The Cannon Fodder Stole the Male Lead’s Script GL - Chapter 41

“Does it hurt?”

On the way back, Jiang Yun kept asking about Zhan Rao’s condition. Zhan Rao shook her head. “I just bumped it. It doesn’t hurt.”

She had no attention to spare for her hands and feet at the moment. Ever since she had calmed down from being carried into the car by Jiang Yun with such urgency, one name had been echoing in her mind repeatedly. That name was Qin Changrou.

This was the second time she had heard that name from Jiang Yun. Compared to the previous casual mention, this time the name seemed to carry a weightier and more personal emotion.

What exactly was the relationship between Qin Meng and Jiang Yun?
What kind of connection did Qin Changrou and Jiang Yun share?
How had their relationship grown so close in just one short week?

Zhan Rao deeply regretted her behavior. If only she had known earlier, she would not have acted so petty and gotten upset with Jiang Yun.

She truly wanted to know everything about Jiang Yun. She wanted to know her friends and her family. She wanted to understand her entire world. Her desire was overwhelming. She even wished to become involved in every part of Jiang Yun’s life.

Zhan Rao understood that this version of herself, the one consumed by jealousy and neediness, could be off-putting. Still, she could not control her emotions no matter how hard she tried.

While Zhan Rao was plagued by tangled emotions, Jiang Yun remained completely unaware.

When they arrived at the hospital, it was already half past midnight. Jiang Yun had intended to call a doctor to re-examine Zhan Rao’s foot. However, Zhan Rao refused adamantly, so she let the matter go.

“Then get some rest early,” Jiang Yun said, smiling as she gently patted Zhan Rao’s head. She then went to sleep on the couch.

Zhan Rao, on the other hand, had no intention of sleeping. After washing up, she lay on the hospital bed with the blanket pulled over her.

As the night grew quieter, she became even more awake.

From the couch nearby came the sound of steady, even breathing.

Jiang Yun must have been truly exhausted after such a long and draining day.

Zhan Rao turned away with a pout and tried to push aside the troubling thoughts in her mind. She made an effort to fall asleep.

The moment she turned over, Jiang Yun opened her eyes.

In her mind, she replayed Qin Meng’s teasing in the car. She also recalled the intense surge of anger and suffocating panic that had filled her when she saw Zhan Rao fall. It was as if the fury had ignited and burned away every bit of oxygen in her chest.

Zhan Rao’s presence in her life was becoming more difficult to ignore and harder to control.

Yet Jiang Yun also felt uncertainty. Did she truly like Zhan Rao? Or were these emotions just the result of knowing that Zhan Rao might be the one who could save her life?

If her feelings stemmed from genuine affection, then she could pursue this bond with a clear conscience.

But if her emotions were born from survival instincts, then she could never forgive herself for deceiving Zhan Rao’s heart.

The next morning, before Jiang Yun had awakened, Zhan Rao had already gotten up. She had cleaned herself up and prepared for the day. When Jiang Yun opened her eyes, she saw Zhan Rao already seated beside the couch, having returned with breakfast and quietly waiting.

“You’re up this early?” Jiang Yun asked in surprise.

Zhan Rao smiled and cupped her face in her hands. “Yes, I was too emotional last night to sleep well. And my mom is coming to pick me up at eight. I didn’t want her to disturb your sleep, so I told her to wait downstairs. Oh, and I brought you breakfast while I was down there. Eat it while it’s still warm.”

“You’re being discharged today? What about your injury?”

“Didn’t the doctor say the bone wasn’t damaged? I just need to rest. It’s fine.”

Zhan Rao was determined to leave the hospital, and Jiang Yun could guess why. She suspected Zhan Rao did not want to owe anyone a favor.

“Alright. Then let me take you home after dinner?”

“That’s not necessary~ My mom drove here. You can enjoy your breakfast. I’ll head out now~ See you on Monday.”

Zhan Rao picked up her luggage and was about to leave when Jiang Yun grabbed her by the arm.

Jiang Yun frowned, sensing that something was wrong. “Are you upset about something?”

Zhan Rao’s expression shifted. Shame and frustration welled up inside her, and her eyes began to glisten with unshed tears. She tried to hide her discomfort awkwardly. “No…”

“Qin Meng has been my good friend for many years. Qin Changrou is her older sister. I only found out about her last week. As for the thing I kept from you, it’s just… I’m afraid of needles. I thought it was embarrassing, so I didn’t tell you.”

Jiang Yun’s voice was a mix of urgency and helplessness. Her face even turned a little red with embarrassment.

Admitting that she, an adult, was afraid of injections felt mortifying. It was especially difficult for her to confess this in front of Zhan Rao. She had always wanted to seem strong and dependable in her eyes. And now, all of that collapsed because of something as trivial as a needle.

It was truly frustrating.

Suddenly, someone hugged her tightly around the neck. A small figure rushed into her arms and clung to her.

Feeling a little embarrassed but also deeply moved, Zhan Rao murmured, “Jiang Yun…”

Jiang Yun let out a sigh of relief and gently ruffled her hair. “Next time, just ask me directly. Even if it’s jealousy or frustration, it’s okay. Between us, we should be able to say anything, even the worst thoughts that come to mind.”

She was saying this not only to Zhan Rao but also to herself.

