Chapter 27 p1: Transmigrated as the Abusive Story’s Cannon Fodder Female Supporting Character
“Is it really your birthday today? I didn’t get it wrong, did I?”
Xin Yao’s soft, hesitant voice, barely audible above the sound of the rain, jolted Pei Yu out of her reverie.
“Yes, it is,” she replied, collecting herself and taking the bags from Xin Yao.
A cake box and two bags of groceries, surprisingly heavy.
Pei Yu wondered how such a small person could carry so much, and run so fast.
Xin Yao, relieved, let Pei Yu take the bags. “That’s good, that’s good. The butler wasn’t entirely sure. I thought I might have gotten it wrong.”
Pei Yu stepped aside to let her in, pausing as she closed the door.
“You exchanged contact information?”
Xin Yao, not detecting the subtle shift in Pei Yu’s tone, replied casually, “Yes, it’s easier to communicate that way.”
“What couldn’t you ask me directly?” Pei Yu raised an eyebrow, her face hidden in the shadows.
Xin Yao, having taken off her shoes, turned to look at her, a smile playing on her lips.
“Like now, when I’m trying to surprise you.”
She took the grocery bags from Pei Yu. “It’s sleeting outside. It’s cold. Let’s not eat out tonight. I’ll cook. Trust me, I’m a great cook.”
“Okay,” Pei Yu, always agreeable, followed her towards the kitchen. “Do you need any help?”
“No, no!”
As soon as they entered the kitchen, Xin Yao turned and gently pushed Pei Yu back towards the living room.
“It’s your birthday. You’re the guest of honor. I can’t let you cook. Go sit down and relax. I’ll take care of everything.”
Pei Yu didn’t argue, allowing herself to be ushered out of the kitchen.
But she didn’t leave.
She stood in the doorway, watching Xin Yao.
The warm light illuminated Xin Yao’s face as she moved around the kitchen, tying on an apron and starting to prepare the food.
Pei Yu had always been indifferent to life and death.
Every morning, she would wake up, see the sunlight streaming through the window, and think, “Oh, I’m still alive. Might as well keep living.”
It hadn’t mattered either way.
Until she met Xin Yao.
Her neat and orderly apartment had become messy and chaotic, filled with life and laughter. The kitchen, rarely used before, was now filled with the aroma of cooking food.
It wasn’t just the smell of food, but the scent of life, of domesticity. Xin Yao had brought her into the human world, showing her the beauty of ordinary life.
It was a new and strangely comforting feeling.
For the next few hours, as Xin Yao cooked, Pei Yu stood in the doorway, watching her every move, her gaze never wavering.
Occasionally, Xin Yao would turn and smile at her.
“President Pei, inspecting my work? You’re making me shy.”
Despite her playful words, her movements became even more efficient, not wanting Pei Yu to wait too long.
Soon, the meal was ready: four dishes and a soup, looking and smelling delicious.
Xin Yao beamed with pride.
“Dinner’s ready!”
Pei Yu finally moved, helping her carry the dishes to the table.
Xin Yao had filled the soup bowl a bit too full, and as Pei Yu placed it on the table, some of the hot liquid spilled, splashing onto her fingers.
It wasn’t much, but it was hot enough to leave a red mark on her sensitive skin.
Pei Yu glanced at her fingers, her expression unchanged.
Xin Yao, however, gasped, rushing to her side.
She took Pei Yu’s hand, examining her fingers closely.
“Are you okay? Quickly, run it under cold water! I’ll get some burn cream.”
Pei Yu looked down at her, her eyes soft.
“Xin Yao, I’m a demon.”
She wiggled her fingers, and the red mark vanished, as if erased, leaving no trace.
Just like that?
It was incredible!
Xin Yao stared at her fingers in amazement.
“Being a demon is so convenient!”
“It’s alright,” Pei Yu said, seeing her curious expression. “Don’t worry about me.”
“Hmm?” Xin Yao looked up at her, shaking her head. “Even if it heals quickly, it still hurts! I can’t just ignore it.”
It was a simple, casual remark, but it made Pei Yu’s eyes flicker.
Miss Xin was so strange.
It was just a minor injury, a fleeting moment of pain, yet she cared whether a demon felt pain.
What was with her today?
The usually aloof and emotionless Pei Yu was unusually sentimental, easily moved by Miss Xin’s kindness.
It was all because Miss Xin was too gentle.
