The Cannon Fodder Stole the Male Lead’s Script GL - Chapter 53

The person who arrived was indeed Tong Xue. She had even dressed up with great care.

Tong Xue had always worn her hair short, usually just touching her shoulders, and typically wore black-framed glasses. But today, even classmates who had known her since kindergarten found themselves surprised and barely able to recognize her.

She had gotten hair extensions to lengthen her hair and styled it into an elegant bun. On her head, she wore a unique diamond and crystal hair clip. Her form-fitting dress was clearly a custom design of high quality.

Without her usual glasses, her delicate face was fully visible. With the help of makeup, she looked like spring willows, and her smile was as soft as the wind.

Her entire look had been put together with great intention.

The boy beside her was equally dressed up.

He wore a tailored suit, his hair was immaculately styled, and he stood straight beside Tong Xue. His finely sculpted features and blonde hair made him stand out among the other boys.

Tong Xue clung closely to his arm, and together they stood chatting and laughing with bright, cheerful smiles. No one could deny how well they matched.

But to Xin Keke, the sight felt like a burning hot stone lodged in her chest. It was both painful and stinging.

“Tong Xue, who is this? Is he your boyfriend?”

Someone finally asked the question.

Xin Keke’s heart jumped.

She stood on the lawn, completely still, holding her breath and waiting for the answer.

Tong Xue did not respond to the person who asked. Instead, she glanced at Xin Keke, then quickly looked away. She leaned even closer to the boy beside her and smiled more sweetly than before.

“Why even ask? If he were not my boyfriend, why would I bring him here?”

It felt as though Xin Keke’s heart had stopped. She even forgot how to breathe.

Her eyes turned red.

She gripped the hem of her dress tightly. She wanted to run away, but her feet felt nailed to the lawn. Perhaps it was the crystal shoes her mother had specially prepared for her that were silently telling her to keep listening, to stay and let her heartbreak fully settle.

“How come we have never seen him before? Where did you find him? You are not just making this up, are you?”

Tong Xue widened her eyes and smiled. “Would I lie? I already told you he is my boyfriend. We just started dating. His name is Wayne. He returned from overseas last night. Our parents arranged for us to meet and then we got together.”

“Wow, that was fast. You met once and now you are together?”

Tong Xue raised her eyebrows. “Why not? It was love at first sight. Our families arranged it. Actually, we were promised to each other as children. What is wrong with starting to build a relationship now?”

“Wait, did you get your hair done last night just to meet him?”

Tong Xue raised her eyebrows again, touched her hair, and laughed. “Of course. Who else but our Wayne would be worth such effort?”

“I am getting jealous now. Lemon fruit grows on the lemon tree, and under it stands only me. I am full of envy.”

Tong Xue giggled. “Even if you are jealous, it will not help. Changing a little for our Wayne is nothing at all.”

She looked at the boy next to her with a face full of affection. The boy fondly tapped her nose and kissed her on the forehead.

“You are such a rascal.”

Xin Keke could no longer hear anything else.

Her mind buzzed.

All she could hear were the words:

This is my boyfriend, Wayne.

Who else but him would be worth such effort?

So she already had someone she liked.

It had all been her own wishful thinking.

Xin Keke let out a bitter laugh and turned to walk into the hall.

She was tired and just wanted to go back to her room so she could rest.

She no longer wanted to host this birthday party.

“Keke.”

Suddenly, someone called out to her.

Her body stiffened, but the familiar voice softened her. She turned and saw the person she liked smiling gently as she approached.

It was the most beautiful version of Tong Xue she had ever seen.

She could not help wanting to look a few more times.

But now, even one glance made her chest ache with sorrow.

“Hold out your hand.”

She was still as gentle and cheerful as ever.

Xin Keke slowly held out her hand.

With a smile, Tong Xue placed a dark green gift box tied with a ribbon into it. The wrapping matched the color of Xin Keke’s dress.

“Happy birthday. I hope you like it.”

Xin Keke’s fingers tightened around the box, and her breath caught.

“Thank you.”

She started to walk away.

Tong Xue asked curiously, “Are you not going to open it?”

Xin Keke paused, pressed her lips together, and obediently unwrapped the box.

Inside was a beautiful diamond bracelet.

