, Yun’er, I heard from your brother that you dropped out of school. What made you decide that?”

“I was too lazy to go. I just felt the pressure was too great, and I couldn’t keep up. Besides, with my terrible grades, I was just wasting resources at Imperial University.”

Listening to Fu Qingyun’s self-deprecating humor, Song Nanyan sighed: “Ah, I was hoping you could help me come up with an idea. Now that you’re gone, I’ll have to fight this battle alone.”

Song Nanyan moved her mouse just as a subordinate came in to deliver documents: “I have a meeting soon, Yun’er. I have to go.”

Sure enough, once you become a CEO, you are busy all day. Unlike Fu Qingyun, who was so idle she was practically growing moss. The time she felt most fulfilled was when Ruan Jiyan came home, and she cooked a meal and chatted with her.

She was living the life she had always dreamed of. Fu Qingyun hadn’t expected that transmigrating into a book would allow her to achieve financial freedom and the dream of being a slacker.

If only this wasn’t all fake, she would want to stay forever, be with Ruan Jiyan, and have a happy and beautiful family.

Although she no longer viewed Ruan Jiyan as a virtual paper figure but as a living, breathing person, her original intention was always to complete the mission and return home as soon as possible to her busy but fulfilling ordinary life.

Fu Qingyun was a person who placed great emphasis on emotions. This was also the first time she tasted the feeling of being moved.

Since the goal was to heal Ruan Jiyan, she was almost done with the mission. Now, only the hurdle of Yu Minjun remained. Once Ruan Jiyan got through this, she would probably complete all the tasks and successfully return to the real world.

“Sister.”

Fu Qingyun was spacing out and was snapped back to reality by Ruan Jiyan’s call.

“You’re out. How is Auntie?”

“My mom fell asleep.”

Ruan Jiyan’s eyes were red. She sniffled and said, “Sister, you should go back first. I’ll stay here and keep my mom company, but it might be very late.”

“It’s fine. I’ll stay with you. I don’t have anything else to do anyway. Lying at home is still lying down.”

Fu Qingyun winked at Ruan Jiyan playfully and smiled: “It’s good that Auntie is stable for now. I’ll come to the hospital to accompany Auntie when you’re at school. You don’t have to worry about her being unattended.”

“Mhm,” Ruan Jiyan’s eyes were slightly moist. She leaned gently on Fu Qingyun’s shoulder and whispered: “Sister, thank you.”

Without Fu Qingyun, her mother probably wouldn’t have lived until now.

Ruan Jiyan looked at Yu Minjun, who was enduring the pain with gritted teeth, and felt a pang in her heart. She truly couldn’t stand to see her like that.

If it were the Ruan Jiyan of the past, she would have sold her organs for money to save her. But now, it seemed like this was a bitter torture for Yu Minjun.

Sometimes, living was more painful than dying.

In that case, wouldn’t death be a release?

After hearing the news of Fu Qingyun withdrawing from school, Lin Lesheng, who was usually cheerful, couldn’t understand why she did it.

“It’s nothing,” Fu Qingyun said with a laugh on the phone: “I just felt the pressure was too great and I couldn’t handle the workload. Besides, with my failing grades, I was just wasting resources at Imperial University.”

Listening to Fu Qingyun’s self-deprecating humor, Lin Lesheng sighed: “Alas, I was hoping you could help me figure out a way. Now that you’re gone, I’ll have to fight this battle alone.”

Fu Qingyun knew she was talking about Zhou Wan.

“What’s wrong? Did you upset her?”

“Not really. I just accidentally said the wrong thing a few days ago, and then…”

After hearing Lin Lesheng’s account on the phone, Fu Qingyun gave an expression of disappointment: “Are you stupid? She doesn’t even know you well. Saying something like that in front of Zhou Wan—any Omega would consider that harassment. You really are something.”

“I don’t think before I speak when I get nervous! My Yun Bao, quick, think of a solution for me.”

“Figure it out yourself,” Fu Qingyun almost couldn’t hold back her laughter: “I still have to cook for my girlfriend.”

“You woman who values looks over loyalty!”

“Alright, alright, I’m just joking.”

Fu Qingyun couldn’t stop herself from laughing.

“If you want to pursue Zhou Wan, you absolutely cannot be as impulsive as last time. Otherwise, she’ll think you attempted harassment and will dislike you even more.”

“Then what should I do?”

Fu Qingyun didn’t want to be a matchmaker. She wasn’t usually the type to meddle, but she couldn’t stand by with Lin Lesheng. So, she gave her some standard advice for pursuing girls.

“First, you need to maintain distance from her. That’s the most crucial step. Don’t be rash, or you’ll scare her away.”

