The popular girl in school, my roommate, loved to toy with her impoverished, wheelchair-bound boyfriend, Danny. Once again, she told me to push Danny’s wheelchair over, kicking him into the winter lake. Suddenly, a stream of on-screen comments floated before my eyes. ćThe pampered heiress female lead and the dark, secretly rich princeling male leadāthis dynamic is my absolute favorite.ć ćThe worse our female lead is to the male lead now, the more intense their future love scenes will be! It’s just a shame about this pretty little cannon fodder. I wonder if the male lead will blame her for all the wrongs he suffered pursuing the female lead, and then have her die a gruesome death.ć ćShe deserved it, chasing money and doing bad deeds. She brought it on herself.ć ćThis time, the male lead almost died in the lake, finally giving up his pretense of poverty and disability, which he used to prove the female lead would love him no matter what. Heāll reclaim his identity and force her to love him.ć I paused my movement by the lake, then turned, jumped into the water, rescued Danny, and brought him back to my cheap rental apartment. I didn’t want to be cannon fodder; I wanted to be the main character. 1 Danny was unconscious for a long time. When he woke up, I was boiling water in a salvaged iron pot to give him fever reducers. A cockroach crawled past his foot, and his “disabled” leg twitched involuntarily, almost performing a medical miracle by jumping up. I pretended not to notice, holding the fever reducer to his lips, speaking hesitantly. “You have a bad fever. Take the medicine.” Danny’s face was unnaturally flushed, but that didn’t stop him from swatting the fever reducer away with one hand. His lips moved as if to speak, but I beat him to it, apologizing. “I’m sorry… for pushing you into the lake.” My eyes were red, but a forced smile played on my face. “I know an apology can’t make up for what I did to you, but please, at least let me take care of you until this cold is gone. Consider it my penance.” My hand, holding the cup of water, trembled continuously. Danny’s gaze imperceptibly swept across the damp, dimly lit basement, finally settling on my equally flushed face. “You have a fever too?” I widened my eyes slightly in surprise, shaking my head. “There’s only one fever reducer left in the house. You take it.” “Don’t pretend.” Danny sneered. “Every time you help Chloe bully me, she gives you money. After all these times, it must be a hefty sum. You can’t even afford a single cold medicine?” My body stiffened. The sole heir to the Thorne family, a titan in the business world, it would be effortless for him to know I was taking Chloe’s money to bully him. Seeing the mockery in his eyes, and remembering what the on-screen comments saidāthat after this, Danny would become the high-and-mighty princeling, and it would be harder than hell for me to see him againāthis was my last chance. I lowered my head, stammering, “That money, it needs to be spent on something more important.” Danny impatiently looked away, about to stand up and leave, but the next second, he slumped back, half-conscious. Seeing that he was clearly aware but couldn’t wake up, I nodded in satisfaction, snapped a syringe, and tossed it out of the basement. Chloe’s money did indeed have a more important useālike buying a drug that renders someone immobile. Watching me laboriously carry Danny to the hospital, crying in fear yet still encouraging him to hang on, the on-screen comments exploded. ćIs this cannon fodder crazy? She pushed the male lead down then saved him, just missing his family coming to pick him up. If the male lead can’t regain his identity, how will he force the female lead to love him?ć ćThe cannon fodder has no money herself, what’s the point of taking the male lead to the hospital? I’m genuinely worried she’ll actually kill him by dragging him around.