The food she cooked was even more delicious than it looked and smelled.
It was different from Pei Yu’s cooking.
Pei Yu was meticulous and precise, following recipes to the letter.
Her food was good, but it lacked something.
Xin Yao, on the other hand, was more spontaneous, adding her own personal touch, her cooking filled with warmth and flavor.
If Pei Yu had to describe it, it was the taste of home.
Even Pei Yu, usually a light eater, finished every dish.
Xin Yao, seeing this, was delighted. President Pei clearly appreciated her cooking. After clearing the table, her excitement grew.
She retrieved the cake she had hidden earlier and placed it on the table.
Pei Yu, the birthday girl, was ushered to the head of the table as Xin Yao opened the cake box.
The ribbon unfurled, revealing the cake inside.
A round, white cake, decorated with a ring of tiny snowmen, their red hats and noses adding a touch of color, their chubby bodies huddled together, looking adorable.
Xin Yao had been drawn to the cake the moment she saw it online. It reminded her of Pei Yu.
White with a touch of red, sometimes a bit clumsy and cute.
As Pei Yu looked at the cake, Xin Yao placed a birthday hat on her head.
Pei Yu turned to look at her, the hat slightly askew on her head, her usually cold eyes filled with a hint of confusion.
Xin Yao couldn’t help but laugh, gently nudging her.
“Make a wish!”
Make a wish.
Pei Yu had always found the act of wishing childish. Relying on some unseen force when you had the power to change your own fate seemed pointless.
But now, with Xin Yao beside her, she felt differently.
Perhaps anything with Xin Yao by her side wasn’t so bad.
So, she obediently closed her eyes and made a wish.
The warm candlelight flickered in her eyes, her voice barely above a whisper.
“I want to be with Xin Yao forever.”
It was a statement, not a request.
I want.
As if she was certain it would come true.
And even if it didn’t, she would move mountains and cross rivers to make it happen.
She didn’t believe in gods or fate, only in herself.
Her quiet words made Xin Yao pause, a sudden wave of panic washing over her.
She knew she would eventually leave this world.
After completing her mission, staying in the mission world required paying with points.
But this was her first mission. She had no points. She couldn’t stay.
So, what would happen to Pei Yu when she left?
And when had Pei Yu started thinking about forever?
Initially, Xin Yao had only wanted to help Pei Yu survive, accepting the payment to create a simple transactional relationship.
She hadn’t expected to become so emotionally invested.
A bittersweet feeling washed over her.
She would miss Pei Yu.
But Xin Yao was naturally optimistic, almost to the point of being carefree.
And it was Pei Yu’s birthday. She forced herself to push aside her worries, focusing on the present moment.
She smiled at Pei Yu.
“You’re not supposed to say your wish out loud, or it won’t come true.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Pei Yu blew out the candles, her voice soft yet firm. “I’ll make it come true.”
A moment later, Xin Yao dipped her finger in the frosting and quickly smeared it on Pei Yu’s cheek.
The playful gesture broke the tension.
Pei Yu could have dodged, but she didn’t, letting Xin Yao have her fun.
Xin Yao, oblivious to Pei Yu’s indulgence, pointed at her frosting-smeared face and laughed.
“Happy birthday, Pei Yu!”
Seeing her laughter, Pei Yu didn’t bother wiping the frosting off her face. She cut the cake, handing Xin Yao a slice before taking one for herself.
The soft sponge cake and sweet cream melted in her mouth, making her eyelashes flutter.
“Sweet.”
Xin Yao blinked, finding her comment strange.
“Of course it’s sweet.”
Pei Yu didn’t reply.
It was her first time eating cake.
Since meeting Xin Yao, she had learned many new things.
Cake was sweet.
Demons could feel pain.
Rainy days could be comforting.
A rainstorm, a cake, and Xin Yao by her side.
Pei Yu sat there, in the soft light, looking at Xin Yao.
This was, in her opinion, the most romantic and perfect moment.
But Xin Yao always had a way of surprising her.
She claimed not to be a romantic, yet she was always full of unexpected ideas.
After putting the leftover cake in the refrigerator, Xin Yao, seeing the sky darkening outside, started to think about leaving.
Pei Yu, sensing her intentions, turned to look at her, her lips pressing together.
“Are you leaving?”
The silence after the celebration felt colder and emptier than usual.
Her apartment would be quiet again.
Xin Yao turned to look at Pei Yu, standing in the dim light.
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