“Yun’er, slow down.”

The sound of typing came from the other end of the phone. Fu Qingyun asked confusedly: “What are you doing?”

“I’m typing out all your methods and creating a guide so I don’t forget.”

Fu Qingyun was silent for a moment: “…”

What a genius.

“And you need to indirectly find out her preferences, such as what she likes to eat, what kind of food, and so on.”

Fu Qingyun said whatever came to mind. Lin Lesheng, relying on her fast typing speed, typed out everything Fu Qingyun said, planning to upload and print it out later.

“Thank you, Yun Bao. I’ll treat you to delicious food when I’m free.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

Lin Lesheng smiled foolishly, flipping through the pursuit guide on her phone. Xuan Yu stood next to her, looking at her as if she were an idiot.

“Lesheng, why are you so happy?”

“I just called Fu Qingyun and asked her some questions.”

Xuan Yu paused when she heard Fu Qingyun’s name. Qiao Yunjin had told her not to get too close to Fu Qingyun.

She didn’t know what Qiao Yunjin’s feelings were toward Fu Qingyun. All she needed to do was perform her tasks well so her mother could have more treatment opportunities.

“How are things with Zhou Wan?”

“I…”

Lin Lesheng paused, then said: “Actually, it was all wishful thinking on my part. I disturbed her.”

Fu Qingyun told her that Zhou Wan wasn’t planning to find a partner for now. But Lin Lesheng felt she couldn’t miss this good opportunity. If Zhou Wan ever wanted a partner, and she knew her preferences and stayed by her side, she would certainly become the preferred candidate.

With this mindset, Lin Lesheng prepared to gather her courage again.

It was spring, and everything was sprouting. Lin Lesheng couldn’t afford to sit idly by.

“Are you Zhang Xiaolan?”

Lin Lesheng stealthily stopped Zhang Xiaolan, who was carrying fruit, near the Finance Department dorm.

“Yes, I am. What do you need?”

Zhang Xiaolan didn’t recognize Lin Lesheng, but her first impression of this Alpha was that she was a charming, good-looking blonde beauty.

Mhm, she must have many cute Omegas surrounding her.

“Is your roommate named Zhou Wan?”

“Zhou Zhou? Yes. Why are you looking for her?”

“Actually, um…”

Lin Lesheng stammered, too embarrassed to speak. Seeing this, Zhang Xiaolan cut straight to the chase.

“I know. You’re here to pursue Zhou Zhou too, right?”

“Too?”

Lin Lesheng’s focus was on that word: “Why did you say ‘too’?”

“Someone else is pursuing Zhou Zhou. It’s the campus heartthrob from the Architecture Department, a tall and handsome male Alpha.”

She was too late. Someone else got there first.

Lin Lesheng’s face fell: “How could this happen? I knew I shouldn’t have…”

“You still have a chance,” Zhang Xiaolan couldn’t help but comfort the female Alpha who was nearly two heads taller than her: “Zhou Zhou isn’t interested in that heartthrob. I know she needs genuine affection to be won over. Relentless pursuit won’t end well.”

“But I haven’t even taken that first step…”

Zhang Xiaolan was seeing someone so lovesick for the first time. Although the other person seemed outwardly flirtatious, her manner of speaking and actions were somewhat…

Silly.

Yes, silly.

Silly people are the most trustworthy. She didn’t like the Architecture Department heartthrob at first sight, especially his overly flattering words that could send someone to heaven. But Zhou Wan wasn’t fooled by that.

Like Zhou Wan, Zhang Xiaolan hated Alphas who were glib and insincere.

At least this person didn’t approach Zhou Wan directly but came to her.

She decided to vet her for Zhou Wan.

“What’s your name?”

“Lin Lesheng, third-year in the Music Department. I play piano, violin, drums…”

“Alright, alright, I get it.”

It seems she was musically talented. Zhang Xiaolan nodded.

“You’re a third-year, a Senior.”

“Right? Everyone else says I look like a freshman.”

People truly need contrast. This Lin Lesheng from the Music Department seemed much more reliable than the blond heartthrob from the Architecture Department.

Though both of them were blonde.

Why was Zhou Wan so popular with blond people? Zhang Xiaolan was completely puzzled.

“Can you help me? I want to pursue Zhou Wan.”

Lin Lesheng didn’t wait for Zhang Xiaolan to answer. She immediately pulled a large bag of snacks from the bushes and handed it to Zhang Xiaolan.

“This is a gift from your Senior. Some delicious snacks. Please help me, Senior, okay?”

Their behavior looked exactly like terrorists carrying out an underground deal. Zhang Xiaolan reluctantly took the bag of snacks, seeing her sincere expression.