ć I certainly had no money, but I had blood. Carrying Danny’s burning body, I practically knelt on the ground, begging the doctor to save him, my sleeves rolled high on my arms. “It’s my blood donation time. Please take my blood. Whatever it takes, please save him. I can’t lose him again.” The doctor looked troubled. “Ms. Lynn, you’ve been chronically malnourished, and you donate blood every month to cover your mother’s medical expenses. You finally paid enough for this month in advance, so you don’t need to donate blood again. Why for a stranger…?” I interrupted him, speaking softly. “I owe him.” The doctor sighed, but agreed to draw my blood. I endured the dizziness from the blood loss, gently cupped Danny’s face, and whispered, “You have to get well, Danny.” “As long as you get well, even if all my blood is drawn, it’s fine.” In the end, I couldn’t resist the weakness from excessive blood loss and slumped beside Danny’s hospital bed, falling into a deep sleep. When I woke up again, it was already dark outside. I slowly opened my eyes and found a jacket draped over me. Danny was sitting on the bed, playing on his phone, his unreadable gaze fixed on me. I instinctively reached out to touch his forehead, sighing in relief when I felt it was cool. “Are you hungry? I’ll go get you something to eat.” I quickly stood up, but my body swayed for a few steps due to dizziness. A strong hand gripped my arm, steadying me and refusing to let go. “You almost killed me, then you used your life to save me. What exactly do you want?” 2 I lowered my eyes, and before I could speak, the doctor knocked on the door. “Your mother just woke up and is asking to see you.” No sooner had he spoken than I, without waiting to answer Danny’s question, tore my hand from his and rushed out. Sure enough, I saw my mother, thin as a skeleton, lying on the bed, her eyes open, anxiously searching for me. My nose stung, and I knelt by her bed, gently comforting her. “Mom, I’m here. Lily is here. Are you feeling better today? If you’re uncomfortable, you must tell me. I’ll find a way.” Mom’s shriveled, pale lips moved, squeezing out a few hoarse words. “Lily, let me… die. Mom… won’t get treatment… anymore.” “You study well, you… live well.” My heart felt like it had been hit with a club, the pain making tears instantly stream down my face. I quickly wiped them away, not wanting Mom to see, and could only repeat, “Mom, I have a way. You’re the only family I have. If you live well, I can live.” “Lily… you’re still young. So much money… what will you do?” I gently wiped away the tears from Mom’s eyes and smiled. “Don’t be afraid, Mom. I have a way. You always said I never lied, so I would never lie to you.” I don’t know how long I comforted Mom. When she lost consciousness again, I watched her furrowed brow for a long time before steadying myself on the bed frame and stiffly standing up. Exiting the ward, Danny sat in his wheelchair, having waited outside for who knows how long. I looked at him in surprise, then touched his cold hand, immediately wrapping my scarf around him. I crouched in front of Danny, looking at him intently. “Why did you come out dressed so lightly? What if you get sick from the cold?” “I’m sorry I let you starve for so long; I’ll go buy food right away.” “The money Chloe gave you, did you spend it all on your mother’s medical bills?” Danny stared fixedly into my eyes, suddenly asking. My eyelashes fluttered, and I nervously clasped my hands. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have helped Chloe bully you for money, but I was truly desperate. I couldn’t just watch Mom die.” “Then why did you spend so much to save me?” Danny gripped my chin, forcing me to look up, his brow furrowed deeply. He couldn’t understand. Tears shimmered in my eyes. “I used to have an older brother…” The hand on my chin trembled slightly. I pretended not to notice and continued, “He drowned in the river trying to earn money for my tuition and Mom’s medical bills.” Tears fell, one by one, onto Danny’s hand. I looked up at him. “In every nightmare since, I see my brother’s eyes, wide open in death after being pulled from the river. He was still clutching a hairpin he wanted to give me.” “So, Danny, I can’t let you die for me. I can’t have another pair of eyes in my nightmares.” I gently rested my cheek in Danny’s palm. “I truly regret what I did before, Danny. Please, give me a chance to make amends, okay? I’ll do anything, please.” He didn’t speak, only his thumb gently brushed my skin. I knew he meant yes, so I stood up and slowly pushed him back to the ward. ćThe sky has fallen! The male lead just messaged his family, giving up on going back! How will I ever see my ship’s fireworks now? Where’s my favorite forced love story?ć ćWhat’s this cannon fodder’s deal? Trying to seduce the male lead and climb the social ladder? Is she that pathetic?