There were even words engraved on it.

Xin Keke did not look closely. She just placed it back into the box.

“Thank you. It is very pretty.”

Tong Xue smiled brightly. “Of course it is. Wayne helped me pick it. It cost me quite a bit. But since we are good friends, I was willing to give it to you. Even if I run out of allowance, Wayne will help me out. Right, Wayne?”

The boy walking up behind her nodded with a smile and patted her head. “Of course. My money is your money.”

Xin Keke’s hand gripped the box even tighter.

She forced herself not to cry in front of everyone. That would be embarrassing.

She had lost in love, but she would not lose her pride.

“Thank you and your boyfriend for picking this gift. I really like it and will treasure it. The dinner has started, so eat and drink well. I am going upstairs for a bit and will come back later.”

She picked up the gift and ran upstairs.

As Xin Keke’s father and mother returned from greeting the guests, they saw their daughter with red eyes running upstairs, and both of them stopped in their tracks.

Xin Keke’s mother stayed to manage the guests, while Xin Keke’s father followed her upstairs.

Xin Keke’s sudden departure left her classmates puzzled.

“What happened to Keke? Was she crying just now?”

Tong Xue shrugged. “I do not know. I just gave her a bracelet. Did she not like it?”

“That does not seem right.”

Everyone murmured.

“Maybe she was just too touched. But honestly, Tong Xue, your boyfriend is so handsome. We really thought you and Xin Keke were a couple. She seemed to like you a lot.”

Tong Xue burst out laughing. “No way. Neither of us likes girls. What are you thinking?”

“Well, now that we have seen your boyfriend, I guess there is no way you and Keke could be together.”

Tong Xue nodded quickly.

They chatted a while longer. Some went to dance, others played games, and some grabbed microphones to sing.

Everyone was having fun.

After the crowd dispersed, Wayne and Tong Xue walked to a quiet corner. Once out of sight, Tong Xue let go of Wayne’s hand. Her face turned gloomy.

Wayne looked concerned. “Tong Xue, are you alright?”

She shook her head.

“I am fine.”

But her voice was full of sorrow.

“Why did you lie?”

He had actually returned to the country a month ago.

Their childhood engagement had been declined by Tong Xue long ago.

He was not even interested in girls.

Her long hair and new look were clearly prepared for this party.

The bracelet had been crafted from a diamond she had nurtured herself.

She had spent the entire afternoon engraving the words inside.

Why had she dismissed all of that so easily?

“Do you like her too?”

Wayne asked the question Tong Xue herself had not dared to ask.

Silence filled the air.

After a long while, Tong Xue shook her head.

“I do not like her.”

She took a sip of wine and put the glass down.

“I never planned to.”

She walked back into the crowd.

She laughed and danced as if nothing had changed. She became once again the friendly and popular Tong Xue who made everyone smile.

Upstairs, Xin Keke lay on her bed, her face buried in the blanket as she sobbed uncontrollably.

The bracelet had been carelessly tossed aside and now lay forgotten on the floor.

When her father walked in, he saw her body heaving with each sob. His heart broke.

He walked over and gently patted her back.

Xin Keke peeked out from under the blanket. When she saw it was her father, she cried even harder.

He pulled her into his arms and comforted her.

“You like that girl, do you not? But you did well. You tried so hard for your love. Even if the result was not what you hoped for, at least you will not regret it in the future.”

Xin Keke cried even harder.

“But I thought she liked me too. I thought we could be together but it was just me thinking that.”

Her father sighed.

“Love cannot be one-sided. It takes two people. Do you know why life is long? It is because it takes time to find someone who truly likes you back, someone who can walk with you and support you. That is why we must take our time.”

“But today, you made me proud. On the road of love, my daughter is a brave one. Is that not right?”

Xin Keke had never expected that confessing early, and to a girl no less, would not bring her scolding from her parents but instead this kind of comfort.

“So you do not mind that I like a girl?”

Her father snorted. “What kind of man do you think I am? As long as our precious girl likes someone, your dad will support you. But I have one request. Never wrong yourself and never force others. Okay?”

Moved to the core, Xin Keke nodded hard.

“But Dad, I am still really sad and still want to cry.”

“Then cry. Let us lock the door and cry as much as you want.”

“Okay.”