“Thank you, Senior. Let’s add each other on WeChat. It’ll be easier to communicate.”

“Sure, sure.”

Lin Lesheng saw a sign of hope and quickly took out her phone to scan the code and add Zhang Xiaolan as a friend.

“It’s not convenient to talk here. I’ll message you when I get back to the dorm.”

The transaction was complete. Lin Lesheng flashed a peace sign at Zhang Xiaolan, then watched her run off to the dorm, clutching the snacks.

“Sigh.”

Lin Lesheng sighed. It’s really hard to pursue someone these days.

This was what Fu Qingyun had told her yesterday. First, she needed to “buy off” the people around Zhou Wan, then gradually progress, understand her preferences, and then attack strategically.

Now, she only hoped this young girl would be reliable and not disappoint her.

“What delicious snacks did you buy this time?”

Zhou Wan knew Zhang Xiaolan was back when she heard the rustling of the plastic bag.

Zhang Xiaolan guiltily placed the plastic bag on the desk, forcing her expression to look normal. After all, she was doing something secretive. If Zhou Wan found out, she would definitely scold her to death.

“I just bought some random things. Here, Zhou Zhou, is there anything you like?”

Zhou Wan leaned over when she heard there were snacks. She saw the plastic bag was full of sweet puffed foods and frowned: “It’s too sweet. I don’t eat those.”

“This preserved plum is good. It’s sour. Give it to me.”

“Okay.”

Zhang Xiaolan looked at the preserved plum box confidently.

Zhou Zhou loved sour things, like extremely sour hawthorns.

Zhang Xiaolan saw that the bag was full of snacks she liked. It seemed Lin Lesheng naively thought all Omegas liked sweets, but Zhou Wan was an exception.

She craved sourness. Every time she ate noodles in the cafeteria, she would add almost half a bottle of vinegar. Zhang Xiaolan was shocked when she ate noodles with her last time.

“She likes sour things?”

Lin Lesheng nibbled on her fingernail, texting Zhang Xiaolan.

【Really? How much can she eat?】

The reply came quickly.

【Not much. Just enough to drink half a bottle in one go.】

Lin Lesheng’s hand holding the phone trembled slightly. And that’s considered “not much”?

Half a bottle of vinegar. Lin Lesheng counted on her fingers. She probably wouldn’t finish half a bottle of vinegar in a year.

【Anything else?】

Zhang Xiaolan: 【That’s all. Good luck.】

Lin Lesheng was silent for a moment. She now understood how difficult pursuing someone was.

She didn’t usually like sour things and never added vinegar to her food.

Then, she took out her phone, opened the shopping app, and bought two bottles of aged vinegar online.

“Ruan Bao, time to eat. I made you corn and pork rib stew today.”

Fu Qingyun had prepared light food for Yu Minjun early this morning. She specifically stewed ribs for Ruan Jiyan, planning to give her a good boost.

These days, she had to balance her studies and also run to the hospital regularly, often staying for an entire afternoon.

Fu Qingyun had taken on the responsibility of a homemaker, cooking for both the mother and daughter.

Yu Minjun had stomach cancer. Fatty, meaty foods were off-limits, but she could eat moderate amounts of highly nourishing food.

Although the cancer was late-stage and incurable, satisfying one’s appetite was the most important thing while alive.

“Sister, you’ve worked so hard these days.”

Ruan Jiyan hugged Fu Qingyun from behind. The other woman patted her hand and smiled: “The apron is dirty, covered in oil stains. Let go first.”

“It smells so good,” Ruan Jiyan didn’t let go. She stared at the corn and pork rib stew in the pot, swallowing: “It’s been so long since I’ve had Sister’s stewed ribs.”

“I cooked some congee for Auntie and stir-fried two light vegetable dishes.”

“My mom really likes your cooking.”

Ruan Jiyan opened her mouth and took the small piece of pork rib Fu Qingyun offered her. It was savory and delicious, melting in her mouth.

Yu Minjun truly liked Fu Qingyun. It was clear from her casual conversations with Ruan Jiyan. Yu Minjun praised her incessantly, saying everything she made was delicious.

But she wouldn’t be able to enjoy this good fortune in the future. She wouldn’t be able to see her successfully graduate, nor would she see her turn her life around.

People often experience a brief period of lucidity before death. Ruan Jiyan was constantly monitoring Yu Minjun’s condition, feeling worried whenever she saw her appetite improve.

Fate was cruel. Ruan Jiyan was helpless. She didn’t want to accept her fate, but she had to bow to the harsh reality.

“Sister…”

This was the first time Ruan Jiyan let down her guard and showed her most vulnerable side to Fu Qingyun.

“I’m scared.”