ć ćThe comment above is a bit harsh. The little cannon fodder doesn’t even know the male lead’s true identity. In her eyes, it’s clearly two poor souls saving each other, okay? The little cannon fodder is so tragic, with her sick mom and drowned brother. I actually feel a little sorry for her.ć ćI only ship the official couple. I’m going to report this to management to fix the plot.ć The on-screen comments were arguing fiercely. Aside from the last sentence, which caught my attention, I treated the rest of the insults as background noise. After carefully feeding Danny millet porridge, I fetched a basin of water and started to pull down his pants. “Even though you changed clothes, falling into the water and not showering must be uncomfortable. Let me help you wipe down.” Danny raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure you want to clean me?” “Don’t worry, I often help Mom wash up. Even if your legs can’t move, I can handle it.” Determined, I stripped off his clothes and outer pants, only to discover Danny had an incredibly well-built physique; every muscle was perfectly sculpted. My face flushed, and I awkwardly cleared my throat. I cleaned the cloth and carefully wiped him down until a certain change became too prominent for me to ignore. I glanced at Danny in surprise, stammering, “Is… is everything… okay down there?” Danny, pretending to be engrossed in his phone, his forehead veins throbbing, reached out and gripped my shoulder, pulling me against his chest. He leaned down and bit my ear. “Wouldn’t you like to find out if it’s ‘okay’?” “Didn’t you say you’d do anything to make amends?” “So? Is ‘that’ included?” A thrill shot through me, and my entire body turned crimson. Looking into Danny’s beautiful eyes, I gritted my teeth and initiated a kiss on his lips. It was a wild night, especially since Danny often used his “disabled” legs to coax me into sitting on his lap. Danny stayed in the hospital for five days, putting me through the wringer. By day, he ordered me to massage his feet, feed him fruit, and attend to his needs. By night, he coaxed me into relieving his physical discomfort. It was then I saw Danny’s childish side: he was afraid of needles, and after a blood draw, he’d demand a hundred comforting kisses before he’d let up. His guard around me completely dropped. He followed me everywhere, calling me Lily all day, nothing like the “dark princeling” the on-screen comments described. It wasn’t until Danny had mostly recovered that I processed his discharge papers and pushed him to school. At the school gate, I knelt down to remind him. “If you feel unwell, call me. I’ll pick you up. I made ribs tonight; you’re just getting better, remember to come back and eat.” He sensed something was off in my tone and asked in return, “What about you? No classes today?” I avoided his gaze, not daring to look at him, and followed his lead. “Uh… no classes.” No sooner had I spoken than a familiar female voice rang out. “Lily Lynn, you still dare to come back? Don’t forget, you’re not a student here anymore.” “Tsk, tsk, tsk, poor people really stick together. I’m almost moved, hahaha. Danny, the only one you deserve is Lily Lynn. Dreaming of me is just thatāa dream.” Danny’s eyes turned cold. For the first time, he ignored Chloe’s words, stubbornly asking me, “Don’t lie to me. Why were you expelled?” I lowered my head, remaining silent. It was Chloe who answered. “I told her if she dared to disobey my orders, she wouldn’t be allowed in school anymore. Yesterday, she disregarded me, insisted on saving you, and made me lose face. So, I had no choice but to have her expelled.” Danny clenched his fist, and I quickly tried to calm him. “It’s okay. This way, I have more time to work, earn money for Mom’s medical bills, and even your tuition.” ćI reported it, and I’m back. So what if the cannon fodder slept with the male lead? My official couple must be together.