Even if she had initially approached Zhan Rao because of a mission, so what? That had only been how their story began. Everything that followed was real.

Love was love.

“Let me walk you downstairs. Your mom is probably getting impatient.”

“Yes, yes, yes…”

Jiang Yun watched the cheerful girl bounce down the stairs and thought helplessly, This silly girl is truly innocent. Her every thought shows clearly on her face.

One day, someone could take advantage of her, and she wouldn’t even realize it.

As expected, Zhan Rao’s mom was already waiting downstairs. When she saw the two girls approach, her face lit up and she waved excitedly.

“Little Rao, over here!”

The moment Zhan Rao saw her mom, she brightened with joy and ran over to her. Holding Jiang Yun’s hand, she was just about to make introductions when her mom exclaimed, “Is this the friend you told me about? Jiang Yun? Oh my, she’s stunning!”

Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Jiang Yun, and her smile was so wide her cheeks flushed red.

“Auntie, you’re very beautiful too. You look like a noble queen from a past era. There’s a kind of grace and warmth about you that draws people in,” Jiang Yun replied with a sincere smile.

She was not simply flattering her. Zhan Rao and her mother looked very different. Zhan Rao had a delicate, oval face, while her mother had a round face, slightly plump with soft features. Her skin was fair, much like a European noblewoman. Her face radiated kindness and tenderness. She treated everyone with genuine warmth and sincerity.

But in the original story, this kind woman did not live long. She died in a car accident before Zhan Rao’s college entrance exams.

That tragic twist was added merely to create dramatic hardship in Zhan Rao’s otherwise smooth journey. It served as a turning point in a subplot where she discovers she is adopted and is later recognized by a wealthy family, prompting the male lead to comfort her.

A few pages of script, a handful of lines, were enough to take away a vibrant life.

They shattered what could have been a happy family.

Was this what they meant by the power of a creator?

Did the creator ever consider whether the characters wanted such lives? Did they ever hear the voices crying out from the world they had written?

Jiang Yun’s face darkened, and she clenched her fists.

“Jiang Yun, are you alright?” Zhan Rao noticed the change and asked in concern. Zhan Rao’s mother also looked worried. “Sweetheart, did I say something to offend you?”

She had heard that some good-looking young people disliked compliments about their appearance. Had she said something inappropriate?

Jiang Yun quickly collected herself. “No, I just felt a bit unwell for a moment. Auntie, it has nothing to do with you. Please don’t worry.”

“Do you need to go back to the hospital? Did you get worn out taking care of our Little Rao last night? Oh… it’s all her fault for not telling me she was in the hospital. She just said she was at a classmate’s house. If I had known, I would have come right away. We can’t have you looking after her all by yourself. This child…”

Zhan Rao’s mother glared at her daughter, gently scolding her. Zhan Rao smiled sheepishly at Jiang Yun, then clung to her mother’s arm and said, “Mom~ It’s my fault, okay? I just didn’t want you to worry…”

The truth was, she had not wanted her mother to interrupt her precious alone time with Jiang Yun.

Zhan Rao’s mother pinched her daughter’s nose affectionately. “But you mustn’t do that again. First, if there’s ever an emergency, you must tell us right away. Second, if it’s something we can handle at home, don’t trouble others. You wasted Jiang Yun’s time. She may have been too polite to say no, but you still burdened her.”

She then turned to Jiang Yun. “Thinking about how you stayed up caring for her all night, I feel awful. Please let me treat you to a meal to thank you properly. What would you like to eat? Anything is fine.”

While speaking, Zhan Rao’s mother could not stop admiring Jiang Yun. The girl was just so striking. Even someone her age felt a little flustered.

Oh dear, these girls today really are exceptional.

“Auntie, that won’t be necessary. It really wasn’t any trouble,” Jiang Yun said, trying to decline politely.

It had been a small act of kindness, and Zhan Rao’s mother was being far too courteous.

Zhan Rao’s mother looked displeased. “No, no. If you don’t let me thank you, I’ll feel terrible.”

“Auntie, really, it’s okay…”

As the two went back and forth, Zhan Rao suddenly said, “Mom, why don’t we invite Jiang Yun to our house? I told her your cooking is amazing.”

Zhan Rao’s mother gave her a stern look. “Child, you want to thank someone, and you invite them home for a meal? That’s too shabby. No, we’re going to a proper restaurant…”

“Auntie, I think Zhan Rao’s suggestion is wonderful. She did tell me how good your cooking is. To be honest, it’s been a long time since I had a proper home-cooked meal. If it’s not too much trouble, may I join you for dinner at your house?” Jiang Yun asked with a warm, sincere smile.

Zhan Rao’s mother felt her heart melt.

Where did this child come from? She was beautiful, polite, and so pleasant.

She clapped her hands joyfully. “Alright then. If you don’t mind, come to our home for dinner.”

Jiang Yun smiled even more brightly. “Thank you, Auntie. I really appreciate it. I hope I won’t be a bother.”

Zhan Rao’s mother laughed so hard she could hardly contain herself. “You’re so well-mannered. Our Little Rao is truly lucky to have a friend like you. I’m just thrilled. Alright then, shall we go home?!”

Jiang Yun and Zhan Rao replied together, “Yes!”