ć 3 My voice, still trying to explain, choked on the on-screen comment. A profound sense of unease surged through me. I desperately clutched Danny’s hand, catching a glimpse of the black-suited men who had appeared near the lake that day. They walked in unison to Danny’s side. “Young Master, the Master has ordered you to stop playing around outside.” “Danny…” I stared blankly at Danny’s expression, which had become regal with the appearance of the men in black. My voice died in my throat. Danny imperceptibly frowned, letting out an impatient tsk, then stood up from the wheelchair and followed the men in black away. His indifferent complaint floated back on the wind. “The old man really has impeccable timing. I just found a new toy.” The car sped away, leaving me stunned, and Chloe utterly shocked. “He’s not crippled? Why did someone call him Young Master? What the hell is going on?” She stared, endlessly questioning me. I looked at the jubilant on-screen comments, too exhausted to answer Chloe. All I felt was despair. Was I truly destined to accept my fate, to be cannon fodder my entire life? ćOnce the male lead returns, he’ll immediately inherit Thorne Group. Congratulations all around!ć ćDanny’s first order of business will be to announce his engagement to Chloe. Then our proud little cat will become a down-on-her-luck kitty, and the beautiful forced love story will finally begin!ć ćCannon fodder, just die already, okay? You’re messing up the whole plot.ć I clenched my hands, but then felt a plain silver ring in my pocketāthe one Danny always wore. My heart couldn’t help but pound. I shook off Chloe, who was still grabbing and questioning me, and coldly replied, “I don’t know.” Then I turned and walked away. Not until I could no longer see her did I pull out the ring with trembling hands. My heart suddenly settled. It seemed I had won the gamble. The streets were plastered with advertisements. Danny’s almost perfect face dominated the center. “Thorne Group power transfer successfully completed. Danny Thorne becomes the youngest head of Thorne Corp.” ćThis ring is the male lead’s mother’s keepsake, only given to his future wife. Why is it on the cannon fodder?ć The on-screen comments further reassured me. I practically rushed to the hospital, crying and laughing at my unconscious mother. “Mom, I succeeded. You’re saved.” I sat quietly with Mom, waiting for the fruits of my gamble to appear before me. It wasn’t until late into the night that the ward door was suddenly kicked open, but it wasn’t Danny. It was Chloe, her face contorted with rage. She subtly raised a hand, and a pair of bodyguards rushed forward, pinning my shoulders and pressing me to the ground. Before I could react, a slap landed on my face, and my ears immediately rang incessantly. Chloe rubbed her reddened hand, looking down at me condescendingly. “Did you know Danny’s identity all along? And meticulously seduced him away from me?” I spat out a mouthful of blood, tears of pain welling in my eyes. “I don’t know what you mean. I just wanted to make amends to him.” “Heh.” Chloe sneered, leaning closer to me. “Danny gave you that ring.” “Daring to trick me all this time! Those strange words just told me everything. Wouldn’t it have been better for you to just be cannon fodder? The only one worthy of Danny is me, the true female lead.” “Those words told me the plot has been corrected. Don’t even dream that Danny will come to save you.” She pulled out her engagement announcement with Danny, displaying it before my eyes. Their names were written together, as if they were truly a match made in heaven. My eyes widened in shock, even my pupils trembling. She could see those words too, and the plot really had been “corrected.” “Will you hand over the ring yourself, or will you exchange it for your mother’s life? Choose one.” Chloe said lazily, as a bodyguard already had his hand on Mom’s ventilator. My breath hitched, and I roared to stop him. “No!” Tears streamed down my cheeks as I desperately surrendered. “The ring is yours. Please, spare my mother.” I took off the ring, still warm from my body, and placed it in Chloe’s pale, slender hand. I felt as if I couldn’t breathe. Chloe nodded in satisfaction, then suddenly pulled out her phone and aimed it at me. “You dirtied my things. I need some compensation.” “Have your fun, just don’t kill her.” In my stunned expression, the two bodyguards steadily approached me. I screamed, grabbing a fruit knife to stab them, but it was easily snatched away and thrown into the trash. The bodyguards grinned lewdly, tearing off my sleeve and pinning me down. “Cooperate nicely, and you might even enjoy it.” ćCannon fodder deserves this! Getting in the way of the male and female leads, even being ground to dust isn’t too much.ć I wept silently, unwilling but helpless, until my legs were roughly forced apart. The second before my body was violated, a figure kicked open the ward door. “Who dares touch my wife?”
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